#70: Status Genre Conventions

In today's episode, I'm going to walk you through the conventions of the status genre. I'm also going to show you how these conventions show up in the movie The Devil Wears Prada. Here's a preview of what's included:

[01:45] Status stories center around the protagonist’s inner need for respect that manifests as a specific desire to achieve or accomplish something in the external world.

[02:55] Readers of status stories want to feel hopeful that the protagonist will succeed. They want to read about someone who works hard to improve their situation–and they want to feel a sense of triumph when that person succeeds.

[05:15] 1- The protagonist wants to gain respect, but what they need is self-esteem.

[06:05] 2- The antagonist opposes the protagonist and threatens their position.

[07:00] 3- There is a clear (and specific) definition of what it means to be successful.

[08:15] 4- The setting is public; people will witness the protagonist's success or failure.

[09:10] 5- At least one social problem or moral challenge for the protagonist to face.

[10:05] 6- At least one foil character who demonstrates a different path to success.

[10:40] 7- At least one mentor figure who guides the protagonist, for better or for worse.

[11:35] 8- At least one shapeshifter character who hinders the protagonist’s progress.

[12:15] 9- The protagonist must overcome an inner obstacle related to success.

[13:25] 10- The ending of a status story is usually bittersweet.

[14:30] Key points and episode recap.

Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too! 

Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Episode Freebie: Status Genre Conventions PDF Cheat Sheet
• Conventions vs. tropes: What's the difference? (podcast and article)

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.