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

"We need to see writer's block in a different way. It's really not the enemy, but...it's a sign. And usually, it's that your body and your mind are telling you something is off..."Author and writing coach, Dr. Nicole Janz, helps creatives use their writing voice with breakthroughs on writer's block and procrastination. Straightforward and detailed, we chat about what causes procrastination and how to approach writer's block in a way that is conducive and keeps your story moving forward. The Write Habit: The Undated Annual Planner and Workbook for Busy Writers https://amzn.to/47moyJNConnect with Dr. Nicolenicolejanz.com www.thewritehabitplanner.com Medium:  https://janz-is-writing.medium.com/ Twitter/X:  @camwritinghub Instragram: @janz.is.writing Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/710181483039162 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejanz/ ---------Media Mentioned: The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer by Steven Kotlerhttps://amzn.to/3QtF43wThe Art of Impossible Flow Chart https://www.nbforum.com/newsroom/blog/steven-kotler-the-art-of-impossible/ --------- NaNoWriMo Episodes:Ep 15 - Brianstorming, Writing Research, and NaNoWriMo with Kraken Editinghttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/9509081Ep 41 - Novel Prep and Starting NaNoWriMo with Shayla Raquelhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11633960Ep 46 - Trope Thesaurus Romance Edition with Jennifer Hilthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/12191020Ep 37 - Top Tropes in Romance Writing with Aimee Walkerhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11519577 --------- 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

"(Not) to dive into the core fear...that we're unrelatable that people will not communicate with us...and I think that's one of those things you see get demonstrated with monsters in the history of storytelling."Romance Author Kate Prior fell into writing Monster Romance by accident and now, has three books to show for her Claws and Cubicles series. We discuss writing creatures as an allegory for differences in ourselves and reader's interest in an otherworld romance where Monsters are love interests. Surprisingly, there's a lot of DnD talk too! Claws and Cubicles Serieshttps://amzn.to/46CDJyz Connect with Katehttps://kate-prior.com/ Instagram: @bykateprior Twitter/X: @byKatePrior TikTok: @bykatepriorFacebook: Kate's Priory of Paranormal Romance GoodReads: Author Kate Prior Romance Writer's Therapy Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/romance-writers-therapy/id1595202492 --------- Media Mentioned:Shoshana Rain (Fantasy Romance)https://amzn.to/3QqM7KHDesirée M. Niccoli (Siren/Mermaid Romance)https://amzn.to/46WoW1hFrankenstein (1931 Movie)https://amzn.to/4958o99Strange Love by Ann Aguirre https://amzn.to/491nzAi---------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

"You know it is such a beloved story but the modern twist...it's really a celebration of queer joy and community...like a true Hallmark-y story nothing truly bad happens."We're celebrating the most fabulous time of the year! Contemporary Romance Author Kelly Farmer crafts heart, humor, and depth into her books and gave the premise of "It's a Wonderful Life" a make-over with LGBTQIA+ characters. We chat the process of lightening the mood with Hallmark vibes and the process of switching characters while staying true to the original for a modern re-telling. Connect with Kellyhttps://www.kellyfarmerauthor.com/Twitter/X: @KellyFarmerAuth Instagram: @kellyfarmerauthorFacebook: @kellyfarmerauthorBookBub: @Kelly_Farmer_AuthorIt's a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmerhttps://amzn.to/3ZUVqqe ---------Amepphire Press Apparelhttps://amepphire-press.myshopify.com?sca_ref=3251246.wdTIggePcN.Use code WELCOME15 for 15% off your first order.---------Media mentioned:We're Here (TV show)https://amzn.to/48XxLda--------- The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Support the show

"I think the key is either treat the character (animal) as a sounding board...or you treat this as another character on the same level as a human character."Writing instructor and multi-genre author, Amber Royer, incorporates all types of animals in her writing - from an octopus to a cockatoo. She directs us in how writing sidekick animals and pets typically follow the "save the cat" rule. Plus, how an animal can provide development and impact in a story - including her own cozy mystery Bean to Bar Series.Connect with Amberhttp://amberroyer.com/Twitter/X: @amber_royerInstagram: @amberroyerauthorFacebook: @Amber.Royer.AuthorBean to Bar Mysteries Series by Amber Royerhttps://amzn.to/465yUNIAmber Royer - YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoA_29HV2nPmRnox9LPVanw --------- Amepphire Press Apparel https://amepphire-press.myshopify.com?sca_ref=3251246.wdTIggePcN. Use code WELCOME15 for 15% off your first order. ---------Other Books Mentioned:A House-Flipper Mystery Series by Diane Kellyhttps://amzn.to/3rsSh4s Chet and Bernie Mystery Series by Spencer Quinnhttps://amzn.to/3H3bZYl The Cat Who Mysteries by Lilian Jackson Braunhttps://amzn.to/3H3bZYl   ---------  The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Support the show

"....We need time to think. We need time to research, and we need time to be creative. And so that has to go into our calendar as well."Back in episode 42, Writer, speaker, and social media consultant Kathryn McClatchy provided ways to create realistic, achievable goals and put the right timeframes in place.  Over six months later, we're doing a re-assessing of yearly goals since we're both embarking on new stages of life.  Tag along as we chat ever-changing goals. No matter if you are looking to level up your business, writing, or hobbies, the conversation delves into linking identity with goals and how we manage the shift in our schedule and thinking. Connect with Kathryn:https://kathrynmcclatchy.com/Twitter: @KmmcclatchyInstagram: @kathrynmcclatchyFacebook: @KMMcClatchyTikTok: @kathrynmcclatchyAuthorpreneurs Unleashed PodcastAuthorpreneurs Unleashed (buzzsprout.com) ---------Resources Mentioned: * Atomic Habits by James Clearhttps://amzn.to/3Eo4EkT* Maya Shankarhttps://mayashankar.com/* Building a Second Brain by Tiago Fortehttps://amzn.to/3L8P8gE* The PARA Method by Tiago Fortehttps://amzn.to/3Z7qDpZ* The Bucket List https://amzn.to/482fCug* Trello - Project Management Apphttps://trello.com/* Asana - Platform for Cross-Functional Workhttps://asana.com/* Notion - Note taking Apphttps://www.notion.so/* Evernote - Note Taking Apphttps://evernote.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

Susan Sheehey, a romance author, discusses the importance of creating compelling external conflicts in storytelling. She emphasizes the significance of focusing on the main character's goals, motivations, and conflicts. She explores how contrasting personalities can create conflicts and drama in a story, and also addresses a character's worst fears and reasons behind them. Additionally, she explores ironic and unexpected endings, and highlights the availability of her books on various platforms.

"My book, A Beautiful Game, was...a love story and also, a love story about soccer and playing soccer."Liz Lincoln and Lainey Davis score goals when it comes to soccer romance. Both ladies write other kinds of sports romance, but in honor of the World Cup, we chat making soccer (or football!) romance accessible to the masses, writing from althetic and non-althetic POVs, and incorporating real events - like the World Cup - into your book. Connect with Liz:https://www.lizlincoln.com/Twitter - @TheLizLincolnInstagram - @lizlincolnauthorTikTok - @lizlincoln Facebook - Liz Lincoln Link for Liz's Books - including "Milwaukee Soccer Club":https://amzn.to/44QMjbq Connect with Lainey: https://www.laineydavis.com/ Instagram - @authorlaineydavisFacebook - @authorlaineydavisTikTok - @authorlaineydavis Link for Lainey's Books - including "Beautiful Game": https://amzn.to/3XYd1wB---------Romance Author C. A. Szarek's Fundraiserhttps://www.givesendgo.com/waterworld2023--------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

"Being a pre-published author is to know exactly what your expectations are of yourself and of your writing...Like is this a career for you or do you just have that one story...?" Danika Bloom, USA Today bestselling romance author, coaches authors like she used to coach small business owners. She empowers and creates a community, so authors don't work alone. We chat tips and methods for launching yourself as an author on the path to publication, rebranding, and resources to help authors achieve their dreams. Connect with Danika:https://www.danikabloom.com/Instagram - @authordanikabloom Facebook - @authordanikabloomTwitter - @DanikaBloomHEA Link for Danika's Books - including "The Billionaire's Shrubbery":https://amzn.to/46DCIqfDanika's Business Site:https://www.authoreverafter.com/Danika's free author resource list: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/f1gkyq4vsc---------Previous episodes mentioned:Ep 42 - Setting Successful Writer Goals with Kathryn McClatchyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/12057827Ep 39 - Curating a Paranormal Romance Anthology with Patrice Caldwellhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11592975Ep 19 - Judging a Book by Its Romance Cover with Sarah Kilhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/10330813Ep 53 - Evolving and Embracing Change as a Creator with Bree Unabashedlyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/12976379--------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

Heidi McCahan, a Harlequin author who uses dictation to write multiple books a year, discusses the benefits of dictation for capturing characters and accessing the emotional level of writing. They also explore topics such as finding book ideas, dealing with rejection, and unlocking productivity with dictation.

"...I really wanted all my characters to have this nice arc...They start at point A and then they're sort of figuring their way through it as the book goes on."Kayla Grosse can't help but write compelling characters with depth - which propelled her previous romance book into a bestseller. Now her cowboy romance, Reign Me In, rides highs and lows as the small-town character's emotional journeys are put front and center; all while hitting all the steamy scenes.We chat exploring different methods of grief, challenges in writing series and how personal experience has impacted Kayla's writing.Connect with Kayla:http://www.kaylagrosse.com/http://www.kaylagrosse.com/newsletterInstagram - @kaylawriteslifeTwitter - @KaylaGrosseFacebook - @kaylagrosseauthorLink for Kayla's Book "Reign Me In":https://amzn.to/42Rb5H7---------Romance Author C. A. Szarek's Fundraiserhttps://www.givesendgo.com/waterworld2023--------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