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Storytelling Principles
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Left Brain Stories
Scene Writing
Character Development
Mystery
Crafting Scenes
Literary Agents
Red Joan
Moonstruck
Puzzles
Zero Dark Thirty
The Last Of Sheila
The Sixth Sense
Writing Techniques
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Crazy Rich Asians
Murder Mysteries
Breakout Novel
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For novelists, memoirists and screenwriters who want to write stories their readers will love. Each week literary editors, Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill, use films to explain how to craft a story that hooks the reader on page one and holds their attention all the way to the end. The goal is simple: to learn from writers who have come before us...what worked well and what didn't work so well. If... more

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Artwork for Story Nerd

Latest Episodes

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-dr... more

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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 ... more

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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 writin... more

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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-h... more

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Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Matty Dalrymple
Author of the Lizzie Ballard thrillers and the Anne Kinnear suspense novels, podcaster, speaks, and consults on the writing craft.
Alliance of Independent Authors
Episode: Traditional and Indie Publishing Models
Brian Proctor
Bestselling author in the personal development space
Episode: Becoming a Bestselling Author, with Brian Proctor

Hosts

Valerie Francis
A writer and literary editor who specializes in helping women writers across genres understand story mechanics. She emphasizes character-driven narratives and has a strong focus on feminist themes in storytelling.
Melanie Hill
A writer, editor, and poet who specializes in helping writers at various levels identify and solve story problems. She has a passion for literary analysis and storytelling techniques, particularly in middle-grade and young adult literature.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 106 ratings
  • This is my go-to writing education podcast. I look forward to Wednesdays when I get to hear Valerie and Melanie dissect a movie and get me thinking about elements I hadn't before considered for my novels. Their great work is assisting my great WIP!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Mary White
    2 months ago
  • Real writers’ resource

    Excellent!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RosemariB
    United States9 months ago
  • Story structure & beyond!

    Such a great analysis of stories and movies - be ready to nerd out. You’ll improve your craft for sure!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SilverNW
    Canadaa year ago
  • An Education on Storytelling

    This is one of the best podcasts I’ve heard on storytelling. They break it down so that it’s easy to understand. I’ve learned so much from the hosts- such professionals. My only regret is that I didn’t find them sooner. As a writer, it would’ve saved me so much time with so many mistakes I made with the craft of storytelling.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MerryBross
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent way to learn story structure

    Their analysis of movies is so informative and I learned something new with every podcast. I like that they have themes for the season that they’re looking at and their disagreements are entertaining.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VAB1953
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The hosts are engaging and foster a community feeling among listeners interested in the art of storytelling.
There is a strong emphasis on understanding character motivations and development, which resonates with aspiring writers.
Valerie and Melanie provide excellent analysis of storytelling in films, making complex theories accessible to writers.
Listeners appreciate the blend of theory and practical advice that helps elevate their writing skills.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#151
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#173
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#179
India/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jett Cooper: Melanie's New Novel
Q: Where did you start with the story of Jett Cooper?
Melanie felt that Jett walked into her head fully formed and reflected on her interest in aviation as a driving force.
Jett Cooper: Melanie's New Novel
Q: What focused you to get through to the end of the book?
Melanie focused heavily on writing scenes and ensuring her protagonist was active rather than passive.
Jett Cooper: Melanie's New Novel
Q: How did it feel knowing that you were facing a page 1 rewrite?
Melanie felt determined about learning to write a better story but initially upset about starting over.
She Said: constant characters
Q: What have you got for the action step for this week?
Look at who is being forced to make a decision in your story that moves them closer to or further away from their object of desire.
She Said: constant characters
Q: How did you go with the turning points this week?
The movie intrigued me with regards to turning points, showing how the protagonists Jodie and Megan remained constant while affecting the decisions of others.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Story Nerd

What is Story Nerd about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on assisting novelists, memoirists, and screenwriters, this podcast offers insightful explorations of storytelling techniques using film as a lens. Each episode features detailed analyses of popular movies and how their narrative elements, such as character development, turning points, and thematic structure, contribute to effective storytelling. The hosts, both experienced literary editors, provide practical advice that encourages writers to engage deeply with their craft while learning from cinematic examples. The unique format blends analysis with actionable insights, appealing to a passionate community of writers eager to enhance their storytelling skills.

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How many episodes of Story Nerd are there?

Story Nerd launched 4 years ago and published 212 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Story Nerd?

Recent guests on Story Nerd include:

1. Matty Dalrymple
2. Brian Proctor

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