Story Magic

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...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about scene structure! What you’ll learn from this episode: what a scene really is how scenes break down into 4 major components tying character arcs and plot to scenes linking scenes across your story special offer for  Scene Structure Simplified , our new workshop!   Enroll in  Scene Structure Simplified:  https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/sceneworkshop Ready to mak...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about when and why to table a story. What you’ll learn from this episode: how to know if/when you should table a story why it might be the right time why tabling a story is NOT a failure what you can learn from the 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...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about descriptive characterization. What you’ll learn from this episode: how to intentionally characterize your characters adding meaning and relevance to descriptions how less is often more   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. goldenmayedi...

Today we have a recording of an Instagram live discussion between Emily and actor / creative coach Corrie Legge where they discussed  when art is worth doing in a world that feels like it's on fire. What you’ll learn from this episode: why art is important how to reconcile creating in the midst of global unrest and climate crisis all about Emily's teenage and college years! (Corrie is on...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about staying true to your humanity. What you’ll learn from this episode: How we bring our whole selves to the writing process No one can ask you to diminish your true self You do not need to change yourself to fit someone else's preferences Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about our favorite plotting tool: pivot point plans! What you’ll learn from this episode: Character plans Linking story goals to pivot plans to scene goals Using plans to establish arcs How to implement on the plotter vs pantser spectrum Pivot Point Plan graphic with extra example from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Ready to make readers so in love with your cha...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how writing is work. What you’ll learn from this episode: How writing is takes energy, even if it feels fulfilling We need to take breaks to recharge and refill the well Not filling every single day with writing Resting without guilt Special links:  Gauri Yardi -  https://www.gauriyardi.com/ Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about slow writing! What you’ll learn from this episode: why you feel the need to write fast how slow writing can actually result in better stories Addressing why you might be writing slowly Tools for addressing the things holding your writing process back Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk with guest Kristen Kieffer about creating in sequence. What you’ll learn from this episode What does it mean to create in sequence? What happens when you create outside of sequence The creative fulfillment pyramid Finding fulfillment in your writing practice   Check out more of Kristen's work!  Wildmaking KristenKieffer.co   Ready to make readers so in love with...