Writing Roots

The last few pages of a book are what’s known as the denouement or falling action. This is where your main plot gets tied into a neat bow and the characters settle into the new world order. Of course, it doesn’t mean it’s a happily ever after ending, or that there aren’t footholds for the future.

First aired June 29, 2023.

The final act is where everything comes together. The main character’s arc reaches its breaking points, and then they succeed. A lot goes into this final piece of the story, from the footholds you’ve created through the story to that comparison of where the character started and ended.

Listen to this episode for more on how to write the completion of the interior plot of your story.

First aired June 26, 2023.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a hot topic in the world today. From funny TikTok filters to a partial cause for the WGA strike, AI is becoming a larger part of our daily lives and, in particular, creativity.

It’s hard to deny there are benefits to technology advancing as it has with AI. It has made reading and writing vastly more accessible with its improved accuracy. However, there has to be a conversation about where the lines should be in regards to using it to create art, whether that’s written or visual.

Listen to this episode as our hosts discuss current AI technology, how it can be used to benefit your work, and what to be cautious about moving forward.

First aired June 24, 2023.

Everything you’ve been writing has built to this moment. While Act I draws the reader in and Act II keeps them around, Act III is where their perceptions, good or bad, are solidified.

When you’re building the final act, you have to consider the footholds you’ve placed throughout the story and the questions you’ve left unanswered. Now is the time to resolve any linking to the main plot. In this episode we talk about how to resolve that main plotline and leave your readers satisfied.

First aired June 21, 2023.

Most of a character’s growth will happen during act two. This is where they face the most challenges, have opportunity to doubt the lie they believe about themselves, and really make those lasting bonds with their team.

It’s also the time that ends with their darkest hour. While many of us struggle to know how to fill the middle of the book, keeping in mind how your character needs to grow will help.

First aired June 19, 2023.

The halfway point is an often overlook key moment in stories and story creation. Yet it is vital for the character arc and the plot as a whole. It’s the turning point when the characters begin to take control of their own path and become actors rather than reactors.

In this episode, we break down this midpoint, how to build to it and how to continue after.

First aired June 15, 2023.

Act II is where everything happens. It’s when the characters go through the necessary challenges to learn, grow, and change. It’s when the villain accumulates the power they need to accomplish their goals. Yet, for many authors, writing Act II is one of the most difficult steps in creating that first draft.

Looking at the exterior plot – that external conflict between your protagonists and antagonists – there are a few things that can help make this process easier for you. That includes working on subplots and keeping an eye on the villain. Listen for more tips and tricks on how to develop your external conflict through the second act of your story.

First aired June 12, 2023.

The first act is a key piece in establishing your character. It’s during this time that you need to show who they are, what they want, and what they believe about themselves and the world. The most growth for the character through the story will happen because of the internal struggle you create for them at this point.

In this episode, we take a look at how to craft the beginning interior plot for the main characters.

First aired June 8, 2023.

Plots often have two aspects: interior and exterior. The exterior part is often the main conflict with a villain or antagonist of some kind. In most kinds of fictional stories, the exterior plot will be the focus, especially near the beginning as we are getting introduced to the characters. It’s the exterior plot that holds the hook and inciting incident.

In this episode, we break down what happens in the external plot during Act I of a story.

First aired June 5, 2023.

We are on to our third pillar of storytelling: plot. Even pantsers need to have a plot to their story. But what is a plot? What happens when? Throughout this series, we’ll look at the plot in the three act structure, breaking down the steps along the way so you can apply it to whichever structure you’re using.

Some things in your story happen before the first chapter even begins. There’s a whole history of how the world came to be and become what it is when the events start. While you don’t necessarily need to put those down on the page, there are some things you should know as you begin.

In this episode, our hosts take a look at what happens before the first act, including what happens in a prologue.

First aired June 1, 2023.