Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD

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.

For more of Jonathan's work:

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

For more of Jonathan's work:

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.

For more of Jonathan's work:

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.

Jonathan welcomes back one of his mentors, poet Dennis Cooley (author of Body Works and Bloody Jack, among others). They discuss "mining the site," throwing oneself into researching for writing, and more tenets taught to a young Jonathan Ball.

Jonathan welcomes writer David Annandale to the podcast. Annandale is the author of the Doctor Doom trilogy for the Marvel Untold series, multiple Warhammer 40,000 books, the Jen Blaylock thriller series, and more.

Jonathan welcomes writer Matthew Medney to the podcast. Medney is the bestselling author of Beyond Kuiper, Above the Ground, Stable, The Fifth Force, and Remnant, among others. He is the former CEO of Heavy Metal Magazine.

Jonathan welcomes poet Aaron Giovannone to talk about his second book of poetry The Nonnets, and how he evokes emotion in such short-written works.

Jonathan welcomes Canadian comics writer Ryan North, a contributor to major Marvel titles such as Fantastic Four, Secret Invasion, and Squirrel Girl. North talks about writing Dinosaur Comics, and other YA graphic novels like Danger and Other Unknown Risks, How to Invent Everything, and more.

Jonathan welcomes theatre director and playwright Øystein Ulsberg Brager to talk about his audio drama podcast The Amelia Project and the growing world of audio drama podcasts.

Jonathan welcomes writer Joe Fisher in to talk about his audio drama podcast Midnight Burger, the story of a dimension-hopping diner and its many interesting and unusual customers.

Jonathan answers questions he asked for and received through his various social media channels and newsletter recipients. Almost anything is on the table. Almost. 

For more of Jonathan's work:

Jonathan welcomes back poet Ryan Fitzpatrick to talk about his digital chapbooks, running a micro-press, and his new collection of poetry.

Jonathan continues his conversation with poet Ryan Fitzpatrick about their mutual favourite video game series, The Legend of Zelda.

Jonathan welcomes poet Ryan Fitzpatrick back to the podcast to discuss their mutual favourite video game series, The Legend of Zelda. 

This is part one of the discussion, part two will be posted next week.

Jonathan and Lyndon discuss a somewhat amorphous section of grant applications - justifying why you and your work are important.

Jonathan welcomes back Lyndon Radchenka and his creative collaborator Steven Kaul to talk about their new Kickstarter comic book project, The Laundrymen: The Life Thief.

Lyndon Radchenka returns to the podcast to ask Jonathan the most frequently asked questions about how to create the budget section of your grant proposal.

Jonathan welcomes acclaimed author Natalee Caple to his University of Winnipeg class to talk about her latest novel, In Calamity's Wake, and her take on fictionalizing real-life historical figures

Jonathan welcomes award-winning Canadian poet Christian Bök to talk about AI art and writing, which has recently taken the creative world by storm.

Jonathan welcomes Irene Bindi from ARP Books to the podcast. They discuss what it means to be a leftist publisher and talk about what kinds of works ARP Books publishes.

Jonathan welcomes former student Brady Tiel onto the podcast to discuss the process behind creating his debut novel, “Mended.”

Jonathan welcomes back graphic novelist GMB Chomichuk to talk about the motivations of writing: the rejections, the reception, the personal rewards. And recovering from "being punished" to do it all over again. 

Jonathan and Lyndon wrap up their series on writing grants by talking about the various support materials that should be included in your grant application.

Jonathan welcomes back frequent collaborator GMB Chomichuk to talk about their new comic She Wolf, which is being funded on Kickstarter now. They talk about how their work process has evolved since they began working on Eye Collector for Heavy Metal Comics last year.

Jonathan joins GMB Chomichuk, Lyndon Radchenka, and Ken Janssens for a panel at Winnipeg Comiccon about The Eye Collector, their comic published under the Virus imprint of Heavy Metal Comics.

Jonathan and Lyndon continue their discussion about Canadian writing grants, focusing on the project description section and what should be included.

Jonathan welcomes back Lyndon Radchenka to discuss the process of applying for Canadian writing grants. They define what a grant is and talk about the benefits of applying for them on a regular basis. 

Jonathan welcomes back acclaimed author and graphic novelist GMB Chomichuk to discuss the latest entry in his Automatic Age series, The Backbone of Night (spoilers!)

Jonathan welcomes author Chadwick Ginther in to talk about his new collection of short stories When the Sky Comes Looking for You: Short Trips Down Thunder Road. Ginther discusses his approach to writing short stories and how time management got him to where he is today.

Jonathan welcomes in artist, author & editor S.M. (Samantha) Beiko to talk about her process of creating the world in which your characters can live through multiple story instalments. 

University of Winnipeg Writer-in-Residence Jordan Scott joins Jonathan's writing class to talk to students and answer questions about his writing process.

Jonathan welcomes in poet ryan fitzpatrick to define and discuss prose poetry, and its differences with traditional verse poetry.

Jonathan and Lyndon continue to break their Alien Invasion story, working out the structure of the tale in the process.  

Jonathan welcomes back comics creator Lyndon Radchenka to "break story" or come up with a completely new story idea from beginning to end. 

Jonathan joins other members of the Dead Work Collective as their Kickstarter to publish an anthology of original comic stories is funded! The conversation quickly turns to the art of creating comics: what works for some doesn't for others as these gentlemen can attest.

Comic creators GMB Chomichuk and Justin Currie (known the world over as Chasing Artwork) join Jonathan for an in-depth discussion about crowdfunding at large as they approach the end of the Dead Work Anthology Kickstarter campaign.

As the Dead Work Anthology Kickstarter nears completion, Jonathan talks to writer/editor Adam Petrash about how he edited the Dead Work Anthology and put all these stories together.

Jonathan welcomes more members of the Dead Work Collective: Zach Schuster, Steven Kaul, and Lyndon Radchenka. They discuss their individual Dead Work Anthology stories, how they collaborated to help each other finish them, and the excitement building as the Kickstarter gets closer and closer to being funded!

Jonathan welcomes in two more members of the Dead Work Collective, Jordan Patrick Finn and Christopher Smith. They discuss their creative process for their Dead Work stories.