Plotting doesn’t have to feel like wrangling an octopus into a cardigan. In this episode of Master Fiction Writing, we turn to Pixar’s Story Spine - seven simple prompts that reveal your story’s engine: who we meet, what upends the status quo, how cause-and-effect escalates, where the climax hits, and what the change means. We unpack each beat (from “Once upon a time…” to “And ever since that day…”) and keep things focused with just two “Because of that…” moves to force clean causality. You’ll hear quick, recognisable examples and leave with a concise spine you can expand into scenes—without drowning in index cards.

You’ll learn:

• How to define your story’s “normal,” inciting incident, and rising consequences

• Why limiting yourself to two causal beats sharpens momentum

• How to aim your climax at your character’s internal shift

• How to land an emotionally clear resolution

How much time passes between Page 1 and “The End” - and where, exactly, do you begin and finish? In this episode of Master Fiction Writing, we pair Step 12 (Story Timeline) and Step 13 (Opening & Closing) to shape your novel’s container and its proof of change. You’ll learn how to define your story present (the “now” of your narrative), pick a time span that supports tension, and design opening/closing scenes that mirror each other to reveal transformation.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What “story present” is—and why tense and chronology aren’t the same thing

• How different time containers (day, season, year, decades) change pacing and stakes

• The “mirror technique” for opening/closing scenes that land emotionally

• Common pitfalls (timeline mush, flashback overload, soft starts) and quick fixes

• Mini exercises to name your container and draft before/after snapshots

Leave with a clear time frame, a purposeful opening, and a closing image that proves how your protagonist changes.

In this episode of Master Fiction Writing, we'll delve into the intricacies of narrative voice and perspective, focusing on the importance of point of view (POV) and time stance in storytelling.

We'll discuss various narrative techniques, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical exercises to help writers refine their craft.

In this episode of Master Fiction Writing, we'll discuss the importance of choosing the right protagonist for your story, emphasising the need for a single human centre that readers can connect with, the distinction between external wants and internal needs, and the significance of crafting tailored opposition to enhance conflict.

We'll also cover the role of point of view in storytelling and provides practical exercises for writers to refine their narratives.

In this episode, we'll delve into the intricacies of world building, establishing clear rules and consequences, and ensuring that characters and their motivations are relatable to readers.

Practical exercises are provided to help writers create immersive worlds that enhance their narratives without overwhelming them with unnecessary details.

We'll also highlight common pitfalls to avoid in world building, encouraging writers to focus on realism and character-driven storytelling.

In this episode of Master Fiction Writing, we'll discuss the importance of identifying your ideal reader in the writing process, how understanding your audience can enhance the emotional connection of your story - and making it more impactful.

By focusing on a specific reader rather than trying to please everyone, writers can create stories that resonate deeply and fulfil the needs of their audience.

We'll also highlight the significance of envisioning the reader's experience and the potential impact of the book on their lives.

In this episode of Master Fiction Writing, we'll delve into the critical step of choosing a genre in the story development process. We'll explain the importance of genre in guiding creative choices, setting reader expectations, and categorising stories effectively. We'll also cover major genres and their subgenres, the nuances of literary versus commercial fiction, and addresses common questions writers have about genre classification.

Remember that while genre selection is essential, it doesn't have to be rigid and can evolve as the story develops!

In this episode of Master Fiction Writing, we'll discuss the significance of choosing a working title in the story development process.

A working title helps writers transition from vague ideas to a more concrete narrative, and the episode also includes practical exercises for generating strong titles that resonate with the story.

In this episode of Master Fiction Writing, we explore Step 4 of the Story Development process: writing your book’s jacket copy before the book is even written.

It might sound backwards, but crafting jacket copy early can sharpen your story’s focus, clarify the promise you’re making to readers, and help you stay on track as you write. We’ll break down what makes jacket copy work (and what doesn’t), why this step matters so much more than just marketing, and how to write 250 words that capture the heart, stakes, and soul of your story.

This episode will help you shift perspective from “writer” to “reader” and give you a powerful tool to guide your next draft.

In this episode of Master Fiction Writing, we explore Step 3 of the Story Development process: What’s the Plot?

Forget sprawling outlines or complex twists. This stage is all about simplicity. You’ll learn how to write a short, clear, and purposeful summary of your story in just 50 words or less. Think of it as your story’s spine: the who, the what, and the why all tied back to your point.

Discover why simplifying your plot at this early stage helps you build a stronger, more flexible foundation and how to avoid the all-too-common trap of overcomplicating before your story is ready.

Whether you’re outlining your novel or revising one, this episode will help you strip your story down to what really matters.