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Ep185: Beyond the Hero’s Journey: Exploring the Hidden Arcs in Every Story

Writer Craft Podcast

Release Date: 04/30/2025

Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass (Ep204) show art Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass (Ep204)

Writer Craft Podcast

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Writer Craft Podcast

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Writer Craft Podcast

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Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic:  “Intentionality in Writing: Hendrika de Vries on Resistance, Feminism, and Telling the Truth” PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.  Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Magic Mind...

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Writer Craft Podcast

✨ Writer Craft Podcast | Episode 198 🎙️ The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow 📅 Recorded on September 3, 2025 🎧 Hosted by & 💬 Episode Summary Welcome back, Writers and Crafters! In this soul-nourishing episode, Valerie and Erick explore what it really takes to return to your writing routine after a break. Whether you've been away for weeks or months, we offer compassionate strategies, creative rituals, and mindset shifts to help you gently restart your writing life—without falling into guilt, shame, or perfectionism. ✨ Main Topic: “The Art...

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Writer Craft Podcast

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Writer Craft Podcast

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Writer Craft Podcast

  Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): hard stuff at home (sharing that with my patrons, and a little on social media)  (Erick):  What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: Austin Kleon's (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book s (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October). (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  Julie Leong  Erick:   Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:    Segment 3 (Main Topic):   Notes:...

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More Episodes

Main Topic:  3 arcs in every book (begins at 15:31)

 

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

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PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. 

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

 

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

  • (Valerie): writing How to Write a Novel (ask ChatGPT for new title), homework from the business coach, thinking about content creation and refining my book coaching offer; back pain
  • (Erick): Trunk "shopping" for summer work = Witness accounts. Book a retreat for world-building. Preorder up for Shadow Signals (cover from Miblart)

What are you reading?

  • Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):
  • Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2: 

 

Segment 3 (Main Topic):  

The Three Narrative Arcs (Bill Kenower)

The Physical Arc (Story arc, plot, what happens in the book)

Character/Emotional arc (how the character changes)

Intentional Arc (Thematic arc)

Narrative arc (how the story is told)

If problems with character (flat, 2 dimensional, "Just didn't connect with them"):

Add inner dialogue for tension and character motivation;

Make sure your emotional arc is solid. (Character + Flaw + Death of Flaw at end = Character/Emotional Arc)

 

And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

 

Next episode: 

Find Us:

 

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor