In this week’s episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida answers questions all about subplots. This is a recording of our monthly Ask Alida live Q&A over on Substack! Make sure you join us next time to get your questions answered and enjoy a fun chat about writing craft! In this episode, we talk about subplots, what they are, why they are important, and how to best utilize them in your writing!
In this episode of Story Works Round Table, Alida Winternheimer and Kathryn Arnold welcome Lexi Haddock to dive into the enchanting world of romance writing. Lexi shares her journey from reading thrillers to crafting heartwarming romantic comedies. Discover the inspiration behind her stories, the challenges of genre expectations, and the joy of creating characters that resonate with readers. Join us for a delightful conversation filled with insights on writing, friendship, and the magic of Paris!
“Rom coms are the antidote to when life gets heavy.” – Lexi Haddock
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Carlee, and Robert go deep with the question of what makes a genre a genre? Discover the nuances of crafting stories and targeting the right readership. We dissect the concept of genre as both a craft and marketing tool. It’s far more useful to us writers than just a marketing category. Writing to market is often confused with marketing. And what about those of us who strive to be “pure artists,” putting categories at the end of the process? Whether you aim to meet or subvert reader expectations, there’s more to your genre than meets the eye.
“Genre determines what the story is trying to do.”
“If you get lost in a story and you’re not quite sure where you’re taking it, it’s often because you’re not clear on genre.”
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn are joined by D. Liebhart.
Revision is more than just fixing typos and filling plot holes; it’s about delving deep into the heart of the story and ensuring every word, every character, and every twist aligns with the author’s vision. D. discusses the challenges she faced revising her award-winning novel, House on Fire, from seeking perfection to knowing when to let go. We talk about the importance of actionable feedback, the dynamics of writing groups, and the critical decision to step away when the process no longer serves the story.
Whether you’re a seasoned author or just starting, this episode is packed with wisdom. D.’s experiences remind us that the journey of revision is unique to every writer. It’s a process that requires patience, honesty, and sometimes the courage to start anew.
You’ll want to join me in this year’s 7th annual Women in Publishing Summit. It’s he biggest 4-day, online conference for women in publishing with a massive community that helps authors grow their craft, networking, and publishing skills. I got my ticket last fall,...
Dive into an extraordinary conversation on the Story Works Round Table as D. Liebhart, an ICU nurse turned award-winning author, reveals the intricate process of transforming real-life experiences into captivating fiction. In this episode, we explore the ethical and moral complexities of her debut novel, House on Fire, and delve into the delicate balance between truth and storytelling. Join us as we uncover the layers of memory, emotion, and craft that shape a writer’s journey from personal history to the pages of a novel.
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.
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.
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?
Crafting character arcs takes planning, but it’s not difficult, especially if you reverse engineer your protagonist’s big shift.
More than a holiday classic, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a classic of story craft. This novella offers lessons to carry throughout the year.