Story Magic

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about ending chapters! What you’ll learn from this episode: Scene vs chapter Scene structure Ending in the middle? SCENE STRUCTURE BLOG: https://goldenmayediting.com/scene-structure 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...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about writing in different POVs. What you’ll learn from this episode: Knowing your character well enough to see from their perspective 1st person vs 3rd person perspectives  Tips and tricks for differentiating between your different POVs 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 the brain science behind resistance with special guest Monica Hay! What you’ll learn from this episode: What causes our brains to freeze up when we try to write Retraining your amygdala  Building neurons that support a writing habit  MONICA HAY's WEBSITE: https://monicahay.com/ MONICA's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/monicahayauthor/?hl=en MONIC...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about descriptions! What you’ll learn from this episode: What makes a good description?  How character perspective impacts what they see and describe How character emotions colors and influences description Tips and tricks 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 e...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about their 2025 years, and what they hope for 2026! 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 Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writin...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about unlikeable characters. What you’ll learn from this episode [insert bullet points] What does  ‘unlikable’ mean, and who decides? How to make unlikeable characters more likeable The importance of ideal reader when building complex / morally grey characters How to create unlikable characters intentionally by giving them purpose An impromptu A Game of Thrones debat...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about jumping into new projects. What you’ll learn from this episode: Moving onto new projects - like a totally new set of characters, new series, etc. It's scary!! What it’s like to start a totally new project  Embrace rewriting and making decisions Play, have fun, and follow curiosity  Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop bitin...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about revising and/or rewriting messy scenes. What you’ll learn from this episode: How to know if you should rewrite or revise messy scenes What ‘rewriting’ can look like, depending on your process How Emily & Rachel approach rewriting differently (and similarly!)  Mindset around ‘throwing things out’ Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about post-book-release emotions! What you’ll learn from this episode: what it's like to release a book into the world mindset reframes  practical steps for managing the ups and downs of the publishing process 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 cou...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about what happened during the time we've been on hiatus! 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 Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will buil...

Today, Emily & Rachel are back from hiatus to talk about dictation with guest Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer! What you’ll learn from this episode: Incorporating dictation into your writing process Managing mindset and perfectionism Technology and tips Join Sarah's DICTATION BOOKCAMP:  https://www.fictioncourses.com/dictation Check out Sarah's books: https://www.choctawspirit.com/shop/books R...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about book coaching behind the scenes with Sam Cameron! This is a special edition episode originally recorded for Sam Cameron's substack, Truant Pen. Check out Truant Pen here: https://truantpen.substack.com/ What you’ll learn from this episode: what 1:1 book coaching is really like lessons learned from writing, revising, querying, and getting an agent what coac...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about studying published works.  What you’ll learn from this episode: why studying published works is our fav trick for leveling up your skills how to study and apply the lessons growing your knowledge while keeping your unique voice 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 revising large parts of your manuscript! What you’ll learn from this episode: Rewriting words is so normal How to know you have to do it Tips and tricks for rewriting  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/arc...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about atmosphere and setting with Thea Verdone. What you’ll learn from this episode: what makes a setting 'gothic' bringing atmosphere to life on the page choosing relevant and important setting details showing world building on the page CHECK OUT THEA's WEBSITE: https://theaverdone.com/ Read NEVER LEAVE, NEVER LIE: https://theaverdone.com/#never-leave...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about publicity and book marketing with guest Jenn Vance. What you’ll learn from this episode:  how publicity services can help you the strategy of book marketing different marketing methods and paths finding and embracing the strategy that works for you Check out BOOKS FORWARD: https://booksforward.com/ Register for the FREE "Ask a Publicist" webinar: http...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about tackling serious themes with guest Michael Dante DiMartino. What you’ll learn from this episode: How to navigate serious topics for younger audiences Embracing seriousness but with the right tone The craft of writing cross-medium Finding your story's message during revisions Check out Michael's website: https://www.michaeldantedimartino.com/ Read BOTH...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about Intuitive Writing with guest Becca Syme. What you’ll learn from this episode: What is intuitive writing  Learning how to recognize your intuition Building self-trust Check out The Better-Faster Academy: https://betterfasteracademy.com/ Snag Becca's Free Resources: https://betterfasteracademy.com/links Ready to make readers so in love with your characters t...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about celebrating our 100th episode! 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 Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feel...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about story structure acts and act breaks. What you’ll learn from this episode: What are acts Different story structures (3 act vs 4 act vs 5)  The purpose act breaks serve Breaking down some examples 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://w...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about hybrid publishing with guest Evette Davis. What you’ll learn from this episode:  what is hybrid publishing (vs indie or trad publishing) what it's like to query/submit to a hybrid publisher expectations for hybrid publishing what it's like to republish a series with a hybrid publisher Check out Evette's books: https://evettedavis.com/ Read The Co...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about writing retreats! What you’ll learn from this episode: Resetting mindset What to do with your time Tips and tricks for making the “most” of 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/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Wri...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about pennames What you’ll learn from this episode: What pennames are When to use them Circumstances to consider when deciding 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 Tenacious Writing! With the perfect...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about not doing what we say! What you’ll learn from this episode: Finding what works for you Using tools in your writer toolbelt 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 Tenacious Writing! With the perfe...

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...