The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe
Zena Dell Lowe is a seasoned and engaging teacher with a passion for writers and storytellers. Her focused, concise, and practical episodes (all roughly 20 minutes) not only explore the nuts and bolts of the craft, but also dive deep into the inner life of the artist and the "why" behind creativity. If you believe that story matters, you'll want to give this podcast a listen.
Episodes
219 episodes
Offend to Enlighten: The Ethics of Writing
As writers, we often face the pressure to please our audience, avoid controversy, and "play it safe." But is this the most effective way to create meaningful, impactful stories? Many writers struggle with balancing moral responsibility and crea...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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24:33
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Why We’re Obsessed with Characters (and How to Make Yours Irresistible)
As writers, we often struggle with creating characters that feel real, dynamic, and compelling. Many of us get stuck focusing on plot, not realizing that without a well-crafted character, even the most thrilling story can fall flat. Readers or ...
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Season 4
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Episode 43
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23:55
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Fatal Flaws vs. Wounds: How to Deepen Your Characters' Arcs
Many writers struggle with creating characters who feel both complex and authentic. One common issue is misidentifying a character's fatal flaw, confusing it with a simple moral deficiency or surface-level trait. This misunderstanding can lead ...
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Season 4
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Episode 42
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18:01
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Create Characters Who Evolve: The Power of Rituals and Breaking Patterns
As writers, it’s easy to get stuck in the rut of creating characters who don’t feel like they’re evolving. If your characters seem to stay the same throughout your story, or their growth feels forced, you’re not alone. Many writers struggle wit...
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Season 4
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Episode 41
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23:39
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Crafting Powerful Scenes: Tone, Theme, and Plot Transitions
Struggling to make your scenes feel dynamic and purposeful? Are you finding it difficult to set the right tone, weave in your theme, or transition smoothly between key plot points?In this episode, we dive into the craft of building powe...
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Season 4
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Episode 40
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48:00
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The Power of Conflict: 3 Types of Obstacles That Build Heroes
Are you unsure how to build obstacles that challenge your characters on multiple levels and drive the story forward? In this episode, Zena Dell Lowe breaks down the three key types of obstacles every character can face. Learn how to craft each ...
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Season 4
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Episode 39
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19:37
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The #1 Thing That Makes a Story Memorable (And 4 Ways to Nail It)
Struggling to make your stories stick with readers or audiences?You're not alone! Many writers get caught up in creating intricate plots and thrilling twists, but the truth is—it’s the relationships between your characters that keep ...
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Season 4
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Episode 38
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19:57
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Stop Dreading Loglines: A Simple 4-Step Approach to Get It Right
Struggling with your story's logline? You’re not alone! Writers often avoid creating loglines because they think they’re too hard or too limiting. But what if I told you there’s a simple, 4-step formula that makes writing your logline easy—and ...
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Season 4
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Episode 37
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20:23
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Rated R for Redemption: Deep Truths, Thoughtful Portrayals
Many Christian narratives shy away from the complexities of real life, resulting in stories that feel disingenuous or trivial. This avoidance not only limits the impact of these stories but also leaves important human experiences unexplored.
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Season 4
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Episode 36
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27:49
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Unfiltered Faith: Writing Beyond Family-Friendly Limits
What if the stories we tell about faith could be as complex and gritty as real life? It’s time to break free from the confines of family-friendly narratives. Many Christian writers feel pressured to produce only wholesome, safe content,...
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Season 4
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Episode 35
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18:35
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Masterclass in World Building: Red Rising and The Dresden Files Explored
World building isn’t just background noise—it's essential to storytelling. Let’s see how two masters, Pierce Brown and Jim Butcher, weave it into every scene. Today, we break down how Red Rising and The Dresden Files build immersive, unforgetta...
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Season 4
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Episode 34
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31:45
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Master World Building in Any Genre: The 5 Core Rules Every Story Needs
If you think world-building only matters in sci-fi or fantasy, think again. Whether your story is set in space or suburbia, today we’re breaking down the five world-building rules that can take your writing to the next level.
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Season 4
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Episode 33
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28:07
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S4_E32. Character Thoughts Unleashed: Transform Your Narrative!
Here's a short, sweet, and MEATY episode for screenwriters and novelists alike! Get tips on how to get those all-important character thoughts and feelings out of their heads and onto your pages. Add intrigue and excitement to your narrative, dr...
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Season 4
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Episode 32
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10:22
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From Nebulous to Concrete: Transform Character Wants into Actionable Objectives
Ever feel like your story's goal is just too vague or abstract to get a handle on? You’re not alone! In this episode, we dive into the crucial difference between a character's want and need and why it’s essential to...
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Season 4
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Episode 31
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33:49
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Navigating Writing Challenges: Balancing Voice, Clarity, & Industry Expectations
Many writers face the challenge of crafting a distinct voice while meeting specific demands, especially in niche markets like Christian film. This can lead to frustration when feedback seems to undermine your creative vision.In this epi...
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Season 4
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Episode 30
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20:40
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From Believable to Brilliant: The 3 Pillars of Dynamic Character Development
We're unlocking the secrets to taking your characters from believable to brilliant. Ever wonder what makes characters truly unforgettable? Join us as we explore the three key pillars of dynamic storytelling that will elevate your characters and...
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Season 4
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Episode 29
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23:10
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Unpacking AI’s Role in Writing: Tools, Techniques, and Ethical Implications
Are you ready to revolutionize your writing process with AI? In this episode of The Storytellers Mission, Zena Dell Lowe dives into the transformative power of artificial intelligence for writers, storytellers, and screenwriters. D...
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Season 4
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Episode 28
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25:02
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Writer’s Gold: Zena Dell Lowe’s Bite-Sized Brilliance
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Hey there, writers! Today’s episode is a special treat as we’re diving into some awesome advice from the fantastic Zena Dell Lowe. We’ve pulled together a bunch of her best tips and insights into quick, bite-sized s...
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Season 4
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Episode 27
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7:43
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Unlocking the Power of Loglines, Taglines, and Synopses: A Writer's Toolbox
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Hey there, storytellers! Ever found yourself stuck trying to sum up your epic novel or screenplay in a single line? Well, fear not! On today's episode of The Storytellers Mission with Zena Dell Lowe, we're diving in...
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Season 4
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Episode 26
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20:52
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Character Development: Beyond Likability and Into Resonance
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – In this episode of The Storyteller's Mission, Zena delves into the art of crafting characters that go beyond mere likability to truly resonate with your audience. Exploring three key strategies for creating emotiona...
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Season 4
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Episode 23
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18:00
Creating Compelling Scripts: The Importance of Visual Details
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – In this episode of Regent Class, Zena Dell Lowe dives into the intricacies of justifying character motivation through visual storytelling in screenwriting. Zena emphasizes the unique challenge of screenplays, which ...
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Season 4
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Episode 22
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33:32
How to Shine at a Writers Conference: Insider Tips
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – In this unplanned and candid episode, Zena and Larry share their post-conference reflections, revealing unexpected insights on how to stand out at writers' conferences. They recount their personal experiences from t...
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Season 4
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Episode 21
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21:59
The Journey to a Sellable Script: Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Writers
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Anthony Gallo interviews Zena Dell Lowe! Tune in as Zena shares valuable insights and insider tips for writers aiming to break into the competitive world of Hollywood. She delves into the strategies that aspiring wr...
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Season 4
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Episode 20
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28:44
From Script to Screen: Josh Smith’s Directing Insights and Writing Evolution
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Tune in to this special episode with one of Zena's coaching clients as he debriefs and talks about what it was like going from the writing stage into directing his first short film. Insights abound! Watch this to be...
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Season 4
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Episode 19
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1:01:19
Story Crisis Averted: Discover the 4 Vital Traits Your Protagonist Must Have
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – So, you think you have a great fatal flaw for your MC? Maybe you're still not quite sure what it should be? Avoid the story crisis of a total rewrite by taking steps now to ensure your protagonist has these 4 charac...
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Season 4
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Episode 18
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26:52