Melanie and I have both had to do page-one rewrites (actually, I've done TWO!!!), and they're not fun. Not fun at all. We want to keep you from suffering the same fate, so in this episode, we explain where we went wrong and what you can do to make sure you never ever have to start your novel from scratch. -V.

• The Fundamentals of Storytelling
• coupon code: CANADA50

Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. 

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.

Announcing THE FUNDAMENTALS OF STORYTELLING on-demand course, available now. Visit storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50 for 50% off, now through July 7, 2025.

Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. 

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.

Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation is a great example of good, straight forward storytelling. Yes, it’s an action movie with big stunts. Yes, you have to suspend your disbelief.  Yes, it’s Tom Cruise.  But there’s more craft in this movie than meets the eye. This episode, I’ll show you what I mean and Valerie will give her take on the interesting variation of the Villian’s monologue. Just in case anyone was wondering, Valerie and I do our own stunts on the podcast. -M

Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. 

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 two brand new study topics! In Season 15, I'm studying something called the villain's monologue and Melanie is studying turning points. Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 is one of those films that's ok as long as you don't look too closely! There are definitely logic problems but insofar as our study topics are concerned, this movie offers up some valuable craft advice. Enjoy! -V.

Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. 

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.

Authors often ask us for our advice about publishing models and whether traditional is better, or worse, than indie/self publishing. So this week, we're bringing you an interview with writer and podcaster, Matty Dalrymple. Matty also happens to be the Campaigns Manager for ALLi (the Alliance of Independent Authors) and she takes us through what she calls the ABCs of the traditional and indie publishing paths. This interview isn't meant to sway you in one director or another. Rather, we want to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each path, and of course, we want let you know that whichever one you choose, ALLi is an invaluable source of information - much of which is free! - V.

Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. 

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're writing a quiet, character-driven story — especially if it deals with questions of morality — Juror #2 is a film you must watch. The storytelling craft is rock solid, and although it's a legal drama, it's also highly nuanced with complex characters and an unbelievably intriguing plot. There's no spectacle here. It's all substance. Check out this hook: What if a juror in a murder trial realized that he is the killer? -V.

Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. 

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 wondering what kids mean when they say, “It’s cringe” then watch this movie. Otherwise save yourself some time. On paper everything about this movie should work, but, and it’s an enormous but, it doesn’t. It’s easy to identify why. This movie doesn’t know what it wants to be when it grows up - is it a romance, a spy or an action movie. On the upside, if you listen to this episode you will learn the difference between action stories and spy stories - I have very strong opinions about this. We also have lots of fun with our cranky pants on. -M

Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. 

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've reached the end of another season and that means it's time for me and Melanie to give your our best advice, our a-has, and our key takeaways all about the core event and progressive complications. You'll want to bookmark this episode! -V.

Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. 

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’ve had a number of masterful movies this season and Women Talking is another one. Q: How do you tell a story when everything you’ve ever known is at stake? A: Consider the pros and cons using multiple protagonists. This is a great movie where the level of writing craft is high, and the core event provides more relief than you thought possible. If you can bear to watch this movie more than once, it will be worth it. -M.

Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. 

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 movie looks like an innocent little story about seniors who want to make the most of their golden years, but the craft behind it will knock your socks off. It's a multiple POV, multiple plot film and believe me, this is NOT an easy format to pull off. So if you're writing a story with more than one protagonist and/or more than one plot line, do yourself a favour — listen to this episode and learn from these master storytellers. -V.

Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. 

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.