The podcast is taking a break, but I'm still writing breakdowns. You can find them on my Substack at https://ineswrites.substack.com

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 and touching revelations that celebrate the transformative power of love and the importance of embracing one's true essence.

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 feelings for one another.

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.