Story Nerd
Melanie Hill, Valerie Francis
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Top 10 Story Nerd Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Story Nerd episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Story Nerd for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Story Nerd episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
The Gentlemen: conflict and a detour
Story Nerd
12/27/23 • 36 min
Sometimes the best way to understand a concept is to have a simple, but clear, example. In this episode, Melanie explains why The Gentlemen is such a great example of conflict, especially external conflict. This film isn't such a great example of cast design though, so this week Valerie takes a detour and focuses instead on Narrative Device (which is not the same as Narrative Drive!).
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
For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinars
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
For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
12/20/23 • 34 min
There's no question that Little Women is a classic that is beloved by generations, but why? What is it about this story that resonates with so many readers and viewers? This week, Valerie and Melanie ponder just that and their study takes them to past episodes about world building and story shapes, they discuss the appeal of Jo March and they discover an interesting link to Pride and Prejudice.
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
For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinars
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
For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
No Way Out: conflict triangles
Story Nerd
12/13/23 • 43 min
In this week's episode, Melanie introduces the concept of conflict triangles and honestly, if you use them in your work, your story will improve immediately. In terms of cast design, while usually the plot supports the development of the characters in this case, the characters support the development of the plot. If you don't know which option best serves your story, you'd better tune in.
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
For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinars
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
For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
12/06/23 • 36 min
Valerie and Melanie both approached this week's episode with some trepidation. The Full Monty is a favourite film and sometimes those can be the most challenging to study because it's hard to be objective. But thankfully, there was no need to worry; the structure of The Full Monty is solid and a deep study revealed some fascinating lessons on how to write comedic characters.
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
For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinars
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
For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
10/29/23 • 15 min
By popular request! So many of you have messaged Valerie about this movie, that she's finally decided to tackle it head on. All the questions you've sent in boil down to one thing...you didn't like the movie, but you can't put your finger on why. In this bonus episode, Valerie shares her insights. Given the star-power attached to this project, her answer might surprise you.
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
For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinars
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website: www.melaniehill.com.au
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Twitter @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
Bridget Jones's Diary: why we love her
Story Nerd
09/20/23 • 31 min
Because the novel is so funny and easy to read, and because the film is a romcom, it's easy to dismiss Bridget Jones's Diary as a simple story that Helen Fielding simply dashed off on a weekend. But nothing could be further from the truth. Even though it's a lighthearted story, Bridget is still a dimensional character and that's why we love her.
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
For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinars
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website: www.melaniehill.com.au
Follow Valerie on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
Story 101: Poetic Device
Story Nerd
09/18/23 • 16 min
Here's an episode that will help you improve your line writing. Yes, Melanie is focusing on the poetic devices of metaphor, simile, and allegory, but they also apply to prose. So if you want to crank your writing up a notch, this one's for you.
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
For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinars
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website: www.melaniehill.com.au
Follow Valerie on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
09/13/23 • 32 min
Very few movies make an adult afraid of what's hiding under her bed, but this is one of them...and it isn't even a horror movie. That's the power of effective world-building! Even though this movie is set in NYC, it's a version of the city that's specific to the protagonist. How is the world of your story specific to your protagonist?
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
For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinars
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website: www.melaniehill.com.au
Follow Valerie on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
Ray: a product of his environment
Story Nerd
09/06/23 • 32 min
It's a brand new season and that means brand new topics. For the next ten weeks, Valerie will study character development and Melanie will study world-building. These massive topics go hand-in-hand because every protagonist is a product of his/her environment. This is a season you don't want to miss!
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
For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinars
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website: www.melaniehill.com.au
Follow Valerie on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
12/18/24 • 32 min
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a favourite with both our families, and given that this is a Tim Burton film we expected that the storytelling would be rock solid. This is a great example of writers using the storytelling tools at their disposal to maximum effect. Ah, but since filmmakers have access to different tools than novelists, when you strip away the "spectacle" of stop-motion and musical numbers, how strong is the story itself? The answer may surprise you.
This is our last new episode before the holiday season. For the next two weeks we've selected two of our most favourite back episodes, and we'll be back with you in the new year. Happy Holidays everyone!! -V&M.
"If you cannot answer the four story questions... you are very likely wasting your time." Valerie Francis
Related Story Nerd Episodes:
Coraline (Season 4, Episode 2)
Calendar Girls (Season 13, Episode 1)
For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.
To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.
Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francis
Follow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor
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FAQ
How many episodes does Story Nerd have?
Story Nerd currently has 159 episodes available.
What topics does Story Nerd cover?
The podcast is about Publishing, Story, Mysteries, Screenwriting, Crime Fiction, Writing, How To, Storytelling, Podcasts, Books, Education, Audiobooks, Book, Crime Stories, Arts, Novel, Romance and Film Reviews.
What is the most popular episode on Story Nerd?
The episode title 'Dirty Dancing: the heroine's journey' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Story Nerd?
The average episode length on Story Nerd is 36 minutes.
How often are episodes of Story Nerd released?
Episodes of Story Nerd are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Story Nerd?
The first episode of Story Nerd was released on Apr 1, 2022.
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