Lisa M. Lilly's Blog, page 5
January 27, 2020
Buffy Season 1 Overview S1 E13
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Buffy Season 1 Overview
.
Along with best and favorite plot turns from Season 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this episode covers my favorite (1) One-Off Villain; (2) Red Herring; (3) Single Episode Character Killed & more.
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary for the Buffy Season 1 Overview.
In 2 Weeks: When She Was Bad S2 E1
Last Week: Prophecy Girl S1 E12
Support the Show/Improve Your Story
Story Structure Template, available free to all on Patreon.
If you become a patron you’ll also get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content.
Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com.
Or you can buy Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series) in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form.
As an Amazon Associate I also earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy.
Bio
Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries. She also wrote the short-story collection The Tower Formerly Known as Sears and Two Other Tales of Urban Horror, the title story of which was made into the short film Willis Tower.
In addition to fiction, Lilly writes non-fiction under L.M. Lilly.
Her books on writing include The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year; Creating Compelling Characters From The Inside Out; Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting & Writing Your Novel; and Happiness, Anxiety, and Writing: Using Your Creativity To Live A Calmer, Happier Life.
She is also the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com.
Episode Transcript for Season 1 Overview
Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)
Buffy and the Art of Story is a production of Spiny Woman LLC. Copyright 2020.
The post Buffy Season 1 Overview S1 E13 appeared first on Lisa Lilly.
January 20, 2020
Prophecy Girl S1 E12
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Prophecy Girl (Season 1, Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
This pivotal story for Buffy begins in Xander’s point of view. We’ll explore that as well as (1) creating multiple characters the audience identifies with; (2) using actions to demonstrate characters’ feelings; (3) a very layered Story Spark/Inciting Incident; and (4) a strong midpoint and three-quarter plot turn.
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary for Prophecy Girl.
Next Up: Season 1 Overview
Last Week: Out of Mind Out of Sight S1 E11
Support the Show/Improve Your Story
Download this 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page.
Become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content.
Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com.
Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form.
As an Amazon Associate I also earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy.
About
In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly . She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com.
Episode Transcript for Prophecy Girl
Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)
Buffy and the Art of Story is a production of Spiny Woman LLC. Copyright 2020.
The post Prophecy Girl S1 E12 appeared first on Lisa Lilly.
January 13, 2020
Out of Mind Out of Sight S1 E11
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Out of Mind Out of Sight
(Season 1, Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
Along with plot turns about an invisible girl, this episode covers (1) scene transitions (done so well!); (2) flashbacks (maybe not done so well) (3) theme; (4) strong dialogue; and (5) a midpoint that’s not so strong.
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary for Out of Mind Out of Sight.
Next Up: Prophecy Girl S1 E12
Last Week: Nightmares S1 E10
Support the Show/Improve Your Story
Try this Story Structure Template, available free to all on my Patreon page.
Become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content.
Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com.
Or you can buy Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series) in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form.
As an Amazon Associate I also earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy.
Bio
Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries. She also wrote the short-story collection The Tower Formerly Known as Sears and Two Other Tales of Urban Horror, the title story of which was made into the short film Willis Tower.
In addition to fiction, Lilly writes non-fiction under L.M. Lilly.
Her books on writing include The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year; Creating Compelling Characters From The Inside Out; Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting & Writing Your Novel; and Happiness, Anxiety, and Writing: Using Your Creativity To Live A Calmer, Happier Life.
She is also the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com.
Episode Transcript for Out of Mind Out of Sight
Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)
Buffy and the Art of Story is a production of Spiny Woman LLC. Copyright 2020.
The post Out of Mind Out of Sight S1 E11 appeared first on Lisa Lilly.
January 6, 2020
Nightmares S1 E10
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Nightmares
. (Season 1, Episode 10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
Along with story structure and plot turns, this episode covers the way the writers escalate conflict to maximize the characters’ pain and how Nightmares foreshadows many significant emotional arcs in the series.
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Story Elements in Nightmares
In this podcast episode we’ll look at:
Plot Turns
The interplay of Buffy’s character and plot conflicts
How the writers escalate conflict for maximum emotional impact
Foreshadowing of significant emotional arcs in the series
Also Season 1 DVD information about how Joss Whedon chose the Mutant Enemy company name and created the logo.
Next Up: Out of Mind Out of Sight S1 E11
Last Week: The Puppet Show S1 E9
Plotting Your Story
Working through plot issues for your own novel, screenplay, or story?
Try this Story Structure Template, available free to all on my Patreon page.
If you become a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes and content.
Episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.
Episode Transcript
Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)
P.S. For more on plotting, you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series).
FYI, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy.
The post Nightmares S1 E10 appeared first on Lisa Lilly.
December 30, 2019
The Puppet Show S1 E9
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: The Puppet Show
. (Season 1, Episode 9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
In addition to plot turns, we’ll talk about (1) how characters on the protagonist’s side can still push against her and create conflict; (2) the excellent use of hints and red herrings while still playing fair; (3) a new character opposed to Buffy who might or might not be evil (Principal Snyder!), a replacement character who is very different from his predecessor (also Snyder).
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Story Elements in The Puppet Show
In this podcast episode we’ll look at:
Strong, clear plot turns
Using red herrings and hints without misleading the audience
Why the protagonist’s friends sometimes must be against her
New and replacement characters
Also: Season 1 DVD commentary from Joss Whedon about his aim in creating The Puppet Show is discussed, as well as the post-credit sequence you may never have seen.
Next Up: Nightmares S1 E10
Last Week: I, Robot…You, Jane S1 E8
Plotting Your Story
Working through plot issues for your own novel, screenplay, or story?
Try this Story Structure Template, available free to all on my Patreon page.
If you become a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes and content.
Episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Plus films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.
Episode Transcript
Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)
P.S. For more on plotting, you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series).
FYI, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy.
The post The Puppet Show S1 E9 appeared first on Lisa Lilly.
December 9, 2019
I, Robot…You, Jane S1 E8
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: I, Robot…You, Jane
. (Season 1, Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
This podcast episode covers using prologues to raise the stakes, whether the demon here is a compelling antagonist, and how I, Robot weaves in action in quick bursts.
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Story Elements in I, Robot
In this podcast episode we’ll look at:
Raising the stakes through a prologue
Learning about strong chapter endings from Buffy
Weaving in action you don’t have time to show
What makes an antagonist less than interesting
Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary this time! (But there will be for The Puppet Show.)
Next Up: The Puppet Show S1 E9 (on December 30, 2019 after a short holiday break)
Last Week: Angel S1 E7
Plotting Your Story
Working through plot issues for your own novel, screenplay, or story?
Try this Story Structure Template, available free to all on my Patreon page.
If you become a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes and content.
Episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.
Episode Transcript
Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)
P.S. For more on plotting, you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series).
FYI, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy.
The post I, Robot…You, Jane S1 E8 appeared first on Lisa Lilly.
December 2, 2019
Angel S1 E7
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Angel, Season 1, Episode 7. This episode covers how season-long antagonist The Master is the protagonist in the main plot.
Also how the episode intertwines that plot with 2 subplots – one with Buffy as protagonist, one with Angel. And the way the episode serves as a Season Midpoint.
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Story Elements in Angel
In this podcast episode we’ll look at:
How the main plot and 2 subplots weave together perfectly
A villain as protagonist
3 things a protagonist should do
The Season 1 Midpoint
As I note on the show, my understanding of the role of the protagonist was deepened by listening to story expert Lani Diane Rich of Chipperish Media.
She explains protagonists and antagonists here and in many of her podcast episodes.
Story Structure
For help applying the 5-point story structure the podcast covers to your own work, a free story structure template is available on my patreon page. You don’t need to be a patron to download it, though it’s great if you’d like to be.
Support The Show
If you become a patron for as little as $1 a month, you’ll not only help fund more episodes like Angel, you’ll get access to bonus episodes.
Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.
Including Wonder Woman once I reach 50 patrons.
Next Up: I, Robot…You, Jane (S1 E8)
Angel Episode Transcript
Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)
FYI, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy.
The post Angel S1 E7 appeared first on Lisa Lilly.
November 25, 2019
The Pack S1 E6
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: The Pack, Season 1, Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This episode includes how to build the character of the victim to make the loss greater while misdirecting the audience regarding who the victim will be.
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Story Elements in The Pack
In this podcast episode we’ll look at how The Pack handles:
All major plot points
Creating a victim the audience likes
Misdirection regarding the victim
Characters’ responsibility for what they do while possessed
Highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon are also discussed.
Story Structure
For more on the 5-point story structure the podcast covers, check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel.
Or become a patron for as little as $1/month and download a free story structure template to use with your own writing.
Support The Show
If you become a patron, you’ll not only help fund more episodes like The Pack, you’ll get access to bonus episodes.
Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.
Including Wonder Woman once we reach 50 patrons.
Next Up: Angel S1 E7
The Pack Episode Transcript
Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)
FYI, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy.
The post The Pack S1 E6 appeared first on Lisa Lilly.
November 18, 2019
Never Kill A Boy On The First Date S1 E5
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story:
Never Kill A Boy On The First Date. (Season 1, Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
The podcast episode covers interweaving plot lines, theme, and cliffhangers versus game changers.
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Story Elements in Never Kill A Boy On The First Date
In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles:
All the major plot turns in this standalone episode
How the different story lines interconnect
Theme
The difference between a game changer and cliffhanger
Also discussed – Buffy Season 1 DVD interview with Joss Whedon. He says Never Kill A Boy On The First Date is important because it is all about Buffy maintaining a normal life, and it juxtaposes her vampire slaying directly with a date with a cute boy.
What’s Next
Next week Buffy and the Art of Story covers The Pack, S1 E6.
Plotting Your Story
If you’re working on your own novel, screenplay, or story, check out the Story Structure Template available free to patrons on my Patreon page.
Or you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series).
As a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes.
Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.
Episode Transcript
Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)
FYI, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy.
The post Never Kill A Boy On The First Date S1 E5 appeared first on Lisa Lilly.
November 11, 2019
Teacher’s Pet S1 E4
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Teacher’s Pet, Season 1, Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The episode focuses on point-of-view, tone, and all the major plot points from opening conflict to the climax.
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Story Elements in Teacher’s Pet
In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles:
Viewpoint Characters in a Xander-centric episode
Opening Conflict
Story Spark (a/k/a Inciting Incident)
The first major plot turn
The story mid-point
The three-quarter twist
The climax
Falling Action
Highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon are also discussed.
For more on the 5-point story structure the podcast covers, you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel.
The 7 Season Plan
Buffy and the Art of Story plans to cover every episode of Buffy in order and spoiler-free — except at the end so I can talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning.
Down the road there’ll be a Patreon account where you’ll be able to get a free story structure template. As a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes.
Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.
Requests will be welcome.
Next Up: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date, S1 E5
Episode Transcript
Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)
FYI, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy.
The post Teacher’s Pet S1 E4 appeared first on Lisa Lilly.
