Story from Scratch

This episode, Yale and Justin are all about twists: shocking reveals and last-minute turns-of-the-tide. Our co-hosts try to dig down to the root of what makes twists good. They talk about Rick and Morty, and The Usual Suspects, and why 'it was all a dream' is so bad.

Please check out our partners, the publisher tdotSpec at http://tdotspec.com/

Follow us at:

IG: @storyfromscratchpodcast

Twitter: @storyfscratch

This week, we answers questions sent in by you, the fans. We touch on how to ensure internal consistency when baking pancakes--er, make that when writing a novel; how to write characters who go beyond the basic archetypes; and how to integrate a message into your story without being too anvillicious. If you have any questions you'd like us to answer in future episodes, email us at [email protected].

Please check out our partners, the publisher tdotSpec at http://tdotspec.com/

Follow us at:

IG: @storyfromscratchpodcast

Twitter: @storyfscratch

This episode, our friend K. M. McKenzie joins us to discuss and dissect the 2016 movie Star Trek Beyond. We gripe about soulless Hollywood blockbusters, over-reliance on CGI, and, of course, J. J. Abrams.

Please check out our partners, the publisher tdotSpec at http://tdotspec.com/

Follow us at:

IG: @storyfromscratchpodcast

Twitter: @storyfscratch

In this episode, we discuss a previously hotly contested topic: the prologue. Our good friend K. M. McKenzie joins us and gives her strong opinion on the matter, and we debate over whether or not prologues have any merit to them whatsoever.

Please check out our partners, the publisher tdotSpec at http://tdotspec.com/

Follow us at:

IG: @storyfromscratchpodcast

Twitter: @storyfscratch

In this episode, we once again build a story from scratch, this time riffing off stories that feature mysterious settings like Lost, Cube, and The Maze Runner.

We explore coming up with the question part of a mystery first rather than the answer, analyze the process of coming up with a compelling mystery, and come away with the conclusion that everyone should go watch the movie Oldboy.

Please check out our partners, the publisher tdotSpec at http://tdotspec.com/

Follow us at:

IG: @storyfromscratchpodcast

Twitter: @storyfscratch

This episode, our lovely friend and wonderful writer K. M. McKenzie joins us to talk about her career and how we came to know each other. We also talk about her involvement with our partners, TdotSpec!

We dive into the history of our circle of speculative fiction writing groups in Toronto and discuss the woes of querying as writers. Don't miss out on this extra-special interview episode.

Please check out our partners, the publisher tdotSpec at http://tdotspec.com/

Follow us at:

IG: @storyfromscratchpodcast

Twitter: @storyfscratch

In this episode, we address the giant elephant in the room and how it has affected our productivity as creatives. That's right--this episode's all about how we're managing during the COVID-19 era.

We talk about some of the things we've been doing to keep sane during this period of social isolation and provide a few tips and tricks for maintaining a degree of normalcy in these abnormal times.

Please check out our partners, the publisher tdotSpec at http://tdotspec.com/

Follow us at:

IG: @storyfromscratchpodcast

Twitter: @storyfscratch

In this episode, we examine an episode of the popular animated sci-fi comedy show, Rick and Morty. The specific episode we watched and gave our thoughts on was Season 4, Episode 1. So, please go watch the episode yourself before listening to the spoilers!

We talk about the time travel concepts and break down why the elements in this particular episode work or don't work. As we always say, "In comedy, everything is forgiven" but is there even anything to forgive?

Maybe you can have your funny cake and eat it with full engaging narrative power too.

Please check out our partners, the publisher tdotSpec at http://tdotspec.com/

Follow us at:

IG: @storyfromscratchpodcast

Twitter: @storyfscratch

In this episode, we return to our long-honoured tradition of coming up with a story idea - from Scratch™!

We "borrow" some ideas from the noble Sherlock Holmes stories once again (it's not stealing if we're upfront about it) and follow the Justin method for coming up with the first paragraph.

It's strange how we always end up in the same comedic/horror bent, but I guess that's what you get from concentrated doses of Justin and Yale.

Please check out our partners, the publisher tdotSpec at http://tdotspec.com/

Follow us at:

IG: @storyfromscratchpodcast

Twitter: @storyfscratch

Welcome back to Story from Scratch!

After a long hiatus, Justin Dill and Yale Wang have returned to bring you a new season of Story from Scratch. That means that we'll be coming to you with weekly releases once again. Woohoo!

In this episode, Justin and Yale take a look at what they've accomplished in 2019. Together, they examine their works and talk about how productivity felt over a tumultuous year. As well, they discuss some changes to the podcast format and announce a fancy new partnership!

That's right. Story from Scratch has partnered with the publisher tdotSpec to bring you a wider range of content, including guests! Please check them out at http://tdotspec.com/ and give them your support ♥