Using a framing story in your novel? Maybe you’re writing multiple plot lines. Or perhaps you want to know what truly masterful storytelling looks like. This week, we take a deep dive into THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Melanie and I were spoiled for choice in this What Went Right episode because, when you’re dealing with a William Goldman story, pretty much everything is going right. Enjoy! -V. (The following summary was generated by A.I.) In the latest episode of our podcast, we take a deep dive into the beloved film “The

If you’re wondering what NOT to do when adapting your novel, there are great tips in this episode. We’ve all experienced the feeling of walking out of a cinema and saying, the book was better. That’s definitely the case for The Golden Compass. I’ve read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it plus the book won the Carnegie Medal which means it’s excellent. So how did such a good children story go so wrong when it was adapted for film? That is the question we answer in this episode. (The following

We’re wrapping up Season 16 with our best advice, lessons learned and a-ha moments about The Shadow and The Hero’s Monologue. If you didn’t get a chance to listen to all the episodes this season, you’ll definitely want to tune in and maybe even bookmark this episode! – V. (The following summary was generated by A.I.) In the latest episode of our podcast, we delve into the intricacies of storytelling, focusing on two pivotal concepts: the hero’s monologue and the shadow. As writers, understanding these elements can significantly enhance our

You control the shadows in your characters. This week we reveal how a negative shadow looms large despite being dead. Daphne du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’ crushed everyone she came into contact with, even her allies. With our study of The Shadow drawing to a close, it’s time to look at how suppressed emotions break free and cause chaos. The Hero’s monologue is also treated differently in this film. See if you can pick where it is! (The following summary was generated by A.I.) In the latest episode of our podcast, we

This is storytelling at its finest. We could study it to learn about almost any aspect of writing, but this week, Melanie and I are highlighting the complexity and nuance of the main character. He’s a passive character, which makes for an especially interesting study of both the hero’s monologue and the shadow. If you’ve not seen THE HOLDOVERS yet, watch it as a gift to yourself this holiday season. You won’t be disappointed. We’ll be back in January with a new episode. Until then, we’ll be sharing some of

If you are writing a villain’s POV in your story, this episode is for you. Lydia Tar is a villain but she’s also the protagonist of the story. Quite simply: villain + protagonist = anti-hero. The slow reveal of Tar’s shadow is a masterclass in writing a villain POV. You could start off with an evil villain and maintain that line in your story, but it’s much more compelling to watch the villain’s camouflage and true nature being revealed over time. – M. (The following summary was generated by A.I.)

If you’re curious about how to handle unlikeable protagonists, this episode is for you! In Hitchcock’s classic, DIAL M FOR MURDER, the protagonist is the villain — he plots the murder of his wife, and that’s about as unlikeable as it gets! His anti-hero’s monologue is a veritable masterclass and his shadow reveals that he’s actually kind of a nice guy underneath it all … when he’s not blackmailing people and planning murders that is. -V. (The following summary was generated by A.I.) In the latest episode of our podcast,

The villain isn’t a stand in for the hero’s shadow. The villain is a warning to the hero if the hero doesn’t learn to integrate their shadow. The Incredibles is storytelling gold and a very clear example of the role of the villain and hero plus their relationship to the hero’s shadow. Of course, every good superhero movie needs a hero’s monologue and The Incredibles delivers. This week is a great week for both our topics, so join us as we don our capes and wear our undies on the

If you’re writing a dual protagonist story, a story with multiple plot lines or a romance, this episode is for you! After the spookiness of last week’s episode, I thought we are all due for a feel-good, positive juju kinda movie. What better choice than THE PROPOSAL? Enjoy! -V. (The following summary was generated by A.I.) In the latest episode of our podcast, we unravel the intricacies of storytelling through the lens of the romantic comedy ‘The Proposal.’ Hosts Melanie Hill and Valerie Francis guide listeners through the essential elements

You need to read stories you don’t like. Yep, it’s true. This week I put my body on the line and I forced myself (and Valerie – so sorry, please forgive me) to watch The Substance. I don’t read, watch, or listen to horror, but there are times when I need to go outside my comfort zone to learn more about the craft. My topic this season is The Shadow, so it would be remiss of me to ignore a genre that relies on The Shadow. You don’t need to

How does your reader know why your protagonist does what she does? This seemingly minor detail is one of the most important parts of your story and the way you let the reader know about it is through the hero’s monologue. What aspect of your protagonist is hidden from her, from your reader, or both? If you want to create a main character with dimension and an arc, then understanding her shadow is key. The hero’s monologue and the shadow are our study topics in this brand new season of