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

Romance author Melissa Whitney and narrator Harlow Wilde chat about the evolution of audiobook production, creating indie romance audiobooks, collaboration processes, and bringing characters to life. They share insights on the creative journey, challenges, and rewards in the world of audiobooks.

Author and narrator Karen White discusses the impact of audiobooks, sharing tips on leveraging narrators and platforms. She emphasizes waiting to invest in audiobooks until a series is successful. Topics include marketing strategies, AI in narration, and the evolution of audiobooks.

"I try to write really fierce, headstrong characters...but at the same time, it's ok to be vulnerable. It's ok to say I don't have all the answers."Author Kimberly Packard lovingly calls women's fiction the "trash can punch" genre since it has a little bit of everything, and while her characters and novels run the gamut within the genre, the emotional arcs that keep readers invested is the glue that holds them all together. We delve into balancing emotional arcs in a plot that helps readers root for your characters. She shows us how to lean into feelings - without dragging down the narrative or wearing down the reader! Find "This Time Around" on Amazon:https://amzn.to/4eb5JNTConnect with Kimberly:www.kimberlypackard.com Facebook - @kimberlypackardauthorTwitter - @kimberlypackardInstagram - @kimberlypackard---------Media Mentioned: The episode where Kim's blurb for This Time Around appeared!Ep 34 - Dissecting Book Blurbs with Jessie Cunniffe https://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11384252"This Time Around" cover artist who gets a shout-out:Sarah Hansen https://www.okaycreations.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

"If it feels like I'm trying to force something...that's usually when I know to kinda let go. Either set it down or hold it with an open hand and see what happens. Whatever happens with it, let that be. "Amy Kelly, the new leader at Lone Star Literary Life, shares her unique journey as an author, podcaster and literary advocate to enrich both Texans and other authors. We explore how previous experiences and knowledge all lead to taking over LSLL and managing time and effort into the right endeavors. Connect with Amy: Personal Instagram: @amykellytheishgirlBusiness Instagram: @lonestarlitPersonal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theishgirlBusiness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoneStarLiteraryWebsites:https://theishgirl.com/https://www.lonestarliterary.com/ ---------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

Bestselling Author Marcy Pusey discusses the ethical use of AI in writing, focusing on the pros and cons of AI assistance and the importance of transparency to readers. The conversation touches on defining ethical writing, AI's role in maintaining integrity and voice, and safeguarding work from AI exploitation. Marcy provides valuable insights on how authors can make the most of AI tools while preserving their creative authenticity.

Authorpreneur and consultant Kathryn McClatchy shares her journey of rebuilding her life after strokes, turning her passion into a successful business. Topics include invisible disabilities, driving challenges, navigating public spaces with a service dog, and managing work challenges with health issues. Her resilience and creativity shine through the podcast.

Romance writer Melissa Whitney discusses creating authentic characters with disabilities in romance novels, emphasizing the importance of research, diversity, and empathy. She shares insights on overcoming self-doubt, multitasking in writing, and crafting complex characters beyond stereotypes. The podcast delves into the depth of love in non-linear narratives and the significance of accurate representation in storytelling.

"...I certainly hope that (this book) reaches the people who do, for one reason or another, feel that the world has just been so unfair to them and why can't it pick on somebody else for once..."After both her parents died, Courtney penned those tragedies into a debut book, When Happily Ever After Fails. In the book, she proves all tragedies can be rewritten, and happiness can bloom where you least expect it. We chat revising a happily ever after doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” mentality and mingling dark and light elements of life is more fact than fiction.Connect with Courtney:https://www.courtneydeane.com/YouTube: @CourtneyDeaneInstragram: @authorcourtneydeaneTikTok: @courtneydeaneFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/authorcourtneydeane/Substack: https://substack.com/@courtneydeaneFind When Happily Ever After Fails on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3Jdi0D0---------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

"...as we're solving problems in our own stories, we're creating problems for the other stories that (Lark and Catrina) had to work in... It made for some really creative outcomes." - Lucy LimonAs critique partners and writers with complementary strengths, romance authors Lark Green, Lucy Limon, and Catrina Bell devised a plan for a holiday novella series where a one author took a different book. We chat how their masterful coordination, thorough world-building, and developmental courtesy helped them stay on track to release the series, even in the midst of last-minute fixes and edits. Connect with Lark Green:https://www.authorlarkgreen.com/Instagram: @authorlarkgreenFacebook: @authorlarkgreenGoodreads: Lark GreenConnect with Lucy Limon:https://www.lucylimon.com/ Instagram: @lucylimon.books BookBub: @LucyLimon_books Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45367606.Lucy_Lim_nConnect with Catrina Bell:linktr.ee/catrinabell Instagram: @catrinabell Twitter: @catrinabellxoxoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/catrinabellwritesFind Horned Up for the Holidays on Amazon:https://amzn.to/4aQJefx---------Lark's Other Episode:Ep 45 - Writing while Working Full-Time with Lark Greenhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/12159925 ---------Other Media Mentioned:Sweet Monster Treats Serieshttps://amzn.to/3SaS7cy---------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

"They always say start your book on a day that's different. That's called an inciting incident. That's what I try to do naturally. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't."A decade into writing her Highlander series, USA Today Bestselling Author C.A. Szarek has built a large cast of interconnected books, and her unorthodox method continues to have no hard and fast rules of writing. We chat about how she gets reacquainted with her books after a period of time away from writing in the world and as an important idea with any writer, how the overall pantsing way of writing her books works best for her.Connect with C.A. Szarek:http://www.caszarek.com/Twitter - @caszarekInstagram - @caszarekFacebook - @caszarekFind C.A. Szarek's books on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3PMXw6m ---------C.A. Szarek's Other Episode:Ep 35 - Highlander Time-Travel Trope and Writing with C.A. Szarekhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11426240 ---------Other Authors Mentioned: Cherry Adair:https://amzn.to/46eWfM7--------- 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