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

WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVE WHAT YOU WRITE.That's Holly Lyn Walrath's motto. Holly is a writer, poet, editor, and publisher of Interstellar Flight Press and always finds new ways to challenge her writing. Her creativity allows her to think outside the box with poems and short stories; along with numerous methods on getting unstuck. She teaches writing workshops and shares knowledgeable tips for helping writers of all genres. Plus, we have a pow-wow about our wins and losses when it comes to writing practices.Connect with Hollyhttp://www.hlwalrath.com/Twitter: @HollyLynWalrathInstagram: @holly__lynFacebook: @HollyLynWalrathEditorialHolly's Bookshttps://amzn.to/3jfzqWqHolly's Class Schedulehttp://www.hlwalrath.com/appearances.html--------- Amepphire Press Apparelhttps://amepphire-press.myshopify.com/Use code WELCOME15 for 15% off your first order. ---------Books Mentioned:The Artist's Way by Julia Cameronhttps://amzn.to/3DoGsidThe Smallest of Bones by Holly Lyn Walrathhttps://amzn.to/3jfzLsa ---------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Support the show

Writing instructor and multi-genre author, Amber Royer, understands the heart of what makes a cozy mystery the perfect comfort read - community, characters, a little romance and a dash of murder mystery. She has done vast research on chocolate, occupations, and furry friends to bring her latest series - Bean to Bar - to life.Plus, we have an honest discussion about charting out romance subplots in a series and handling the romance with care.Connect with Amber http://amberroyer.com/ Twitter: @amber_royerInstagram: @amberroyerauthorFacebook: @Amber.Royer.AuthorA Study in Chocolate (Bean to Bar Mysteries Book 5) by Amber Royer https://amzn.to/3Hp2ynpAmber Royer - YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoA_29HV2nPmRnox9LPVanw ---------  Amepphire Press Apparelhttps://amepphire-press.myshopify.com/Use code WELCOME15 for 15% off your first order. ---------Books Mentioned:A Study in Chocolate (Bean to Bar Mysteries Book 5) by Amber Royer https://amzn.to/3Hp2ynpStory Like a Journalist: Master Collection by Amber Royerhttps://amzn.to/3R03EZUChet and Bernie Mystery Series by Spencer Quinnhttps://amzn.to/3H3bZYlThe Cat Who Mysteries by Lilian Jackson Braunhttps://amzn.to/3H3bZYlNo More Dead Dogs by Gordon Kormanhttps://amzn.to/3WtAeEr---------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

It's always a good time to set goals! Writer, speaker, and social media consultant Kathryn McClatchy knows how to create and hit achievable goals. She'shelped many authors create realistic goals and objectives for their stage of life - and put the right timeframes in place.We'll be talking all things goal-oriented. No matter if you are looking to level up your business, writing, or hobbies, we break down why goals are important, identifying goals that are realistic for your stage of life and how to lean into your strengths. (Part 1 of 2. Second part can be found on Kathryn's podcast - Authorpreneurs Unleashed)Connect with Kathryn:https://kathrynmcclatchy.com/Twitter: @KmmcclatchyInstagram: @kathrynmcclatchyFacebook: @KMMcClatchyTikTok: @kathrynmcclatchyAuthorpreneurs Unleashed PodcastAuthorpreneurs Unleashed (buzzsprout.com)---------Resources Mentioned:* The 12 Week Year for Writers: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Your Writing Done by A. Trevor Thrall, Brian P. Moran , Michael Lenningtonhttps://amzn.to/3GSO4e6*On Writing by Steven Kinghttps://amzn.to/3XrJkme*Kitchen Privileges by Mary Higgens Clarkhttps://amzn.to/3GLu110*The Power of When by Michael Breus https://amzn.to/3IPTAjZ*Hero on a Mission by Donald Millerhttps://amzn.to/3DgpJ0P* Mel Robbins "Re-invent your life podcast"https://amzn.to/3IXxg8a---------The YouTube ChannelSupport the ShowFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Shayla Raquel is an author, self publishing mentor, speaker, editor, wifey, and dog mom. She's been helping authors on their publishing journey for over a decade and has writing tips to spare! We chat all things NaNoWriMo and how writers can get invested in any stage of the word count. As a former NaNo winner, Shayla divulges her current methods and tools that set her up for success. Plus, teach you how to apply the tricks for your own writing!Connect with Shayla:https://linktr.ee/shaylaleeraquelTwitter - @shaylaleeraquelTikTok - @shaylaleeraquelInstagram - @shaylaleeraquelPinterest - @shaylaleeraquelShayla's Bookshttps://amzn.to/3NADtFHNaNoWriMo 2022 Planner and Workbookhttps://www.etsy.com/listing/1304802050/nanowrimo-2022-planner-and-workbook-22Shayla's Facebook Group NaNoWriMo Adventureshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/nanowrimoadventures---------Resources Mentioned: A Writer's Guide to Active Setting: How to Enhance Your Fiction with More Descriptive, Dynamic Settings by Mary Buckhamhttps://amzn.to/3t03LcFThe Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi https://amzn.to/3FVwDux---------*SPECIAL FOR NOVEMBER*$20 for 20-minute tarot reading for your writing with L.J. KeysTo book, fill out the Google Form below for an appointment and mention the $20 for 20 mins at the end of the form when prompted for questions.Tarot for Writers Google Form:tinyurl.com/yeyvenrtL.J. Keys' website:https://thekeystothesoul.com/---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Freya Marske dazzles readers with her immersive worlds and has the credentials to show for it! She's an international bestselling author, winner of the Romantic Novel Award for Fantasy, and a Hugo-nominated podcaster. She discusses methods in building meticulous, literary worlds readers want to lose themselves in and how to balance a story that does so much with its premise - think Edwardian Knives Out on a boat!  We also chat on leveraging a historic setting to layer a story and fleshing out characters and worldbuilding. Best of all, her series "The Last Binding" centers compelling queer characters that subvert and play on classic romance tropes - the-rake-and-wallflower coupling anyone? Connect with Freya:https://freyamarske.com/Instagram - freyamarske Twitter - @freyamarske Goodreads - Freya MarskeLink for Freya's Recent Release "A Restless Truth (The Last Binding Book 2)":https://amzn.to/3U8eiy4Link for Freya's First Book in the Series "A Marvellous Light":https://amzn.to/3Fu0QAnOther books mentioned:Maurice by E.M. Forsterhttps://amzn.to/3zwBPky---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Patrice Caldwell holds many esteemed titles already -  children’s book editor, literary agent,  Forbes’s “30 Under 30” media list, and Publishers Weekly Star Watch honoree - and she hold a distinct passion for uplifting diverse voices in the publishing industry.She discusses the process of pitching, curating, and editing a YA paranormal romance anthology - titled Eternally Yours - with fifteen of today’s bestselling writers, including Casey McQuiston, Julian Winters, Kat Cho, Melissa de la Cruz and Chloe Gong. Editing the anthology with so many diverse voices was no easy feat and we talk about it in all it's glorious detail! Connect with Patrice:https://patricecaldwell.com/Instagram - @pncaldwell Twitter - @whimsicallyoursLink for Patrice's Recent Anthology "Eternally Yours":https://amzn.to/3U6na7iLink for Patrice's 1st Anthology "A Phoenix First Must Burn":https://amzn.to/3fhJjkr---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryResources:Melissa de la Cruz's "Blue Bloods"https://amzn.to/3sLswcoChloe Gong's "These Violent Delights"https://amzn.to/3fiCrDcCasey McQuiston's "Red, White & Royal Blue"https://amzn.to/3sH37ATKendare Blake's "Three Dark Crowns"https://amzn.to/3U3f8wcSarah Gailey's "The Echo Wife"https://amzn.to/3U5vkgaElizabeth Gilbert's Ted Talk "Your Elusive Genius"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86x-u-tz0MAAdditional Music:Let the Mystery Unfoldby geoffharveySupport the show

Kayla Grosse started off writing scripts but found her calling as a bestselling author of romance. Her rockstar romance, I Like You Like That, is hitting all the right chords with an empowered plus-size heroine and a sizzling love story.We get real about plus-size representation in media, the influences behind her empowering female protagonist and writing a character that embodies confidence and knows her worth - regardless of size.TW: We do briefly talk about eating disorders, weight loss, and fatphobia. Connect with Kayla:http://www.kaylagrosse.com/http://www.kaylagrosse.com/newsletterInstagram - @kaylawriteslifeTwitter - @KaylaGrosseFacebook - @kaylagrosseauthorLink for Kayla's Book "I Like You Like That":https://amzn.to/3VSpl03---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

It's all about tropes! Aimee Walker is a new author and qualified editor - providing all levels of editorial services to authors of romance and women's fiction with clients across four continents. Pulling from her knowledge, clients and resources, she created a top trope book that gamifies tropes found in your favorite contemporary romances. We talk on the importance of tropes and how they cannot be underestimated in romance writing and reading.Connect with Aimee:https://aimeewalkerproofreader.com/Instagram - @aimeewalkereditorialservicesTwitter - @AimeeEditorialFacebook - @AimeeWalkerEditorialServicesTop Tropes: A Romance Writer's Guide link:https://amzn.to/3MYS5QA---------Use the link below for special $5 discount to Emerald City Writers Conference.Be sure the notes at checkout include the code ROMANCETHESTORY.Emerald City Writers' Conference Tickets (PayPal Link):https://tinyurl.com/romancethestoryWhat more information? Find full details for the ECWC below.Emerald City Writers' Conference Page:https://www.emeraldcityromancewriters.org/emerald-city-writers-conference---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

LJ Keys is an intuitive woman of many talents - writer, poet, and tarot reader. Over the years, it has become clearer where she should be in her spiritual journey. Part of the journey is helping writers with their writing through tarot! She provides a tarot reading for my characters to show how tarot can be used as a writer's tool and how to structure and interpret tarot for writing.Connect with LJ:https://thekeystothesoul.com/Twitter - @ljandthekeysInstagram - @ljandthekeysFacebook - @ljandthekeysFind LJ's poetry book here:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/before-i-sleep-l-j-keys/1140979648---------Use the link below for special $5 discount to Emerald City Writers Conference. Be sure the notes at checkout include the code ROMANCETHESTORY. Emerald City Writers' Conference Tickets (PayPal Link):https://tinyurl.com/romancethestory What more information? Find full details for the ECWC below.Emerald City Writers' Conference Page:https://www.emeraldcityromancewriters.org/emerald-city-writers-conference---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Eight books into her Highlander Time-Travel series, USA Today Bestselling Author C.A. Szarek is well-acquainted with the trope. She divulges the interest in Scotland that worked its way into her series and creating (and breaking) your own rules as a writer in a sub-genre based in magic. How does she keep track of all the HEAs in a Highlander family tree and how all the books are inter-connected? So far, she tracks mentally and re-reads her books. But we discuss the very real possibility of a book bible for her ever-growing highlander series....Connect with C.A. Szarek:http://www.caszarek.com/Twitter - @caszarekInstagram - @caszarekFacebook - @caszarekFind C.A. Szarek's books on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3PMXw6mThe YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show