Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD

Jonathan welcomes back comic collaborators Lyndon Radchenka and Steven Kaul to talk about their newest book - The Laundrymen 2: Blood of the Saucermen, which is still available through Kickstarter until March 2, 2026:

Jonathan recommends 13 books from a wide variety of authors to help you find success as a creative writer.

Jonathan welcomes back DC Comics writer Lyndon Radchenka to talk about the difference between serialized and episodic stories.

Jonathan talks about managing your audience's expectations by knowing what they will likely expect based on the type of story you're writing.

Jonathan welcomes back indie comic creator Lyndon Radchenka to talk about his new gig writing for DC Comics: how he got it, what he had to write, and what he's going to do now to follow it up.

Ask your local comic store to order copies of DC's Zatannic Panic, featuring Lyndon's story:

Jonathan returns to the podcast after a hiatus to discuss his publishing company Stranger Fiction: what it is, what it does, and what you can expect from it in the years to come.

Jonathan welcomes “Fearless” Fred Kennedy to talk about his Image comic Dead Romans and how he dug out of his pandemic-induced creative funk.

Jonathan welcomes studio-mates Gregory and Lyndon to talk about how they stay motivated to continue creating when the work is not progressing well.

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Jonathan welcomes professional stylist Tara Cole-McCaffrey to talk about how to create your own personal writing style.

Jonathan welcomes friend and frequent collaborator GMB Chomichuk to share his thoughts on the indie filmmaking process immediately after they wrapped production on The Princess and the Dragon, a terrifying horror take coming soon to a screen near you!

Jonathan welcomes comic co-creators Lyndon Radchenka and Zach Schuster to talk about their upcoming Hero-Man, and their recent trip to France to promote the book at an international comics festival.

Jonathan welcomes in his podcast producer Dan to talk about his "Meathouse" screenwriting project and about how to stay motivated and keep writing in the face of adversity.

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Jonathan talks about the viral video Too Many Cooks, and its multilayered look at the distortion of our reality.

Jonathan discusses William Shakespeare's Sonnet 130, which he considers an experimental poem from the most well-known writer in western civilization.

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Jonathan dives into the classic H.G. Wells novel The Island of Dr. Moreau and compares it's animals vs. human conflict to the philosophies of Dr. Slavoj Zizek.

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Jonathan continues his breakdown of Shirley Jackson's 1959 gothic horror novel The Haunting of Hill House.

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Jonathan discusses Shirley Jackson's 1959 gothic horror novel The Haunting of Hill House.

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Jonathan discusses a specific scene from David Lynch's Lost Highway (1997), which he says is one of the most perfect scenes ever created in film.

Jonathan breaks down the 1999 Star Trek spoof Galaxy Quest, directed by Dean Parisot and written by David Howard and Robert Gordon. It's a clever take on what was at that point a tired franchise.

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Jonathan breaks down Christopher Nolan's Inception (2010), how it externalizes an internal conflict, and works so well structurally. Truly a masterpiece of Hitchcockian proportions.

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Jonathan discusses the 2019 Academy Award-winning Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, who co-wrote the screenplay with Han Jin-won. A dark comedy from South Korea that does everything right as far as screenwriting goes, and many other things as well.

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Jonathan talks about the 2008 hit comedy Pineapple Express, written by Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg.

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Jonathan talks about Dan O'Bannon's Guide to Screenplay Structure, a book on screenwriting from the writer of Alien, Total Recall, and Lifeforce.

Jonathan discusses his thoughts on the 2015 horror film The Witch, written and directed by Robert Eggers.

Jonathan analyzes the 2011 Adam Sandler film Jack and Jill, in which Sandler plays two characters, a twin brother and sister:

Jonathan continues to answer questions from a former student about how to become the professional writer they want to be.

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Jonathan answers a student's questions about writing, how to make good writing decisions, and how to be a more consistent, collaborative writer.

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Jonathan answers a listener question about how to begin the writing process, and from that answers the larger question of “How do I become a REAL writer?” or how to create consistently good written content on a regular basis.

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Jonathan welcomes back WTWW producer Dan Vadeboncoeur to talk about developing his Meathouse film concept into a full-fledged screenplay.

Hear the Super Pulp Science episode that birthed the Meathouse:

Jonathan welcomes in podcast producer Dan Vadeboncoeur, who is venturing into screenwriting territory with his horror film project Meathouse. Jonathan takes Dan through his 10 rules for beginning screenwriters to start him on his way.

Hear the Super Pulp Science episode that birthed the Meathouse:

Jonathan is interviewed by fellow writing instructor Ryan Fitzpatrick about his varied career as a professional writer, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Jonathan welcomes Elle León Nostas and Andrew Penczner, creators of Mark of Death: Year of the Rat for Bliss on Tap Publishing. They talk about creating the larger world around their story, and the inspiration behind their tale of time stealers and death dealers.

Pick up your copy of Mark of Death: Year of the Rat:

Jonathan welcomes back literary agent Emmy Nordstrom Higdon to discuss the role of an agent in the publishing process, and what NOT to do when you're trying to get an agent for yourself.