Turning to Story

It's season 5! We're back! We're... talking characters again! Join authors Lyssa Mia Smith and Anna Mercier as they discuss how to use Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to craft stunning, well-round characters. Come for the craft knowledge, stay for the giggles! Remember, you can get in on our TTS preorder campaign. Visit the Turning to Story Substack for more information. Preorder Gilded in Vengeance!...

This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith, tackle how to maximize conflict using opposing character goals. What the heck does that mean? It means intentionally giving two or more characters desires that are mutually exclusive. It’s making sure character goals collide. They are in conflict with each other. Only one can win. Join us to learn more! Check out the T urning to Story substack

This week, we're breaking down the art of good prose; specifically, how it delivers the promise of the premise. We're talking sentence lengths, verbs, and punctuation! Follow the Turning to Story Substack

Listen, we could tell you all day what it takes to make a query and a novel sparkle, but why not hear it from a star agent like Michaela (Mike) Whatnall? That's right! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith chat with Mike Whatnall of the Dystel, Goderich & Bourret agency about what makes a project really stand out and the answer is: specificity. Mike's craft insight covers everyth...

This week, romance author Ruby Barrett teaches Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith all about intimacy. From kissing to open-door spice, she shares the techniques that will make readers swoon. Ruby Barrett's Website Turning to Story Substack

You've got your outline and character arcs ready, but the draft isn't drafting! What do you do?! Never fear. This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss the one thing that's likely holding your wordcount back: personal stakes. Join the Turning to Story Substack for extra episode notes!

Have we got a treat for you! Authors and fellow podcasters Angela Montoya and Melanie Schubert from Of the Publishing Persuasion join us for a chat about how to handle the lows of publishing as well as tips to ensure your journey has staying power. Follow Angela Montoya and Melanie Schubert on Instagram Check out Of the Publishing Persuasion Follow the Turning to Story Substack for notes on the ep...

We're always told that no writing goes to waste, but what does that actually mean?! Well, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith have got you covered this week. They cover the skills that will follow you throughout the writing journey. From querying to Netflix deals, these are the forever golden techniques to hone. Follow the Turning to Story Substack! Preorder Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia S...

As writers, it's our job to create engaging, dynamic, and precious characters... and then torture them until they complete their character arc! Readers will turn the page just to watch a character fight back against a bully or realize their stubbornness and pride is keeping them from the love of their life. This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss how putting characters in a vac...

We said magic systems deserved their own episode, so we delivered! How do you create a magic system that tantalizes your readers, maxes out vibes, and develops a gut-wrenching theme? Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith go into detail about how you can make your witches, mages, and space wizards do work for you! Remember to check out the Turning to Story Substack for shownotes. Also, pre-order...

You know we love tropes on Turning to Story. Cuddling for warmth. Touch-starved. Enemies to lovers. But why are those tropes so darn good? This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith analyze T. Taylor's 7 Figure Fiction to uncover the truth about tropes. Follow the Turning to Story Substack for show notes! Pre-order Lyssa's YA fantasy romance, GILDED IN VENGEANCE , now! Check out 7...

How do you create a world that leaps from the page? What about one readers will print t-shirts and fanart of? This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss how make the world of your story work for you. Remember to add Lyssa's new YA romantic fantasy, GILDED IN VENGEANCE , to your Goodreads! Also, follow the Turning to Story Substack for episode notes and extras!

Betray their family? Leave home for an adventure? Reveal that your skin sparkles in the sunlight to the girl you love? This week is all about character choices. Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith chat about what makes strong choices as well as the power they have to send your plot in directions your readers will love. Add Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith on Goodreads Follow the Turning...

Grab a warm cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and prepare to take your characters to therapy! This week, Lyssa Mia Smith puts on her psychologist hat to guide us through character behavior patterns and how they can help us build story from the character up. Join the Turning to Story Substack !

This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith uncover the secrets of Pixar's powerful writing. It starts with internal conflict and ends with jaw-dropping, personal themes. Analyze craft and cheer on football players making touchdowns?? Join the Turning to Story Substack

Writing is hard, and the way we present and learn from feedback can make it easier! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith cover some do's and don'ts of giving and receiving feedback. Join the Turning to Story substack for show notes and extra info!

Want to know a trick for writing compelling side characters? What about a trick for mapping character change? And how about something that helps you generate scene ideas? No, it's not magic. It's four corner opposition. This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss and apply John Truby's advice to scenes, chapters, and acts. Get extra resources at the Turning to Story Substack !

What makes the perfect twist? Just when your reader thinks they have it all figured out, how do you turn them in a different direction? Reversals! From first chapter hooks to gasp-worthy midpoints, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith talk about reversals that keep your reading guessing! Join the Turning to Story substack for show notes and extra resources!

This week, we're tackling our favorite topic: romance! Authors Lyssa Mia Smith and Anna Mercier discusses the list every crackling romance needs to make your readers swoon! Get extra info and show notes at the Turning to Story Substack

We're back for a third season of deep dives on craft, vampire jokes, and fun surprises! This week, we dive into what makes a scene perfect , and we're not just talk about conflict or characters. Join authors Lyssa Mia Smith and Anna Mercier they analyze scenes to see if they hold up to the perfect scene test. Join the Turning to Story Substack for behind extra resources!

Congratulations, Campers! You made it to the final week of the surviving publishing boot camp. To celebrate, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith wanted to take a moment to acknowledge some of the truly heinous ways the publishing industry can kick you while you're already down. We share this in the spirit of catharsis and as a way to help prepare for the very rocky road ahead! Join the Turnin...

While dreams are events we cannot control, that doesn't mean that we can't work toward them. This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith apply their favorite tool-- deliberate practice-- to all things outside of the writing craft! Get behind the scenes info at the Turning to Story Substack

How do you avoid feeling like trash in the writing industry? We wish there was a simple answer, but we can offer something: knowing the difference between dreams vs. goals. Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith separate publishing dreams from writing goals as a way to maintain peace along this rocky road. Buckle up, campers! It's a good one! Get all the extra information and community at the Tu...

Alright, Campers! Now that you've got your ideal writerly life designed, what actually gets the word written? Discipline! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith chat about the power of discipline as well as strategies to really focus and get the work done! As always, you can find more information the T urning to Story Substack !

This week of summer camp is all about treating yourself as the amazing writer you are. Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith chat about ways to create an ideal schedule as well as ways to protect that sacred time. Join us at the Turning to Story Substack for more behind the scenes resources and discussions!