How Story Works artwork

How Story Works

152 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 99 ratings

How Story Works is a podcast for everyone who loves stories. If you’re a writer, understanding how story works will help you craft better stories. If you’re a lover of stories, the podcast will give you added insight into your favorite tales, and extend the toolset you use to better understand the stories you love. Join NYT bestselling author and story expert Lani Diane Rich as she demystifies stories and storytelling, allowing you to better write and appreciate the stories you love.

Society & Culture lani diane rich chipperish media writing writers storytelling stories narrative
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Emotional Work for Writers (correct file)

November 20, 2023 18:36 - 56 minutes - 77.3 MB

NOTE: A mistake was made in the original posting of this episode; this is the correct audio file. My apologies! Lani talks about the progress she made--and didn’t make--on her writing retreat to New York, shares the Year of Writing Magically writing schedule, and talks about the emotional work writers must do to prepare for a long-form fiction project. Show notes: Apply to be part of the Year of Writing Magically 2024 cohort Not ready to apply? Sign up for the Year of Writing Ma...

Emotional Work for Writers

November 20, 2023 13:00 - 56 minutes - 77.3 MB

Lani talks about the progress she made--and didn’t make--on her writing retreat to New York, shares the Year of Writing Magically writing schedule, and talks about the emotional work writers must do to prepare for a long-form fiction project. Show notes: Apply to be part of the Year of Writing Magically 2024 cohort Not ready to apply? Sign up for the Year of Writing Magically (very occasional) newsletter Read the Dear Writer about my childhood ghosts Subscribe to the Dear Write...

Marketing & Writing Magically with Joshua Unruh

October 22, 2023 15:00 - 1 hour - 117 MB

Lani sits down with marketing professional and author Joshua Unruh to talk about how to market yourself as an indie author, and his experience as part of the 2023 Year of Writing Magically cohort. Show notes: Check out Trusted Housesitters Sign up for the Year of Writing Magically pre-workshop workshop! Apply to be part of the 2024 Year of Writing Magically cohort! Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using ...

Reframing with Melina Kantor

September 25, 2023 16:56 - 51 minutes - 70.7 MB

Lani sits down with writer Melina Kantor to talk about how sometimes the problem with our writing isn’t actually with our writing, but how we think about our writing. Show notes: Visit the new How Story Works website Apply for the 2024 Year of Writing Magically workshop Subscribe to the Dear Writer Substack Subscribe to the Dear Writer podcast RSS feed Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! ...

Getting Quick and Dirty with Mignon Fogarty

August 28, 2023 08:00 - 50 minutes - 40.4 MB

Lani gets quick and dirty with Mignon Fogarty, aka Grammar Girl, as they talk about the most powerful things people can do to improve their writing and how email is absolutely NOT obsolete. Check out Mignon Fogarty at Quick and Dirty Tips! Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How S...

The Muddy Middle with Cara Stevens

July 31, 2023 22:08 - 1 hour - 53.7 MB

Sometimes you get 70 pages into a book and just... stop. Author Cara Stevens, best known for children's picture books, joins Lani to talk about her struggle to get past the muddy middle and finally finish a complete full-length draft. Learn more about Cara Stevens and Picture Perfect! Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish...

Writing with ADHD

July 10, 2023 21:36 - 1 hour - 48.4 MB

Lani talks about her latest adventures, and blocks, in her writing process, and then talks to writer and podcaster Brandon Saiz about how his recent ADHD diagnosis opened up writing for him in new and surprising ways. Show notes: Get on the mailing list to be notified when applications open for 2024’s Year of Writing Magically Sign up for Lani’s free Dear Writer newsletter Sign up for Brandon Saiz’s newsletter Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! S...

The Drafting Doldrums

May 22, 2023 20:09 - 45 minutes - 36.2 MB

Lani returns to talk about the drafting process, forgetting to do her homework, and what it's like to return to an active writing process after a long break. Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones...

Going Independent with Shipwrecked Comedy

April 24, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 50.3 MB

In the newest episode of #HowStoryWorks, Lani interviews Mary Kate Wiles, Sean Persaud and Sinead Persaud about going independent as creatives. Also, updates on the Year of Writing Magically and Lani’s Dear Writer Substack. Show notes: Learn more about Shipwrecked Comedy Subscribe to Dear Writer Be the first to know when applications open for the 2024 Year of Writing Magically Workshop  Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by sho...

Muses, Magic and Bond (Kim Sherwood Interview)

March 27, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 59.9 MB

This month, Lani is thinking about magic and muses, and James Bond! In an interview with Kim Sherwood, the author selected by the Ian Fleming estate to update the James Bond franchise, Lani and Kim talk about writing process, the value of ritual, and writing in Agatha Christie's house. Show notes: Order "A Wild and True Relation" from Lighthouse Books Double or Nothing by Kim Sherwood Learn more about Kim Sherwood Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreo...

Pulling Magic from the Air

February 26, 2023 06:00 - 33 minutes - 46 MB

It’s time to talk about magic, sleep and philosophy, and how all of that looks through a writer’s lens in the new episode of “How Story Works.” Show notes: Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic A Year of Writing Magically Dear Writer Dr. Carl’s Sleep Advice No screens in the bedroom Wake up at the same time every day No naps Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish M...

The Half of It

January 23, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MB

In the first solo HSW episode in years, Lani Diane Rich talks about the past and the future and the wonderful Alice Wu movie, "The Half of It." Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is relea...

Basic Structures & How to Use Them

January 16, 2023 06:00 - 50 minutes - 40.8 MB

This week, Lani and Kelly talk about basic three-act, seven-anchor-scene structure. It’s not the only structure that will work, but it’s the one that will help you understand how structure works. Bookmark this one! Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish...

Bonus: Percolated Media interview with Lani

January 09, 2023 18:09 - 1 hour - 50.1 MB

Learn more about Percolated Media Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Narrative Units

January 09, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 55.6 MB

Read the rest of Lani’s “Orange” script Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ...

Structure in Theory

January 02, 2023 06:00 - 43 minutes - 59.6 MB

This week, Lani and Kelly talk about structure in narrative theory; why is it important, and how does it work? Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attr...

How Story Works returns!

December 09, 2022 17:43 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MB

Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Learn about the writing coaching services Lani provides! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this po...

How Story Works: Audiobook Sample

January 03, 2022 06:00 - 7 minutes - 10.1 MB

How Story Works: An elegant guide to the craft of storytelling is available now! Here's a quick sample from the audiobook, and you can find all the versions here: How Story Works (Kindle) How Story Works (Paperback) How Story Works (Audible) Season 4: Structure coming in 2022! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Bonus: Dear Writer

September 12, 2021 17:49 - 15 minutes - 22 MB

Learn more about Dear Writer. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Arrival

February 24, 2021 12:00 - 57 minutes - 46.8 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

20. Arrival

February 24, 2021 12:00

Today on the How Story Works season 2 finale, the conversation is about the brilliant 2016 film Arrival.  The post 20. Arrival appeared first on Chipperish Media.

19. Can You Ever Forgive Me?

February 17, 2021 12:00

Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about the 2018 film Can You Ever Forgive Me? – the true story of legendary literary forger Lee Israel. The post 19. Can You Ever Forgive Me? appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

February 17, 2021 12:00 - 58 minutes - 81 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Godmothered

February 03, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutes - 68.7 MB

Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about the conflicts (and magic) in the 2020 Disney movie Godmothered. Download the mp3 here. Subscribe to the show! iTunes • Stitcher • RSS Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Att...

18. Godmothered

February 03, 2021 12:00

Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about the conflicts (and magic) in the 2020 Disney movie Godmothered. The post 18. Godmothered appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Knives Out

January 27, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutes - 70.1 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

17. Knives Out

January 27, 2021 12:00

Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about the delightful, mysterious conflicts in "Knives Out." The post 17. Knives Out appeared first on Chipperish Media.

16. Raiders of the Lost Ark

January 20, 2021 12:00

Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about Raiders of the Lost Ark: we burn the movie to the ground and then apply narrative theory to fix it.  The post 16. Raiders of the Lost Ark appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

January 20, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 92.5 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Romantic Conflict

January 13, 2021 12:00 - 54 minutes - 75.9 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

15. Romantic Conflict

January 13, 2021 12:00

Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about romantic conflict: why it’s special, why it’s so damn hard to write, and how to write it in your stories. The post 15. Romantic Conflict appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Goals

January 06, 2021 12:00 - 46 minutes - 64.7 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

14. Goals

January 06, 2021 12:00

Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about goals: knowing what your characters want—and how they plan to get it! The post 14. Goals appeared first on Chipperish Media.

13. Internal and External Conflict

December 16, 2020 12:00

Today on How Story Works, the conversation is about internal and external conflict. We derail into Game of Thrones, The Matrix, and Fleabag in our discussion of layering conflict lasagna, but we don't feel conflicted about that.  The post 13. Internal and External Conflict appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Internal and External Conflict

December 16, 2020 12:00 - 57 minutes - 78.5 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

12. Central Narrative Conflict

December 09, 2020 12:00

In this episode of How Story Works, the conversation is about central narrative conflict, the goal-based conflict upon which the structure of a story is built.  The post 12. Central Narrative Conflict appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Central Narrative Conflict

December 09, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutes - 63.8 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Conflict 101

December 02, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 98 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

11. Conflict 101

December 02, 2020 12:00

How Story Works Conversations season 2 is all about conflict. In this episode, we dive into the purpose of conflict and examine narrative conflict, mundane conflict, and false conflict.  The post 11. Conflict 101 appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Finale: Character Q&A

June 17, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutes - 72.2 MB

Show notes: 7 Casually Racist Things that White Authors Do, by Mya Nunally @literallymya https://bookriot.com/2018/02/05/casually-racist-things-that-white-authors-do/ White as the Default, by Marissa Rei Sebastian @MarissaRei1 https://bookriot.com/2015/09/21/white-as-the-default/ How to Write Characters of Color as a White Author: No Thanks by Benjanun Sriduangkaew @benjanun_s https://medium.com/@soverybee/how-to-write-characters-of-color-as-a-white-author-f3dec0de1252 Don’t Dip yo...

10. Season 1 Finale: Character Q&A

June 17, 2020 12:00

On the season 1 finale of HSWC, we wrap up our discussion of character with Q&A and recommended resources. Links in the show notes! The post 10. Season 1 Finale: Character Q&A appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Fix-It: Game Night

June 03, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 102 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. The post 9. Fix-It: Game Night appeared first on Chipperish Media. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

9. Fix-It: Game Night

June 03, 2020 11:00

Lani and Kelly sit down with writer and Listen Up A-Holes co-host Joshua Unruh to figure out how to fix 2018's Game Night.  The post 9. Fix-It: Game Night appeared first on Chipperish Media.

8. Josh Siegal

May 20, 2020 12:00

Shut up, Glen! Today on How Story Works Conversations, we interview the incredibly talented Josh Siegel about his work as a writer and actor on The Good Place. The post 8. Josh Siegal appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Josh Siegal

May 20, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 83.8 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Luke Arnold

May 13, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 96.3 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

7. Luke Arnold

May 13, 2020 12:00

Today on How Story Works Conversations, we talk with Luke Arnold about his first novel, The Last Smile in Sunder City, his work on Black Sails, and his creative insight as both writer and actor. The post 7. Luke Arnold appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Fix-It: Hitch

May 06, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 89.5 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

6. Fix-It: Hitch

May 06, 2020 12:00

Today on How Story Works Conversations, we use narrative theory to fix a flawed story - the 2005 romantic comedy “Hitch.” The post 6. Fix-It: Hitch appeared first on Chipperish Media.

Joshilyn Jackson

April 29, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 83.1 MB

Show notes: Wanna know what episode is airing and when? Check out the Chipperish Calendar! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Twitter Mentions

@rheiret 1 Episode
@lanidianerich 1 Episode
@chipperish 1 Episode
@drkellyjones 1 Episode