Story 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...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about whether writers discover or create their stories. What you’ll learn from this episode: discovering vs creating your story are there right or wrong choices as you're writing? gaining agency over your writing choices how to make the best decisions letting go of shame and judgement as you make changes to your story. Ready to make readers so in love with your...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how to create dialogue that feels natural. What you’ll learn from this episode: how to create intentional and relevant dialogue using dialogue to show subtext how to show a character's true desires in the dissonance between what they say and do weaving conflict and action throughout a conversation the impact of reading your dialogue out loud Ready to make...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about toxic positivity in your writing life. What you’ll learn from this episode: what toxic positivity is why it's NOT part of a healthy writing mindset what you can do to acknowledge and embrace your difficult emotions   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 character agency! What you’ll learn from this episode: What agency actually is The difference between story and scene goals Using story goals to drive scene goals to create character choices Lots of examples! Join us for our LIVE character goals and agency Masterclass  How to Craft a Page Turner on March 24th at 1pm EST! Learn more: https://goldenmayediting.com...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the difference between exposition and info dump. What you’ll learn from this episode: what is exposition? what is info dump?  the 3 keys to exposition examples breaking down how these two things show up on the page how you evaluate your own writing for purpose, relevance, and meaning    Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop bitin...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about what writing feedback should really be like. What you’ll learn from this episode: What feedback should NOT feel like What feedback SHOULD feel like What feedback actually means How to cultivate healthy feedback relationships Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arc...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about a brainstorming technique called divergent and convergent thinking. What you’ll learn from this episode: how divergent and convergent thinking work how to let go of the pressure of coming up with perfect ideas how to apply this brainstorming technique to your own writing roadblocks Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting the...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about character flaws. In this episode you'll learn: why character flaws are so important our definition of the Internal Obstacle the difference between general flaws and the Internal Obstacle belief how to start developing your character's deep-seated flawed beliefs examples from published works! Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they c...

Today on our first official episode, Emily & Rachel talk about building a sustainable writing life. In this episode you'll learn: how to avoid the 'shoulds' in your writing life the 3 pillars of a sustainable writing life how to develop practices that work for YOU where to get started with creating the writing life you deserve! Ready to make readers so in love with your characte...

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about our favorite trick to making your writing life easy. In this episode you'll learn: how you're probably making writing harder than it needs to be how to take the pressure off yourself our fav tip for making writing easy the top ways you can implement this tip Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in an...

Hey fiction writer! Want your readers to stay up until 2am, so engrossed in your story they just can’t put it down? Want to build a successful, fulfilling, and sustainable writing life that works for YOU? Story Magic is the place for you. Every week, professional book coaches and editors Emily and Rachel from Golden May dive into writing craft, community, and mindset tips, tricks, and advice so yo...