Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchThe Wife: best movie ever
Season 11
Holy moly, this is a good movie! It's an especially good movie to study for anyone writing a quiet, character-driven story. THE WIFE originally aired…
1 year, 7 months ago
August Osage County: simply masterful
Season 11
This movie is a masterclass on characters, character development, cast design and the relationships between characters. It honestly doesn't get any b…
1 year, 7 months ago
Lego Batman: ROTFL
Season 11
Melanie chose Lego Batman from the vault because, in addition to being a really well-written story, it made her laugh. And that, imo, is the mark of …
1 year, 8 months ago
The Godfather: Valerie gets excited
Season 11
Melanie and I are taking a short mid-winter/mid-summer break, so while we recharge our batteries we're reposting some of our favourite episodes start…
1 year, 8 months ago
Nocturnal Animals: pretty, but no story
Season 11 Episode 1106
We visit the joys of multiplot stories this week. Valerie discovers (again) the issues with multiplot stories in movies, and I investigate how the di…
1 year, 8 months ago
The Help: put this on your list
Season 11 Episode 1105
If you're writing a story with multiple protagonists/POVs, or if you're tackling a big social issue in your story, then you'll want to study The Help…
1 year, 8 months ago
A Simple Favor: seriously, an evil twin?
Season 11 Episode 1104
This week one of mystery writing’s deadly sins makes a guest appearance. Valerie and I discuss if the appearance is welcome or not. A Simple Favour h…
1 year, 8 months ago
Belfast: active v passive protagonist
Season 11 Episode 1103
In BELFAST, Kenneth Branagh does something that most, if not all, new writers do. In a movie, it's kind of hard to spot because filmmakers have acces…
1 year, 9 months ago
What Lies Beneath: play the "let me guess" game
Season 11 Episode 1102
Sometimes we learn more from our mistakes than our successes - that’s my story and I’m sticking to it this week! Narrative drive is an important stor…
1 year, 9 months ago
Doubt: a "quiet story" masterpiece
Season 11 Episode 1101
It's a brand new season and that means Melanie and I are studying two new topics: narrative drive and conflict triangles. Conflict and page-turners a…
1 year, 9 months ago