Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchThe Lost Daughter: fisticuffs
Season 8 Episode 810
The one thing Valerie and Melanie agree on this week is that the execution of this film isn't as good as it could, or should, have been. They disagre…
2 years, 2 months ago
Lady Bird: writing female protagonists
Season 8 Episode 809
If you're writing a character-driven story with a female protagonist, or a female POV character, this episode is a must for you. With only one viewin…
2 years, 2 months ago
Love, Simon: how (not) to arc a character
Season 8 Episode 808
If you're writing a character-driven story, or if your protagonist has an arc, this episode is for you. This week, Melanie and Valerie continue their…
2 years, 3 months ago
Sex and the City: great world building, but meh
Season 8 Episode 807
Never has there been a better example of why world building is so important. Fans of Sex and the City love to live vicariously through Carrie Bradsha…
2 years, 3 months ago
The Gentlemen: conflict and a detour
Season 8 Episode 806
Sometimes the best way to understand a concept is to have a simple, but clear, example. In this episode, Melanie explains why The Gentlemen is such a…
2 years, 3 months ago
Little Women: why we do (or don't) love it
Season 8 Episode 805
There's no question that Little Women is a classic that is beloved by generations, but why? What is it about this story that resonates with so many r…
2 years, 3 months ago
No Way Out: conflict triangles
Season 8 Episode 804
In this week's episode, Melanie introduces the concept of conflict triangles and honestly, if you use them in your work, your story will improve imme…
2 years, 4 months ago
The Full Monty: writing comedic characters
Season 8 Episode 803
Valerie and Melanie both approached this week's episode with some trepidation. The Full Monty is a favourite film and sometimes those can be the most…
2 years, 4 months ago
The Woman King: when storylines compete
Season 8 Episode 802
Creating multiple storylines is a popular approach for novelists and for writers who know what they're doing, the end result is nothing short of mast…
2 years, 4 months ago
August Osage County: one for your repertoire
Season 8 Episode 801
It's time for a brand new season and this time around, Valerie is studying cast design (a concept which revolutionized her writing) and Melanie is st…
2 years, 4 months ago