20.52: 2025 End-of-Year Wrap Up
Digest
This episode of Writing Excuses features a significant announcement: Dan Wells is stepping down as a core host after 17-18 years. The hosts delve into Dan's reasons, linking them to his past struggles with depression and anxiety and his desire to pursue new career opportunities. They discuss the importance of making career decisions while managing mental health and the concept of consciously giving up something precious to gain something new. The season's theme of individual processes and career development is noted as aligning with Dan's transition. The remaining hosts express confidence in the show's future and Dan's continued involvement as a guest. The episode then shifts to end-of-year predictions for 2025, with each host outlining their writing projects, publishing goals, and personal plans, acknowledging the unpredictability of life and career. A mid-year recording in June 2025 is contrasted with a later check-in in December 2025, where hosts reflect on their progress, unexpected turns, and new endeavors, including Aaron's move to the West Coast and new job at Wizards of the Coast. The episode concludes with homework assignments and a call for listener appreciation for Dan Wells.
Outlines
Writing Excuses Retreat & Scholarships
Announcing an in-person writing retreat in September 2026 aboard Voyager of the Seas. Applications for scholarships (Writer of Color and Out-of-Excuses) are due December 31, 2025, offering full tuition and travel assistance.
Introduction to Fencing & Sports Trading
Fencing is described as a sport mixing speed, strategy, and fun, accessible to all ages with loaner gear. A brief mention of sports trading legality in California is also included.
Yamaha Resort & Casino Promotion
A promotional segment for Yamaha Resort & Casino's 40th anniversary, highlighting a chance to win a dream car.
Writing Excuses Season 20 Wrap-up & Dan's Departure
Introduction to the end-of-year wrap-up for Season 20, announcing Dan's departure as a full-time core host after many years due to career aspirations and mental health management. The hosts discuss the reasons behind his decision and his transition to a regular guest role.
Season's Theme, Dan's Growth, and Future Outlook
The season's curriculum unexpectedly aligned with discussions on individual processes and career development, making Dan's departure a natural part of the ongoing conversation. Hosts express excitement for Dan's future endeavors and acknowledge his contributions.
2025 Predictions - Part 1 (June Recording)
The hosts begin their end-of-year wrap-up, recorded in June 2025, discussing their predictions for the remainder of the year. They share individual plans for writing projects, publishing, and career goals, acknowledging the unpredictability of plans.
December 2025 Check-in & Year-End Reflections
The hosts return in December 2025 to reflect on their predictions and share updates on their projects, career moves (including Aaron's new job at Wizards of the Coast), and personal lives. They discuss lessons learned and unexpected turns.
Homework & Listener Appreciation
The hosts assign homework related to the "Twisted Metal" TV show and interactive fiction. They also encourage listeners to share their appreciation for Dan Wells on Patreon.
Keywords
Writing Retreat
An organized event where writers gather to focus on their craft, offering workshops, feedback, and networking opportunities.
Scholarships for Writers
Financial aid or grants specifically for writers, often aimed at supporting underrepresented groups or those facing financial hardship.
Fencing (Sport)
An Olympic and Paralympic sport involving swordsmanship, emphasizing speed, strategy, and precision.
Depression and Anxiety Management
Strategies and treatments for managing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, including therapy and medication.
Career Development
The ongoing process of professional growth and advancement, involving setting goals and making strategic decisions.
Cognitive Load
The amount of mental effort required to process information and perform tasks, relevant to podcast production.
Project Management
The process of planning, organizing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals, crucial for writers and podcasters.
Interactive Fiction
A genre of fiction that allows readers to make choices that influence the narrative's progression.
Cultivating Boredom
Intentionally creating periods of inactivity or lack of stimulation to foster creativity and productivity.
Wizards of the Coast
A company known for creating tabletop role-playing games and collectible card games, where one host has recently started working.
Q&A
What is the Writing Excuses retreat and when are the scholarship deadlines?
The Writing Excuses retreat is an in-person event scheduled for September 2026 aboard Voyager of the Seas. Scholarship applications are due by December 31, 2025.
What is fencing and who can participate?
Fencing is an Olympic sport combining speed, strategy, and fun, suitable for all ages and requiring no prior experience, with loaner gear often available.
Why is Dan leaving Writing Excuses as a core host?
Dan is stepping down as a core host to pursue new career opportunities, having found a stable mental health treatment plan and feeling it's the right time to move on while still loving the show.
How has the podcast's season aligned with Dan's departure?
The season's focus on individual processes, career development, and life structuring has naturally led to discussions about Dan's transition, making his departure a part of the ongoing conversation.
What are some of the hosts' plans for the remainder of 2025?
Plans include finishing writing projects, launching Kickstarters, attending conventions, releasing new books, and navigating personal challenges or major life changes.
What is the significance of "cultivating boredom" according to the hosts?
Intentionally allowing oneself to be bored is seen as a powerful tool for fostering creativity and productivity by reducing distractions and allowing the mind to wander.
What homework is assigned to the listeners at the end of the episode?
Listeners are encouraged to watch the "Twisted Metal" TV show for its unique blend of elements or explore interactive fiction like "The Book of Hungry Names."
How can listeners express their appreciation for Dan Wells?
Listeners can share their thoughts, learned lessons, and favorite stories about Dan Wells on a publicly accessible Patreon post on the Writing Excuses Patreon page.
Show Notes
As our 20th season comes to a close, we reflect on the end of 2025 and a major transition for the show, as Dan Wells steps away from Writing Excuses as a full-time core host. Dan shares the thoughtful, hard-won reasoning behind his decision, while the rest of the team reflects on what his presence has meant to this podcast and our community.
We recorded the first half of this episode in June and the second half in December 2025. Why is that? Because we wanted to discuss our plans for the rest of the year and later return to see how those plans actually played out—a kind of time capsule for all of us. Along the way, we talk candidly about change, ambition, and the reality of creative lives that rarely move in straight lines.
Homework:
1. We've created a publicly accessible Patreon post titled “Thank you Dan Wells” for you, our listeners, to share things you've learned from Dan, appreciation you wish to express, or even your favorite stories about Dan. Go to patreon.com/WritingExcuses and look for this post.
2. Final Homework From Dan:
Watch some of the show Twisted Metal (warning: there’s a lot of gore and swearing). If that's not your cup of tea, then check out the interactive novel, The Book of Hungry Names by Kyle Marquis. See what you can learn from these pieces of media—they are master storytellers!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Last Annual Cruise
The final WXR cruise* sets sail for Alaska in September 2026—don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Learn more and sign up here.
*Scholarship applications for our cruise are open now until December 31st, 2025. You can learn more and apply here.
Call for Writing Breakthroughs
Have you had a breakthrough in your writing because of Writing Excuses? If so, we want to hear about it. Fill out this Writing Breakthroughs Google Form for a chance to be featured in a WX Newsletter!
Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Howard Tayler, Dan Wells, Erin Roberts, DongWon Song, and Mary Robinette Kowal (for the first half). It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.
Join Our Writing Community!
Our Sponsors:
* Check out HomeServe: https://www.homeserve.com
* Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/EXCUSES
* Check out Talkiatry: https://Talkiatry.com/WX
* If you’re struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/wx
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Table of contents
United States
