21.20: Sequencing from Mega to Micro

21.20: Sequencing from Mega to Micro

From Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

May 17, 2026 · 34 min · Season 21 · Episode 20

About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of sequencing in writing and how it affects pacing, emotion, and clarity in storytelling.

Today, we explore why writers place information in the order they do. From broad-to-narrow framing and cause-and-effect to repetition, rhythm, and surprise, we discuss how sequencing shapes the pacing, emotion, and clarity of your story. We discuss everything from “windowpane prose” and garden path sentences to recency-primacy effects and the ways readers naturally recognize patterns. Along the way, our hosts highlight how sequencing can guide a reader’s attention, create tension, and reinforce themes. Homework: Take something you’ve written—or a story someone recently told you—and write it down in its current order. Then rewrite it two different ways: first by completely reversing the sequence of information, and then by arranging it in the most unexpected or “wrong” order you can imagine. Compare how each version changes the reader’s experience. Final WXR Cruise! Our final WXR cruise is almost sold out, grab your spot before June 4th, 2026 here! Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, and DongWon Song. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Join Our Writing Community…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, DongWon Song

Topics covered

  • sequencing
  • storytelling
  • pacing
  • reader engagement
  • writing techniques

Keywords

  • sequencing
  • story structure
  • writing tips
  • reader attention
  • narrative techniques

Sponsors

HomeServe, MasterClass

More episodes of Writing Excuses

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Writing Excuses podcast page.