
Story Grid Writing Podcast
Helping you become a better writer.
Join Shawn Coyne, author of Story Grid and a top editor for 30+ years, and Tim Grahl, struggling writer, as they discuss the ins and outs of what makes a story great.
More at www.StoryGrid.com.
Latest episodes

Nov 4, 2021 • 29min
How Does a Writer Use Active Beats to Generate Words?
There are three different types of Beats that build up to Scenes. How do Active Beats work inside a scene?

Oct 28, 2021 • 20min
What is an Editor Brain vs Writer Brain?
What kind of thinking has to change when you are switching modes from writing to editing?

Oct 21, 2021 • 28min
How does the Story Grid Trinity apply at the Macro vs Micro levels?
It can get confusing switching lenses between Macro and Micro storytelling already. Now, what happens when you layer in the Story Grid Trinity?

Oct 14, 2021 • 35min
Does On-the-Surface mean External Genre?
Continuing the discussion on the Story Grid Trinity, Shawn Coyne and Kimberly Kessler discuss the On-the-Surface level of the trinity and how the relates to external genres.

Oct 7, 2021 • 37min
What is happening with The Bell Jar?
Shawn and Kim discuss The Bell Jar and where it sits in the Story Grid landscape. Use the coupon code "podcast" to get 20% off all the Story Grid titles at storygrid.com/books

Sep 30, 2021 • 25min
How does the Story Grid Trinity apply to Global Internal Genres?
Shawn Coyne and Kimberly Kessler discuss the Story Grid Trinity and how this works with internal genres. Also checkout the Story Grid Masterwork Guide to Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda at storygrid.com/books and get 20% off with the coupon "podcast".

Jul 29, 2021 • 25min
Can Story Grid improve on Masterworks?
A listener asks a bold question: Can the Story Grid tools and methodology make the Masterworks we read and love better? Shawn has a great answer for this week's question.

Jul 15, 2021 • 16min
What defines a Masterwork?
At Story Grid, we spend a lot of time studying and analyzing Masterworks, but how do you know when a book is a Masterwork? Shawn addresses this question in this week's episode.

Jun 24, 2021 • 10min
How to Write Dialogue (for Introverts)
This week's listener question is, "How do you Write Dialogue when you are an introvert?". Shawn answers this question and gives recommendations for next steps for writers.

Jun 17, 2021 • 22min
Story Grid Trinity for Nonfiction
How does the Story Grid Trinity apply to Big Idea, How-to, Narrative nonfiction, and Memoir? Shawn dives into this question on this week's episode.
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