Storybeater (general)

Anthony and Andrew share their spoiler-filled thoughts on the storytelling of The Force Awakens, from the points of view of both a superfan and a skeptic. What works, what doesn't, and what do we expect to see next?

They also look back at their writing accomplishments of the year, and compare and rate some of the year's big pop culture works.

00:00:00 - 00:13:00 - Writing year-in-review

00:13:00 - 01:49:30 - The Force Awakens

01:49:30 - 02:1845 - Pop culture year-in-review

Direct download: storybeater-ep40.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:35pm EST

 In a giant-sized holiday special double bill, Anthony and Andrew look at the classic Ray Harryhausen movie Jason & The Argonauts, and the recent Marvel/Netflix show Jessica Jones. The discussion covers mythology, inspiration, superpowers, ensembles, and so much more.

Direct download: storybeater-ep39.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:46pm EST

Anthony and Andrew offer their thoughts on the new James Bond movie, Spectre, directed by Sam Mendes and written by Logan, Purvis, Wade et al. How does it hold up within the Bond canon and as a movie in its own right? How does it handle its villains and its supporting cast? What is it that makes the Daniel Craig movies so different from the other Bonds, and where does the franchise go next?

Direct download: storybeater-ep38.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:34pm EST

 Anthony and Andrew discuss the classic Gothic horror novel Frankstein by Mary Shelley, the iconic movie adaptation by James Whale, and the enduring influence and legacy of the Frankenstein myth, plus the different versions of the monster from tragic victim to wordless brute. 

Direct download: storybeater-ep37.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:16pm EST

Anthony and Andrew celebrate the impact that trash culture had on them, from the exploitation movies of Andy Sidaris to the kitsch aesthetic of Tiki, by way of Gymkata, the A-Team and much, much more.

Direct download: storybeater-ep36.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:31pm EST

Anthony and Andrew discuss Guy Ritchie's quirky and stylish Man from UNCLE, and the tropes, conventions, and significance of the spy genre. Can it ever emerge out of the shadow of James Bond?

Direct download: storybeater-ep35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:37pm EST

Anthony and Andrew discuss the storytelling in Peyton Reed's Ant-Man. Did the prior involvement of Edgar Wright help or hurt? How does Darren Cross compare to other villains? Why are the women so poorly handled? And was the movie any good?

The conversation also meanders into a discussion of the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Does Marvel have a sustainability problem?

Plus, self-publishing, self-promotion, presentation skills, and Inside Out.

Direct download: storybeater-ep34.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EST

Anthony and Andrew discuss the story challenges (and failures) of Game of Thrones season five, including the show's story-breaking approach to heroes, the use of violence against women as a narrative device, and whatever the heck happened in Dorne.

Plus! Following on from last episode's look back at the classic Jurassic Park, the chaps follow up with a quick breakdown of Jurassic World. What worked, what didn't work, and what really, really didn't work?

Direct download: storybeater-ep33.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:05pm EST

With this weekend's release of Jurassic World, Anthony and Andrew revisit the 1993 classic, looking at the scale and pace of the movie, the character of the dinosaurs, and how special effects play into how movies tell stories. 

Plus, Anthony digs up an old cookbook, and Andrew talks about the disappointment of Sense8.

Direct download: storybeater-ep32.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:23pm EST

Anthony and Andrew talk about the writing and storytelling in George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road, covering the development of the Mad Max world, feminism and the presentation of women, and the movie's masterful use of show-don't-tell.

They also talk about digging up old stories, writing lettering drafts, Pitch Perfect 2, the latest TMNT movie, and cheesecake. (Actual cheesecake.)

Direct download: storybeater-ep31.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:49pm EST

Anthony and Andrew look at the unique comic book phenomenon of the massive multi-part crossover event. Which ones succeeded, which failed, what makes them work, and what can writers learn from these events?

Direct download: storybeater-ep30.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:50am EST

Anthony and Andrew discuss the villainy, the romance, the world-building, the character arcs, and the plot holes of Avengers: Age of Ultron. 

Direct download: storybeater-ep29.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:15pm EST

Anthony and Andrew discuss Marvel's Daredevil TV show, including the strengths of the Netflix format; the themes of gentrification and fatherhood; nerdy worldbuilding; the Karen Page arc; morality, Catholicism and death; and the future of the Marvel project.

They also talk about what they're writing and what they're reading. This episode, they've both been reading Marie Kondo's self-help book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which prompts a discussion of how hard it is to declutter your bookshelves!

Direct download: storybeater-ep28.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:43am EST

Anthony and Andrew talk about the latest installment in one of their favourite movie franchises, Furious 7. How does the movie establish and use its world, what roles do the villains play, how did the death of Paul Walker affect the work, and where does the franchise go from here?

Direct download: storybeater-ep27.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:00am EST

The books we read as children shape us as adult readers and as adult writers. Anthony and Andrew discuss some of their formative influences, including Roald Dahl, Robert Westall, Robert Munsch, Jackanory and Reading Rainbow, and Bunnicula and Mary Plain! 

Direct download: storybeater-ep26.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:39pm EST

Anthony and Andrew talk about writing and narrative in video games, from the simple games they grew up with to the complexities of modern day games! 

Direct download: storybeater-ep25.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am EST

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most enduring and iconic characters in modern fiction, still celebrated in his original form, but also constantly reinvented for new audiences. Andrew and Anthony discuss the strength of Arthur Conan Doyle's original creation, the elements of his world, and the most recent reinventions of the character.

Direct download: storybeater-ep24.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:25pm EST

Anthony and Andrew discuss five of this year's Academy Award nominees for screenplay, including:

The Grand Budapest Hotel
Foxcatcher
American Sniper
Nightcrawler
and Birdman

Plus a look at some past winners and nominees and what it might really mean for a writer to win an Oscar. As always, they talk about what they're writing, and what they're reading, with a focus on the comics Mind MGMT and Battling Boy.

Direct download: storybeater-ep23.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:39pm EST

Anthony and Andrew discuss the 1954 Hitchcock movie Rear Window, a masterful example of the principle of 'show, don't tell', and then discuss whether that famous advice is always worth following. Plus, as always, they talk about what they're writing and what they're reading!

Direct download: storybeater-ep22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:29pm EST

Anthony and Andrew discuss the recently released movie musical Into The Woods, directed by Rob Marshall, its presentation of tropes and the choices made in adapting it for the screen. They also discuss the origins of fairy tales and why they remain popular. Plus, scheduling, art classes, and what they've been reading!

Direct download: storybeater-ep21.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:33pm EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST

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 EST