What is "authorial voice"?  #literaryagent Kathleen Foxx and I had a terrific discussion about it on the #storynerd podcast. Check it out! STORYNERD.CA #writingadvice #podcastsforwriters #aspiringwriter

Are you starting your story in the right place? #literaryagent Kathleen Foxx explains why sometimes it's necessary to rewrite the opening chapters of a novel. It's all on the #storynerd podcast! STORYNERD.CA  #writingtips #aspiringwriter #podcastsforwriters

A #literaryagent will often know after only ONE PAGE if they're going to pass on a submission. Discover why on the #storynerd podcast. STORYNERD.CA #writingadvice #writingadvice #fictionwriter

The 4 things a #literaryagent looks for in a novel: Curiosity, Tension, an Emotional Connection, and Voice. It's all on this week's episode of the #storynerd podcast STORYNERD.CA #amediting #writingpodcasts #writingtips

How important is the opening line of a novel? #literaryagent Kathleen Foxx shares her thoughts on this week's episode of the #storynerd podcast. STORYNERD.CA #amediting #writingadvice #fictionwriter

A fascinating premise + great line writing = an unputdownable novel. Learn more in this week's episode of the #storynerd podcast. STORYNERD.CA #literaryagent #writingtips #onwriting #fictionwriter

75% of what an agent looks for can be learned by studying story theory. The other 25%? It comes through practice. Hear all about it on this week's episode of the #storynerd podcast. STORYNERD.CA #literaryagent #amediting #writingadvice #keepwriting

Hooboy! This is a big one! What the heck does "voice" mean when it comes to literature? That's just one of the things we talk about in this week's episode of the #storynerd podcast with special guest, literary agent Kathleen Foxx. #literaryagent #writingadvice #writingabook #publishinggoals

What does an agent look for in a manuscript? Tension, Curiosity, Emotional Connection and Voice. Want to hear more? Check out this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast ! STORYNERD.CA #literaryagent #novelwriting #amwriting #writingtips

Getting an agent's attention isn't easy! But in the latest episode of the #storynerdpodcast, literary agent Kathleen Foxx tells us what does, and doesn't work, in a query submission. Check it out now! #literaryagent #writingadvice #writingpodcasts #novelwriting STORYNERD.CA

The antagonist in your story must be formidable in some way. To help your reader/audience understand just how powerful the antagonist is, use a storytelling technique called The Speech in Praise of the Villain. It's all on this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast STORYNERD.CA

Erin Brockovich is the epitome of an underdog, and that means she has challenges coming at her from all directions from many different antagonistic forces. If your main character is an underdog, check out this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast STORYNERD.CA #writingadvice #amediting

Constant Characters are more common than you might expect. While they don't have a change arc, they're anything but a flat character. Tune into this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast to find out more. STORYNERD.CA #writingadvice #screenwritingadvice #womenwhopodcast #writingtips

In ERIN BROCKOVICH, the villain never appears on screen, but we're in no doubt how powerful they are. How did the filmmakers do it? Tune into this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast to find out! STORYNERD.CA #amwriting #keepwriting #womenwhopodcast #writingabook

Erin Brockovich's character is clearly established in the opening minutes of the movie - and it NEVER changes! To find out why this works so well, check out this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast STORYNERD.CA #novelwriting #screenwriting101 #writingtips #writingcoach

In ERIN BROCKOVICH, we know how formidable the antagonist (PG&E) is because no less than 5 characters tell us using a storytelling technique known as The Speech in Praise of the Villain. Learn more in this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast STORYNERD.CA #writingpodcasts #novelwriting #villains

"Constant" characters can be complex and nuanced, but instead of changing from the beginning of a story to the end, they remain constant while the world around them changes. Fascinating stuff! And it's all on this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast STORYNERD.CA #writingadvice #amediting

This is why your story's antagonist must be superior to the protagonist in some way. We talk all about it in this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast STORYNERD.CA #writingadvice #screenwriting101 #keepwriting #writingsociety

In this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast, Melanie explains why so-called "flat" characters might not be so bad! STORYNERD.CA #writingpodcasts #novelwriting #screenwriting101 #writingabook

The antagonist must, in some way, be a formidable opponent to the protagonist. The way you communicate that to your readeer/viewer is through the speech in praise of the villain. It's all on the #storynerdpodcast STORYNERD.CA #amwriting #creativewriter #indieauthor #villains

If Tom Cruise can steal, so can you. 😜 On the #storynerdpodcast this week we're studying THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, and we discovered that Tom Cruise lifted one of Hitchcock's scenes for MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION. Check it out! #amediting #screenwriting101 #writingtips #filmcritic

💥 A villain's strength can make or break a story. In our latest episode of the #storynerdpodcast we dive into the fascinating concept of the "speech in praise of the villain." ✍️ The antagonist isn't just an obstacle; they need to be superior in some way to create tension and drive the story forward!

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION copied a scene from Hitchcock and it works for both films! What's the scene? Find out on this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast  STORYNERD.CA #novelwriting #screenwritingadvice #writingcoach #writingtips

Does every character need an arc? Nope! Some characters make the same decisions over and over again. They're called "constant characters" and we explain all about it in this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast. STORYNERD.CA #amediting #novelwriting #fictionwriter #creativewriting

Want to know how to create tension in your reader/viewer? Check out this week's episode of the #storynerdpocast. Available now on all podcast platforms. #novelwriting #keepwriting #screenwritingadvice #writingcoach

Melanie and I had a ball studying The Princess Bride on the #storynerdpodcast. William Goldman does almost everything right and in this week's episode we talk about his use of the framing story, objects of desire, and character. Enjoy! #writingabook #creativewriting #screenwritingadvice

If you ever needed an excuse to watch THE PRINCESS BRIDE again, here it is! William Goldman is a master storyteller and his use of the framing story is absolutely brilliant. #storynerdpodcast #writingpodcasts #novelwriting #amwriting #fictionwriter

What's the nature of your main characters' shadow? What is she hiding? #storynerdpodcast #podcastsforwriters #authorssupportingauthors  #writingcoach #screenwritingadvice

In our Best Advice episode, Melanie explains the shadow, and how you can use it to add depth and nuance to your characters. #storynerdpodcast #writingabook #writersworld #writingtips #aspiringwriter

A character's shadow isn't necessarily evil. It doesn't automatically refer to a negative trait. The shadow is a protagonist's hidden self - the parts of themselves they want to keep hidden from the world. Find out more on this week's episode of the #storynerdpodcast. StoryNerd.ca

No time to listen to all 8 episodes of the #storynerdpodcast this season? Don't worry - we've got your back! In today's episode, Melanie and I recap everything and offer our best advice about the hero's monologue and the shadow. #writingpodcasts #screenwriting101 #novelwriting #keepwriting

No time to listen to all 8 episodes of the #storynerdpodcast this season? Don't worry - we've got your back! In today's episode, Melanie and I recap everything and offer our best advice about the hero's monologue and the shadow. #writingpodcasts #screenwriting101 #novelwriting #keepwriting

Why are women represented this way in stories? Are there exceptions? Sure. But not many. On the podcast this week, we're doing a deep dive into Daphne du Maurier's classic, REBECCA. StoryNerd.ca  #storynerdpodcast  #novelwriting #writingabook #womenwhopodcast #writingsociety

Why does your protagonist do what she does, and how do you convey that to your reader? Listen to the #storynerd podcast to learn how to use the hero's monologue in your story. StoryNerd.ca #writingadvice #amediting #writingabook #creativewriter

What do you think? Has REBECCA aged well or is it kinda cringe? StoryNerd.ca #storynerd  #writingpodcasts #screenwriting101 #womenwhopodcast #publishinggoals

Writing "experts" claim that the protagonist must always be active. Not true! There are lots of passive protagonists. Ex: the Second Mrs. deWinter in Daphne du Maurier's REBECCA. Check out this week's episode of the #storynerd podcast. #novelwriting #amwriting #fictionwriter #writingadvice

Weak writing or a deliberate creative choice? Check out this week's episode of the #storynerd podcast as we take a deep dive into Daphne du Maurier's REBECCA. #writingpodcasts #womenwhopodcast #keepwriting #onwriting

The disturbing reason why the main character in REBECCA is known only as "The Second Mrs. deWinter". This week on the #storynerd podcast. Available on all podcast platforms and YouTube. #writingpodcasts #writingabook #creativewriting  #womenwhopodcast

Can protagonists be passive? YES! But it's not easy to pull off. The Second Mrs. DeWinter, in Daphne du Maurier's REBECCA, is a passive character. Tune in to this week's episode of the #storynerd podcast for more. #writingpodcasts #fictionwriter #novelwriting #amwriting

Want to know how to create tension in your story? Check out the #storynerd podcast. Available on all podcast providers. STORYNERD.CA #writingabook #screenwriting101 #novelwriting #creativewriting

Why do protagonists do what they do? There's got to be a very good reason for their behaviour, otherwise, when the going gets tough (as it must!), they'll quit and your story will fizzle. STORYNERD.CA #storynerd #writingpodcasts #amediting #amwriting #fictionwriter

The protagonist and the antagonist BOTH get monologues so they can explain to the audience/reader WHY they do what they do. THE INCREDIBLES offers up excellent examples of both. Check it out on the #storynerd podcast. StoryNerd.ca #creativewriting #screenwriting #keepwriting #novelwriting

DIAL M FOR MURDER (Hitchcock, 1954) is masterful! The hero's monologue and the villain's monologue is one in the same, and it's woven seamlessly into the narrative. Do yourself a favour and watch the movie this weekend! #storynerd #filmcritic #writingpodcasts #screenwriting101 #fictionwriter

The Hero's Monologue is when the main character explains to the reader/audience WHY he does what he does. Check out this example from THE INCREDIBLES on the #storynerd podcast. #screenwritingadvice #screenwriting101 #indieauthor #writingabook

THE HOLDOVERS is a masterclass in character development, empathy, and catharsis. If you want to write characters your reader will love and cheer for, check out this episode of the #storynerd podcast! STORYNERD.CA #writingtips #screenwriting #novelwriting #writingadvice

"Show, Don't Tell" is wrong! Or at least, it's being misinterpreted. The "tell" part is exposition, and every story has it. Every. Single. One. The key is to understand when and how to use it. To learn more, check out the #storynerd podcast. STORYNERD.CA #creativewriting #writingtips #writingadvice

Some characters change and grow over the course of a story, but some (in fact, a whole lot!) remain constant. Lydia Tar is one example. To learn more about characters and how to develop them, check out the #storynerd podcast. STORYNERD.CA #writingadvice #writingpodcasts #fictionwriter #writingabook

People buy books for the story (not for flowery or poetic sentences). On the #storynerd podcast we explain the storytelling principles you need to know to capture, and hold, a reader's attention. Come join us!  #writingpodcasts #writingadvice #screenwriting101 #novelwriting

Writing a novel or screenplay with more than one protagonist? The #storynerd podcast has got you covered. Check out our episode about GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (available on all podcast providers). #writingpodcasts #writingadvice #fictionwriter #novelwriting

Writing a memoir? Find the narrative arc of your life story! #storynerd podcast. #writingpodcasts #aspiringwriter #publishinggoals #writingabook