THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 68 – Optional Character Qualities You Can Apply to Your Villains

Follow along with the cheat sheet below, or DOWNLOAD FULL TRANSCRIPTS FOR FREE on the podcast page of our website www.thestorytellersmission.com. 

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – 

This week we finish up our series on 21 potential character qualities that you can apply to your villains in order to make them formidable foes for your heroes (and make the audience love them).

While qualities 1-15 are more universally applicable, traits 16-21 are OPTIONAL. 

Trait number 16: Give them a sense of humor.

Trait number 17: They may or may not have internal conflict, but they must have qualities in contradiction.

Trait number 18: Make them bold.

Trait number 19: Make them clever.

Trait number 20: Give them a profound sense of responsibility, where they feel they must act -- if they don't, who will?

Trait number 21: Make them lead.

UP NEXT – Next week, we’ll dive into something new! I don't know what yet, so it'll be a surprise for both of us!

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If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, send us an email to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

SPECIAL THANKS -The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

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THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 67 – The Distorted Character Qualities of Villains - Part 3

Follow along with the cheat sheet below, or DOWNLOAD FULL TRANSCRIPTS FOR FREE on the podcast page of our website.
 

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – 

For the last two weeks, we've been reviewing the 21 character qualities that apply to heroes (from episode 57) and began applying them to villains, since these same traits often apply to villains though in slightly twisted ways.  Today, we look at traits 11-15 from that list, applying each to villains.  

Trait number 11: Villains are willing to do the hard thing, and sometimes they take pleasure in it. (By hard thing, I mean stuff that would cause a hero to struggle emotionally with the morality of a thing, like "killing" someone even if that person is evil.)

Trait number 12: Villains show no remorse when they mess up or fail, even if others have been hurt by it.

Trait number 13: Villains are fearless - which is why the pose such a threat to the hero.

Trait number 14: Villains are flawless, meaning that they are seemingly impenetrable or unbeatable. They have no (or few) weaknesses to exploit.

Trait number 15: Villains don't change. They are set in their ways. Unwavering.

UP NEXT – Next week, we’ll finish up this series on heroic character qualities as applied to villains by looking at the bonus material from episode 57.  

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If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL recording with your problem, question, or issue!

SPECIAL THANKS -The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

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THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 66 – The Distorted Character Qualities of Villains - Part 2

Follow along with the cheat sheet below, or DOWNLOAD FULL TRANSCRIPTS FOR FREE on the podcast page of our website.
 

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – 

Last week, we began reviewing the 21 character qualities that apply to heroes (from episode 57) and began applying them to villains, since these same traits often apply to villains, though in slightly twisted ways.  Today, we looked at traits 6-10 from that list, applying each to villains.  

Trait number six: Villains must have something to believe in. Their "cause" must be greater than themselves - even if their cause IS themself.

Trait number seven: For Villains to win, it must cost something. Just like for heroes, there must be a personal cost to be paid (which is why their cause must be great).

Trait number eight: Villains must be merciless and unrelenting. They can't stop to wonder if they're wrong. Human nature reveals that to justify their actions, they must harden their hearts and become MORE dogmatic, arrogant, and certain.

Trait number nine: Their mission must matter. The stakes must be high, either because of the carnage they may leave in their path, or because of the personal cost to their soul.

Trait number ten: Villains must take action, which is why heroes must fight.

UP NEXT – Next week, we’ll continue with heroic character quality number eleven and continue going through the list to compare how these heroic traits are distorted when it comes to the villain.

OUR ONLINE PLATFORM

The Storyteller’s Mission online platform is finally up and running! Sign up for one-on-one COACHING, get a SCRIPT CRITIQUE, or register for one of our highly anticipated ADVANCED CLASSES ON WRITING today!

TOPIC REQUESTS? 

If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL recording with your problem, question, or issue!

SPECIAL THANKS -The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

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THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 65 – The Distorted Character Qualities of Villains

Follow along with the cheat sheet below, or DOWNLOAD FULL TRANSCRIPTS FOR FREE on the podcast page of our website.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – 

Last week, we launched into a discussion about what makes a great villain since villains must be formidable foes for your heroes. If you don't have a great villain, then you won't be able to show the heroism of your main character.

In Episode 57 of this podcast: 21 heroic character qualities that you can reveal in story, I shared 21 traits that most heroes have. But the interesting thing about this is that many of those character qualities apply to villains as well. Today, we go through traits 1-5 of that very same list from the villain's point of view. How does that character trait change if the character to whom it applies is the villain? 

Trait number one: Villains must be able to think fast under pressure.

Trait number two: Villains must be good at one or more things. Moreover, they have to be better at those things than anybody else in the story world.

Trait number three: Villains must be able to think outside of the box. They come up with clever plans; things that the hero never saw coming.

Trait number four: Villains stuff their personal issues, not for the good of others, but for their personal goals. Or, if they don’t stuff their feelings, they give full vent to their rage and incorporate personal vengeance into their already formulated plans.

Trait number five: For villains, no matter how bad it gets, they do what they intended to do, for the reasons they intended to do it. In other words, they just don't give up. They keep going. They're relentless.

UP NEXT – Next week, we’ll start with heroic character quality number six and continue going through the list to compare how these heroic traits are distorted when it comes to the villain.

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The Storyteller’s Mission online platform is finally up and running! Sign up for one-on-one COACHING, get a SCRIPT CRITIQUE, or register for one of our highly anticipated ADVANCED CLASSES ON WRITING today!

TOPIC REQUESTS? 

If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL recording with your problem, question, or issue!

SPECIAL THANKS -The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

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THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 64 – What Makes a Great Villain

 Follow along with the cheat sheet below, or DOWNLOAD FULL TRANSCRIPTS FOR FREE on the podcast page of our website.

 EPISODE DESCRIPTION – 

Recently, a long-time listener of The Storyteller's Mission reached out to ask my opinion as to the best movie villains and why, so this podcast episode is dedicated to Donna Mumma as I attempt to answer her question. In essence, I argue that three main areas to concern yourself with as a writer when it comes to constructing your villains include:

1. What motivates your villain? Justify their choices. We don't do things just because we're evil. We always have a reason.
2. What past event has twisted his or her morality (because Villains proceed from a flawed sense of justice and morality
3. What qualities make him or her a worthy opponent? They can't be idiots. They must be smart, clever, brilliant, relentless -- they must be as good or better than the hero in order to be a worthy foe.

UP NEXT - TBD

OUR ONLINE PLATFORM

The Storyteller’s Mission online platform is finally up and running! Sign up for one-on-one COACHING, get a SCRIPT CRITIQUE, or register for one of our highly anticipated ADVANCED CLASSES ON WRITING today!

TOPIC REQUESTS? 

If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL recording with your problem, question, or issue!

SPECIAL THANKS -The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

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THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 63 – Three Essential Elements of a Well-Constructed Scene

Follow along with the cheat sheet below, or DOWNLOAD FULL TRANSCRIPTS FOR FREE on the podcast page of our website.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – 

One of the things I notice a lot in the work I critique or evaluate is that writers have difficulty gauging when to end their scenes. Often they go on too long, or sometimes, they cut out too soon. How can we know when to cut out of our scenes, and what are some things we need to accomplish before doing so?

In this episode, we discuss three key elements of how to construct a scene, including:

1.     How there needs to be some kind of emotional shift in each scene

2.     These are best accomplished using visual cues

3.     In so far as possible, each scene should end on one of the characters – whoever is most jangled up or emotionally changed as a result of what’s transpired

UP NEXT - TBD

OUR ONLINE PLATFORM

The Storyteller’s Mission online platform is finally up and running! Sign up for one-on-one COACHING, get a SCRIPT CRITIQUE, or register for one of our highly anticipated ADVANCED CLASSES ON WRITING today!

TOPIC REQUESTS? 

If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL recording with your problem, question, or issue!

SPECIAL THANKS -The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

Send us a text

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THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 62 – Zena's Interview as a Guest on The Story Blender Podcast

Zena Dell Lowe was honored to be a returning guest on The Story Blender podcast. Her episode aired on Friday, April 30, 2021.

This is a show where award-winning writer Steven James interviews some of the world’s top storytellers on the secrets to great storytelling. Some of their previous guests include international bestselling authors George R.R. Martin, Steve Berry, Meg Gardiner, Jeffery Deaver, Sue Grafton, MJ Rose, and comedian Bob Stromberg among others. 

Episodes of The Story Blender air every Friday on their website at www.thestoryblender.com. You can also find them on Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast providers. Conversations usually run between 45 minutes to an hour, so it’s a great chance to share some of my favorite storytelling secrets! 

Read More About Steven James:

Steven James is the critically-acclaimed author of seventeen novels. He is a contributing editor to Writer’s Digest Magazine and is the author of the groundbreaking book Story Trumps Structure as well as the award-winning guidebook used by thousands of novelists, Troubleshooting Your Novel. Publishers Weekly calls him “[a] master storyteller at the peak of his game.” When he’s not working on his next novel, Steven teaches Novel Writing Intensive retreats across the country with New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni. Steven’s latest book is a near-future sci-fi thriller called Synapse.


OUR ONLINE PLATFORM

The Storyteller’s Mission online platform is finally up and running! Sign up for one-on-one COACHING, get a SCRIPT CRITIQUE, or register for one of our highly anticipated ADVANCED CLASSES ON WRITING today!

TOPIC REQUESTS? 

If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL recording with your problem, question, or issue!

SPECIAL THANKS -The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

Send us a text

Support the show

THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 61 – How to Navigate Your Professional Life - Two Great Questions from Listeners Answered

Follow along with the cheat sheet below, or DOWNLOAD FULL TRANSCRIPTS FOR FREE on the podcast page of our website.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – 

Today, I'm answering two questions submitted by listeners of The Storyteller's Mission Podcast. Jay Wright asked if I would speak about how to quickly change the form or format of a story to fit a different medium, and Jay Smith asked if I had any advice about how to navigate a breakdown of communication as a professional writer. This is a straight forward and practical episode to help you navigate your professional life. 

UP NEXT - TBD

OUR ONLINE PLATFORM

The Storyteller’s Mission online platform is finally up and running! Sign up for one-on-one COACHING, get a SCRIPT CRITIQUE, or register for one of our highly anticipated ADVANCED CLASSES ON WRITING today!

TOPIC REQUESTS? 

If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL recording with your problem, question, or issue!

SPECIAL THANKS -The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

Send us a text

Support the show

THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 60 – How to Keep Your Main Character Active when Someone Else is Calling the Shots

Follow along with the cheat sheet below, or DOWNLOAD FULL TRANSCRIPTS FOR FREE on the podcast page of our website.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – 

Today, I want to talk about an ongoing problem, which is a tendency for writers to have passive characters. Characters who are simply reacting rather than driving the action of the story. Things just keep happening to them. 

One of the reasons so many people struggle with this is because oftentimes in their story, another character (rather than the main character) is actually in charge. Someone else is calling the shots. So, how do you have your main character driving the action of your story when someone else is calling the shots? 

I’ve come up with a list of 10 techniques writers can use to help keep their main characters in the driver’s seat. Today, we’ll cover the first 5:

1.     Give your character choices.

2.     Number two, make them proactive.

3.     Number three, have him practice diplomacy. 

4.     Give him a personal side goal that he can attain. 

5.     They're acquiring their resources. 

UP NEXT - Next week, we will discuss the next 5 techniques that you can use to keep your character active and not passive.

THE WELL CREATIVITY CONFERENCE

Zena Dell Lowe is honored to be a Keynote Speaker at THE WELL CREATIVITY CONFERENCE, which takes place in Grand Rapids MI on April 22-23, 2021. She’ll also be teaching an acting/improvisational workshop for actors and writers called, “Make Me Believe.”  To find out more or to register to attend, CLICK HERE, or go to https://seeyouatthewell.net

OUR ONLINE PLATFORM

The Storyteller’s Mission online platform is finally up and running! Sign up for one-on-one COACHING, get a SCRIPT CRITIQUE, or register for one of our highly anticipated ADVANCED CLASSES ON WRITING today!

TOPIC REQUESTS? 

If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL recording with your problem, question, or issue!

SPECIAL THANKS -The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

Send us a text

Support the show

THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 59 – How to Keep Getting Re-hired as a Writer-for-Hire

DOWNLOAD FULL TRANSCRIPTS FOR FREE on the podcast page of our website.

 
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – For many writers, the best way to make a living as a writer isn't to publish or sell your own original project, but to be hired by individuals or companies who need you to write a project they want to have done. Sometimes, these are one offs, but many times you may be hired by a company who has a lot of projects in the pipeline. The question is, how do you give yourself the best chance of being re-hired by these companies after the first project is done?

The answer is simple, but not easy. There are basically three things you need:

1. Be Fast - meaning deliver a completed project on time and within a reasonable timeframe.
2. Be Good - meaning make sure the end product is excellent. This also means finding out specifically what the client needs so that you can be sure to deliver it..
3. Be Nice - meaning be easy to work with. The most important quality that client's will look for in the "easy to work with" category is whether or not you can take notes. 

If you can deliver all three of these every time you're hired, you will absolutely be hired again, and again and again. You will be like liquid gold to your client. 

UP NEXT - TBD

THE WELL CREATIVITY CONFERENCE

Zena Dell Lowe is honored to be a Keynote Speaker at THE WELL CREATIVITY CONFERENCE, which takes place in Grand Rapids MI on April 22-23, 2021. She’ll also be teaching an acting/improvisational workshop for actors and writers called, “Make Me Believe.”  To find out more or to register to attend, CLICK HERE, or go tohttps://seeyouatthewell.net

OUR ONLINE PLATFORM

The Storyteller’s Mission online platform is finally up and running! Sign up for one-on-one COACHING, get a SCRIPT CRITIQUE, or register for one of our highly anticipated ADVANCED CLASSES ON WRITING today!

TOPIC REQUESTS? 

If you have a question or a specific writing related topic that you would like Zena to consider addressing in a future podcast, LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL recording with your problem, question, or issue!

SPECIAL THANKS - The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

Send us a text

Support the show