Oregon Author Brad Reed | Crossing Cascadia Novel
Oregon Author Brad Reed | Crossing Cascadia Novel
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Mastering Opening and Closing Scenes: Crafting Memorable Bookends - ICW Episode 26
Welcome to Episode 26 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com.
In this episode, we dive deep into the craft of writing effective beginning and ending scenes. These "bookends" frame your story and highlight the transformation of your characters. We’ll discuss why your opening lines are vital, how they set the tone for your story, and how to mirror them in your closing scenes to create emotional resonance. Using examples from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Captain Fantastic, and Star Wars, we’ll explore how these techniques can bring depth and clarity to your writing.
Join me, Brad Reed, as we unpack the storytelling power of bookended scenes and discover how to craft openings and closings that leave a lasting impact on your readers.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why your opening and closing scenes should mirror each other
- How to create a strong hook in your first few lines
- The importance of showing character transformation through bookends
- Examples from films and novels to inspire your own writing
About Inside Creative Writing: The Inside Creative Writing podcast provides actionable tips, expert advice, and inspiring insights for writers of all levels. If you’re looking to strengthen your storytelling and create more compelling narratives, this episode is for you.
Weekly Writing Challenge: Choose a novel or screenplay similar to your current project. Read only the first and last chapters, and ask yourself:
What promises are made in the opening, and how are they fulfilled in the closing?
What changes do the main characters undergo?
How does the setting, dialogue, or tension mirror between the beginning and end?
Let’s get some words on paper and make your stories unforgettable!
Переглядів: 25

Відео

Prioritizing Your Life for Writing Success: A 3-Step Guide - Inside Creative Writing Episode 25
Переглядів 399 годин тому
Welcome to Episode 25 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest obstacles writers face: finding the time to write. It’s not just about...
Unlocking Your Story’s Heart: SWBS and SNBS Techniques for Writers - ICW Episode 24
Переглядів 7014 годин тому
Welcome to Episode 24 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we delve into two deceptively simple yet powerful writing techniques: SWBS (Somebody Wanted But So)...
Barlow Adams on Writing Truth and Emotion in Fiction - Inside Creative Writing Episode 23
Переглядів 614 годин тому
Welcome to Episode 23 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, I sit down with Barlow Adams, a talented author known for his deeply emotional and authentic storyt...
Overcoming Perfectionism in Writing: Fear, Failure, and Creativity - ICW Episode 22
Переглядів 3819 годин тому
Welcome to Episode 22 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we confront one of the biggest challenges writers face: perfectionism. We redefine perfectionism as...
Writing Advice from Gareth L. Powell: Crafting Stories That Resonate - ICW Episode 21
Переглядів 2119 годин тому
Welcome to Episode 21 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, I sit down with Gareth L. Powell, acclaimed science fiction writer, writing coach, and author of "E...
Mindfulness Meditation for Writers: 5 Reasons to Boost Your Creativity - ICW Episode 20
Переглядів 921 годину тому
Welcome to Episode 20 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of mindfulness meditation for writers. Learn what mindfulnes...
Unlock Storytelling Potential with 'What If' Questions - Inside Creative Writing Episode 19
Переглядів 25День тому
Welcome to Episode 19 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we dive into the powerful concept of “What If” questions and how they can inspire your next big sto...
Rhetorical Devices in Writing: Enhance Your Stories with Repetition and Polysyndeton -ICW Episode 18
Переглядів 88День тому
Welcome to Episode 18 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we dive into the art of rhetorical devices and how they can transform your creative writing. You'll...
Choosing the Right Format for Your Story: Novel, Screenplay, or Play? (ICW Episode 17
Переглядів 23День тому
Welcome to Episode 17 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we delve into the art of matching your story idea with the best format-be it a novel, screenplay, o...
How Writing Is Like Sculpting: A Creative Metaphor - Inside Creative Writing Episode 16
Переглядів 75День тому
Welcome to Episode 16 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we delve into a creative metaphor that likens writing a novel to sculpting a statue. By exploring t...
Writing Lessons from Cormac McCarthy - Inside Creative Writing Episode 15
Переглядів 11514 днів тому
Welcome to Episode 15 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we explore the unique writing techniques of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy, celebrat...
Somebody Wanted But So: Building Better Stories - Inside Creative Writing Episode 14
Переглядів 814 днів тому
Welcome to Episode 14 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we explore the "Somebody Wanted But So" technique, a simple yet powerful framework for crafting dyn...
Story Structure and the Inciting Event: Crafting Powerful Beginnings - ICW Episode 13
Переглядів 2814 днів тому
Welcome to Episode 13 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. In this episode, we dive deep into the essential role of structure in storytelling, using a creative analogy of clay...
The Art of Dialogue: How to Write Conversations That Feel Real - Inside Creative Writing Episode 12
Переглядів 4914 днів тому
Welcome to Episode 12 of the Inside Creative Writing podcast! Originally part of the podcast series, this episode is now available on UA-cam for the first time. At the time of recording, I was also working on my debut novel, Crossing Cascadia, now available at BradReedWrites.com. Dialogue is one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of writing. In this episode, we delve into how to craf...
To Adverb or Not to Adverb: The Truth About Weak Verbs - Inside Creative Writing Episode 11
Переглядів 1414 днів тому
To Adverb or Not to Adverb: The Truth About Weak Verbs - Inside Creative Writing Episode 11
Randy Ingermanson and the Snowflake Method: Crafting Compelling Stories (ICW Episode 10
Переглядів 5614 днів тому
Randy Ingermanson and the Snowflake Method: Crafting Compelling Stories (ICW Episode 10
Defamiliarization: The Secret to Writing Fresh, Memorable Stories -Inside Creative Writing Episode 9
Переглядів 10314 днів тому
Defamiliarization: The Secret to Writing Fresh, Memorable Stories -Inside Creative Writing Episode 9
Finding Glimmers in Writing: Inspiration and Insight with Pam Houston (ICW Episode 8)
Переглядів 2014 днів тому
Finding Glimmers in Writing: Inspiration and Insight with Pam Houston (ICW Episode 8)
Loose Ends: Unreliable Narrators, Writing Motivation, and More - Inside Creative Writing Episode 7
Переглядів 3514 днів тому
Loose Ends: Unreliable Narrators, Writing Motivation, and More - Inside Creative Writing Episode 7
Alan Heathcock’s 27 Tenets of Fiction Writing: Deep Craft Insights-Inside Creative Writing Episode 6
Переглядів 2614 днів тому
Alan Heathcock’s 27 Tenets of Fiction Writing: Deep Craft Insights-Inside Creative Writing Episode 6
Using Mise-en-Scène in Fiction: Make Your Settings Work Harder - Inside Creative Writing Episode 5
Переглядів 8514 днів тому
Using Mise-en-Scène in Fiction: Make Your Settings Work Harder - Inside Creative Writing Episode 5
Making Grammar Fun for Writers: An Interview with Jenny Baranick (Inside Creative Writing Episode 4)
Переглядів 1114 днів тому
Making Grammar Fun for Writers: An Interview with Jenny Baranick (Inside Creative Writing Episode 4)
How to Spark Creativity in Writing: Unique Characters, Plots, and Settings (ICW Episode 3)
Переглядів 3314 днів тому
How to Spark Creativity in Writing: Unique Characters, Plots, and Settings (ICW Episode 3)
Keeping Your Characters Alive: Writing Tips for Realistic Stories -Inside Creative Writing Episode 2
Переглядів 5714 днів тому
Keeping Your Characters Alive: Writing Tips for Realistic Stories -Inside Creative Writing Episode 2
How to Fictionalize Your Audience: Writing Tips to Engage Readers -Inside Creative Writing Episode 1
Переглядів 7214 днів тому
How to Fictionalize Your Audience: Writing Tips to Engage Readers -Inside Creative Writing Episode 1
Real-Time Revision 25: What is "Theme" and How to Explore It in Your Writing
Переглядів 1475 років тому
Real-Time Revision 25: What is "Theme" and How to Explore It in Your Writing
Real-Time Revision 28: Using a Three-Column Chart to Improve Sentence Fluency
Переглядів 1076 років тому
Real-Time Revision 28: Using a Three-Column Chart to Improve Sentence Fluency
Real-Time Revision 27: Demystifying Colons and Semicolons
Переглядів 186 років тому
Real-Time Revision 27: Demystifying Colons and Semicolons
Real-Time Revision 26: A Deep Dive into Scene Revision using "Story Grid" Techniques
Переглядів 586 років тому
Real-Time Revision 26: A Deep Dive into Scene Revision using "Story Grid" Techniques

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @soulstice99
    @soulstice99 3 дні тому

    Very insightful and important.

  • @debdipchakraborty1340
    @debdipchakraborty1340 8 днів тому

    Subscribed. I barely comment on UA-cam videos, but the insights were very insightful. So, I had to write a comment.

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 8 днів тому

      Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you found some value in it!

    • @debdipchakraborty1340
      @debdipchakraborty1340 8 днів тому

      @bradreedwrites I'm trying to work on a fantasy novel, but I am from engineering background (as opposite to literature background), so I'm always looking out for videos on writing. But, this content of yours is top notch. (Which separates from most videos in UA-cam) Can you please share/ teach more tips and suggestions for becoming a better reader?

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 8 днів тому

      @@debdipchakraborty1340 Great to hear from you again. Can you clarify what you mean about becoming a better reader? Do you mean in general or how to read "as a writer"?

    • @debdipchakraborty1340
      @debdipchakraborty1340 7 днів тому

      @@bradreedwrites yes, sorry for the vague comment. I meant how to read as a "writer"

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 7 днів тому

      @@debdipchakraborty1340 That's a great topic suggestion! It's something I have a lot of thoughts about. I'll definitely keep that idea in my back pocket in case the itch to do some more episodes strikes!

  • @Drjoshington
    @Drjoshington 12 днів тому

    Very cool! Thanks for taking the time to post.

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 11 днів тому

      Glad you found value in it! Thanks for watching!

  • @tedarcher9120
    @tedarcher9120 14 днів тому

    Cool! A webcam footage would be nice tho

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 14 днів тому

      Thanks for the feedback! If I could go back and do it again, I'd probably do the video thing, too. These were recorded years ago before video podcasts were really even a thought. If I end up doing new episodes at some point, I'll definitely consider the video idea. Thanks for listening!

    • @tedarcher9120
      @tedarcher9120 14 днів тому

      @bradreedwrites I didn't know those were that old! At first I thought it's just AI slop again, but you are real thankfully! I'd love to hear your ideas if you consider a new podcast

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 14 днів тому

      @@tedarcher9120 Yep, I'm offering that good 'ol real human slop. :)

    • @tedarcher9120
      @tedarcher9120 14 днів тому

      @@bradreedwrites old school human yapping, that's what I'm here for!

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 14 днів тому

      @@tedarcher9120 Getting harder and harder to come by, isn't it.

  • @miggseye
    @miggseye 14 днів тому

    Happy New Year. Glad to see you back.

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 14 днів тому

      Happy new year to you, too! I'm not sure I'd say I'm 'back" at this point, but wanted to make these old episodes available again to anyone who wanted them. Reuploading them has got me thinking about some more work I'd like to do, though, so who knows! Thanks for listening!

    • @miggseye
      @miggseye 14 днів тому

      @@bradreedwrites Oh... well, I'm so glad your making the old ones available. Hadn't you done others episodes on Dwight Swain's Scene and Sequel and Motivation Reaction Units (MRUs)? Unless, I have you mixed up with another podcast?

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 14 днів тому

      @@miggseye I think you're mixing me up with someone else. I have quite a few more episodes to get added here, but those aren't the focus of any of them.

    • @miggseye
      @miggseye 14 днів тому

      @@bradreedwrites Then I stand corrected. I recall you were one of my favorite writing podcasts, along with that other one I'm mistaking you for. That podcast is now defunct apparently. Would love to find its old episodes. I think your posting of old episodes is a lovely gesture for your audience. Cheers and Happy New Year.

  • @k8eekatt
    @k8eekatt 15 днів тому

    Happy New Year! ✨️🎈🎉🎊🎋🎆

  • @maverick_13_44
    @maverick_13_44 7 місяців тому

    So sorry that I missed the release of these videos. You are an exceptional teacher and I learn so much from you. Thank you, thank you, for what you give and what you do for writers. It's very generous and you're so knowledgeable in the craft!! It's hard to find this kind of stuff. You filled a void and your contributions are huge. It's really inspiring to hear what you have to share.

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 14 днів тому

      Thank you so much! You made my day! My apologies for taking so long (so so long!) to respond. This project has been on the backburner for a long time (so so long!) that I haven't been checking for comments, but I appreciate you!

  • @growithjoy
    @growithjoy 2 роки тому

    Learning so much from your meticulousness. Thanks. I thought of this variation while watching you work. More splattered blood on the road. Human blood or animal's?

  • @williamlevenberg6104
    @williamlevenberg6104 2 роки тому

    Is there a way to get a copy of the list of words? This is amazing! Thanks

  • @danieldehlin67
    @danieldehlin67 3 роки тому

    Wow this is great! Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm relatively new to revising and I really need more tools for organising my revision. It's difficult to find stuff out there of people actually willing to make themselves vulnerable in order to show how to get better at this craft. I really appreciate what you've done here. I can't believe why so few people are watching this. This is such a valuable tool. I just found your podcast a few weeks ago too. It's a real gem. Going through the episodes slow and steady so I can absorb as much as possible. One note: you can usually mark down a piece of text and the program will tell you how many words are in the passage or sentence so you don't have to count them all manually.

  • @goobies_channel
    @goobies_channel 3 роки тому

    I like your videos

  • @Aditya-ps4ss
    @Aditya-ps4ss 5 років тому

    Thanks

  • @albertmarble
    @albertmarble 5 років тому

    Thank you for showing your process! Very helpful since I too am using the Story Grid method. I find it to be the most comprehensive scene structure method.

  • @edwidgewhatsosons1727
    @edwidgewhatsosons1727 5 років тому

    It's not "clunky" it's conscious and rhythmic.

  • @marbt4982
    @marbt4982 6 років тому

    Exactly what I was looking for! I'm new to the story grid, but it really speaks to me. Thanks for showing us your process with the tool.

  • @MartinBlack
    @MartinBlack 6 років тому

    Very useful, thanks Brad

  • @nomjohnson
    @nomjohnson 6 років тому

    Whew - found it. Took me awhile to hunt down this particular episode after reading Jesse's comment over on your Patreon site. THANKS! :-)

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 6 років тому

      Glad you tracked it down! Thanks for checking it out!

  • @skilly91
    @skilly91 6 років тому

    I'm really loving these, Brad. No other activity devours time like revising - there's something almost supernatural in how little progress can be made in that lonely 'zone'. These vids are the first company I've had in there :p

    • @bradreedwrites
      @bradreedwrites 6 років тому

      So glad you're finding value in them! It's the first time I've ever let anyone see the way I work, so it's a little nerve-wracking to share, but I'm having fun with them. Thanks for watching!

    • @skilly91
      @skilly91 6 років тому

      Very valuable. I'd never seen editing done before (outside my own), but given the similarities I see in your process - I'm much more comfortable now!