HeyJaredStory Works Round Table | Conversations About Craft
Each week, co-hosts, Alida Winternheimer, author and writing coach at Word Essential, and Kathryn Arnold, emerging writer, have conversations about the craft of writing fiction.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 4
- Latest publication
- Aug 20, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 9, 2026
Latest episodes
SWRT 355 | Magical Realism with Sherry Roberts (opens the original)
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In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Sherry Roberts joins us to talk about the craft of telling stories using magical realism. Learn how magical realism interacts with story elements, how to introduce it to your reader, and the deeper thematic consequences of using magical realism in your fiction. Join us to learn how magical realism differs from magic systems, how it can support your story, and how it opens up possibility and purpose. Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the wri
SWRT 354 | Writing About Crisis with Helen Hynson Vettori (opens the original)
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In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, we are joined by Helen Hynson Vettori, a former Department of Homeland Security senior medical intelligence analyst and paramedic, who brings her unique experiences to the world of fiction. Helen discusses her Black Swan trilogy, which explores the themes of catastrophe and human resilience through the lens of a pandemic, an earthquake, and a terrorist attack set in the future. Discover how her technical background informs her storytelling and the
SWRT 353 | Exploring Human Issues through Fiction with Stephen Ford (opens the original)
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In this week's episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn are joined by Stephen Ford to talk about exploring hard human issues through fiction. Stephen's use of speculative fiction and satire opens the discussion about what it means to be human, or how we encounter the issues of the day. We talk about crafting characters that are real people, representing a variety of viewpoints, how to get those viewpoints on the page, and how to keep it open for readers to be a part of the conve
SWRT 352 | The Role of Setting in Character with Leigh Shalloway (opens the original)
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In this week's episode of the Story Works Round Table, we delve into the intricate relationship between setting and character development in our two-part episode. Join Alida, Kathryn, and our special guest, novelist Leigh Shalloway, as they explore how the environment shapes character arcs in storytelling. We'll discuss Leigh's Hilltown series and how she brings the setting to life, influencing her characters' journeys. If you're passionate about writing and eager to enhance your craft, don't mi
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