Story Chat Radio

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the 80s' adventure classic The Goonies with a focus on sense of urgency. 

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the holiday classic The Nightmare Before Christmas with a focus on interiority. 

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the 2023 live-action movie Barbie with a focus on antagonistic forces.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the 2002 French comedy Amélie with a focus on omniscient narrators.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the animated science fantasy Nimona with a focus on conflict.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the fantasy action-adventure Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves with a focus on characterization.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the dystopian classic movie, The Hunger Games, with a focus on three act structure.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the Marvel adventure movie, Guardians of the Galaxy, with a focus on the Heroine's Journey. 

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the Arthurian retelling The Green Knight with a focus on the hero's journey. 

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the romantic comedy Bros with a focus on romance structure. 

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in Jordan Peele's Nope with a focus on motif. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the action-comedy Free Guy with a focus on "the lie." And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the comedy, The Birdcage with a focus on GMC (goal, motivation, conflict). And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus with a focus on age category. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb. 

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the classic thriller, Rear Window, with a focus on microtension. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the genre-deying Everything Everywhere All at Once with a focus on romantic tension. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the epic fantasy Willow with a focus on magic systems. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the dram-edy The Favourite with a focus on scene structure. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the Star Wars movies A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back with a focus on series. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the animated Disney film Encanto with a focus on character arc. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the horror thriller Train to Busan with a focus on setting. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the 90s' parody Robin Hood: Men in Tights, with a focus on retellings. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the Marvel superhero movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings with a focus on emotional wounds. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the animated film Spirited Away with a focus on symbolism. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the science fiction horror Alien with a focus on tension. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the magical realism film Pan's Labyrinth with a focus on deep POV. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the romantic sci-fi Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with a focus on unreliable narrators. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the 1999 film The Mummy with a focus on prologues. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the 90s' kids' movie Space Jam with a focus on blending genres. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the Studio Ghibli classic Howl's Moving Castle with a focus on opening scenes. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the teen romantic drama The Sun Is Also a Star with a focus on romantic tension. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the magical realism drama The Shape of Water with a focus on theme. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the cult classic murder mystery, Clue, with a focus on dialogue. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the animated film, Up, with a focus on structure. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the horror movie, Get Out, with a focus on satisfying endings. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the superhero movie, Birds of Prey, with a focus on antiheroes. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the comedy, The Lovebirds, with a focus on limited point-of-view. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the black comedy, Parasite, with a focus on playing with reader expectations by subverting tropes. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the 2019 adaptation of Little Women, with a focus on dual timelines and how authors can avoid pitfalls when writing dual timelines. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the instant classic murder mystery, Knives Out, with a focus on the elements of mystery and how authors can use mystery elements in their writing. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the iconic classic, The Princess Bride, with a focus on character agency and talk about some ways authors can create characters with strong agency in their writing. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb.

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the best friend comedy, Booksmart, with a focus on non-romantic relationships and talk about some ways authors can create more depth in those relationships in their writing. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb. 

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the horror film, A Quiet Place, and talk about some ways authors can better balance "showing" and "telling" in their writing. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb. 

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the animated superhero film, Spider-Man:Into the Spider-Verse with a focus on voice and talk about some ways authors can create stronger narrative and character voice in their writing. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb. 

In this episode, the editors discuss the storytelling elements in the young adult romance To All the Boys I've Loved Before and focus on creating strong secondary characters and talk about some ways authors can use the same techniques from the movie to create realistic secondary characters in their manuscripts. Please note: since this movie is based on a book, the editors only discuss the movie and not the book. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb. 

Book editors Carly Hayward and Jeni Chappelle discuss the storytelling elements in the 1980s classic Jim Henson film The Dark Crystal. In this episode, the editors focus on worldbuilding and talk about some ways authors can use the same worldbuilding techniques from the movie to create richer worlds in their manuscripts. And they end with some tips for writers on strengthening their query or back cover blurb. 

We are book editors Carly Hayward and Jeni Chappelle, and we are so excited to introduce our new podcast, Story Chat Radio. Each month we’ll watch a different movie with an eye for storytelling and novel writing. Then we’ll use our training and years of experience editing novels to break down each movie’s storytelling elements to help you improve your novel-in-progress. In each episode, we’ll also feature a query or book blurb for a manuscript that has elements similar to our movie of the month. New episodes will air the last Tuesday of every month starting October 29, 2019. Listen in for a taste of what to expect.