Listen

Description

“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

https://bethbarany.com/

Questions? Comments? Send us a text!

---

For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Are you ready to edit your novel? If you're not sure, then get this checklist and video series and find out! => https://bethbarany.com/htwtfreadytoedit

Want to be interviewed on the podcast?
Email us!

CONNECT WITH BETH



CREDITS
EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link)
MUSIC: Uppbeat.io
DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465