Last season we took different works to represent different concepts. But this season, we’re looking at a single work— All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders. So, for the next five episodes, we’re going to look at how Anders’ novel is deploying all of the lenses we’ve talked about this season—who, where, why, and when. And for our fifth episode, we’ll have Anders on the podcast to talk about her novel! We recommend that you read this book before listening to these episodes, as they will include spoilers! So, without further ado, today we’ll dive into the lens of who. We’ll be analyzing tools such as history, community, motivation, stakes, fears, and reactions.

Homework: Who does your character envy and why? What action can they take to act on that desire?

You can purchase a copy of All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders here!

P.S. Want to come write with us in September 2025 (we know that’s soon)?! Our retreat registration is open, and we are starting to fill up! We are going to unlock our creative processes in Minnesota and explore Story Refinement as we cruise down the Mexican Riviera! Learn more here.

Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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20.34: Deep Dive into “All the Birds in the Sky” - Using the Lens of Who

Writing Excuses