Stories That Change Us
Where great storytelling meets craft. Four writer-friends dive into the most iconic fiction of the last century—not just to admire it, but to dissect it. We uncover what makes these stories unforgettable: sharp characters, masterful plots, and the social undercurrents that give them staying power. The result? A lively, intergenerational conversation that sparks insights for writers at every stage. Whether you're dreaming of your debut or leveling up your next bestseller, this is your place to learn how great stories are made.
Episodes
14 episodes
Episode 14: Seduction, Suspense, and Structure: Writing Lessons from Dracula
Dark, seductive, and terrifyingly atmospheric—Bram Stoker’s Dracula isn’t just a gothic horror classic; it’s a masterclass in mood, suspense, and novel structure. In this episode, we analyze Dracula, exploring how Stoker uses ...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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37:37
Episode 13: Revenge, Riches, and Reader Hooks: The Bestseller Blueprint of The Count of Monte Cristo
Epic, vengeful, and intoxicatingly rich—Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo is a masterclass in storytelling. With sprawling narrative scope, intricate foreshadowing, and characters as vivid as the Parisian underworld itself, D...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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35:19
Episode 12: Ten Little Hooks: How “And Then There Were None” Builds Unputdownable Suspense
Haunting, suspenseful, and devilishly clever—Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None remains one of the most chilling mysteries ever written. With masterful use of red herrings, precise pacing, and an eerie atmosphere of isolation, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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34:13
Episode 11: Survival and Structure: What The Hunger Games Teaches Us About Writing Modern Bestsellers
Few YA novels manage to weave modern issues so flawlessly into a story that equally engages children and adults, but The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins stands out for that very reason. Collins masterful use of subtle subtext, world building th...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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34:25
Episode 10: The Godfather: Mastering Mood, Mystery, and Market Power
Provocative, gory, and oddly breathtaking are just a few ways to describe Mario Puzo's critically acclaimed crime novel, The Godfather. Intimate in his portrayal of family love, horrifying in the graphic description of violence and urban warfar...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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37:07
Episode 9: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
As inconspicuous as novel can be, when one thinks of classic literature that unequivocally nails the power of sympathetic villains, landscape as emotional foreshadowing, and reflective monologues that are insightful and entertaining, Jane Eyre ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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41:07
Episode 8: A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle
26 rejections, a frequent spot on the banned books list, and shining the light on the dangers of blind conformity are just a few of the surprises awaiting readers of Madeline L'Engle's, A Wrinkle In Time.Moderated By: Lau...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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39:51
Episode 7: A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott
Dark, thrilling, and prescriptively moral are not words often used to describe the work of Louisa May Alcott, but the 19th century novelist was hiding more up her sleeve than simply a pen and a copy of Little Women. A Long Fatal Love Chase is o...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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45:33
Episode 6: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Part religious satire, part social commentary, and wholly fictional genius, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis is a deeply stirring epistolary that has prompted much conversation about the state of humanity since it was first published in 1942...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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46:26
Episode 5: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Charles Dicken's, A Christmas Carol, has resonated across the ages as a holiday favorite! Today, let's breakdown the iconic moments, characters, and themes to reveal where Dicken's excelled at the craft of storytelling that has ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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41:21
Episode 4: The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Eccentric yet unforgettable characters, hilarious banter that just won't quit, and true love (or twu wuv!) are just a few of the things that make William Goldman's, The Princess Bride, a delightful fare. Join the discussi...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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34:34
Episode 3: Storytelling Secrets from “Gone With the Wind”: Lessons for Modern Writers
Riveting, controversial, and flawlessly epic, Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind isn’t just a sweeping historical romance—it’s a blueprint for writing compelling characters, immersive settings, and unforgettable conflict. From Scar...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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42:24
Episode 2: Building a Historical World with Heart: Craft Lessons from Outlander
Join us as we travel to the broody Scottish Highlands and uncover the secrets of character building and historical accuracy of the first installment of the wildly popular series, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.Moderated...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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40:29
Episode 1: Wit, Restraint, and Romantic Tension: Writing Lessons from Pride & Prejudice
Welcome to Stories That Change Us! What better way to launch our podcast than to discuss a story that has been adapted over a dozen times for the big screen and continues to enthrall readers--Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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41:29
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