Salvage (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on January 13, 2025January 10, 2025 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover

In Salvage (Angel crossover S4 E13), Angelus meets The Beast (a powerful demon terrorizing L.A.) and Wesley persuades to Faith break out of prison. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) showing internal conflict (Wesley’s) through imagined dialogue; (2) who the protagonist is in a group with the same goal and two leaders (Wesley and Faith); (3) the challenges and pluses of a conflict engine character (Connor); and (4) subplots that resolve issues or raise stakes in...

Top And Bottom 5 Buffy Episodes Ever (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on December 30, 2024December 27, 2024 by admin

This podcast episode covers the Top 5 and Bottom 5 Buffy episodes ever, plus some Honorable Mentions. See if you agree. Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year! Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.writingasasecondcareer.com/worksheets Looking for a winter read? Try The Charming Man,...

Lies My Parents Told Me S7 E17 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on December 16, 2024December 11, 2024 by admin

In Lies My Parents Told Me (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S7 E17), Robin Wood aims to kill Spike and Giles is in on the plan. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: interweaving three plots – Robin v. Spike, Giles v. Buffy, Spike v. himself; whether Giles’s choices fit his character; how William becomes Spike; point of view and protagonists; and a (hopefully) unintended episode theme. Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot ...

Storyteller S7 E16 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on December 2, 2024November 24, 2024 by admin

In Storyteller (S7 E16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Andrew annoys everyone by videotaping them and is forced to reckon with his past. Along with the recap of Storyteller, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) whose story is it - Buffy's or Andrew's? (2) whether Buffy's and Andrew's goals conflict; (3) what happens when writers fall in love with a character (Andrew); (4) how characterization relates to humor; and (5) flashbacks that tell their own story and move the main plot. Get more c...

Get It Done S7 E15 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on November 18, 2024November 19, 2024 by admin

In Get It Done (S7 E15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy risks it all to learn the origin of the First Slayer while Robin Wood learns a whole about Sunnydale – and Spike. Along with the recap of Get It Done, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) what links Andrew, Willow, Anya, and Spike; (2) how each character's story arc explores the nature of power; (3) building small steps to why Buffy, Spike, and Willow make the major choices they do; and (4) reasons to love Dawn and hate Kennedy. L...

First Date S7 E14 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on November 4, 2024November 4, 2024 by admin

In First Date (S7 E14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy and Xander embark on romantic encounters (or are about to be hijacked by demonic forces) and The First tries to re-recruit Andrew. Along with the recap of First Date, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) why humor that feels true to a character works best; (2) plot turns that force Buffy, Xander, and Giles to grow and change; and (3) how this somewhat lighthearted episode sets up the rest of the season and the end of the series. La...

Grief in the Buffyverse (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on October 21, 2024October 18, 2024 by admin

Grief in the Buffyverse asks how grief affects the characters we love in Buffy the Vampire Slayer from Season 1 on. With Tyffany D. Neiheiser, Author of Not Dead Enough. Topics include: (1) what motivates Buffy's choice to face death (and the Master) in Season 1; (2) what Willow needs from her friends when facing loss; (3) why Buffy withdraws and tries to go it alone; and (4) how the need to deal with their grief affects the Potentials, Willow, and Xander in S7 Empty Places. Last Episode:...

The Killer In Me S7 E13 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on October 7, 2024November 24, 2024 by admin

In The Killer In Me (S7 E13 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Giles might be The First, Spike's chip goes wonky, and Willow changes into her worst enemy. Along with the recap of The Killer In Me, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) weaving plots and subplots together; (2) why some twists frustrate the audience; (3) juggling recurring character relationships (like Buffy & Willow's) with new story arcs (the potentials); and (4) managing too many characters in a story. Last Episode: Potenti...

Potential S7 E12 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on September 23, 2024December 27, 2024 by admin

In Potential (S7 E12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy trains potential slayers and Willow’s spell to find a new one takes a surprising turn. Along with the recap of Potential, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) building to a surprising yet inevitable twist; (2) revealing inner conflict – here, Buffy’s about Spike – through dialogue and action; (3) small moments that convey Dawn’s emotional journey; (4) changes to Buffy, Xander, and Dawn over the seasons; and (5) how questions abou...

Showtime S7 E11 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on September 9, 2024October 3, 2024 by admin

In Showtime (S7 E11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), more potential Slayers arrive in Sunnydale and Buffy fights the Turok Han, this time with an audience. Along with the recap of Showtime, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) weaving foreshadowing into your story; (2) just-in-time world building; and (3) how the character relationships gradually evolve in believable ways. Last Episode: Bring On The Night Next Episode: Potential Get more content, including access to the self-study co...