This is one strange movie. While we can understand it from an intellectual level, and we can deconstruct it (and yes, it won lots of awards), Lost in Translation didn't evoke any emotion from us (except maybe, annoyance). That's a big, big problem. Why is that the case? Where did this film go wrong, and how can we avoid making the same mistakes? 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.

There are a handful of stories that theorists use as great examples of the craft, and Toy Story is one of them. (Chinatown is another, but sheesh, enough already!) Yes, the animation was groundbreaking for its day but that's not what makes this film special. All the fancy tech in the world (or even the best actors in the world) can't save a film from a script that doesn't work. If you're writing a buddy story, a story with two protagonists, or want to better understand character development, this movie—and this episode!—is for you. 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 not uncommon for a subplot, or secondary character, to take over a story - especially when a writer is still learning the ropes. So, how do you keep a subplot in check and what do you do if it starts taking over? In this week's episode, Valerie and Melanie discuss just that. 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.

When fans talk about this movie, they usually mention the music. But an amazing soundtrack can't save a story that doesn't work. More importantly, for our purposes, music is outside the purview of the writer. So the question remains. Is the writing of this film solid, or does it rely on hits from yesteryear to gloss over its weaknesses? Tune in to find out. 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 week, Melanie and Valerie fell into a discussion about whether Good Will Hunting is a miniplot story, or an archplot story with a couple of subplots. What's the difference? Why does it matter? And how can not knowing put your work-in-progress at risk? Tune in to find out. 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.

Filmmakers have special effects, costuming, casting and music to help them tell their stories. As novelists, we've got 26 characters, a handful of punctuation, and our readers' imaginations. That's it. So how can we put our readers' imaginations to work for us? Tune in to this week's episode to find out. Happy Hallowe'en! 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're writing a story with multiple protagonists, or multiple storylines, this episode is for you. This is a tricky kind of story structure to pull off, and there are a few different ways it can work, but does Sliding Doors pull it off? Is this an innovative way to approach story, or is it just a gimmick. Tune in to find out! Oh, and yes, there are cell phones in this movie - Gerry has one. When you listen to the episode you'll know why that's important. 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.

Well, this was an interesting experience. Mercury was retrograde and it led to all kinds of technical issues and re-recording. In the end, to improve the audio, Melanie had a towel over her head. It's natural to want our work to be perfect before we send it out into the world, but sometimes we've got to just go with it. So, if you're hesitating to submit your work, take a listen to this week's episode, and then, ship your work. We did. 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.

Whatever kind of story you're writing, if you want a reader to stick with you all the way to the end, you've got to build tension! Believe it or not, The Bourne Identity is a terrific example to study - even for a love story or coming of age story. 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.

Valerie and Melanie are kicking off a brand new season of the Story Nerd podcast with a high level look at both sequences, and the beginnings and endings of stories. If you want to learn how the first act of a story telegraphs the last, or how to break your manuscript down into easily-manageable sequences, be sure to tune in. 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.