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    Arts

    Story Nerd

    For novelists, memoirists and screenwriters who want to write stories readers will love, and who want to work with a literary agent. Each week, editors Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill use films to explain how to craft a story that hooks the reader on page one and holds their attention all the way to the end. On alternate weeks, Valerie and literary agent Kathleen Foxx offer their professional feedback on query letters and writing samples submitted by Story Nerd listeners.

    The goal is simple: to help writers realize their dreams of becoming published authors. If you love to write, and you love to tell stories, and you want to see your book out in the world, this podcast is for you!

    “The only thing that matters, and that ever will matter, is the story. That’s it.” – Tom Hanks (Oxford Union 2024)

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    Copyright: © 2022 - Story Nerd

    • Apple Podcasts
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    Latest Episodes:
    She Said: constant characters Jul 16, 2025
    Show notes

    Valerie’s focus on the villain’s monologue in She Said was always going to be risky because we’d have to hear Harvey Weinstein's justification but justification requires the villain owning his stuff! What’s interesting is not what’s said but who says it. There’s also differences between the turning points in this movie and the others we’ve watched, and it has a big impact on the story. -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/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    The Mighty Ducks: weak villains Jul 09, 2025
    Show notes

    The antagonist drives the middle of a story, so what happens when the antagonist is a really weak character? Well, if you're a filmmaker and can cast Emilio Estevez, you might get away with it. If you're a novelist, you're in trouble. This week, Melanie and I take a look at The Mighty Ducks where the story is thin but the ice is thick. While this movie doesn't offer up the best example of the villain's monologue, thankfully, it's got lots to teach us about turning points. -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/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    How to Avoid a Page-One Rewrite Jul 04, 2025
    Show notes

    Melanie and I have both had to do page-one rewrites (actually, I've done TWO!!!), and they're not fun. Not fun at all. We want to keep you from suffering the same fate, so in this episode, we explain where we went wrong and what you can do to make sure you never ever have to start your novel from scratch. -V.

    • The Fundamentals of Storytelling
    • coupon code: CANADA50

    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/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    What A-List Authors Know that You Don’t Jul 02, 2025
    Show notes

    Announcing THE FUNDAMENTALS OF STORYTELLING on-demand course, available now. Visit storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50 for 50% off, now through July 7, 2025.

    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/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Mission Impossible: simple yet solid Jul 02, 2025
    Show notes

    Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation is a great example of good, straight forward storytelling. Yes, it’s an action movie with big stunts. Yes, you have to suspend your disbelief. Yes, it’s Tom Cruise. But there’s more craft in this movie than meets the eye. This episode, I’ll show you what I mean and Valerie will give her take on the interesting variation of the Villian’s monologue. Just in case anyone was wondering, Valerie and I do our own stunts on the podcast. -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/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3: don’t look too closely Jun 25, 2025
    Show notes

    It's a brand new season and that means two brand new study topics! In Season 15, I'm studying something called the villain's monologue and Melanie is studying turning points. Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 is one of those films that's ok as long as you don't look too closely! There are definitely logic problems but insofar as our study topics are concerned, this movie offers up some valuable craft advice. 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/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Traditional and Indie Publishing Models Jun 18, 2025
    Show notes

    Authors often ask us for our advice about publishing models and whether traditional is better, or worse, than indie/self publishing. So this week, we're bringing you an interview with writer and podcaster, Matty Dalrymple. Matty also happens to be the Campaigns Manager for ALLi (the Alliance of Independent Authors) and she takes us through what she calls the ABCs of the traditional and indie publishing paths. This interview isn't meant to sway you in one director or another. Rather, we want to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each path, and of course, we want let you know that whichever one you choose, ALLi is an invaluable source of information - much of which is free! - 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/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    What Went Right: Juror #2 Jun 11, 2025
    Show notes

    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/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    What Went Wrong: Ghosted Jun 04, 2025
    Show notes

    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/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Our Best Advice: core event + progressive complictions May 28, 2025
    Show notes

    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/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


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