If you’re wondering what NOT to do when adapting your novel, there are great tips in this episode. We've all experienced the feeling of walking out of a cinema and saying, the book was better. That's definitely the case for The Golden Compass. I’ve read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it plus the book won the Carnegie Medal which means it's excellent. So how did such a good children story go so wrong when it was adapted for film? That is the question we answer in this episode.

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

We're wrapping up Season 16 with our best advice, lessons learned and a-ha moments about The Shadow and The Hero's Monologue. If you didn't get a chance to listen to all the episodes this season, you'll definitely want to tune in and maybe even bookmark this episode! - V.

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

You control the shadows in your characters. This week we reveal how a negative shadow looms large despite being dead. Daphne du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’ crushed everyone she came into contact with, even her allies. With our study of The Shadow drawing to a close, it’s time to look at how suppressed emotions break free and cause chaos. The Hero’s monologue is also treated differently in this film. See if you can pick where it is!

"The shadow isn't always bad character traits." - Melanie Hill

Related Story Nerd Episodes

• The Incredibles
• The Holdovers

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Genre is enigmatic (at best). Writers, agents, readers, and editors, all have different perspectives, and sometimes they lead to heated debates. In this episode, which originally aired in Season 2, Melanie and I totally disagree on the genre. She thinks it's a horror, I think it's a thriller. Which of us is right? Tune in to find out. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode. Until then, Happy New Year! - V.

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Did you know that the beginning of your story, and the end of your story, work together as a unit? This this episode, which originally aired back in Season 3, we explore how the powerhouse pairing of Jane Austen and Emma Thompson put this bit of theory into action. For the rest of your story, understanding sequences might just be the key to making your story sing! We'll be back on January 14, 2026 with a brand new episode. Until then, we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year! - V.

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Holy smokes! Now THIS is how you write a murder mystery. If you're a mystery writer, or simply want to watch an absolutely fantastic film during the holiday season, be sure to check out THE LAST OF SHEILA. This episode originally aired in Season 9 and it's one of our favourites. So sit back and enjoy, and we'll be back with a brand new show on January 14, 2026. -V.

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Wayne's World is a superior example of an anti-plot story (and it's hilarious to boot!). As Melanie and I take a much deserved recording break to enjoy the holidays with our families, we're sharing this archive episode with you because, if nothing else, it'll bring a smile to your face and give you a good laugh. We'll be back on January 15, 2026 with a brand new episode. Until then Happy Holidays, everyone! - V.

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

It's a brand new season and that means Melanie and I are studying two new topics: narrative drive and conflict triangles. Conflict and page-turners are usually associated with action stories, thrillers and the like. But DOUBT is a quiet, character-driven film that is so expertly crafted it grabs the viewer's attention immediately and holds it right to the bitter end. Seriously, there's so much for novelists in here. -V.

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

This is storytelling at its finest. We could study it to learn about almost any aspect of writing, but this week, Melanie and I are highlighting the complexity and nuance of the main character. He's a passive character, which makes for an especially interesting study of both the hero's monologue and the shadow. If you've not seen THE HOLDOVERS yet, watch it as a gift to yourself this holiday season. You won't be disappointed. We'll be back in January  with a new episode. Until then, we'll be sharing some of our favourite episodes from the vault! Happy Holidays, everyone! And Happy New Year! - V.

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

If you are writing a villain’s POV in your story, this episode is for you. Lydia Tar is a villain but she’s also the protagonist of the story. Quite simply: villain + protagonist = anti-hero. The slow reveal of Tar’s shadow is a masterclass in writing a villain POV. You could start off with an evil villain and maintain that line in your story, but it’s much more compelling to watch the villain’s camouflage and true nature being revealed over time. -M.

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.