discussion of simplicity in story and the room that gives for character and emotion, and the stakes these create. The need for clarity. Motivation. How to move toward simplicity. Also discussed: revision, pacing, resistance, weather. Family systems. The quote, possibly from Einstein: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."

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Links in this Episode

Matt Bird on Story Makers Show

The Secrets of Story by Matt Bird

Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor

The Bourne Identity book

The Bourne Identity movie

The Wizard of Oz

Virginia Satir

Quote Investigator

Story Makers is a podcast that features in-depth conversations with accomplished writers, filmmakers and industry experts about story craft, technique, habit and survival--everything you need to know to stay inspired, connect to your creativity, find others’ wonderful stories and your own success.

The hosts:

Elizabeth Stark is a published, agented novelist and distributed filmmaker who teaches and mentors writers at BookWritingWorld.com.

Angie Powers is a distributed filmmaker and published short story writer with an MFA in creative writing and a certificate in screenwriting from UCLA who teaches story structure at BookWritingWorld.com.