An Author's Voice

Charlie Forêt
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Craft musing and thoughts from Charlie Forêt, and indie author who wants to improve and give back to the community.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    OODA Loops by Example

    The author emphasizes the importance of the "Orient" stage in the revision process, demonstrating how one clean paragraph from a work-in-progress can conceal vital emotional content. By analyzing the passage's purpose, the author reveals that an impactful edit transformed a cold line into one reflecting deeper character control, highlighting the significance of intent in writing.

    9 min

  2. Jun 18

    OODA Loops for Editing

    The article discusses the challenges writers face during revisions and emphasizes that the issue often lies not in writing skills but in a missing cognitive step, termed "Orient." It introduces the OODA loop model (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) to enhance revision efficiency, advocating for writers to articulate a passage's purpose before making changes to ensure structural integrity.

    13 min

  3. Jun 11

    In Defense of the Adverb

    The prohibition against adverbs, rooted in a specific writing concern, has become an overly broad rule harming prose quality. While some adverbs can dilute writing, others provide essential emotional and temporal nuance. Writers should evaluate adverbs carefully, identifying their function rather than deleting them indiscriminately to maintain narrative precision and voice.

    10 min

  4. Jun 4

    Naming as Theme

    The discussion focuses on the significance of naming in storytelling, highlighting how names contribute to thematic depth. Through examples from Ursula K. Le Guin, Cormac McCarthy, and Kazuo Ishiguro, the text illustrates that names carry arguments about identity and relationships, impacting the narrative's emotional resonance. Writers are encouraged to scrutinize their naming choices.

    9 min

  5. May 28

    Earning the Proposal

    Romance writers face the challenge of crafting significant moments like proposals, especially when outcomes are predictable. The excerpt from "Another Past" illustrates this through Paul’s proposal to Jeryl, emphasizing the importance of context and emotional groundwork. The scene underscores that romantic milestones often reveal deeper character decisions and commitments.

    10 min

  6. May 21

    When the Bullets Are Real

    This episode looks at what real encounters with sudden violence looks like in a narrative. Action sequences can be critical, but how POV characters react is seldom the typical Hollywood reaction.

    9 min

  7. Apr 30

    Why We All Like Story — What Fiction Does That Nothing Else Can

    The essay reflects on the transformative power of reading, particularly the emotional depth and understanding gained through fictional experiences. It emphasizes how stories expand consciousness by allowing readers to inhabit other perspectives and fully feel emotions. Writing serves as a means for authors to clarify their thoughts, creating a bond of recognition between reader and writer.

    9 min

  8. Apr 23

    When Time Breaks: Tracking Story Timelines and What They Actually Do to a StorySignal Zero – Audio Story

    The author reflects on the complexities of managing story timelines, using mathematical principles for world-building in the Technomancer series. The deliberate use of π days creates narrative challenges, enhancing stakes and reader engagement. He emphasizes that understanding time in storytelling goes beyond mechanics; it shapes character experiences and emotional depth in the narrative.

    8 min

  9. Apr 16

    Signal Zero – Audio Story

    Signal Zero, the first story in An Author's Voice narrated series, follows Sergeant Voss, who guards an archaeological site on a frontier world. After eleven weeks, the team discovers an alien system that addresses humanity directly, questioning their identity. Voss is left uncertain about the system's claims, driving the narrative.

    16 min

  10. Apr 12

    The Quiet Apocalypse

    In "An Author's Voice" Episode 3, the author explores the nuances of writing significant moments in storytelling. Through an excerpt from "Signal Zero," he emphasizes the power of restraint over grandiosity, suggesting that a character's struggle to articulate monumental experiences can evoke deeper emotional responses from readers. The takeaway encourages writers to downplay instead of inflate pivotal scenes.

    7 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Craft musing and thoughts from Charlie Forêt, and indie author who wants to improve and give back to the community.

Information

  • Creator
    Charlie Forêt
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026, Charlie Forêt
  • Show Website
    An Author's Voice