Lonely Hearts S1 E2 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

In Rm w/a Vu (S1 E5 of Angel), Cordelia gets a rent-controlled apartment with just a few tiny problems – including a homicidal ghost. Along with the recap of Rm w/a Vu, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) what makes horror work? (2) action and setting that mirror character conflicts; (3) strong growth for Cordie, subtle growth for Doyle, tranquility for Angel; (4) seeing the Buffyverse and Buffy from Cordelia’s point of view; and (5) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Sale: Get the first 3 Q.C. Davis mysteries for 99 cents from 8/30-9/5/2025 (reg. $9.99): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FFBY47K Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly  Read the Buffy and the Art of Story books: https://lisalilly.com/buffy/ Listen to the Buffy podcast episodes starting from the beginning: https://lisalilly.com/buffy-story-hellmouth/ Get 16% Off Ritual Zero Proof (enter the code BUFFYSTORY at checkout): https://www.ritualzeroproof.com/discount/BUFFYSTORY About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes the Writing As A Second Career books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly.  Check out free books by Lisa M. Lilly: https://lisalilly.com/free/

In I Fall To Pieces (S1 E4 of Angel), Angel Investigations aids a woman being stalked by a surgeon who seems to know--and see--everything about her. Along with the recap of I Fall To Pieces, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) a strong subplot but blurred major plot turns; (2) themes that establish the moral center of the series; (3) why the unclear rules distract from the story; (4) how Angel's actions and past fit the detective and noir genres; and (5) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly  Read the Buffy and the Art of Story books: https://lisalilly.com/buffy/ Listen to the Buffy podcast episodes starting from the beginning: https://lisalilly.com/buffy-story-hellmouth/ Get 16% Off Ritual Zero Proof (enter the code BUFFYSTORY at checkout): https://www.ritualzeroproof.com/discount/BUFFYSTORY About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes the Writing As A Second Career books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly.  Check out free books by Lisa M. Lilly: https://lisalilly.com/free/

In In The Dark (S1 E3 of Angel), Spike comes to L.A. in search of a gem that makes vampires unkillable. Along with the recap of In The Dark, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) Angel's mission, promises kept, and vampire philosophy; (2) whether Spike ever learns or Angel is addicted to brooding; (3) revisiting choice in the Buffyverse; and (4) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly  Read the Buffy and the Art of Story books: https://lisalilly.com/buffy/ Find more Buffy podcasts at https://www.millionpodcasts.com/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-podcasts/ Listen to the Buffy podcast episodes starting from the beginning: https://lisalilly.com/buffy-story-hellmouth/ Get 16% Off Ritual Zero Proof (enter the code BUFFYSTORY at checkout): https://www.ritualzeroproof.com/discount/BUFFYSTORY About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes the Writing As A Second Career books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly.  Get free books by Lisa M. Lilly: https://lisalilly.com/free/

In Lonely Hearts (S1 E2 of Angel), Angel must meet new people when he, Cordelia, and Doyle hunt for a serial killer that finds victims in the singles bar scene. Along with the recap of Lonely Hearts, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) themes of trust, secret-keeping, and connection; (2) how the writers introduce many new characters while keeping the story clear; (3) the way Lonely Hearts fits into the Buffyverse; and (4) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly  Read the Buffy and the Art of Story books: https://lisalilly.com/buffy/ Find more Buffy podcasts at https://www.millionpodcasts.com/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-podcasts/ Listen to the Buffy podcast episodes starting from the beginning: https://lisalilly.com/buffy-story-hellmouth/ Get 16% Off Ritual Zero Proof (enter the code BUFFYSTORY at checkout): https://www.ritualzeroproof.com/discount/BUFFYSTORY About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes the Writing As A Second Career books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly.  Get free books by Lisa M. Lilly: https://lisalilly.com/free/

In City Of (S1 E1 of Angel), the Powers That Be reach out to Angel, who is struggling to fight evil without becoming evil himself. Along with the recap of City Of, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) themes of connection, friendship, and staying in the fight; (2) revisiting characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and meeting new ones; (3) how City Of expands and alters the Buffyverse; and (4) where the episode falls on a scale of 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly  Read the Buffy and the Art of Story books: https://lisalilly.com/buffy/ Find more Buffy podcasts at https://www.millionpodcasts.com/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-podcasts/ Listen to the Buffy podcast episodes starting from the beginning: https://lisalilly.com/buffy-story-hellmouth/ About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes the Writing As A Second Career books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly.  Get free books by Lisa M. Lilly: https://lisalilly.com/free/

In the Last 5 Buffy Episodes Ever Caleb is introduced and Faith comes to Sunnydale. These episodes wrap up Buffy the Vampire Slayer the series, but do they form their own separate story arc, too? Along with the recap of Chosen, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) how well the major plot turns in Dirty Girls, Empty Places, Touched, End of Days, and Chosen work to bring the series to a close; (2) what events start and finish the 5-episode story arc; and (3) why the writers may have made the choices they did. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly  Check Out Lisa M. Lilly’s Q.C. Davis mystery series by getting a free novella: https://lisalilly.com/no-good-plays/ About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Get free books by Lisa M. Lilly: https://lisalilly.com/free/

In Chosen (S7 E22 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy, her friends, and the potentials bring the series to a close and engage in one final battle with The First. Along with the recap of Chosen, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) the challenges of winding up a seven-season story; (2) deep character development that makes the finale gripping; (3) inconsistency that undermines some of the finale’s impact; (4) whether the scythe’s magic is too convenient; and (5) writing a happy ending while ensuring the final battle takes a toll. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly  Check Out Lisa M. Lilly’s Q.C. Davis mystery series by getting a free novella: https://lisalilly.com/no-good-plays/ About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Get free books by Lisa M. Lilly: https://lisalilly.com/free/

In End of Days (S7 E21 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy King-Arthurs the scythe from a rock, the gang tries to save wounded potentials, and Buffy faces Caleb again. Along with the recap of End of Days, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) choosing which characters to highlight at the end; (2) indirect dialogue and actions that resolve character arcs; (3) whether Willow’s magic, Caleb’s strength, and another new character are consistent with Buffy's history; (4) the perils of new story questions at the eleventh hour; and (5) satisfying the audience as you wrap a very longform story. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly  Check Out Lisa M. Lilly’s Q.C. Davis mystery series by getting a free novella: https://lisalilly.com/no-good-plays/ About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Get free books by Lisa M. Lilly: https://lisalilly.com/free/

In Touched (S7 E20 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Faith takes over as the leader, Spike reaches out to Buffy, and disaster looms. Along with the recap of Touched, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) the mayor and Giles as foils for one another; (2) the way The First evolves as a season antagonist; (3) Faith’s emotions, doubts, and growth shown through action and dialogue; (4) recurring episode themes; and (5) why some unanswered questions drive a story and others distract from it. Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly  Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Check Out Lisa M. Lilly’s Q.C. Davis mystery series by getting a free novella: https://lisalilly.com/no-good-plays/ About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Get free books by Lisa M. Lilly: https://lisalilly.com/free/ Edit

In Empty Places (S7 E19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Faith takes the potentials on a night out and everyone pushes back against Buffy’s plan to attack Caleb again. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) why an antagonist doesn't need to be a villain; (2) strong foreshadowing early in the story; (3) why Faith and Buffy's history affects how Buffy sees the conflicts and her choices; (4) what role grief plays in the final confrontation; and (5) what Empty Places says about leadership. Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly  Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Check out FeedSpot’s 35 Best Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcasts You Must Follow in 2025 (Buffy and the Art of Story podcast is No. 7!): https://podcast.feedspot.com/buffy_the_vampire_slayer_podcasts/ Revisit Grief and the Buffyverse: https://lisalilly.com/grief-in-the-buffyverse/ Check Out Lisa M. Lilly's cold case murder mystery The Forgotten Man: https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Man-Q-C-Davis-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0C2BBNXDT About Lisa M. Lilly In addition to hosting the Buffy and the Art of Story podcast, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series as well as numerous short stories. She is currently writing the latest novel in her Q.C. Davis mysteries. Her non-fiction includes books on writing craft under L. M. Lilly. She also founded WritingAsASecondCareer.com. Get free books by Lisa M. Lilly: https://lisalilly.com/free/