Dan Wells

Dan Wells joins our conversation as we break down the seven-point plot structure! Using examples from Star Wars , Toy Story , and other films, we discuss how each point creates conflict, drives character growth, and moves a story forward. We explore the difference between plot points that move characters toward their goals and pinch points that place obstacles in their way. We also examine how the midpoint shifts a protagonist from reacting to events to taking action. And remember– seven-point structure is a flexible tool that can be adapted to many different kinds of stories! Homework: Take a subplot from a story you're working on and map it onto the seven-point plot structure. Start with the resolution, identify the opposite starting state for the hook, then sketch out the plot points, pinch points, and midpoint to see how the subplot develops from beginning to end. Final WXR Cruise! Our final WXR cruise is sold out, but you can join our waitlist here ! Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, and DongWon Song. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Join Our Writing Community! Writing Retreats Newsletter Patreon Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Facebook Our Sponsors: * Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/excuses for a great deal: https://www.homeserve.com * Check out MasterClass and use my code masterclass.com/EXCUSES for a great deal: https://MasterClass.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As our 20th season comes to a close, we reflect on the end of 2025 and a major transition for the show, as Dan Wells steps away from Writing Excuses as a full-time core host. Dan shares the thoughtful, hard-won reasoning behind his decision, while the rest of the team reflects on what his presence has meant to this podcast and our community. We recorded the first half of this episode in June and the second half in December 2025. Why is that? Because we wanted to discuss our plans for the rest of the year and later return to see how those plans actually played out—a kind of time capsule for all of us. Along the way, we talk candidly about change, ambition, and the reality of creative lives that rarely move in straight lines. Homework : 1. We've created a publicly accessible Patreon post titled “Thank you Dan Wells” for you, our listeners, to share things you've learned from Dan, appreciation you wish to express, or even your favorite stories about Dan. Go to patreon.com/WritingExcuses and look for this post. 2. Final Homework From Dan: Watch some of the show Twisted Metal (warning: there’s a lot of gore and swearing). If that's not your cup of tea, then check out the interactive novel, The Book of Hungry Names by Kyle Marquis. See what you can learn from these pieces of media—they are master storytellers! ANNOUNCEMENTS: Last Annual Cruise The final WXR cruise* sets sail for Alaska in September 2026—don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Learn more and sign up here . *Scholarship applications for our cruise are open now until December 31st, 2025. You can learn more and apply here . Call for Writing Breakthroughs Have you had a breakthrough in your writing because of Writing Excuses ? If so, we want to hear about it. Fill out this Writing Breakthroughs Google Form for a chance to be featured in a WX Newsletter! Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Howard Tayler, Dan Wells, Erin Roberts, DongWon Song, and Mary Robinette Kowal (for the first half). It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Join Our Writing Community! Writing Retreats Newsletter Patreon Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Facebook Our Sponsors: * Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/excuses for a great deal: https://www.homeserve.com * Check out MasterClass and use my code masterclass.com/EXCUSES for a great deal: https://MasterClass.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130

2 quick reminders: Scholarship applications for our 2026 cruise are open now until December 31st, 2025. You can learn more and apply here . AND early bird pricing for this cruise (going to Alaska in September 2026) ends on February 15th! Get your tickets here ! This week, Dan Wells opens up about how depression reshaped his writing process—and what rebuilding that process has looked like in the years since. The conversation ranges from tiny, mechanical steps to full-on cognitive reframing, with the hosts comparing notes on mindfulness, spectating, trauma responses, and even puppy-training techniques for rewiring your brain. They explore how environment, routine, and self-compassion can make the difference between staring at a blank screen and finding a way back into the work. Expect honesty, humor, and a lot of practical wisdom for how to care for your mental and emotional landscape while still trying to make art. Homework: Be kind to yourself—and extend that compassion to at least one person in your life who may be struggling, too. Then take a close look at your own rhythms, spaces, and habits to identify when and where you work best, and experiment with those ideal conditions this week. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Last Annual Cruise The final WXR cruise sets sail for Alaska in September 2026—don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Learn more and sign up here . *Scholarship applications for our cruise are open now until December 31st, 2025. You can learn more and apply here . Call for Writing Breakthroughs Have you had a breakthrough in your writing because of Writing Excuses ? If so, we want to hear about it. Fill out this Writing Breakthroughs Google Form for a chance to be featured in a WX Newsletter! Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Dan Wells, Erin Roberts, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, and DongWon Song. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Join Our Writing Community! Writing Retreats Newsletter Patreon Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Facebook Our Sponsors: * Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/excuses for a great deal: https://www.homeserve.com * Check out MasterClass and use my code masterclass.com/EXCUSES for a great deal: https://MasterClass.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Support this podc

Our hosts explore how to write compelling confrontations—whether physical fights or emotional arguments—in a live episode recorded on the Writing Excuses Cruise. Building off Dan Wells' class Why Your Fight Scene Is Boring , our hosts break down reactions into four elements: focus, physicality, thought, and action. The discussion dives into how newness, character history, and anticipation shape these moments, and how effective confrontations reveal both character and motivation. Plus: sword fighting, puppetry, and driving on black ice. Thing of the Week: Death and Other Details (on Hulu) Homework: Watch an action scene in a movie—something that you really like. Then, to underline how different books are as a medium, transcribe it— blow for blow, step for step, and see how long you can get into that before you tear your own hair out because it becomes incredibly boring. Then, after you've proven that the blocking and the blow-by-blow doesn't work, rewrite that scene in a way that does, in a way that translates to and uses the medium of prose. P.S. Our 2025 writing retreat (on a cruise! In Mexico!) is over 50% sold out! Learn more and sign up here . Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal, Erin Roberts, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Join Our Writing Community! Writing Retreats Newsletter Patreon Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Facebook Our Sponsors: * Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/excuses for a great deal: https://www.homeserve.com * Check out MasterClass and use my code masterclass.com/EXCUSES for a great deal: https://MasterClass.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells are back to talk about the dawn of Civilization...7. They chat all things Civ when it comes to the video game, from how they started, what they love, and how they really feel about the newest entry. Want to send me something to open? Dragonsteel Entertainment ATTN: Adam P.O Box 698 American Fork, UT 84003 Get your Wheel of Time updates here with the Bound and Woven Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/brandonsanderson/eye-of-the-world-campaign Stay up to date by following my newsletter: https://brandonsanderson.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7d056bb7596a3e617f82004b2&id=fa68f14db0 Interested in signed books and swag? Check here: https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/ You can also follow me on: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrandonsanderson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandSanderson Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/?hl=en Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mistbornbrandon Frequently asked questions: https://faq.brandonsanderson

This episode was recorded live at our 2024 Writing Excuses Cruise. (Did you know that we host a writing retreat on a cruise every year!?! You can learn more at https://writingexcuses.com/retreats/ .) While on a boat in Mexico, we were joined by author Mark Oshiro and literary agent Kate McKean. In addition to our hosts, they answered questions that were asked by our cruise attendees. Our answers included things such as how much space a character should take up and how to find the balance between plot-focused and character-focused novels. We also tackled questions about worldbuilding, motivation, and deadlines. Homework: Ask someone a question about writing, either to learn more about what they're working on or to work through a project of your own. Sign up for our newsletter: https://writingexcuses.com Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, Mark Oshiro, and Kate McKean. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Sign up for our newsletter Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Join Our Writing Community! Patreon Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Facebook Our Sponsors: * Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/excuses for a great deal: https://www.homeserve.com * Check out MasterClass and use my code masterclass.com/EXCUSES for a great deal: https://MasterClass.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells sit down after a while to catch up about all the things that have been going on in there life. Dan also brings several mystery gifts for Brandon from friends and fans. Want to send me something to open? Dragonsteel Entertainment ATTN: Adam P.O Box 698 American Fork, UT 84003 Stay up to date by following my newsletter: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/tag/newsletter/#footer Interested in signed books and swag? Check here: https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/ You can also follow me on: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrandonsanderson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandSanderson Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/?hl=en Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mistbornbrandon Frequently asked questions: https://faq.brandonsanderson.com/

Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells sit down to talk about what makes a good character for villain and a design to boot! Want to send me something to open? Dragonsteel Entertainment ATTN: Adam P.O Box 698 American Fork, UT 84003 Stay up to date by following my newsletter: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/tag/newsletter/#footer Interested in signed books and swag? Check here: https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/ You can also follow me on: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrandonsanderson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandSanderson Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/?hl=en Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mistbornbrandon Frequently asked questions: https://faq.brandonsanderson.com/ Tier List Placings: Good Design / Good Character: Gollum, Captain Hook, Starscream (Dan), Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, Dracula, The Joker Good Design / Flat Character: Sauron, Xenomorph, Big Brother, Voldemort, Boba Feet, Pac-Man Ghost, Cobra Commander, Bowser Poor Design / Good Character: Professor Moriarty, Flintheart Glomgold, Khan, Starscream (Brandon), Nicol Bolas, Thanos Poor Design / Flat Character: M.O.D.A.K, Megatron, Shredder, Skeletor Tier: Skeletor

Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells sit down to chat about how the world is not always what it seems and how ghosts and ghouls may be lurking about. Throw on top a few bad story ideas and you have your typical episode of Intentionally Blank! Want to send me something to open? Dragonsteel Entertainment ATTN: Adam P.O Box 698 American Fork, UT 84003 Stay up to date by following my newsletter: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/tag/newsletter/#footer Interested in signed books and swag? Check here: https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/ You can also follow me on: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrandonsanderson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandSanderson Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/?hl=en Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mistbornbrandon Frequently asked questions: https://faq.brandonsanderson.com/ Chapters (0:00) - Dan's Shameless Shilling (2:50) - A Bad Story Idea? (7:50) - The Ocean 11 of Historical Figures (11:54) - Ready Player 1 Talk (14:39) - Does We Believe in Ghosts? (22:23) - Dan's Bad Fantasy Story (24:09) - Big Foot Talk (29:29) - Who Wrote Shake spheres Plays? (31:52) - Is BRANDON writing all the secret novels?

Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells come together today on Intentionally Blank to talk about what they still have to do on there bucket lists. From getting a Magic the Gathering Card changed forever, to seeing the great wonders of the world, see what's left to do this week on Intentionally Blank! Want to send me something to open? Dragonsteel Entertainment ATTN: Adam P.O Box 698 American Fork, UT 84003 Stay up to date by following my newsletter: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/tag/newsletter/#footer Interested in signed books and swag? Check here: https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/ You can also follow me on: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrandonsanderson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandSanderson Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/?hl=en Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mistbornbrandon Frequently asked questions: https://faq.brandonsanderson.com/ (0:00) - Dan sang in Carnegie hall? (2:09) - The Manhattan Cuisine (3:47) - Brandon's Personal Hell (4:52) - Brandon's Number 1 Bucket List Item (5:56) - A Traveling Interruption (7:25) - Jeff the Chef (7:55) - Back to the Magic Bucket List (10:10) - Dan's AP English Question (12:19) - The Awards We'd Wanna Win (14:37) - Oh the Places We Want to Go (16:57) - Adventure Destinations (17:57) - Big Old Big Tour (19:14) - Movie / Gaming To Do's (19:43) - Movie Talk (20:36) - Media Properties We'd Want to be Apart of (24:18) - Space Tourism (26:44) - What 7th Wonder Would You Visit? (29:00) - Where Do You Have a Second House? (33:57) - The Bucket Is Already Pretty Full

Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells sit down to chat about what Media they just can't stand. From The Hobbit to Harry Potter, join us on this confusing road of hate and confusion. Want to send me something to open? Dragonsteel Entertainment ATTN: Adam P.O Box 698 American Fork, UT 84003 Stay up to date by following my newsletter: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/tag/newsletter/#footer Interested in signed books and swag? Check here: https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/ You can also follow me on: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrandonsanderson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandSanderson Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/?hl=en Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mistbornbrandon Frequently asked questions: https://faq.brandonsanderson.com/ (0:00) - Movies We Truly Hate (1:05) - "What About Bob" Like Media (4:07) - Marvel Eternals Shade (5:54) - Fantastic Beasts is a Bore (9:11) - The Long Form Webcomic Problem (10:27) - The Other Harry Potter Movies (12:10) - Disliking James Joyce (18:30) - Finding Dan's Hate (20:18) - Dan LIKE'S The Last Jedi? (21:24) - The New Generation Artists (25:55) - The Latchkey Generation (26:40) - The Oliver Artist Corner Interruption (27:30) - Back to Busting Ghosts (29:39) - The Hobbit Films (Check For Shorts) (32:20) - DC Disappointment, Not Hate

Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells are joined by a surprise guest in this episode where they cover the Fermi Paradox, faster than light issues, and what REALLY is going on with the aliens around earth! Want to send me something to open? Dragonsteel Entertainment ATTN: Adam P.O Box 698 American Fork, UT 84003 Stay up to date by following my newsletter: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/tag/newsletter/#footer Interested in signed books and swag? Check here: https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/ You can also follow me on: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrandonsanderson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandSanderson Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/?hl=en Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mistbornbrandon Frequently asked questions: https://faq.brandonsanderson.com/ Chapters (0:00) - Donald's Special Shirt (1:10) - Surprise Guest: Ben! (1:56) - Dragonsteel Nexus Ticket Giveaways (3:38) - Ben's Missing Invite (4:40) - The Mysterious Gift (7:05) - Dan's Badge Ribbions (8:12) - What Really IS Intentionally Blank? (8:57) - Dan's Question for Ben (10:07) - Unapologetically Paranormal (12:19) - Long Haired Problems (13:23) - Dans Legit Straight Answer on UFO's (16:49) - FTL-AF (18:50) - Different Alien Experiences (20:08) - Fermi paradox (23:30) - Only Ones Here Vs Can't Find Them (24:51) - Nukes Make Better Sci-Fi Worlds (26:14) - Off Topic Once Again (26:53) - Brandon's Question for Ben (27:36) - Writing Group Thievery