The Q.C. Davis mysteries are not message books. They're plot-driven, follow-the-clues detective mysteries. But I do begin each with a core idea.
In The Worried Man, it was the pain of death by suicide as well as Quille’s family history. In The Charming Man, the concept of friends, many of whom are like family, trapped in an apartment complex during a blizzard sparked the story. And for The Fractured Man, I focused both on long-lost childhood friends and how the urge to recruit others to a cau...
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Author: admin
Checkpoint S5 E12 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)
In Checkpoint (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E12), the Watchers Council refuses to help Buffy defeat Glory unless she endures its grueling review. Along with the episode recap, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) unevenly placed major plot turns in Checkpoint that throw off the pace; (2) subtle character and dialogue choices that tell the story of the Watcher’s Council and the theme of power; (3) using minor conflict to reveal exposition and set up later scenes; and (4) the ways Checkpoint t...
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Sneak Peek At Mystery In Progress
It's not every day you meet a man who might have murdered your sister.
That's how the next Q.C. Davis mystery starts. This is the one where Quille looks into the murder of the sister for whom she was named: the original Q.C. Davis.
No working title yet, but I am about two-thirds through a first draft.
And I'm doing something new. Chapters in the earlier books were cleverly titled Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc. Creative, right?
Quite a few readers told me, though, that you prefer c...
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Triangle S5 E11 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)
In Triangle (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E11), Anya and Willow conjure an evil troll as Buffy deals with post-Riley life. This podcast episode recaps Triangle, focusing on:
Anya, Willow, and Xander are in a troll triangle and it's Buffy's show – so who is the protagonist?
running season arcs but no subplots for Spike, Xander, Buffy, and Dawn;
what less dramatic plot turns do to the episode's pace; and
should you break your characters for a joke?
Spoiler-free, except at the end...
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Into The Woods S5 E10 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)
In Into The Woods (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E10), thanks to Spike, Buffy learns about Riley's dark side. This podcast episode recaps Into The Woods, focusing on:
a shadow subplot for Riley about his life's mission;
hooking the audience by ending scenes just before Buffy or Riley reacts to a startling revelation;
what it means to be an antagonist (here, Riley) in romantic relationship plot;
a conversation with Roberta Lipp, co-host of the They Coined It Mad Men podcast, about why...
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Listening To Fear S5 E9 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)
In Listening To Fear (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E9), Joyce prepares for brain surgery as a dangerous alien stalks her. The podcast episode recaps Listening To Fear, focusing on:
opening conflict grounded in Buffy's new normal – taking care of Joyce in the hospital;
Riley's disappearing act shows the audience his inner turmoil – and puts the gang in grave danger;
the challenges of a protagonist (Buffy) and antagonist (the demon from outer space) not knowing about each other until the...
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Shadow S5 E8 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)
This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Shadow, where Joyce waits for answers and Buffy fights a cobra demon who could reveal the truth about Dawn. This podcast episode recaps Shadow (Season 5 Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and focuses on:
(1) the way the episode weaves the cobra demon main plot into the subplots about Riley's and Buffy's inner conflicts; (2) how Buffy's pursuit of the demon shows the viewers her emotional turmoil; (3) different ways to read Buffy's need to keep it t...
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Fool For Love S5 E7 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)
This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Fool For Love (Season 5 Episode 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy goes to Spike for answers about how he killed two slayers. This podcast episode recaps Fool For Love and focuses on:
(1) an origin story told in flashbacks; (2) Spike resolves his feelings for Buffy in a surprising way; (3) using action and setting changes to keep scenes moving; and (4) characters asking questions they don't truly want answered.
Spoiler-free, ex...
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Family S5 E6 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)
This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Family (Season 5 Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Tara puts her friends in danger to try hide who she fears she really is. This podcast episode recaps Family and focuses on:
(1) characters asking questions when the audience needs answers; (2) linking scenes with images, language, and theme; (3) repeating words to convey theme and character growth; plus (4) special guest Elena Campobassi address themes of family, teen identity, and communit...
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No Place Like Home S5 E5 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)
The Buffy and the Art of Story podcast looks at story elements in No Place Like Home (Season 5 Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy strives to learn what's making her mother ill, confronts Dawn, and faces a new foe.
This podcast episode recaps No Place Like Home, focusing on:
(1) making life harder and harder (and harder) for the protagonist; (2) climax questions that reveal plot; (3) how to write an ephemeral antagonist; and (4) anger management as a theme.
Spoiler-free...
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