Ines Johnson is Having a Breakdown
The Breakdown is a podcast hosted by television producer turned romance author Ines Johnson. In each episode, join Ines as she breaks television episodes, movies, and/or an aspect of the indie publishing market. Mainly for her own edification, but maybe other authors could find some use in her nerding out over story structure and market analysis.
Episodes
The podcast is taking a break, but I'm still writing breakdowns. You can find them on my Substack at
One of the four types of deceptions in a romantic comedy is the Magic Potion Deception. Magic potion deceptions in romantic comedies like "Splash," "Mannequin," and "Penelope" offer love and acceptance through the lens of magical realism. Be it a mermaid, a mannequin or a cursed woman, each film cleverly uses the magic potion deception to challenge characters to look beyond the surface, leading to comedic escapades an...
One of the four types of deceptions in a romantic comedy is the Bet Deception. The bet deception is all about trying to win against the odds, but the characters wind up falling down hard -falling in love that is!
One of the four types of deceptions in a romantic comedy is the Identity Deception. Identity deception in romantic comedies can involve characters concealing or misrepresenting their true selves or the nature of their relationship, leading to a series of laugh out loud situations before culminating in an emotional revelation.
One of the four types of deceptions in a romantic comedy is the Merry War. The "Merry War" deception in a romantic comedy happens when the romantic partners engage in a playful, antagonistic, and/or competitive relationship that masks an underlying attraction or affection. This tension-filled interplay is characterized by witty banter, humorous disputes, and a series of conflicts that belie the characters' true feelin...
By treating your setting with the same care and detail as you would a character, you can create a rich, immersive world that captivates readers and enhances the emotional impact of your story known as Anthropomorphizing.
The marriage of convenience trope has a rich history that mirrors societal views on marriage, love, and individual agency. From strategic alliances in ancient times to a tool for social critique and exploration of personal desires in modern literature, this trope has evolved significantly, always offering fresh insights into the human experience of love and relationships.
If we think about scene launches, purposeful middles, and punctuated endings, we can keep readers turning those pages at a fast and satisfying pace.
In this special tips and tricks episode, learn some tools to use in crafting a swoony hero and a strong heroine.
In this episode, I'm breaking down Marvel's The Guardians of the Galaxy using Blake Snyder's Five Part Finale from the Save the Cat Plotting Method.
In this episode, I'm breaking down Marvel's Thor using Blake Snyder's Five Part Finale from the Save the Cat Plotting Method.
In this episode, I'm breaking down Marvel's Black Panther using Blake Snyder's Five Part Finale from the Save the Cat Plotting Method.
In this episode, I'm breaking down Marvel's Doctor Srtange using Blake Snyder's Five Part Finale from the Save the Cat Plotting Method.
In this episode, I'm breaking down Marvel's Incredible Hulk using Blake Snyder's Five Part Finale from the Save the Cat Plotting Method.
I've noticed eight rules for packs in shifter romance. Wanna know what they are? Listen to this episode on Paranormal Pack Rules!
Have you been paying attention to the evolution of the Cinderella story? Young girls and women are no longer waiting around for a man to come by on his horse, sweep them off their feet, and give them shoes…Okay, I doubt any of us would turn down the shoes!
In “Moll Flanders,” Daniel Defoe aimed to pen a tale of a heroine who faced a life of poverty, perversion, and penitence. Instead, the title character was an unlikeable heroine with surprisingly few empathetic qualities and a negative character arc showing that not women are heroines.
To become a Darcy, a hero needs the Five M's.
Misunderstood Character(istics)
Mistreat the Heroine
Movement towards Awkwardly Pursuing the Heroine
Magnanimity: an Act of Kindness
Missive Swoonworthy Declaration of Love
A BM is a big misunderstanding. What? What did you think it was?
This is my least favorite craft technique. I also don't appreciate them as a reader. But I've found that they abound as a plotting device in early romances like "The Flame and the Flower" by Kathleen E Woodiwiss. In this episode, I break it down.
I presented my first academic paper on romance. It got rave reviews and I'd like to present it to you in two parts. It's entitled From Bodice Rippers to Booktok. Ready? Here's Part 2!
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