Writing Excuses 6.1: Can Creativity be Taught?

One of our most popular guests ever, Mary Robinette Kowal, finally joins Brandon, Dan, and Howard as a full-time cast-member. And now that she's with us, we're going to go back and revisit the very first topic we attempted to record (in a lost episode you can only hear in the bonus material on the 1st Season CD), which is whether or not creativity can be taught. Mary says aspects of it can be taught. Howard's inner Zen master says nothing can be taught, but anything can be learned. And from there we dive all the way in. And you know what? Mary totally rescues the discussion, bringing perspectives that we were missing in that first session back in 2008. Especially right at the end, where she gives us some awesome creativity exercises. Welcome to the team, Mary Robinette Kowal. We've needed you for three years. Audiobook Pick-of-the-Week: The Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1 by George R.R. Martin, narrated by Roy Dotrice Writing Prompt: Take one of the creativity exercises and run with it. Alternatively, use this mash-up: "The Silence of the Mexican Herbie Part 2: The Two Towers." Pearl of Wisdom Not To Be Taken The Wrong Way: "Stealing from children is an awesome tool." Liner Note Link: Here is the narration and context exercise Mary mentioned. This episode of Writing Excuses has been brought to you by Audible. Visit http://AudiblePodcast.com/excuse for a free trial membership*. *Note: From the Audible website, here are the terms of the free membership. Read the fine print, please! Audible® Free Trial Details Get your first 14 days of the AudibleListener® Gold membership plan free, which includes one audiobook credit. After your 14 day trial, your membership will renew each month for just $14.95 per month so you can continue to receive one audiobook credit per month plus members-only discounts on all audio purchases. A very small number of titles are more than one credit. Cancel your membership before your free trial period is up and you will not be charged. Thereafter, cancel anytime, effective the next billing cycle. Any unused audiobook credits will be lost at cancellation.