Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we’ll be talking about today is writing retreats! These structured environments dedicated to focused writing can be used like a tool to offer writers significant benefits, but also unique challenges for authors of all levels.

Picks of the Week:

BJ: The Risen Empire by Scott Westerfeld

H: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Today, we’ll be talking to writer and teacher Luke Burkbauer. She’s an instructor with Duke’s Thompson Writing program with a wealth of knowledge about writing of all kinds. We’ll discuss academic and nonfiction writing in depth in this episode, exploring how to build confidence as an academic writer, how to develop your writerly identity, and how to use artificial intelligence ethically and creatively within academia. This episode will be a great fit for anyone currently studying or working in higher education, from a college freshman to professors grappling with how to teach writing skills, but any curious writer will benefit.

Mentioned in the Podcast:

Luke’s Scholars at Duke Profile

Luke’s Courses (page 21 and 29)

Luke’s Pick of the Week: Eye of the World (in the Wheel of Time series) by Robert Jordan, narrated by Rosamund Pike

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, narrated by Rosamund Pike

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, narrated by Rosamund Pike

Have any “sliding doors” or alternative life paths books, movies, poems, or other media that Luke could use for her course? Send us your suggestions at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

We’ll be talking about how to use time jumps to add an interesting twist to your writing project! A time jump is when you shift the story forward or backwards in time, often with little or no explanation for why this jump has occurred. It can be as simple as skipping from one day to five years later, or jumping back in time to revisit an event that happened earlier on. Time jumps can be used to add a twist, create suspense, and even reveal new character information. But writing a great time jump can be tricky, so join us as we discuss the pros and cons of using time jump in your writing.

Picks of the Week:

BJ: Source Code (movie) directed by Duncan Jones

H: Arrival (movie) directed by Denis Villeneuve and Interstellar (movie) directed by Christopher Nolan

Mentioned in the Episode:

Aeon Timeline