The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe
Zena Dell Lowe is a seasoned and engaging teacher with a passion for writers and storytellers. Her focused, concise, and practical episodes (all roughly 20 minutes) not only explore the nuts and bolts of the craft, but also dive deep into the inner life of the artist and the "why" behind creativity. If you believe that story matters, you'll want to give this podcast a listen.
Episodes
Free Video Tutorial for Screenwriting
Writers are constantly told there’s a right way to structure chapters, paragraphs, and point of view—but is that actually true? In this episode, Zena Dell Lowe explores why great storytelling isn’t about following formulas and why clarity always matters more than cleverness. This episode is for writers who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure whether their stylistic choices are working, and w...
Free Video Tutorial for Screenwriting
Do your characters really drive your story, or do they just seem to? In this episode of The Storyteller’s Mission, Zena Dell Lowe uncovers the hidden pitfalls that make main characters passive and shows you how to craft heroes that truly capture attention. Writers, screenwriters, and storytellers will gain fresh insight into making characters more active, more compelling, and impossible to ...
Feeling like maybe you’re not meant to write, or questioning if writing is really your path?
In this episode, Zena Dell Lowe dives into the reality of self-doubt for writers, offering insights on how to handle the emotional and practical challenges of creating consistently.
Learn how to evaluate your dedication to the craft, embrace incremental improvement, and understand why effort and perseverance often matter more than raw talen...
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Historical fiction writers often ask: “Can I just make stuff up?” In this episode, Zena Dell Lowe explains the balance between staying true to history and using creative license to craft compelling stories. She covers examples from fiction and media adaptations, giving you actionable insights to write stories that feel authentic while keeping readers engaged.
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Historical fiction writers often ask: “Can I just make stuff up?” In this episode, Zena Dell Lowe explains the balance between staying true to history and using creative license to craft compelling stories. She covers examples from fiction and media adaptations, giving you actionable insights to write stories that feel authentic while keeping readers engaged.
EPISODE DESCRIPTION – Ending a story doesn’t have to frustrate your audience. Zena Dell Lowe breaks down the right way to conclude a story in a series—how to resolve the main arc while teasing what’s next. Perfect for novelists, screenwriters, and series creators. Watch this episode on YouTube
Free Video Tutorial for Screenwriting
The Storyteller's Mission Podcast is now on YouTube. You can watch your favorite po...
Discover how to avoid preachy storytelling while keeping your message powerful. Zena Del Lowe shares tips for letting your characters discover truths naturally, engage audiences, and drive the plot — without lecturing.
📌 Resources & Links:
- Free training: 7 Crucial Plot Points — https://www.thestorytellersmission.com/story-structure-made-easy
- Follow Zena Dell Lowe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FuQeOePj4c8
Not every character is likable—but unlikable doesn’t have to mean forgettable. Zena Del Lowe shares strategies to make unlikable characters sympathetic or intriguing, keeping audiences hooked. Perfect for novelists, screenwriters, and all storytellers.
📌 Resources & Links:
- Free training: 7 Crucial Plot Points — https://www.thestorytellersmission.com/story-structure-made-easy
- Follow Zena Dell Lowe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/...
Are you curious about using AI in your writing? In this episode of The Storyteller’s Mission, Zena Dell Lowe shares her honest thoughts on ChatGPT and other AI tools for writers.
Discover how AI can assist in brainstorming, solving story problems, and refining ideas — without replacing your voice. Zena explains the difference between helpful uses in nonfiction versus the challenges of AI in fiction, novels, and screenplays.
She also ...
Do you really need a villain to tell a powerful story—or can life itself provide the opposition your character needs? In this episode, Zena answers a writer’s question about whether “life as the villain” works, and breaks down the difference between antagonists, villains, and complex characters who don’t fit neatly into either box.
You’ll learn:
- Why “life” as an antagonist can weaken your story (unless it’s a disaster plot).
- How a...
In this episode, Zena Dell Lowe uncovers the hidden power of the “Aha Moment” in your story’s climax — the moment of revelation that resonates long after the final scene. Learn how to weave this essential beat into your work without forcing it, why it matters so much to your audience, and how to make it unforgettable.
Perfect for writers, screenwriters, and storytellers ready to elevate their craft.
“Show, Don’t Tell” is one of the most common pieces of writing advice — but also one of the most misunderstood. What does it really mean? And how do you actually do it?
In this episode, Zena Dell Lowe shares a crisp, actionable breakdown that goes beyond flowery description. Using a brilliant metaphor — "give the clues, not the police report" — Zena shows how to shift your writing from passive to powerful.
What you’ll learn...
What if your character’s behavior seems selfish… but they’re actually in pain?
Writers often struggle to make characters dealing with depression, anxiety, or trauma feel relatable instead of off-putting. You want readers to connect with them—not judge them.
In this episode, Zena tackles how to portray characters struggling with mental health challenges in a way that feels true, empathetic, and dramatically compelling. You’ll lea...
You’ve poured your heart into writing a novel—and now you’re wondering if you should turn it into a screenplay. But without industry insight, that leap could cost you time, money, and momentum.
In this episode of The Storyteller’s Mission, Zena lays down the hard truth about adapting novels into screenplays. Should you write the adaptation yourself? Should you hire someone to do it? Or should you leave the screenplay entir...
You’ve built your story beat by beat. Your characters are in place. The stakes are high. But now you’ve hit the final stretch—Act Three—and suddenly, it’s not clear how to land the plane.
This is where even seasoned writers stumble.
In this episode, Zena tackles the storytelling tension of bringing everything together in a satisfying, powerful way—without falling into cliché or chaos. If you're unsure how to pace your clim...
Writers often get stuck at the transition between Act Two and Act Three—especially when the “all hope is lost” moment doesn’t quite fit their story. Is this moment supposed to be the character’s lowest emotional point? Is redemption supposed to kick in right away? What if your character is still flailing?
In this episode, Zena challenges the conventional “lowest point” terminology and offers a more nuanced, flexible way to think abo...
Writing a short film script can feel like trying to squeeze a novel into a sticky note. Can you really fit a full character arc, plot structure, and emotional payoff into just 10 minutes of screen time?
In this episode, Zena answers the question: does the Hollywood Plot Map apply to short films, or is it overkill?
Her answer might surprise you—and give you permission to stop overthinking and start trusting your c...
You’ve got a great premise, compelling characters… but something’s off. Your story feels stuck, and you can’t figure out why. Chances are, your story beats aren’t pulling their weight.
💡 In this episode:
Zena Dell Lowe reveals how to turn every scene into a powerful turning point. You’ll learn how to spot weak story beats, replace them with emotional drivers, and make sure every scene earns its place.
🎯 What...
Are your characters saying all the right things—but somehow it still feels off?
Contrived dialogue is one of the fastest ways to pull your reader or viewer out of the story. Whether you're a novelist or a screenwriter, when your dialogue feels stiff, forced, or unnatural, it kills immersion and weakens emotional impact.
The worst part? You might not even realize you're doing it.
In this episode, we d...
Ever feel like your story should be working — but something’s just... off? Chances are, your characters are missing the one thing that drives truly compelling fiction: a clear, active goal.
In this episode, we dig into why so many screenplays and novels lose steam, how to spot the silent killer of narrative momentum, and what your character really needs to stop drifting and start doing. Whether you’re knee-deep in draft land or just...
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