Buffy and the Art of Story

Two announcements for the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: Buffy and the Art of Story Season 3 begins next Monday (August 10, 2020) with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3 premiere, Anne. The second Patron-Only Q&A has been posted on Patreon. (You can become a patron here for a dollar or more a month.) What’s in the Q&A?   key writing lessons learned from watching Buffy Seasons 1 and 2 so closely which episodes I’m most looking forward to watching for the podcast (hint: 3 of them are from Season 4) tips on writing great dialogue did Spike bail on his deal with Buffy in Becoming Part 2 (when he left even though he thought Angel was going to kill her)? Last Week: Season 2 in Review Next Up: Anne

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story Buffy Season Two In Review (a discussion of Season 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a whole): This podcast episode covers (1) how Season 2 uses the bookends technique; (2) Season 2 themes; (3) character arcs; and (4) how Season 2 foreshadows Season 3 and beyond. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Becoming Part 2 Next Up: Anne Work On Your Story Download free Story Structure worksheets. Or you can become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown and a monthly Q&A. Check out Help With Your Story at Writing As A Second Career. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Why I Love V.I. V.I. Warshawski novels by Sara Paretsky John Sandford Prey Novels Buffy and the Art of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction by Watching Buffy Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free in 2020 for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen: Audible. Where You Can Find Buffy The Vampire Slayer DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Buffy Season Two In Review Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story Becoming Part 2 (Season 2 Episode 22 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) why the pace of Part 2 is so fast compared to Becoming Part 1; (2) how to show emotion through a character’s actions; (3) the elements of a pyrrhic victory; (4) and how the episode plays out Season 2 themes and foreshadows future relationships. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Becoming Part 1 Next Up: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 2 In Review Work On Your Story Download free Story Structure worksheets Check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form Become a patron and access to bonus episodes and content Check out Help With Your Story at Writing As A Second Career Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help (available in ebook or workbook form). More Episode Links Watch Full of Grace/Sarah McLachlan Buffy and the Art of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction by Watching Buffy Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series by Lisa M. Lilly free for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. Where You Can Find Buffy the Vampire Slayer DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Becoming Part 2 Hello and welcome to the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. This Monday we’re talking about Becoming Part Two. That is Season Two episode Twenty-Two. The second half of the two-episode finale. What’s Included We’ll cover: the plot points from the Midpoint of the two-episode arc through the end; episode plot turns; how the pace of Part Two differs From Part One showing emotion through a character’s actions; the concept of a Pyrrhic victory; and how the episode plays out themes that are present throughout Season Two and foreshadows future relationships and developments. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Becoming Part Two was written and directed by Joss Whedon. Opening Conflict Of Becoming Part Two We start right where we left off. And it is a fantastic opening conflict for the episode. Kendra is lying dead on the library floor. We hear a cop say, “Freeze,” as Buffy is leaning over Kendra. There are two police officers. They pull Buffy away. One determines that Kendra is dead. The other says, “What about up there?” And for the first time Buffy looks up and sees Xander lying in front of the bookshelves. She tries to get to him. But the police officer drags her out. She is protesting that she didn’t do anything, and Snyder comes in with more police and says, “Why do I find that so hard to believe?” He then tells the cops that if there’s trouble, Buffy is behind it. Buffy Breaks Away When Buffy tries to tell the male cop that she just wants to see if her friends are okay, he says that’s enough and tries to cuff her. She punches him and runs. The female cop comes out of the library and fires her gun at Buffy as Buffy is fleeing. The woman cop radios in that a fugitive, a homicide suspect, is on the run and very dangerous. We are only 1 minute 13 seconds in, and we go to credits. We come back at the hospital. Buffy is wearing a black knit cap. Her hair is still long and hanging down. But she is dressed sort of unlike herself in this somewhat oversized coat that is not stylish at all. And is dark in color. All the same, the cops’ radio description included that she had long blond hair. So when two cops come in later and don’t notice her, it cements the idea that the cops in Sunnydale are also a bit slow. (Something Principal Snyder will explicitly say later on.) She sees Xander. They hug. He pulls her closer. Xander Turns Serious When the two cops come in, Buffy had just asked about Willow. Xander didn’t get a chance to answer before he h

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story Becoming Part 1 (Season 2 Episode 21 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) use of recurring images and actions to link characters’ stories together; (2) major plot points through the Midpoint for the 2-episode story arc; (3) how those points intertwine with episode plot turns; and (4) in spoiler section, how this episode sets up the next one, Season 3, and Willow’s series arc. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Go Fish Next Up: Becoming Part 2 Work On Your Story Download free Story Structure worksheets. Or you can become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown and a monthly Q&A. Check out Help With Your Story at Writing As A Second Career. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Happiness, Anxiety, and Writing: Using Your Creativity To Live A Calmer, Happier Life Buffy and the Art of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction by Watching Buffy Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free in April and May, 2020, for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Becoming Part 1 Hello and welcome to the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com Today we’re talking about Becoming Part One, the first part of the two-part finale of Season Two. What’s Included There’s so much to talk about here. A few points in particular: the use of recurring images and actions to link the characters’ stories together; what I think is the best use of flashbacks we have seen in Buffy so far, because those flashbacks tell a story of their own; major plot points through the Midpoint for the two-episode story arc; and (in the Spoiler section)n how this episode sets up the next one, Season Three, and Willow’s series arc. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Becoming Part One was written and directed by Joss Whedon. Opening Conflict – Voiceover We start with a voice over. We’ll later meet this character Whistler, a demon who seems to be on the side of good. Whistler: Here’s the thing. There’s moments in your life that make you….Some are little or subtle and some are not. A subtitle tells us we are in Galway 1763. Angel as a human and his friend are being thrown out of the pub. The friend passes out in the street. Angel sees a woman. Her back is to him, and she walks down an alley. She looks a lot like the drawing of the woman in the fancy dress that Buffy saw in the Halloween episode in the Watcher diaries. Angel Meets Darla Angel follows her and asks what a lady of her station is doing in an alley with a reputation like this one. Darla says maybe she’s lonely. Angel offers himself as escort. He sounds like a bit of a smart ass and kind of smarmy. But she smiles and asks if he’s up to the challenge. He says with the exception of an honest day’s work there’s no challenge she’s not prepared to face. The two talk, and Darla tells him she’s from far away. From everywhere. Angel says he’s never been anywhere himself. This is the first time he sounds genuine. There’s a note of longing and almost wistfulness in his voice as he says he’s always wanted to see the world. Close Your Eyes Darla’s eyes light up, and she says she can show him things he’s never seen. Frightening things. Angel: I’m not afraid. Show me your world. Darla: Close your eyes. He does. She goes into vamp face, holds him, and bites him. Now his eyes open. As she is feeding on him

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Go Fish (Season 2 Episode 20 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) how the episode undercuts its light tone by treating disturbing issues as a joke; (2) some of the most fun lines in Buffy to date – including “Oh forgive me your Swimteamliness”; (3) an unexpected Midpoint twist; and (4) major plot turns at unusual places. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: I Only Have Eyes For You Next Up: Becoming Part 1 Work On Your Story Download free Story Structure worksheets. Become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown. Visit Help With Your Story at Writing As A Second Career. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Links Three Times a Lady (Not a Fish Guy, as Xander jokes) Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free in June, 2020, for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen to The Awakening on Audible. Buffy and the Art of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction by Watching Buffy Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Go Fish Hello and welcome to the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com Today were talking about Season Two Episode Twenty Go Fish. What’s Included In particular we’ll talk about: how this episode treats disturbing issues as a joke, undercutting its lighthearted tone; some of the most fun lines in Buffy to date (including Xander saying, “Oh forgive me your swimteamliness”; a twist at the Midpoint that is especially fun and interesting; but major plot turns out unusual places that rob the episode (in my view) of a bit of its momentum and make it feel uneven. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Is Go Fish Fun? Go Fish was written by Elin Hampton and David Fury and directed by David Semel. Before I go into the breakdown, when I said last Monday that we were coming up to Go Fish, a fun episode, I had forgotten the troubling aspects of it. Which are that both threatened and actual sexual assault and rape are treated lightly and played for jokes. There’s nothing graphic here in my breakdown or in the episode itself, but I am flagging these issues in case it’s something that you don’t want to encounter as you listen to this episode. Especially if perhaps, like me, you forgot that aspect of the episode. A Peaceful Start, Then Opening Conflict We start out, for a change, not with conflict but with a very peaceful scene. A shot of the ocean. It is rolling. We see lovely waves, and there is really nice music in the background. Then we get our opening conflict. Xander, Willow, and Cordelia are standing on the beach. And Xander says what a stupid idea it is to have a party on the beach when it’s this cold. He also says the swim team is not a real team. But Cordelia says it’s about time school excelled at something. To which Willow responds, “You’re forgetting our high mortality rate.” So what a nice quick opening conflict. We also see on bonfires on the beach and lots of students around. So now we know it’s a celebration for the swim team. And that it is apparently the first team that is winning anything at Sunnydale in quite some time. Plus Willow quickly reminds us how many people die in Sunnydale. Buffy On The Beath Buffy, however, is not with her friends. She is sitting on the beach looking out at the ocean. A swim team member (by the way, it’s the boys swim team), we’ll find out his name is Cameron, walks over. He says something about how beautiful the ocean is and how it’s eternal. And Buffy jokes something

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: I Only Have Eyes For You (Season 2 Episode 19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) the interplay of plot and emotion; (2) surprising major turns after the three-quarter point in the episode; (3) whether the pop scares fit the narrative; and (4) seemingly insignificant scenes that turn into a subplot with a twist of its own. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Killed By Death Next Up: Go Fish Work On Your Story Download free Story Structure worksheets. Or you can become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown and a monthly Q&A. Check out Help With Your Story at Writing As A Second Career. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Buffy and the Art of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction by Watching Buffy Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free in April and May, 2020, for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for I Only Have Eyes For You Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com Today we’re talking about Season Two Episode Nineteen I Only Have Eyes For You. What’s Included This episode is all about twists and turns that grow organically out of the story and yet still surprise us. In particular, I’ll talk about: plot and emotions; a surprising major turn after the three-quarter point in the episode; scares that, in my opinion that don’t quite fit; and seemingly insignificant scenes that turn into a subplot with a twist of its own. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. This episode was written by Marti Noxon and directed by James Whitmore, Jr. Opening Conflict The opening conflict in I Only Have Eyes For You shows Buffy standing alone at the Bronze on the upper level. She’s leaning on the railing and looking down. The moment, I just realize, is echoed in a way in the climax of the episode. But here another student walks up to her. We have not seen him before. Below there is a band playing. The young woman vocalist is singing a song about language as an annoying necessity. Which fits because language becomes key to this entire story. The student tells Buffy he was in her Algebra class. She doesn’t remember him but she does her best trying to. He asks if she’s going to the dance tomorrow. And she says, “Oh, the Sadie Hawkins Dance where the girls are supposed to ask the boys.” He says right, and he thought if she wasn’t going already maybe she could ask him. Buffy stutters and stumbles. He immediately backs off. Willow Worries For Buffy She apologizes and tells him he seems like a great guy but she says. “I’m not seeing anybody. Ever again actually.” He says that’s too bad and leaves, and Buffy looks sad. She goes down the stairs to the first floor where Willow asks if she’s bailing. Buffy says she’ll go to the library, patrol if Giles think she should, and then hit the sack. Willow says Buffy’s been doing that a lot lately, adding, “You’ve kind of been all work and no play Buffy.” When Buffy says she came to the Bronze tonight, she does have fun, Willow says: Willow: You came. You saw. You rejected. Excellent Exposition In I Only Have Eyes For You Buffy doesn’t think she’s in date mode. Willow suggests that maybe she’s thinking too much. Maybe she needs to be impulsive. And Buffy responds by saying remember her last boyfriend and she says: Buffy: I slept with him. He lost his soul. Now my boyfrie

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Killed By Death (Season 2 Episode 18 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) what causes this episode’s slower pace; (2) whether the flashbacks are needed; (3) fuzzy major plot turns in unusual places; (4) just-in-time backstory; and (5) very subtle advances in the season 2 arc. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Passion Next Up: I Only Have Eyes For You Work On Your Story Download free Story Structure worksheets. Or you can become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown. Check out Help With Your Story at Writing As A Second Career. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Links Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free in June, 2020, for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen to The Awakening on Audible. More Episode Links Buffy and the Art of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction by Watching Buffy Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Killed By Death Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com Today we’re talking about Season Two Episode Eighteen Killed By Death. What’s Included In particular, I’ll cover: why the pace in this episode feels slower than usual; the use of flashbacks; some fuzzy major plot turns; and the very subtle advances in the Season Two series arc. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Killed By Death was written by Rob DesHotel and Dean Vitali and directed by Darren Serafini. Opening Conflict We start with conflict. Buffy climbs over stone wall into the graveyard. And she is coughing as she does. She stumbles when she lands on the ground and puts her hand to her head, clearly feeling ill but struggling to patrol anyway. As she moves around the tombstone she almost stakes Xander. Xander: Damn Buffy. My whole life flashed before my eyes. I gotta get me a life. Cordelia and Willow are with him. Willow scolds Buffy for being out patrolling when she is so sick. Cordelia: Half the school is out with the flu and we’re all concerned about how gross you look. Buffy says she needs to patrol. She’s not going to let Angel kill even one more person. From behind her Angel says, “Oh, come on, just one more.” And he runs for Cordelia and knocks her down. Buffy pulls him off of Cordelia. They fight. She is struggling, but she does get some good punches and kicks in. Angel, though, says her being off her game kind of takes the fun out of it. Then he hits her really hard says, “Nope, still fun.” The Fight Goes On The others join in and help fend Angel off. Buffy is angry at them, insisting she is fine and then she collapses, We go to credits. When we get back, Willow, Xander, and Cordelia are bringing Buffy in to the emergency room. The doctors whisk her away after saying she has a high-grade fever and possible fractures. Willow says to Xander to call Giles and tell him what happened. Willow (to Cordelia): Call Buffy’s mom and tell her – not what happened. Just get her here. In the next scene, Giles paces and cleans his glasses as they wait in the emergency room waiting area. Joyce appears, very worried. The doctor comes out and says that Buffy has stabilized, but the doctor wants to keep her here a few days to heal. Story Spark In Killed By Death This is about 5 minutes in. Usually a little before this, we see our Story Spark or Inciting Incident. It comes about 10% through any story and sets our main plot in motion. Here, the main plot will be Buffy defeating a monster that is killing children in the hospital. So the fact that she now must stay in th

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Passion (Season 2 Episode 17 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) who the protagonist is – Angel or Buffy? (2) weaving together two strong plots; (3) underscoring tragedy by shifting a character’s tone; and (4) dramatic irony that ratchets up emotional pain. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered Next Up: Killed By Death Work On Your Story Download free Story Structure worksheets. Or you can become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown. Check out Help With Your Story at Writing As A Second Career. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Buffy and the Art of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction by Watching Buffy Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free in April and May, 2020, for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Passion Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com Today we’re talking about Season Two Episode Seventeen Passion. What’s Included In Passion I’ll cover: who the protagonist is here (Angel, whose voice we hear first, or Buffy); how a shift in a character’s actions and words underscores the tragedy here; and using dramatic irony to ratchet up emotional pain of the audience. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Passion was written by Ty King and directed by Michael Gershman. This episode raises interesting questions about who the protagonist is. And it shows two plots, or the same plot from two different points of view, weaving together. That’s something that usually is difficult to do, but that is done very well in this episode. And that’s despite that some of the plot turns I usually look for are not quite as clear. Yet there are significant turns that keep the story moving and engaging. So that’s another reason I find this one very interesting. Opening Conflict In Passion We began with intense conflict. Buffy and Xander are dancing at the Bronze. That’s not the intense conflict – they are having fun. But Angel is watching from a distance. We know there is danger here for Buffy. The voiceover is about passion. Angel tells us it lies in all of us. “Waiting, unwanted, it will stir, open its jaws and howl.” We see the Buffy, Willow, Xander and Cordelia leave the Bronze. But we are not hearing them. We only hear music, and Angel in the shadows behind them is biting and killing a woman. Angel In Buffy’s House We switch to outside view of Buffy’s bedroom, looking through her window. Buffy peers out, looking troubled. Angel comes in during the night. He strokes her hair. And the voiceover continues: “Passion rules us all and we obey. What other choice do we have?” And we go to Credits. That was 2 minutes 29 seconds in. In the morning Buffy wakes up. She finds an envelope, and inside it is a charcoal drawing of her sleeping. Buffy Seeks Help From Giles At the library, Buffy tells Giles about it. When Cordelia asks how Angel could come in, Giles explains to everyone that once they are invited vampires can come in any time. They don’t need an invitation each time. Cordelia panics. She invited Angel into her car once, and now he can come in anytime. We get some humor here. Xander: Yep you’re doomed to giving him and his vamp pals a lift whenever they feel like it. And those guys never chip in for gas. This is the first example of Cordelia and Xander being comic relief. Cordelia in the fashio

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Season 2 Episode 16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) using humor to convey theme; (2) conflict that causes character growth (for Cordelia); (3) foreshadowing significant plot developments without giving anything away; and (4) intertwining many plotlines seamlessly. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Phases Next Up: Passion Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Or you can become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown. You can find articles on writing craft, publishing, and time management at WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Links Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free in May and June, 2020, for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen to The Awakening on Audible. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com Today were talking about Season Two Episode Sixteen Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered. What’s Included In particular, we’ll cover: how this episode, which seems to be a very light one-off episode in fact, foreshadows so much of the rest of the season and the series as a whole; significant themes about love versus obsession and about being who you are; a central conflict that causes strong character growth for a side character (Cordelia); and the masterful way that numerous plot lines are woven together seamlessly. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered was written by Marti Noxon and directed by James A. Contner. Opening Conflict In Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered We start as we should with conflict. Xander and Buffy are in the graveyard. He shows her a silver heart necklace and asks if she thinks Cordelia will like it. Buffy doesn’t quite understand what he sees in Cordelia and gives him a bit of a hard time about it. He says the only other person who interests him is unavailable and gives her a look. Buffy more or less ignores that and tries to reassure him that yes, Cordelia will like the necklace. And we get the first of some great Xander quotes in this episode. Xander: This is new territory for me. I mean, my Valentines are usually met with heartfelt restraining orders. He also says that he wishes dating were more like slaying, with everything clear, no fuss, no muss. A vampire emerges from the grave, goes after Xander. Buffy has to fight it off, and she slays it. Afterwards she tells Xander that slaying is a little more perilous than dating. He says she’s obviously not dating Cordelia. And we go to the credits. Internal v. External Conflict This is an interesting opening conflict because we get internal conflict for Xander. I think more internal than external because while Buffy gives him a bit of a hard time about what he could possibly see in Cordelia, ultimately, she is very supportive and trying to reassure him. He, though, is expressing mixed feelings. While he wants Cordelia to like the necklace he is still making it clear that he’s interested in Buffy. And for the most part saying she would be his first choice. At least that’s how I read it. Using ambiguous feelings could create weak conflict. But here it’s very strong in the sense that this ambiguity will drive the episode. In fact, it’s probably key to what goes wrong with the spell. Cordel

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Phases (Season 2 Episode 15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) why Buffy is the protagonist despite this being a key episode for Oz and Willow; (2) using humor and character development to hide clues; and (3) who Buffy feels she is allowed to kill and why. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Innocence Next Up: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered Work On Your Story Download a free 5-Point Story Structure Template Become a patron and get (a) (at $5 level) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) access to bonus episodes and content(all levels). View articles on writing craft, publishing, and time management at WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Buffy and the Art of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction by Watching Buffy Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale Book 1 in Lisa M. Lilly’s The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series freeKindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. Season 2 Buffy DVDs. Buffy DVD Complete Box Set. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. Episode Transcript for Phases Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Today we’re talking about Season Two episode fifteen Phases. What’s Included In particular, I’ll cover: why Buffy is still our protagonist despite that this is such a key episode for Willow and for Oz; using humor and character development not just as an end in itself but to hide certain clues from the audience; and more on the show’s underlying philosophy and theme regarding violence and who Buffy believes that she is allowed to kill as the Slayer. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Phases was written by Rob DesHotel and Dean Batali and directed by Bruce Seth Green. A listener asked about Seth Green the actor was the same person as the director. It is not. In fact, the two are not related. Starting With A Call Back Before we get to our opening conflict…. Which remember is that conflict that sometimes relates to our main plot and sometimes doesn’t. It is meant to draw our audience member or reader in before we get to that Story Spark or Inciting Incident that sets off our main plot. Sometimes the conflict relates to that Story Spark, and sometimes it does not. Here, we’re going to have three opening conflicts and the Story Spark. All in that teaser part of the episode before the credits. (Also known as the cold open.) What’s kind of amazing is even before we get to that, we have a short call back to The Witch. All of this in less than 5 minutes. We start out and Oz is in the hallway. He’s looking at that cheerleader trophy. The one where in The Witch Amy’s mom became trapped. Now, none of our characters know that, although they do know that that statue or trophy is of Amy’s mom. We see Seth Green (Oz) standing in front of the trophy. He’s kind of moving from side to side. Willow walks up, and he says something like, “This cheerleader trophy. It’s like its eyes follow you wherever you go. I like it.” Opening Conflict In Phases Now we go to our opening conflict. The first one is between Willow and Oz. Willow asks did he like the movie last night. She is really asking did he have a good time with her. But he answers the literal question. And does a very short mini critique on movies. He says, “You know, movies today, they’re like popcorn. You forget them as soon as they’re done. But I really like the popcorn.” She responds by saying, “Well, I had fun.” And doing a little bit of hinting around, trying to see how he feels. He is not really getting it. They’re just doing this kind of awkward back and forth until Buffy appears. Willow says something very awkward like, “Oh, there is my friend, and I will go to her.” Larry We now get a second hint of conflict here. Which is when Larry, a new character, knocks a girl’s books out of her arms. As she bends over to get them, he looks at her butt and makes a sleazy comment. He also looks after Buffy and Willow and say

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Innocence (Season 2 Episode 14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the conclusion of a two-part story: This podcast episode covers (1) the most heart-breaking Midpoint Reversal in all of Buffy; (2) how setting affects a scene’s emotional impact; (3) making the audience love your characters; and (4) why sometimes it’s good to write yourself into a corner. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Surprise Next Up: Phases Work On Your Story Download these Free 5-Point Story Structure Worksheets. Or you can become a patron and get (a) (at the $5 level) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) (at all levels) access to bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown. You can find articles on writing craft, publishing, and time management at WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Tech help for Authors from Nate Hoffelder of The Digital Reader Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen to The Awakening on Audible. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Innocence Add INTRO Today we’re talking about Season Two Episode Fourteen. Innocence is the second half of a two-part episode that began in Surprise, which I talked about last Monday. What’s Included For Innocence, we’ll talk about: how where scene takes place affects the characters and the emotional resonance of the story; making the audience love your characters; why writing yourself into a corner sometimes can be a great thing; and how this episode incorporates a heart-wrenching subplot in the midst of an epic main plot. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth innocence was written and directed by Joss Whedon. There also is a scene-by-scene commentary on the DVD addition done by Whedon. And there is a very short interview with him as well. Opening Conflict And A Hook Because this is the second part of the two-part story, we have already covered the Opening Conflict, the Story Spark or Inciting Incident, and the One-Quarter Twist. We stopped at that Midpoint Commitment by Buffy, our protagonist, where she and Angel throw caution to the wind and make love after that harrowing experience with The Judge. We also hinted at a major reversal for Buffy at the Midpoint. It’s where Angel is out in the alley, gasping Buffy’s name in terrible pain. This episode, Innocence, does start with its own opening conflict. Because we don’t start right in the alley with Angel. We start in the factory with Drusilla and Spike. Immediately we get some tension and conflict. Spike says, “I’m not happy, Pet.” He goes on to say that Angel and the Slayer are still alive. Plus they know where Spike and Drusilla are, and they know about The Judge. Spike thinks that they should vacate the factory. Drusilla disagrees, saying, “Nonsense.” Angel and the Slayer won’t bother them at the factory or come back. She says, “My Angel is too smart.” So interesting when she is opposing Spike. Spike also complains about The Judge, calling him Big Blue. And says all he’s doing is just sitting there not doing anything. Spike wants to know when can they go out and end some lives. All of this dialogue gets in some quick exposition, catching the audience up on much of the plot from the last episode. It ends with a hook as Drusilla cries out and falls on the floor is if she is in pain. She says Angel’s name. But a second later she smiles. Buffy’s Reversal – Angel Changes We fade to Buffy. She is asleep in Angel’s bed. She opens her eyes, hears the rain falling, and sees she is alone. Thunder claps as she looks around and says, “Angel?” Out in the alley, we are back where we ended the last episode. Angel has fallen on the pavement and says, “Buffy.” A woman in a leather coat, who was smoking in a doorway, comes over to ask if he’s all right. He s

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Surprise (Season 2 Episode 13 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the first of a two-part story: This podcast episode covers (1) hooks that keep the audience coming back – especially when the episode ends; (2) exposition through conflict; (3) snappy dialogue that makes drama more intense by contrast; and (4) how the full story arc’s plot points intersect the turns in Surprise. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Bad Eggs Next Up: Innocence (Part 2 of a 2-Part Episode) Work On Your Story Download the Free Story Structure Worksheets. Or you can become a patron and get (a) (at the $5/month level) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) (at all levels) access to bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown and Q&As. You can find articles on writing craft, publishing, and time management at WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Catch up on Season One with the book edition of Buffy and the Art of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction by Watching Buffy. Tech help for Authors from Nate Hoffelder of The Digital Reader. Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free on Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Surprise Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com Today we’re talking about Season Two Episode Thirteen, Surprise. It is the first of a two-part storyline. What’s Included In particular, I’ll talk about: the strong hooks in this episode the keep the audience coming back after commercial breaks; what you can learn from them about keeping your readers hooked; the use of conflict to catch audience members up on major developments that haven’t been mentioned in the last couple episodes; the fantastic dialogue here and how its wit and humor makes the danger and drama more intense by contrast; and how the plot points for this single episode interplay with those of the tw- episode story arc to keep the story moving and engaging. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Aurprise was written by Marti Noxon and directed by Michael Lange. Because it is the first part of the two-part story which ends in Innocence, we will get only to the Midpoint of that story and will pick up there next Monday. Opening Conflict In Surprise We start with our opening conflict. Buffy is in bed, but she wakes up during the night, seeming restless, and drinks some water. She goes out into the hall. Drusilla appears behind her. Buffy doesn’t notice. This all seems real until Buffy opens the door and goes into the Bronze. She is still wearing a pair of shiny silk pajamas. The music is very mellow. Willow is sitting at a high top table. She gives Buffy a cheery wave, and she speaks French and has a monkey in front of her. (I have been working on my French during this Covid-19 lockdown, but I’m sorry to say I’m not quite quick enough to get anything about that other than something about pants. Which makes me think of Oz’s joke about the monkey being the only animal in the animal crackers who wears pants. At some point I’ll have to look up what Willow actually says there.) Joyce Asks If Buffy’s Ready And Angel Dusts Buffy sees Joyce. Her mother walks over to her. Joyce has a very large cup and saucer. And she says, “Do you really think you’re ready, Buffy?” Buffy says, “What?” Joyce drops the saucer and it breaks on the floor. Buffy seems a little disturbed, but she sees Angel and smiles. They walk towards each other. But from behind Drusilla stakes hi

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Bad Eggs (Season 2 Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) two intersecting storylines that lack emotional weight; (2) unclear plot points in both stories; (3) a pace that lags a bit; (4) a theme of responsibility that doesn’t quite play out; but (5) fun moments and strong foreshadowing of the upcoming pivotal two-episode story. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Ted Next Up: Surprise (Part 1 of a 2-Part Episode) Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Or you can become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown. You can find articles on writing craft, publishing, and time management at WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Tech help for Authors from Nate Hoffelder of The Digital Reader Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free in April and May, 2020, for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Bad Eggs Coming Soon. (I promise, as Buffy might say.)

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: Ted (Season 2 Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This episode covers (1) how a seemingly throwaway episode foreshadows key developments for the entire series; (2) many metaphors that might not mix so well; and (3) dialogue that illustrates what works in Buffy’s relationship with Angel. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Bad Eggs Last Week: What’s My Line Part 2 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Become a patron and get (a) (at the $5 level) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) (at all levels) access to future bonus episodes and content. Find articles on writing craft, publishing, and time management at WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Catch up on Season One with: Buffy And The Art Of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction By Watching Buffy Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Ted Add intro Today we’re talking about Season Two Episode Eleven. Ted. What It’s About It’s a seemingly throwaway one-off episode that foreshadows key developments for much of the run of Buffy. It also defines the limits on Buffy’s actions regarding humans, uses a lot of metaphors that might or might not mix very well, and has some wonderful Buffy and Angel dialogue that shows what works in their relationship. Also, having been so familiar with guest star John Ritter as a comedy actor, it was really interesting to me seeing him in this ominous role. As always, there will be no Spoilers, except at the end to talk about foreshadowing. But I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Ted was written by David Greenwalt and Joss Whedon and directed by Bruce Seth Green. I am so excited to talk to you about it. It generally isn’t one that I feel like fans particularly love. But as I rewatched, I was struck by how much was great in this episode. Little Conflict To Start So we start with, in a way, some non-conflict. Usually we’re starting with conflict. And there is a bit of mild conflict here in a joking way. Because Buffy, Willow, and Xander are walking down the sidewalk at night and arguing about who had the real power. The Captain or Tennille. For those of you who don’t remember, that was a singing duo. Buffy has no idea who they are, but she’s enjoying the quiet in Sunnydale. As the characters talk, we get a little quick background that Spike and Drusilla are presumably dead. And the Order of Turaka has been called off. Essentially, we’re told that all’s right in Sunnydale, at least temporarily. But then we do very quickly get conflict at Buffy’s house. Surprise At Home The front door is ajar. Buffy tells Willow and Xander to wait and goes in alone. There’s a crash from the kitchen, and Joyce saying “No!” Buffy runs into the kitchen. Joyce is kissing a man Buffy has never met. This is John Ritter – we’ll find out his name is Ted. The two break apart, and Joyce says she’s sorry for scaring Buffy. She just broke a wine glass. I’m not sure that timing works given how fast Buffy could get into the kitchen. But I’ll go with it. Ted is very cheery, and he says, “Hi.” We’re two minutes in and Buffy says, “Hi.” And she is so suspicious. I love her expression. She’s kind of looking at him sideways. And we cut to the credits at 2 minutes 58 seconds. After The Credits Ted is putting something in the oven. Willow and Xander are helping a little bit in the background. And Buffy and Joyce are talking. Joyce says that isn’t the way she wanted to introduce Buffy. she met Ted at the gallery. He came in to sell her software. She’s been seeing him and looking for the right moment to introduce T

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: What’s My Line Part Two (Season 2 Episode 10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This episode covers (1) a Midpoint reversal that spins the story and changes Buffy’s mindset about slaying; (2) why readers don’t always believe something that’s authentic; (3) quickly reminding your audience what happened before; and (4) crafting an episode around a great line. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Ted Last Week: What’s My Line Part 1 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Or you can become a patron and get (a) (at the $5/month level) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) (at all levels) access to bonus episodes and content, including the Jessica Jones breakdown and Patron-Only Q&A. You can also find articles on writing craft, publishing, and time management at WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Tech help for Authors from Nate Hoffelder of The Digital Reader Have a little fun checking out Color Me Beautiful Or joining the April 23, 2020 Online Fractured Man Release Party Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free in March and April for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. And, now available: Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for What’s My Line Part Two Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. This Monday we are talking about What’s My Line Part Two, Season Two Episode Ten. This is the second part of a two-part episode What’s Included We’ll cover: the Midpoint Reversal that spins the story in a new direction and changes Buffy’s mindset about slaying; why readers and audience members don’t always believe something even if it’s authentic; and how to quickly remind your audience what happened before without slowing down your story or losing their interest. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. What’s My Line Part Two was written by Marti Noxon and directed by David Semel. And we will get commentary from Marti Noxon about this part of the episode. Starting With Conflict We still start with an Opening Conflict even though we are picking up from last time and that story Midpoint. Because we are right in the center of this two-part episode. Kendra and Buffy are facing off against each other after fighting. Buffy says something like, “Once more. Who are you again?” Kendra says she is the Vampire Slayer, which is how we ended the last episode. But notice how we pick up again with this repetition. And it fits because Buffy of course does not believe Kendra and is still processing what Kendra said. Buffy tells Kendra, “Nice cover story. Try it on someone who’s not the real Slayer.” Kendra says, “Nonsense. There is but one Slayer and I am she.: Buffy proposes they back off and go see her Watcher and Kendra agrees. We are 1 minute 44 seconds in, and we switch to more Opening Conflict. Remember How Angel’s In Trouble? Angel is breathing hard in the corner of the cage. There is sunlight all around him. So again we’re getting a very quick flash of what happened last time. So even if you had not watched the prior episode, you would already know that we have apparently a new Slayer who was fighting Buffy. And that Angel has been overpowered and knocked into this cage and is about to die. We switch to the credits. The credits come in much earlier than in most episodes. I didn’t go back and look but I’m pretty sure we did not see the credits earlier than about 2.5 – 3 minutes. So thi

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: What’s My Line Part 1 (Season 2 Episode 9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) how to keep exposition interesting; (2) heightening the threat by changing key characters’ behavior; (3) body language that shows emotion; and (4) Marti Noxon’s Harold and the Purple Crayon moment. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: What’s My Line Part 2 Last Week: The Dark Age Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Become a patron and get (a) (at the $5 level) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) (all patrons) access to bonus episodes and content. Find articles on writing craft, publishing, and time management at WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. More Episode Links Flashlight Books (the children’s bookstore where I got Harold and the Purple Crayon). Open Books Ltd. Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series is free for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for What’s My Line Part 1 Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com Today we’re talking about What’s My Line Part One, Season Two Episode Nine. What’s Included Because it is the first half of two-part episode, we’ll cover cover the major plot turns only up to the Midpoint. I’ll also talk about : more ways to keep exposition interesting (something that Buffy does so very well); showing how high the threat level is through a change in our core characters’ behavior; and using body language to show emotion and vulnerability. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. What’s My Line Part One was written by Howard Gordon and Marti Noxon and directed by David Solomon. Opening Conflict In What’s My Line Part One We start with some Opening Conflict over the Career Fair. And we know that’s what’s going on because we see the school and a giant Career Fair banner. Xander and Buffy sit at a table. Xander says, “Are you a people person or do you prefer keeping your own company? Well, what if I’m a people person who keeps his own company by default?” Buffy tells him to choose None Of The Above. But there’s no box for that on the quiz or test that they are filling out with their number two pencils. Willow joins them. Not surprisingly, she is curious and excited to find out what she might do for a career. School Spaces And Career Questions In the DVD commentary, Marti Noxon commented on something that I think I noted an episode or two back. Which is that the characters have a lot of spaces at school where they sit around and talk. She said that’s because while we see them talking about school a lot, and at school a lot, they don’t actually go to classes very much. So they needed all these different areas for Buffy and her friends to hang out. We get another nice set of quotes: Buffy: “Do I like shrubs?” Xander: “That’s between you and your God. Buffy, though, is not in much of a mood for jokes. She says it’s all Mootsville for her. She’s only doing this because it’s Snyder’s latest hoop her to jump through. Willow asks isn’t Buffy curious about what she might do if she weren’t the Slayer. And Buffy says why go there. Her future is a non-issue. Dru Draws Tarot Cards At 2 minutes 22 seconds in we switch to Drusilla and Spike. Dru is drawing tarot cards. It is a custom deck that’s very striking. Spike tells a vampire with glasses (whose name we find out is Dalton) to r

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: The Dark Age (Season 2 Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This episode covers (1) external conflict that causes Buffy and Giles to grow; (2) whether The Dark Age is a Coming of Age story; and (3) what makes a character the protagonist. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: What’s My Line Part 1 Last Week: Lie to Me S2 E7 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Become a patron and get (a) (at the $5 level) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) (for all patrons) access to bonus episodes and content. Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. The Awakening Book 1 Free Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series now free for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks. Or download and listen from Audible. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for The Dark Age Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. This Monday we’re talking about The Dark Age, Season Two episode Eight. I’ll cover: external conflict that tells the personal story between Buffy and Giles; whether this is a coming-of-age story; and what goes into a protagonist, because we have key stories happening for both Buffy and Giles. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. The Dark Age was written by Rob des Hotel and Dean Batali and directed by Bruce Seth Green. Opening Conflict In The Dark Age We start, as we should, with conflict. A man in a suit hurries across the darkened schoolyard. He asks a custodian where to find Rupert Giles. The custodian tells the man that Giles is the librarian and directs him to the library. This is a nice way to establish through conflict for new audience members who Giles is. Why do I see it as being through conflict? Because the man is clearly distressed as he is hurrying across the schoolyard. He’s very anxious to reach Giles. A woman appears and shuffles toward the man. Her eyes flash and her face is decaying and he says, “Diedre?” And she says, “Philip.” This, too, is a good way to get names in through conflict. Philip bangs on the door as Diedre moves closer. Loud Music Blocks A Cry For Help But inside the library, music is blasting. Buffy, in workout clothes, is doing step aerobics. Something as best I recall was fairly popular at the time. I have to agree with Giles, who is holding his ears, that the music is just noise. Specifically, he says it’s not music because it has no notes. Buffy says she needs a beat to aerobicize. Outside, Diedre reaches Philip and starts to strangle him. He falls to the ground. And her body sort of melts to the ground and turns into this shadow that oozes out toward him. That is at 2 minutes 41 seconds in. It’s a great hook and we go to the credits. The Story Spark So usually our Story Spark or Inciting Incident, the event that sets off the story, comes about 10% into an episode book or movie. Usually in Buffy that’s around 4.5 minutes in, as most episodes are about 43 minutes. Here, though, I think the moment of Diedre choking Philip before he could reach Giles, and then this shadow reaching Philip, all of that I think was the Inciting Incident. Because it sets off our main plot. After the credits we see flashes of symbols and tattoos and long-haired guys with tinted glasses. And we hear screaming. Giles awakens. This could also be the Story Spark because it tells Giles that the demon (we will learn later is called Eyghon) has returned. But I see that more as simply giving Giles information. As I’ll talk about later on, this

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: Lie To Me (Season 2 Episode 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This episode covers (1) a two-part Inciting Incident/Story Spark; (2) a Midpoint reversal Buffy only recognizes in retrospect; (3) characters who talk about everything except what they really feel; and (4) Buffy and Spike reflecting one another and foreshadowing the season final. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: The Dark Age S2 E8 Last Week: Halloween S2 E6 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Become a patron and get (a) (at the $5 level) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) (for all) access to bonus episodes and content. Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. Additional Episode Links from Lie To Me Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Lie To Me Hello and welcome to the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com Today will be talking about Season Two Episode Seven, Lie To Me. What’s Included I’ll cover: how the Inciting Incident or Story Spark here has two separate parts; a Midpoint Reversal that Buffy only recognizes after the fact; the way that the character’s dialogue shows intense conflict by talking about the things that they’re not mad about; and how Buffy and Spike serve as reflections of one another and foreshadow the Season Two finale. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I will give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Lie To Me was written and directed by Joss Whedon. Opening Conflict In Lie To Me Our Opening Conflict occurs in a dark, deserted playground. There is a spinning merry-go-round, which will learn is never a good thing on Buffy. And there are swings with creaky old chains. A little boy is alone. His mom is late picking him up. Drusilla, in a long gauzy white gown, asks the boy if he wants her to walk him home. And she sings a creepy sort of song. She says her mother sang to her. Or maybe the song is fine, it’s just the way she sings it. Dru then says, “What will your mummy say when they find your body?” Luckily for the boy at 1 minute 22 seconds into the episode Angel appears. He gets between the boy and Drusilla and tells the boy to run home. Which, quite sensibly, he does. Drusilla says, “My Angel,” and seem surprised to see him there. Angel tells her to leave Sunnydale. To take Spike and get out of town. When she asks if he’ll hurt her if she doesn’t, he looks down. We can tell Angel feels guilty about whatever past the two of them have. The Story Spark Starts: What Buffy Sees Buffy is walking in an area of ground above the playground, so Angel doesn’t see her. But she sees him just as Drusilla leans close and whispers into Angel’s ear that this is just the beginning. I see this as part of our Inciting Incident or Story Spark, which is what gets the plot of the story moving. Usually that happens about 10% into an episode, a book, or a movie. Here it comes in two parts. This part is at only 2 minutes 47 seconds into the 42-43 minute episode, but it does give us the first half of what sets the story in motion: Buffy’s suspicions about Angel and Drusilla. We will see the second half of the Spark a little over 6 minutes in. For now we shift to the credits. A Date When we return, Jenny is telling Giles that it’s a secret. She won’t tell him where they’re going on their date tomorrow night. Buffy appears and tells Giles that nothing vampirey happened last night. He notices Buffy seems a little blue and suggests she take the night off. So he is taking his own advice from back in Reptile Boy that he will stop driving her so hard. Buffy’s ok

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: Halloween (Season 2 Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): (1) why Buffy is the protagonist but someone else saves the day; (2) Willow gains confidence incrementally; and (3) we see another side to Giles that foreshadows future episodes and keeps us coming back. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Lie to Me S2 E7 Last Week: Reptile Boy S2 E5 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Become a patron and get (a) (at the $5 level) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) (for all patrons) access to bonus episodes and content. Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Buffy and the Art of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction By Watching Buffy Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Halloween Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. This week we’re talking about Halloween, Season Two Episode Six. What’s In Store For Halloween I’ll cover: how the writers handle side key character emotional arcs; story questions about Giles that keep the viewers hooked and coming back for future episodes; small progress in ongoing storylines like Willow and Oz, which also help keep viewers coming back; and how Buffy can still be the protagonist when another character saves the day. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Halloween was written by Carl Ellsworth and directed by Bruce Seth Green. Opening Conflict We start with our Opening Conflict. Right away, we see a sign that says Pop’s Pumpkin Patch. Buffy is thrown on the ground. Hay and pumpkins are all around. She fights back against the vampire by throwing small pumpkins and gourds at him. As they are fighting the viewpoint shifts. We see a vampire holding a video camera. He is recording the entire fight from a safe distance. Buffy finally uses another sign that is wooden and on a wooden stake. She uses it to dust the vampire. Despite that she won, she leaves looking fairly disgusted. This is about 1 minute 36 seconds in, and we go to credits. After the Credits we get the conflict that is at the heart of the story. Remember, our Opening Conflict in a story can be what hints at our main plot or it can be completely unrelated and just there to bring the reader into the protagonists or another character’s ordinary world. Here, we had both in the pumpkin patch. This definitely brought us into Buffy’s ordinary world – yet another night of fighting vampires. We will also see right after the credits how that plays into the emotional conflict of the episode, which is the heart of the plot. Angel Alone At The Bronze We switch to the Bronze. But we see Angel, not Buffy. Angel is alone at a table, looking very awkward and kind of glancing around, his elbows on the table. Cordelia joins him. She is waiting for Devon who was mentioned, I think in the last episode. He is the lead singer she is dating, and it appears he is late or is just not showing up. She says something about how he thinks being in a band gives him an excuse to treat her badly. And she says my first favorite quote of the episode. Cordelia (to Angel): His loss is your incredible gain. Buffy shows up a few moments later. She sees Cordelia and Angel together. He is laughing at something Cordelia said. As soon he sees Buffy, though, he heads over to her. He picks a leaf out of her hair. Cordelia comes up behind him and says something snarky like, “Love the hair, Buffy. It just screams street urchin.” Nearing The Inciting Incident In Halloween Buffy says she needs to go. Angel tells he

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Reptile Boy (Season 2 Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) theme woven into story; (2) a huge turning point for Buffy and Giles; (3) escalating conflict and why the Midpoint of your story matters; and (4) the first of many demon snakes in Buffy. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Halloween S2 E6 Last Week: Inca Mummy Girl S2 E4 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Become a patron and get (a) (at the $5 level) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) (for all patrons) access to bonus episodes and content. Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. Additional Episode Links from Reptile Boy Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Reptile Boy Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com This Monday were talking about Season Two Episode Five, Reptile Boy. In addition to the usual breakdown of the plot points I will be talking about: a huge turning point for Giles and Buffy; highlights from the DVD commentary by the writer and director of Reptile Boy, David Greenwalt; and the first of many demon snakes that we will see in Buffy. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Opening Conflict In Reptile Boy The opening conflict is quiet at first. Xander and Buffy are braiding Willow’s hair as the three friends try to figure out what’s happening in an Indian soap opera. The dialogue is in Hindi, and there are no subtitles. Willow and Xander sort of complain about having no money and nothing to do. Buffy, though, says she’s happy because it’s quiet all over Sunnydale. We then move on to a more conflict. About 2.5 minutes in we see a large house with many windows. A girl crashes through one on the upper floor, climbs down, and runs. Someone in a monk like robe follows her, chasing her. And she runs through the trees and climbs a wall to go into one of the many cemeteries in Sunnydale. In the cemetery, three guys in robes are chasing her. Yet another one appears in front of her and grabs her. He calls her Callie and tells her she can’t get away. After taking his hood off, he e looks right at the camera so we cannot miss seeing his face. He’s blond and good-looking and looks to be around college age. This could be our Story Spark or Inciting Incident. This is a little bit early because normally that comes at about 10% through our story. Here, while it does set off a story, it does not set off the true arc of the episode. That arc has to do with Buffy and the choices that she makes. So we will see that happen a little bit later. Cordelia’s Quest For College Men For now we switch to credits and come back to Cordelia. She is doing a fake laugh in the hall – practicing it. And explaining to her friend that Doctor Debbie’s says to draw in a boy or man, you need to make serious eye contact and really listen. And laugh at all his jokes. Buffy tells Willow as they walk down the hallway about a sexy dream she had about Angel. Willow says something like, “Oh, you two are so right for each other, except for –” And Buffy says except for him being a vampire, and she’s the Slayer. Willow says they could go out for coffee. She says it’s not a date, it’s a caffeinated beverage and calls it the “non-relationship drink of choice.” We get a nice back-and-forth quote here. Xander: What’s like a relationship? Buffy: Nothing. I have. Xander overhears Cordelia talking about how she’s dating college guys only, and they make fun of one another. Cordelia gets in the last insult. She says, “

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Inca Mummy Girl (Season 2 Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) This podcast episode covers (1) a clear Inciting Incident; (2) how a very flawed character draws the audience in; (3) emotional arcs with major commitments; and (4) a new character – Oz! As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Reptile Boy S2 E5 Last Week: School Hard S2 E3 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Become a patron and get access to bonus episodes and content, including Q&As. Check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form. Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. Where You Can Find The DVDs Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Inca Mummy Girl Today we’re talking about Season Two Episode Four, Inca Mummy Girl. Along with the usual breakdown of the plot, we’ll cover: the very clear Inciting Incident here; how Xander, a very flawed character, draws the audience in; emotional character arcs with major commitments; some of the wittiest quotes so far; and a new character (Oz) who I hope you’ll all come to love if you don’t already. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Inca Mummy Girl was written by Matt Kiene and Joe Reinkemeyer and directed by Ellen S. Pressman. Opening Conflict We start with our Opening Conflict. This is the conflict to draw the reader into the story, whether or not it relates to the main plot. Here, it does. Buffy, Willow and Xander are walking outside toward a museum. Buffy is complaining that it’s so unfair she has to have a complete stranger living with her for two weeks as part of the cultural exchange program. And we can imagine it will be hard for Buffy to hide her secret identity with someone staying with her. Xander, though, thinks that this melding of two cultures is beautiful. Inside the museum, Cordelia is looking through photographs of the exchange students. She says hers is Sven, “100% Swedish, 100% gorgeous, 100% staying at my house.” Buffy has not seen a photo of her exchange student. She kind of shrugs when either Xander or Willow asks about what the student looks like. But she does say he is guy-like. Suddenly Xander doesn’t think the cultural exchange program is such a great idea. Does Buffy Always Resort To Violence? We see a new character, Rodney. He is scraping at one of the masks on display. Xander makes some disparaging comments about Rodney’s intelligence and we get the first set of favorite quotes for me from this episode. Willow: You just don’t like him because of that time he beat you up every day for five years. Xander: Yeah, I’m irrational that way. Buffy says she better go stop Rodney. And Willow says she’ll do it because not everything is solved by violence. After she’s gone, Buffy says to Xander that she doesn’t always use violence. And Xander tells her what’s important is that she believes that. Willow is very nice to Rodney and gently leads him away from the idea of damaging the mask. It turns out that she tutors him, and he seems to like her. But, as we’ll see, she doesn’t really discourage Rodney from vandalism, and it does not end well for him. The Incan Princess The museum guide says that the human sacrifice is about to begin and leads them into an exhibit with the mummy. She was an Incan princess sacrificed at the age of sixteen to protect her people. A stone seal protects her. While they’re in the exhibit and standing near the mummy, Buffy and Xander talk further about the exchange student, Ampata. Buffy says she’s picking him up at the Sunnydale bus depot after everyone leaves. Story Spark In Inca Mummy Girl Next we get our Story Spark or Inciting Incident that sets our main plot in motion. It happens about 4 minutes 51 seconds in. Rodney has broken into the exhibit, and he tries to steal that stone seal which the mummy is holding. It breaks. Br

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: School Hard (Season 2 Episode 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) very strong story structure despite no striking midpoint commitment by Buffy; (2) the concept of the worthy adversary; (3) mother-daughter conflict; (4) embedding story questions; and (5) so much foreshadowing about Spike (in the Spoiler section). As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Inca Mummy Girl S2 E4 Last Week: Some Assembly Required S2 E2 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (also available to buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content. Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. Additional Episode Links from School Hard Interview of James Marsters on Buffering the Vampire Slayer Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for School Hard Hello and welcome to the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com This week we’re talking about Season Two Episode Three School Hard, in which we meet Spike. Story Elements Discussed In particular, I’ll talk about: the story structure, which is very strong despite a subtle Midpoint that I almost missed; the concept of the worthy adversary; mother-daughter conflict, which is built so well and resolves so dramatically; and so much foreshadowing about Spike (if you hang around for the spoiler section). As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. School Hard was written by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt and directed by John T. Kretchmer. Opening Conflict In School Hard Our Opening Conflict starts with Principal Snyder saying that some people say should think of the principal as your pal. He says to think of him as “your judge, jury and executioner.” He is in his office, and he’s talking to two students, debating which causes more trouble. And we see Buffy and Sheila, who we have not met before. Principal Snyder quickly brings us up to speed on her by saying that on the one hand, Buffy has never stabbed a horticulture teacher with a trowel. Sheila smiles and corrects him that it was with pruning shears. On the other hand, Principal Snyder says Sheila never burned down the school gym. Buffy tries to protest, saying the fire marshal said it could have been mice. And in my first quote of the week she says, “Mice that were smoking?” Snyder tells them both that they are in charge of Parent-Teacher Night. The banners, the refreshments, making the student lounge friendly for adults. One of them asks what the winner gets (because they are in competition) and he says the loser gets expelled. Outside the school Buffy says to Sheila that it won’t be so bad. They can start tomorrow. But Sheila is not interested at all. She waves to the this guy she calls meat pie and disappears. Buffy looks after her and tells Xander and Willow that that’s what her mom sees when she looks at Buffy. So here we have the setup of the emotional conflict and the story arc between Buffy and her mom. While that isn’t going to be our main plot, I feel that that is really the heart of the story. We are now at 3 minutes 20 seconds in. We switch to the Sunnydale Welcome sign. A classic old car runs it down. We’re looking at the ground and we see someone step out. We see boots, a long black leather coat, and we pan up to peroxide hair. Spike Starts A Spark This is Spike, although we don’t know who he is yet. But it is a vampire who says, “Home Sweet Home,” and we switch to the credits. This is a bit early. Usually the Inciting Incident – or Story Spark as I think of it – that sets off our main p

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Some Assembly Required (Season 2 Episode 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). In this podcast episode, we’ll talk about (1) the lack of a strong Midpoint commitment or reversal; (2) a jumble of antagonists; (3) whether flashbacks might help develop the character relationships; and (4) if the theme works. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: School Hard S2 E3 Last Week: When She Was Bad S2 E1 Improve Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Become a patron and access to future bonus episodes and Patron Q&As. Check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (available buy in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form). Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook or workbook form. Additional Links from Some Assembly Required Nightstalker Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set Blood Relations: Chosen Families in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel As an Amazon Associate I also earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Some Assembly Required Hello and welcome to the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com This week we’re talking about Season Two Episode Two Some Assembly Required. We’ll cover all the major plot points, including what this episode, which is very Cordelia centric, has in common with our last Cordelia-focused episode Out Of Mind Out Of Sight. In addition, we’ll talk about the jumble of antagonists here. (That’s a technical term that I just made up). And why the crime here keeps us from truly feeling for any of our antagonists. As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. The Episode Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Some Assembly Required was written by Ty King and directed by Bruce Seth Green. Before we get to the Opening Conflict, I should mention that, as with all the episodes to this point, we start with the voiceover by Giles: To every generation is Slayer is born…. And he explains a bit of the vampire and Slayer lore. Eventually that opening will drop off, but we do still have it here. Opening Conflict In Some Assembly Required We then go to our initial conflict. The initial conflict in a book or TV show or movie comes ideally on the very first page of the book or the first scene. It might or might not be related to the main plot. The key is to draw the viewer or reader in right away. Here, we get two Opening Conflicts. The first one is Buffy in the graveyard. She is waiting for a vampire to rise. It’s not happening, and she says something like Rise and shine – some of us have trig homework.” This is a great way to very quickly summarize the core conflict in Buffy’s life: dealing with being the Sayer and having a life as a teenage girl. The Second Conflict Angel appears, bringing in our second conflict. He asks her if she’s alone. And there’s some really nice dialogue where she says yes, she’s alone, and he says, “I thought you might be with someone, Xander or someone. Buffy says, “Xander?” and he says, “Or someone.” And then denies that he’s jealous though, when she says all she did was have one little dance with Xander, he calls it more like mating ritual. They’re arguing. She says she didn’t come here to fight. And in a nice moment of comedy we get her saying, “Oh yes, I did” when the vampire finally does rise. There is a fight between Buffy and the vampire. Then she and Angel pick up their argument immediately after she dusts the vamp. He tries to walk away. She follows him and falls into an open grave. And it’s not just an open grave. The coffin inside it is open as well, and we cut to the credits. Opening Conflict This falling into the open grave happened about 3 minutes 15 seconds in. This is a little bit early. Typically, at 10% into any story we see the Inciting Incident or what I think of a

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: When She Was Bad (Season 2 Episode 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). For the Season 2 pilot we’ll cover (1) how the major plot points, despite all the action, are emotional ones; (2) why Giles can hang out with teenagers all the time without it being creepy; and (3) the ways the episode foreshadows so much of Season 2 (in the Spoiler section). As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Some Assembly Required S2 E2 Last Week: Season 1 Overview Improve Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page Become a patron and access to bonus episodes and Q&As Check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (available in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form) Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help (ebook or workbook formats) Additional Episode Links Check out or rewatch The Terminator streaming (or DVD here) to see how that storyline resonates with Season 2 and the Buffy/Angel story arc. Season 2 Buffy DVDs Buffy DVD Complete Box Set As an Amazon Associate I also earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Podcast Transcript for When She Was Bad Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com This week we’re talking about Season Two Episode One, When She Was Bad. We’ll cover how the key plot points here, despite all the action, are emotional ones for Buffy. And why Giles can hang out with a group of students all the time and not have it be creepy. Also, I love the way this episode foreshadows the whole of Season Two and some aspects of later in the series, but you’ll need to stay tuned to the spoiler section for that. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Opening Conflict In When She Was Bad When She Was Bad Was Written and directed by Joss Whedon. In our opening conflict, we start in the graveyard, but not with Buffy. Xander and Willow are walking. They’re playing movie game, where one says a line from a movie, and the other tries to guess what it’s from. Willow uses a line from my favorite movie of all time, The Terminator. She uses the quote: “In that short time we had, we loved a lifetime’s worth.” Xander guesses it fairly quickly, and after that the lines get easier and easier and we can tell they’re bored. They played this game a lot. Xander in particular is talking about how the summer is dull Willow teases him about why he’s so eager for school to start – because Buffy will be back. When they can’t think of any more movie lines Xander, who is holding a vanilla ice cream cone, dabs ice cream on Willow’s nose and uses a line from the movie Witness. Willow laughs, and the two have a moment where they almost kiss. I found this very believable. Even though before this we didn’t get any sense that Xander reciprocated Willow’s feelings for him. It’s just this really nice moment with the two of them. So of course we see a vampire behind them. It’s 3 minutes 39 seconds into the episode, Buffy slays the vampire, and we cut to credits. Story Spark for When She Was Bad I had to think about what the Story Spark or Inciting Incident is for this episode. Usually that spark comes right around 10% through a book or movie or television episode, and it is what sets our main conflict in motion. There are a number of things that happen right around that time. It could be Buffy slaying that vampire. But that doesn’t or isn’t something that is out of the ordinary for Buffy. That could set off any episode, so I don’t think that’s it. She and Xander and Willow walk in the cemetery. It is very symbolic, as Buffy is walking between the two of them. She asks if they had any fun without her. Xander says no, and Willow says yes. It is a little bit heartbreaking for Willow because we can already see where this is going to go in terms of her and Xander, though she is clearly happy to have Buffy back. At about 5 minutes in, they tell Buffy that there have been no m

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Buffy Season 1 Overview. Along with best and favorite plot turns from Season 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this episode covers my favorite (1) One-Off Villain; (2) Red Herring; (3) Single Episode Character Killed & more. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary for the Buffy Season 1 Overview. In 2 Weeks: When She Was Bad S2 E1 Last Week: Prophecy Girl S1 E12 Support the Show/Improve Your Story Story Structure Template, available free to all on Patreon. If you become a patron you’ll also get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content. Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Or you can buy Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series) in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form. As an Amazon Associate I also earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. Bio Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries. She also wrote the short-story collection The Tower Formerly Known as Sears and Two Other Tales of Urban Horror, the title story of which was made into the short film Willis Tower. In addition to fiction, Lilly writes non-fiction under L.M. Lilly. Her books on writing include The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year; Creating Compelling Characters From The Inside Out; Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting & Writing Your Novel; and Happiness, Anxiety, and Writing: Using Your Creativity To Live A Calmer, Happier Life. She is also the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Season 1 Overview Hello and welcome to Buffy and the art of story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories, or just taking them apart to see how they work, you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly author of the Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. I’m so excited to be talking about the whole of Season 1, including some favorite moments and what I think are the strongest plot turns in the story. Also, I’ll cover: the best villain in a one-off episode the best red herring my favorite single episode character who gets killed and a few more favorites and bests As always, there will be no spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Opening Conflict: Out Of Mind Out Of Sight Starting with of course, my favorite opening conflict. I want to say that it is Xander asking Willow out in Prophecy Girl, where he isn’t really asking her out. He is practicing to ask out Buffy. It’s such a wonderful character moment for Willow in particular, and I really enjoy that. However, probably the strongest opening in the sense of truly signaling our main plot and bringing us into Buffy’s experience, is the one in Out Of Mind Out Of Sight. That was the episode about the invisible girl, Episode 11. As you probably remember, other than that it wasn’t my favorite episode. Or the one I thought was the strongest. But I was surprised how often it came up in particular moments. And this is one. Because in the very beginning we have Cordelia with her popular friends talking about the Spring Fling. She’s so excited about her dress she’s having made. And so certain, shall be Queen, she’s already planning for it. And then we have Buffy almost crashing into the scene. She stumbles. She falls on the floor in front of Cordelia and her friends and her bag of weapons spills out and she struggles to explain it. Cordelia and her friends laugh at her. It is such a moving moment for Buffy. It really epitomizes the conflict of the entire series. Maybe saying the entire series is really strong, but certainly of the first season, and we will see it return. It’s not just the normal girl or the normal life versus the supernatural, but also her loss of her old life. When she was the girl getting ready for Spring Fling or the prom with nothing but dresses in boys on her mind. And where her peers saw her as that popular girl rather than as Cordelia would probably say “this weirdo.” It just encapsulates that for the season and for the episode, which is about the outcast in society. Second Choice For Opening Conflict: The Witch My close second is The Witch. Giles is kind of almost ranting to Buffy, lecturing to her about her sacred duty and the importance of it. And now she’s gone and enslaved herself to this cult. We switch to Buffy in a che

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Prophecy Girl (Season 1, Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This pivotal story for Buffy begins in Xander’s point of view. We’ll explore that as well as (1) creating multiple characters the audience identifies with; (2) using actions to demonstrate characters’ feelings; (3) a very layered Story Spark/Inciting Incident; and (4) a strong midpoint and three-quarter plot turn. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary for Prophecy Girl. Next Up: Season 1 Overview Last Week: Out of Mind Out of Sight S1 E11 Support the Show/Improve Your Story Download this 5-Point Story Structure Template, available free to all on Lisa M. Lilly’s Patreon page. Become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content. Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Writing a novel? The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year can help. Available in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form. As an Amazon Associate I also earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Prophecy Girl Hello and welcome to Buffy and the art of story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories, or just taking them apart to see how they work, you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly author of the Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Today we’re talking about Season 1 Episode 12 Prophecy Girl. It is the finale for Season 1. This is a huge story for Buffy. Interestingly, it’s wrapped in Xander’s experience, so we’ll explore that as well as: the different characters we identify with emotionally how the writers and actors use action to express the characters’ feelings and emphasize them a very layered Story Spark and a strong Midpoint and three-quarter turn. As always, there will be no spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing. But I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Opening Internal Conflict Prophecy Girl was written and directed by Joss Whedon. We began in the Bronze, a classic Buffy location. And we start with conflict — Xander’s conflict. It is mainly internal. He is struggling over whether to, or how to, ask Buffy out. Specifically, for the Spring Fling, which is what they call the prom. He’s practicing his lines on Willow, as she looks on adoringly. What I love about Willow in this scene is that she is such a good friend to Xander. Though her feelings are so clear on her face, and we know she has this crush on him, she really does her best to encourage him about what to say. But mostly to be a sounding board for him. Xander wonders what Buffy is doing right now. Opening External Conflict And we cut to Buffy. She’s fighting a vampire outside in what looks like a field. There are people parking there, including Cordelia who hears noises. Buffy eventually defeats the vampire. When it’s over, she says, “Three in one night. Giles would be so proud.” She sounds so weary, and we cut to Giles. He’s in the library, and he’s translating Latin. And he says to himself as he’s parsing through the words, “The Master shall rise…this is it…and the Slayer… My God.” Everything starts to shake. Giles’ teacup falls to the floor and shatters. We see the earthquake shaking the Bronze, toppling over bookcases in the library. And the Master in his lair feels it and says, “Yes, yes,” and holds his hands up in a very dramatic way. Then the shaking stops and we get some humor. Because he says, “What you think? 5.1?” What Is The Inciting Incident? All of this is part of our Inciting Incident or Story Spark. I had to think about what the Spark was here because on the surface, our story is about this prophecy that Buffy will face the Master and she will die. Everyone is certain it is going to come true even as they tried to struggle against it. But If the prophecy foretells the future, and is going to come true regardless, which it does, then there almost is no Story Spark. Because that story was already in motion. But we will see the Master later will say that Buffy set this in motion. So will get to that. For that reason, I see the Spark as when Giles translates that part of th

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Out of Mind Out of Sight (Season 1, Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Along with plot turns about an invisible girl, this episode covers (1) scene transitions (done so well!); (2) flashbacks (maybe not done so well) (3) theme; (4) strong dialogue; and (5) a midpoint that’s not so strong. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary for Out of Mind Out of Sight. Next Up: Prophecy Girl S1 E12 Last Week: Nightmares S1 E10 Support the Show/Improve Your Story Try this Story Structure Template, available free to all on my Patreon page. Become a patron and get (a) a free copy of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel and (b) access to future bonus episodes and content. Visit WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Or you can buy Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series) in ebook, audiobook, or workbook form. As an Amazon Associate I also earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. About Lisa M. Lilly Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries. She also wrote the short-story collection The Tower Formerly Known as Sears and Two Other Tales of Urban Horror, the title story of which was made into the short film Willis Tower. In addition to fiction, Lilly writes non-fiction under L.M. Lilly. Her books on writing include The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year; Creating Compelling Characters From The Inside Out; Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting & Writing Your Novel; and Happiness, Anxiety, and Writing: Using Your Creativity To Live A Calmer, Happier Life. She is also the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Episode Transcript for Out of Mind Out of Sight Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories or just taking them apart to see how they work, you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series and the QC Davis mysteries and the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. This Week: Out of Mind Out of Sight This Monday we’re talking about Season 1, Episode 11: Out of Mind Out of Sight. In particular, I’ll cover: the excellent transitions from scene to scene; the intriguing themes the episode explores; the great dialogue lines; but what I see as a weak Midpoint that undermines the story; and flashbacks and whether or not they have a purpose here or are justified given that they slow down the present-day story Out of Mind Out of Sight was written by Joss Whedon, Ashley Gable, and Thomas A Swyden and directed By Reza Badyl. As always, there will be no spoilers until the very end so I can talk about foreshadowing. But I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. What To Include In Opening Conflict As we should, we begin with our opening conflict. Cordelia and her friend Harmony are talking and walking in the halls of Sunnydale. And this might be the first time that we get Harmony’s name. I’m not positive on that, but it’s noticeable because it’s right at the beginning. Cordelia is talking about getting her dress specially made for the spring dance because off the rack gives her hives. Though she hasn’t been elected May Queen yet, she is confident she will be. Buffy, coming from the side, trips and falls right in front of Cordelia and Harmony. All her weapons fall out of her bag. She tries to explain, saying it’s for history class and Mr. Giles. Cordelia and Harmony make fun of her and walk away. Buffy’s Sadness Buffy is still on the floor as she watches them leave. And this is one of many times when Sarah Michelle Gellar’s expression is so clear. Her eyes look so sad as she watches and listens to them make fun of her. This conflict is not our main plot, but it does foreshadow it. We always want in the beginning of a story to have some kind of conflict to hook the reader or audience member, and it can be completely unrelated to the plot. It can start the main plot. Or, as here, it can reflect it or give us a hint of it or reflect it. In Class Doubling down on the theme of our episode, we switch to the classroom where a teacher is talking about Shylock. I had to look this up because I did not read Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. I didn’t know that’s where it came from. The teacher is asking about Shylock and the anger of the outcast in society. So this is a bit of an echo of that first scene where Buffy is the outcast. It sets up further our main plot about an outcast invisible girl. Justice or Vengeance Cordelia says Shylock is too sel

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Nightmares. (Season 1, Episode 10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) Along with story structure and plot turns, this episode covers the way the writers escalate conflict to maximize the characters’ pain and how Nightmares foreshadows many significant emotional arcs in the series. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in Nightmares In this podcast episode we’ll look at: Plot Turns The interplay of Buffy’s character and plot conflicts How the writers escalate conflict for maximum emotional impact Foreshadowing of significant emotional arcs in the series Also Season 1 DVD information about how Joss Whedon chose the Mutant Enemy company name and created the logo. Next Up: Out of Mind Out of Sight S1 E11 Last Week: The Puppet Show S1 E9 Plotting Your Story Working through plot issues for your own novel, screenplay, or story? Try this Story Structure Template, available free to all on my Patreon page. If you become a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes and content. Episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective. Episode Transcript Nightmares Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories or just taking them apart to see how they work, you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series and the QC Davis mysteries and the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. This Week Today we’ll be talking about Season One, Episode Ten: Nightmares. Along with story structure and plot turns, I’ll talk about the way the writers escalate the conflict for maximum emotional impact. Also about the ways this episode foreshadows certain emotional arcs in the series. As always, though, there will be no spoilers until the very end with plenty of warning. So if you want to hear about foreshadowing, stay tuned for that spoiler section. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Writers and Directors Nightmares was written by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt and directed by Bruce Seth Green. Opening Conflict We start with Buffy in a shadowy cave, her hair in braids, candles on all the walls. The Master confronts her. This powerful vampire that was the antagonist in the pilot and has been lurking through many of these episodes. He confronts her. She drops her stake and backs away. He grabs her. She says, “No, No, No.” And she is still saying that when Joyce shakes her awake. So this is part of our opening conflict. It sets the stage for the episode. Though we don’t quite know why yet. When Joyce shakes her awake, we get the initial emotional conflict here. Emotional Hook Remember our initial conflict may or may not relate to our main plot. But it is a conflict that draws the reader into our story. That’s what keeps the reader or audience member engaged while we set the stage. Joyce says to Buffy, “I spoke with your father.” Buffy says, “He’s coming right?” And there is our emotional hook. We know nothing about her past with her father, but immediately we know that she is worried about this, whether her dad will show up or not. So along with Buffy’s fears about the Master, which is our outer conflict, we have her inner conflict. Her fears about her dad. At school, Willow asks her about the divorce. Buffy says she’s sure she wasn’t a big help with her parents’ marriage because she was always in trouble. New Characters We then see Buffy, Xander, and Willow, along with Cordelia, in class. And the topic — it looks like it’s a psychology class — the topic is active listening. The teacher says that one of the most fundamental needs is to be heard. At that moment Buffy sees a boy who is too young to be in high school lurking in the doorway. He’s maybe 10 years old, and he looks very sad. At the beginning of the scene we were also introduced to a new character named Wendell who we haven’t seen before. Right after Buffy sees the little boy, Wendell opens his textbook. There’s a large tarantula in it. Story Spark Seconds later, spiders are crawling all over Wendell. We get a close-up on this boy and he says, “Sorry about that.” And there is a cut to credits. This is our Inciting Incident or Story Spark, what sets off our main plot. Usually that comes about 10% into the episode, which is the case here. Theme of Nightmares When we come back from the credits, the Master — we’re in his lair — and he basically gives us the theme or the premise of this episode. He says, “Fear is a wonderful thing. And it’s the most powerful force in the world. We are defined by what we fear.” The Master also says he can feel something happening above, conflict and change. Because his lair is underground, so he is sensing something on

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: The Puppet Show. (Season 1, Episode 9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) In addition to plot turns, we’ll talk about (1) how characters on the protagonist’s side can still push against her and create conflict; (2) the excellent use of hints and red herrings while still playing fair; (3) a new character opposed to Buffy who might or might not be evil (Principal Snyder!), a replacement character who is very different from his predecessor (also Snyder). As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in The Puppet Show In this podcast episode we’ll look at: Strong, clear plot turns Using red herrings and hints without misleading the audience Why the protagonist’s friends sometimes must be against her New and replacement characters Also: Season 1 DVD commentary from Joss Whedon about his aim in creating The Puppet Show is discussed, as well as the post-credit sequence you may never have seen. Next Up: Nightmares S1 E10 Last Week: I, Robot…You, Jane S1 E8 Plotting Your Story Working through plot issues for your own novel, screenplay, or story? Try this Story Structure Template, available free to all on my Patreon page. If you become a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes and content. Episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Plus films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective. Episode Transcript Hello, and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories, or just taking them apart to see how they work, you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of The Awakening supernatural thriller series, the Q.C. Davis mysteries, and the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. This Week: The Puppet Show Today will be talking about Season One, Episode Nine, The Puppet Show, written by Rob DesHotel and Dean Batali and directed by Ellen S. Pressman. In particular, we’ll look at the very clear structure in this episode, the plot turns, how the characters on the protagonist’s side still push against her and the excellent use of hints and red herrings while still playing fair. We have an intriguing new character introduction Principal Snyder and a replacement character who is very, very different from his predecessor, again Principal Snyder. As always, there will be no spoilers except at the end. But I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Opening Conflict We start right in with our opening conflict. There’s no prologue. Instead we have a voiceover that says, “I will be whole. I will be new.” And we see the students either rehearsing for the talent show or practicing for trying out. We see Cordelia singing ‘The Greatest Love of All’ and she’s terrible. And we see Giles looking horrified. Then we get a tuba player struggling through his number. Then Buffy, Xander, and Willow come in the back of the auditorium to make fun of Giles, who got roped into heading the talent show. He says, ‘Our new Fuhrer, Mr. Snyder insisted he do this.” That line of dialogue is such a great way to give a one-sentence summing up of the new principal before we see him. Giles says if Buffy had any shred of decency she would participate or at least help. And Buffy says, “I’ll take your traditional role and watch.” A very nice way of quickly setting up some of the dynamic between these two characters if you have an audience member who isn’t yet familiar with them. Character Development in The Puppet Show: Principal Snyder Principal Snyder comes in and because the three are mocking Giles, he tells them they must participate in the talent show. He also says he’s been watching them, he knows they left campus early, and they’re always in one scrape or another. So right away we have Principal Snyder at odds with our three characters. And we see the contrast between him and Principal Flutie’s first interaction with Buffy, where Principal Flutie tried so hard to be on Buffy’s side while still taking care of his other students. In case we weren’t sure about that contrast, we now have the three begging Snyder not to make them participate in the talent show. Xander extols the merits of detention and Snyder says right out, “My predecessor, Mr. Flutie, may have gone in for all that touchy-feely relating nonsense, but he was eaten. You’re in my world now.” At about four minutes in we have yet another student practicing. It is Morgan with his ventriloquist dummy. And Buffy says right away that dummies give her the wiggens ever since she was little. There’s no particular story there. Morgan’s act is really bad at the start. He moves his lips, he’s not funny. But Sid, the dummy, says “All right, timeout!” And he takes over, making fun of Morgan. His jokes are a little racy. Everyone claps.

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: I, Robot…You, Jane. (Season 1, Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) This podcast episode covers using prologues to raise the stakes, whether the demon here is a compelling antagonist, and how I, Robot weaves in action in quick bursts. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in I, Robot In this podcast episode we’ll look at: Raising the stakes through a prologue Learning about strong chapter endings from Buffy Weaving in action you don’t have time to show What makes an antagonist less than interesting Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary this time! (But there will be for The Puppet Show.) Next Up: The Puppet Show S1 E9 (on December 30, 2019 after a short holiday break) Last Week: Angel S1 E7 Plotting Your Story Working through plot issues for your own novel, screenplay, or story? Try this Story Structure Template, available free to all on my Patreon page. If you become a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes and content. Episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective. Episode Transcript of I, Robot…You, Jane Hi, and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story.   I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of The Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, and the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories, or just taking them apart to see how they work, you’re in the right place. This Week: I, Robot, You, Jane This week we’re talking about I, Robot, You, Jane, Season One, Episode Eight. Written by Ashley Gable and Thomas Ace Wyden and directed by Steven L. Posey. In addition to the major plot points, we’ll talk about: using a prologue to raise the stakes or at least let your audience know how high the stakes are; chapter endings and what you can learn about them from Buffy; weaving-in quickly action that you don’t have the time to show, but that the audience needs to know about; and what makes an antagonist less than perhaps as interesting as we would like There will be no spoilers, except at the end, to talk about some foreshadowing. But I will give you plenty of warning. Listener Comments First, though we do have a couple listener comments. Both relate to the spoiler section on The Harvest. But I can talk about this point now. Because last week we found out in the episode Angel, that Angel is a vampire and that he, over 100 years ago, was extremely dangerous. Angel, in The Harvest, meets Buffy in the crypt. She is about to go down and face the Master. He says that he’s afraid when she asks why he won’t go down there. I questioned that, given what we later find out about Angel and how strong he is and how feared he was. Steve commented that he thought perhaps Angel just wasn’t ready to reveal yet that he was a vampire, and he knew that was going to come out during the fight and also that he was confident Buffy would be fine. So he didn’t feel that he needed to go with her. Similarly, Kerry thought Angel’s facial expression and his tone showed he was clearly lying about being afraid. And she says, “I think he just says it to get her to go on her own and realize her own strength.” I love that reading of it. I love both readings of it because they suggest Angel has a lot of confidence in Buffy. I like that my listeners had more confidence in the writers than I did at that particular moment. If you have thoughts on the show, you can email me [email protected] or you can tweet me on Twitter @LisaMLilly. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. I, Robot I was a little bit surprised when I re-watched this episode for the podcast. I always remember it as one that I’m not that excited about. The whole Internet-demon-who-turns-into-a-robot thing is what sticks in my mind. While I don’t think it’s terrible, I felt like it isn’t that intriguing of an episode. But there was so much more fun in here than I remembered. Also some really interesting things about technology, looking at it from a perspective of 20 years later. In addition, a little more foreshadowing than I remembered. And I’ll talk about that, mostly in the spoiler section. There are some great storytelling things in here, so let’s get to it. The Prologue We start once again with the prologue. I also had forgotten how often we get prologues in Buffy, so this will challenge that idea that I mentioned in the first, I think in the first episode, that many writers, viewers, readers are not too fond of prologues. This one is an example of one that I didn’t find super compelling. I feel like it’s part of why this episode sticks in my memory as one that I don’t particularly like, when it turns out I kind of do. The first part of the prologue, I don’t know that it

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Angel, Season 1, Episode 7. This episode covers how season-long antagonist The Master is the protagonist in the main plot. Also how the episode intertwines that plot with 2 subplots – one with Buffy as protagonist, one with Angel. And the way the episode serves as a Season Midpoint. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in Angel In this podcast episode we’ll look at: How the main plot and 2 subplots weave together perfectly A villain as protagonist 3 things a protagonist should do The Season 1 Midpoint As I note on the show, my understanding of the role of the protagonist was deepened by listening to story expert Lani Diane Rich of Chipperish Media. She explains protagonists and antagonists here and in many of her podcast episodes. Story Structure For help applying the 5-point story structure the podcast covers to your own work, a free story structure template is available on my patreon page. You don’t need to be a patron to download it, though it’s great if you’d like to be. Support The Show If you become a patron for as little as $1 a month, you’ll not only help fund more episodes like Angel, you’ll get access to bonus episodes. Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective. Including Wonder Woman once I reach 50 patrons. Next Up: I, Robot…You, Jane (S1 E8) Angel Episode Transcript I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of The Awakening supernatural thriller series and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. If you love creating stories or just taking them apart to see how they work, you’re in the right place. This Week: Angel This week we’ll be talking about Season One, Episode Seven: Angel. In particular, I’ll talk about how the main plot and two subplots weave together and the use of a character who is normally our antagonist as a protagonist in the main plot. The discussion will be spoiler-free except at the very end. But I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. The Main Plot and Two Subplots As I sat down to analyze the plot points in this episode, I struggled to figure out exactly where they were. Which seems strange because I love this episode and I think it is very well structured. After a while I realized it’s because we have a main plot and two subplots. The main plot is really the Master’s plot to both kill Buffy and win Angel back. He is our protagonist, the Master that is, in this episode, though he acts through Darla, and though he normally is our antagonist during this season. Our other plot, which you could also see as the main plot since Buffy is our traditional protagonist and it’s her show, is Buffy wanting to be with Angel, falling for Angel. Which is really part of the overall series struggle Buffy has with trying to have a normal life and personal life, along with being the Slayer.. We also have a subplot for Angel wanting to be with Buffy. Angel is the protagonist of this plot. I’ll talk as I go along about why I don’t see the Buffy/Angel subplots as one cohesive subplot, although all three of these plots are woven together so well that it did take me a while to see them separately. The Opening Conflict We start with our opening conflict. And remember that conflict is what draws the reader in and gets the reader intrigued, though it might or might not relate to the main plot. Here it does if we see the Master’s plot to kill Buffy and win Angel back as the main plot. The Master starts out by saying “Zachary did not return from the hunt.” And there is a conversation between him and Colin — him being the Master, not Zachary who’s gone — between the Master and Colin, the little boy vampire Chosen One from the last episode, and Darla. They are all blaming Buffy. The Master asks Colin what he would do and Colin says “I would annihilate her.” The Master says something like, ‘From the mouths of babes.’ And Darla wants to be the one to kill Buffy but the Master says no, Darla has personal interest. He’ll send ‘The Three.’ We don’t know who The Three are but the tone tells us that this is something serious and ominous and not good for Buffy. Party At The Bronze The next scene is at The Bronze. It is the fumigation party before they are going to fumigate The Bronze and get rid of the cockroaches. Everyone gets a free drink if they bring up a cockroach that they killed. Willow is explaining this to Buffy, which also obviously tells the audience about what is going on here, but Buffy is really not paying attention. And Willow says “What’s it like where you are?” This is when they get into a conversation about Angel and how Buffy is thinking about him, but she can’t really see how she’d have a

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: The Pack, Season 1, Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This episode includes how to build the character of the victim to make the loss greater while misdirecting the audience regarding who the victim will be. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in The Pack In this podcast episode we’ll look at how The Pack handles: All major plot points Creating a victim the audience likes Misdirection regarding the victim Characters’ responsibility for what they do while possessed Highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon are also discussed. Story Structure For more on the 5-point story structure the podcast covers, check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel. Or become a patron for as little as $1/month and download a free story structure template to use with your own writing. Support The Show If you become a patron, you’ll not only help fund more episodes like The Pack, you’ll get access to bonus episodes. Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective. Including Wonder Woman once we reach 50 patrons. Next Up: Angel S1 E7 Last Week: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date S1 E5 The Pack Episode Transcript Hello and welcome to Buffy and The Art of Story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories or just taking them apart to see how they work, you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers, and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. This Week: The Pack This week we’ll cover Season One, Episode Six: The Pack. It’s a standalone episode, so we’ll talk about all the major plot points, as well as interweaving storylines, and building the character of the victim to make the loss greater, or more serious, for the audience. We’ll also talk about the use of misdirection as to the victim. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Prologue We start with Buffy at the zoo alone. A group of four mean kids teases her. And one of them says, “Were you this popular at your old school before you got kicked out?” This particular line feels to me like a backfill for the audience. Not the, ‘were you this popular at your old school?’ because I feel like that works, but the ‘before you got kicked out,’ seems like something thrown in there, to remind the audience or inform a new audience member, that Buffy was kicked out of her old school. I say that because these four kids don’t seem like ones who would mock Buffy for being kicked out because they appear to always be on the edge of being kicked out themselves. It seems more like they might think she was cool for that. I could be wrong, but that’s just my feeling from it. It’s one of the rare times, or I guess first time so far, that I felt like the opening dialogue back and forth was a little bit obvious in being there to fill in the blanks. However, I do really like that these kids are teasing Buffy because we see that she feels bad that she doesn’t have the social network or the friends or the standing that she had in her old school. Opening Conflict in The Pack We then see the main kids picking on Lance, who I noticed as I watched this time is in a red shirt. Which I think is kind of fun and might or might not be a reference to the red shirts in Star Trek who always end up getting killed. This scene is part of what initially makes us think that Lance is going to be the real victim here. And certainly these students do victimize him, but he survives the episode, which I did not expect. The first time I watched it, and even this time, um, my initial thought was, ‘Oh yeah, this is the kid. They’re gonna throw into the hyenas and kill him,’ which doesn’t happen. So they steal his notebook. Principal Flutie He doesn’t rat them out when Principal Flutie intervenes, and they take him to the hyena exhibit. This interaction between Flutie and these kids starts the building up of Principal Flutie as someone who we like. In the pilot I liked him a lot because we saw how much he cared about the students and about Buffy and how he was dealing with his internal struggle to both be supportive for her and yet protect the other students from this newcomer who burnt down the gym at her old school. Here, there’s this nice interaction where Flutie shows some self awareness. Because the student starts to talk, one of the mean kids, and Flutie says, “Did I ask you to speak?” And then he realizes he did just ask, “What happened?” And so Flutie says, “Okay, I guess I did.” So we get a little humor and a little awareness on his part of conflicting directives he’s sending, which I like because often we see authority figures never want

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date. (Season 1, Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) The podcast episode covers interweaving plot lines, theme, and cliffhangers versus game changers. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in Never Kill A Boy On The First Date In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles: All the major plot turns in this standalone episode How the different story lines interconnect Theme The difference between a game changer and cliffhanger Also discussed – Buffy Season 1 DVD interview with Joss Whedon. He says Never Kill A Boy On The First Date is important because it is all about Buffy maintaining a normal life, and it juxtaposes her vampire slaying directly with a date with a cute boy. Next Up: The Pack, S1 E6 Last Week: Teacher’s Pet S1 E4 Plotting Your Story If you’re working on your own novel, screenplay, or story, check out the Story Structure Template available free to all on my Patreon page. Or you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series). As a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes. Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective. Episode Transcript Never Kill A Boy On The First Date S1 E5 Hello and welcome to Buffy and The Art of Story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories or just taking them apart to see how they work, you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers, and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Each week I”ll talk about one episode of Buffy in order, covering plot turns and other story elements. The discussion will be spoiler-free, except at the very end, and I”ll give you plenty of warning. This Week: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date This week, we’re covering Season One: Episode Five, Never Kill A Boy On The First Date. It’s a standalone episode, so we”ll cover: all the major plot points, plus how the different storylines interconnect, a little bit on the dialogue and the difference between a game changer versus a cliffhanger. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Opening Conflict We start in the graveyard, Buffy slays; Giles critiques, and this sets up our roles of our two characters for anyone who’s new in the audience. Giles finds a ring and says he will consult his books. And we get a cut to a dusty book slamming down on a table. It’s not Giles though, it’s the Master. And the Master hints at one of our plot conflicts, which is the Anointed One. He quotes a prophecy about the Anointed One, says, “The Slayer will not know him. He will lead her into hell, and that he will rise from the ashes of five who die.” Story Spark and Intertwining Plots Right about ten percent in, at four minutes, 30 seconds of a roughly 43 minute episode, we get our Story Spark, or Inciting Incident. And usually this is right about when we will see this happen in the episode. Buffy figures out that the ring relates to the Order of Aurelius. She sees this in a book in the library when Giles is saying he can”t find anything. And we get this nice line that shows the developing playful relationship between the two when she says “Two points for the Slayer, while the Watcher has yet to score.” Owen comes in. Now this is our real conflict. We basically have two plots here that merge into one, in a way. Two Plots Merge We have the plot, the main plot with Buffy, trying to have a normal life — specifically to date a boy that she is very interested in — while also fulfilling her Slayer duties. And the other plot is the plot of Buffy trying to stop the Anointed One from rising or kill the Anointed One once he rises. I”ll talk a little more about why the Owen/Buffy conflict is the main plot. It’s also something in the DVD interview that Joss Whedon talks about, and he says, “This episode is so important because it is about Buffy maintaining a normal life, and it juxtaposes her vampire slaying directly with a date with a cute boy.” So this is the most on target that we have addressed this issue. It is an episode all about that. Where in the other episodes to date, it’s been sort of an ongoing subplot or a side issue and an additional internal conflict for Buffy. Owen We see how much Buffy likes Owen because she gets flustered when she talks to him. She follows him upstairs. She’s happy that he’s even thought about what she’s like. And she has a hard time paying attention to Giles when he is telling her about this Order of Aurelius. On the way from our 10% to our first major plot turn, we see Buffy clashing with Cordelia in the cafeteria and they literally crash. Or Cordelia crashes into her. Buffy and Owen make a plan to meet at The Bron

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Teacher’s Pet, Season 1, Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The episode focuses on point-of-view, tone, and all the major plot points from opening conflict to the climax. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in Teacher’s Pet In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles: Viewpoint Characters in a Xander-centric episode Opening Conflict Story Spark (a/k/a Inciting Incident) The first major plot turn The story mid-point The three-quarter twist The climax Falling Action Highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon are also discussed. For more on the 5-point story structure the podcast covers, you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel. The 7 Season Plan Buffy and the Art of Story plans to cover every episode of Buffy in order and spoiler-free — except at the end so I can talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Down the road there’ll be a Patreon account where you’ll be able to get a free story structure template. As a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes. Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective. Requests will be welcome. Next Up: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date, S1 E5 Episode Transcript for Teacher’s Pet Hello, and welcome, or welcome back, to Buffy and the Art of Story. I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories or just taking them apart to see how they work, you’re in the right place. This week we’re talking about Episode Four of Season One: Teacher’s Pet. Teacher’s Pet is a standalone episode, so we’ll cover all the plot points and turns. Plus, we’ll talk about point of view, and prologue. The discussion will be spoiler-free, except at the very end, and I’ll give you plenty of warning. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. The Prologue of Teacher’s Pet We start with a prologue — a woman is screaming, a vampire’s attacking, Buffy seems really nervous. Already this scene just doesn’t feel right. And I love that about it. Because although all those things could be happening in Buffy — and this is only Episode 4 — we already have a sense that the way Buffy is acting just doesn’t feel like her. Then we have that confirmed when Xander says, “May I cut in?” and he slays the vampires. So we are in Xander’s fantasy — could be a dream — but we find out it’s a daydream. Because it ends with Buffy saying, “You’re drooling.” We cut to the science class where she is really saying, “You’re drooling.” What Is A Prologue? This is a prologue because it could be lifted out from the main plot without hurting anything because it really is giving us backstory. But it does something key, which is to tell us that at least some of this episode will be from Xander’s point of view. And that is — it’s not that we haven’t seen scenes before that Buffy is not in. Sometimes we’ve seen scenes with side characters or with the villain, particularly the Master. But they haven’t been specifically from the emotional point of view of another key character who is on Buffy’s side, at least not to this extent. Is Xander the Protagonist of Teacher’s Pet? So I can see a reason to have this prologue. It is setting up Xander’s internal conflict, which was hinted at earlier. There are his feelings for Buffy, and his feelings that he is not quite a man. Earlier, he linked that to not being able to fight vampires. But we’re going to see — well, I shouldn’t say ‘but’ — we see that in this fantasy his feeling that impressing Buffy, being a man, is being able to fight not just as well as she does, but better. This prologue also points to something that I struggle with in the episode. Which is: Who is the protagonist? Because next we get to what is, I think, the real Opening Conflict of the story. It’s the conflict that hints at our main plot, and it is certainly the Opening Conflict for Buffy, who, though I struggle with it, I think is the protagonist in this episode. Opening Conflict So she’s in science class and the teacher, Dr. Gregory, asks her questions, Willow is pantomiming the answers. Buffy does a pretty good job, but it becomes obvious what’s happening. We expect Dr. Gregory to be angry at her when he has her stay after class. But instead he tells her she’s smart. She thinks on her feet. And she should not let anyone else’s negative opinions about her influence her. He encour

This episode of Buffy and the Art of Story covers The Witch, Season 1, Episode 3. Buffy and the Art of Story is for anyone who wants to learn more about plot, characterization, and other story elements by watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Every discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in The Witch In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles: Opening Conflict Story Spark (a/k/a Inciting Incident) The first major plot turn at the one-quarter mark The Midpoint The twist at the three-quarter point The Climax Falling Action Continuing character arcs We’ll also talk about some highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon. The 7 Season Plan Buffy and the Art of Story plans to cover every episode of Buffy in order and spoiler-free — except at the end so I can talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Down the road there’ll be a Patreon account where you’ll be able to get a free story structure template. As a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes. Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective. Requests will be welcome. Next Up: Teacher’s Pet, S1 E4 More On Story Structure The plot points in Buffy and the Art of Story are outlined in detail, and with additional examples, in Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel. Workbook, ebook, and audiobook editions are available. Episode Transcript For The Witch Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories or just taking them apart to see how they work, you are in the right place. I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of suspense, mysteries and supernatural thrillers and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com Each week I’ll talk about one episode of Buffy in order, covering plot turns and other story elements. The discussion will be spoiler-free except at the very end and I’ll give you plenty of warning. This Week: The Witch Today we’re talking about Season 1, Episode 3: The Witch. This is a standalone episode. So we’ll cover all the key plot turns. We’ll also talk about subplots and how this early episode sets expectations for this series by expanding the Buffy universe beyond vampires. That was hinted at in the pilot, but it’s made explicit now. Okay, let’s dive into The Hellmouth. Opening Conflict in The Witch In the first scene, we have Giles giving Buffy a speech about her sacred duty and how she is now enslaving herself to this cult. We then get a shot of Buffy in a cheerleading uniform. This is another great way to get across the exposition through conflict, which was done so well in the pilot. And it sets up, for audience members who have not seen the pilot, exactly what is going on in the show. Remember, when this came out a lot of people might jump into a series in the middle or at least certainly in the first season or two. So, if you hadn’t started a series at the beginning you could wait for reruns. But you were more likely to just start with a later episode. So it was important to set up exactly what was going on and that was done well here. I videotaped a lot of episodes once I got to like the show. But I don’t think that I saw it in the order it aired until years later when I got the DVD sets. More Than Exposition This opening conflict does exactly what it should do beyond the exposition, which is to grab the audience member right away. Our opening conflict can really be about anything. It’s something to simply draw the reader in. But it’s ideal if it hints at what the main conflict is going to be for the story. And here we get that because our main plot will involve somebody getting cheerleaders out of the way. It’s not whether Buffy becomes a cheerleader or not. The personal conflict here turns out to not be so much about that and to more be about Amy and her mother. And Amy’s desire to be a cheerleader or not and how Buffy’s life echoes that. Buffy also says she wants to do something normal. And for her that is becoming a cheerleader again, which she was at her old school. At least we assume so because she already has a cheerleading uniform. We get a hint of the main plot conflict when we see the cheerleading tryouts. This also cues us as an audience that this will be a centerpiece of the story. We meet Amy for the first time and she says that she hates these tryouts. At the same time, she speaks about her mom with a lot of admiration and seems grateful for her, how much her mom coaches her, spending this, like, I think it’s three hours a day, and talking about professional cheerleading coaches. The Inciting Incident in The Witch At about four and a half minutes into the episode, we get the story sp

Today on Buffy and the Art of Story: Season 1, Episode 2, The Harvest. For writers and other story creators interested in looking at Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes one-by-one to see how plot, characterization, and other story elements work (and very occasionally don’t). Every discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in The Harvest In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles these story elements in the second half of the 2-episode pilot: The commitment and reversal at the story mid-point (where the episode begins) How the plot turns at the three-quarter point The way characterization affects plot, particularly leading to the final battle The Climax Falling Action Story questions that keep us watching In the Spoiler section, more on Darla, Angel, Giles, and a little bit of misdirection Also some highlights from the Buffy DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon on Willow and Darla. The 7 Season Plan Two down and too many episodes left to count! Buffy and the Art of Story plans to cover every episode of Buffy in order and spoiler-free — except at the end so I can talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Down the road there’ll be a Patreon account where you’ll be able to get a free story structure template. As a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes. Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective. Requests will be welcome. Next Up: The Witch (S1 E3). Story Structure For more fiction writing tools you can check out my non-fiction books, which cover story structure, finishing a novel in one year, and character development. FYI, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this site, but that doesn’t change the purchase price to you as the buyer or influence my love for the Buffy DVDs and all things Buffy. Episode Transcript Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories — or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M Lilly, author of suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Each week I’ll talk about one episode of Buffy in order, covering plot turns and other story elements. The discussion will be spoiler-free except at the very end, and I’ll give you plenty of warning. This Week: The Harvest This week we’ll be talking about The Harvest, the second half of the pilot episode. So in terms of plot points, we’ll pick up at the Midpoint and go through the turn at the three-quarter mark of the story, into the climax and the falling action. We’ll also be talking more about character development because I didn’t get to do as much of that as I would have liked in the first episode, and a bit about story questions and how that keeps us coming back even though the main plot resolved. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. The Midpoint The Harvest picks up right at the Midpoint. So remember the protagonist at the Midpoint typically throws caution to the wind, goes all in on her quest, or suffers a reversal or both. We saw both last time. Buffy embraced being the Slayer both in her words and her actions, doing her first dusting and saying, “Don’t you know who I am?” She then immediately suffers a reversal when Luke comes from behind her. She doesn’t hear him. He says “I don’t care.” He doesn’t care who she is. And he throws her into this coffin. He’s about to kill her and — cut. So we pick up right there. And Buffy is able to push Luke away partly because of that cross she’s wearing that that Angel gave her that she chose to wear. But I like to think regardless she would have found a way to get Luke off of her. However, she isn’t able to kill him or pursue him. He disappears. She goes after the vampires to try to get Jesse and Willow back. Xander is with her. They are able to save Willow but not Jesse. So he has been taken away with the vampires within a few minutes of the Midpoint at the start of this episode. We see Buffy in the library, and she further affirms her commitment now to being the Slayer. She says Jesse is her responsibility. No one else is going to go after him because she’s the one who got him killed. I’m pretty sure she says killed even though we don’t know yet that Jesse has been killed. But she is going to go after him and she is definitely at this point embracing being the Slayer and feeling guilty for not doing it sooner. No doubt thinking that maybe she would have been able to prevent this. From this point on it is Buffy who is driving the story forward rather than just reacting to what is happening around her. Story Questions Our next major Buffy scene is in the crypt again because she h

Buffy and the Art of Story starts with Season 1, Episode 1, Welcome to the Hellmouth. For writers and other story creators who want to learn more about plot, characterization, and other story elements by watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Every discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in Welcome to the Hellmouth: In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Welcome to the Hellmouth handles: Prologue Exposition Opening Conflict Story Spark (a/k/a Inciting Incident) The first major plot turn A strong story Mid-point We’ll also talk about some highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon. Next Up: The Harvest The 7 Season Plan After Welcome to the Hellmouth, Buffy and the Art of Story plans to cover every episode of Buffy in order and spoiler-free — except at the end so I can talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning. Down the road there’ll be a Patreon page where patrons can download a free story structure template. As a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes. Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective. Requests will be welcome. Episode Transcript of Welcome to the Hellmouth Welcome To The Hellmouth S1 E1 Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories—or just taking them apart to see how they work—you’re in the right place. I am Lisa M. Lilly. author of suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Each week I’ll talk about one episode of Buffy in order, covering plot turns and other story elements. The discussion will be spoiler-free except at the very end, and I’ll give you plenty of warning. Today we’ll start with Welcome To The Hellmouth, the first half of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer pilot. We’ll cover the opening conflict, the plot point at the one-quarter mark of the story as a whole and the Midpoint which is where the story breaks until the next episode. I’ll also talk about prologues because we have one here, and exposition because Buffy as a whole does exposition so wonderfully well. Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth. Prologue We start with what looks like two high school students breaking into a high school. Neither of these two characters are our protagonist. And the events here come before the story starts, which is what makes this a prologue. The young man and young woman break in. The girl seems nervous, and the boy is reassuring her and kind of luring her further into the high school where it’s deserted. She keeps saying “I think I hear something” or “are you sure there’s no one here?” Subverting Tropes He’s the one who seems so confident about being here and wanting to get her alone. And then it turns on its head and the girl goes into vamp face and attacks him. So immediately we have this subverting of the horror movie trope. Even though we don’t see Buffy we do see that this is going to be part of what this show is—or the heart of what the show is. This pretty blond who we traditionally had thought of as the victim becomes the one who others fear. And then we cut. There is a lot of controversy among authors and readers about the use of prologues. Because by definition they come before our story starts. As a reader I sometimes have to push past a book with a prologue. By that I mean I’ve got to push myself to read it. That’s because I know if I become really engaged with these characters and this story it’s going to end shortly and yank me into probably a different time. Maybe a different place. Very likely totally different characters. Although often, as here, one of our antagonists is who we see in the prologue. And here Darla will come back in our pilot episode and be I would say part of the antagonistic force here. The Antagonist of Welcome to the Hellmouth The Master is our overall antagonist. One author at a writing conference that I went to said he does use prologues in his books, but he always calls them Chapter One. Probably to avoid people like me who look at prologue and say “Oh, I don’t I don’t know.” All that being said, here I think the prologue is very nicely done. It serves a purpose of telling us the tone of the series. Because it is that mix of horror and it is a little bit funny because it is so what we’re not expecting. Dramatic Irony It also creates dramatic irony, which is where the audience or reader knows something that our protagonist doesn’t. Because we will see Darla later, and we as the audience will know she’s a vampire. But the character talking to her does not know that. So it creates a tension there as well because we’re aware that Darla is a threat. On the side of those who mig