How Story Works is a podcast for everyone who loves stories. If you’re a writer, understanding how story works will help you craft better stories. If you’re a lover of stories, the podcast will give you added insight into your favorite tales, and extend the toolset you use to better understand the s…
The How Story Works podcast hosted by Lani Diane Rich is an exceptional resource for anyone interested in storytelling. Whether you are a writer looking to improve your craft or simply a lover of stories, this podcast provides insightful and educational content that will enhance your understanding and appreciation of narrative.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is Lani's ability to break down complex concepts in a clear and concise manner. She provides useful tools and practical advice for writers, presenting information in bite-sized lessons that are easy to digest. Lani's sense of humor adds an enjoyable element to the podcast, making it both informative and entertaining. Her passion for storytelling shines through in every episode, inspiring listeners to explore and analyze narratives in new ways.
Another great feature of The How Story Works podcast is its accessibility. Lani's teaching style allows even those who are not aspiring writers to benefit from her insights. By listening to her discussions on narrative theory, fans of any form of art or media can become more perceptive and insightful consumers. This podcast truly enriches the experience of engaging with stories, whether they be found in books, movies, or television shows.
While it is difficult to find any flaws with The How Story Works podcast, one potential drawback could be its focus primarily on narrative theory. Some listeners may prefer more practical writing tips or exercises rather than deep dives into the mechanics of storytelling. However, even for those seeking more hands-on guidance, the knowledge gained from understanding story structure and development can greatly inform their own writing practices.
In conclusion, The How Story Works podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in storytelling. Lani Diane Rich's expertise and engaging delivery make this podcast both educational and enjoyable. Whether you are a writer looking to improve your skills or simply someone who loves analyzing narratives, this podcast will enhance your understanding and appreciation of storytelling in all its forms.
weekly
every other week
infrequent
infrequent
infrequent
Show notes:Lani returns to the How Story Works mic to update everyone on her novels-in-progress and announce a new 10-month writing challenge designed to help writers get their drafts done, The Running of the WIPs!Learn more about the Running of the WIPsSubscribe to The Running of the WIPsVisit the new How Story Works websiteApply for the 2025 Year of Writing Magically workshopSubscribe to the Dear Writer SubstackSubscribe to the Dear Writer podcast RSS feedGet your copy of How Story Works!Support Chipperish on Patreon!Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link!How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
NOTE: A mistake was made in the original posting of this episode; this is the correct audio file. My apologies!Lani talks about the progress she made--and didn't make--on her writing retreat to New York, shares the Year of Writing Magically writing schedule, and talks about the emotional work writers must do to prepare for a long-form fiction project.Show notes: Apply to be part of the Year of Writing Magically 2024 cohort Not ready to apply? Sign up for the Year of Writing Magically (very occasional) newsletter Read the Dear Writer about my childhood ghosts Subscribe to the Dear Writer newsletter Subscribe to the Dear Writer podcast Get your Year of Writing Magically full year writing schedule free Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Lani talks about the progress she made--and didn't make--on her writing retreat to New York, shares the Year of Writing Magically writing schedule, and talks about the emotional work writers must do to prepare for a long-form fiction project.Show notes: Apply to be part of the Year of Writing Magically 2024 cohort Not ready to apply? Sign up for the Year of Writing Magically (very occasional) newsletter Read the Dear Writer about my childhood ghosts Subscribe to the Dear Writer newsletter Subscribe to the Dear Writer podcast Get your Year of Writing Magically full year writing schedule free Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Lani sits down with marketing professional and author Joshua Unruh to talk about how to market yourself as an indie author, and his experience as part of the 2023 Year of Writing Magically cohort.Show notes: Check out Trusted Housesitters Sign up for the Year of Writing Magically pre-workshop workshop! Apply to be part of the 2024 Year of Writing Magically cohort! Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Lani sits down with writer Melina Kantor to talk about how sometimes the problem with our writing isn't actually with our writing, but how we think about our writing.Show notes: Visit the new How Story Works website Apply for the 2024 Year of Writing Magically workshop Subscribe to the Dear Writer Substack Subscribe to the Dear Writer podcast RSS feed Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Lani gets quick and dirty with Mignon Fogarty, aka Grammar Girl, as they talk about the most powerful things people can do to improve their writing and how email is absolutely NOT obsolete. Check out Mignon Fogarty at Quick and Dirty Tips! Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Sometimes you get 70 pages into a book and just... stop. Author Cara Stevens, best known for children's picture books, joins Lani to talk about her struggle to get past the muddy middle and finally finish a complete full-length draft. Learn more about Cara Stevens and Picture Perfect! Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Lani talks about her latest adventures, and blocks, in her writing process, and then talks to writer and podcaster Brandon Saiz about how his recent ADHD diagnosis opened up writing for him in new and surprising ways.Show notes: Get on the mailing list to be notified when applications open for 2024's Year of Writing Magically Sign up for Lani's free Dear Writer newsletter Sign up for Brandon Saiz's newsletter Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Lani returns to talk about the drafting process, forgetting to do her homework, and what it's like to return to an active writing process after a long break. Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In the newest episode of #HowStoryWorks, Lani interviews Mary Kate Wiles, Sean Persaud and Sinead Persaud about going independent as creatives. Also, updates on the Year of Writing Magically and Lani's Dear Writer Substack.Show notes: Learn more about Shipwrecked Comedy Subscribe to Dear Writer Be the first to know when applications open for the 2024 Year of Writing Magically Workshop Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
This month, Lani is thinking about magic and muses, and James Bond! In an interview with Kim Sherwood, the author selected by the Ian Fleming estate to update the James Bond franchise, Lani and Kim talk about writing process, the value of ritual, and writing in Agatha Christie's house. Show notes: Order "A Wild and True Relation" from Lighthouse Books Double or Nothing by Kim Sherwood Learn more about Kim Sherwood Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
It's time to talk about magic, sleep and philosophy, and how all of that looks through a writer's lens in the new episode of “How Story Works.”Show notes: Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic A Year of Writing Magically Dear Writer Dr. Carl's Sleep Advice No screens in the bedroom Wake up at the same time every day No naps Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In the first solo HSW episode in years, Lani Diane Rich talks about the past and the future and the wonderful Alice Wu movie, "The Half of It." Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Learn more about Lani's Year of Writing Magically 2023 Workshop!This week, Lani and Kelly talk about basic three-act, seven-anchor-scene structure. It's not the only structure that will work, but it's the one that will help you understand how structure works. Bookmark this one! Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Learn more about Lani's Year of Writing Magically 2023 Workshop! Learn more about Percolated Media Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Learn more about Lani's Year of Writing Magically 2023 Workshop! Read the rest of Lani's “Orange” script Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Learn more about Lani's Year of Writing Magically 2023 Workshop!This week, Lani and Kelly talk about structure in narrative theory; why is it important, and how does it work? Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Buy How Story Works nowGet the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Learn about the writing coaching services Lani provides! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
How Story Works: An elegant guide to the craft of storytelling is available now! Here's a quick sample from the audiobook, and you can find all the versions here: How Story Works (Kindle) How Story Works (Paperback) How Story Works (Audible) Season 4: Structure coming in 2022!★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Learn more about Dear Writer.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Today on the How Story Works season 2 finale, the conversation is about the brilliant 2016 film Arrival.
Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about the 2018 film Can You Ever Forgive Me? – the true story of legendary literary forger Lee Israel.
Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about the conflicts (and magic) in the 2020 Disney movie Godmothered.
Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about the delightful, mysterious conflicts in "Knives Out."
Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about Raiders of the Lost Ark: we burn the movie to the ground and then apply narrative theory to fix it.
Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about romantic conflict: why it’s special, why it’s so damn hard to write, and how to write it in your stories.
Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about goals: knowing what your characters want—and how they plan to get it!
Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about internal and external conflict. We derail into Game of Thrones, The Matrix, and Fleabag in our discussion of layering conflict lasagna, but we don't feel conflicted about that.
In this episode of How Story Works, the conversation is about central narrative conflict, the goal-based conflict upon which the structure of a story is built.
How Story Works Conversations season 2 is all about conflict. In this episode, we dive into the purpose of conflict and examine narrative conflict, mundane conflict, and false conflict.
On the season 1 finale of HSWC, we wrap up our discussion of character with Q&A and recommended resources. Links in the show notes!
Lani and Kelly sit down with writer and Listen Up A-Holes co-host Joshua Unruh to figure out how to fix 2018's Game Night.
Shut up, Glen! Today on How Story Works Conversations, we interview the incredibly talented Josh Siegel about his work as a writer and actor on The Good Place.
Today on How Story Works Conversations, we talk with Luke Arnold about his first novel, The Last Smile in Sunder City, his work on Black Sails, and his creative insight as both writer and actor.
Today on How Story Works Conversations, we use narrative theory to fix a flawed story - the 2005 romantic comedy “Hitch.”
Today on How Story Works Conversations, we interview Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author.
In this episode of How Story Works conversations, we talk about characters in action: Dialogue, choices, arcs, and character breaks.
On this episode of How Story Works Conversations, we talk about tropes, archetypes, stereotypes, and strategies for character creation.
On this episode of How Story Works conversations, we talk about character roles: protagonist, antagonist, and supporting.
In this episode of How Story Works Conversations, we talk about building characters, the character triangle, and naming characters.
In this introduction to How Story Works Conversations, story expert Lani Diane Rich and concept developer Dr. Kelly Jones define our terms to kick off our discussion of narrative theory.
Sometimes the right thing to do with narrative theory is nothing, and story expert Lani Diane Rich explains how to ride that line.
Love it or hate it, revision is a necessary part of the writing process, and in this episode, story expert Lani Diane Rich walks you through the steps of getting your draft from rough to final.
Lani launches from Discovery to Drafting, the often-maligned, often frustrating second act in the three-part writing process. But like all acts of creation, even Drafting can be a magical time, if you know the secrets.
In honor of Nanowrimo, story expert Lani Diane Rich talks the first of the three phases of writing, Discovery, and provides tips on how to whistle for your creativity.
One great way to love what you love is to critique what you love. Story expert Lani Diane Rich discusses Star Wars with Rob Heiret, host of Chipperish's new podcast, Metaphors Be With You.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
