Story Magic

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the individuality of the writing process with guests Karisa DeLay and Jaime Vendera. What you’ll learn from this episode: How processes change over time How mindset and process work together Writing as neurodivergent people Lessons for our younger writer selves LINKS:  Check out Karisa's books: https://www.venderapublishing.com/author-bios/karisa-delay Che...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about what we've learned from writing sequels. What you’ll learn from this episode: how much of a sequel needs to be planned before writing laying the groundwork for future books weaving together plot threads and subplots making sure character goals and agency are still present Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their na...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the market challenges of genre blending. What you’ll learn from this episode: what constitutes a historical fiction how to balance blending different genres meeting reader expectations vs breaking the mold finding the right answers for yourself and your story Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipatio...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about returning to your story after a break. What you’ll learn from this episode: resetting your mindset reacquainting yourself with your work in progress reconnecting with your why relying on your community Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: ht...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about internal dialogue and internal narration. What you’ll learn from this episode: Who are your characters talking to within their thoughts Considering this question within your narrative framework Using internal voice to bolster characterization Studying other works and comp titles Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about book marketing. What you’ll learn from this episode: What is going on with social media How do we market our books when social media is in flux Meeting the needs of your readers Using universal fantasy to market our books Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs f...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about mindset when the world is a dumpster fire. What you’ll learn from this episode: a little follow up to our Art when the world is burning episode does writing matter when the outside world is a mess?  choosing to create (or not)  Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about ambition and anti-hustle. What you’ll learn from this episode: What is anti-hustle?  The intersection of ambition and anti-hustle Internal vs external motivation Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about perfectionism and hustle culture. What you’ll learn from this episode: how perfectionism and hustle culture intersect the root of the inner critic narrative Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about creating when the world sucks. What you’ll learn from this episode:  What to do when the world is falling apart Seeking refuge in community Feeling your feelings Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the 4 pillars to author success with guest Emma Dhesi. What you’ll learn from this episode:  A full breakdown of each of the 4 pillars Why each pillar is so important The cyclical nature of the writing journey Join Emma's (totally free!) Be a Bestseller 6.0 event: www. BeABestseller.net Check out Emma Dhesi's website: https://emmadhesi.com/ Ready to m...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how and when to apply the story point. What you’ll learn from this episode: Using story point as a tool at different points in your process Using the story point as the guidepost  Incorporating themes before the story point Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about overthinking vs thinking something through. What you’ll learn from this episode: When are you overthinking?  What does it feel like?  What should you do about it?  Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmag...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about Want vs Need in character arcs. What you’ll learn from this episode: What’s a character want? What’s a character need?  How do these compare to the internal goal and external goal?  How do these mesh with the story point? Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs f...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the risk of plagiarism in the writing community. What you’ll learn from this episode: What feedback relationships should really be like The benefit vs the risk Keeping your receipts Finding a community that you deserve Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about lowering your writing expectations with guest Rachael Herron. What you’ll learn from this episode: Why lowering your expectations can actually make you more prolific Adjusting to the discomfort of failure Finding emotional regulation in your writing process Shifting your mindset to build self-trust Rachael's website: https://rachaelherron.com/ Check out Ra...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the querying process with guest Abigail K. Perry! What you’ll learn from this episode: Exactly what a query letter is and how to structure it for your best chance at snagging an agent's attention How to know when you're ready to query and where to get started when you make that choice Why people keeping saying 'querying is hard than ever right no...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about all things plot, character, process, and crime/thriller with guest Marybeth Whalen. What you’ll learn from this episode: How to use character to drive the plot of crime/thriller novels The individuality of every writer's process Developing characters through interviews How process changes over time, from book to book and season to season Read  Every Moment...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about negative arcs. What you’ll learn from this episode: The differences between positive and negative arcs How to shape effective negative arcs Considering character choices and consequences Giving characters the opportunity for change Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Charac...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about book marketing with guest Erica Birtles. What you’ll learn from this episode: The right time to start marketing your book What it means to bring value to your reader How to foster connection and engagement Specific marketing practices for selling your book CHECK OUT THE BOOK TRIBE: https://thebooktribe.co.uk/ Ready to make readers so in love with your character...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about getting reader reviews! What you’ll learn from this episode: Mindset around getting reviews Reviews are for readers (not for us)  Knowing your ideal reader Relying on your community Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmaye...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about beta reading! What you’ll learn from this episode: What is beta reading?  When is the right time to search for beta reading?  What kind of questions to ask What to do once you get feedback returned Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https:...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about sweet and clean romance with Victorine Lieske. What you’ll learn from this episode: What sweet and clean romance are How to build tension and conflict The spectrum of intimacy Marketing to readers VICTORINE's WEBSITE: https://victorinelieske.com/ VICTORINE'S NON-FICTION BOOKS: https://victorinelieske.com/books-for-writers/ Ready to make readers so in...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the changing landscape of the publishing industry with guest Nicole Meier. What you’ll learn from this episode: the publishing paths writers have today how publishing has shifted over time what to consider when choosing a publishing path Nicole's website: https://www.nicolemeier.com/ Nicole's programs: https://www.nicolemeier.com/workwithme Follow Nic...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about developing arcs across a series with very special guest Jennifer Armentrout. What you’ll learn from this episode: Planning flaws and change across multiple books Meeting reader expectations Developing characters through exploration Building romance and intimacy across multiple books Read BORN OF BLOOD AND ASH, out now: https://jenniferlarmentrout.com/books/born...