Story Nerd

Melanie Hill, Valerie Francis
  • 5.0 (56)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Story Nerd

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 you're a writer who loves to write, this podcast is for you! "The only thing that matters, and that ever will matter, is the story. That's it." - Tom Hanks (Oxford Union 2024)

  1. 6D AGO

    The Mighty Ducks: weak villains

    The antagonist drives the middle of a story, so what happens when the antagonist is a really weak character? Well, if you're a filmmaker and can cast Emilio Estevez, you might get away with it. If you're a novelist, you're in trouble. This week, Melanie and I take a look at The Mighty Ducks where the story is thin but the ice is thick. While this movie doesn't offer up the best example of the villain's monologue, thankfully, it's got lots to teach us about turning points. -V. Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off.  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.

    38 min

  2. JUL 4 · BONUS

    How to Avoid a Page-One Rewrite

    Melanie and I have both had to do page-one rewrites (actually, I've done TWO!!!), and they're not fun. Not fun at all. We want to keep you from suffering the same fate, so in this episode, we explain where we went wrong and what you can do to make sure you never ever have to start your novel from scratch. -V. The Fundamentals of Storytellingcoupon code: CANADA50 Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off.  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.

    29 min

  3. JUL 2 · BONUS

    What A-List Authors Know that You Don't

    Announcing THE FUNDAMENTALS OF STORYTELLING on-demand course, available now. Visit storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50 for 50% off, now through July 7, 2025.     Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off.  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.

    31 min

  4. JUL 2

    Mission Impossible: simple yet solid

    Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation is a great example of good, straight forward storytelling. Yes, it’s an action movie with big stunts. Yes, you have to suspend your disbelief.  Yes, it’s Tom Cruise.  But there’s more craft in this movie than meets the eye. This episode, I’ll show you what I mean and Valerie will give her take on the interesting variation of the Villian’s monologue. Just in case anyone was wondering, Valerie and I do our own stunts on the podcast. -M Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off.  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.

    31 min

  5. JUN 25

    Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3: don't look too closely

    It's a brand new season and that means two brand new study topics! In Season 15, I'm studying something called the villain's monologue and Melanie is studying turning points. Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 is one of those films that's ok as long as you don't look too closely! There are definitely logic problems but insofar as our study topics are concerned, this movie offers up some valuable craft advice. Enjoy! -V. Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off.  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.

    38 min

  6. JUN 18 · BONUS

    Traditional and Indie Publishing Models

    Authors often ask us for our advice about publishing models and whether traditional is better, or worse, than indie/self publishing. So this week, we're bringing you an interview with writer and podcaster, Matty Dalrymple. Matty also happens to be the Campaigns Manager for ALLi (the Alliance of Independent Authors) and she takes us through what she calls the ABCs of the traditional and indie publishing paths. This interview isn't meant to sway you in one director or another. Rather, we want to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each path, and of course, we want let you know that whichever one you choose, ALLi is an invaluable source of information - much of which is free! - V. Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off.  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.

    40 min

  7. JUN 11

    What Went Right: Juror #2

    If you're writing a quiet, character-driven story — especially if it deals with questions of morality — Juror #2 is a film you must watch. The storytelling craft is rock solid, and although it's a legal drama, it's also highly nuanced with complex characters and an unbelievably intriguing plot. There's no spectacle here. It's all substance. Check out this hook: What if a juror in a murder trial realized that he is the killer? -V. Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off.  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.

    36 min

  8. JUN 4

    What Went Wrong: Ghosted

    If you are wondering what kids mean when they say, “It’s cringe” then watch this movie. Otherwise save yourself some time. On paper everything about this movie should work, but, and it’s an enormous but, it doesn’t. It’s easy to identify why. This movie doesn’t know what it wants to be when it grows up - is it a romance, a spy or an action movie. On the upside, if you listen to this episode you will learn the difference between action stories and spy stories - I have very strong opinions about this. We also have lots of fun with our cranky pants on. -M Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off.  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.

    37 min
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About

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 you're a writer who loves to write, this podcast is for you! "The only thing that matters, and that ever will matter, is the story. That's it." - Tom Hanks (Oxford Union 2024)

Information

  • Creator
    Melanie Hill, Valerie Francis
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    190
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022-2025 - Fifth Hammer Books, Inc.
  • Show Website
    Story Nerd

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