The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Have you ever found yourself weaving your own story into your WIP? Or even considered writing an autobiography? In this episode, Zena tracks through some pitfalls and how to avoid them when writing your own experiences into your story. Come away understanding the importance of empathy for your antagonist and how to keep your main character active in the retelling. If you have...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Obstacles to your character's main objective and how they deal with them are what drive your story. If you don't have obstacles, you won't have a story. This week, Zena breaks down the three types of obstacles in story to help you add intrigue, connect with your audience, and reveal true character. Come away with a better understanding of what they are and some...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Negotiations between characters help to raise the stakes in your scenes, but how else can you use this technique in your story? Learn how to use this technique to help reveal true character and objectives in ways that have maximum impact with your audience. You'll learn how these revelations can be taken to extremes once they are realized in order to facilitate an emotio...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – In this SPECIAL EPISODE, Zena is interviewed by one of her students at Covenant College, with questions ranging from writing as a calling to the role of ADHD for her as a creative, and so much more. Mind you, this isn't just about Zena and her background, although we love learning more about her daily. This interview includes thought-provoking topics about writing and st...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Are you looking to maximize the dramatic potential in your scenes between two or more characters? Do you want to take your conflicts between those characters to new heights? Listen to this week's episode as Zena gives you three clever ways to heighten those power struggles by using catalysts that are not the actual antagonizers. Come away with a new grasp on how to use t...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – "Your story just doesn't grab me." Do you ever get that feedback? Want to fix it with one easy-to-remember tip? This week, Zena dives deeper into the negotiations between characters and their objectives. She'll help you understand how to make sure your audience/reader is engaged and fully caught up in your story. The Storyteller's Mission Podcast is n...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Do you ever wonder if you can improve your interpersonal communication so much that it would impact your writing? Would you still be able to write good conflict if you knew and practiced good communication skills and habits? This episode sees Zena unpack why this might be a concern and also addresses why this actually might make your writing of story conflict more interesting...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – What if we stopped trying to fix things, not only in our personal lives, but in our stories too? What does that even look like? How do you not fix something in your story? This week Zena will shed light on how to do just that with a maximum impact on not only your character, but your audience's ability to connect with them and your story. It's one of those all-encom...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – You know that uncomfortable feeling when you know someone is hurting and you feel kind of awkward because you don't know what to say, but you want to help them somehow, just to fix it for them? Well, this week, Zena breaks down why that initial urge for us to want to fix the problem, while well-intentioned, might actually be less supportive than the alternative. She&apos...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Are you setting boundaries in your personal life? Boundaries can be helpful and healthy, but they can also be a tool utilized to manipulate, whether we do it knowingly or not. This week, join Zena as she guides you through some of the confusion surrounding boundaries in popular culture today and how you can go about deciphering which boundaries are healthy and which are leadi...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – It can be a struggle to get off Karpman's triangle, it can be a struggle to take personal responsibility even if you're not on the triangle. It takes courage and strength. But by embracing the idea of being radically honest, without being brutal, we can truly change the world for the better. Not only can these concepts give you freedom in your personal relationships...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Zena's back this week with a hard hitter. Do you own your stuff? I mean, do you take personal responsibility for your actions, feelings, etc.? Zena takes us on a journey this week down the road of recovery. Whether or not you're in abusive cycle, you'll still gain an abundance in the way of personal growth with this episode. Because the truth is, we can all use...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Do you feel intimidated by societal expectations to accept mainstream narrative as truth? Or even by our fellow Christians for standing against the grain? Are you tired of the dumbing down of Christian art and ready to make a stand for more sophistication? Give this week's episode a listen and come away feeling bold, assertive and empowered to go forth with a willingness...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – They're here! The final three on Zena's list of seven new evaluative criteria for writers and consumers alike. Challenging what has come to be known as a "good Christian story", Zena argues for us to stop thinking about what a good story should lack and start thinking about what a great story should provide. Follow these seven guidelines to find freedom to...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – There is freedom in boundaries. Sounds counterintuitive, I know. But just listen as Zena explains how to find ultimate freedom in your writing by following these creative guidelines. Here come two more foundational principles from Zena's list of Seven Keys to Unlocking Great Stories.  UP NEXT - Next week Zena will continue to unpack this list with more key ingredients to...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION – I know what you're thinking. Can Zena get through 7 evaluative criteria in one 20 minute episode? The answer is no. No, she can't. And that is a great thing! Zena gives weight where it is due by breaking down the first two criteria that are essential to provide the framework for great stories. She thoroughly explores them individually and as integral parts of one an...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION –   Zena takes us on another exciting ride as she unveils three more reasons Christians are afraid to write content geared towards adults, dealing with the struggles and issues that we face that may not be entirely family friendly when reflecting the truth of humanity. Zena brings biblical references and real world experiences into this week's session to bolster her argume...

Support the Show on Paypal@Missionranchfilms ! EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Welcome to Season 3. Thanks for joining us. True to form, Zena breaks right into the meat of why society needs more R-rated stories written by Christians right now. The truth is not always "family friendly". The Bible certainly isn't. While the title and subject matter might seem scary at first to many, this episod...

https://www.siakaforassembly.com/. In this special episode being published just in time for the upcoming elections, Zena interviews candidate Siaka Massaquoi, who's running for District Assembly #43 here in the LA area.  Meeting Siaka gave Zena much needed hope and encouragement given today's political climate, where things look grim to say the least. Having even one candidate you can be...

S2_E51.  Four Professional Breakthroughs I’ve had as a Writer that have Immediately Improved My Outcomes Support the Show on Paypal@Missionranchfilms !   EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Today, I want to share four techniques I've developed that have helped me navigate the business side of my writing career. Namely, those times when I have to meet with the powers that be for one reason or another. I use...

S2_E50.  The Well Keynote Day 2 – Four Clever Ways to Employ Visual Images that will Instantly Increase the Power of Your Story Support the Show on Paypal@Missionranchfilms !   EPISODE DESCRIPTION – There are things that we can do as a Christian community to up our game as storytellers and to not rely so heavily on message. Simply put, we must begin using visual images to convey deeper levels of m...

S2_E49.  Three A-Ha Moments From Other Writers that have Radically Impacted My Craft Support the Show on Paypal@Missionranchfilms ! EPISODE DESCRIPTION – In this episode, Zena shares three key lessons that she learned in passing from other successful writers that were radical in terms of improving her own craft. These lessons come from Anton Chekhov, Richard Price, and Quentin Tarantino. Hopefully...

In this special keynote presentation, Zena discusses key mistakes that faith-based writers make, which alienate audiences rather than give them life.  Certain storytelling techniques bring "death," because they make readers feel judged, isolated, misunderstood, and hopeless. For storytellers who have a "message" for their readers, Zena shows a better way. Rather than preaching...

S2_E47: When Deadlines Aren't Enough EPISODE DESCRIPTION - Last Week I gave you my 10 Essential Principles for creating an active hero. This week we go into the writer's dilemma of procrastination, or putting aside our writing projects for things that feel more urgent. The first thing I've realized is that I need to set goals. Places to submit my work where others will judge and cri...

S2_E46. The Top 10 Indicators that Your Protagonist is Driving the Action in Story EPISODE DESCRIPTION - Last week we discussed four things you must do if you've given your character the trait of "selfishness ". This week I want to discuss what it looks like for a main character to actually be the one who's driving the action in story.  How to test whether or not your protagoni...