Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchNYAD: writing unlikeable characters
Season 11 Episode 1107
Your reader doesn't have to like the protagonist but she does have to empathize with him because if empathy is absent, your story is in trouble. In t…
1 year, 8 months ago
The 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, 9 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, 9 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, 9 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, 9 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, 10 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, 10 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, 10 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, 10 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, 11 months ago