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Solve Plot Problems with "Mirrored" Story Structure (with KM Weiland)

July 16, 2025 · 58 min

Show notes

KM Weiland, author of "Creating Character Arcs" and "Structuring Your Novel" reveals how to solve plot problems using "chiastic" or "mirrored" story structure.

Plus: Understanding "The Thematic Lie" and building the most important structural "beat" in storytelling!

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00:00 Episode Start 02:15 Introduction To "Mirrored" Storytelling 03:04 The Hook And Resolution 03:37 The "Normal" World & The "New" World 05:13 Mirrored Story Structure in "Toy Story" 06:40 Join The Magic Box Brush Club 07:06 How Act Breaks Mirror Each Other 10:25 The Thematic Lie 15:47 The Midpoint As A Mirror 28:51 Solving Story Problems With "Mirrored" Structure 31:07 Structural Timing 34:46 Why Story Structure Matters 40:30 Making Story Structure Your Own 42:59 Best/ Worst Advice 44:46 What Was Your Personal Midpoint As An Artist? 48:19 Mindset Shift 51:34 The Magic Feather 57:14 End Credits

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SPOILER WARNING: This conversation contains major spoilers for Toy Story and minor spoilers for The Godfather and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Find KM Weiland's books and blog at http://HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com and learn more about our mentorship program The Clockwork Heart at http://MagicBoxAcademy.com

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Claim your 100% free, lifetime membership to The Magic Box Brush Club and get new digital art brushes (Procreate or Photoshop) with accompanying tutorial guides every month for an entire year: http://DigitalArtBrushes.com

Subscribe to "You're A Better Artist Than You Think": http://Linktr.ee/ChrisOatley

Mentorship: http://MagicBoxAcademy.com

All episodes of You’re A Better Artist Than You Think

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