Story Deep Dive Podcast

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault wrap up their Mistborn month with an editor’s take episode—pulling the biggest craft lessons from their deeper plot and character breakdowns. Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on plot management through a core story thread, how to make book one of a trilogy feel standalone,...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the character craft behind Mistborn —with a spotlight on Vin’s internal arc and how an ensemble cast can serve both plot and transformation. Whether you’re a writer, storyteller, or craft-curious reader, you’ll gain valuable insights on how to dramatize a character’s wound through decisions, how to build an earned arc scene-by...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the plot architecture of Mistborn —without spoiling the big reveals. Whether you’re a fantasy writer, romance writer, or storytelling nerd who loves structure, you’ll walk away with practical insight on plot management, how to make subplots do double duty, and how to write Book 1 of a trilogy that still feels satisfying as a s...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this first episode of 2026, Dana and Rachel kick off their January book pick— Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson—with a craft-focused overview designed for writers who want to study why a story works, not just enjoy the ride. Whether you’re a fantasy writer, romance writer, or story-obsessed reader, you’ll walk away with insights on four-act structure and escalating stak...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana and Rachel close out the 2025 season with a big-picture reflection on the books they’ve read, the characters they’ve dissected, and the way a year of eclectic picks has sharpened their instincts as writers, editors, and coaches. Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on using your reading list as a craft lab...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into their Best of 2025 – Characters and unpack which protagonists, love interests, and found families refused to leave their brains long after “The End.” Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on how to craft memorable leads, build empathy for deeply flawed characters, and...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into their picks for Best Plots of 2025 from the 11 books they read and analyzed this year. Whether you’re a writer, editor, or craft-obsessed reader, you’ll gain valuable insights on building narrative drive, balancing romance with external stakes, and structuring a first-in-series book that actually makes reader...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, book coaches and editors Rachel and Dana look back on their very first full year of the podcast—11 books, nearly 50 episodes, and a whole lot of craft talk and chaos. Whether you’re a writer, editor, or story-obsessed reader, you’ll gain valuable insights on how discussing books changes your perspective, how genre and niche shape author branding, and h...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into how to choose and use comps (comparable titles) as a powerful tool for both story craft and market positioning. Whether you’re a writer, storyteller, or author building a career, you’ll gain valuable insights on what kinds of comps you need, how to read them intentionally, and how they help you understand your genre, your shel...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Rachel and Dana dive into Twisted Love by Ana Huang from an editor’s lens—zooming in on wounds, lies, POV choices, and how to build a dark, steamy romance that still feels emotionally grounded. Whether you’re a romance writer, storyteller, or editor, you’ll gain valuable insights on crafting devastating climaxes, earning your HEA, and writing with both...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Rachel and Dana unpack the characters of Twisted Love by Ana Huang, looking at how dark romance uses trauma, chemistry, and emotional extremes to build unforgettable protagonists. Whether you’re a romance writer, storyteller, or craft-obsessed reader, you’ll gain insights on pairing polarizing leads, weaving internal wounds into the love story, and usi...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel unpack the plot architecture of Twisted Love by Ana Huang—as writers coaching writers. Whether you’re a novelist, editor, or story geek, you’ll get practical takeaways on nesting plot threads without losing the romance promise, using secrets/control to fuel conflict, and earning the breakup and reconciliation so the HEA lands. Y...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Rachel and Dana kick off a three-part exploration of Twisted Love by Ana Huang, setting the stage for plot, character, and editor takeaways in the coming weeks. Whether you’re a writer, editor, or story-obsessed reader, you’ll walk away with insights on balancing contemporary and dark-romance elements, using tropes + universal fantasies to hook readers...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into the editor brain behind The Woman in the Library —how secrets fuel momentum, why character interrelationships matter, and what it takes to pull off a “book within a book.” Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on using information as narrative currency, designing ensem...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into character craft in The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill—how a tight-knit friend group doubles as a suspect pool, why first-person present makes Freddie an unforgettable lens, and how secrets, lies, and interrelationships drive a mystery forward. Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll ga...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault break down the plot mechanics of The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill. Whether you’re a writer, reader, or story-obsessed strategist, you’ll pick up practical insights on how fair play mysteries escalate through layered information, how to design an amateur sleuthwho can believably solve a case, and how secrets,...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana & Rachel kick off October with an overview of The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill. Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain practical insights on (1) positioning your story on the crime–cozy continuum, (2) using framing devices to add tension, and (3) pacing and fair-play misdirection through secrets and withheld informa...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Rachel and Dana dive into character craft in K.F. Breene’s Sin & Chocolate —how a tight core cast, mirrored motivations, and a “soft cliffhanger” power a six-book slow burn. Whether you're a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on building compelling alphas without the jerk factor, using found family to humanize protagonists, a...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Rachel and Dana dive into character craft in K.F. Breene’s Sin & Chocolate —how a tight core cast, mirrored motivations, and a “soft cliffhanger” power a six-book slow burn. Whether you're a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on building compelling alphas without the jerk factor, using found family to humanize protagonists, a...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana and Rachel dig into the plot craft of K.F. Breene’s Sin & Chocolate —how found family powers the engine of Book 1, how magic integrates with stakes (not just set dressing), and how to promise steam in a slow-burn, multi-book romance. Whether you’re a writer, editor, or story-obsessed reader, you’ll pick up insights on using found family for propul...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Rachel & Dana kick off a new series by framing Sin & Chocolate by K.F. Breene—what it is, why it works, and how writers can learn from it. Whether you're a writer, editor, or story-obsessed reader, you’ll gain valuable insights on mixing POV strategically, sustaining a slow-burn romance across a multi-book arc, and positioning a romance-first story ins...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this bonus episode, Dana and Rachel get candid about the messy middle of creative life—balancing writing, coaching, and running a business. From Rachel’s Academy outlining process to Dana’s new Hello 7 Certification, they unpack the realities of guiding writers through both story craft and the business side of publishing. Whether you’re a writer, editor, or storytel...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault wrap up their analysis of Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger with a conversation about genre alignment, intentional storytelling choices, and what writers can learn from studying books that bend or break expectations. Whether you're a writer, editor, or curious reader, you’ll gain valuable insights on how to position...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger, a slow-burn romantic suspense that brushes the edges of dark romance without fully crossing the line. Whether you're a romance writer, genre explorer, or story craft enthusiast, you’ll gain valuable insights on using calibration reads vs. comp titles, crafting morally gray characters, and...

Welcome to Story Deep Dive ! In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger, a slow-burn romantic suspense that brushes the edges of dark romance without fully crossing the line. Whether you're a romance writer, genre explorer, or story craft enthusiast, you’ll gain valuable insights on using calibration reads vs. comp titles, crafting morally gray characters, and...