This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn discuss what to do with your villain in act II. As we know, they aren't usually black-hat-evil-doers, but we still need an escalation of stakes for our protagonist. How do we keep act II moving along at a good pace, whether our villain is a bad person or a force or situation in our character's lifethat causes challenges? We look at multiple scenarios for our heroes and what to do to keep them and the villain rising toward the climax.

This episode will be linked in the show notes to all related episodes in the library.

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

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In this week's Story Works Writing Tip, Alida defines agency and describes active and passive protagonists. Agency is about character as much as plot.

If you enjoyed this craft tip, please give it a thumbs up, share, and say hello. I love hearing from you!

Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com. 

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

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If Halloween inspired you get your Boo! on, this episode of the Story Works Round Table is for you. Alida and Kathryn talk the craft of scaring the pants off your readers. But this isn’t just a skill for horror writers. We all need to write scenes from time to time full of dramatic suspense, an eerie mood, or dark twists. Loaded with examples and how-to, you’re sure to be ready to write scary!

Let us know what you learned from this episode, what you liked, what you have questions on. Suggest a topic for future episodes. And if you think you’d be a good co-host, let us know!

Get the Scary Monsters & Super Creeps writing workshop at www.StoryWorksFiction.com

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This week on the Story Works Writing Tip, Alida talks about writing natural sounding dialogue without falling into the trap of writing like we speak.

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss character agency. In this, Robert's final episode as a co-host, he brought us the question of what to do with a character who is kept "on the back foot"? How do you write a protagonist with agency when the hero is in a position that seemingly rules out taking charge? This episode will be linked in the show notes to all related episodes in the library.

Would you like to be considered as the next co-host on the Story Works Round Table? Drop me a line!

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

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This week on Story Works Writing Tips, Alida talks backstory. There are 3 primary ways to introduce backstory into your now-story. Use them all for variety and according to the demands of the specific scenes within your story.

Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com. 

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Rober answer a listener's question about writing humor into our stories. Is comedy just a special gift some writers have and the rest of us don't? Or are there things we can craft to make our story moments funny? 

Join us as we explore the topic and let us know your favorite funny authors as well as how you handle comedic moments in your writing. Share in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!

Do you have a question or topic you'd like us to explore? Let us know. We'd be happy to!

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com. 

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In this week's Story Works Writing Tip, Alida discusses trouble and it's role in your story's arc. Story Works Writing Tips are bite-sized lessons ready to improve your story craft today. Listen. Digest. Write!

The Story Works Round Table and Story Works Writing Tips alternate weeks to make sure you're never without conversations about craft.

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com. 

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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss all the ways reading widely benefits you as a writer. There is so much more to be gained from reading as a writer than reading as a reader. Kathryn attests that her story craft has improved by reading beyond her favorite genre. How has reading improved your storytelling? What are the pitfalls to avoid when shopping for books? How can you find the books with the scenes that will deliver the help you need as a writer?

Would you like to join the Story Works Round Table? We're looking for a new co-host! Listen to this week's show to learn more.

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

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This week I am excited to bring you something all new. As you know, the Story Works Round Table is bi-weekly, but I’d hate for you to miss a healthy dose of story craft in those in-between weeks, so I’ve got short, sweet writing tips for you alternating with the Round Table podcast. This week, I talk about plot and the short story. Enjoy!

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