The Re-re-read: Craft Talks on Classic Literature Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:00:26 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859895 en-us © 2026 The Re-re-read: Craft Talks on Classic Literature yes 3daa21ed-a8a3-59e4-b386-ae11dee7b09c Ann Gelder episodic false A fiction writer and recovering academic seeks craft lessons in classic literature. All works are in the public domain and available on https://www.gutenberg.org. The talks are 5-10 minutes, perfect for today's on-the-go author. Earlier and even more pedantic versions of these talks are available on my blog, swerveandvanish.blogspot.com.

The podcast is currently on hiatus, but please enjoy the archived episodes!

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Ann Gelder https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ftrats8hp6u7ztbwi6totiizs9pl?.jpg The Re-re-read: Craft Talks on Classic Literature The Hound of the Baskervilles: Justice and Pleasure in the Mystery Story The Hound of the Baskervilles: Justice and Pleasure in the Mystery Story What makes a good ending--in a mystery story, or in any story? A combination of the unexpected and the inevitable, of course. But there's also something to be said for one final twist (or trick, depending on how you see it), plus a few moral loose ends. 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> What makes a good ending--in a mystery story, or in any story? A combination of the unexpected and the inevitable, of course. But there's also something to be said for one final twist (or trick, depending on how you see it), plus a few moral loose ends. 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-13054638 Fri, 16 Jun 2023 16:00:00 -0400 336 1 full false The Hound of the Baskervilles: Mystery Writing and the Uncanny The Hound of the Baskervilles: Mystery Writing and the Uncanny In this week's episode, Conan Doyle shows us how to make reason and logic--in other words, detective work--not only enchanting, but downright spooky.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In this week's episode, Conan Doyle shows us how to make reason and logic--in other words, detective work--not only enchanting, but downright spooky.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12883055 Fri, 19 May 2023 17:00:00 -0400 434 1 full false The Hound of the Baskervilles: More about Character in the Mystery Genre The Hound of the Baskervilles: More about Character in the Mystery Genre You know that old saw: genre fiction is about plot, literary about character. But in The Hound of the Baskervilles--and, I suspect, in most satisfying mystery stories--the complexities of character drive the plot forward. Also, an update on the progress of my literary mystery novel. 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> You know that old saw: genre fiction is about plot, literary about character. But in The Hound of the Baskervilles--and, I suspect, in most satisfying mystery stories--the complexities of character drive the plot forward. Also, an update on the progress of my literary mystery novel. 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12839196 Fri, 12 May 2023 19:00:00 -0400 298 1 full false The Hound of the Baskervilles: Epistemology, or Dealing with the Dreaded Info Dump The Hound of the Baskervilles: Epistemology, or Dealing with the Dreaded Info Dump In Sherlock Holmes's world, and perhaps in ours as well, you can never be certain that you know what you know, at least until the end of the story. Conan Doyle balances the need to preserve mystery with the equal need to provide information that moves the story forward. Once again, the key to the balancing act is Watson.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In Sherlock Holmes's world, and perhaps in ours as well, you can never be certain that you know what you know, at least until the end of the story. Conan Doyle balances the need to preserve mystery with the equal need to provide information that moves the story forward. Once again, the key to the balancing act is Watson.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12794030 Fri, 05 May 2023 18:00:00 -0400 370 1 full false The Hound of the Baskervilles: Establishing Character through Dialog, Part II The Hound of the Baskervilles: Establishing Character through Dialog, Part II In this extra-short episode, we take another look at how Conan Doyle establishes character through dialog--this time focusing not on what characters say, but how they say it. Also, you can hear me attempt to say "dolichocephalic," a word I have never said before in my life.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In this extra-short episode, we take another look at how Conan Doyle establishes character through dialog--this time focusing not on what characters say, but how they say it. Also, you can hear me attempt to say "dolichocephalic," a word I have never said before in my life.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12744689 Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:00:00 -0400 216 1 full false The Hound of the Baskervilles: How to Establish Character through Dialog The Hound of the Baskervilles: How to Establish Character through Dialog In our first foray into Conan Doyle's creepy classic "The Hound of the Baskervilles," we examine the subtly cruel dynamic between Watson and Holmes, as revealed by their seemingly playful opening conversation. By showing these two as much more than a genius and his humble admirer, Conan Doyle helps us invest in the mystery emotionally as well as intellectually.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In our first foray into Conan Doyle's creepy classic "The Hound of the Baskervilles," we examine the subtly cruel dynamic between Watson and Holmes, as revealed by their seemingly playful opening conversation. By showing these two as much more than a genius and his humble admirer, Conan Doyle helps us invest in the mystery emotionally as well as intellectually.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12651864 Fri, 14 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0400 370 1 full false The Secret Agent: Did Conrad Screw Up the Ending? The Secret Agent: Did Conrad Screw Up the Ending? Probably not. But as I constantly struggle with endings to my own stories, I wonder...did Conrad force a change in Winnie's character in order to wrap the plot up? What do you think?

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]]> Probably not. But as I constantly struggle with endings to my own stories, I wonder...did Conrad force a change in Winnie's character in order to wrap the plot up? What do you think?

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12557938 Fri, 31 Mar 2023 15:00:00 -0400 472 1 full false The Secret Agent: Knowing When to Drag Things Out The Secret Agent: Knowing When to Drag Things Out Plots should be fast-paced, with plenty of action and well-timed jolts, right? In The Secret Agent, however, Conrad sidelines the big events and makes the revelation of those events the real story. This is no more true than near the end, when Winnie, almost in real time, processes what has happened to her brother, as her boorish husband tries to cajole her.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Plots should be fast-paced, with plenty of action and well-timed jolts, right? In The Secret Agent, however, Conrad sidelines the big events and makes the revelation of those events the real story. This is no more true than near the end, when Winnie, almost in real time, processes what has happened to her brother, as her boorish husband tries to cajole her.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12510189 Fri, 24 Mar 2023 16:00:00 -0400 570 1 full false The Secret Agent: Creating Tension through Structure The Secret Agent: Creating Tension through Structure The Secret Agent is not an action-packed novel. Yes, it includes a grisly bombing, but that central event occurs too early according to Freitag's Triangle--and it's reported, not even presented directly. Yet TSA is an exceptionally suspenseful novel because of the way Conrad intertwines structure and point-of-view through a series of hand-offs.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> The Secret Agent is not an action-packed novel. Yes, it includes a grisly bombing, but that central event occurs too early according to Freitag's Triangle--and it's reported, not even presented directly. Yet TSA is an exceptionally suspenseful novel because of the way Conrad intertwines structure and point-of-view through a series of hand-offs.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12463580 Fri, 17 Mar 2023 18:00:00 -0400 399 1 full false The Secret Agent: Writing The Horror! The Horror! The Secret Agent: Writing The Horror! The Horror! Even a squeamish reader like me has to admit that there are certain times, in certain stories, when depicting horror is necessary. In this episode, Conrad shows us how to do it, relatively subtly but still very distressingly. (CW: gore, violence)

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Even a squeamish reader like me has to admit that there are certain times, in certain stories, when depicting horror is necessary. In this episode, Conrad shows us how to do it, relatively subtly but still very distressingly. (CW: gore, violence)

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12415173 Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0500 432 1 full false The Secret Agent: Characterization and the Omniscient Point of View The Secret Agent: Characterization and the Omniscient Point of View Is it OK for an author to hate their characters, even the most evil among them? If you don't offer just a little sympathy, won't they turn out to be cardboard villains? Learn from Joseph Conrad how to dispense with sympathy while crafting a villain who is interesting and memorable. Of course you'll need the omniscient point of view to do it, but why not try? 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Is it OK for an author to hate their characters, even the most evil among them? If you don't offer just a little sympathy, won't they turn out to be cardboard villains? Learn from Joseph Conrad how to dispense with sympathy while crafting a villain who is interesting and memorable. Of course you'll need the omniscient point of view to do it, but why not try? 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12276034 Fri, 17 Feb 2023 16:00:00 -0500 263 1 full false The Secret Agent: Starting Off with a Bell The Secret Agent: Starting Off with a Bell In this week's short craft talk, we begin a new series on Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent. This compact but deeply disturbing novel oozes evil, and Conrad makes sure we get a good look at all of it right from the start--by literally ringing a bell to set the awfulness in motion.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In this week's short craft talk, we begin a new series on Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent. This compact but deeply disturbing novel oozes evil, and Conrad makes sure we get a good look at all of it right from the start--by literally ringing a bell to set the awfulness in motion.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12178045 Fri, 03 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0500 361 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: The End of BK vs. the Last Episode of Lost The Brothers Karamazov: The End of BK vs. the Last Episode of Lost Are you still mad about the last episode of Lost, even though it happened almost twelve years ago? Would you like Dostoevsky to show you how not to write such an infuriating ending--while still preserving your favorite metaphysical/religious tropes? You're in luck--if not in writer heaven.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Are you still mad about the last episode of Lost, even though it happened almost twelve years ago? Would you like Dostoevsky to show you how not to write such an infuriating ending--while still preserving your favorite metaphysical/religious tropes? You're in luck--if not in writer heaven.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-12087161 Fri, 20 Jan 2023 16:00:00 -0500 516 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: In Praise of Brain Fever and the Devil The Brothers Karamazov: In Praise of Brain Fever and the Devil Last time Dostoevsky showed us how to make children interesting. Now let's learn how to do the same for the devil--by way of Ivan's helpful attack of "brain fever."

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Last time Dostoevsky showed us how to make children interesting. Now let's learn how to do the same for the devil--by way of Ivan's helpful attack of "brain fever."

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11993912 Fri, 06 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0500 508 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: How to Make Children Interesting The Brothers Karamazov: How to Make Children Interesting Kolya Krassotkin is a pompous, imperfectly self-aware, but ultimately well-intentioned thirteen-year-old who attracts our hero Alyosha's attention. He deserves ours as well--for through  him, we learn how to keep child characters from becoming clichés, and to make our readers root for these darn kids.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Kolya Krassotkin is a pompous, imperfectly self-aware, but ultimately well-intentioned thirteen-year-old who attracts our hero Alyosha's attention. He deserves ours as well--for through  him, we learn how to keep child characters from becoming clichés, and to make our readers root for these darn kids.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11937667 Tue, 27 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0500 375 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: Characters Behaving Irrationally The Brothers Karamazov: Characters Behaving Irrationally In this short craft talk, we learn why it's sometimes good to have your characters do senseless things--especially if your book is about human senselessness.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In this short craft talk, we learn why it's sometimes good to have your characters do senseless things--especially if your book is about human senselessness.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11886168 Fri, 16 Dec 2022 15:00:00 -0500 290 full false The Brothers Karamazov: Physical Gesture in Fiction The Brothers Karamazov: Physical Gesture in Fiction Do your characters stub out cigarettes or twist their hair while conversing? Do you wish you could think of more interesting and revealing physical gestures that break up dialog or other scenes? Dostoevsky shows us how, through a surprisingly sweet moment with Dmitri.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Do your characters stub out cigarettes or twist their hair while conversing? Do you wish you could think of more interesting and revealing physical gestures that break up dialog or other scenes? Dostoevsky shows us how, through a surprisingly sweet moment with Dmitri.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11844367 Fri, 09 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0500 350 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: On Killing Your Darlings and Letting Them Rot The Brothers Karamazov: On Killing Your Darlings and Letting Them Rot Just as The Brothers Karamazov is becoming a truly exciting psychological mystery, Dostoevsky takes us on a long detour into the life of a seemingly minor character. Did Dostoevsky really need an editor? Or does this digression turn out to enlarge the story in multiple ways? (Hint: the latter.)

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Just as The Brothers Karamazov is becoming a truly exciting psychological mystery, Dostoevsky takes us on a long detour into the life of a seemingly minor character. Did Dostoevsky really need an editor? Or does this digression turn out to enlarge the story in multiple ways? (Hint: the latter.)

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11753616 Wed, 23 Nov 2022 16:00:00 -0500 390 full false The Brothers Karamazov: Depression as Plot Driver The Brothers Karamazov: Depression as Plot Driver Are you depressed about the progress of your novel? Take a lesson from Dostoevsky and his author insert, Ivan Karamazov, on how depression can move your story forward.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Are you depressed about the progress of your novel? Take a lesson from Dostoevsky and his author insert, Ivan Karamazov, on how depression can move your story forward.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11631953 Fri, 04 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0400 475 full false The Brothers Karamazov: The Grand Inquisitor, or Creating a Truly Great Story-within-a-Story The Brothers Karamazov: The Grand Inquisitor, or Creating a Truly Great Story-within-a-Story The Grand Inquisitor, perhaps the greatest set piece in all of (classic) literature, is also a lesson creating a story-within-a-story. The whole novel grinds to a halt while one character narrates a twenty-page philosophical treatise, and yet it's spellbinding. How does Dostoevsky do it? And how might we?

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> The Grand Inquisitor, perhaps the greatest set piece in all of (classic) literature, is also a lesson creating a story-within-a-story. The whole novel grinds to a halt while one character narrates a twenty-page philosophical treatise, and yet it's spellbinding. How does Dostoevsky do it? And how might we?

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11501286 Fri, 14 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400 293 full false The Brothers Karamazov: Where Is the Fault? The Brothers Karamazov: Where Is the Fault? Do you believe humans are masters of their own destinies? Or that an all-powerful creative force controls identity? In this week's episode, we'll see how the way we answer these questions shapes our stories and characters. Also, Alyosha gets his finger chomped.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Do you believe humans are masters of their own destinies? Or that an all-powerful creative force controls identity? In this week's episode, we'll see how the way we answer these questions shapes our stories and characters. Also, Alyosha gets his finger chomped.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11415472 Fri, 30 Sep 2022 13:00:00 -0400 352 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: Simultaneous Characterization The Brothers Karamazov: Simultaneous Characterization Having trouble portraying your characters as complex beings? Want to reveal their many layers over time, instead of in a boring info dump? Learn how Dostoevsky characterizes several people at once by having one character consider and reconsider another--just like real people do.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Having trouble portraying your characters as complex beings? Want to reveal their many layers over time, instead of in a boring info dump? Learn how Dostoevsky characterizes several people at once by having one character consider and reconsider another--just like real people do.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11333026 Fri, 16 Sep 2022 15:00:00 -0400 347 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: What We Write About When We Write About Money The Brothers Karamazov: What We Write About When We Write About Money How does money work in fiction? Must it always *really* mean something else, like power or virtue or the lack thereof? In The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky shows how a specific amount of money can be just what it is--pure cash--while serving to drive the plot and reveal character.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> How does money work in fiction? Must it always *really* mean something else, like power or virtue or the lack thereof? In The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky shows how a specific amount of money can be just what it is--pure cash--while serving to drive the plot and reveal character.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11251484 Fri, 02 Sep 2022 16:00:00 -0400 211 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: The Uses of Shame The Brothers Karamazov: The Uses of Shame Are you looking for a new emotion to explore in your fiction? Are you tired of suburban ennui, unrequited love, and anger? Consider shame. Shame can jump-start your plot and enliven your characters by generating layers of morbid self-consciousness, leading to unpredictable, exciting, and cringe-making behavior. 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Are you looking for a new emotion to explore in your fiction? Are you tired of suburban ennui, unrequited love, and anger? Consider shame. Shame can jump-start your plot and enliven your characters by generating layers of morbid self-consciousness, leading to unpredictable, exciting, and cringe-making behavior. 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11167847 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 16:00:00 -0400 299 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: How to Make Your Novel of Ideas Less Boring The Brothers Karamazov: How to Make Your Novel of Ideas Less Boring So you want to write a Big Philosophical Novel, but don't want to create pages of dry dialog representing various positions. Like Dostoevsky, you can lay out the human stakes of these viewpoints by staging a cringeworthy Simpsons episode in a monastery.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> So you want to write a Big Philosophical Novel, but don't want to create pages of dry dialog representing various positions. Like Dostoevsky, you can lay out the human stakes of these viewpoints by staging a cringeworthy Simpsons episode in a monastery.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11128317 Fri, 12 Aug 2022 13:00:00 -0400 291 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: Solving the Problem of the Bland Hero The Brothers Karamazov: Solving the Problem of the Bland Hero No one likes a main character who's too good, right? That's because perfection (in the author's eyes, anyway) quickly leads to blandness. Adding a flaw or two really helps draw our interest. However, in the case of Dostoevsky's beloved hero, Alyosha Karamazov, the author isn't willing to give him any flaws. He just won't do it. But he does create interest in other ways, particularly through an astonishing childhood memory.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> No one likes a main character who's too good, right? That's because perfection (in the author's eyes, anyway) quickly leads to blandness. Adding a flaw or two really helps draw our interest. However, in the case of Dostoevsky's beloved hero, Alyosha Karamazov, the author isn't willing to give him any flaws. He just won't do it. But he does create interest in other ways, particularly through an astonishing childhood memory.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-11011901 Fri, 22 Jul 2022 13:00:00 -0400 372 1 full false The Brothers Karamazov: The Case for the Digressive Narrator The Brothers Karamazov: The Case for the Digressive Narrator Here we go, into the novel that, if pressed, I will say is the greatest of all time. And the very first sentence is...misleading? We quickly find that we're in the hands of a narrator who can't seem to concentrate, much less serve as a reliable guide to the events of the story. Instead of creating an intellectual puzzle, however, this narrator shows he's going to offer us something more important--insight into the fallibility and greatness of human beings.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Here we go, into the novel that, if pressed, I will say is the greatest of all time. And the very first sentence is...misleading? We quickly find that we're in the hands of a narrator who can't seem to concentrate, much less serve as a reliable guide to the events of the story. Instead of creating an intellectual puzzle, however, this narrator shows he's going to offer us something more important--insight into the fallibility and greatness of human beings.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10969354 Fri, 15 Jul 2022 18:00:00 -0400 348 1 full false The Turn of the Screw: The Ghost Story as Collaboration The Turn of the Screw: The Ghost Story as Collaboration In our last lesson from Henry James, we consider the ending, which, according to An Eminent Practitioner of Literary Analysis Many Years Ago, no one understands. But we do! Because not understanding is the point, and it's what makes TOTS so very disturbing.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In our last lesson from Henry James, we consider the ending, which, according to An Eminent Practitioner of Literary Analysis Many Years Ago, no one understands. But we do! Because not understanding is the point, and it's what makes TOTS so very disturbing.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10928099 Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:00:00 -0400 461 1 full false The Turn of the Screw: The Anatomy of Fear and of the Sentence The Turn of the Screw: The Anatomy of Fear and of the Sentence Just like Henry James's sentences, fear is complex. Here's a close look at how James depicts the many shades of fear in a single sentence.

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]]> Just like Henry James's sentences, fear is complex. Here's a close look at how James depicts the many shades of fear in a single sentence.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10891232 Fri, 01 Jul 2022 15:00:00 -0400 274 1 full false The Turn of the Screw: Why You Might Want to Try Writing Like Henry James The Turn of the Screw: Why You Might Want to Try Writing Like Henry James Would "The Turn of the Screw" be better if James had embraced minimalism? Why does the narrator depict scary events in such convoluted prose? Or is the writing itself part of the story?

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Would "The Turn of the Screw" be better if James had embraced minimalism? Why does the narrator depict scary events in such convoluted prose? Or is the writing itself part of the story?

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10811538 Fri, 17 Jun 2022 16:00:00 -0400 286 1 full false The Turn of the Screw: Architecting Your Fiction The Turn of the Screw: Architecting Your Fiction If you are spatially and directionally challenged like me, you may be especially impressed (and also a little annoyed) by how specifically James renders the three-dimensional spaces in this story. But it's worth making the effort to literally map out exactly where your characters are at all times.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> If you are spatially and directionally challenged like me, you may be especially impressed (and also a little annoyed) by how specifically James renders the three-dimensional spaces in this story. But it's worth making the effort to literally map out exactly where your characters are at all times.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10771696 Fri, 10 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0400 398 1 full false The Turn of the Screw: How to Transform Clichés into Awesome New Images The Turn of the Screw: How to Transform Clichés into Awesome New Images Did you just catch yourself writing "palpable silence" or "heavy sorrow"? Don't delete that cliché. Learn from Henry James, and turn (see what I did there?) it into something entirely new and wonderful.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Did you just catch yourself writing "palpable silence" or "heavy sorrow"? Don't delete that cliché. Learn from Henry James, and turn (see what I did there?) it into something entirely new and wonderful.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10732182 Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:00:00 -0400 265 1 full false The Turn of the Screw: How to Create a Shadowy Apparition The Turn of the Screw: How to Create a Shadowy Apparition Do you want to write a scene with a shadowy apparition that seems fully grounded and hallucinatory at the same time? Watch and learn from Henry James, as the governess first encounters the visitant.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Do you want to write a scene with a shadowy apparition that seems fully grounded and hallucinatory at the same time? Watch and learn from Henry James, as the governess first encounters the visitant.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10662687 Sun, 22 May 2022 18:00:00 -0400 555 1 full false The Turn of the Screw: Dialog as Unpredictable Action The Turn of the Screw: Dialog as Unpredictable Action We all know dialog has to do more than one thing. But if one of the things it does is exposition, how do we keep it from becoming a boring Q and A session? Henry James knows how. Here's how important information about the governess's "charming" charges becomes more like a battle and a hunt.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> We all know dialog has to do more than one thing. But if one of the things it does is exposition, how do we keep it from becoming a boring Q and A session? Henry James knows how. Here's how important information about the governess's "charming" charges becomes more like a battle and a hunt.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10614640 Fri, 13 May 2022 19:00:00 -0400 536 1 full false The Turn of the Screw: How to Frame a Narrative The Turn of the Screw: How to Frame a Narrative In the first episode on Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw," we look at the very complicated way in which James sets up the storytelling before even getting to the story itself. What's the deal with all these delays, with these layers of narrators telling stories others have told them, in the distant past, right before dying? With a guest appearance by H. G. Wells.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In the first episode on Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw," we look at the very complicated way in which James sets up the storytelling before even getting to the story itself. What's the deal with all these delays, with these layers of narrators telling stories others have told them, in the distant past, right before dying? With a guest appearance by H. G. Wells.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10572404 Fri, 06 May 2022 16:00:00 -0400 487 1 full false Moby-Dick: The Double Ending, Or, The Ambiguities (and How to Make Them Work for You) Moby-Dick: The Double Ending, Or, The Ambiguities (and How to Make Them Work for You) In our final podcast on Moby-Dick, we look at the novel's two distinct endings, the big one and the small one, and consider why you might want such an ending for your own story.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In our final podcast on Moby-Dick, we look at the novel's two distinct endings, the big one and the small one, and consider why you might want such an ending for your own story.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10528941 Fri, 29 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0400 403 1 full false Moby-Dick: Upending Expectations, or Calmness as a Big Splash Moby-Dick: Upending Expectations, or Calmness as a Big Splash With so much buildup, the first appearance of the white whale has to do much more than meet expectations. Here's how Melville handles the big reveal, by acknowledging and then brilliantly upending conventional monster entrances.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> With so much buildup, the first appearance of the white whale has to do much more than meet expectations. Here's how Melville handles the big reveal, by acknowledging and then brilliantly upending conventional monster entrances.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10445605 Fri, 15 Apr 2022 13:00:00 -0400 401 1 full false Moby-Dick: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Ahab? Moby-Dick: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Ahab? Ahab's crew knows he's insane and leading them all to certain death. So why don't they just kill him? The answer may surprise you...and help you with pivotal moments in your own fiction.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ahab's crew knows he's insane and leading them all to certain death. So why don't they just kill him? The answer may surprise you...and help you with pivotal moments in your own fiction.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10404241 Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:00:00 -0400 401 1 full false Moby-Dick: How to Create Life Moby-Dick: How to Create Life As Ahab screams at God during a thunderstorm, we learn not only how to create memorable characters, but vivid, embodied life.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> As Ahab screams at God during a thunderstorm, we learn not only how to create memorable characters, but vivid, embodied life.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10361887 Fri, 01 Apr 2022 14:00:00 -0400 335 1 full false Moby-Dick: What Is Ishmael? Or, Fun and Frustration with Point of View Moby-Dick: What Is Ishmael? Or, Fun and Frustration with Point of View Point of view is hard enough for us merely mortal writers to wrestle with. But what if, like Melville, we decide to make it even more confusing? Might making the problem worse actually solve it? Call this episode Fun with Ishmael.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Point of view is hard enough for us merely mortal writers to wrestle with. But what if, like Melville, we decide to make it even more confusing? Might making the problem worse actually solve it? Call this episode Fun with Ishmael.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10234847 Fri, 11 Mar 2022 19:00:00 -0500 527 1 full false Moby-Dick: The Castaway, or The Novelist's Compensation Moby-Dick: The Castaway, or The Novelist's Compensation In the chapter called "The Castaway," beautiful language intersects with astonishing if not entirely intentional cruelty. Does the beauty make up for the cruelty? Also, how to depict God in a few easy steps.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In the chapter called "The Castaway," beautiful language intersects with astonishing if not entirely intentional cruelty. Does the beauty make up for the cruelty? Also, how to depict God in a few easy steps.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10189762 Fri, 04 Mar 2022 15:00:00 -0500 335 1 full false Moby-Dick: Don't Tell But Also Don't Show, At Least Not in the Usual Way Moby-Dick: Don't Tell But Also Don't Show, At Least Not in the Usual Way Melville's griping about the terrible state of whale-painting in the 19th century prompts some thoughts on "Show, don't tell" and readers' expectations of visual imagery. 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Melville's griping about the terrible state of whale-painting in the 19th century prompts some thoughts on "Show, don't tell" and readers' expectations of visual imagery. 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10101064 Fri, 18 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0500 301 1 full false Moby-Dick: Creating Realism through Minor Characters Moby-Dick: Creating Realism through Minor Characters Through the peculiar exhortations of Stubb to his whale-boat crew, Melville weaves a complex web of relationships, creating a complex and realistic fictional world. With a special appearance by the Office Space boss.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Through the peculiar exhortations of Stubb to his whale-boat crew, Melville weaves a complex web of relationships, creating a complex and realistic fictional world. With a special appearance by the Office Space boss.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10059612 Fri, 11 Feb 2022 19:00:00 -0500 361 1 full false Moby-Dick: Listen to the Whooping Imps of the Blocksburg: What Beautiful Music They Make Moby-Dick: Listen to the Whooping Imps of the Blocksburg: What Beautiful Music They Make In this week's extra-short lesson, we remember the importance of sound and rhythm in our writing. And we mention Bigfoot.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In this week's extra-short lesson, we remember the importance of sound and rhythm in our writing. And we mention Bigfoot.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-10013138 Fri, 04 Feb 2022 13:00:00 -0500 223 full false Moby-Dick: The Soul as a Character Moby-Dick: The Soul as a Character Ahab is a goldmine of terrific characterization techniques. In this episode, he loses control of his own soul, which runs amok in the night and gives us some new ways to think and write about this very old concept.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ahab is a goldmine of terrific characterization techniques. In this episode, he loses control of his own soul, which runs amok in the night and gives us some new ways to think and write about this very old concept.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9969934 Fri, 28 Jan 2022 12:00:00 -0500 341 1 full false Moby-Dick: You Will Never Get the Whale Moby-Dick: You Will Never Get the Whale How a patch of pedantry raises the stakes in the whale hunt, or when tone is more important than plot.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> How a patch of pedantry raises the stakes in the whale hunt, or when tone is more important than plot.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9887022 Fri, 14 Jan 2022 12:00:00 -0500 328 1 full false Moby-Dick: How to Make a Character Larger Than Life Moby-Dick: How to Make a Character Larger Than Life Even if you haven't read Moby-Dick, it's highly likely you know who Ahab is, what he looks like, and what his very serious problem is. What can we learn from Melville about creating a larger-than-life character? The way we first meet the character is very important.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Even if you haven't read Moby-Dick, it's highly likely you know who Ahab is, what he looks like, and what his very serious problem is. What can we learn from Melville about creating a larger-than-life character? The way we first meet the character is very important.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9848733 Fri, 07 Jan 2022 17:00:00 -0500 436 1 full false Moby-Dick: Comedy and Characterization Moby-Dick: Comedy and Characterization In the first of a series of talks on Moby-Dick, we discover how--and why--Ishmael's introduction to Queequeg sounds like Monty Python's parrot sketch. 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In the first of a series of talks on Moby-Dick, we discover how--and why--Ishmael's introduction to Queequeg sounds like Monty Python's parrot sketch. 

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9811968 Fri, 31 Dec 2021 12:00:00 -0500 409 full false Dracula: The Somewhat Disappointing But Possibly Brilliant Demise of Dracula Dracula: The Somewhat Disappointing But Possibly Brilliant Demise of Dracula In our last episode on Dracula (before we begin a new series on Moby-Dick), we ruminate on Dracula's strangely anticlimactic death scene. Is Stoker just tired of all the drama and rushing to get to the end? Or is there another, possibly quite interesting twist here?

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In our last episode on Dracula (before we begin a new series on Moby-Dick), we ruminate on Dracula's strangely anticlimactic death scene. Is Stoker just tired of all the drama and rushing to get to the end? Or is there another, possibly quite interesting twist here?

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9741087 Fri, 17 Dec 2021 12:00:00 -0500 435 1 10 full false Dracula: Dostoevsky Does Dracula Dracula: Dostoevsky Does Dracula In which the host speculates on what might happen if Dostoevsky wrote Dracula, focusing on the theological dilemma posed by vampire-hunting. A fun thought exercise for Novelists of Ideas.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> In which the host speculates on what might happen if Dostoevsky wrote Dracula, focusing on the theological dilemma posed by vampire-hunting. A fun thought exercise for Novelists of Ideas.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9658072 Fri, 03 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -0500 244 1 9 full false Dracula: When Character Fights Plot Dracula: When Character Fights Plot I know Stoker never set out to write a deeply probing psychological horror novel, but the thing is...he almost did. As the novel progresses, his requirements for "heroic" male characters collide with the requirements of the plot, making his heroes look worse than they otherwise would. This brief episode ends with a call for redefining male heroism in particular.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> I know Stoker never set out to write a deeply probing psychological horror novel, but the thing is...he almost did. As the novel progresses, his requirements for "heroic" male characters collide with the requirements of the plot, making his heroes look worse than they otherwise would. This brief episode ends with a call for redefining male heroism in particular.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9618958 Fri, 26 Nov 2021 19:00:00 -0500 305 1 8 full false Dracula: The Problem of Van Helsing Dracula: The Problem of Van Helsing With the introduction of the "great specialist," the vampire hunter Van Helsing, Stoker gives a master class in how not to depict an expert--and some inadvertent suggestions for what to do instead.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> With the introduction of the "great specialist," the vampire hunter Van Helsing, Stoker gives a master class in how not to depict an expert--and some inadvertent suggestions for what to do instead.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9539852 Fri, 12 Nov 2021 17:00:00 -0500 405 1 7 full false Dracula: The Problem of Other Minds Dracula: The Problem of Other Minds Our first look at the famously zoophagous Renfield gives us insight into another way Stoker creates a sense of realism: by showing his characters struggling with the problem of other minds.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Our first look at the famously zoophagous Renfield gives us insight into another way Stoker creates a sense of realism: by showing his characters struggling with the problem of other minds.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9499729 Fri, 05 Nov 2021 16:00:00 -0400 313 1 6 full false Dracula: Respecting Your Characters Dracula: Respecting Your Characters Mina as one of the novel's main narrators, as well as possibly its hero, shows why better storytelling results when you let at least one point of view character be as smart and insightful as you are.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Mina as one of the novel's main narrators, as well as possibly its hero, shows why better storytelling results when you let at least one point of view character be as smart and insightful as you are.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9416502 Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:00:00 -0400 245 1 5 full false Dracula: The Unsettling Setting, Part II Dracula: The Unsettling Setting, Part II A little more on how Stoker uses the landscape to create serious dread. This time, rather than putting us in an unfamiliar place, he makes our heroine's home feel unfamiliar to her. Now England is even creepier than the Carpathians.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> A little more on how Stoker uses the landscape to create serious dread. This time, rather than putting us in an unfamiliar place, he makes our heroine's home feel unfamiliar to her. Now England is even creepier than the Carpathians.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9377285 Fri, 15 Oct 2021 19:00:00 -0400 244 1 4 full false Dracula: Dracula's Psychology Dracula: Dracula's Psychology A brief dive into Dracula's motivations. Hint--it's not just blood in the literal sense. It's what he believes about history, and a supposedly once-great people brought low.  Hm.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> A brief dive into Dracula's motivations. Hint--it's not just blood in the literal sense. It's what he believes about history, and a supposedly once-great people brought low.  Hm.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9335396 Fri, 08 Oct 2021 13:00:00 -0400 418 1 3 full false Dracula: Audience is Everything Dracula: Audience is Everything The particularly intimate writing forms (diaries, letters, phonograph recordings) used in Dracula remind us to focus on the narrator's specific audience. When thinking about your story or novel's point(s) of view, it's also worth thinking about who's on the receiving end.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> The particularly intimate writing forms (diaries, letters, phonograph recordings) used in Dracula remind us to focus on the narrator's specific audience. When thinking about your story or novel's point(s) of view, it's also worth thinking about who's on the receiving end.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Gelder Buzzsprout-9295101 Fri, 01 Oct 2021 16:00:00 -0400 249 1 2 full false Dracula: The Unsettling Setting Dracula: The Unsettling Setting Ride along with Jonathan Harker toward Castle Dracula--and see how Bram Stoker turns a beautiful landscape into a creepfest.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ride along with Jonathan Harker toward Castle Dracula--and see how Bram Stoker turns a beautiful landscape into a creepfest.

Ann Gelder on Bluesky: @anngelder.bsky.social

]]> Ann Buzzsprout-9255716 Fri, 24 Sep 2021 18:00:00 -0400 339 full false