Daggers and Daydreams

In this episode of  Daggers & Daydreams , we dive into one of the trickiest (and most fun!) aspects of writing:  dialogue . How do you make it sound real without being boring? How do you give each character a distinct voice? And what do you do when all your characters sound like…you?   We share our earliest (and cringiest) attempts at writing dialogue, the advice that’s actually helped us impr...

Welcome to Season 4 of  Daggers & Daydreams ! We’re kicking things off with one of Helen’s favourite topics— worldbuilding . Whether you’re crafting an elaborate fantasy realm or setting your story in the “real” world, the way you build your world shapes your characters, your plot, and the entire reading experience. We talk about what worldbuilding really means, how it differs across genres, a...

In this episode of Daggers & Daydreams , we sit down with Carley Hoffman , YA dystopian author of Providence , the first book in a trilogy she began writing while still in high school. Now a college student, Carley is continuing to build her series while balancing life, studies, and a passion for storytelling. We chat about her writing journey—from that very first story idea to turning it into...

This season, we’ve covered everything from  writing advice  and  editing tips , to  feedback ,  traditional vs indie publishing ,  mindset ,  marketing , and  money . Now, we’re wrapping up with something a little more fun—and very real. In this unfiltered Q&A episode, we each brought  five unprepared questions  to surprise one another with. From honest reflections on our writing careers to dr...

Let’s talk numbers. In this candid episode of  Daggers & Daydreams , we’re diving into one of the most asked-about but least talked-about parts of the writing journey:  money . Whether you’re just starting out or considering publishing your first book, this episode is packed with honest reflections, real figures, and lessons we’ve learned the hard (and expensive) way. From editing costs to roy...

In this special episode of  Daggers & Daydreams , we turn the mic on co-host  Helen Worthington-Smith  to explore the creative mind behind  Skin Deep , a contemporary fantasy debut that dives deep into themes of identity, transformation, and what it means to be truly seen. Helen shares how the idea for  Skin Deep  first sparked to life, the storytelling influences that shaped her voice, and ho...

Let’s be real, writing a book is one thing,  selling  it is a whole other beast. In this episode of  Daggers & Daydreams , we’re diving into one of the most overwhelming (and often confusing) parts of becoming an author:  marketing and personal branding.   Whether you’re going the indie route or aiming for traditional publishing, promotion is part of the job now, and for most debut authors, it...

You can learn all the craft techniques in the world, but without the right mindset, writing can start to feel like a battle you never win. In this episode of Daggers & Daydreams , we’re diving deep into what we believe is the most underrated but essential part of the writing life: mindset . Whether you’re working on your first book or just beginning to call yourself a writer, this episode expl...

In this episode of  Daggers & Daydreams , we sit down with YA and contemporary romance author  Esha Patel —a full-time student, prolific writer, and voice behind  Florida’s Finest , Offtrack ,  Overdrive , and her latest release  Cross My Heart . Esha is known for her fresh take on identity, connection, and character-driven storytelling, and she’s just getting started. We talk about what it’s...

In this episode of  Daggers & Daydreams , we’re pulling back the curtain on how we each found our way into  indie publishing , and why that journey looked completely different for both of us. While we’ve both chosen the  independent publishing path , one of us made that decision intentionally, while the other fell into it more organically. We’re not here to compare or debate which is “better.”...

In this episode of  Daggers & Daydreams , we’re diving into one of the most emotional and transformative parts of the writing process:  feedback . Whether it’s coming from a critique partner, beta reader, or editor—feedback can shape your story, sharpen your craft, and sometimes knock your confidence sideways. We’re sharing our own experiences with feedback—the best advice that changed everyth...

In this special episode of Daggers & Daydreams , we’re joined by fantasy author Danielle Lauren —the creative force behind Spiritchild , Earthchild , and the Fates of Aos series. Known for her incredible worldbuilding and stories full of magic, heart, and elemental balance, Danielle has carved out a space in indie fantasy that’s all her own. We talk to Danielle about her writing journey—from t...

In this episode of Daggers & Daydreams , we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most intimidating parts of the writing process: editing . When we first started out, we didn’t know what editing meant. We thought it was fixing typos and grammar—but we quickly learned it’s much more than that. From facing tough feedback for the first time to learning how to restructure entire plots, editing...

Welcome to Season Two of  Daggers & Daydreams — in this episode, we’re going back to the beginning and talking about what it really looked like for us when we started writing. We know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re trying to write a book for the first time. Plot, character, word count, structure—there’s a lot to juggle, and it’s easy to feel stuck before you’ve even begun. We’re shar...

Sophie and Helen have talked about their writing processes, their books, publishing and so much more but today they're going to delve into more unorthodox questions.  Some you’ve probably never considered, but would love to know the answer too, like what’s in their internet search history, scenes they've deleted, or describing their writing like a cooking show.

In this episode Sophie and Helen are going to be diving into the publishing journey. Whether you’re a reader who likes to take a peek under the hood to find out how things work or a writer considering your next step, there’ll be something for everyone.  They’ll be sharing their experiences of navigating the different elements that take a story from a manuscript to a printed book as well as explori...

This episode is for our book lovers. We’re going to traipes back through history and have a look at the books we loved, ones that inspired us and what we’re reading now.

After characters, Sophie and Helen dive into what makes a plot, how to raise the stakes and how to create tension. DISCLAIMER: They talk in detail about examples and spoilers are in this episode from the following books: Divergent, The Hunger Games and Fourth Wing, as well as Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams, The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood and The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

What makes us love one character yet hate another? In this episode, Sophie and Helen explore their favourite characters and share some of their tips for making your own characters stand out from the crowd.

Romanticising the writer's life is one thing, but what does it actually look like? Sophie and Helen answer this and so much more in this episode.

Knowing your genre is key to the writing process. Sophie and Helen discuss what a genre is, how to figure out what genre you write in and why it's important.

In this episode, Sophie and Helen talk about their writing journeys, what made them fall in love with writing and how they got from idea to publication.