Storybeater

It's the end-of-the-year spectacular, with two giant-sized topics in one episode. First, Anthony and Andrew discuss all things Doctor Who, from the series' narrative strengths to its highs and lows and an assessment of Peter Capaldi's Doctor.

Then the conversation turns to one of the biggest challenges for writers, especially heading into a new year; how to balance a writer's lifestyle with a healthy lifestyle. How can we eat, sleep, and exercise better in 2015?

In 'What I'm Writing', Anthony and Andrew set their writing objectives for the year ahead. In 'What I'm Reading', Andrew talks about an influential show from his childhood, Box Of Delights, and Anthony digs into the Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer, because nerds.

Direct download: storybeater-ep20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

To mark the X-Mas season, Anthony and Andrew explore the fictional world of the X-Men, from favorite characters like Nightcrawler and Wolverine, to adaptations on the large and small screen, to Magneto's strength as a villain.

The conversation then turns to cast-building. When telling a story, how do you build a cast, and how do you make your characters distinctive?

The episode also includes a post-mortem dicsussion of NaNoWriMo -- did they hit their targets, and was it all worth it? -- and a discussion of the new Captain America and the TV show The Leftovers.

Direct download: storybeater-ep19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

On this episode, Anthony and Andrew talk about the importance of TV as a source of narrative inspiration, and some of the shows that shaped them as authors. The conversation includes The Simpsons, Jim Henson's Storyteller, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Deadwood, The Sopranos, and The Good Wife.

Direct download: storybeater-ep18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:02am EDT

In the first half of this episode, Anthony and Andrew give an update on their NaNoWriMo progress -- and how to stay motivated when you're falling behind!

In the second half, they talk about the formulas and themes of young adult fiction, Team Peeta and Team Gale in The Hunger Games, and why YA is so popular. 

Finally, Anthony recommends the writing advice of Stein On Writing, and Andrew endorses Big Hero 6.

Direct download: storybeater-ep17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:50pm EDT

In this episode of Storybeater, Anthony and Andrew talk about the new season of fall TV shows -- what's working, what's not, and why do network shows seem to shoot for a low bar when it comes to writing? Of course, the conversation inevitably focuses on the three new shows based on comic books; Gotham, The Flash, and Constantine.

The second half of the show is all about NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, in which people around the world try to write 50,000 words of a novel in the 30 days of November. It's Andrew's fourth time and Anthony's first. We have some thoughts and advice on how to tackle it.

We also talk about the books we've been reading; Anthong recommends Cobra, an altnernative superhero action comic by Michel Fiffe, and Andrew recommends IRL, a timely story about a girl finding her identity through gaming, by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang.

Direct download: storybeater-ep16.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

On this episode of Storybeater, Anthony and Andrew dig deep into the horror classic Dracula, by Bram Stoker, and how the text has been adapted and how the vampire myth has been interpreted.

The conversation then turns to the subject of horror writing. How do you scare an audience, and what are some of our favourite scary stories?

Direct download: storybeater-ep15.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:16am EDT

On this episode of Storybeater, Anthony and Andrew talk about Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's All-Star Superman, one of the seminal comic works of the past ten years and a profound deconstruction of one of fiction's most iconic characters.

They also talk about writing prose action scenes. What does a good action scene tell us about character, which genres excel at action, and what can we learn from the world of wrestling? 

In 'What I'm Writing', Anthony has an update on his editing progress and Andrew returns to a favourite project. In 'What I'm Reading', Andrew recommends the podcast 'No Such Thing As A Fish', and Anthony delves into the Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual.

Direct download: storybeater-ep14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:01pm EDT

On this episode of Storybeater, Anthony and Andrew talk about the Discworld novels of Sir Terry Pratchett, the author's use of fantasy tropes, his humane characterisations, and his very British sense of humour.

The conversation then moves on to writing comedy. What's the basis of humour, how does it work, and should we all be doing stand up?

In 'What I'm Writing', Anthony and Andrew are neck-deep in manuscript reviews. And in 'What I'm Reading', Andrew talks about the foodie manga series Oishinibo A La Carte, by Tetsu Kariya and Akira Hanasaki, and Anthony talks about the Scrooge McDuck/Donald Duck comics of Don Rosa.

Direct download: storybeater-ep13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:49pm EDT

COMIC INFLUENCES SPECIAL!

Anthony and Andrew talk about the comic books that shape them as writers, including X-Men, Transmet, Groo, Enigma, Spider-Man, and much more. They also discuss the Dylan Dog movie, 'creepypasta', and Anthony's new book, Arguments About Superheroes.

Find Anthony online at Comic Book Daily or on Twitter: @afalconewriter.

 

Find Andrew at Comics Alliance or on Twitter: @wheeler. Listen to Andrew's audio adventure serial Valentin & The Widow at his website: andrewwheeler.co.uk.

Direct download: storybeater-ep12.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:12pm EDT

On this episode of Storybeater, Anthony and Andrew talk about Agatha Christie's classic novel Murder On The Orient Express -- suspects, detectives, and the fate of the whodunnit. In the second half they discuss establishing a routine -- and not establishing a routine.

In 'What I'm Writing', Anthony has finished his novel -- and Andrew is still working on his. And in 'What I'm Reading', Anthony talks about Muppets Most Wanted and Andrew compares Lois Lowry's The Giver to the movie adaptation.

Direct download: storybeater-ep11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:29pm EDT

On this episode of Storybeater, Anthony and Andrew dedicate the full show to discussing the Marvel Studios movie Guardians of the Galaxy, directed by James Gunn and written by Gunn and Nicole Perlman. 

The conversation covers the Five Man Band - what it is and why it exists - heroic morality, thin villains, "post-plot" action movies, and the true meaning of "macguffin" - plus a whole lot more.

In 'What I'm Writing', Anthony and Andrew both talk about writing endings - for the first time, and for the umpteenth time.

 

In 'What I'm Reading', Andrew talks about the graphic novel 'Seconds', by Bryan Lee O'Malley, and Anthony talks about Sergio Leone's 'The Good, The Bad And The Ugly'.

You can read Andrew's review of Guardians of the Galaxy at ComicsAlliance, as well as his article about the risky successes of Marvel Studios.

 

Direct download: storybeater-ep10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

On this episode of Storybeater, Anthony and Andrew talk about the enduring appeal and endless adaptability of William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', and how it explores themes of performance, authorship, and gender. 

In the second half of the show, they discuss "author as god" and how creating a fictional world exposes a writer's moral beliefs -- whether intentionally or unintentionally. The discussion includes L.A. Confidential. the redemption of Spike in Buffy, the damnation of Sherlock in Sherlock, and period values in period fiction.

In 'What I'm Writing', Anthony has an update on his novel progress, and Andrew talks about the challenge of writing five-page comic scripts.

In 'What I'm Reading', Anthony talks about the academic study of Steven Segal, and Andrew praises the madness of the Bong Joon-ho movie Snowpiercer.

You can find the Comic Survival Kit tumblr (not Comics Writer's Toolkit as we said in the show) at comicssurvivalkit.tumblr.com.

You can watch the 1980 BBC production of The Tempest, starring Michael Horden as Prospero, at YouTube

Direct download: storybeater-ep9.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:13pm EDT

On this week's episode, Anthony and Andrew talk about GK Chesterton's 'The Man Who Was Thursday' -- comic satire, metaphysical thriller, and religious parable all combined in a story that still feels timely a century later.

Then the conversation turns to research, and how to strike the fine balance between doing enough and doing too much!

Finally, they talk about what they've been reading this week. Anthony talks about Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's spy thriller comic Velvet, and Andrew talks about his first encounter with the new Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition roleplaying game.

You can now follow Storybeater on Twitter @Storybeater.

Direct download: storybeater-ep8.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:31pm EDT

Welcome back to Storybeater, the pop culture writing podcast, hosted by Anthony Falcone and Andrew Wheeler.

On this show we talk about the HBO television series Game of Thrones and its subversion of the heroic arc, and we discuss procrastination -- how does it manifest, and what can we do about it?

We close the show by talking about what we're reading. Andrew talks about bland fight scenes, Anthony talks about Fatale by Brubaker and Phillips, and they also dicuss a recent Slate article decrying people who read young adult fiction!

Direct download: storybeater-ep7.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Welcome back to Storybeater, a podcast for writers, hosted by Anthony Falcone and Andrew Wheeler.

CINEMATIC INFLUENCES SPECIAL!

In this special episode Anthony and Andrew discuss some of their major storytelling influences from the world of cinema. In the course of the hour-long conversation they discuss Ray Harryhausen, Star Wars, The Godfather, movie musicals, Alfred Hitchcock, and much more! It's writing advice direct from the silver screen -- from some of the greatest storytellers the medium has to offer!

As ever, Anthony and Andrew also open the show by discussing what they're writing -- and close by talking about what they're reading. This week they talk about the affecting narrative of Left Behind, a DLC episode of the video game The Last of Us; and finding humanity in the characters of the Netflix original series Orange Is The New Black. You can read Andrew's essay on the uncharacteristic faulire of OITNB character Larry over at his Tumblr page.

Find Anthony online at Comic Book Daily or on Twitter: @afalconewriter.

Find Andrew at Comics Alliance or on Twitter: @wheeler. Listen to Andrew's audio adventure serial Valentin & The Widow at his website: andrewwheeler.co.uk.

Direct download: storybeater-ep6.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:37pm EDT

Welcome back to Storybeater, a new podcast for writers, hosted by Anthony Falcone and Andrew Wheeler.

On this show we talk about the art of adaptation through the example of three recent movies based on sprawling franchises; Godzilla, Amazing Spider-Man 2, and X-Men: Days of Future Past. How successfully do these movies explore and repackage the core themes of their characters?

We also talk about finding your characters' voices. Is it a process of organic discovery, or are there tricks and tips that you can explore?

We close the show by talking about what we're reading. Andrew talks about entry-level research reading through kids' books and populist writing, and Anthony talks about Dan Slott and Ramon Perez's Spider-Man: Learning to Crawl.

 

Find Anthony online at Comic Book Daily or on Twitter: @afalconewriter.

Direct download: storybeater-ep5.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Welcome back to Storybeater, a new podcast for writers, hosted by Anthony Falcone and Andrew Wheeler.

On this show we discuss plot, tropes and character in the 1959 novel Goldfinger by Ian Fleming and the 1964 movie adaptation directed by Guy Hamilton. We also talk about discovery writing versus plotting. What are the different advantages and challenges to plotting a story in advance or writing on the fly?

We close the show by talking about what we're reading. Anthony talks about the first issue of Southern Bastards, by Jason Aaron and Jason LaTour, published by Image; and Andrew offers a post-mortem on the first season of Agents of SHIELD, the ABC show headed by Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen. 

Find Anthony online at Comic Book Daily or on Twitter: @afalconewriter.

 

Find Andrew at Comics Alliance or Serious Eats, or on Twitter: @wheeler. Listen to Andrew's audio adventure serial Valentin & The Widow at his website: andrewwheeler.co.uk.

Direct download: storybeater-ep4.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:59pm EDT

Welcome back to Storybeater, a new podcast for writers, hosted by Anthony Falcone and Andrew Wheeler.

On this third show we discuss the use of noir tropes in the comic series Criminal by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips; and we talk about worldbuilding. When is it necessary, and what does it involve?

We close the show by talking about what we're reading. Anthony talks about Brother Lono by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso, and Andrew talks about the writing on the CBS show The Good Wife, by Robert and Michelle King. 

Find Anthony online at Comic Book Daily or on Twitter: @afalconewriter.

Find Andrew at Comics Alliance or Serious Eats, or on Twitter: @wheeler. Listen to Andrew's audio adventure serial Valentin & The Widow at his website: andrewwheeler.co.uk.

Direct download: storybeater-ep3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:43am EDT

Welcome back to Storybeater, a new podcast for writers, hosted by Anthony Falcone and Andrew Wheeler.

On this second show we discuss the storytelling and worldbuilding challenges of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and we unpack the old adage, "write what you know". Is it useful advice?

We close the show by talking about what we're reading. Anthony talks about The Automatic Detective by A. Lee Martinez, and Andrew talks about Superior Spider-Man by Dan Slott, Ryan Stegman, Humberto Ramos, Giuseppe Camuncoli, et al.

Find Anthony online at Comic Book Daily or on Twitter: @afalconewriter.

Find Andrew at Comics Alliance or Serious Eats, or on Twitter: @wheeler.

Listen to Andrew's audio adventure serial Valentin & The Widow at Andrew's website, andrewwheeler.co.uk.

Direct download: storybeater-ep2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Welcome to Storybeater, a new podcast for writers, hosted by Anthony Falcone and Andrew Wheeler.

On this first show we outline the format of Storybeater and introduce the hosts, and we talk about two crucial pieces of advice for aspiring writers: read every day, and write every day.

Finally we close the show by talking about what we're reading. Anthony talks about 47 Ronin, by Mike Richardson and Stan Sakai. Andrew talkes about Divergent, by Veronica Roth.

Find Anthony online at Comic Book Daily or on Twitter: @afalconewriter.

Find Andrew at Comics Alliance or Serious Eats, or on Twitter: @wheeler.

Listen to Andrew's audio adventure serial Valentin & The Widow at his website, andrewwheeler.co.uk.

Direct download: storybeater-ep1-falcone-wheeler.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

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