Story Grid Podcast

This is the first episode that Tim gets noticeably frustrated. Shawn is trying to teach him how to avoid cliches, hit the right conventions for his genre, and make sure his character's motivations are clear. Unfortunately, Tim is having a hard time catching on.

This is an epic episode. Shawn and Tim talk through finding a marketable genre and how to build a book that fits. Then, once the episode was over, they keep talking with the mics on for another half hour. This is a great behind-the-scenes episode.

After a week of Tim floundering with his first draft, Shawn starts to rescue him from the pit of despair. Of course, they go back to genre to find the way home. This is a wide ranging episode on how you can start picking up the pieces of your first draft.

This was a haps episode for Tim. Shawn has now read the manuscript and gives his feedback and next steps. They also discuss the two questions you should ask your first draft. If you missed it last week, here's the link to Tim's first draft.

Tim has finished his first draft and Shawn gives advice on what happens next and what questions Tim should be asking himself. If you'd like to read Tim's first draft, you can download it by clicking here.

Shawn and Tim discuss unconventional ways to become a better writer. Topics include chicken sexing, Deliberate Practice, and many other things. Also, Tim's now trying to track down a cadaver he can use.

How can you get more writing done? Is the "wall" even real or just in your head? To learn more about the Colemak, click here.

Another wide ranging episode that eventually lands on an important question. Kurt Vonnegut said "You cannot be a good writer of serious fiction if you are not depressed." Is this really true?

A wide ranging episode where Shawn and Tim discuss a new way to think about beginning hooks, the high concept "What if?" pitch, when to open the door and get other writer's feedback, and how the "Power of 10" will help your editing process. Also, checkout the website The Write Practice. It has inspiration, writing prompts, and daily content to help you become a better writer.

It was at 8000 words in that Tim realized his writing was terrible. So how does he keep going? Shawn offers his advice on overcoming this and other types of resistance.

What is your theme or controlling idea, and how does it help you tell a better story? Tim and Shawn also discuss how to avoid getting caught in analysis-paralysis and how to build your world the right way.

As Tim begins to plot and outline his story, he gets Shawn's input on exactly how to do it. This process is filled with potential time wasters and distractions, and Shawn helps Tim avoid them. Discussed is how to name characters, when to worry about the length of the outline, and other common pitfalls. Download Tim's initial Foolscap Global Story Grid worksheet. Download the first draft of Tim's outline for the first 17 scenes.

How do great writers actually get their writing done? Shawn and Tim delve into this along with combating fear and reaching your goals. Click here to see Tim's Story Grid of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Talking about Story Grid is one thing, putting it into practice is quite another. Tim struggles with applying Story Grid to Harry Potter. In addition, specificity, ins and outs of publishing, and more. Click here to view Tim's Story Grid of Harry Potter.

The Hero's Journey and how it works with Story Grid. The characters and scenarios. Also, how to learn from one book to write your own.

Tim writes another scene for Shawn to critique. Click here to download Tim's scene.

The question every author gets... "Where do you come up with story ideas?" Also, how to write characters that are truthful, even when you can't relate with them.

Shawn explains how Story Grid can help you be a better non-fiction writer. Also, the editing process and how to know when your book is "done".

How do you write an opener for your book that grabs people's attention and doesn't let go? Shawn shares great insights on this along with how to develop believable characters.

Learn the units of story telling -- beats, scenes, sequences, acts, etc -- and how they make you a better writer and editor.