In this week’s episode of the Story Works Round Table, we are bringing you a discussion from our monthly live Q&A Ask Alida. In this episode, we talk about crafting a compelling character arc, and why it’s important to your story, including common problems with character arcs, and weaving them into your story. In the second half, we discuss the importance of agency, how to tell if your protagonist is too passive, and what a lack of agency can do to the enjoyment of your reader.
In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Sherry Roberts joins us to talk about the craft of telling stories using magical realism. Learn how magical realism interacts with story elements, how to introduce it to your reader, and the deeper thematic consequences of using magical realism in your fiction. Join us to learn how magical realism differs from magic systems, how it can support your story, and how it opens up possibility and purpose.
In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, we are joined by Helen Hynson Vettori, a former Department of Homeland Security senior medical intelligence analyst and paramedic, who brings her unique experiences to the world of fiction. Helen discusses her Black Swan trilogy, which explores the themes of catastrophe and human resilience through the lens of a pandemic, an earthquake, and a terrorist attack set in the future. Discover how her technical background informs her storytelling and the importance of emergency preparedness in her narratives. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that blends thrilling fiction with real-world lessons!
In this week’s episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn are joined by Stephen Ford to talk about exploring hard human issues through fiction. Stephen’s use of speculative fiction and satire opens the discussion about what it means to be human, or how we encounter the issues of the day. We talk about crafting characters that are real people, representing a variety of viewpoints, how to get those viewpoints on the page, and how to keep it open for readers to be a part of the conversation happening in the book.
