In this episode Lisa Angle sits down with Emmy-nominated, award-winning writer Dale Griffiths Stamos—a true Renaissance creative whose work spans poetry, songwriting, playwriting, screenwriting, and directing.
Dale shares her journey from early writing and acting to becoming a playwright, filmmaker, and teacher. Along the way, she offers invaluable insights into storytelling, structure, and the creative process—especially for writers who feel stuck.
Whether you’re writing novels, memoirs, plays, or screenplays, this conversation will help you understand how strong story structure transforms your work and gives you the freedom to create with confidence.
🧠 Practical Advice for Writers
1. Start with exploration “Fill the notebook”
Before committing to your story, allow yourself to explore freely:
- ask questions about your characters and plot
- write in pencil to stay flexible
- don’t lock yourself into decisions too early
This helps you uncover the deeper story beneath your initial ideas.
2. Separate writing from editing
One of Dale’s most powerful tips:
“Take your editor, put them outside the room, and lock the door.”
When drafting:
- don’t judge your writing
- don’t rewrite constantly
- keep going
Editing comes later.
3. Understand what your story is about
Many writers get stuck revising early pages without knowing the full story.
Instead:
- write multiple drafts
- discover your story first
- refine later
4. Learn the fundamentals of story structure
Dale teaches core elements of three-act structure, including:
- inciting incident
- midpoint shift
- character transformation
- climax and resolution
These elements apply across genres—including novels, memoirs, and films.
👤 About Dale Griffiths Stamos
Dale Griffiths Stamos is an Emmy-nominated, award-winning writer whose work spans theater, film, poetry, and nonfiction. She’s written and directed multiple short films, a feature film, and numerous plays produced across the country.
She is also a longtime instructor at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, where she helps writers master story structure and craft.
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