Best Using Ai To Write Novels Podcasts (2025)

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#145: Maggie O’Farrell — Confessions of a Novelist: Writing from Instinct, Revision, Doubt & Finding the Story’s Heartbeat (From the Vault) 42:50

1h ago42:50

42:50

Award-winning and bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait author takes us behind the scenes of her creative process—from the early struggles of starting out to the discipline and instinct that shape her acclaimed novels. We explore the irresistible drive to write, the role of characters in steering a story, and how she …

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Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: secrets of multi POV stories 37:50

4d ago37:50

37:50

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, d…

1
The New Retirement Is Not At All What We Expected 1:06:28

2h ago1:06:28

1:06:28

A lot of Gen Xers are facing an existential crisis, feeling stuck, burned out, unemployed, and just unsure about the future. This was supposed to be the time when we start to wind down so why does it feel like we're on a highway to hell? This doesn't mean we're doomed; it just means we need a reset on how we think about retirement. In my first-ever…

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#144: Eleanor Anstruther – The Book Industry Rejected Me. So I Built My Own Audience on Substack; Serialising Online, Writing Literary Fiction; Being an Independent Artist, Creating Your Artist DNA 1:00:32

3d ago1:00:32

1:00:32

What if the traditional publishing world says “no”? Eleanor Anstruther—acclaimed novelist and creator of The Literary Obsessive—shares her bold leap into indie publishing, serialising fiction and memoir on Substack, and why you need an Artist DNA to draw an audience. We discuss: Her aristocratic background and experience living in a commune Navigat…

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Anatomy of a Fall: mind blown 28:56

6d ago28:56

28:56

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 complic…

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The Advice We’d Give to Our Younger Selves 1:05:08

11d ago1:05:08

1:05:08

Gretchen Rubin joins the show to talk about her new book, Secrets of Adulthood, in which she boils down a lifetime of wisdom into powerful aphorisms that resonate. Gretchen is a bestselling author, podcast host, and one of today’s most trusted voices on happiness, habits, and human nature. In this conversation, we talk about the lessons we learn to…

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#143: Julia Cameron (From the Vault) – How to Reignite Your Creativity Through Daily Rituals, Believing Mirrors & The Artist’s Way 42:18

9d ago42:18

42:18

Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way and one of the most influential voices on creativity of the last three decades, shares timeless wisdom on nurturing the artist within. We discuss: Morning Pages and Artist Dates as tools for creative recovery. Why being of service is at the heart of writing. Writing in dialogue with intuition (and the divin…

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Shirley: when endings fail 41:16

18d ago41:16

41:16

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'…

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#142: Chris Banks, ProwritingAid Founder – How to Use AI as a Writer, Staying Weird & Keeping Control as Creatives 39:21

16d ago39:21

39:21

(Interview from 2024) The founder of ProWritingAid, Chris Banks, shares his thoughts on how AI is reshaping writing, editing, and the creative process. Recorded in front of a live audience after Writers' Hour. We discuss: - AI as a creative partner: Can it replace writers? - Using AI responsibly to save time, enhance editing, and elevate your craft…

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Mother's Instinct: keeps you guessing 26:29

25d ago26:29

26:29

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 For access to writing templates and wo…

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#141: Jono Hey – Build a Creative Practice That Sticks: Mastering Visual Thinking, 900+ Sketches, Deep Simplicity and Collaborating with Bill Gates 1:02:22

26d ago1:02:22

1:02:22

Jono Hey, author of Big Ideas Little Pictures and creator of Sketchplanations, shares insights from over a decade of explaining the world through sketches. We discuss: The power of visual thinking Building a new identity when changing careers Knowing when a piece is done and ready for publishing Tips to get started with sketching & lessons from lon…

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Greenbook: when society is the antagonist 22:28

27d ago22:28

22:28

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…

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#140: Matt Trinetti – Building The World's Most Engaged Writing Community: Navigating Boundaries, Fostering Belonging, Harnessing the Power of Connection & the Importance of Creative Health 30:01

1M ago30:01

30:01

Matt Trinetti, co-founder of the London Writers' Salon, on building the world’s most engaged writing community, the role of creativity in the face of AI and the transformative power of writing for creative and mental health. * ABOUT MATT TRINETTI Matt Trinetti is the co-founder of London Writers' Salon, our community, dedicated to helping writers c…

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Anyone But You: yeah nah 27:18

1M ago27:18

27:18

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 …

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The NYT called Gen X Obsolete. That Didn't Go Well. 1:11:25

1M ago1:11:25

1:11:25

When the New York Times declared it was “the end of work as we knew it” for Gen X, it did not feel fine. The story called the generation obsolete, irrelevant, and even likened them to candlestick makers in the age of electricity. Seriously? The article sparked a firestorm, prompting host Jonathan Small to write a viral Substack response that only r…

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#139: Steve Almond – The Truth About Creative Failure, Overcoming Ego, and Writing Stories That Actually Matter 1:00:34

1M ago1:00:34

1:00:34

Steve Almond, bestselling author on ‘failing’ for decades, finding flow, finding success in Hollywood, overcoming writer’s block and telling the stories only you can tell with truth and mercy. * ABOUT STEVE ALMOND Steve Almond is the award-winning author of twelve books of fiction and nonfiction, including the New York Times bestsellers Candyfreak …

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The Bank of Dave: def leppard steals the show 26:58

1M ago26:58

26:58

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…

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#138: Nicola Slawson – From Journalism to Book Deals: Pitching, Newsletters, and Building a Writing Life on Your Own Terms 1:11:25

2M ago1:11:25

1:11:25

Nicola Slawson, creator of the award-winning newsletter The Single Supplement, shares her journey of building a creative career on her own terms. From launching her newsletter with zero subscribers to securing a book deal, Nicola offers insights into embracing your unique story, building an authentic community, and navigating the realities of freel…

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Becoming a Bestselling Author, with Brian Proctor 36:52

2M ago36:52

36:52

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 manifest…

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#137: Sareeta Domingo – Writing Love That Feels Real, Breaking into Publishing, Writing Intimacy on the Page, and Selling Romance 57:11

2M ago57:11

57:11

Author and Editorial Director Sareeta Domingo on writing love stories that feel real, breaking into publishing, and crafting authentic intimacy in fiction. She shares insights on balancing her dual careers in writing and editing, the biggest mistakes authors make when submitting, and how the romance industry is evolving. * ABOUT SAREETA DOMINGO Sar…

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5 Secrets for Crafting an Unforgettable Memoir 1:06:08

2M ago1:06:08

1:06:08

Has anyone ever told you, "Your life is so interesting—you should write a memoir!" It's flattering, no doubt. But then comes the doubts and the fears and the paralysis. How do you transform decades of memories and anecdotes into a narrative people would actually want to read? You can start by reading guest Wendy Dale's new book, The Memoir Engineer…

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Pretty Woman: a masterclass in the fundamentals (archive) 46:16

2M ago46:16

46:16

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. For access to writing templates and worksh…

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#136: Tessa Hadley – The Secrets of Literary Fiction: How to Craft Powerful, Resonant Stories, Creating Compelling Stories, Publishing in your 40s, 50s and beyond 1:04:05

2M ago1:04:05

1:04:05

Best-selling Author Tessa Hadley on getting published in her 40s and beyond, the craft of literary fiction, developing character and conflict, and the importance of conflict. * ABOUT TESSA HADLEY: Tessa Hadley is the author of eight highly acclaimed novels, including Clever Girl and Free Love, as well as four short story collections, most recently …

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The Dry: an intro to outback noir (archive) 38:24

2M ago38:24

38:24

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. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and…

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#135: Anne-Laure Le Cunff — The Science of Creativity: Using Tiny Experiments to Unlock Growth, Learning, and Better Writing 1:08:13

2M ago1:08:13

1:08:13

Writer, neuroscientist, and Ness Labs founder Anne-Laure Le Cunff shares insights on redefining success, writing in public, and using tiny experiments to fuel creativity. She talks about growing her newsletter from 0 to 100K+, transitioning from writing articles to a book, and the neuroscience behind sustainable ambition. * ABOUT ANNE-LAURE LE CUNF…

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Whiplash: why the villain has a point (archive) 51:51

2M ago51:51

51:51

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. For access to writing te…

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Kenneth Turan on the Hollywood Duo Who Built an Empire 54:06

3M ago54:06

54:06

Back in Hollywood's Golden Age, two men with vastly different backgrounds came together to shape the future of film. Louis B. Mayer, a shrewd businessman and Irving Thalberg, a visionary producer, formed a partnership that defined MGM and set the standard for the modern studio system. In this episode, famed film critic Kenneth Turan explores their …

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#134: Jody Eddy – Michelin Kitchens, Monks & The Cookbook Playbook: What Top Chefs Taught Me About Rituals & Success; NonFiction Proposal & Food Writing 1:07:20

2M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

Foodwriter and Chef Jody Eddy on what goes on in Michelin-star kitchens, monastic culinary traditions, and the rigorous world of food writing. From working 17-hour shifts in elite restaurants to uncovering the rituals of monks and chefs alike, she reveals the hidden ingredients of storytelling, discipline, and turning culinary ideas into bestsellin…

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What Went Right: paddington 24:08

3M ago24:08

24:08

What makes the Paddington franchise so popular with audiences? That's exactly what Melanie and I set out to discover as we take a deep dive into the first film in the trilogy in this brand new What Went Right episode. We look past the CGI and get straight to the heart of the story. -V. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 7…

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2025 Oscars: Scandals and Predictions 59:43

3M ago59:43

59:43

The 97th Academy Awards will grace Hollywood this Sunday, bringing its signature blend of glamour and controversy to the red carpet. To unpack all the drama, we're joined by Katey Rich, Awards Editor at The Ankler and host of the acclaimed podcast "Prestige Junkie." Katey reveals her journey to securing her coveted position, the state of awards sho…

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#133: Michael Dean – The Invisible Patterns Behind Great Essays: How Essay Architecture Can Shape Your Writing and Break Through Perfectionism. 42:44

3M ago42:44

42:44

Essayist, editor and creator of Essay Architecture, Michael Dean on the hidden structures and key patterns within great essays. * ABOUT MICHAEL DEAN Michael Dean is a writer, editor, and creator of Essay Architecture. A former architect and virtual reality specialist, he now studies the hidden frameworks that make essays work. * RESOURCES & LINKS M…

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What Went Wrong: green lantern 48:12

3M ago48:12

48:12

It's our second "what went wrong" episode and this time we're taking a deep dive into the 2011 film, GREEN LANTERN. Even Ryan Reynolds says this one is a dud, so where did the storytelling go wrong? Tune in to find out! -V. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inne…

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#132: Dava Sobel — The Art of Science Storytelling, Writing Hidden Histories & How a Rejected Pitch Became a Bestseller 55:44

3M ago55:44

55:44

Best-selling Science Writer Dava Sobel on blending science with storytelling—how to craft compelling narratives, navigate deep research, and bring historical figures to life. Plus insights on nonfiction publishing, overcoming creative roadblocks, and making complex ideas accessible to readers. * ABOUT DAVA SOBEL Dava Sobel is the bestselling author…

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An Explosive Lawsuit Reveals the Dark Secret of Romantasy Novels 1:05:41

3M ago1:05:41

1:05:41

Was a bestselling romantasy novel stolen from someone else's unpublished book? New Yorker staff writer Katy Waldman investigates a fascinating case of alleged plagiarism rocking the publishing world—the first novel copyright infringement to reach trial in a century. The case raises profound questions about creative ownership in publishing, while ex…

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Our Best Advice: tension + 4SQ 17:56

3M ago17:56

17:56

That's a wrap on Season 13! Over the past eight episodes Melanie took a deep dive into one of the most important concepts in storytelling: tension. In this episode, she reviews the concepts of high and low tension, and highlights the principles you can use to create tension in your story. Meanwhile, I spent the season studying The 4 Story Questions…

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#131: Sophie Flynn — Writing Thrillers, Should You Be A Kindle Bestseller or Go Down The Traditional Publishing Route? Plus the Mindset for a Long-Term Writing Career 1:02:22

3M ago1:02:22

1:02:22

Bestselling thriller author Sophie Flynn reveals the raw truth about publishing—traditional vs. indie, rejection, and what it really takes to succeed. As Managing Director of Jericho Writers, she’s seen what separates thriving authors from those who quit. We dive into storytelling psychology, career-defining decisions, and the mindset shifts every …

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Sleepless in Seattle: relies on star power? 28:45

3M ago28:45

28:45

Valerie and I take a scalpel to some well loved movies this season. First there was the Nightmare Before Christmas and now Sleepless in Seattle. I’m not a believer in ‘magic love’ so I find the premise of the movie silly, but there are some good examples of tension. However, under the microscope of Valerie’s 4 Story Questions, this movie is lacking…

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#130: Oliver Burkeman - An Imperfectionist's Guide to Overcoming Distraction and Finding Creative Flow, Writing NonFiction 54:37

3M ago54:37

54:37

Oliver Burkeman, bestselling author of Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals, on the power of embracing imperfection in both life and creativity, how to overcome distractions that hinder our creative flow, and the tools that can help us thrive in an imperfect world. * ABOUT OLIVER BURKEMAN Oliver Burkeman worked for many years at The Guar…

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Walk This Way 1:02:36

4M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

Stuck in a creative rut? Need some fresh ideas? The solution isn't staring harder at your screen – it's getting up from your desk and walking. This simple activity has been the secret weapon of history's most brilliant minds, from Charles Dickens to Virginia Woolf, Aristotle to Steve Jobs. Science backs this up: walking increases creative output by…

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Gifted: nowhere to hide 33:40

4M ago33:40

33:40

Writers of quiet, character-driven or "literary" stories often ask me if all this story theory stuff applies to them, or if it's only for "commercial" fiction. Believe me when I say that it's even more important and in this episode of the podcast, I explain why. Meanwhile, Melanie conducted an experiment this week. She wanted to discover how knowin…

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#129: Anita Bhagwandas - Pitching And Crafting Viral Stories, Navigating ADHD, and Breaking Beauty Myths. 1:05:56

4M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

Award-winning journalist Anita Bhagwandas on her journey from ambitious intern to a celebrated writer with bylines in The Guardian, Vogue, and Condé Nast Traveler. Anita shares practical advice on pitching as a freelance journalist, crafting impactful articles, and how she finds the hidden angle for a topic. She opens up about her experiences as a …

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The Secret of Roan Inish: sweet but weak 27:14

4M ago27:14

27:14

Frustration follows flaws! Can you create tension and conflict if the 4 Story questions haven’t been answered? The simple answer is “no”. I desperately wanted to love this movie because I’m writing a short story based on selkies. This is a sweet movie. It lacks some storytelling basics, which results in minimal tension and conflict. I know I’ve sai…

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#128: Sanjoy K. Roy — From 0 to 500k: Growing the Jaipur Literature Festival and Shaping Global Culture, How Art & Festivals Transform Cities 58:21

4M ago58:21

58:21

Sanjoy K. Roy, the visionary behind the Jaipur Literature Festival in India, on growing the largest literary festival in the world (half a million visitors) expanding it to the US, UK and beyond and how storytelling and creativity can shape culture and change cities. * LINKS AND RESOURCES Jaipur Literature Festival Sanjoy: Instagram Teamwork Arts *…

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An LA Wildfire Survivor Shares Her Story 57:19

4M ago57:19

57:19

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have destroyed 12,000 structures and taken at least 25 lives. In an intimate conversation, guest Lee Ann Daly shares her harrowing experience of evacuating her Pacific Palisades home with just minutes to spare, managing to save three cats and only a few documents. Lee Ann is a creative executive and former h…

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Judy: why object of desire is essential 30:33

4M ago30:33

30:33

Melanie and I talk about Object of Desire all the time and boy, oh boy, this movie really drives home why it's so important. The writers didn't go for the obvious choice here and it makes the movie, and the protagonist, so much more interesting because what Judy wants more than anything in the world is not to perform, but to be with her kids. In te…

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#127: Holly Black — Crafting Bestselling Fantasy: World-Building, Character Development, and The Prisoner’s Throne 51:58

4M ago51:58

51:58

Holly Black, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels, on her process for writing bestselling fiction, on getting vital feedback on drafts, how she overcomes rejection and what success in publishing actually is. * ABOUT HOLLY BLACK Holly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy books, including the novels of El…

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Crazy Stupid Love: passive tension? 33:01

4M ago33:01

33:01

I love it when Valerie and I study different theories and come to different conclusions about the movie. Crazy, Stupid, Love has great examples of slow/low tension and high/intense tension - it’s a great movie demonstrating how tension works. However, it doesn’t work so well when the 4 Story Questions are applied. Why? Because a multi-point-of-view…

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#126: John Muirs Laws — The Nature Journaling Framework To Unlock Boundless Creativity, Curiosity as a Superpower, and How to Deepen Your Writing 58:35

4M ago58:35

58:35

Naturalist, artist, and educator John Muir Laws on how writers can awaken curiosity, deepen their connection to nature, and unlock boundless creativity through the transformative practice of nature journaling. * ABOUT JOHN MUIRS LAWS John (Jack) Muir Laws is a principal leader and innovator of the worldwide nature journaling movement. He is the au…

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The Best Ways to Use AI Writing Tools 50:02

5M ago50:02

50:02

Two years ago, most people had never heard of generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude. Now, they're an integral part of our workflow. But what astonishes and impresses us about the technology also scares the living bejesus out of us. Will AI eventually replace us as writers? Will our profession become obsolete? How do we make this rapidly evolvi…

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Fatal Attraction: who's the villain? (archive) 39:30

4M ago39:30

39:30

In this archive episode, we revisit our study of FATAL ATTRACTION which first aired as episode 5 of season 7. I was studying character revelation and Melanie was studying worldbuilding, but what I find most fascinating about this movie is that, viewed through a modern lens, it's unclear who the antagonist really is. We'll be back next week with a b…

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Using Ai To Write Novels Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen