- 45 minutes 23 secondsYour LAVA Is Not Your PLOT
You know what your story is about. You know why it matters to you. You might even have a deeply personal, emotionally powerful idea at its center. But here's the question: Do you actually have a plot?
This week on The Screenwriting Life, Meg LeFauve, Lorien McKenna, and Joe Forte dig into one of the most essential distinctions in storytelling: the difference between your lava, the emotional truth burning underneath your story, and your plot, the choices, actions, and obstacles that bring that truth to life.
Too often, writers mistake one for the other. They know what they want to say, but struggle to figure out what actually happens. Or they build an elaborate series of events without understanding the emotional engine driving them. Either way, the result can be the same: a story that feels stuck, repetitive, or disconnected from what made you want to write it in the first place.
Through personal writing experiences, practical examples, and an exploration of how stories develop, Meg, Lorien, and Joe unpack why lava and plot are equally essential, but fundamentally different.
They discuss how to identify the emotional core of your story without getting trapped inside it, why your protagonist's choices are crucial to generating plot, how to create an engine that keeps a story moving, and why sometimes the hardest part of writing is letting go of the version of the story you originally imagined.
The conversation also explores the differences between building stories for features and television, finding momentum when a project isn't working, and learning to recognize when you're exploring something emotionally meaningful versus actually moving your narrative forward.
Because your lava might be the reason you need to tell the story. But your plot is what allows an audience to experience it.
Whether you're struggling with an outline, lost in Act Two, or trying to figure out why a deeply personal project isn't coming together, this episode will help you reconnect with the heart of your story and figure out what needs to happen next.
You are not alone. Keep writing.
Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops.
Episode Links:
- Check out the TSL merch shop
- TSL on Instagram | TikTok
The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
8 October 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 33 minutesEp. 311 | The Quintessential PITCHING Crash Course w/ Jessica Sharzer
Jessica Sharzer joins Meg and Lorien to give an in depth look into pitching. Not only does she get incredibly specific. Her generosity with her time and her ability to convey so succinctly and with such clarity throughout the episode is what makes her one of the best at pitching in the business.
Everything from loglines to decks to television vs. film and even answering your questions. This episode is one to replay again and again.
Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops.
Episode Links:
- https://www.coachkhatcho.com/
- Check out the TSL merch shop
- TSL on Instagram | TikTok
The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
24 September 2026, 10:00 am - 49 minutes 9 secondsEp. 310 | Bringing Your Phyiscal Life To Your Writing w/ Coach Khatchig Chouljian
Today Joe Forte is join by fitness coach, Khatchig Chouljia for a very different way of attacking the writing process.
Coach Khatcho is s the founder and head coach of MindBodyFit, a private fitness and health coaching studio based in Glendale, California.
With his understanding of cognitive science, he brings a less is more approach to fitness. Joe and he dive into the 70 percent approach, and they dive into how Coach Khatcho's approach to fitness really is so similar to the writing process and all tips can easily apply to the page.
He also of course gives some great, quick and easy exercises to refresh after sitting at the desk for a while. Inspiring and important for your writing and your health.
Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops.
Episode Links:
- https://www.coachkhatcho.com/
- Check out the TSL merch shop
- TSL on Instagram | TikTok
The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10 September 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 6 minutesEP. 309 | The Deepest Dive Into STRUCTURE w/ John Yorke
Meg LeFauve is joined by fellow story junkie and world-leading expert in narrative and a winner of multiple awards, including BAFTAs and a Golden Globe, John Yorke. John's first book, Into the Woods: How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them
His newest release and follow up - Trip To The Moon: Understanding The True Power of Story shifts the focus from how fictional screenplays work to how storytelling shapes the real world.
This episode covers a wide range of topics from structure to theory and more.
Story Structure and Why Stories WorkThe Midpoint as the Moment a Character Encounters the “Lesson”The Midpoint → Crisis → Climax ProgressionStorytelling as a Version of the Scientific MethodConflict and Why Writers Avoid Hurting Their CharactersCharacters, Belief Systems, and Psychological ChangeMirroring and Character OppositesTrip to the Moon and Storytelling Beyond ScreenwritingWhat are your fears for AI/Is there a use?What Makes a Great Climactic ActionCreating Emotion in the AudienceMovies vs. Television and Cliffhangers
Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops.
Episode Links:
- https://www.johnyorkestory.com/team/john-yorke/
- Check out the TSL merch shop
- TSL on Instagram | TikTok
The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
27 August 2026, 10:00 am - 49 minutes 13 secondsEp. 308 | WRITING EXERCISE: Go DEEPER With Your Characters
Lorien McKenna is joined by TSL producer Alex Alcheh for a really exciting exercise.
Get out your pen and paper, make 4 quadrants and follow along.
Lorien asks specific questions about YOUR LIFE to unlock the depth a character should have. They discuss character introductions and how most have such little specificity.
Lorien highlights the import to ask questions of your own life so you can ask those questions about your characters.
And, she gives one additional exercise within the exercise - The Trader Joe's Test.
Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops.
Episode Links:
- Check out the TSL merch shop
- TSL on Instagram | TikTok
The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
13 August 2026, 10:00 am - 55 minutes 52 secondsEp. 307 | Inside THE PITT'S Writers Room w/ Simran Baidwan
Meg LeFauve is joined by Simran Baidwan, former power house lawyer turned brilliant writer and executive producer of HBO's hit show, THE PITT. Simran's thorough and eloquent advice for emerging writers mixed with her raw and real honesty about why The Pitt's writers room is so special is such a gift. Simran speaks on how they build a season for The Pitt. What happens when an idea shifts the plot lines for the season, and how she attempts to see it as a writing opportunity rather than an "OH S*IT" moment. And so much more!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 July 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 6 minutesEp. 306 | The Importance Of Being A Writer Advocate w/ Betsy Beers
Betsy Beers is a stallwart producer of film and television having been the creative partner of Shonda Rhimes at Shondaland since its inception, shepherding every project the company has ever produced from Grey's Anatomy to Bridgerton.
Lorien, Meg and Betsy dive deep into what it really means to produce at a high level and even more importantly Betsy's specific style of producing which in her words means - doing whatever is needed to make the thing go and to make the writer feel most comfortable to do their best work.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
16 July 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 6 minutesEp. 305 | Overcoming The Dreaded ACT TWO
Act two is every emerging AND professional writers white whale. It is consistently the most challenging part of writing a screenplay and yet the most critical.
Lorien and Meg dive deep into how to approach Act Two, offering a piece by piece breakdown and expectation of what should occur in Act Two. Providing clear examples from some of the best films.
They also answer YOUR specific questions as well.
Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops.
Episode Links:
- Check out the TSL merch shop
- TSL on Instagram | TikTok
The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2 July 2026, 10:00 am - 45 minutes 46 secondsEp. 304 | A Tapesetry of World Building and Characters w/ Jennifer L. Armentrout
Jennifer L. Armentrout, the phenomenal New York Times Bestselling author of the Flesh and Fire Series, The Blood and Ash Series and so much more, dives deep with Lorien McKenna.
They discuss Jennifer's process and how she keeps such high concept sci/fi romance with so many worlds, timelines and characters afloat and fresh. They also talk through the challenges of the publishing world.
Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops.
Episode Links:
- Check out the TSL merch shop
- TSL on Instagram | TikTok
The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 June 2026, 1:00 pm - 47 minutes 34 secondsEp. 303 | How To Welcome The Mess! (Ultimate Adventures In Screenwriting)
Meg, Joe and Lorien have another round of The ULTIMATE Adventures In Screenwriting. Diving into their weeks which always leads to deep thoughts and important realizations.
The thesis for today's episode how to live in the mess. Not fear it, not try to rush through it but truly welcome it.
But, there is a time and place for that mess and that is on the page. They talk about the importance of clearing their email inbox, taking care of the "annoying" life things before sitting down to write and how that can be freeing.
A lot more on this very open episode.
Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops.
Episode Links:
- Check out the TSL merch shop
- TSL on Instagram | TikTok
The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
18 June 2026, 10:00 am - 59 minutes 17 secondsEp. 302 | Finding The Authenticity & Tone Of Margo's Got Money Troubles w/ Eva Anderson
Meg LeFauve is joined by co-showrunner of the hit Apple series, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Eva Anderson, to talk all things crafting one of the best series of the year.
She gives keen insight into her time on Your The Worst, where she really learned how to break a season. As well as what she learned from being a playwright and working in reality television.
Meg and Eva deep dive into what it's like to work with television giant, David E. Kelly, and how going against character expectation can be a major blessing.
Eva has hired a first time television writer for the season 2 room of Margo. Her insight into why she chose this writer may be a bit different than you'd expect.
Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops.
Episode Links:
- TSL on Instagram | TikTok
The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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