Romancing the Story: Writing Romance, Storytelling, and Book Structure

"...usually (writing) my central character is early for me and my central themes are early for me and everything else springs from that, and that includes the magic..."Author and Veteran video game writer, Morgan Lockhart blends magic, game‑style lore, and emotional stakes in her writing, enough to craft character thematics and individual journeys of magic. We discuss the influence of game writing mechanics in a narrative, shout-outs to Jim Henson, and using family and traditions to address emotional and mental health in the cozy, small town holiday setting.Connect with Morgan:https://www.lockhartwrites.com/Instagram: @lockhartwritesBlueSky: @mizdoomcookie.bsky.socialCheck out A Spell for Midwinter's Heart:https://amzn.to/3WJa8QC---------Media Mentions:Craft Tips for Writing a Magic-Filled Story with She Writeshttps://shewrites.com/craft-tips-for-writing-a-magic-filled-story/The Muppet Christmas Carolhttps://amzn.to/4hR0mW4Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmashttps://amzn.to/49LOi6x---------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Music:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the show

"My therapist and I talk all the time about how the support system you have and where you're at (in life) totally dictates how you handle recovery."Romance Author Thea Claire portrays realistic recovery from addiction in her novels and how resilience shapes character arcs, emotional truths, and heals trauma. We explore the track of her own recovery and the importance of community, pushing through setbacks, and the impact it has on long-term growth. Connect with Thea:https://thea-claire-author.square.site/Facebook: @theaclaireauthorInstagram: @theaclaireauthorTikTok: @theaclaireauthorCheck out The Recovering Good Girl Series:https://amzn.to/4n5Ayqz---------Media Mentions:Pucking Around by Emily Rathhttps://amzn.to/47jFm6OJust for the Summer by Abby Jimenezhttps://amzn.to/4okOjCL---------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Music:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the show

"You want to (write dark themes) in a way that's sensitive and include the dark content but also consider the impact." Sarah Hawley, USA Today Bestselling Author, writes dark fantasy worldbuilding that makes rebellion feel inevitable and magic feel consequential, a drastic shift from her lighter rom-coms. Focusing on her high fantasy series, we discuss creating believable rebellion arcs, designing a dark narrative that shapes story stakes, and techniques for deepening character motivation, along with themes of escapism, rebellion, and fighting for a better world even when the odds are against you.Connect with Sarah:https://www.sarahhawleyauthor.com/Instagram: @mssarahhawleyTwitter: @MsSarahHawleyCheck out "Servant of Earth" by Sarah Hawley, the first book in The Shards of Magic Series:https://amzn.to/3GE7RRW---------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Music:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the show

"One thing I love about the romance genre is that you're allowed to have those big, emotional moments....without apology."Romance Author and former Hallmark creative producer, Bryn Donovan discusses the charming and humorous moments that arise with miscommunication in romcoms, the challenges of a love that transcends time, and the heartwarming journey that led to her novel being published and made into a movie. Connect with Bryn:https://www.bryndonovan.com/Instagram: @bryndonovanauthorTikTok: @bryndonovanTwitter/X: @BrynDonovanYouTube: @BrynDonovanWriterFacebook: @AuthorBrynDonovanFind "Her Knight at the Museum" by Bryn Donovan:https://amzn.to/44nRClL---------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Music:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the show

"...each enneagram has a really unhealthy bar all the way up to a healthy bar. So for me, it's 'where did my character start on the bar?' and 'how do I get them to a healthy place of the enneagram through the story?'..."USA Today Bestselling Author Krystal Shannan explains how the Enneagram can shape believable motivations, conflicts, and arcs to make characters unforgettable. We explore their powerful application in character development and character arcs. Discover how the nine Enneagram types can help you create characters who are relatable, genuine, and dynamic. Krystal provides insights to craft characters that resonate deeply with your readers and drive compelling narratives.Connect with Krystal:https://www.krystalshannan.com/YouTube: @KrystalShannanFacebook: @KrystalShannanInstagram: @krystalshannan---------Other Media Mentions:The Enneagram Institutehttps://www.enneagraminstitute.com/---------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Music:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the show

"For (the politican couple), it's almost a negotiation -  I know what I want. Are you able to give it to me? And just having that back and forth."Romance Author Alicia Wilder created a not-so-secret, forced proximity romance set in Washington DC with likeable characters to boot in My Secret Vice. She walked through the process of toeing the line between politics and passion and talks about building a West Wing-type romance with emotional depth, older MCs, ambitions, and respecting power balance. Connect with Alicia:https://aliciawilder.com/TikTok - @aliciabwilder Instagram - @aliciabwilderFacebook - @aliciabwilderTwitter/X - @aliciabwilderTumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/aliciabwilderGoodReads - Alicia_WilderFind Alicia Wilder's books on Amazon:https://amzn.to/4fo5e2A---------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Music:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the show

"...if I want readers to be able to identify with the character then I want them to be able to identify with the illness specifically...I can't be ashamed to put the name (of illness) on the page."Romance author Cara Dion knows writing through the pain of chronic illness is not just about the physical aspects but touches ever part of her life. We chat her experience with chronic illness, the way it affects her writing and using romance as a way to create relatable characters and powerful commentary on challenges, both illness and beyond. Plus, who doesn't enjoy a good, ol' fashioned Hemingway to Sierra Simone pipeline? Find Cara Dion on Kindle:https://amzn.to/4d95nWhConnect with Cara:https://www.caradion.com/Facebook - @caradion.authorInstagram - @caradion.author---------Media Mentioned:Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibberthttps://amzn.to/4e3sDGhPriest by Sierra Simonehttps://amzn.to/3XtiJqr---------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Music:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the showSupport the show

"I think initially planning it out was kind of difficult. Only because...(the writer) is very descriptive. She says she can't draw, but in my mind, (they) just do it differently. (Writers) do it with words."USA Today Bestselling Author C.A. Szarek collaborated with comic artist Gilbert Perez to create an illustrated version of her romantic fantasy novel. Chrissy provides the writer's perspective of how she was able to convey and hone down her story to the essentials to be illustrated. Gilbert provides the artist perspective of composing scenes, managing workload, and figuring out limitations - such as color blindness - to create art.Connect with C.A. Szarek:http://www.caszarek.com/Twitter/X - @caszarekInstagram - @caszarekFacebook - @caszarekConnect with Gilbert Perez https://gilbertperezart.wixsite.com/2021Instagram - @gilbertperezartTikTok - @gilbertperezart Twitter/X - @gilbertperezart Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gilbertperezart?mibextid=ZbWKwL Sword’s Call Illustrated Edition by C.A. Szarek — Kickstarterhttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/caszarek/swords-call-illustrated-editionFind C.A. Szarek's books on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3PMXw6m---------Other Media Mentions:Path of the Pale Rider Issues #1 - 5 by Laurie Calcaterrahttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pathofthepalerider/path-of-the-pale-rider-issue-5Ep 65 - Building an Interconnected Series with C.A. Szarekhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/13976922Ep 35 - Highlander Time-Travel Trope and Writing with C.A. Szarekhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11426240Lauren Smith's Wicked Designs: The Illustrated Editionhttps://amzn.to/3Zbe0wg--------- The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryMusic:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the show

"....(Screenwriting) is, to me, a lot more puzzle-like than novels...if somebody gives me a screenplay to read that is 140 pages, I know it doesn't work."Award-winning author Emily Roberson explores the intricacies of adaptation as she delves into how to write compelling scripts. From options as an author to translating a story to the screen, Emily shares insights, challenges, and plenty of examples. Whether you’re a writer or simply curious about storytelling, join us as we unpack the written word and its visual counterpart.Connect with Emilyhttps://www.emilyrobersonbooks.com/YouTube: @emilyrobersonbooksTikTok: @robersonemilyInstagram: @robersonemilymTwitter/X: @RobersonEmilyLifestyles of Gods and Monsters by Emily Robersonhttps://amzn.to/3YW8bCH---------Other Media Mentions:Time to Write with Amy Kelly and Emily Robersonhttps://timetowritepodcast.com/"The Screenwriting Life” with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKennahttps://www.thescreenwritinglife.co/Michael Arndthttps://www.youtube.com/@michaelarndt8848Cinestoryhttps://cinestory.org/---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryMusic:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the show

Tosca Musk, CEO and co-founder of Passionflix, a streaming service dedicated to adapting romance novels into films, shares her journey in transforming the genre. She discusses the challenges of female filmmakers in Hollywood and the excitement of involving fans in productions. Tosca elaborates on the delicate balance of adapting beloved stories while managing production costs and timelines. She highlights the joy of celebrating filmmaking milestones, emphasizing community and collaboration in bringing romance to the screen.