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    story structure

    Explore " story structure" with insightful episodes like "Nick Brooks - Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont", "Cozy Horror? What are you writing?", "The Matrix: give your story away", "First Cup of Coffee - November 4, 2021" and "First Cup of Coffee - August 3, 2021" from podcasts like ""The Happy Writer with Marissa Meyer", "The Author Wheel Podcast", "Story Nerd", "First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy" and "First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy"" and more!

    Episodes (43)

    Nick Brooks - Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont

    Nick Brooks - Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont

    Marissa chats with Nick Brooks about his debut middle grade novel - NOTHING INTERESTING EVER HAPPENS TO ETHAN FAIRMONT - as well as keeping things interesting for yourself by exploring new genres and mediums, knowing that every type of writing you experiment with - from film to music to books - can make you a better storyteller; one great takeaway from film school - "the plant and the payoff" - and why it is an effective technique to both impress your readers and help them feel more connected to the story; how story structure is largely intuitive, but the tools in your writing toolkit can be strengthened through formal education and studying the craft; a few elements to consider when developing an extraterrestrial or non-human species; fighting to be seen as a creator, and then facing impostor's syndrome once you are there; and some different ways to care for yourself while balancing a busy professional and family life.

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
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    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

    Cozy Horror? What are you writing?

    Cozy Horror? What are you writing?

    Cozy Horror? Is that a thing?

    How well do you understand your genre?

    Genre is the broad category where your books would be shelved in the physical bookstores. Sub-genre is the narrow niche category of books as they're grouped on ebook retailers, often defined by tropes, protagonist age, and writing style.

    Why should you care?

    In this episode, Greta and Megan take a deep dive into story genre, and how it affects your story structure and craft. We talk about why you have to know your specific sub-genre, how to do your research, and how to find clarity for your story.

    Final Question: What are you writing? Have you identified your target reader? Let's chat on the Facebook page @AuthorWheel!

    ***

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    ***

    Featured Book: The Author Wheel Quick Guide to Understanding Your Genre: How to Write What Readers Want to Read, by G.C. Boris and M. Haskell.

    Free Resource: The Top 5 Roadblocks Aspiring Authors Must Overcome, available for free when you join our newsletter at www.AuthorWheel.com/stuff.

    Other Referenced Resources: The Anatomy of a Best Seller: 3 Steps to Decon

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    FREE Mini Email Course

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    7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

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    The Matrix: give your story away

    The Matrix: give your story away
    In the first 10 pages of your story, you need to give the ending away. Sounds crazy, right? But, it's true. Why on earth would we do that? It would ruin the story, wouldn't it? Nope. When done right, it makes the story better. How would we do it? Listen to this episode to find out.For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinars For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle: www.valeriefrancis.ca/innercircle To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website: www.melaniehill.com.au Follow Valerie on X, Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

    First Cup of Coffee - November 4, 2021

    First Cup of Coffee - November 4, 2021

    Thoughts on rereading my own books, world bibles, worldbuilding, the advisability of writing sequels and the perils of long series. Also story structure and why I think some books are lacking it, to their detriment.

    You can order DARK WIZARD here (https://jeffekennedy.com/dark-wizard) and preorder FIRE OF THE FROST here (https://jeffekennedy.com/fire-of-the-frost).

    If you want to support me and the podcast, click on the little heart or follow this link (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jeffekennedy).

    You can watch this podcast on YouTube here (https://youtu.be/mQI7yu6qmEI).

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

    Support the show

    Contact Jeffe!

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    Thanks for listening!

    First Cup of Coffee - August 3, 2021

    First Cup of Coffee - August 3, 2021

    Making the distinction between writing your way through a sagging middle and finding that path as an intuitive writer, and other thoughts on structure and productive creativity. Also Taoism and keeping your eyes on your own work.

    Find BRIGHT FAMILIAR here (https://jeffekennedy.com/bright-familiar).

    You can watch the Love's Sweet Arrow panel that I mention here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjAJHVQxU_w).

    You can watch this podcast on YouTube here (https://youtu.be/VeOhVRfmSLI).

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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    First Cup of Coffee - June 24, 2021

    First Cup of Coffee - June 24, 2021

    How I predict how long a book will be and a discussion of book length, chapter length, how to play with reader expectations to amplify suspense. Also how I use 8-scene, 3-act structure to plan all of this.

    You can watch the You Tube video of the podcast here (https://youtu.be/fda4bGn3G6g).

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!



    Support the show

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    Aristotle's Poetics- Part One!

    Aristotle's Poetics- Part One!

    Poetics is intimidating. I've broken it down on other platforms but I think the podcast format is going to be a good fit for sharing this information!  Pause and take notes!  Share your thoughts!   Tag me on IG and let me know! I will always respond!

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    First Cup of Coffee - April 30, 2021

    First Cup of Coffee - April 30, 2021

    A shout-out to Kelly Robson on the official release of Alias Space! Also, more on the hero's journey and why some people see women as the reward and so can't be the hero, and other kinds of objectification.

    You can find out more about Alias Space here (https://kellyrobson.com/alias-space-and-other-stories/).

    You can watch the You Tube video of the podcast here (https://youtu.be/HqcH3kwQRSg).

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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    First Cup of Coffee - April 29, 2021

    First Cup of Coffee - April 29, 2021

    How I got angry on a panel because a male writer said the hero's journey could only belong to a man, about story beats in general, why I think the term "hero" shouldn't be gendered, and other thoughts on transformation.

    You can watch the You Tube video of the podcast here (https://youtu.be/6Rn26Qs84F8).

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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    First Cup of Coffee - February 11, 2021

    First Cup of Coffee - February 11, 2021

    The importance of setting the stakes in the first act of a story, what happens when that fails to happen, and thoughts on The Matrix.

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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    Episode 104: Improving Your Writing with Framing

    Episode 104: Improving Your Writing with Framing

    When the topic of “framing your story” came up, all of us Co-hosts were not sure exactly what we should include in the episode. We all sort of scratched our heads and asked, “what do you mean?”
    Well, Indies, we’ve since wrapped our minds a bit more around the concept, and we’ve determined that what each writer could use, on occasion, is a bit of a “refresher” on what actually makes a story stand as, well, a story.

    So tune in and learn more about what it means to frame a story.

    First Cup of Coffee - September 10, 2020

    First Cup of Coffee - September 10, 2020

    I'm talking about story structure today: how the analysis can be useful, but also limiting; why the Black Moment isn't necessary, that dramatic beats are useful only so far, and how we need to internalize our art.

    My podcast on GMC is here (https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2020/09/08/first-cup-of-coffee-september-8-2020/)
    Leslye Penelope's podcast on the Black Moment is here (https://lpenelope.com/2020/09/revisiting-structure-my-imaginary-friends-episode-84/)
    And the SFWA blog post (which turns out to be from July 2019) is here (https://www.sfwa.org/2019/07/30/translating-the-heros-journey-into-a-linear-plan/)

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!




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    First Cup of Coffee - July 16, 2020

    First Cup of Coffee - July 16, 2020

    I'm talking about why authors give up writing, doing something with my old guest posts, writing advice and how much I like Hidden and The Morning Show. Plus cat and robot wrangling today.

    The blog post I reference is here (https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2020/07/15/using-the-8-scene-3-act-structure-to-tighten-plus-snippets-from-the-promised-queen/)

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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    19. How to Use Character Flaws and Personality Traits Properly in Your Story

    19. How to Use Character Flaws and Personality Traits Properly in Your Story

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION:    
    It's important for a storyteller to understand the difference between their protagonist's character flaws and their personality traits, because getting these two categories confused can not only baffle your audience, but can also inadvertently cause harm.This is because story is the most effective means by which the world learns what is good, right, and true. 

    Since the heart of every story is a personal paradox, the real basis for story is the internal emotional journey that the protagonist experiences. It's always about the character's arc or growth as they heal from a wound, flaw, or some other characteristic that is holding them back and preventing them from becoming their authentic self. Consequently, the plot elements of the story actually become the device through which the character is able to address his flaws.

    But if the storyteller doesn't understand the difference between these two categories, they are liable to have their character pursue the wrong stuff. This would confuse the audience, who has certain expectations. They want the character to heal from his wounds and to grow in self-acceptance and own his personality traits. We see all these things play out clearly through the TV character Bosch.

    QUESTIONS OR TOPIC REQUESTS? 

    If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, click on the link below to leave a voicemail recording for Zena.

    https://www.speakpipe.com/ZenaDellLowe

     

    DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPTS?

    Zena is currently working on making the transcripts for these podcast episodes available for download on the Mission Ranch Films website. If you would like to be notified when this option is available, click here to join our email list. https://missionranchfilms.com

     

    SPECIAL THANKS

    The Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer Carla Patullo for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

     

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    First Cup of Coffee - March 9, 2020

    First Cup of Coffee - March 9, 2020

    Today's my mom's birthday, so there is singing. Thoughts on defining midpoint and other story structure beats. Also on romance and reading urban fantasy, and a kayak misadventure.

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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    First Cup of Coffee - February 10, 2020

    First Cup of Coffee - February 10, 2020

    Mulling what "cross-genre" really means for SF and Fantasy Romance authors, if we accept the premise that SFF is setting, theme and ambiance, rather than an actual story structure.

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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    First Cup of Coffee - November 9, 2019

    First Cup of Coffee - November 9, 2019

     #PantsNaNoWriMo day 9: Subconsciously understanding story structure and why you should read, especially in your own genre - and how you can't accidentally steal ideas.

    First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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    First Cup of Coffee - May 24, 2019

    First Cup of Coffee - May 24, 2019

    Talking a bit about stories today - romance, SFF, mystery and horror - and how they're structured. This segues into a discussion of the horror structure (new to me and learned at Nebula Conference), Breaking Bad and its series finale, with a final (spoilers cued) discussion of What Went Wrong with the Game of Thrones finale in that context. 

    After this, I'll try not to talk about Game of Thrones anymore. The blog post on burnout that I reference is here: https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2019/05/22/how-to-recognize-and-maybe-avoid-burnout/

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    Episode 34: Manic Pixie Scottish Banana

    Episode 34: Manic Pixie Scottish Banana
    At the top of the episode, Austin and Amanda briefly address the ongoing revelations of misconduct and abuse within queer publishing. We stand with authors. Austin and Amanda go digging for comedy gold in ancient Harlequin blurbs, then get serious and talk about how damn hard beginnings can be. Amanda talks about what she typically finds missing in beginnings as an acquisitions editor. The hosts take a moment to address the diversity in romance publishing statistics released by The Ripped Bodice and chat current reads and Disneyland pipe dreams. Finally, it's Amanda's turn to have too many emotions over a D&D podcast.
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