Story Grid Writing Podcast

Tim and Shawn keep moving on the Ending Payoff, but also uncover some deeper issues. Download Tim's scenes from this episode.

The Middle Build is done. The Ending Payoff has begun. It took Tim four tries to get the first scenes of the Middle Build right. How long will it take him to get the Ending Payoff right? Download Tim's scenes 44-46.

After a long slog and a few weeks off, Shawn and Tim dive into the final scenes and sequences of the Middle Build. There's plenty of good, bad, and "just cut the whole scene." Click here to download Tim's scenes from this episode.

As Shawn and Tim continue discussing the Middle Build and driving the story with characters or plotting. Click here to download Tim's scenes from this episode.

There are big moments in every middle build that are extremely important to get right. Shawn and Tim talk through these in this episode. Download Tim's scenes from this week.

How do you pace your story to keep readers interesting without moving too fast? Shawn and Tim discuss the correct way to progressively complicate your scenes and sequences to write a killer Middle Build. Download Tim's scenes 23-25.

Topics discussed include working with a developmental editor, exploring the emotional projection of artists like Bruce Springsteen, the importance of mentoring and the creative process, refining the first draft, and staying focused on the core theme of the story.

Tim gets much closer with his rewrite of the sequence, but there's still plenty to dial in. How do you identify these moments and how do you make them work? Shawn answers in this episode. Download Tim's Scenes 17-22.

You have a scene that's not working, but you can't figure out why. What do you do? Shawn takes Tim back to the 5 Commandments of Storytelling. Click here to read Tim's Scenes 17-20.

Shawn gives feedback on Tim's first Middle Build sequence and shares principles on how to do it right. Download Tim's Scenes 12-17.