Story Magic

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...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about not fiddling around with writing and getting to work with guest Eric Goebelbecker. What you’ll learn from this episode: The reasons we procrastinate How imposter syndrome and mental hurdles play into procrastination  The parallels between dog training and writing How to get yourself past procrastinating and back to writing ERIC's WEBSITE: https://ericgoebe...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about leaning into messy humanity. What you’ll learn from this episode: What to do when you ask "is this too much?"  Not shying away from important messages Leaning into the pieces of story that are complex and messy 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 fr...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the All is Lost vs Dark Night of the Soul story structure beats.  What you’ll learn from this episode: What role these two beats play in story structure The difference between these two beats (and why they exist)  How to execute them on the page SHAPE OF ARCS class recording: https://goldenmayediting.com/arcs-recording-062024/ Ready to make readers so in love w...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how writing is not always fun. What you’ll learn from this episode: The different phases of writing How we naturally gravitate to different parts of the process How to take care of yourself in the different phases Developing self-trust and self-belief Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab...

Today, Rachel talks about spicy and erotic romance with guest Jordyn Kross. What you’ll learn from this episode: What erotic romance actually is How to ensure your spicy/intimate scenes always have a purpose Tips and tricks for writing intimate scenes Jordyn's website: https://jordynkross.com/ Naughty Words for Nice Writers by Cara Bristol: https://www.amazon.com/Naughty-Words-Nice-Writers-Th...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about making writing choices with guest Kat Caldwell. What you’ll learn from this episode: A little bit about what coaching is like Why making intentional writing choices is so important The mindset of writing book after book Kat's website: https://katcaldwell.com Follow Kat on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_katcaldwell/ Follow Kat on Facebook: http...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about antagonists! What you’ll learn from this episode: What an antagonist actually is How to write believable antagonists How antagonists are successful in their story purpose 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/...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about shedding the shame of talking about your book with guest CC Tyler. What you’ll learn from this episode:  why you feel so anxious/nervous/weird about talking about your book how to recognize the shame holding you back how to accept your identity as a writer how to take small actions to build confidence and let go of the shame CONNECT WITH CIARA: Instagram: https...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about querying and rejection with guest Kayla Stansbury. What you’ll learn from this episode: what the querying process is really like how to manage rejection  how to strengthen mindset 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.goldenmayedi...