Have you ever wondered what to do with a main character you just want to punch in the face? How about one who can't seem to fail? Alli and KL! develop a story with a punchable hero, an unexpected Zombie King, an impossible choice, and the sacrifices that must be made when the whole world is covered in fire. Then we answer your questions about how the heck to choose an ending for your story, using structure and theme as your guide—you don't want to miss it!

Digressions include: serialized fiction and new-old ways to tell stories, everything is zombieable (including bears), predestination, separating bodies and consciousness, and stories that come too close to being very relatable content.

Don't forget to check out the new Caramel Corn pledge tier for personalized tarot prompts at the Story Kernels Patreon. (Alli & KL are not professional tarot readers, but they are excellent at using non-standard tools for story inspiration.)

Today’s Prompt System:

Shadowscapes tarot deck by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

What’s Been Inspiring Us Lately:

• Social Media AUs
• This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone

External Links:

• Garden of Gethsemane
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier (video with fisticuff violence)
• A Very Bearable Room (Repeating Bears comic)
• The story behind Hans Christian Andersen writing "The Little Mermaid" (Twitter thread)
• Donnie Darko (metaphysical path scene)
• Hero's Journey: Refusal of the Call (video explanation)
• John Calvin
• Write What You Know
• Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
• How to End a Story Right: 13 Tips Every Author Should Know
• Story Structures: The Fundamentals You Need to Know

Music: Cherryblossom by Raptorface is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives.

If you want to help support the podcast and receive additional inspiration, check out our Patreon.