Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchGenres: best advice for authors
Season 1 Episode 111
In this episode, Valerie and Melanie review their key takeaways from the ten films they studied this season. Tune in to learn their best advice for a…
3 years, 9 months ago
Dune: spectacle v. story
Season 1 Episode 110
Dune is a true feast for the eyes, and it's got the Oscars to prove it. However, none of the awards (or nominations) were for the writing and there's…
3 years, 9 months ago
The Power of the Dog: the epitome of a blended genre story
Season 1 Episode 109
If you plan to blend genres in your novel, then do yourself a favour and tune in to this week's episode of Story Nerd. Maybe it's a western and maybe…
3 years, 9 months ago
Rogue One: worldbuilding 101
Season 1 Episode 108
Oh dear. The scales have fallen from Melanie's eyes this week as she analyzed one of her favourite films. The "spectacle" of film sure does make the …
3 years, 10 months ago
Knives Out: mastering the whodunnit
Season 1 Episode 107
Puzzled about what it takes to write a great mystery? Then grab your notebook because this episode is chock-full of tips. No red herrings in this sho…
3 years, 10 months ago
Being the Ricardos: masterful writing, but does it work?
Season 1 Episode 106
There's no question that Aaron Sorkin is a master storyteller, and the craft on display here is next level stuff. But, it doesn't necessarily mean th…
3 years, 10 months ago
Turning Red: home run, or swing and miss?
Season 1 Episode 105
While this film may not be listed among Pixar's Top 10, there's still plenty to love about Turning Red and we need more stories that explore these th…
3 years, 10 months ago
The Courier: when is a spy story not a spy story?
Season 1 Episode 104
In this episode, Melanie takes us on a deep dive of spy stories, their conventions and subgenres. It turns out that what we usually think of as spy s…
3 years, 10 months ago
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: what the heck is the genre?
Season 1 Episode 103
If you're interested in character development, this award-winning film is one you want to study. However, if you're interested in studying examples o…
3 years, 11 months ago
West Side Story: innovative or cliché?
Season 1 Episode 102
West Side Story (2021) has been lauded for its depiction of race and racial tension, but how has it handled the love story? In his retelling of this …
3 years, 11 months ago