Turning to Story

It's week one of the Summer of Surviving Publishing here at Camp Turning to Story, and we're covering the arrival fallacy. Sometimes we believe achieving a goal will make all our woes disappear: agents, books deals, movies... Gather around the campfire as authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith debunk arrival fallacies and discuss ways to maintain peace throughout the publishing journey. Join the...

Query trenches got you down? Submission woes really making you doubt yourself? Terrified about that option book? Never fear! Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith are offering listeners a getaway to a six-week summer camp for writers in this brand new segment all about surviving the publishing industry! Grab your pack, apply some sunscreen, and get ready to learn around the campfire.

This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith wrap up the minisodes segment with another AMA! How to decide which novel to query? How do you pitch agents in person? And how many Charlie Swan impressions can Lyssa actually do? Find out more on this week's episode! As always, join the Turning to Story Substack for behind the scenes info and resources!

As the minisodes come to a close, we answer questions posed by Team Curiosity. Which author would we love to have on the podcast? Is the publishing sky really falling? Does Lyssa have the best Charlie Swan impression? Join authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith as they host the first part of their AMA episodes! As always, join the Turning to Story Substack for behind the scenes info and resource...

What makes a query sparkle? What makes an agent request based off a small 300 word pitch? Never fear, author Lyssa Mia Smith analyzes two successful queries of two fantastic authors for craft gold. Big ideas, sparkling phrases, and promise of the premise comps, oh my! All packed into a bite-sized minisode! Join the Turning to Story Substack for extra info from all our podcast episodes!

How do you take your amazing story to the next level? Line edits! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith offer tips and tricks on how they tackle line edits. Their biggest piece of advice? Don't ice a cake before it cools! Find out more by following the Turning to Story substack!

We know side characters are the best, but how do you prevent them from taking over?! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss what makes a great side character as well as tips and tricks on how much page time to give them. Remember to join the Turning to Story Substack !

This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith tackle one of the most difficult questions: when do you stop research and outlining and actually write the book? Part of our Minisode series on our most asked questions. Turning to Story SubStack

This week, Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith attempt to organize episodes of Turning to Story into a writing process minis ode. Spoiler Alert: The process is always nebulous, but maybe this will help some folks out! Join the Turning to Story Subtack for behind the scenes info and extra resources.

You have your character's misbelief, and you know exactly how they'll grow as a person. Now how the heck do you create a plot that pushes them in that direction?! Never fear! In this minis ode ,Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith chat about ways you can balance internal change with external plot. Every scene will crackle with electric energy from that third rail!

During their first ever minisode, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith cover all things 3rd rail. Misbeliefs, wounds, and inner conflict all help create electrifying scenes. Follow us on the Turning to Story substack for extra info and resources!

It only took weeks of raving about it, but we finally got Emily Taylor, NYT Bestselling author of The Otherwhere Post and Hotel Magnifique , to share how her background in marketing helps her craft big ideas. From conception to execution, the Big Idea can help you craft a story that will stick out on any shelf! Turning to Story Substack

What is story but one event leading to another? WRONG. Well, at least according to Lisa Cron. This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith analyze the ten elements every scene should have. It's checklist perfection and the perfect tool for your writing kit!

This week, authors Lyssa Mia Smith and Anna Mercier nerd out about an often overlooked writerly tool: setting. From visceral sensory overload to theme and symbolism, worldbuilding can be used to immerse readers across an entire novel and from scene to scene. Turning to Story Substack

Want to keep readers turning page after page? The key is immersion! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith cover what sucks readers in- and what rips them out. Turning to Story Substack

Do you hear that sound in the distance? The thunder of hooves. Hark! The three biggest monsters you'll face on your publishing journey are here: imposter syndrome, comparison, and loneliness. Don't worry, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith are to help with a productive vent session and tools to help you prepare for the long, wonderful road ahead. Turning to Story Substack Newsletter

You've got your outline, you know your characters, and your aesthetics are ready, but how do you actually sit down and get the words flowing? Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith talk about their favorite habits for living a creative life. From writing habits to creative mindsets, it all comes down to treating your craft as a worthy obsession! Join the Turning to Story Substack for extra resou...

Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss what separates a villain from a hero. Spoiler alert: it's not much! From flawed motivations to meanness, they chat about ways to plot a villain arc that will push your characters and your plot. Turning to Story Substack

Plot is a chain of events in a story, but what actually links those events together? According to author Lyssa Mia Smith, it's But-So Salsa! Using the South Park writing concept of "but-therefore", Lyssa and Anna Mercier analyze how you can use it to strengthen every single aspect of your story, from internal to external conflict, from antagonists to protagonists. Join our Substack for extra resou...

This week, authors Lyssa Mia Smith and Anna Mercier and talk everything pitches with award-winning romance author Alexa Martin. From vibes to hooks, from voice to marketing, Alexa covers it all in a way that will help any writer pitch their novel at any stage in their career. Alexa Martin's Website Turning to Story Substack

This week, authors Lyssa Mia Smith and Anna Mercier uncover all the secrets (or most of them) to writing great dialogue. Lacking conflict? Characters seem flat? Struggling with info dumps? They key to spicing up your novel might be in what the characters say and how they say it. Join the Turning to Story Substack for extra visuals, information, and community! Resources mentioned: The Key to Writin...

Enemies to lovers and dark academia and road trips, oh my! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith talk all about how to get the most enjoyment from your story using the power of psychology, reader passions, and vibes. Remember to join the Turning to Story Substack for extra resources and a wonderfully curious community of writers!

We're back for a new season, and we're ready to talk craft, publishing, and... Taylor Swift? That's right! Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith analyze four iconic Taylor Swift songs, searching for pearls of wisdom about writing enchanting stories. Also, don't forget to join the official Turning to Story Substack where you'll find bonus content, resources, and a community o...

While season one comes to a close, Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith take the opportunity to review some pitfalls writers might fall into early in their journey. How do they do this? In the most humbling and heartwarming way possible: reading their own first books. Tune in for general writing tips all centered around two very emo, high-concept young adult ideas. Suggestions for next season? Questio...

Want to write a scene that has readers gluing a box of tissues to their eyes? Desperate to write characters that will steal readers' hearts? The secret isn't just a clever plot or carefully mapped out characters... it's emotion! Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss how to really dig deep and make readers feel things in a way that imprints your book on their heart.