Whoa. This season has been a heavy season. Narrative Drive and Conflict Triangles are two major concepts that can – and will – transform your writing. In this episode, Melanie and I summarize everything we learned this season. -V (The following summary was generated by AI.) Unlocking the Secrets of Narrative Drive and Conflict Triangles As writers, we constantly strive to create stories that captivate our readers from beginning to end. But what is the secret sauce that keeps readers hooked? In the latest episode of our podcast, Melanie Hill

Eye in the Sky reminds me of the ‘greater good’ questions I discussed in class during high school – there’s no right or wrong answer but there are always consequences. This movie is an excellent example of how tension and escalating stakes combine with conflict triangles and narrative drive to create a compelling story. This isn’t an action movie but I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen for fear of missing something. Join us this week to discover how to craft stories that linger after the cover is closed.

Your reader doesn’t have to like the protagonist but she does have to empathize with him because if empathy is absent, your story is in trouble. In this episode Melanie and I study conflict triangles and narrative drive, but we also have an interesting side conversation about empathy and likeability. If you’re writing an unlikeable character, or if you’re writing a quiet, character-driven story, this episode is for you. -V (The following summary was generated by AI.) Unlocking the Secrets of Conflict Triangles in Storytelling If you’re a writer, understanding

Holy moly, this is a good movie! It’s an especially good movie to study for anyone writing a quiet, character-driven story. THE WIFE originally aired as Episode 4 of Season 6 when Melanie was studying stakes and I was studying empathy. But honestly, this is one of those rare films that novelists (and memoirists!) can study to learn just about any storytelling principle. -V. *Programming Note: In next week’s episode we review the movie NYAD, not GONE BABY GONE as indicated in the intro.

This movie is a masterclass on characters, character development, cast design and the relationships between characters. It honestly doesn’t get any better than this. So no matter what kind of story you’re writing, grab your notepad and dive in! -V.

Melanie chose Lego Batman from the vault because, in addition to being a really well-written story, it made her laugh. And that, imo, is the mark of superior writing. This episode originally aired in Season 5 when Melanie was studying resonance. If you’re curious about what that is, and how it can truly enhance your storytelling, be sure to give this episode a listen. – V.

Melanie and I are taking a short mid-winter/mid-summer break, so while we recharge our batteries we’re reposting some of our favourite episodes starting this week with THE GODFATHER. Wow, there just aren’t too many movies with this level of storytelling craft in them. I had a whole lot to say about this classic film and I know that no matter which genre you’re writing in, there’s something in this episode to help you. Enjoy! – V.

We visit the joys of multiplot stories this week. Valerie discovers (again) the issues with multiplot stories in movies, and I investigate how the different timelines impact the narrative drive. We both learnt what happens to a story when conflict triangles and curiosity and concern are absent – a cautionary tale for writers. -M (The following summary was generated by AI.) Are you a writer struggling to keep your readers engaged? Do you want to master the art of narrative drive? Our latest podcast episode is here to help! This

If you’re writing a story with multiple protagonists/POVs, or if you’re tackling a big social issue in your story, then you’ll want to study The Help. As it happens, it’s also a cracking example of Conflict Triangles and Narrative Drive – and that’s what Melanie and I talk about in this week’s episode. – V. (The following summary was generated by AI.) Unlocking the Secrets of Conflict Triangles with “The Help” As writers, we often grapple with the challenge of weaving complex themes into our stories. Whether it’s tackling issues

This week one of mystery writing’s deadly sins makes a guest appearance. Valerie and I discuss if the appearance is welcome or not. A Simple Favour has good examples of how Narrative Drive works – great for my topic. However, it wasn’t so good for Valerie’s study of Conflict Triangles, so we see how superficial a story can be when the conflict isn’t complex. -M. (The following summary was generated by AI.) Unlocking the Secrets of Narrative Drive: A Deep Dive into “A Simple Favor” If you’re a writer aiming

In BELFAST, Kenneth Branagh does something that most, if not all, new writers do. In a movie, it’s kind of hard to spot because filmmakers have access to tools (like costume design, cinematography, and a musical score) that obscure it. In a novel, it’s obvious —stark even — because all we have is black text on a white page. It’s laid bare for all readers to see, and readers don’t like it. Here it is … in BELFAST the protagonist is passive. He’s observing the action but not part of

Sometimes we learn more from our mistakes than our successes – that’s my story and I’m sticking to it this week! Narrative drive is an important storytelling principle to learn and this week’s movie is an example of poor story structure resulting in terrible narrative drive. A mystery writer should have control of the information. Valerie’s study of conflict triangles was more fruitful than my area of study this week. The conflict triangle is present and clear to see. -M (The following summary was generated by AI.) Unlocking the Secrets

It’s a brand new season and that means Melanie and I are studying two new topics: narrative drive and conflict triangles. Conflict and page-turners are usually associated with action stories, thrillers and the like. But DOUBT is a quiet, character-driven film that is so expertly crafted it grabs the viewer’s attention immediately and holds it right to the bitter end. Seriously, there’s so much for novelists in here. -V. (The following summary was generated by AI.) Are you struggling to make your stories more engaging and compelling? Do you find