Plot Lab

About Plot Lab

Plot Lab takes pop culture headlines, trending topics, and viral moments and turns them into original fiction ideas, with a guest author. Hosts Kristi Leonard and Beth Uznis Johnson bring the prompts and then the brainstorming begins. Part game show, part writers' room, every episode is a front row seat to the messy, surprising, wildly fun process of watching a story take shape. It's story creation as a spectator sport. To keep the creativity flowing, join our online community, Prompt Incubator, on OUR WEBSITE. (https://www.plotlabpod.com/) Listeners can use prompts from our episodes–even the ones not selected–and generate their own original stories. Share your work, like your favorites, and even submit your own prompt ideas for future episodes. The Incubator is a space to give and receive feedback, to connect with the writing community, and explore how stories originate and expand. If you’re a reader, writer, lover of stories, or simply curious about the creative process, Plot Lab is for you. Join us every two weeks as our guest author chooses their favorite prompt from which to build a new story. We’ll explore our infinite sources of inspiration, elements of story–like character, dialogue, and what’s at stake–and offer a glimpse into the creative process. Plot Lab, from spark to story.

Publisher

Kristi Leonard & Beth Uznis Johnson | Fiction Writing Podcast

Category

arts · fiction

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Aug 2026

Latest episode

5 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Nov 2026

   From Lost Wallet to Historical Fiction with ROSA KWON EASTON

   Plot Lab, episode 5: From Lost Wallet to Historical Fiction with Rosa Kwon Easton Rosa Kwon Easton steps into the lab with Kristi and Beth for a brainstorming session. First, we play a warm-up game called Bookish Mad Libs, where Rosa helps us fill in the missing words or a real book description. We create our own crazy book description and Rosa guesses the actual book. Then, the real experiment begins. Rosa is torn between two headlines so we talk it through. Her chosen headline sets us up perfectly to brainstorm a dual-timeline story where points in history serve as tent poles for half of the plot. We also discuss the significance of objects in literature and how the details about a simple item can open the door to so many interesting questions and clues for readers. We dive deep into character development of the present-day timeline and the ways in which long-term family issues can resurface during new phases of life, even when we’d thought the problem was resolved. The object, our link between the past and the present brings our two stories together. Huge props to Rosa for her whip smart ideas. Right when Kristi throws in a twist, Rosa twists it even more. Don’t say we can’t come up with the framework for a stellar story in 30 minutes! MEET Rosa Kwon Easton (http://www.rosakwoneaston.com) Rosa Kwon Easton is a Korean American lawyer, a library trustee, and the author of the novel Red Seal, released in October 2026. Her writings have also appeared in CRAFT Literary, Electric Literature, Writer’s Digest, and elsewhere. A graduate of Smith College, Columbia University, and Boston College Law School, she resides with her husband and Maltipoo in sunny Southern California. BOOKS MENTIONED Rosa Kwon Easton, Red Seal (https://bookshop.org/p/books/red-seal-rosa-kwon-easton/98986dc7880ffcb0?ean=9781662519727&aid=125134&listref=guest-author-books), White Mulberry (https://bookshop.org/p/books/white-mulberry-rosa-kwon-easton/8093abeda6143bac?ean=9781662519697&aid=125134&listref=guest-author-books) Min Jin Lee, Pachinko (https://bookshop.org/p/books/pachinko-national-book-award-finalist-min-jin-lee/d6ef3fcf56d5a91e?ean=9781455563920&aid=125134&listref=mentioned-on-plot-lab) Min Jin Lee, American Hagwon (https://bookshop.org/p/books/pachinko-national-book-award-finalist-min-jin-lee/d6ef3fcf56d5a91e?ean=9781455563920&aid=125134&listref=mentioned-on-plot-lab) JOIN THE EXPERIMENT The headlines we bring into the lab don’t just belong to us. They’re writing prompts for you, too! Which one sparks your interest the most? Pick one of this episode’s headlines and write your own original story. Visit our PROMPT INCUBATOR community. Share your ideas, write, or read what others are creating. Vote for your favorites. Your work could be featured on a future episode of Plot Lab. Visit Plot Lab (https://plotlabpod.com) Plot Lab. From Spark to Story.

2. 

   22 Oct 2026

   Move Over Carl Hiassen: CARLA DAMRON Takes on a Florida Man Headline

   Carla Damron steps into the lab with Kristi and Beth for a brainstorming session. First, we play a warm-up game called The Book Imposter, challenging Carla to guess the real novel between a book about a retired detective on a missing-person case and another about addiction recovery. Then we discuss getting into the minds of characters using point of view and the perks of writing multiple POV stories to unleash the chaos and humor of what’s going on in people’s minds at all times. Our story grows to include Gary, a robber with many redeeming qualities, Carl, the detective longing for a second chance, and Ivan, the criminal mastermind who’s about to pay the price for his many bad deeds. Along the way, we touch on using humor to balance the weight of difficult subjects in our stories and the power of sensory details to create truly memorable scenes and lasting images in the minds of readers. This is Plot Lab, where headlines become story sparks, and listeners get a first-hand glimpse of their favorite writers engaged in the creative process. Meet Carla Damron Carla Damron writes fiction on a mission. A social worker, advocate, and author, Damron has authored seven novels that put a human face on issues like drug abuse, mental illness, and human trafficking. She’s won multiple literary awards, including the Women’s Fiction Writers Association Star Award for Best Novel and the NIEA award for best suspense. Damron holds an MSW from the University of South Carolina and an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte. She lives in Columbia, SC, with her husband and their unruly family of rescue animals. More information can be found at carladamron.com (http://carladamron.com). Facebook, carladamronwrites Threads, @carladamron Twitter, @carlawritesfic Books Mentioned Carla Damron, The Orchid Tattoo (https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-orchid-tattoo-carla-damron/f79032d996c61d69?ean=9781968548155&aid=125134&listref=guest-author-books), The Weird Girl (https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-weird-girl-carla-damron/0ba5b08cae67fa1c?ean=9781965733790&aid=125134&listref=guest-author-books) Attica Locke, Guide Me Home (https://bookshop.org/p/books/guide-me-home-attica-locke/94b8172327a61ace?ean=9780316494595&listref=mentioned-on-plot-lab&aid=125134) Join the experiment Visit our Prompt Incubator (https://www.plotlabpod.com/community) online community. Share your ideas, write, or read what others are creating. Vote for your favorites. Your work could be featured on a future episode of Plot Lab. Where to Find Us Instagram: @plotlabpod (https://www.instagram.com/plotlabpod) Facebook: Plot Lab on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578493933516) Website & Prompt Incubator: Visit Plot Lab (https://plotlabpod.com) Plot Lab. From Spark to Story.

3. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Lisa Roe and the Complex Lives of Mothers and Daughters

   Lisa Roe steps into the lab with Kristi and Beth for a brainstorming session. First, we play a warm-up game called The Book Imposter, challenging Lisa to guess the real novel between two book descriptions. Then, the real experiment begins. Lisa picks a headline from three choices, one she remembers hearing about in recent news. Our brainstorming session begins. The scene becomes the opening for a mother-daughter story about healing old wounds and finding second chances. We discuss story structure as an opportunity to build fully imagined characters with redeeming qualities, moving back and forth in time, and how sometimes a love interest can heighten the stakes. Lisa is fast on her feet with ideas, specific details, and how a culminating moment can deliver a huge payoff for the reader. Meet Lisa Roe Lisa Roe graduated from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and spent many years as an advertising creative director and copywriter in New York City before she accepted the tougher job of stay-at-home mom and turned to writing fiction—mostly to entertain her kids, but then to tell her own stories. A classic first born, reluctant empty nester, and Dr. Doolittle wannabe, Lisa lives in New Jersey with her husband, David and three incorrigible dogs. She is the author of Welcome to the Neighborhood and Big & Lily. www.lisaroe.com (http://www.lisaroe.com) Books Mentioned Lisa Roe, Big & Lily (https://bookshop.org/p/books/big-lily-lisa-roe/af4cf49a5db4734a?ean=9780063474918&aid=125134&listref=guest-author-books) Lisa Roe, Welcome to the Neighborhood (https://bookshop.org/p/books/welcome-to-the-neighborhood-lisa-roe/cd368e5da4206086?ean=9781728249063&aid=125134&listref=guest-author-books) Sloane Crowley, Cult Classic (https://bookshop.org/p/books/cult-classic-a-novel-sloane-crosley/ca8b655a59ea3c6d?ean=9781250867179&aid=125134&listref=mentioned-on-plot-lab) Beth Uznis Johnson, “Deep Dark Tan” A short story in issue #46/47 of Story Quarterly. (https://storyquarterly.camden.rutgers.edu/storyquarterly-46-47/deep-dark-tan/) Join the experiment Visit our Prompt Incubator (https://www.plotlabpod.com/community) to share your ideas, write, or read what others are creating. Your work could be featured on a future episode. Where to Find Us Instagram: @plotlabpod (https://www.instagram.com/plotlabpod) Facebook: Plot Lab on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578493933516) Website & Prompt Incubator: Visit Plot Lab (https://plotlabpod.com) Plot Lab. From Spark to Story.

4. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Stephen G. Eoannou And the Practice of Turning Headlines into Fiction

   Plot Lab, Stephen G. Eoannou steps into the lab with Kristi and Beth for a brainstorming session. First, we play a warm-up game called The Book Imposter, challenging Steve to guess the real novel between two book descriptions. Then, Steve picks a headline from three choices. What starts as one strange image, gradually becomes a story about a life somebody wasn’t ready to let go of, the people who are relieved he’s gone, and the one person who he’d rather stay with. We discuss different elements of craft, like why Steve can’t write a word without a title, how he builds character before plot, how sensory detail can pull a reader into a room, and how a dark premise can still be very funny. Meet Stephen G. Eoannou Stephen G. Eoannou grew up in Buffalo, New York, reading Hardy Boys books and watching old Humphrey Bogart movies on The Late Show. His love of history and writing led him to SUNY Buffalo (BA), Miami University (MA), and Queens University of Charlotte (MFA). He is the author of the short story collection Muscle Cars and the historical novels After Pearl, Yesteryear, and Rook. Eoannou lives in Buffalo, New York. When not writing, he can be found restoring his 1865 Second Empire Victorian home. More information can be found at www.sgeoannou.com (http://www.sgeoannou.com). Books Mentioned Stephen G. Eoannou, Rook (https://bookshop.org/p/books/rook-stephen-g-eoannou/e6c9280ccb81639c?ean=9781956692044&aid=125134&listref=guest-author-books) Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic (https://bookshop.org/p/books/big-magic-creative-living-beyond-fear-elizabeth-gilbert/8e82d1652a8a500f?ean=9781594634727&aid=125134&listref=mentioned-on-plot-lab) Stephen G. Eoannou, Yesteryear (https://bookshop.org/p/books/yesteryear-stephen-g-eoannou/4ba542e62c34661b?ean=9781951631192&aid=125134&listref=guest-author-books) Tess Gunty, The Rabbit Hutch (https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-rabbit-hutch-tess-gunty/152a093229f50756?ean=9780593467879&aid=125134&listref=mentioned-on-plot-lab) Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol (https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-christmas-carol-charles-dickens/4dfc9d63a3ab937d?ean=9780141324524&bkshp-astro=t) Kathleen Rooney, Man Overboard! (https://bookshop.org/p/books/man-overboard-a-novel-kathleen-rooney/fe18000f2126e1e8?ean=9781668212387&aid=125134&listref=mentioned-on-plot-lab) Join the experiment Visit our Prompt Incubator (https://www.plotlabpod.com/community) online community. Share your ideas, write, or read what others are creating. Vote for your favorites. Your work could be featured on a future episode of Plot Lab. Where to Find Us Instagram: @plotlabpod (https://www.instagram.com/plotlabpod) Facebook: Plot Lab on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578493933516) Visit Plot Lab (https://plotlabpod.com) Plot Lab. From Spark to Story.

5. 

   10 Sept 2026

   Melissa Faliveno and the Midwestern Instinct to Keep Going

   Plot Lab, Episode 1: Melissa Faliveno and the Midwestern Instinct to Keep Going What happens when you hand an acclaimed author three headlines and ask, What story do YOU think is hiding in there? For our inaugural episode of Plot Lab, Melissa Faliveno, author of the novel Hemlock and the essay collection Tomboyland, steps into the lab with hosts Kristi Leonard and Beth Uznis Johnson for a brainstorming session and discussion. First, we play a warm-up game called One Star Wonder, challenging Melissa to identify a beloved classic novel from one particularly grumpy one-star review. Then, the real experiment begins. We give Melissa three completely unrelated headlines. She chooses the one that sparks her interest and, from there, the three of us start the storytelling process. What Melissa envisions as a dramatic, opening image gradually becomes a story about a lonely man, the life he has lost, his carefully maintained world, and the impending danger that might finally force him to look toward the future. Along the way, we discuss different elements of story, like what makes a character feel real, how grief and loneliness sneak into the smallest details, how a dramatic setting can elevate tension, and how nothing raises the stakes like a ticking clock. Then, we try to answer one of our favorite questions in storytelling: What larger transformation is really taking place for our character? Meet Melissa Faliveno Melissa Faliveno is the author of Hemlock (Little, Brown, 2026) and the essay collection Tomboyland, a Best Book of 2020 pick by NPR, NYPL, Oprah Magazine, and Electric Literature. She teaches creative writing at the UNC and lives in the woods outside Chapel Hill. Melissa’s fascination with the natural world runs deep. A talking deer helped inspire Hemlock, and in this episode she talks about animals behaving badly, tornadoes, the Wisconsin Northwoods, and the strange places where story ideas begin. Find Melissa online at her website (https://www.melissafaliveno.com/) Books Mentioned Hemlock (https://bookshop.org/p/books/hemlock-melissa-faliveno/161b246fb29cb513?ean=9780316588195&aid=125134&listref=guest-author-books) Tomboyland (https://bookshop.org/p/books/tomboyland-essays-melissa-faliveno/dc5c194c3fc2e1f6?ean=9781542014182&aid=125134&listref=guest-author-books) F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-f-scott-fitzgerald-fitzgerald/633ba2d9ebeabba8?ean=9780743273565&aid=125134&listref=mentioned-on-plot-lab) Join the Experiment The headlines we bring into the lab don’t just belong to us. They’re writing prompts for you, too. Grab one, let it collide with your imagination, and write your own story. Then share it in our Prompt Incubator community, read what others are creating, and look for your writing on a future episode. Join our community here (https://www.plotlabpod.com/community) Insta: @plotlabpod (https://www.instagram.com/plotlabpod) Facebook: Plot Lab on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578493933516) Website: Visit Plot Lab (https://plotlabpod.com)

6. 

   8 Aug 2026

   Plot Lab Trailer

   Plot Lab takes pop culture headlines, trending topics, and viral moments and turns them into original fiction ideas, with a guest author. Hosts Kristi Leonard and Beth Uznis Johnson bring the prompts and then the brainstorming begins. Part game show, part writers' room, every episode is a front row seat to the messy, surprising, wildly fun process of watching a story take shape. It's story creation as a spectator sport. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/jonny-easton/aspireLicense (https://uppbeat.io/t/jonny-easton/aspireLicense) code: X5HTMEOYPYKXJ8NW

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Contact Plot Lab

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  Best of Book Marketing

• 

  Hear us Roar

• 

  Master Fiction Writing

• 

  The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

• 

  Writing Excuses

• 

  Good Hang with Amy Poehler