39 - Littlest Plot Shop

May 29, 2012

Craig and John take a look at the difference between plot and story with some help from the Littlest Pet Shop and Game of Thrones.

Plot answers the "what" questions: What happens next? What is in the mysterious vault? What secret was the dowager keeping?

Story, however, is much more concerned with the "whos" and "hows" and "whys." Characters have their own needs and impulses. The trick of good writing is to match up what the characters want to do (motivation) with what the screenwriter wants them to do (plot).

Mild spoiler alert: In the last few minutes, we discuss recent developments on Game of Thrones, but in a general-enough way that it's not likely to impact your enjoyment if you're behind. Still, caveat spectator.

Finally, two bits of housekeeping:

• We post full transcripts of every show a few days after they air.

• If you subscribe to us on iTunes, please leave us some feedback. For next week's show, we’ll read the reviews ranked “most helpful” live, no matter what they say. Which may be a terrible idea. We'll see.

LINKS:

• Littlest Pet Shop videos
• Plot Wizard
• Plotto: The Master Book of All Plots

by William Wallace Cook

• Craig recommends Joe Nienalt and Daniel Vang's Will-Read-Your-Script Fundraiser for the American Heart Association
• John recommends this all-your-barcodes-together card
• INTRO: My Little Pony
• OUTRO: Black Horse and the Cherry Tree by military band Sidewinder at the White House

UPDATE 5-30-12: The transcript of this episode can be found here.