Story Grid Writers' Room

The podcast discusses the film 'Yojimbo' and its impact on the Western genre. They analyze the theme of freedom versus subjugation and explore the point of view and narrative device used in the movie. They also discuss the importance of looking at different examples within a genre and explore the influences and cultural impact of 'Yojimbo'. Lastly, they analyze the effective use of dialogue and sound in the film, providing tips for writers on incorporating sound and rhythm into their writing.

It’s the chaos of war this week as the Roundtable team goes into The Hurt Locker, Mark Boal’s Oscar-winning war drama directed by Kathryn Bigelow. This is a show dedicated to helping you become a better writer. Each week Story Grid Editors Jarie Bolander, Valerie Francis, Anne Hawley, Kim Kessler, and Leslie Watts analyze a film from one of the twelve Story Grid content genres and discuss it using the Editor’s Six Core Questions as developed by Shawn Coyne. Click here for the full show notes.

The hosts delve into the twists of Gone Girl, discussing deception, manipulation, and the unraveling of a marriage. They analyze the Psychological Thriller genre, Nick's character, and the story's structure. They also discuss the intriguing start of the movie and the impact of music in creating a sense of discomfort.

It’s Story Grid 101: The Editor’s Six Core Questions. What do they mean? Why do you need them? How do they help you edit your novel? The Roundtable team stacks it all up for you in this special episode. This is a show dedicated to helping you become a better editor. Each week Story Grid Editors Jarie Bolander, Valerie Francis, Anne Hawley, Kim Kessler, and Leslie Watts analyze a film from one of the 12 Story Grid content genres and discuss it using the Editor’s Six Core Questions as developed by Shawn Coyne. Click here for the full show notes.

It’s bucket-o-blood time as the Roundtable team tackles the Horror genre with Kimberly Peirce’s 2013 remake of the Stephen King classic Carrie. Screenplay by Lawrence D. Cohen and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. This is a show dedicated to helping you become a better writer. Each week Story Grid Editors Jarie Bolander, Valerie Francis, Anne Hawley, Kim Kessler and Leslie Watts analyze a film from one of the twelve Story Grid content genres and discuss it using the Editor’s Six Core Questions as developed by Shawn Coyne. Click here for the full show notes.

This week we embrace the Love Story once again as we camp out on Brokeback Mountain, Ang Lee’s 2005 multiple-Oscar-winning masterpiece about the love affair between two cowboys in Wyoming. The screenplay is by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, based on the award-winning short story by Annie Proulx. This is a show dedicated to helping you to become a better writer. Each week Story Grid Editors Jarie Bolander, Valerie Francis, Anne Hawley, Kim Kessler, and Leslie Watts analyze a film from one of the twelve Story Grid content genres and discuss it using the Editor’s Six Core Questions as developed by Shawn Coyne.

The Roundtablers soar this week into Ang Lee’s 2003 “Wung-fu” Action + Society mashup Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the story of a secret young woman warrior and her attempts to be free of all her masters. The screenplay is by Hui Ling Wang, based on the 1935 Chinese Wǔxiá romance by Wáng Dù Lú. This is a show dedicated to helping you become a better writer. Each week, Story Grid Certified Editors Jarie Bolander, Valerie Francis, Anne Hawley, Kim Kessler, and Leslie Watts analyze a film from one of the 12 Story Grid content genres and discuss it using the Editor’s Six Core Questions as developed by Shawn Coyne. Click here for the full show notes.

The Roundtablers lift off into the Performance genre this week with the 2015 Oscar nominee Hidden Figures, which tells the story of three remarkable African-American women and their real-life achievements in the face of racism at NASA. The screenplay is by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi, based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book. This is a show dedicated to helping you become a better writer. Each week Story Grid Editors Jarie Bolander, Valerie Francis, Anne Hawley, Kim Kessler, and Leslie Watts analyze a film from one of the twelve Story Grid content genres and discuss it using the Editor’s Six Core Questions as developed by Shawn Coyne. Click here for the full show notes.

The discussion centers on the documentary that critiques modern dietary ideologies and champions real food consumption. It dives into transformative personal journeys surrounding food, emphasizing empowerment through informed dietary choices. Storytelling techniques are explored to engage audiences with health narratives, while highlighting the battle against misinformation and corporate influence. A simple mantra for mindful eating is presented, urging listeners to prioritize plant-based diets amidst the complexities of food marketing.

This week the Roundtable team investigates the claims of Double Indemnity, the 1944 film noir classic about murder and insurance fraud, with screenplay by Raymond Chandler and Billy Wilder. Visit us on Twitter @StoryGridRT and let us know what you think of our analysis. This is a show dedicated to helping you become a better writer. Each week Story Grid Editors Jarie Bolander, Valerie Francis, Anne Hawley, Kim Kessler, and Leslie Watts analyze a film from one of the twelve Story Grid content genres and discuss it using the Editor’s Six Core Questions as developed by Shawn Coyne. Click here for the full show notes.