Podcasts about character arcs

What is an Impact Character, and how can this supporting character help you show a believable character arc instead of simply telling readers your protagonist has changed? Character arcs are largely internal, which creates an obvious challenge for writers: how do you dramatize a changing worldview on the page? One of the most effective techniques is to use relationships. In a Positive Change Arc, the Impact Character represents or embodies something that challenges the Lie the Character Believes, giving the protagonist another person—and another worldview—to resist, admire, argue with, or eventually learn from. In this episode, I explore how Impact Characters catalyze change, how they differ from antagonists, and why they don'talways have to be mentors. We'll look at examples of antagonists, love interests, sidekicks, and other supporting characters who can fulfill this role, as well as the possibility of "negative" Impact Characters who reinforce the Lie rather than the thematic Truth. We'll also look at the relationship between Impact Characters and Flat Arcs. Although a positive Impact Character often functions similarly to a Flat Arc character by representing a comparatively expanded Truth, the role itself can be much smaller, shared among several characters, or even expressed symbolically. Ultimately, the Impact Character offers writers a practical way to make inner transformation visible. Instead of merely telling readers the protagonist's beliefs are changing, you can dramatize that change through the friction, influence, and relationships surrounding them. In this post/podcast: • What an Impact Character is • How Impact Characters help dramatize character arcs • Impact Character vs. antagonist • How supporting characters challenge the Lie the Character Believes • Examples of 8 different types of Impact Characters • How negative Impact Characters reinforce the Lie • The relationship between Impact Characters and Flat Arcs Read the full transcript: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/impact-character WANT MORE? LIVE CLASS: Flat Character Arcs: From Transformation to Integration September 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. EDT (replay available afterward) Flat Arcs are often described simply as character arcs in which the protagonist "doesn't change." But there is much more going on beneath the surface. In this live class, I'll be exploring Flat Arcs as stories of integration, influence, and service to the collective. Learn more / register: https://kmweilandstore.com/b/flat-character-arc-class LINKS & RESOURCES

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about returning to the podcast!What you'll learn from this episode:what we've been up tohow we've been dealing with challengeswhere our mindsets areReady to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/Join us September 21st - September 25th for Story Stress Test! In this FIVE-day LIVE virtual workshop, we're going to show you how to stress-test and strengthen your story's foundation. Leave the doubt behind, and bring the fun instead! All you have to do is register at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/storystresstest! See you there!

Listen to understand how to dramatize a character's internal change. Welcome to our third entry in our character arc series; and the first where we talk about characters that actually change. And positively, too. We deep dive into BARBIE, WIDOWS and ALL OF US STRANGERS to work out what makes an arc feel positive -- even if the film itself is heartbreaking. All three films are "positive arcs" that feel wildly different. We speculate whether that's due to the nature of the relationship questions, the use of additive/subtractive rewards; and whether it's do with the connection of the characters needs and their goals. We further crystalize two tools we've been kicking around: The relationship question — take a character question ("will she learn to connect?") and pose it as a relationship problem ("will these two grow closer or further apart?"). Additive vs subtractive rewards — We continue buildling on this idea from our Steadfast episodes. Does the story give the character something or take something away? And is that a good or a bad thing? And Mel brings up a third: Repeating a beat from a different angle so we can trace a character's gradual evolution. We also debate whether Barbie's void scene is a producer's note personified — a director going into the endless nothing to spell the themes out one more time. All this and more on DZ-130! As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. LIKE THIS EPISODE? Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Send us a voice message via Speakpipe! Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre & Natalie and Lily. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— "A relationship question is taking what we think is an internal question about a character and defining it in terms of the relationship. Will Moana grow closer to their village coming back or will they'll grow further apart?" — Stu Willis @ 00:06:09 ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold Open 00:00:21 – Positive Character Arcs 00:04:47 – › Relationship questions as the key to dramatizing arcs 00:09:00 – Followup Questions 00:12:12 – Zero Context Insights 00:13:01 – BARBIE 00:17:16 – › The void scene with Barbie's creator 00:23:13 – › Immortality versus death as the real choice 00:27:02 – › Debating the lie the character believes 00:44:26 – › Gain versus loss framing the ending 00:52:34 – › Contrast and affinity 00:59:47 – WIDOWS 01:05:47 – › Establishing character patterns before the heist begins 01:09:37 – › Do the widows have values before the story starts 01:18:42 – › Skills and goals tightly tied to character growth 01:21:04 – › Alice's escalating value shift through the sugar daddy scene 01:25:04 – › Linda's grief scene and steadfast versus positive arcs 01:27:12 – › Veronica's arc through Harry's betrayal and revenge 01:39:33 – › Comparing ensemble arcs to OCEAN'S ELEVEN and THE TOWN 01:46:46 – › Relationship questions as emotional engine of ensemble films 01:49:36 – ALL OF US STRANGERS 01:55:38 – › Rebuffing Harry sets up the positive arc 02:02:15 – › Isolation to connectedness as the emotional throughline 02:07:24 – › Contrasting coming out scenes with mom and dad 02:11:26 – › The low point as emotional violence not distance 02:18:48 – › Dream logic and touch as physical arc tracking 02:23:20 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up 02:26:20 – › Additive versus subtractive rewards in character arcs 02:29:58 – › Patreon shoutouts and next episode preview FILMS BARBIE (2023) — (w) Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig (d) Greta Gerwig WIDOWS (2018) — (w) Gillian Flynn, Steve Mcqueen (d) Steve Mcqueen ALL OF US STRANGERS (2023) — (w) Andrew Haigh, Taichi Yamada (d) Andrew Haigh SCRIPTS Study the script: BARBIE (2023) — Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig Study the script: ALL OF US STRANGERS (2023) — Andrew Haigh, Taichi Yamada SHOT ZERO DEEP DIVES What You Don't See: WIDOWS Frames within Frames: ALL OF US STRANGERS LINKS Read: Colour Theory: DESERT HEARTS Read: Greta Gerwig Explains What Barbie's Bench Scene Really Means EPISODES IN THE CHARACTER ARCS SERIES DZ-128: What even is a Character Arc? DZ-129: Steadfast Character Arcs - Agents of Change DZ-130: Positive Character Arcs RELATED EPISODES DZ-108: The Emotional Event with Judith Weston DZ-112: Breaking the 4th wall DZ-113: Tools For Filmmakers To Talk To The Audience ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2026/dz-130/

Teaser for our next episode: DZ-130. Please watch BARBIE, WIDOWS, and ALL OF US STRANGERS so you can learn about positive character arcs.

The podcast is on summer break, so please enjoy this vault favorite! And don't forget to submit a Courage File for a chance to be featured on the show and win a free editorial assessment and book coaching session in Fall 2026!SUBMIT TO THE COURAGE FILESFree Download: Understand Story Structure and Character ArcsToday, we're diving deep into the magic of character arcs and how they intertwine with story structure and plot.I'll share insights on developing authentic characters so readers will empathize with them and want to know more.We'll chat about different character arcs—positive, negative, and flat—and how understanding these can enrich your storytelling. Plus, I'll debunk myths about story structure being formulaic and show you how it's essential for guiding your characters' emotional journeys. By the end of this episode, you'll have practical tips to develop compelling characters and a story your readers will love!00:00 Introduction to Character Arcs02:29 Exploring Story Structure06:27 Diving into Character Arcs09:19 Understanding Character Development19:31 Practical Tips for Writers20:36 Conclusion and ResourcesHave a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy:Email: Stacy@writeitscared.cohttps://www.writeitscared.co/wishttps://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

The Page One Podcast, produced and hosted by author Holly Lynn Payne, celebrates the craft that goes into writing the first sentence, first paragraph and first page of your favorite books. The first page is often the most rewritten page of any book because it has to work so hard to do so much—hook the reader. We interview master storytellers on the struggles and stories behind the first page of their books. About the guest author: Margrét Ann Thors is an Icelandic-American writer based in Reykjavík, Iceland. She received her MFA from Columbia University and teaches at the University of Iceland. Her writing has appeared in Glamour, Creative Nonfiction, Ós Pressan, Storychord, and other outlets. Freyja is her debut novel. About the host: Holly Lynn Payne is an award-winning novelist and writing coach, and the former CEO and founder of Booxby, a startup that built an AI book discovery platform with a grant from the National Science Foundation. She is an internationally published author of four historical fiction novels. Her debut, The Virgin's Knot, was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers book. Her latest book, Rose Girl: A Story of Resilience and Rumi, a medieval, mystical thriller was awarded a Kirkus (starred) review and named Editors Choice from the Historical Novel Society. Holly lives on a houseboat near the Golden Gate Bridge with her daughter and Labrador retriever, and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, swimming and pretending to surf. To learn more about her books and writing coaching services, please visit her at hollylynnpayne.com  and subscribe to her FREE weekly mini-masterclass, Power of Page One, a FREE newsletter on Substack, offering insights on becoming a better storyteller and tips on hooking readers from page one! (And bonus: discover some great new books!) Tune in and reach out: If you're an aspiring writer or a book lover, this episode of Page One offers a treasure trove of inspiration and practical advice. I offer these conversations as a testament to the magic that happens when master storytellers share their secrets and experiences. We hope you are inspired to tune into the full episode for more insights. Keep writing, keep reading, and remember—the world needs your stories.  If I can help you tell your own story, or help improve your first page, please reach out @hollylynnpayne or visithollylynnpayne.com.  You can listen to Page One on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher and all your favorite podcast players. Hear past episodes. If you're interested in getting writing tips and the latest podcast episode updates with the world's beloved master storytellers, please sign up for my very short monthly newsletter at hollylynnpayne.com and follow me @hollylynnpayne on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook. Your email address is always private and you can always unsubscribe anytime.  The Page One Podcast is created near the Golden Gate Bridge, California, as a labor of love in service to writers and book lovers. My intention is to inspire, educate and celebrate. Thank you for being a part of my creative community!  Be well and keep reading, Holly @hollylynnpayne on IG Thank you for listening to the Page One Podcast! I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I loved hosting, producing, and editing it. If you liked it too, here are three ways to share the love:Please share it on social and tag @hollylynnpayne.Leave a review on your favorite podcast players. Tell your friends. Please keep in touch by signing up to receive my Substack newsletter with the latest episodes each month. Delivered to your inbox with a smile. You can contact me at @hollylynnpayne on IG or send me a message on my website, hollylynnpayne.com.For the love of books and writers,Holly Lynn Payne@hollylynnpaynehost, author, writing coachwww.hollylynnpayne.com

Your characters should be hurting those they love. That is what makes a great character.Join Becky Grogan's The Writer's Pulse to get personalized marketing help for your book! https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/marketing-groupcoachingWant to find out about the WorldShift summit and start your author newsletter? Click on my affiliate link: https://worldshift2026.manyworldswriting.com/?ac=qsMLoX5NWant to be on Pencils&Lipstick? https://www.katcaldwell.com/contactSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

What if the Lie the Character Believes isn't really a lie? For years I've taught the Lie the Character Believes as the foundation of character arc. But over time, I've come to see that this concept may point toward something much deeper than just a mistaken belief. In this episode, I explore three increasingly complex models for understanding the Lie the Character Believes—from a simple false belief, to a limited perspective, and finally to an ego identity. Along the way, we'll look at why character arc may be less about transformation and more about alignment, how the backstory Ghost creates the identities that shape our stories, and why the deepest arcs mirror the lifelong process of individuation. We talk about: • Why the Lie the Character Believes isn't always a lie • The difference between false beliefs, limited perspectives, and ego identities • How the Ghost creates the coping mechanisms behind character arc • Why character arc may be better understood as alignment rather than transformation • The relationship between story, consciousness, and individuation • Why archetypal stories resonate so deeply with readers • Examples from Jane Eyre, Everything Everywhere All at Once, A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Matrix, and more Whether you're developing a story, studying character arc, or simply fascinated by the deeper psychology of storytelling, I hope this conversation offers a fresh perspective on one of story theory's most foundational concepts. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 02:51 The Lie the Character Believes Isn't Really a Lie 03:45 The Lie Starts Out as Truth 04:40 Yesterday's Truth Is Tomorrow's Lie 06:39 Three Ways to Understand the Lie the Character Believes 07:55 The Lie as Separation 09:53 Three Stories, Three Models 11:05 How the Ghost Creates the Lie 12:35 The Point at Which the Story Begins 13:27 Coping Mechanisms That Become Cages 14:40 Why Character Arc Is Alignment Rather Than Transformation 15:44 Non-Reactivity as the Path 17:14 Four Examples 18:10 The Lie the Character Believes as Social Reality 20:10 The Tyrant-Ogre Holdfast: Keeper of the Status Quo 22:40 Character Arc as the Union of Consciousness and the Unconscious 23:44 Want More? Shadow Archetypes: Writing Complex Fictional Characters 25:22 On the Blog: Why Honesty Makes Flawed Characters More Likable Read the accompanying post: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/lie-the-character-believes-consciousness LINKS & RESOURCES Want More? 8-WEEK COURSE: Shadow Archetypes: Writing Complex Fictional Characters Learn how passive and aggressive shadow archetypes reveal the deepest fears, coping mechanisms, and transformational opportunities within your characters' arcs. This eight-week email course explores how archetypal psychology can help you create richer inner conflict, more resonant themes, and stories that reflect the deeper patterns of human growth. Sign Up Here: https://kmweilandstore.com/b/shadow-archetypes-course

Tom Duncan and Sara Shea continue their journey through Season 1 of The Good Wife, this time with episodes 19, 20, and 21.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview02:38 Season 1 Episodes 19-21 Summary05:36 First Impressions and Cliffhanger Reactions11:06 Peter Florrick's Political and Personal Tensions16:24 Character Development and Plot Progression22:35 Legal Cases and Ethical Dilemmas30:28 Character Dynamics and Relationships36:36 Introduction of Elsbeth Tastoni and Future Potential41:48 Episode Wrap-up and Final Thoughts46:37 Discussing Parenting, Trust, and Communication with Kids47:20 Sharing Age-Appropriate Information with Children48:23 Trust and Deception in Parenting49:28 Mock Trial Experiences and Courtroom Strategies50:28 Analyzing Mock Trial Cases and Roles52:30 TV Series Character Development and Plot Dynamics54:23 Trust and Loyalty in Legal and Personal Relationships56:11 Episode 21 of The Good Wife: Overview and Impressions57:39 Eli Gold's Role and Strategic Maneuvers58:25 Client Referral Strategies and Ethical Dilemmas59:42 Character Arcs and Relationship Developments01:00:22 Episode Ending and Future PredictionsKeywords:The Good Wife, legal drama, political intrigue, character development, ethical dilemmas, TV series, analysis, Alicia Florrick, Peter Florrick, Eli Gold, courtroom strategy, personal relationships, political campaigning, TV critique, episode analysis, parenting, trust, legal strategy, mock trial, character development, legal drama, communication, children, courtroom tactics, TV series analysis, episode review, storytelling, legal education, TV critique

Send us a text and let us know what you think of our podcast!CHRIS CHIBNALL - ex Doctor Who showrunner, screenwriter, producer and author of the Nicola Bridge murder mystery novels - returns to the Who Corner to Corner Podcast for an incredible third time to talk about his brand new novel THE PARKWOOD MURDERS. Following on from Chris's debut novel Death at the White Hart, The Parkwood Murders sees Detective Nicola Bridge investigating a murder at a popular nature holiday park mid-season. But with so many suspects, hundreds of guests and staff, not to mention lack of resources, growing unrest and a ticking clock, the challenge of uncovering the murderer seems impossible! Of course we've read it, and of course we love it - and we've done our best to keep our discussion spoiler free. But if you haven't read the book yet, what are you waiting for? Go on - do it! Do it now! We guarantee you won't be disappointed! Listen up as Chris talks us through his elevator pitch for the novel, his plans for future adventures for Detective Nicola Bridge, and the latest news on developing Death at the White Hart as a TV series.  In amongst the chat we find time to put your questions to Chris and ask him for his take on the current state of affairs surrounding Doctor Who. Chapters00:00 Introduction01:10 Chris's Latest Book and Signing Experience03:00 Life After Doctor Who04:42 Developing the Nicola Bridge Series07:04 Setting and Inspiration for 'The Parkwood Murders'12:42 Research and Authenticity in Writing Crime Fiction15:46 Character Relationships and Emotional Layers18:43 Future Projects and the next Nicola Bridge Book22:23 The Human Condition post-COVID24:42 The Impact of Landscape and Folklore in Storytelling28:11 Character Arcs and Plot Planning36:26 Book Tour and Engagements38:40 Doctor Who42:36 Funding Challenges and Industry Changes48:27 The Role of Creativity and Innovation in Industry52:03 Closing Remarks and Final ThoughtsThe Parkwood Murders by Chris Chibnall is out now, and if you want to know more about ARTS EMERGENCY, you can check out the website RIGHT HERE. SEND US A VOICE NOTE: Go to speakpipe.com/whoc2c to drop us a message and get YOUR VOICE heard on our podcast!Support the showSubscribe to Who Corner to Corner on your podcast app to make sure you don't miss an episode! Now available to watch on YouTube!Join the Doctor Who chat with us and other fans on Twitter and Facebook!Visit the Who Corner to Corner website and see our back catalogue of episodes!Visit the WHOC2C merch store!Enjoying what we do? Consider joining our Explorers Subscription plan for more content! Who Corner to Corner: Great guests and 100% positive Doctor Who chat!

Listen to learn how to move an audience with a character who never changes. Do characters need to change for you to have a satisfying story? That's a question we've been asking since, like, episode five of this podcast. And we're finally talking about it! In this continuation of our deep dive into character arcs -- Stu, Chas and Mel break down MOANA, APOLLO 13 and THE DRESSMAKER to work out what carries a story when a character arc doesn't. If your protagonist isn't going to change, the drama has to come from what they do to everyone else. We do manage to figure out some tools that carry a steadfast story: doubt and wobble (a character with no doubt isn't steadfast, they're a psychopath), emotional events between characters, and a distinction borrowed from operant conditioning — additive rewards (you gain something) versus subtractive ones (something is taken away). The subtractive reward is why a happy ending can still feel like loss... and it's the thing we reckon that'll matter most when we get to negative arcs. We also wibble-wobble over WILLOW, TAKEN, FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, THE MARTIAN, PROJECT HAIL MARY, THE GREY, ALL IS LOST, STAR WARS (as always), GREY GARDENS, PRISCILLA, and how many tampons NASA sent to space. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. LIKE THIS EPISODE? Discuss with our Patrons on Patreon. Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre & Natalie and Lily. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— "If your characters are not going to arc, if they are going to remain steadfast, then creating multiple smaller emotional events is really important to keep the story dynamic." — Mel Killingsworth @ 02:32:01 ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold Open 00:00:18 – What Is a Steadfast Character Arc? 00:04:24 – › Character as habitual action and setting up payoff 00:05:56 – › Operant conditioning and additive versus subtractive rewards 00:09:14 – › Zero-context takeaways on steadfast emotional stakes 00:10:33 – The Questionnaire for Analysing Character Arcs 00:12:18 – MOANA 00:13:31 – › Credits and the hero's journey plot summary 00:16:12 – › The I Want song and being pulled versus pushed 00:20:14 – › Moana's steadfastness causes her own low point 00:22:47 – › Steadfast belief that changes others, not the self 00:25:57 – › Multiple challenge types needed to dramatize resilience 00:27:25 – › Maui's arc contrasted as genuine positive change 00:29:38 – › Skills and rewards versus true character transformation 00:36:22 – › Grandmother and father relationships deepen audience intimacy 00:41:15 – › Disney princess genre expectations for character arcs 00:45:27 – › Tracking when and whether Maui and Moana change 00:48:36 – › The reluctant ally pattern across MOANA, STAR WARS, WILLOW 00:52:10 – › Contrast, theme, and the audience's emotional event 00:53:08 – APOLLO 13 00:55:50 – › Plot summary and the docudrama's technical problem-solving 00:57:38 – › Riveting problem-solving without any character value change 01:00:56 – › Emotional events replace arcs in the Jack and Jim relationship 01:09:12 – › Emotional tension versus arc as a structural framework 01:14:42 – › Disaster movies compared across steadfast and positive arcs 01:16:23 – › Do any characters change their relationship to themselves? 01:20:02 – › Working the steadfast questionnaire against APOLLO 13 01:33:53 – THE DRESSMAKER 01:39:16 – › Debating Tilly's true objective in returning to Dungatar 01:44:51 – › Steadfastness as being the agent of change for others 01:48:37 – › Teddy's death punishes the belief that she isn't cursed 01:52:16 – › Subtractive reward and removal of burdens versus true change 01:57:00 – › GREY GARDENS as a parallel study in steadfast protection 02:02:18 – › Tilly's revenge tactic transforms the town around her 02:11:55 – › Fairy tale logic and heightened melodrama in the film 02:16:29 – › Debating whether Tilly is steadfast or an agent of change 02:20:11 – › Subtractive rewards and how the ending should feel 02:24:23 – › How the story world punishes and rewards transformation 02:27:01 – › Was this steadfast, a positive arc, or both? 02:31:45 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up FILMS MOANA (2016) — (w) Jared Bush, Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams, Don Hall, Pamela Ribon, Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell (d) John Musker, Ron Clements THE DRESSMAKER (2015) — (w) Jocelyn Moorhouse, Pj Hogan, Rosalie Ham (d) Jocelyn Moorhouse APOLLO 13 (1995) — (w) William Broyles Jr, Al Reinert, Jeffrey Kluger, Jim Lovell (d) Ron Howard RELATED EPISODES DZ-108: The Emotional Event with Judith Weston DZ-126: Secrets and Clues DZ-128: What even is a Character Arc? ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2026/dz-129/

Matt and Brian are back with a new Best Of episode. In this best of, Matt and Brian explain the rules of the episode, talk about the Lost characters with daddy issues, Jin feeling alone, a revelation of Locke's beliefs, the role of Desmond in Season 6, the proficiency of Michael Emerson's acting, including comparing Michael Emerson, Jonathan Banks, and (checks notes) Jaleel White?If you liked this episode, make sure to check out the full episode, now streaming!

...It's also supersized, sleek and so ambitious It's the most anticipated film of the year, so Bankole, Priscilla and Nicky got in their ships for two decades to finally discuss Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'. In a supersized podcast befitting a supersized film, they cover everything from book changes to modern parallels, what makes the film so good, all of Christopher Nolan's abilities on beautiful display, the excellent acting across the board and of course, AuramemnonNo wooden horses were harmed in the production of this podcast.(05:05) - Pre-ODYSSEY Nolan thoughts(13:40) - General thoughts on THE ODYSSEY(32:00) - The Film's Potent Themes(47:45) - The Third Act Reveals(1:03:45) - The Set-Pieces(1:09:50) - Performances & Character Arcs(2:18:30) - Oscars ChancesYou can support us hereAlso available on YouTubeHost: Bankole ImoukhuedeGuests: Priscilla & NickyProduction by: Bankole Imoukhuede

“Identify in your own book what are the tropes that you're using that are identifiable by any reader. And notice if they're all working for you.“ - Beth BaranyIn this How To Write the Future podcast episode, “Editing Your Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel: Genre, Tropes, and Character Arc” host Beth Barany explains why the “Edit Your Novel Checklist” is a great resource for writers who have finished their rough draft, encourages you to think about your reader and genre expectations, and provides an example and walk-through of a story showing you how to problem solve issues with your character arc.This episode also includes discussion of book tropes; how to hone in on the biggest problem in your story; the next stages of your story writing; and whether that stage includes beta readers or an editor.Get your Edit Your Novel Checklist here:http://edityournovelchecklist.com/ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCASTHow To Write The Future is a podcast for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to imagine better worlds—and write stories that bring those futures to life. Each episode offers practical craft guidance, creative prompts, and big-picture inspiration to help you draft, revise, and publish with purpose.ABOUT BETH BARANYBeth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. Through her services and products, she guides novelists to write, revise, and publish stories that matter—blending practical craft guidance with a big-picture commitment to bright imagination, deep meaning, and wide-open possibilities. She calls writers to create with hope and courage—and to speak truth through art, even when it stretches them into a new version of themselves.RESOURCESSupport the podcast! https://ko-fi.com/bethbaranyGet the workbook: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANYhttps://bethbarany.com/Questions? Comments? Send us a text!Support the show---♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what?Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel ChecklistHelps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing. Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com.♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us!CONNECT WITH BETHvia emailvia LinkedInCREDITSEDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link)MUSIC: Uppbeat.ioDISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

Find our review of the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/alostplot/episodes/2026-06-24T21_34_53-07_00 In this episode of A Lost Plot, hosts Maverick and Andrew delve into a critical review of 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.' They express their disappointment with the film's storytelling, character development, and overall execution. The conversation highlights the lack of meaningful motivations for the protagonist, Indiana Jones, and critiques the portrayal of the female lead, Helena Shaw. The hosts discuss the film's egregious storytelling flaws, the absence of emotional stakes, and the failure to create compelling character arcs. Ultimately, they conclude that the film falls short of the legacy of its predecessors, leaving audiences with a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction. ----------Highlights:0:00 'Indiana Jones & The Dial of Destiny' Introduction7:39 Motive & Suspense20:23 Wombat or Helena Shaw32:46 Arguing for the Film48:32 Lasting Impact#indianajones #dialofdestiny #alostplot #adventurefilm #harrisonford 

How do you create an emotional connection between a reader and an unlikeable character? That's one of the most common questions we get as editors. The answer lies in understanding the anti-hero protagonist and Birds of Prey offers up a whole group of them to study. And where there are multiple protagonists, there are multiple plotlines. And each of those plotlines needs its own premise statement. It's a full episode this week! Enjoy! -V. Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

Listen to separate the three layers of an arc -- does the character change? How do they feel about it? And how is the audience positioned to feel about it? Stu, Chas and Mel finally begin their long-awaited journey into CHARACTER ARCS. In this "primer" episode, we try find some learnings and analytical lenses that we can then apply in future breakdowns. In this episode, we explore differences between a character learning something and a character fundamentally changing, how to dramatise that, and how the show teaches the audience to perceive that transformation (whether positively or negatively). Throughout the discussion, we skate over A NEW HOPE, BLUE MOON, BREAKING BAD, BETTER CALL SAUL, the French real-time thriller FULL TIME, A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS, THE GREEN KNIGHT, ALL OF US STRANGERS, PREDATOR BADLANDS, FIELD OF DREAMS, MEG 2, and Stu's receding hairline. Ultimately, this discussion synthesises into a series of questions to ask of a story and the main point-of-view character living through that story: Does the audience enter the story with an expectation that characters will change? How does the story teach the audience to expect characters to change or not? Do the characters change? Is it experiential change or internal value change? How is that dramatised? Is the character aware that they changed? How do they feel about that change? Does that matter? How does the story want the audience to feel about that change? If different to the character's perception, how does the story pull that off? How does the story world punish or reward the change? What are the values explored by the arc? How does this relate to the theme? How is contrast vs affinity/unity portrayed through the characters' journey? Order vs disorder vs inertia What is the emotional event created between the character and audience as a result of the journey? Does the character end up more intimate or distant from the audience? In upcoming episodes, we intend to apply these lenses to stories with STEADFAST/RESILIENT arcs, POSITIVE arcs, NEGATIVE arcs and - potentially - a “WTF is this?!” arc. Please check out our homework discussion on Patreon. And if you want to vote on the stories we're gonna breakdown, sign up! As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. LIKE THIS EPISODE? Discuss with our Patrons on Patreon. Join the discussion on Reddit. Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre & Natalie and Lily. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— "Character arcs are really difficult to talk about because they're not just in isolation. Rarely is a film only about one character, right? So we're actually talking about how we harmonize other characters around them." — Stu Willis @ 00:12:16 ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold Open 00:00:17 – Character Arcs: A Primer on What We're Really Asking 00:03:13 – › Three layers of an arc: character, self-perception, audience 00:07:04 – › The four-quadrant map: change, no change, better, worse 00:10:15 – › Why calling it an arc is already a misnomer 00:13:35 – What We Each Want to Learn from This Series 00:19:56 – › Whether emotional authenticity is becoming more valuable than spectacle 00:23:37 – › Why stories let us safely inhabit experiences outside our own 00:30:04 – The Deep Question: Can Characters Actually Change? 00:35:49 – › Contrast and affinity as the design logic of transformation 00:41:40 – › The rock metaphor: external forces versus intrinsic change 00:46:43 – › Order, disorder, and inertia as the spectrum of arc types 00:50:29 – Three Layers of Judgment: Character, World, and Audience 00:56:45 – › How the filmmaker positions the audience relative to the character 01:00:01 – › Do audiences enter stories expecting change at all? 01:06:09 – › Mapping the inner journey against plot beats 01:09:28 – › Why low points exist to make the climax feel earned 01:12:09 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up 01:26:47 – Thanks to Our Patreons! FILMS STAR WARS (1977) — (w) George Lucas SHOWS A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS — (w) George Rr Martin, Ira Parker BETTER CALL SAUL — (w) Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould BREAKING BAD — (w) Vince Gilligan LINKS Website: Bruce Block's The Visual Story EPISODES IN THE CHARACTER ARCS SERIES DZ-128: What even is a Character Arc? RELATED EPISODES DZ-04: Catharsis and the Post-Coital Cigarette DZ-108: The Emotional Event with Judith Weston ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2026/dz-128/

Well, well, well ... this has to be THE most interesting presentation of an underdog protagonist that I've ever come across. Not only have the filmmakers gone above and beyond with respect to their audience's expectations, but they've innovated the heck out of the underdog. This you've got to see! And if you're not sure whether you've written a logline or a premise statement for your story (or why you'd need both and when you'd use them) then Melanie's got your back because in this episode, she explains it all. Enjoy! -V. Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

  - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: https://linktr.ee/katiewolfwrites   - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me HERE and I'll answer them on the podcast.  - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katiewolfwrites - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiewolfwrites   - Amazon storefront: https://a.co/d/06jPxsxW and ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/katiewolfwrites

We're unpacking the most controversial series finales of all time & why they've divided fanbases forever—the moments when beloved shows completely lost the plot and left fans absolutely furious.Because here's the thing: when a show's entire legacy hinges on that final episode, landing it becomes nearly impossible, and one misstep can completely tarnish years of storytelling, destroy character arcs, and create discourse that lasts forever.Remember The Spill drops the tea twice a day in this feed so follow us for all the latest entertainment news… OR you can WATCH our show in full length video on the Apple Podcast app - make sure your phone is up to date and enjoy the watch! Link here. THE END BITS Find and follow us on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespillpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thespillpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thespillpodcast/ Read all the latest entertainment news on Mamamia: https://mamamia.com.au/entertainment/ Support Independent Women’s Media. Your subscription helps us continue to tell the stories that matter to women. Want to join the conversation? Have feedback or a topic you want us to discuss? Send us a voice message or email us at thespill@mamamia.com.au and we’ll get back to you ASAP! Executive Producer: Monisha Iswaran Audio & Video Producer: Michael Kean Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about letting your characters make mistakes.What you'll learn from this episode:Why it's important for characters to make mistakesThe difference between static arcs and boring charactersWhy this is one of the most important (and common) story challengesHow to build a realistic, human cast of charactersHow to let your character make mistakes but remain likeableReady to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Of all the types of protagonists, audiences/readers love the underdog the most, and our discussion of this beloved archetype led us down all kinds of interesting story theory roads including tension, stakes, objects of desire, the use of consequences as plot devices, suspension of disbelief and the Disneyfication of fairy tales! Meanwhile, Melanie continues her study of the premise statement and logline — what the difference between them is, how to formulate them, why they're important and, of course, when a writer would use them. This episode is jam-packed! Enjoy! -V. Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about finding comp titles.What you'll learn from this episode:What are comp titles? How to encapsulate the vibes of your bookCommon pitfalls when choosing comp titlesWhere to start looking to find comp titlesReady to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about narrative drive.What you'll learn from this episode:What is narrative driveWhy is it SO important for reader engagementHow to identify if you have a narrative drive problemWhat to do to add more narrative drive into your storyReady to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

What type of protagonist does your story feature? There are 4 types, each of them can be a constant character or a change character, and each one evokes a different emotion from your reader/viewer. And that's exactly what I'm studying this season starting with the hero which could be a literal superhero, or it could be a little old lady. And Melanie is studying the story premise and how to articulate a story in one sentence (because it's a skill EVERY writer needs!). There's loads of great stuff coming up this season, starting with this episode all about Murder, She Said. Enjoy! -V. Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

Does every protagonist really need to change by the end of a story? Not always.In this episode, we look beyond the familiar “your character must change” advice and explore positive arcs, negative arcs, steadfast characters, ensemble stories, and intentional stasis.You'll learn how to ask the better craft question: not “does my protagonist change?” but “what moves?”

Season 6, Episode 745: Fated Mates and Spicy Scenes: A Deep Dive into Paranormal Shifter Romance Writing with Author Adeline Bryant, plus excerpt from Adeline's Book "Fated", narrated by podcast host and narrator Ruan Willow. The excerpt is at the end, but also it is its own episode on the podcast in episode 744. Author Bio: Author's website. https://addiewrotethat.com/  Get the book "Fated" (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/4uhcQvP Adeline Bryant is an award-winning indie author of emotionally raw stories that explore identity, belonging, and the cost of choice. Armed with a doctorate in education and an endless supply of imagination, she's always been fascinated by the transformative power of stories and the bonds they create. Adeline lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband and their two feline overlords. When she's not writing, she can usually be found devouring books, rocking her signature red lipstick, and shamelessly belting out Taylor Swift songs. She firmly believes that every great story deserves a bottle of wine and a healthy dose of magic (and smut) Discussion Topics: Romance Author, Indie Author, Honey And Jalapeno Book Fair, Minneapolis, Paranormal Romance, Fated Mates, Male-Male Romance, Book Excerpt, Character Development, World Building, Writing Process, Emotional Storytelling, Indie Publishing, Book Events, Creative Writing, Author Interviews, Writing Community, Smut In Romance, Character Arcs, Storytelling Techniques Quotes from Adeline Bryant "I think it's really healing for especially women to read these kinds of things." "Just do things. Keep reading. Keep reading smutty books." Summary: Adeline discusses her debut novel, "Fated", a paranormal romance featuring wolf shifters and a spicy male-male love story between an alpha wolf and a beta. Discover what inspired her to transition from reading thrillers to writing romance, the importance of including sensuality in storytelling, and the challenges of indie publishing. Adeline also reveals her unique approach to world-building and how her characters came to life. She wrote a bible for the world the wolves live in! As we prepare for the upcoming Honey and Jalapeno Book Fair in Minnesota, Adeline shares exciting details about her character-inspired candle collaboration and the immersive experience she aims to create for her readers. Enjoy the chat about the transformative power of stories, the joy of indie publishing, and the importance of embracing creativity. Just gotta dive in and write that book! Ruan's Book: Beach House Views: https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/beachhouseviewsbook https://mybook.to/beachhouseviews Copyright Pink Infinity Publishing 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about revising while integrating feedback with Sam Cameron!The audio from this episode came from Emily's interview on The Truant Pen Substack. Check it out and subscribe here: https://truantpen.substack.com/Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about scene transitions.What you'll learn from this episode:grounding readers with contextmaking time and space clear to the readerdon't overthink thisTRANSITIONS BLOG: https://goldenmayediting.com/how-to-set-a-scene/Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

I'm convinced that the screenplay for this film was generated by AI. Of course, I have no proof for that, but 80 for Brady is so completely bizarre that if AI wasn't involved, I'd like to know what the filmmakers were smoking. It misses the mark at every turn and has so neglected (ignored? forgotten?) the fundamentals of storytelling that not even four legends of stage and screen can save it. This just might be the worst movie ever made. Oy with the poodles already! - V. Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about writing believable romance.What you'll learn from this episode:What makes characters romantically compatibleHow tropes play into compatibilityHow conflict feeds a believable romancePitfalls to avoid while writing couplesReady to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

As we continue with Gale Week with Part II, Ryan is joined by Anthony and Jess to dive more deeply into Courteney Cox and Gale Weathers in Scream 7. In particular, this episode focuses on Sidney and Gale's relationship, the complexity of the interview, and realizations each character has in Scream 7. In addition, Josh C shares his excitement about Gale's screentime and Ashley weighs in on her thoughts about Gale in the film, as well as selecting "The Story of Us" by Taylor Swift to match the episode for the song of the week. Why Gale Needs A Bigger Role ale in General  The Importance of Mystery  The Interview Gale as Sidney's Friend The Story of Us Taylor Swift Song of the Week: "The Story of Us" (Speak Now) Follow us @ScreamWithRCS at Facebook, X, and Instagram   Subscribe on Patreon.com/screamwithrcs 

In the season roundup, we share all our best advice about the speech in praise of the villain (what it is, how to craft it, and why it's important), and constant characters (they're waaaaaay more common than you think!). -V. Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

HAPPY GALE WEEK! In Part I, Ryan and Amar analyze Courteney Cox, Gale Weathers and her character arc in Scream 7. They discuss where we meet Gale in the new film, how she's changed since the sixth entry, her nerve damage, and how she grows over the film.   David Arquette in Scream 7 Ranking Sidney & Gale's Relationships Per Film Gale in Scream 7  Cancellation and Nerve Damage The Epilogue  Tune in Wednesday for Part II!   Follow us @ScreamWithRCS at Facebook, X, and Instagram   Subscribe on Patreon.com/screamwithrcs 

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about writing flow!What you'll learn from this episode:What is flow stateHow to find flow stateExperimenting with your unique brain and bodyLetting go of shame surrounding focus and disciplineSTOLEN FOCUS by Johann Hari: https://stolenfocusbook.com/Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

As we continue Sidney Week with Part II, Ryan invites Anthony and Jess to discuss Sidney Prescott, a.k.a. Sidney Evans, in SCREAM 7, and explore her character arc. The trio begin with the jacket scene and discuss the family unit in Sidney's life and how that expands into the finale. In addition, Ashley shares her thoughts on Sidney in Scream 7 as well as proclaiming the Taylor Swift Song of the Week to be "Mine." Tune in for Gale Week starting Sunday! Introduction The Jacket Sidney's Character Arc Ryan's Misc Thoughts on Sidney & Quotes Ashley's Take on Sidney in Scream 7 "Mine" Follow us @ScreamWithRCS at Facebook, Instagram, and X. Subscribe at Patreon.com/screamwithrcs Taylor Swift Song of the Week: "Mine" (Speak Now)

In a twist that no one saw coming, not even us, the villains in this movie are Val and Mel!  Despite this, I thought Thunderbolts would be better. :( However, the constant characters in this movie support a protagonist with a change arc, and fill archetypal roles in the movie. In another surprising twist - switching the villain in the end of the movie has a big impact on the effectiveness of the speech in praise of the villain. This episode has more twists and and turns than the MCU - and that is saying something! -M Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

Happy Sidney Week! In Part I, Ryan and Amar discuss Sidney Prescott, a.k.a. Sidney Evans, in SCREAM 7, and dive deep into her character arc. Ryan and Amar cover her introduction, her relationships with the other characters, and her overall journey in Neve Campbell's triumphant return to the franchise. Tune in on Wednesday to hear Part II!  Fairness of Scream 6 vs. Scream 7 & "The Madison" Sidney's Introduction Sidney's Relationships Sidney's Fear and Fight Sidney's Epilogue with Gale and Tatum Follow us @ScreamWithRCS at Facebook, Instagram, and X. Subscribe at Patreon.com/screamwithrcs

Most writers are being taught a dangerous misconception about character development—and it's quietly weakening their stories.The idea that every protagonist must have a “fatal flaw” has become one of the most repeated rules in modern storytelling. But what if that advice is not just oversimplified… but fundamentally wrong?In this episode of The Storyteller's Mission with Zena Dell Lowe, we break down why many writers are mislabeling strong character traits as fatal flaws—and how that mistake can flatten your hero instead of deepening them.We also explore how today's anti-hero culture has reshaped what audiences and writers believe “depth” looks like, often confusing moral strength with weakness.Here's what you'll learn in this episode:Why not every difficult or disruptive trait is actually a flawThe critical difference between character traits, emotional wounds, and true fatal flawsHow anti-hero storytelling has distorted modern character developmentWhy conviction, loyalty, and moral clarity are often wrongly reframed as problemsThe practical test to determine whether a trait should be changed—or protectedIf you've been trying to make your protagonist more “complex” by breaking them down, this episode will challenge that instinct and give you a clearer framework for building stronger, more resonant characters.Stop weakening your hero to make them interesting—and start building characters who are compelling because of what they stand for, not in spite of it.Watch this episode on YouTubeFree Resources for Writers:Seven Deadly Plot Points FREE TRAINING VIDEO Free Video Tutorial for ScreenwritingSign up for The Storyteller's Digest, my exclusive bi-monthly newsletter for writers and storytellers. Each edition delivers an insightful article or practical writing tip straight from me, designed to help you master your craft and tell compelling stories.The Storyteller's Mission Podcast is now on YouTube.  Subscribe to our channel and never miss a new episode or announcement.

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about organization!What you'll learn from this episode: Emily and Rachel's personal processesDeciding on what your priorities are firstNot using "organization" as a procrastination toolLeaning into your brain and body's natural tendenciesReady to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about magic as a metaphor for mental health with guest Ruth McKell.What you'll learn from this episode:using writing as catharsisincorporating mental health themes into your magicincluding mental health representation intentionallypractical tips for developing magic through real-world observationRead HONEY IN HER VEINS by Ruth McKell: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239680531-honey-in-her-veinsReady to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Sometimes, studying a story that you love can be a bit scary. What if it turns out that the story is rubbish, and what you really like is the soundtrack, or the actor, or the costumes? Well, you can cast those worries aside this week because The Devil Wears Prada is solid. In terms of structure, it isn't fancy. It doesn't waver from the Hero's Journey/Archplot form, and that's okay. In fact it's more than okay because it teaches us what can happen when we focus on the fundamentals.-V. Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Welcome back to another fantastic episode of The Writing Community Chat Show! With over 400 interviews under our belts - chatting with everyone from indie debutants to NYT bestsellers - we are incredibly proud to continue bringing you the very best insights into the publishing world. It's been an amazing journey recently reaching number 3 in the top 10 writing podcasts in the UK, and we couldn't do it without this brilliant community.This week, we are thrilled to welcome the award-winning author of contemporary women's fiction and romance, Fiona Lucas (also known for her decades of enchanting readers as Fiona Harper). Fiona has written over 30 books, hit the number one spot on the Kindle bestseller list, and cracked the code for authors on TikTok, accumulating over a million likes!Whether you are plotting your first romance or trying to figure out how to market your latest release on social media, Fiona's journey from a mother of two seeking a creative outlet to a seasoned industry veteran is packed with actionable advice.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.Connect With The Community

Most stories frame conflict as something happening "out there"—a villain to defeat, an obstacle to overcome, or a problem to solve. But the most powerful character arcs aren't really about defeating the antagonist. They're about the protagonist reclaiming agency. In this episode, we explore the deeper difference between internal conflict vs. external conflict and why strong stories use external conflict not just to create tension, but to force meaningful inner change. We also look at how stories can unintentionally weaken their protagonists when they place too much emphasis on blaming the antagonist—and how the strongest character arcs instead move from projection to responsibility. We'll discuss: Why external conflict is often a mirror for internal conflict How focusing too much on the antagonist's culpability can weaken character agency Why stories about blame often feel hollow How powerful character arcs reclaim responsibility and sovereignty Practical questions you can use to strengthen your own characters We'll also examine examples from Encanto, All the Light We Cannot See, Jane Eyre, and Harry Potter to see how the most meaningful victories in story often come not from changing external circumstances, but from changing how the protagonist shows up within them. If you've ever wondered how to deepen your character arcs or better align your plot with your story's thematic meaning, this episode offers practical insights into how internal and external conflict work together to create powerful transformation. Read the full transcript: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/internal-conflict-vs-external-conflict-character-arc

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how marginalized writers build worlds for their own communities with guest Tiffany Grimes.What you'll learn from this episode:What it means to "reclaim the lens" Why so many marginalized writers hesitate to go fully into their own cultures, identities, or lived experiences on the pageHow can writers tell when they're unconsciously writing for the mainstream gaze instead of for their own communitiesWhy reclaiming the lens lead to stronger stories overallTIFFANY GRIMES' WEBSITE: https://www.burgeondesignandeditorial.com/THE RESIDENCY: https://www.burgeondesignandeditorial.com/residency-enrollTIFFANY'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/burgeondesignandeditorialReady to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

What is the real meaning behind Sinners (2025)? In this episode of The Storyteller's Mission, we break down the hidden worldview, theology, and storytelling structure inside the Oscar-nominated film Sinners—and what it actually says about sin, truth, power, and redemption.This is not just a film analysis—it's a deep dive into worldview in storytelling. Every story communicates beliefs about reality, morality, and meaning. Sinners uses Christian language and imagery, but beneath the surface, it builds a completely different spiritual framework.In this episode, we explore how the film reframes:Sin as identity instead of moral failureCommunity as salvationArt and music as transcendenceChristianity as symbolic—but not trueWelcome to Salt & Light, a new series analyzing popular films, television, and stories through the lens of story structure, mythology, and worldview.If you're a writer, filmmaker, or storyteller, this is essential:

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about digital minimalism with guest Gauri Yardi!What you'll learn from this episode:What is digital minimalism? Emily's and Gauri's experience How to incorporate digital minimalism into your creative lifeThe challenges of limiting tech when marketing is a big piece of the writing journeyGAURI YARDI'S WEBSITE: https://www.gauriyardi.com/GAURI'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gauri.yardi/Resources mentioned:Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/575667/digital-minimalism-by-cal-newport/Susan Dennard's substack article “Experiments In Focus” https://stdennard.substack.com/p/experiments-in-focusCal Newport's podcast episode “This is your brain on phones” https://www.thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/ep-374-this-is-your-brain-on-phones/ Stolen Focus by Johann Hari https://stolenfocusbook.com/Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can't stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagicJoin Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!Follow us on social media!Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/Join us on April 18th and 19th for Character Development Decoded! In this two-day LIVE virtual workshop, we'll teach you how to develop your character's life before page one and then teach you how to show it your story (without flashbacks!). Breathe life into your characters and bring their humanity to the page. All you have to do is register at https://goldenmayediting.com/character! See you there!

Wowzers! This is a terrific movie. If you're writing a thriller (any sub-genre), or a story with nuanced and complex characters, this episode is for you. In fact, CONCLAVE is one of the movies we recommend you put on your short list of films to study because, seriously, you can learn about almost any aspect of storytelling from it. It's so good that I'm not even angry that the bad guy turns out to be a Canadian - lol! -V. Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Summary Welcome to Episode 423 of WSTR! This episode's topics include:In this episode, Todd Hoffman reflects on the 10-year anniversary of 'The Force Awakens,' sharing personal anecdotes, character expectations, and the impact of the film on the Star Wars franchise. He discusses the excitement leading up to the premiere, memorable experiences, and the mixed reactions from fans. The conversation also touches on the film's legacy, comparisons to 'A New Hope,' and the future of Star Wars projects. Takeaways The anticipation for 'The Force Awakens' was palpable among fans. Personal experiences leading up to the premiere created lasting memories. Character arcs, especially for Finn and Kylo Ren, were significant points of discussion. The online discourse surrounding the sequels has been divisive and toxic. 'The Force Awakens' mirrors 'A New Hope' in many ways, which has drawn criticism. Marketing for the film was effective and created excitement. The film's legacy is complicated by the subsequent sequels. Fans felt that certain character moments were missed opportunities. The Knights of Ren were underutilized in the sequels. Todd emphasizes the importance of enjoying Star Wars despite its controversies. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Force Awakens Anniversary 02:30 Excitement and Anticipation for The Force Awakens 06:16 Memorable Experiences Leading Up to the Premiere 10:39 Character Expectations and Marketing Insights 14:33 Iconic Moments and Missteps in The Force Awakens 18:19 Character Arcs and Their Development 22:41 Fan Reactions and Online Discourse 26:42 Comparisons to A New Hope 30:21 World-Building and Production Choices 34:35 Legacy and Impact of The Force Awakens 38:16 News and Updates on Star Wars Projects 42:24 Closing Thoughts and Future of Star Wars ...and much, much, more! For all your galactic news and talk needs, this is the podcast you've been looking for - tune in to WSTR Galactic Public Access! Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com

Eric and Maddy dive into the post-apocalyptic world of Amazon's Fallout, where morality, justice, and hope are put to the ultimate test! Join us as we explore Lucy's quest to uphold the golden rule amidst chaos, and discover how the show's characters mirror our own spiritual journeys. Okie Dokie. Watch the episode here. Chapters: 0:24 - Welcome & Summary 2:08 - Popcorn Ratings 6:36 - Theology Ratings 9:38 - Subscribe, Share, Support 10:58 - Ads 12:26 - SPOILER WARNING and Popcorn Thoughts 24:14 - Different Types of Character Arcs 26:52 - Lucy 46:44 - Maximus 54:33 - The Ghoul 1:01:43 - Norm and the Vaults 1:03:55 - Hank 1:14:30 - Until Next Time… Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and click the notification bell. Follow & connect: https://linktr.ee/popcorntheology Support: https://www.patreon.com/popcorntheology Rate and review to get 2 FREE Popcorn Theology Stickers! Write a 5-star review and send a screenshot, along with your mailing address, to feedback@popcorntheology.com, and you'll receive 2 FREE stickers! iTunes link here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/popcorn-theology/id990110281  #FalloutonPrime #fallout #fallouttvshow #wasteland #theghoul #FaithAndFilm #MoviePodcast #FilmReview #ChristianPodcast #MediaLiteracy #ReformedTheology Intro Music by Ross Bugden: https://youtu.be/Bln0BEv5AJ0?si=vZx_YiHK3hNxaETA