Story Works Round Table Archives - Page 7 of 64 - Story Works Round Table Podcast

SWRT 334 | Author’s Chat: Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense!

Oct 23, 2025

In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Kathryn takes the host position and Alida joins our Author Panel as we talk all things mystery, thriller, and suspense. Join us for an amazing conversation with authors Kathryn Dodson, L.L. Kirchner, and our own Alida Winternheimer. We talk about why each author chose to write in these genres, why they write female protagonists, the use of plot and pacing to drive suspense, and the intricacies of writing a villain. Packed with craft, and exploring the intricacies of writing these books, this is a must-listen for any writer!

SWRT 333 | Exploring Women’s History through Story with Jane Rubin

Oct 9, 2025

In this week’s episode we sit down with the inspiring Jane Rubin, who shares her remarkable journey from a healthcare executive to an accomplished author. Diagnosed with cancer, Jane turned to writing as a form of healing, ultimately leading her to pen a series of historical fiction novels that explore themes of immigration, women’s rights, and the impact of war. Join us as we delve into her creative process, the importance of research in storytelling, and the powerful narratives that emerge from her experiences. You won’t want to miss this enlightening conversation!

SWRT 290 | Heroes with Screenwriter Tim Auld

Feb 1, 2024

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn welcome screenwriter Tim Auld back to the round table to discuss heroes.

What makes a hero resonate with an audience? Tim Auld introduces us to the concept of ordinary heroism, a principle that suggests heroes should be inherently inadequate to the challenges they face.

SWRT 289 | Scripting Didactic with Screenwiter Tim Auld

Jan 18, 2024

This week we welcome Screenwriter Tim Auld to the Round Table to discuss the trend in film and literature toward didactic writing, when the (often moral) message of a piece overpowers the story trying to be told. Why is this still happening if audiences are weary of it? What about writing a message-focused story—is there a right way to do it? We’re excited to have a fresh perspective from the screenwriting side of the craft.

SWRT 288 | Stakes & Agency

Jan 4, 2024

This week, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn discuss the relationship between stakes and agency. How do these aspects of plot and character work together to create forward drive in your story?

SWRT 287 | Crafting Character Arcs

Dec 21, 2023

Crafting character arcs takes planning, but it’s not difficult, especially if you reverse engineer your protagonist’s big shift.

SWRT 286 | Writers Book Club: A Christmas Carol

Dec 7, 2023

More than a holiday classic, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a classic of story craft. This novella offers lessons to carry throughout the year.

SWRT 285 | Self Discovery Through Writing

Nov 23, 2023

This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn solve the world’s problems with one simple, three-part edict.

We’re kidding, but we’re kind of not. Writing and reading are all about building empathetic connections with people who are nothing like ourselves. As such, writers are gifted with a truly great responsibility.

Share this episode and a book with the people you love.

If you’re in the States, Happy Thanksgiving! Wherever you are, I am grateful for every single person who takes the time to listen to one another.

SWRT 284 | Writers Book Club: Naming My Father

Nov 9, 2023

This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Dr. Martha Highers to the Writers Book Club to discuss “Naming My Father,” a personal essay that won the Under the Sun summer writing contest. Martha is an editor at Under the Sun. not only do we talk as reader-writers, we get an insightful behind the scenes glimpse of the selection and editorial process for this wonderful essay about growing up the child of an autistic parent before anyone understood autism.

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