Story Magic

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the art of self-editing with guest host Tiffany Grimes. What you’ll learn from this episode: What is self-editing? Common missteps authors make during this process Strategies and techniques to make editing less overwhelming How to ensure the heart of your story remains strong throughout editing Check out Tiffany's comprehensive self-editing course,  Revisi...

Today, Lewis & Rachel talk about static and/or flat arcs. What you’ll learn from this episode: What static and flat arcs are What static/flat arcs actually do and why they're important How to create static arcs that work + tons of examples!  Mastering Character Arcs by Lewis Jorstad Lewis' Website:   https://thenovelsmithy.com/ Ready to make readers so in love with your characters th...

Today, Lewis & Rachel talk about NaNoWriMo behind the scenes. What you’ll learn from this episode: NaNo check in Different experiences doing this challenge Revisiting your mindset, your self-belief, and your values  GET YOUR TICKET TO OUR WORKSHOP:   https://thenovelsmithy.com/renew-reflect/ Ready to reframe your writing? Join us on December 3rd (updated date!) for Renew, Reflect, Write! With...

Today, Lewis & Rachel talk about creating consistency in our routines. What you’ll learn from this episode: The difference between consistency and sustainability  Creating harmony between your brain and your body Addressing the root cause of your inner critic Beginning to shift mindset GET YOUR TICKET TO OUR WORKSHOP: https://thenovelsmithy.com/renew-reflect/ Ready to reframe your writing? Joi...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about stakes and why they're important. What you’ll learn from this episode: what stakes really are stakes vs goals vs motivations external and internal stakes how to develop them   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: www. goldenmayediting.c...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about secondary characters. What you’ll learn from this episode: What's a secondary character?  The purposes of secondary characters Tips and tricks for building super strong secondary characters   Other links mentioned in the episode:  Emotional Conflict Square:  https://www.sophiepembroke.com/3-ways-a-conflict-square-can-fix-your-romance-novel/ Our Blog on sec...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about low stakes stories.  What you’ll learn from this episode: What is a low stakes story?  Why low stakes stories are growing as a new genre Story point messages and low stakes stories How to make a low stakes story work for you     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 how to come up with ideas you actually like. What you’ll learn from this episode: Reaching the root cause of why you don't like that idea Understanding your inner critic voices Ways to manage perfectionism and fear of rejection How to move forward   Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  G...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about tips to trick your inner perfectionist (aka separating thinking from implementing). What you’ll learn from this episode: how perfectionism can lead to paralysis  mindset to overcome perfectionist tendencies exercises and tips to implement into your writing process Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in antici...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about reaction progressions. What you’ll learn from this episode: what reaction progressions are the 4 pieces of a reaction progression why it matters that characters react in order tips and tricks for 'showing' with using reaction progressions THE SHOW, DON'T TELL FORMULA reaction progression guide:  https://goldenmayediting.com/wp-content/uploads/202...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about growing a thick writer skin. What you’ll learn from this episode: why you actually don't need a thick skin how to begin building a strong mindset developing a support system of writers who understand  what to do when you experience a major blow Other resources mentioned in this episode:  Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price Amie McNee Kristen Kieffer   R...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about when to write or reject a series with guest Lewis Jorstad. What you’ll learn from this episode:  Benefits of a series above and beyond standalone novels Challenges of writing a series When it’s okay to write a standalone Get in touch with Lewis Jorstad:  Web -  https://thenovelsmithy.com/ Books -  https://shop.thenovelsmithy.com/ Purchase Lewis' new book ...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about digging into character backstory. What you’ll learn from this episode: Backstory vs character facts Where to start diving into what events have shaped your character's life Tips and tricks for developing backstory Don't forget to let your characters make mistakes Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about developing harmony in your creative life with Corrie Legge. What you’ll learn from this episode: why harmony is more important than balance creating harmony through looking at your future redefining your creative dream life  bringing joy and clarity to your current creative life   Get in touch with Corrie Legge:  Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/creatingw...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the pros and cons of external motivation. What you’ll learn from this episode: the right mindset for using external motivation where you're creating pressure in your writing life how to make external motivation work for you saying no to things that don't work for your process Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about building your story with genre with guest Savannah Gilbo. What you’ll learn from this episode: Why genre is a really important building block of your story Commercial genre vs content genre 5 things genre can tell us How to use genre to plan your story   Get in touch with Savannah! Website:  https://www.savannahgilbo.com/ Podcast: Fiction Writing Made Easy,  ht...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about where to start your story. What you’ll learn from this episode: Starting your story by introducing your character's world Showing your character acting on what they want Backing up just a little bit BEFORE the big plot problem (the catalyst) Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about creative burnout with guest Gauri Yardi! What you’ll learn from this episode: What burnout is + how to recognize it How our nervous systems are tied to our creativity How to recognize if you're in burnout Some ways to begin burnout recovery   Gauri Yardi's links : Website:  https://www.gauriyardi.com/ Quiz :   https://www.gauriyardi.com/creative-burno...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the flow of learning. What you’ll learn from this episode: The process of learning How to understand and apply this process to your writing journey Searching out support based on where you're at in the pyramid Bloom's Taxonomy Image:  https://goldenmayediting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Blooms-Taxonomy.png Ready to make readers so in love with your...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about making money with your writing with guest Nicole Stork-Hestad.  This is part 3 of our interview series with Nicole! What you’ll learn from this episode:  building belief in yourself and your story   how to build safety in the exchange of money for your work why you deserve to make money off your writing deciding to put your book into the world   Nicole's d...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about investing in your writing with guest Nicole Stork-Hestad. This is part 2 of our interview series with Nicole! What you’ll learn from this episode: what does it mean to invest in your writing? when/how to invest time, energy, and money into writing making money choices to get you to the person you want to become how to invest in yourself with confidence     Nico...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about money mindset in your writing life with guest Nicole Stork-Hestad.  This is part 1 of our interview series with Nicole! What you’ll learn from this episode:  what IS money mindset?  how money mindset impacts your writing life how to stop feeling guilty about your money and start taking control "spending" your available time, energy, and resources on y...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how to start a revision. What you’ll learn from this episode: A little update about Rachel's and Emily's WIPs The revisions hierarchy Where your mindset should be during the process Busting common revision myths Where to start exploring your revisions process Learn more about our Story Magic 1:1 book coaching program: https://goldenmayediting.com/stor...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about theme and how it relates to story and character, with guest Emma Dhesi! What you’ll learn from this episode: What is theme? The difference between theme, story points, and thematic statements Do you need a theme? Why?  How to incorporate theme into each scene How to tie theme back to character Important Links:  https://emmadhesi.com/ Launch Pad book series   Re...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about internal goals. What you’ll learn from this episode: What are internal goals and why your characters need them How to create relatable and understandable characters How to use internal goals to bring depth and dimension to your characters   Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic...