Primeval S4 E21 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on November 8, 2021February 26, 2022 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Primeval (Season 4 Episode 21 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy must fight not only Adam but the military complex that created him. This podcast episode looks at: (1) how the episode sums up the themes of Season 4; (2) more repetition than we usually see in a season finale and a slower pace; (3) thematic bookends for Yoko Factor (Part 1) and Primeval; and (4) whether Adam is a strong antagonist. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty o...

New Release: The 5th Q.C. Davis Mystery Is Here

Posted on October 29, 2021October 30, 2021 by admin

The Hidden Man (New Release) He wants his father's killer found, but his secrets kept. She vows to solve the murder no matter what. Will what she doesn't know eventually kill her? Until now, Chicago lawyer Quille C. Davis has investigated crimes, but only to help her loved ones. Now she's been hired to solve the murder of a well-known class action attorney. The victim died with a secret. Quille suspects it relates to his fascination with UFOs, an interest he shared with his long-time gi...

Fictional Detective Visits Real Chicago Restaurants

Posted on October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 by admin

When I started the Q.C. Davis Mystery series I wasn't thinking about restaurants. But they quickly became key to the books. Why? First, because I love dining out. Second, and more important to readers, is that sleuths need to interview a lot of people, and scenes with just questions and answers start to feel repetitive. One way to vary those types of scenes is to set them in places readers might enjoy visiting or to feature food or drinks they want to try. Now the question readers ask me ...

The Yoko Factor S4 E20 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on October 25, 2021November 19, 2021 by admin

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, The Yoko Factor (Season 4 Episode 20 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Adam and Spike collude to separate Buffy from her friends. This podcast episode looks at: (1) episode themes that are key for Season 4; (2) subplots disconnected from main storyline (unlike in New Moon Rising); (3) an Angel side plot that's fun yet slows the pace; and (4) setting up Part 2 of the season finale. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last E...

New Moon Rising S4 E19 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on October 11, 2021July 7, 2023 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – New Moon Rising (Season 4 Episode 19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Oz returns and Willow must make a choice. This podcast episode looks at: (1) a multifaceted main plot that includes action and intense emotion; (2) nesting doll subplots that weave into the main story; (3) a climax after the action plot resolves; and (4) layers of meaning in dialogue and gestures that emphasize emotion. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning)....

A Sleuth Whose Superpower Is Listening

Posted on October 7, 2021 by admin

I didn’t set out to write a series featuring a sleuth who is kind. All I knew was that to write a private or amateur detective mystery, I needed a main character with special skills. Skills that could help her solve crimes where police failed. My first choice about Quille C. Davis, the sleuth in the Q.C. Davis Mysteries, was an easy one. I made her a lawyer because I am one and know what skills it requires. Sleuth, Lawyer, And Former Actress Like me, Quille appears in court and handles law...

Where the Wild Things Are S4 E18 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on September 27, 2021October 23, 2021 by admin

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Where the Wild Things Are (Season 4 Episode 18 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where a frat house once again becomes a dangerous place for everyone and Buffy and Riley can't get out of bed. This podcast episode looks at: (1) Striking scenes, fantastic dialogue, and series foreshadowing; (2) is the Scooby Gang the protagonist? (3) an antagonist without a clear goal; (4) illogical magic; and (5) is there any theme? Spoiler-free, except at the end (with ...

Superstar (Buffy and the Art of Story S4 E17)

Posted on September 13, 2021October 9, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Superstar (Season 4 Episode 17 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Jonathan changes everything. This podcast episode looks at: (1) beginning in media res; (2) small moments that build a character or a world; (3) who is protagonist: Buffy or Jonathan? (4) why themes and plots resonate differently with different viewers; and (5) unintentional messages in fiction. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Sanctuary (S1...

Sanctuary – Angel S1 E19 (Buffy and the Art of Story S4)

Posted on August 30, 2021September 18, 2021 by admin

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Buffy crosses over and Faith's story continues on Sanctuary (Season 1 Episode 19 of Angel), where Angel tries to save Faith and turns his back on Buffy. This podcast episode looks at: (1) making things as hard as possible for the protagonist (Angel); (2) conflict-filled dialogue that keeps scenes tense; (3) when to leave out the backstory; and (4) the world, or society, as antagonist. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last...

Five by Five Angel Ep S1 E18 (Buffy and the Art of Story S4)

Posted on August 16, 2021October 18, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story, Faith's story continues on Five by Five (Season 1 Episode 18 of Angel), a Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel crossover where an evil law firm hires Faith to kill Angel. This podcast episode looks at: (1) Creating a sympathetic villain; (2) Flashbacks that might not be necessary but convey theme; (3) Using conflict to reveal backstory; and (4) An organization – Wolfram & Hart – as antagonist. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning)....