145 episodes

If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love telling stories, or just taking them apart to see how they work, this podcast is for you. Novelist and host Lisa M. Lilly looks at plotlines, character arcs, and other story elements one Buffy episode at a time to see what works (and very occasionally doesn't) and why. Spoiler-free except at the end after plenty of warning.

Buffy and the Art of Story Lisa M. Lilly

    • TV & Film
    • 5.0 • 18 Ratings

If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love telling stories, or just taking them apart to see how they work, this podcast is for you. Novelist and host Lisa M. Lilly looks at plotlines, character arcs, and other story elements one Buffy episode at a time to see what works (and very occasionally doesn't) and why. Spoiler-free except at the end after plenty of warning.

    Conversations with Dead People S7 E7 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    Conversations with Dead People S7 E7 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    In Conversations with Dead People (S7 E7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy, Willow and Dawn talk with the dead (or the undead)  —  maybe  —  and Spike’s story takes an ominous turn. With special guest Steven Youngkin, host of the Angel retrospective podcast Wolfram & Cast. Along with the recap of Conversations with Dead People, this podcast episode focuses on: 



    (1) connecting seemingly unconnected vignettes; (2) character arcs and themes; (3) pop culture references; and (4) behind-the-scenes trivia and info on writing and production.



    Last Episode: Him 



    Next Episode: Pride, Prejudice and Buffy (Bonus)



    * Get more content while supporting the podcast by becoming a patron 

    * More about free novella No Good Plays

    * Latest Book Release: Buffy and the Art of Story Season Three Part 1: Write More Gripping Plots, Characters, And Themes By Watching Buffy 

    * Download free Story Structure worksheets

    * Get Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)

    * Get The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year (ebook, audiobook, or workbook



    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you or influence my love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    About Lisa M. Lilly

    In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com.



    Click here for free books by Lisa M. Lilly.

    Him S7 E6 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    Him S7 E6 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    In Him (S7 E6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Dawn falls in love - or falls under a love spell - and Buffy refuses to take her seriously until it’s almost too late. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:



    (1) always making things worse for the protagonist (Dawn); (2) is Buffy under a spell or acting out of character? Or both? and (3) hints of a theme that may be there or coming soon.



    Last Episode: Selfless



    Next Episode: Conversations With Dead People



    * Get more content while supporting the podcast by becoming a patron 

    * More about free novella No Good Plays

    * Latest Book Release: Buffy and the Art of Story Season Three Part 1: Write More Gripping Plots, Characters, And Themes By Watching Buffy 

    * Download free Story Structure worksheets

    * Get Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)

    * Get The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)



    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you or influence my love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    About Lisa M. Lilly

    In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com.



    Click here for free books by Lisa M. Lilly.

    • 59 min
    Selfless S7 E5 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    Selfless S7 E5 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    In Selfless (S7 E5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Anya returns to her demon life with a vengeance, forcing Buffy to make a terrible choice. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:



    (1) why choice is key in the Buffyverse; (2) flashbacks at their best; (3) character motives and exposition revealed through gripping conflict; and (4) how the themes of Selfless affect Anya's story.



    Last Episode: Help



    Next Episode: Him



    * Get more content while supporting the podcast by becoming a patron 

    * New Audiobooks How To Write A Novel, Grades 6-8 and Creating Compelling Characters From The Inside Out

    * Latest Book Release: Buffy and the Art of Story Season Three Part 1: Write More Gripping Plots, Characters, And Themes By Watching Buffy 

    * Download free Story Structure worksheets

    * Get Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)

    * Get The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)



    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you or influence my love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    About Lisa M. Lilly

    In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com.



    Click here for free books by Lisa M. Lilly.

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Help S7 E4 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    Help S7 E4 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    In Help (S7 E4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a Sunnydale High student insists she will die in a few days though she doesn't know why and Buffy strives to save her. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:



    (1) Surprising the viewer while playing fair with a second — and third — ending; (2) foreshadowing or overshadowing plot turns and Season 7 themes; (3) callbacks or rehashes? and (4) what makes an opening scene compelling.



    Last Episode: Same Time Same Place



    Next Episode: Selfless



    * New Audiobooks How To Write A Novel, Grades 6-8 and Creating Compelling Characters From The Inside Out

    * Latest Book Release: Buffy and the Art of Story Season Three Part 1: Write More Gripping Plots, Characters, And Themes By Watching Buffy 

    * Download free Story Structure worksheets

    * Get more content while supporting the podcast by becoming a patron 

    * Get Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)

    * Get The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)



    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you or influence my love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    About Lisa M. Lilly

    In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com.



    Click here for free books by Lisa M. Lilly.

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Same Time Same Place S7 E3 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    Same Time Same Place S7 E3 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    In Same Time Same Place (S7 E3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow returns to Sunnydale, a victim is flayed, and no one can find anyone else. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:



    (1) how coincidence affects story; (2) why the doubled scenes are so engaging; (3) what happens when rules--for demons or spells--are unclear; (4) pacing problem or thematic choice? and (5) many, many metaphors.



    Last Episode: Beneath You



    Next Episode: Help



    * New Audiobooks How To Write A Novel, Grades 6-8 and Creating Compelling Characters From The Inside Out

    * Latest Book Release: Buffy and the Art of Story Season Three Part 1: Write More Gripping Plots, Characters, And Themes By Watching Buffy 

    * Download free Story Structure worksheets

    * Get more content while supporting the podcast by becoming a patron 

    * Get Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)

    * Get The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)



    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you or influence my love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    About Lisa M. Lilly

    In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com.



    Click here for free books by Lisa M. Lilly.

    • 1 hr 8 min
    Beneath You S7 E2 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    Beneath You S7 E2 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

    In Beneath You (S7 E2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a giant worm demon terrorizes Sunnydale and Buffy learns Spike’s secret. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:



    (1) how well “from beneath you it devours” works in this episode; (2) the oddness of Spike with a soul; (3) repetitive exposition that slows the pace; and (4) well-constructed exposition that adds fun.



    Last Episode: Lessons



    Next Episode: Same Time Same Place



    * Latest Release: Buffy and the Art of Story Season Three Part 1: Write More Gripping Plots, Characters, And Themes By Watching Buffy 

    * Download free Story Structure worksheets

    * Get more content while supporting the podcast by becoming a patron 

    * Get Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)

    * Get The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year (ebook, audiobook, or workbook)



    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you or influence my love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    About Lisa M. Lilly

    In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com.



    Click here for free books by Lisa M. Lilly.

    • 1 hr 1 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
18 Ratings

18 Ratings

Kri21 ,

So good!

This podcast is amazing even if you aren’t a writer or if you are a writer and haven’t seen Buffy. Love the way Lisa walks you through the episodes and her perspective on them. I was a big fan when Buffy first aired, but Lisa helps me appreciate it more. I really love how every episode is so carefully and thoughtfully prepared. It would be easy for one person discussing a show to be boring, but Lisa’s preparation and presentation make the show super engaging. Highly recommend!

Lady Lipshtick ,

Great podcast for aspiring screen writers

Lisa walks you through the episode pointing out what plot points are hit by certain timestamps to give the listener a good example of how to pace a story. And for non writer Buffy fans, it helps you understand why the story works as well as it does.

Roberta Lipp ,

Love this podcast

As a Buffy fan, I enjoy this podcast on multiple fronts. One is, Lisa walks you through the episode thoroughly enough that I can sort of watch it in my head— so it’s like I get to watch an episode of Buffy without being bound to a screen.
Her angle of script analysis is just right—while I am not a fiction writer, I do enjoy critique and analysis, so it’s a bit of an education on how to critically think about a television show, without being overly intrusive, so it doesn’t interfere with my enjoyment of just talking about Buffy. I end up feeling validated about why I thought a particular episode fell flat, or why I especially love one.

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