<!-- Begin Constant Contact Active Forms -->
<script> var _ctct_m = "60d71a7d04a1d997c127c5217945ff75"; </script>
<script id="signupScript" src="//static.ctctcdn.com/js/signup-form-widget/current/signup-form-widget.min.js" async defer></script>
<!-- End Constant Contact Active Forms -->
<!-- Begin Constant Contact Active Forms -->
<script> var _ctct_m = "60d71a7d04a1d997c127c5217945ff75"; </script>
<script id="signupScript" src="//static.ctctcdn.com/js/signup-form-widget/current/signup-form-widget.min.js" async defer></script>
<!-- End Constant Contact Active Forms -->

Workshop: Plotting a Murder with Colette Clark

August 29, 2024

Season 3

Episode 13

00:27:2018.81M

Christopher Vogler's The Writer's Journey

The Hero's Journey Study Guide

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Does the mystery genre follow the Hero’s Journey? According to historical mystery writer Colette Clark. Not so much.

Join us for our discussion about how Colette structures her novels and figures out who the murder is (sometime just before she finishes her first draft).

Remember, we have a Writers Process meetup every Wednesday.

Colette Clark is the author of fourteen historical mystery novels set in the 1920s and 1930s which follow the adventures of her amateur sleuths, Penelope Banks and Lisette Darling. You can find out more on her website.

Have you checked out our Hero’s Journey Study Guide? Do you appreciate the Snark Notes (aka, show notes but written under the influence)? Words to Write by is a two woman passion project. A little support will go a long way. You could also drop us a line and let us know how you’re enjoying the podcast.

Join us for our FREE Process Group on Meetup!

The Writer's Journey

Drop the Beat: Pacing Your Scenes Moment by Moment

November 11, 2026

Season 4

Episode 18

admin 01:26:46 Comments Off

What’s a beat? If you don’t know, you’re in good company, because neither did we until we cracked open this chapter of Sandra Scofield’s The Scene Book. Beats are...

Play Episode

Writing Your College Application Essay

October 6, 2026

Season 3

Episode 15

admin 00:23:15 Comments Off

In today's episode we take a break from discussing and analyzing creative fiction to examining possibly one of the most important, and certainly most stressful, nonfiction projects in a...

Play Episode

Actions Speak Louder Than Dialogue: Building Meaningful Scenes

September 28, 2026 admin 01:13:22 Comments Off

Sandra Scofield’s The Scene BookChapter 2: Event and MeaningHow Actions Add Up in Scenes After countless episodes complaining that writing advice books skimp on examples, we may have finally...

Play Episode

Scenes That Stick

August 26, 2026 admin 01:12:49 Comments Off

Sandra Scofield’s The Scene BookChapter 1: The BasicsBasic Concepts About Scenes There’s something about a new craft book and all its promise. Renee is so happy that she’s worried...

Play Episode

Goodbye, Artist’s Way. Hello, Actual Craft

August 10, 2026

Season 4

Episode 16

admin 00:48:42 Comments Off

Sandra Scofield’s The Scene Book Introduction(and good riddance Julia Cameron) We’re saying goodbye to The Artist’s Way — and honestly, good riddance. We’re recapping our favorite quotes, the insights...

Play Episode

Week 12: We Finished the Book!

July 22, 2026

Season 4

admin 00:58:17 Comments Off

Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s WayWeek 12: Recovering a Sense of Faith We finally finished The Artist’s Way—Julia Cameron’s self-help bible for unlocking your creative potential. Spoiler: our potential remains...

Play Episode

Week 11: Flailing at the Finish Line

June 24, 2026 admin 01:06:40 Comments Off

Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s WayWeek 9: Recovering a Sense of Autonomy If you listen to this podcast, you probably dream of becoming a successful writer. But what happens when...

Play Episode

Week 10: The Habits that Block Us

May 8, 2026 admin 01:00:28 Comments Off

Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s WayWeek 10: Recovering a Sense of Self Protection Week 10 of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way finally tackles the elephant in every writer’s room: creative...

Play Episode