In Gone (S6 E11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a social worker visits the Summers house and the trio makes Buffy something that rhymes with "blinvisible." Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) the storytelling challenges of an unengaged protagonist like Buffy; (2) why lots of conflict doesn’t always equal a strong plot; (3) season hooks that don’t really hook (the stolen diamond); and (4) small moments that show subtly building conflict between Buffy and Xander but also sh...
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Prague And Krakow Spark Supernatural Ideas
My recent travels to Prague and Krakow sparked all sorts of ideas for novels, including for a new supernatural thriller series.
A Non-Supernatural Mystery In Prague
First, though, private investigator Quille C. Davis will travel to Prague to question a psychic medium, who is also a murder suspect, in my Q.C. Davis mysteries.
While the Q.C. Davis mystery series is not supernatural, Prague's long history of mysticism and alchemy make it an ideal home for the psychic medium character. And ...
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A Break For New Books
Thank you to everyone who helped make the launch of my new book The Forgotten Man (A Q.C. Davis Mystery), a success by buying early copies, posting reviews, and sharing about it on social media!
It was great to see so many people at the book release party as well.
Now I'm taking a much needed break and traveling in Europe. Along the way, though, I'm getting tons of ideas for a new book that will begin a series that spins off of my Awakening supernatural thriller series. And some possible ...
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Wrecked S6 E10
In Wrecked (S6 E10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow meets Rack and dives into dark magic as Buffy deals with the fallout from her night with Spike. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) repetition and pacing; (2) Wrecked as a full story or Part 2 of Smashed; (3) conveying emotion through actions and indirect dialogue; and (4) how well the Willow/Rack/addiction story fits in the Buffyverse.
Download free Story Structure worksheets
Support the podcast and get bo...
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Smashed S6 E9
In Smashed (S6 E9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow brings Amy back, the Trio uses a freeze ray, and Buffy and Spike bring down the house —literally. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) why and how Buffy finally acts on her desire for Spike; (2) whether Smashed is complete or one half of a story; and (3) how Buffy’s and Willow’s storylines reflect one another and where they diverge.
Download free Story Structure worksheets
Support the podcast and get bonus ep...
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New Release: The Forgotten Man
Chapter One: A Likely Suspect
It’s not every day you interview the man who might have murdered your sister. I leaned into the airport restroom mirror and dotted concealer over the dark circles under my eyes, then brushed lint from the jacket of my suit. It was my best suit. The one I saved for appellate arguments and pitches to gain new clients. Its warm brown color set off my olive skin and nearly black hair nicely.
I wanted the man I was meeting to answer questions about his daughter’s d...
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This Lawyer Writes Crime Novels To Find Justice
I didn't start out writing crime novels. A need for justice in real life sent me in that direction. As some readers know (though I never wrote about it in my novels), in 2007 a drunk driver killed my parents.
The court proceedings against that driver marked the first time I directly experienced the criminal justice system. I learned about it in law school. But as a lawyer, at that point I'd handled only civil cases. (Meaning cases about recovering money, not prosecuting crimes.)
These ...
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Tabula Rasa S6 E8 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)
In Tabula Rasa (S6 E8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow tries another forgetting spell with consequences that are fun at first and then devastating. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) what the characters don't say that gives the dialogue so much power; (2) themes and metaphors that work – and don’t – and why; and (3) a super-clear plot structure for the first three quarters that blurs toward the end but hits all the right emotional notes.
Last Episode: Once More ...
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Once More With Feeling S6 E7
In Once More With Feeling (S6 E7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Sunnydale bursts into song, Spike and Buffy are drawn together, and Dawn is once again in peril in the Buffy musical episode. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) how a tight plot structure, including subplots, gives Once More With Feeling emotional power; (2) escalating conflict that keeps the story moving; (3) whether misdirects about Xander and Dawn play fair with the audience; (4) why it might not matter ...
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All The Way S6 E6 (Buffy and the Art of Story)
In All The Way (S6 E6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Dawn ducks out of Xander’s and Anya’s engagement party on Halloween and puts herself in peril. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) who the protagonist is – Dawn, Buffy, someone else? (2) which is the main plot: Tara/Willow, Xander/Anya, Dawn's adventure, Buffy's struggles? (3) are all these story lines subplots, partial season arcs, or both? (4) when misdirection and subverting expectations works best; and (5) how not ...
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