Architecture of Story

Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns
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A podcast for writers, from writers that focuses on the structure inside your novel as well as how to navigate your path to publication. Hosted by author and editor Meg Rosenthal, and YA author Alyssa K. Burns, this collaborative platform invites authors to discuss different structures and techniques other writers can implement to write their own dream story, as well as what to do after the draft is written.

Episodes

  1. Jan 20

    Shapes of Stories and AI ft. Mindy Kuhn of Warren Publishing

    In this final episode of The Architecture of Story, author Meg Rosenthal sits down with Mindy Kuhn, owner of Warren Publishing, to talk about how the publishing industry has evolved and continues to change its shape. Faced with the reality that technology evolves at this same rapid rate, the two discuss what role generative AI plays in this modern stage and how authors can navigate this space. Click to watch Kurt Vonnegut on Shapes of Stories: https://youtu.be/oP3c1h8v2ZQ?si=hPlMDGodWtEnOGa8 Connect with Mindy and Warren Publishing: https://www.warrenpublishing.net Instagram @warrenpublish TikTok @warrenpublishing Connect with Meg: https://megrosenthal.com Instagram @megrosenthalauthor TikTok @megrosenthal.author

  2. Jan 13

    Nailing the Finish Line ft. J.N. Kindig

    In this episode of The Architecture of Story, authors Meg Rosenthal and J.N. Kindig discuss several archetypal ways that you can cross that final threshold and NAIL that finish line... or in other words, finish your story. Using a traditional three act story structure as the vehicle to arrive at the final image, Kindig brings to the conversation her own education from her recent masters in English degree to guide us all to different types of narrative endings we can employ. Click to learn more about Jeff VanderMeer and Wonderbook: https://wonderbooknow.com/about/ Connect with Jordan: https://www.authorjnkindig.com Instagram @authorjnkindig TikTok @authorjnkindig Connect with Meg: https://megrosenthal.com Instagram @megrosenthalauthor TikTok @megrosenthal.author

  3. Jan 9

    Story Arc Within Genre: Mystery ft. Benjamin Bradley

    In this episode of The Architecture of Story, authors Meg Rosenthal and Benjamin Bradley list out the tenets of a mystery novel and go through the steps of how you can write your own. Bringing their own fresh perspectives on both writing and the publishing industry, the conversation makes the genre seem... well... less mysterious. Connect with Benjamin Bradley: https://benjaminbradleywrites.com/whlb Instagram @BenjaminBradleyWrites Connect with Meg: https://megrosenthal.com Instagram @megrosenthalauthor TikTok @megrosenthal.author

  4. Jan 1

    Character Driven Plots ft. Hannah Hamrick

    In this episode of The Architecture of Story, authors Meg Rosenthal and Hannah Hamrick go beyond the structure of the physical plot points of a novel and dive deep on the characters that make up these stories. They walk through certain techniques that they use to flesh out their characters to get to know their attributes, their wants vs. their needs, and things that help fuel their arcs. Once we know who our players are, the two talk about how to break down the plot by using action and reaction to further deepen the reader's understanding of the growth being done on the page. Connect with Hannah Hamrick: https://authorhannahhamrick.com Instagram @authorhannahhamrick TikTok @authorhannahhamrick Connect with Meg: https://megrosenthal.com Instagram @megrosenthalauthor TikTok @megrosenthal.author

  5. 12/16/2025

    Story Arc Within Genre: Fantasy/ Plotting a Trilogy

    In this episode of The Architecture of Story, authors Meg Rosenthal and C.C. Tyler break down key definitions within the genre of fantasy and discuss various plotting techniques they use to outline their stories. They talk at length about the arcs needed within each individual book, but the necessity of a global arc tracking over the series as a whole as well. Saves the Cat and the Four Act Story Structure are both dissected in this conversation. *Recommend watching Episode 2: Saves the Cat prior to this episode so certain definitions make sense. More information on the 3 and 4 act story structures: https://reedsy.com/blog/guide/story-structure/three-act-structure/ https://thenovelsmithy.com/the-four-act-structure/ https://writershelpingwriters.net/2024/09/the-missing-link-in-three-act-structure/ https://rachaelherron.com/developing-novel-4-act-story-structure/ Connect with C.C. Tyler: https://www.authorcctyler.com Instagram @authorcctyler and @coachcctyler TikTok @authorcctyler Connect with Meg: https://megrosenthal.com Instagram @megrosenthalauthor TikTok @megrosenthal.author

  6. 12/09/2025

    7 Point Story Structure ft. Nicole Ryan

    In this episode of The Architecture of Story, authors Meg Rosenthal and Nicole Ryan discuss the 7 Point Story Structure, a technique popularized by Dan Wells. They first detail what the 7 points within this structure are and how they provide a loose, skeletal outline. Then, following the steps that Dan Wells describes himself, they walk through how to apply this method to your own story planning. Click to watch the Dan Wells lecture on the 7 Point Story Structure: https://youtu.be/KcmiqQ9NpPE?si=ogF1siRMon4msE5c Connect with Nicole: https://nicoleryanbooks.com Instagram @nicoleryanbooks TikTok @nicoleryanbooks Connect with Meg: https://megrosenthal.com Instagram @megrosenthalauthor TikTok @megrosenthal.author

  7. 12/01/2025

    PLOT TWISTS! ft. Shannon McLellan

    In this episode of The Architecture of Story, authors Meg Rosenthal and Shannon McLellan go into detail about the intricacies of weaving a plot twist into your story. They define a plot twist and provide examples of different kinds of twists before giving you tips and tricks on how to effectively pull one off. Finally, the duo talks about the effects on your story's structure depending on when the plot twist occurs.

  8. 11/25/2025

    Story Arc Within Genre: Romance ft. Alissa DeRogatis

    In this episode of The Architecture of Story, authors Meg Rosenthal and Alissa DeRogatis focus on the story arcs found specifically in the ROMANCE genre of fiction. Using the book, "Romancing the Beat" by Gwen Hayes as a guide, they outline the beats this genre hits and how you can apply them to your own work. Connect with Alissa:https://www.alissaderogatis.comInstagram @alissaderogatisTikTok @alissaderogatis Connect with Meg:https://megrosenthal.comInstagram @megrosenthalauthor TikTok @megrosenthal.author

  9. 11/17/2025

    Show, Don't Tell (Scene Vs. Summary) ft. Rennie Dyball

    In this episode of The Architecture of Story, authors Meg Rosenthal and Rennie Dyball dive into prose technique and the timeless advice us writers have received regarding showing, not telling your readers what is happening in your book. But what does that really mean, and how do you accomplish this? Through specific and sensory details as well as dialogue tips and tricks, Meg and Rennie walk you through how to stay in "scene" in your writing and when it is appropriate to slip into "summary." Connect with Rennie: https://www.renniedyball.com Instagram @renniedyball Connect with Meg: https://megrosenthal.com Instagram @megrosenthalauthor TikTok @megrosenthal.author

  10. 11/10/2025

    Moving from Short to Long Form Fiction ft. Sarah Creech

    In this episode of The Architecture of Story, authors Meg Rosenthal and Sarah Creech embark on a deep conversation of the importance of workshop and how the short story works best in this model. They discuss the art of the premise and how you know if your idea is large enough to coax out a novel... or not. In the last section of this episode, they run through the beats of the novel's Three Act Story Structure and apply it in an example of Bruce Holsinger's novel Culpability. Enjoy a thought provoking dialogue that will make you feel like you are in a university classroom! More information on Bruce Holsinger and Culpability: https://www.bruceholsinger.com  Connect with Sarah: https://www.sarahcreech.org Connect with Meg: https://megrosenthal.com Instagram @megrosenthalauthor  TikTok @megrosenthal.author

  11. 10/31/2025

    Saves The Cat ft. Kalyn Fogarty

    In this episode of The Architecture of Story, authors Meg Rosenthal and Kalyn Fogarty team up to break down the structure of the Saves The Cat Beat Sheet as outlined in the novel Saves The Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. The duo then takes this conversation a step further in discussion of how to utilize this outline when working with multiple perspectives. More information on Saves the Cat can be found on Jessica Brody's official website: https://www.jessicabrody.com Connect with Kalyn: https://www.kalynfogarty.com Instagram @kfogartyauthor Connect with Meg: https://megrosenthal.com Instagram @megrosenthalauthor TikTok @megrosenthal.author

  • 11 Episodes

About

A podcast for writers, from writers that focuses on the structure inside your novel as well as how to navigate your path to publication. Hosted by author and editor Meg Rosenthal, and YA author Alyssa K. Burns, this collaborative platform invites authors to discuss different structures and techniques other writers can implement to write their own dream story, as well as what to do after the draft is written.

Information

  • Creator
    Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns
  • Show Website
    Architecture of Story