https://www.spreaker.com/show/secrets-of-story-podcastenTV & FilmMatt Bird and James Kennedyhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/31154d317ac5fa1f0f8f47989faf7c7a.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/show/secrets-of-story-podcastThu, 01 May 2025 18:21:08 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt Bird and James Kennedysupport@indiefilmhustle.comMatt Bird and James Kennedy have raucous debates about the craft of novel writing, screenwriting, storytelling (and anything else they want to fight about!) Through their discussion you will learn how to be a better storyteller.falseepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-final-episode-in-this-feed-another-preview-of-a-good-story-well-told--65829725tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/2088411291Thu, 01 May 2025 17:48:21 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyIt's another episode of Matt's new podcast, "A Good Story Well Told" with Jonathan Auxier, this time discussing "The Giver", but from now on, to get new content, you'll have to subscribe to the "A Good Story Well Told" feed. Meanwhile, this feed will...3936falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/introducing-a-new-podcast-a-good-story-well-told-with-jonathan-auxier--65623712tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/2081027007Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:16:12 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyIt's a special preview of the first episode of Matt's new podcast with Jonathan Auxier: A Good Story Well Told. Search for and subscribe to the new podcast to get a second episode now!2523falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/live-show-capturing-the-nature-of-children-with-betsy-bird--61859599tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1917751937Mon, 16 Sep 2024 19:09:48 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyRecorded Live at The Book Stall in Winnetka, IL, hosted by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, James and Matt welcome the legendary Betsy Bird to tackle a topic all three know something about: Capturing the Voices of Children in...2744falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-47-the-heroine-s-labyrinth-with-douglas-a-burton--60494229tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1856002629Mon, 24 Jun 2024 18:50:43 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James welcome author Douglas A. Burton to discuss his new book The Heroine's Labyrinth! Matt blurbed it and said "The Heroine's Labyrinth is filled with profound and unique observations on the topic of story structure, no matter what the...5190falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/organizing-chaos-with-sophie-beal-and-gary-dalkin--58325182tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1719485025Tue, 16 Jan 2024 23:46:58 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedySophie Beal and Gary Dalkin return to discuss novelists' relationship with editors, whether freelance or at a publisher. All four of us have been on one side of that divide or another, and most of us more than one, and we have a grand old time...3568falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-45-specific-vs-generic-or-is-it-factual-vs-archetypal--57939383tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1684605648Thu, 07 Dec 2023 14:08:27 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyIt's always good to load up your story with specifics, right? Not so fast! James talks about his decision to leave some information out of his new novel Bride of the Tornado, and Matt quibbles.4285falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-44-putting-the-secrets-of-story-into-action-with-torrey-maldonado--57310826tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1644838938Thu, 19 Oct 2023 21:17:43 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James welcome acclaimed novelist Torrey Maldonado to talk about how he's put Matt's advice into action for his books for young people (much to James's chagrin)5094falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/writing-every-day-with-brock-swinson--55157879tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1550591842Mon, 26 Jun 2023 19:21:55 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James are joined by author Brock Swinson and discuss his new book of writing advice Ink by the Barrel. All three of us agree that writers must write every day and then sheepishly admit that we don't actually do that.4045falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-43-mackendrick-s-rules-the-epic-conclusion--54523646tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1544611330Mon, 19 Jun 2023 16:05:33 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyAlexander Mackendrick summed up the wisdom that film schools (and MFA programs in general) hand down to writers. Is it helpful or poisonous? In this episode, Matt and James finish examining and questioning his 41 rules.3177falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mackendrick-s-rules-part-2--54301109tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1537831834Mon, 12 Jun 2023 16:22:07 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James once again use the rules of Alexander Mackendrick as a springboard to talk about what makes for a good story. Bonus: Matt posits his theory of what's in the case in Pulp Fiction and completely convinces James!3599falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mackendrick-s-rules-part-1--54108609tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1531939420Tue, 06 Jun 2023 03:56:12 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyThe great filmmaker Alexander Mackendrick famously passed along 41 rules of writing advice and now Matt and James are going to evaluate them all in a three-part epic!4253falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-39-agents--52621655tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1438616830Thu, 02 Feb 2023 22:46:02 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJames and Matt discuss their checkered history of getting agents/managers, failing to hold onto them, and getting new ones, with lots of tips for the unagented! Check out lots of supplemental materials on SecretsOfStory.com.4973falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-38-ai--52274960tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1409632207Sat, 24 Dec 2022 18:50:45 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyCan a computer do our jobs? Matt puts it the test and James scoffs, as is his wont.3431falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/37-craft-in-the-real-world--51764996tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1374933619Wed, 02 Nov 2022 13:27:56 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyThe long-awaited return! James and Matt reunite to discuss Matthew Salesses' book Craft in the Real World. Matt is worried about offending anyone and James is less so!4483falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-36-save-the-cat-with-sophie-beal-and-gary-dalkin--49321028tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1244254387Mon, 04 Apr 2022 21:09:22 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedySpecial guests Sophie Beal and Gary Dalkin join us to debate the merits of the most infamous writing guide of all, Blake Snyder's Save the Cat3356falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-35-co-authoring-and-transgression-with-keir-graff-and-linda-joffe-hull--47997765tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1181181940Mon, 20 Dec 2021 14:45:35 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyA whopping two guests join us to discuss the feat of co-authoring three thrillers as "Linda Keir", including "The Swing of Things", which leads to a discussion of whether or not transgression need always be punished in American literature.4769falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-34-building-character-voice--47504571tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1161102388Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:28:20 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJames and Matt discuss Metaphor Families, Default Personality Traits, and Default Argument Tactics. James quotes great wisdom forgetting that he's quoting Matt, and Matt heaps praise on James's new book-- It's a kumbaya love fest!4798falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-33-niceness-apologies-and-ptsd--47222194tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1150394293Fri, 29 Oct 2021 18:48:40 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJames checks in on a prediction he made years ago (in Episode 4) that stories would start getting nicer. As it turns out, Ted Lasso proved him right!4250falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-32-notes--46668527tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1130414254Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:52:24 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James have a contentious history of giving (or not giving) feedback to each other, and they reveal some big philosophical differences on the fraught topic of how to give and receive notes.4340falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-31-irony--46263570tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1114085854Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:02:22 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James discuss 14 types of Irony and use Casablanca, Blazing Saddles and Mulan as examples.4196falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-30-genre-burgers-and-alien--45906125tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1097167339Fri, 30 Jul 2021 16:55:59 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJonathan Auxier returns for a record fifth time to discuss what he originally wanted to discuss last time: Genre, how it is like burgers, and what this all has to do with the movie Alien. James then high-roads us with some classical music cues.2884falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-29-author-draft-artifact-draft-audience-draft--45712860tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1088247010Thu, 15 Jul 2021 20:27:51 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJonathan Auxier returns again with his best idea yet: Everything you write should have an Author Draft, an Artifact Draft, and an Audience Draft.2897falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-28-the-order-of-odd-fish--45092058tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1058187475Sat, 29 May 2021 21:17:45 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James examine James's first novel to see if it matches some of the writing rules we've discussed over the years.3028falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-27-orphan-wanderer-warrior-martyr-with-lou-anders--44409117tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1033244878Tue, 20 Apr 2021 15:53:05 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyLast episode's guest Lou Anders returns with more storytelling tricks, including a way to break your story into four quarters: Orphan, Wanderer, Warrior, and Martyr.4270falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-26-beyond-head-heart-gut-with-lou-anders--43958099tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1010945908Fri, 19 Mar 2021 05:06:35 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James welcome the delightful novelist Lou Anders who expands on Head Heart Gut with a list of eight archetypes hiding in many great stories.2854falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-25-cult-thinking--43102050tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/972107389Mon, 25 Jan 2021 04:58:39 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJames has an elaborate theory about how writing is like cult indoctrination. Matt tries to keep up.4688falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-24-agency-with-parker-peevyhouse--42381234http://www.secretsofstory.com/2018/09/rulebook-casefile-three-rules-vs.html]]>tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/943624642Tue, 08 Dec 2020 15:38:09 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyParker Peevyhouse returns to ask about when a character should break their own rules, which results in discussion of The Mandalorian, Knives Out, and whether superhero movies suck. Check out this blog post we cite a few times:...http://www.secretsofstory.com/2018/09/rulebook-casefile-three-rules-vs.html]]>3191falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-23-head-heart-gut--42027349http://www.secretsofstory.com/2017/05/head-heart-gut-aka-how-to-create.html]]>tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/931143514Tue, 17 Nov 2020 21:55:13 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyWe’re back! Matt and James have a rousing discussion of Head, Heart and Gut (And Spleen, and Groin, and Spirit, and a zillion other permutations…) Read more about and see neat charts here:...http://www.secretsofstory.com/2017/05/head-heart-gut-aka-how-to-create.html]]>3386falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-22-the-holy-moment--41495712tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/911719228Fri, 16 Oct 2020 15:56:48 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJames has advice for writing opening scenes and Matt basically agrees with him for once. Plus, James almost gets hit by a meteor and Matt sings the praises of Minneapolis Community and Technical College.3473falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-21-franchise-finales--41251835tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/903112699Thu, 01 Oct 2020 23:17:42 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyReturning guest Jonathan Auxier stops by to discuss franchise finales, because he's about to write one himself. It's another long one!5126falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-20-the-man-who-won-the-war--41251833tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/903108865Thu, 01 Oct 2020 23:10:39 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyDo writers lose something when they actually learn to write? In this episode, James and Matt look at the script that got Matt signed and consider that question. If you want, you can download the script at SecretsOfStory.com and read along at home!4480falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-21-franchise-finales--41251834tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/903108340Thu, 01 Oct 2020 23:09:26 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyReturning guest Jonathan Auxier stops by to discuss Franchise Finales, because he's about to write one himself. It's another long one!5126falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-19-alienation-and-identification--41251832tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/903101815Thu, 01 Oct 2020 22:54:32 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James discuss Matt's upcoming book and debate about lots of things. And, inevitably, James tosses off two more 'E's.3202falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-21-franchise-finales-with-jonathan-auxier--40924771https://api.spreaker.com/episode/40924771Wed, 16 Sep 2020 03:38:57 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyReturning guest Jonathan Auxier stops by to discuss Franchise Finales, because he's about to write one himself. It's another long one!5137novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-20-the-man-who-won-the-war--40724815https://api.spreaker.com/episode/40724815Sun, 06 Sep 2020 04:52:34 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyDo writers lose something when the actually learn to write? In this episode, James and Matt look at the script that got Matt signed and consider that question. If you want, you can download the script at SecretsOfStory.com and read along at home!4533novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,turing,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-19-alienation-and-identification--40572740https://api.spreaker.com/episode/40572740Sun, 30 Aug 2020 00:28:25 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James launch a new era of the show, discuss Matt's new book, and debate about lots of things. And, inevitably, James tosses off two more 'E's.3202novels,screenwriting,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-18-michael-arndt-and-insanely-great-endings--40058948https://vimeo.com/238637906), plus a bonus pun! pga3f6ta]]>tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/857949802Tue, 14 Jul 2020 18:52:59 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJames and Matt discuss endings and a video by Michael Arndt (https://vimeo.com/238637906), plus a bonus pun! pga3f6tahttps://vimeo.com/238637906), plus a bonus pun! pga3f6ta]]>3526novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-17-two-more-character-tricks--40058952tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/849887224Tue, 30 Jun 2020 22:04:58 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJames has two more E's for us, and the long-awaited return of Free Story Ideas ...sort of.3190novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-16-neat-tricks-for-creating-compelling-characters--40058951tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/815641267Thu, 07 May 2020 16:51:58 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJames still wants to add to Believe Care Invest. He pitches Isolation (appropriately enough) and then five tricks all starting with E. Can he convince Matt?3364novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-15-should-novelists-follow-screenwriting-advice-featuring-parker-peevyhouse--40058950tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/746150011Sun, 19 Jan 2020 23:58:02 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyAcclaimed Novelist Parker Peevyhouse stops by and she's got a question: Should novelists follow screenwriting advice? Much debate is had!3495novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-14-involuntary-notes--40058960tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/728272189Sun, 15 Dec 2019 19:15:45 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJames gives Matt some good advice on a Free Story Idea, so Matt turns it onto a beatsheet and submits it to James' judgment. Lots of Yes-Anding!4779novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-13-the-moment-of-grace--40058959tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/720988867Sun, 01 Dec 2019 03:12:42 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyJames tries to convince Matt that every great ending has a "Moment of Grace" where the hero submits to a higher power. Matt is skeptical.3381novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-12-hollywoodization--40058949tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/675736604Tue, 03 Sep 2019 17:22:15 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James discuss the power and peril of Hollywoodizing various examples of sci-fi short fiction. Long but fun!4604novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-11-heroic-self-interest-with-geoff-betts--40058958tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/635779794Wed, 12 Jun 2019 22:49:24 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyShould heroes primarily pursue their own self interest? Matt and James debate the issue with special guest Geoff Betts, and James pitches a deranged update of "Annie"2675novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-10-more-fun-with-jonathan-auxier--40058957http://www.secretsofstory.com/2019/05/new-podcast-more-fun-with-jonathan.html]]>tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/623443596Mon, 20 May 2019 05:01:08 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedySpecial guest Jonathan Auxier returns to the program to give us some pushback on our last three episodes (Listen to those first!) And after you've listened to this, check out this follow-up blog post:...http://www.secretsofstory.com/2019/05/new-podcast-more-fun-with-jonathan.html]]>2920novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-9-positive-passivity--40058964tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/566794155Tue, 29 Jan 2019 21:11:05 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMust all protagonists be active? James says no! ...At least, not at first.2574novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-8-the-jedi-in-decline--40058954tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/531773412Sun, 18 Nov 2018 16:31:03 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyWe discuss the hidden back half of story structure, dealing with Decline and Fall, and James finally gets the Last Jedi discussion he wanted.2542novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-7-expectations-and-ooda-loops--40058962tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/521248692Sun, 28 Oct 2018 20:24:08 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt Bird, author of "Secrets of Story: Innovative Tips for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers", and James Kennedy, author of "The Order of Odd Fish", return for a long-awaited seventh episode, covering audience expectations, shifting...2891novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-6-raiders-of-the-story-circle--40058955tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/340947978Tue, 05 Sep 2017 02:34:04 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt Bird and James Kennedy discuss story structure and apply Dan Harmon's Story Circle to Raiders of the Lost Ark.3498novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-5-pov-with-jonathan-auxier--40058963tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/330562020Wed, 28 Jun 2017 17:32:00 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyAcclaimed novelist Jonathan Auxier joins Matt Bird and James Kennedy to talk about POV in prose!2836novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-4-disputatious-dialogue--40058953tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/313966803Wed, 22 Mar 2017 21:30:03 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt Bird and James Kennedy debate the dialogue advice in Matt's book "The Secrets of Story: Innovative Tools for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers" In this episode: Should all dialogue be disputatious?2700screenwriting,story,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-3-laika-notes-the-super-size-episode--40058966tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/302560151Fri, 13 Jan 2017 20:25:56 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt and James look at James's script for Matt's Laika idea. WARNING: This episode is over two hours long!7938novels,screenwriting,story,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-2-the-easy-way--40058965tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/296548025Tue, 06 Dec 2016 19:20:44 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyMatt Bird (author of "The Secrets of Story: Innovative Tools for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers") and James Kennedy (author of "The Order of Odd Fish") debate about the best ways to write. In this episode: Should heroes try the easy...2178novels,screenwriting,story,storytelling,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-1-channeling-master-thespian--40058956tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/291359799Thu, 03 Nov 2016 19:00:14 +0000Matt Bird and James KennedyThe first episode! Matt Bird (author of The Secrets of Story) and James Kennedy (author of the novel The Order of Odd Fish) have a lively debate about how charitable you should be to your own writing.2354novels,screenwriting,story,writingfalsefull