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Artwork for Story Nerd
Storytelling Principles
Female Protagonists
Left Brain Stories
Scene Writing
Character Development
Mystery
Crafting Scenes
Literary Agents
Red Joan
Moonstruck
Puzzles
Zero Dark Thirty
The Last Of Sheila
The Sixth Sense
Writing Techniques
Writing Craft
Crazy Rich Asians
Murder Mysteries
Breakout Novel
Storytelling Fundamentals

For novelists, memoirists and screenwriters who want to write stories their readers will love. Each week literary editors, Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill, use films to explain how to craft a story that hooks the reader on page one and holds their attention all the way to the end. The goal is simple: to learn from writers who have come before us...what worked well and what didn't work so well. If... more

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Artwork for Story Nerd

Latest Episodes

Stories need both characters and a plot. That sounds obvious, I know...but you'd be surprised. In this week's episode, Melanie and I examine a film that, sadly, forgot to include a plot. No, really! INVITATION TO A MURDER has unfortunately fallen pre... more

This season I'm blowing the idea that ‘characters need arcs’ out of the water. Erin Brockovich is a constant character and she’s an underdog. With the odds against her, she does not change instead, she bends the world to suit herself. This is no mean... more

YouTube

On the list of films that haven't aged too well, THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH is near the top. Because it's Hitchcock I'll get flack for saying that, but watch it first and then decide. In terms of study topics this season, I'm looking at The Speech in ... more

YouTube

Using a framing story in your novel? Maybe you're writing multiple plot lines. Or perhaps you want to know what truly masterful storytelling looks like. This week, we take a deep dive into THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Melanie and I were spoiled for choice in ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Matty Dalrymple
Author of the Lizzie Ballard thrillers and the Anne Kinnear suspense novels, podcaster, speaks, and consults on the writing craft.
Alliance of Independent Authors
Episode: Traditional and Indie Publishing Models
Brian Proctor
Bestselling author in the personal development space
Episode: Becoming a Bestselling Author, with Brian Proctor

Hosts

Melanie Hill
Writer, editor, and poet passionate about storytelling and guiding writers to identify and solve their story problems.
Valerie Francis
Writer and story editor focusing on teaching writers how stories work across genres, especially for women.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 107 ratings
  • This is my go-to writing education podcast. I look forward to Wednesdays when I get to hear Valerie and Melanie dissect a movie and get me thinking about elements I hadn't before considered for my novels. Their great work is assisting my great WIP!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Mary White
    4 months ago
  • Real writers’ resource

    Excellent!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RosemariB
    United Statesa year ago
  • Story structure & beyond!

    Such a great analysis of stories and movies - be ready to nerd out. You’ll improve your craft for sure!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SilverNW
    Canadaa year ago
  • An Education on Storytelling

    This is one of the best podcasts I’ve heard on storytelling. They break it down so that it’s easy to understand. I’ve learned so much from the hosts- such professionals. My only regret is that I didn’t find them sooner. As a writer, it would’ve saved me so much time with so many mistakes I made with the craft of storytelling.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MerryBross
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent way to learn story structure

    Their analysis of movies is so informative and I learned something new with every podcast. I like that they have themes for the season that they’re looking at and their disagreements are entertaining.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VAB1953
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critiques mention a desire for more detailed instructions on applying theories discussed.
The focus on feminist perspectives in storytelling resonates with many listeners, especially women.
Reviews highlight the friendly and engaging manner of the hosts, making difficult concepts accessible.
Listeners appreciate the thorough analysis of storytelling techniques and their application to writing.
Feedback often emphasizes the educational value of the podcast for both budding and experienced writers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#178
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#193
India/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Wayne's World (archive)
Q: What do you think of that, Melanie?
Well, so this week, I went, you know what? It's anti-plot. There probably isn't a genre. So I didn't even make a guess.
Wayne's World (archive)
Q: Alighty. Well, Wayne's World is an anti-plot film. So by nature of being anti-plot, it defies genre. That's part of the deal with anti-plot.
It kind of starts as a status story for Wayne, and then there's a love story for Wayne and Cassandra, and it kind of ends as a status story for Cassandra.
Tar: writing nuanced characters
Q: What does it tell the reader about the villain?
The villain's true nature is revealed through their actions and how they justify their behavior.
Jett Cooper: Melanie's New Novel
Q: Where did you start with the story of Jett Cooper?
Melanie felt that Jett walked into her head fully formed and reflected on her interest in aviation as a driving force.
Jett Cooper: Melanie's New Novel
Q: What focused you to get through to the end of the book?
Melanie focused heavily on writing scenes and ensuring her protagonist was active rather than passive.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Story Nerd

What is Story Nerd about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast focuses on storytelling for writers, particularly novelists, memoirists, and screenwriters. Each week, hosts engage in detailed analyses of films, using them as practical examples to teach how to craft compelling narratives that captivate audiences from the very first page to the last. The discussion encompasses various storytelling techniques, character development, and the structural elements that contribute to a successful story. A unique aspect of this podcast is its blend of theoretical insights with practical applications, making it not only a learning resource but also an entertaining exploration of story theory. The hosts are passionate about dissecting both successful and flawed narratives, providing listeners with val... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Story Nerd:

1. #AmWriting
2. Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers
3. Writing Excuses

How many episodes of Story Nerd are there?

Story Nerd launched 4 years ago and published 223 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Recent guests on Story Nerd include:

1. Matty Dalrymple
2. Brian Proctor

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