Angie and Elizabeth explore the relationship of story events to character as they respond to a listener’s question about how much each scene in a story must be shaped by the main character’s limiting belief. They discuss single protagonists and ensemble or roving points of view, and the emotional impact of a single death versus a million. Far ranging conversation takes them from Marvel comics to the Holocaust. Please note that Angie’s use of the term “muselmann” was slightly off: it is not someone who arrives at a concentration camp without hope but someone whose hope is worn out through the experiences there.

Modern Family

Eddie Izzard

“Bashert” by Irena Klepfitz

Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels

The Secrets of Story by Matt Bird

Black-ish (TV)

Alicia: My Story by Alicia Appleman-Jurman

Barbara Kingsolver

As Angie works on cover letters for her film and Elizabeth has a huge revelation on the next steps on her novel, they take a moment to chat with Irving Ruan about humour and his unique journey. Irving is a person of many talents—a playwright, a stand up comedian, and an engineer. Reasonably new to writing, his body of work is nonetheless impressive. Irving discusses the hardest part about writing: continuing even in the face of rejection and how trusting yourself will get you through. While he does not use his engineering degree in his writing, it has given him a strong sense of structure. In comedy writing there is the need to identify clear patterns and to combine two previously different universes. Perhaps stand up comedy and engineering? Just a thought. In short, steal relentlessly. Read other people’s humor pieces, make notes of what stuck out. And most of all, write.

Thomas Edison New Yoker

There There by Tommy Orange

Colin Nissan

I Miss You - Colin Nissan

I Work From Home - Colin Nissan

Irving Ruan Website