Let's Deconstruct a Story

Let's Deconstruct a Story: A podcast for the story nerds!Aspiring writers need to understand the components of a good story before they can write one. Choices of POV, plot, setting, and tone are crucial. In each episode, I'll be interviewing a writer about one of their own stories, which will be available for listeners to read for free on my website before they listen.www.kellyfordon.substack.com and letsdeconstructastory.substack.com letsdeconstructastory.substack.com

Let's Deconstruct a Story is a fiction podcast hosted by Kelly Fordon, with 63 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Kelly Fordon hosts Let's Deconstruct a Story, a fiction show with 63 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Let's Deconstruct a Story

  Let's Deconstruct a Story featuring Molly Dektar

  Jun 1, 202643 minS0

  <p>Please read “The Bed and Breakfast” before listening to the episode. </p><p>Molly Dektar is the author of two novels, The Absolutes and The Ash Family. Her short stories have been published in the Best American Short Stories 2024, the Yale Review, N+1, the Harvard Review, Ploughshares, and the Sewanee Review, among others. The recipient of a Dakin Fellowship from the Sewanee Writers’ Conference and a residency at Hawthornden, Brooklyn, she is from North Carolina and lives in Queens, NY.</p><p>Follow her on Instagram here.</p><p>This interview is available here on Substack and on Apple, Spotif...

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  Let's Deconstruct a Story

  Revision Fuses, Character Desire & Obsessions: Masterclass Tips from the Archives

  May 15, 202613 minS0

  <p>I recorded a short episode chock-full of advice from the last few podcast episodes. Hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you would like me to record more of these. I am cleaning up some old recordings, and I’m always struck by how often the person I’m interviewing offers the most unexpected yet sound counsel.</p><p>PS: It’s Andre Dubus III :) My apologies for botching that. </p><p>***This summer, we’re introducing a brand-new benefit to build community here on LDAS. We’re piloting a “Listener Submission” segment where I will deconstruct a story from an...

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  Let's Deconstruct a Story

  When Your Character Refuses to Say It| POV and Character Development in Historical Fiction with Jim Shepard

  May 1, 202648 minS0

  <p>Hi Everyone,</p><p>In this episode, I sit down with Jim Shepard to deconstruct his short story “The Queen of Bad Influences.” If you haven’t read the story yet, I recommend reading it first—this is a full short story analysis and writing craft breakdown, and we go deep.</p><p>This conversation is all about how a story works beneath the surface. We break down point of view (POV), story structure, character tension, and emotional conflict, and how these elements come together in strong historical fiction writing.</p><p>At the center of the story is the relationship...

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  Let's Deconstruct a Story

  Unleashing the Subconscious with 'Pemi Aguda

  Apr 1, 202636 minS0

  <p>Hi Everyone, </p><p>I’m so happy to share ‘Pemi Aguda’s short story, “Manifest,” with you. Please read the story before you listen to the podcast, because there will be spoilers!</p><p>Read “Manifest” here on Granta (or here: https://granta.com/manifest/).</p><p>Let’s Deconstruct a Story is available here on Substack, as well as Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.</p><p>Bio: </p><p>‘Pemi Aguda is from Lagos, Nigeria. She has an MFA from the Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan. Her short stories have won O. Henry Prizes...

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  Let's Deconstruct a Story

  Toni Ann Johnson on Narcissism, Autofiction, and Breaking Family Cycles

  Mar 1, 202649 minS0

  <p>Welcome to Let’s Deconstruct a Story!</p><p>How this works:</p><p>Read the story carefully. This is important because the interview will contain spoilers.</p><p>During this session, we will talk with the author about their personal process and analyze craft elements: plot, character, setting, dialogue, pacing, and revision.</p><p>The aim is to learn how the story was built, with the hope that this will help you with your process.</p><p>Hope you enjoy it.</p><p>Cheers,</p><p>Kelly</p><p>Toni Ann Johnson will be talking about her story, “Daug...

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