If you're writing a quiet, character-driven story — especially if it deals with questions of morality — Juror #2 is a film you must watch. The storytelling craft is rock solid, and although it's a legal drama, it's also highly nuanced with complex characters and an unbelievably intriguing plot. There's no spectacle here. It's all substance. Check out this hook: What if a juror in a murder trial realized that he is the killer? -V.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

If you are wondering what kids mean when they say, “It’s cringe” then watch this movie. Otherwise save yourself some time. On paper everything about this movie should work, but, and it’s an enormous but, it doesn’t. It’s easy to identify why. This movie doesn’t know what it wants to be when it grows up - is it a romance, a spy or an action movie. On the upside, if you listen to this episode you will learn the difference between action stories and spy stories - I have very strong opinions about this. We also have lots of fun with our cranky pants on. -M
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

We've reached the end of another season and that means it's time for me and Melanie to give your our best advice, our a-has, and our key takeaways all about the core event and progressive complications. You'll want to bookmark this episode! -V.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

We’ve had a number of masterful movies this season and Women Talking is another one. Q: How do you tell a story when everything you’ve ever known is at stake? A: Consider the pros and cons using multiple protagonists. This is a great movie where the level of writing craft is high, and the core event provides more relief than you thought possible. If you can bear to watch this movie more than once, it will be worth it. -M.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

This movie looks like an innocent little story about seniors who want to make the most of their golden years, but the craft behind it will knock your socks off. It's a multiple POV, multiple plot film and believe me, this is NOT an easy format to pull off. So if you're writing a story with more than one protagonist and/or more than one plot line, do yourself a favour — listen to this episode and learn from these master storytellers. -V.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

Every-now-and-then we stumble across unassuming movies that blow our socks off. Anatomy of a Fall is one of these. There’s so much to love about this movie which is a masterclass in character, mystery, tension, and nearly every story telling principle we’ve discussed on the podcast. Of course, there’s a great deal to learn about progressive complications and the climatic moment. -M
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

I think the filmmakers had good intentions when they made SHIRLEY, unfortunately, they failed to stick to the essentials of storytelling. In this episode, Melanie does a fantastic job of illustrating what happens to a story when writers fail to create obstacles that progressively complicate the plot. (Progressive Complications are a big deal - you're going to want to pay attention to this one.) And I do a deep dive into the core event (aka the climax) and explain why it doesn't work and how you can avoid making the same mistake in your novel. -V.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

The antagonist owned the progressive complications in this movie. Celine shows her best friend Alice what a fate worse than death could be. Valerie explains how the Core Event is linked to its genre and why it’s important to understand the difference between the core event in an action, horror, or thriller. -M
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

If you're writing a character-driven story, or a story where society is the antagonist, or a story with broad societal issues, add Greenbook to your list of films to study. I know all about the controversy surrounding this film but our analysis this week is, as always, on the storytelling craft. And from a craft perspective, this movie does a whole lot of things right. - V.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

First of all I have to let you know that it’s a miracle that no podcasters were harmed during the making of this episode.Bloody hell! What have I done? The cringe factor in this movie is off the charts - it’s worse than getting “sand up your clacker” (if you’ve watched this movie, you’ll get the reference). However, the opening scene does provide a reasonable example of progressive complications in action. Not surprisingly, Valerie’s study of the Core Event is hampered by, um, by, everything. -M
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

It's a brand new season and that means two brand new story theory principles to discuss! This time around, I'm studying the core event (aka a story's climax) and Melanie is studying progressive complications. The writers of THE BANK OF DAVE definitely poured some sugar on this genuinely sweet, feel-good movie. It's rock solid. As an added bonus, it also features Def Leppard (seriously!). Let me know if you literally stand up and dance at the end of this movie. I did! -V.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

In this special bonus episode, I interview Brian Proctor, a bestselling author in the field of personal development. This might seem like an odd fit for the show until you realize that it's not our talent or ability that holds us back as writers, it's our mindset. In this interview we discuss  how to conquer procrastination, the truth about manifesting, and the mindset Brian used to become a bestselling author with his very first book. -V.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

While Melanie and I continue to beaver away in the background, we thought we'd pull PRETTY WOMAN from the archives for you. This movie is a fan favourite and here's the thing, it gets all the storytelling fundamentals exactly right. We can't wait to share our new project with you. Stay tuned for more! - V.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

While Melanie and I cook up something extra special for you, we're highlighting some past episodes that you might have missed. THE DRY is an Outback Noir that we studied back in season 9. We talk about the environment as an antagonist, character archetypes, and a whole lot more. Check it out! - V.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!

Behind the scenes, Melanie and I are cooking up something very special for you! While we work on that, for the next few weeks we'll be replaying some of our best episodes for you. This week it's WHIPLASH. This is one of my all-time favourites because it's an excellent example of every story principle (seriously). Enjoy! -V.
The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklistTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.Watch us on YouTube!