“Because It's grounded on a very simple principle. Story, well told, well crafted, well structured, will have a pattern of ebb and flow. The ebb is where the tension builds up, and the flow is where it releases.”
-- Leon Conrad
In this episode of How to Write The Future podcast, host, Beth Barany talks to award winning author and tutor Leon Conrad where they discuss story structure, storytelling techniques, and how to map story structure for individual characters.
ABOUT LEON CONRAD
Leon Conrad grew up among the souks and bazaars of Egypt. Early encounters with storytelling from a living 'Arabian Nights'-type oral tradition started him on a life-long quest to explore the unique power the human voice has to inspire. A talented pianist and linguist, he studied music in London, UK, working with opera singers and musical theatre performers. He studied storytelling with Shonaleigh Cumbers, a Jewish storyteller from a living oral tradition.
As an author, his ground-breaking book 'Story and Structure: A complete guide' has won several literary awards including the IPNE Nonfiction Book of the Year and was shortlisted for The People's Book Prize. Leon set up The Unknown Storyteller Project in 2018 to help writers use story structure techniques to craft tighter stories and to spot and fix plot holes more effectively.
As a tutor, he works with gifted and talented students age 7+ , helping many to publish their work independently and traditionally. He runs courses for writers of all ages.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhyDoesStoryStory/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeonConrad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unknownstorytellerproject/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-conrad/
RESOURCES
Story and Structure: A Complete Guide by Leon Conrad
https://www.amazon.com/Story-Structure-Complete-Leon-Conrad/dp/1906069255/
Free World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/
c. 2025 BETH BARANY
Questions? Comments? Send us a text!
Invitation to join our Romancing the Subplot Workshop coming soon. Link in the show notes.
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JOIN US!
ROMANCING THE SUBPLOT - SAT + SUN, NOV. 15-16, 2025 on Zoom
Romancing the Subplot Masterclass Workshop, Weekend Writing Retreat with Gala Russ
https://bethbarany.thrivecart.com/romancingthesubplotfall2025/
CONNECT
Contact Beth
LinkedIn
CREDITS
EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link)
MUSIC: Uppbeat.io
DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465
