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

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

Professional book blurb writer and coach, Jessie Cunniffe joined the show for a second time to walk through a blurb audit with two voluntary blurbs - one a women's fiction and the other a spicy romance. She talks through the highs and revisions of the blurbs to help gain more readers.Whether you're working on the blurb for a new release or looking to revise from your backlist, Jessie will help you find the right fit and vibe for the blurb of your book. Below are links to the paid courses mentioned on the episode. If you don't use the link, be sure to use code ROMANCETHESTORY for 10% off the courses below.Book Blurb Magic (DIY course):https://adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/book-blurb-magic/?coupon=ROMANCETHESTORY1:1 Blurb Audit https://adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/11-blurb-audit/?coupon=ROMANCETHESTORYCustom Book Blurb Service with Jessie:https://adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/custom-book-blurb/?coupon=ROMANCETHESTORY---------Connect with Jessie:TikTok - @bookblurbmagicInstagram - @bookblurbmagicTwitter - @BookblurbmagicFacebook - @bookblurbmagic---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryBook Recommendations:Phoenix by Kimberly Packardhttps://amzn.to/3WBKYAVFloor Time: Stewart Realty Book 1 by Liz  Crowehttps://amzn.to/3ZZMb81Support the show

Melissa Bradford may be a Spanish teacher by day but moonlights as a freelance proofreader and copyeditor ready to turn rough drafts into polished, publishable material for indie authors. She helps walk me through the editing titles (alpha reader, beta reader, proofreader) to clarify when authors need them during the revision process. During our chat, I learn of her business as a proofreader, her genres, and areas of expertise - i.e. teen talk - and what proofreaders can offer writers. Connect with Melissa:https://linktr.ee/melissaproofreadsInstagram - @melissa.proofreadsThe YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Rebecca F. Kenney writes spicy fantasy romance about sassy, strong women and hot guys with tragic backstories. As a successful self published author, she knows her way around writing a story and she was one of the early adopters to Amazon's new platform - Kindle Vella. During our chat, we talk about her stories on KV and she bestows all the writing in-and-outs for authors looking to navigate the new serialized format. Find Rebecca's books on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-F-Kenney/e/B07JH589ZN/Connect with Rebecca:https://linktr.ee/rfkenneyPinterest  - @rebeccakenInstagram - @rebeccafkenneybooksTikTok - @rebeccafkenneyTwitter - @RebeccaFKenney1The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySources:https://kindlepreneur.com/kindle-vella/https://www.geekwire.com/2021/bringing-books-tiktok-era-amazons-kindle-vella-rise-new-story-platforms/Support the show

Shannon Reber is a Mystery, Paranormal, and Fantasy writer. She was born a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away . . . or her imagination was anyway. She lives in western New York with her husband and a wide variety of both real and imaginary friends who often battle it out for dominance in her head.Her coming-of-age paranormal mystery series - Madison Meyer Mystery - is about a young genius who becomes a paranormal investigator and creates a team to find out about a world she never knew existed. Maddie makes new friends, finds love, and maybe finds a new career path. Lauren Rodriguez narrates the Madison Meyer Mystery Series and has several audiobooks to her name. Lauren's love of performing in plays and musical theatre helped shape her passion for using her voice to tell stories behind a microphone. Find Shannon's books on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3DehdPCShannon's YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeENpO-D6rrCBOM2o2KK0pAConnect with Shannon:https://authorshannonreber.com/Facebook - @authorshannonreberInstagram - @authorshannonreberTwitter - @ShannonArtWriteConnect with Lauren:https://bio.site/lrodriguezTikTok - @laurenrodriguezvoInstagram - @laurensuzTwitter - @LaurenSuzRodMy YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Khushi T Saha is an indie romance writer, has lived on both coasts of the US, and is a first generation South Asian. Drawing on her own experiences, she weaves tales of interracial relationships, India, and the South Asian culture and traditions - using her skills to completely immerse romance readers. Her romance series - The Liberated Series - became a cathartic project to convey the triumph and turmoil of an interracial couple and create a HEA with a South Asian heroine. She hopes that other South Asian Americans can relate to her stories and the Asian American experience, and of course, that romantics all around enjoy her novels. Find Khushi's books on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Khushi-T-Saha/e/B09QC25LJ7/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dskConnect with Khushi:https://linktr.ee/ktsromanceFacebook - @KhushiT.SInstagram - @ktsromanceTikTok - @ktsromanceThe YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySources:https://bookriot.com/barnes-noble-hardcover-stock-change/Support the show

Poppy Darling, romance fan and writer, loves a good romance novel. They thrill her, and they were her secret obsession. Until, she decided to become Host of the Confessions of a Closet Romantic Podcast.Like most romantic readers, she finds a sense freedom in the romance genre - being able to define what love, connection, and sex mean to her.  Most of all, she aims to celebrate her love of the genre without embarrassment or shame. In celebration of Romance Reading Month, we gush about why we love the romance genre, how it's changed for us as we've matured, and why we both started podcasts about romance.  Find Poppy's podcast here:https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/episodes/Connect with Poppy:https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/Twitter - @poppy_confessesInstagram - @poppy_confessesThe YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Audiobooks are a booming business with less obstacles than ever before. While many indie authors face the burning questions: Should they narrate their own books or find a narrator? And how do authors find the right narrator for a book? CJ Critt, SAG-AFTRA Actress and Narrator, walks through the process of narration and let's us peak behind-the-mic for the work that goes into voicing an audiobook. CJ has been narrating audiobooks for decades with nearly 200 popular titles of fiction to her name. For her, being an artist is thrilling. But it is work. And it is a business. And with her help, we walk through the business of audiobook narration and what it takes.Connect with CJcjcritt.comcjcritt@mac.comCJ's Upcoming Narration Classeshttps://stagewest.coursestorm.com/course/voice-over-acting-master-class-narration-tuesday-august-9-6-00-8-00-pmhttps://www.1106lupo.com/bookings-checkout/vo-trio-speak-up-narration-sept-11th?referral=service_list_widgethttps://www.1106lupo.com/bookings-checkout/cj-critt-s-voice-over-trio-september?referral=service_list_widgetThe YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Award-winning author Kate Forsyth knows her way around a re-telling. With a Doctorate of Creative Arts in fairy tale studies and an accredited master storyteller, she has written several books re-contextualizing fairy tales and myths. She lends insight into her process of writing a re-telling and how to pull from the original tales to create a compelling story for a modern audience.Kate's most recent novel is The Crimson Thread, a reimagining of ‘The Minotaur in the Labyrinth’ myth set in Crete during the invasion and occupation of World War II. The Crimson Threadhttps://amzn.to/3bMB5hZKate's other bookshttps://amzn.to/3bJh381Connect with Katehttps://kateforsyth.com.au/Facebook - @kateforsythauthorTwitter - @KateForsythInstagram - @kate_forsyth_The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show