In the first episode of the New Year, Angie and Elizabeth dive head first into discussing the need for emotional logic to understand why people do what they do. Studies show that an explanation as simple as “I need to make copies” when cutting in line for a photocopy machine, even though everyone else is also waiting to use the same machine, is far more welcome than simply cutting in line sans explanation. With an explanation, the other people are able to recognize and connect with the feeling when it is being shared, giving them a story behind the action as opposed to action only. In narrative, if the audience is unable to connect with a character’s motivation or if the character’s actions are lacking context, the audience can get lost wondering why. Why are we able to connect with Medea in the slaughter of her children? Why is ordering food in her sleep a major plot point for a character in an acclaimed novel this year? Why does a difference in power change our perceptions about when to offer an explanation? As we set up ourselves for another year, take a moment to see what stories you are setting up for yourself, and make them your own.

Thaisa Frank

Welcome to Marwen

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek TED Talk

Fortunately the Milk by Neil Gaiman

Sharon Olds

Personal Power by Tony Robbins

Cherríe Moraga

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.