Writing Excuses 7.21: Project In Depth — Force Multiplication

We're doing something new, and Howard gets to go first. The plan is to take something one of us has completed, and which you've had ample time to read, and grill the creator about the project. Obviously there will be spoilers. Also, we're going to run a bit long on these. First up in our "Project In Depth" series: Howard's most recent online volume of Schlock Mercenary, Force Multiplication. You can read it for free at the link above. It's been nominated in the Best Graphic Story category for this year's Hugo Awards, this entire episode features Howard on the spot answering questions about the project from Brandon, Dan, and Mary. The biggest issue discussed is the female perspective. In Force Multiplication Howard challenged himself by casting all of the leads for the story as women, and it changed the storytelling process for him significantly. He also talks about the setting -- Haven Hive -- and how he needed the setting to functionally isolate a small ensemble cast. He talks about naming a little, and finally talks about how he turned a sterile-sounding high-concept plot into an interesting story. Next up on our Project In Depth series: The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson. You have been warned. We'll also be doing Mary Robinette Kowal's Glamour in Glass and Dan Wells' Hollow City. We're NOT doing this back-to-back. You've got a little time. Thing That Would Make Howard Sound Smarter: Remove every last "you know" from his dialog. (Note that this would not actually increase Howard's IQ.)