Lovers Walk S3 E8 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on September 28, 2020June 2, 2021 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Lovers Walk (Season 3 Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) how a side character (Spike!) changes our main characters' story arcs; (2) major plot turns in some unusual places; (3) protagonist questions; and (4) whether Spike is the most emotionally healthy character in this episode. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Revelations Next Up:...

Do You Know A Middle Grade Child Who Loves To Write?

Posted on September 23, 2020 by admin

I don't have kids of my own, but I do remember being one. While I loved writing fiction, I didn't know how to turn what I wrote into a complete novel. When I saw more than one review saying the reviewer passed one of my fiction writing guides on to a high school student who found it helpful, I started thinking about tailoring a workbook to middle grade kids. (I began writing longer fiction around that age.) But with so many projects on my plate, I didn't get to doing it. (Nothing like too...

Revelations S3 E7 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on September 21, 2020June 2, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Revelations (Season 3 Episode 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) a new character (Gwendolyn Post) revealed through every dialogue line; (2) themes of guilt, vulnerability, and isolation; (3) whether anyone is acting out of character; (4) a few plot questions; and (5) many layers for rewatching. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Las...

Band Candy S3 E6 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on September 14, 2020May 17, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Band Candy (Season 3 Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) Writing a role reversal story without the body switching; (2) Subtle commentary on the SATs; (3) Fun dialogue lines that serve multiple purposes; and (4) Buffy’s character growth through conflict. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Homecoming Next Up: Revelations Wor...

Go Fish S2 E20 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on June 22, 2020June 4, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Go Fish (Season 2 Episode 20 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) how the episode undercuts its light tone by treating disturbing issues as a joke; (2) some of the most fun lines in Buffy to date – including "Oh forgive me your Swimteamliness"; (3) an unexpected Midpoint twist; and (4) major plot turns at unusual places. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of ...

Passion S2 E17 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on June 1, 2020May 17, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Passion (Season 2 Episode 17 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) who the protagonist is – Angel or Buffy? (2) weaving together two strong plots; (3) underscoring tragedy by shifting a character's tone; and (4) dramatic irony that ratchets up emotional pain. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered Next Up: Killed By Death Work...

Innocence S2 E14 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on May 11, 2020May 17, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Innocence (Season 2 Episode 14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the conclusion of a two-part story: This podcast episode covers (1) the most heart-breaking Midpoint Reversal in all of Buffy; (2) how setting affects a scene’s emotional impact; (3) making the audience love your characters; and (4) why sometimes it’s good to write yourself into a corner. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: S...

Bad Eggs S2 E12 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on April 27, 2020May 17, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Bad Eggs (Season 2 Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) two intersecting storylines that lack emotional weight; (2) unclear plot points in both stories; (3) a pace that lags a bit; (4) a theme of responsibility that doesn't quite play out; but (5) fun moments and strong foreshadowing of the upcoming pivotal two-episode story. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). ...

Inca Mummy Girl S2 E4

Posted on March 2, 2020October 8, 2020 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Inca Mummy Girl (Season 2 Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) This podcast episode covers (1) a clear Inciting Incident; (2) how a very flawed character draws the audience in; (3) emotional arcs with major commitments; and (4) a new character - Oz! As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Reptile Boy S2 E5 Last Week: School Hard S2 E3 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story...

School Hard S2 E3

Posted on February 24, 2020October 8, 2020 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: School Hard (Season 2 Episode 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) very strong story structure despite no striking midpoint commitment by Buffy; (2) the concept of the worthy adversary; (3) mother-daughter conflict; (4) embedding story questions; and (5) so much foreshadowing about Spike (in the Spoiler section). As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Inca Mummy ...