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

LJ Keys waxes poetics on perceptions and gets personal about how Before I Sleep: Poetry, Prose, and Peculiarity, her first book of poetry, came into being. Find LJ here: https://ljkeys.com/Twitter - @ljandthekeys Instagram - @ljandthekeys Facebook - @ljandthekeysSpecial Shout-Outs:Luc Bardi - illustrator - @gabeathran Rob Halhead - cover design - @rob_halhead Stephen Parolini - editing - www.noveldoctor.comKraken Editing - proof reading - www.krakenediting.combookow.com - book formatting Support the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryTranscript done by A.I. and may be subject to errors. Support the show

(Recorded in Oct 2020)Kelsey Holmes of Kraken Editing & Literary Service Investigations offers some great insight on research and we talk about how writing styles are both empowered and influenced by what we read.  To add a little spice to the mix, we talk tips for NaNoWriMo and how to help boost your writing when you hit a wall.Find Kelsey here:https://www.krakenediting.com/https://www.facebook.com/KrakenEditing/Twitter - @krakenediting Instagram - @krakeneditingSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

What agency does your main character have? Character motives are integral to the plot and writing instructor and fiction author, Amber Royer, helps us get to the core of a character.  We examine what agency looks like in context of romance and use some of your favorite rom-coms as examples. Plus, we gush about chocolate! Find Amber's books here:https://amzn.to/3HLqXCeConnect with Amber:http://amberroyer.com/Facebook: @Amber.Royer.AuthorTwitter: @amber_royerInstagram: @amberroyerauthorSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Dying, writing, and...Cantebury Tales? Kimberly Packard does an impressive juggling act with mixing all three in her latest release - with seven POVs and an emotional core that is a powerhouse read. We talk about what makes Dire's Club special. Kimberly's books:https://amzn.to/3ObdFkAFind Kimberly Packard here:www.kimberlypackard.com Facebook - @kimberlypackardauthorTwitter -  @kimberlypackardInstagram -  @kimberlypackardSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

I provide an update on what's been happening in my world, leaving the podcast for awhile, and looking forward in posting more chats with authors and writers in all genres.Support the show

Writer, speaker, and social media consultant Kathryn McClatchy gives insight on the kind of content authors should be posting and tools for writing productivity. With a background in business and marketing, she has a passion to help authors leverage their assets.Find Kathryn McClatchy here:https://kathrynmcclatchy.com/ Twitter: @KmmcclatchyInstagram: @kathrynmcclatchyFacebook: @KMMcClatchy TikTok: @kathrynmcclatchyOr her Author Facebook Group, Unleashing the Next Chapter:https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnleashingTheNextChapterSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

A self-professed Story Nerd, Amanda Arista is in-the-know of writing tips and tricks for bringing your story to life. She's a lecturer who teaches other aspiring authors and writes paranormal stories with full-realized protagonists that kick butt! She teaches us a thing or two about genre writing and reader expectations. Find Amanda Arista's books on Amazon:Diaries of an Urban Panther: https://amzn.to/3vfYPT9The Truth about Night (Merci Lanard Files Book 1) : https://amzn.to/3rMzVYYFind Amanda below:http://www.amandaarista.com/Pinterest: @aaristaInstagram: @PantheristaTwitter: @PantheristaFacebook: @pantheristaSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryMusic:Prelude in C (BWV 846) by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4237-prelude-in-c-bwv-846-License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Support the show

We're back at it!Strap in cause I go off-script for this one with some personal stories but I promise I have a point! I discuss my absence, taking care of yourself, and how romance is a form of self-care. It's important to take care of ourselves mentally and emotionally in rough patches and find our safe space. Find me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryMusic by Nico Maximilianhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF7OwLvnKHgSupport the show

"It’s dis-heartening to think the author wrote the book using diversity without a diverse audience in mind. The book was about my people - mi gente - but it was not written for me."TW: I talk about my discomfort over misrepresentation of Hispanic culture in a recent book. Adding diverse characters and settings in your book is a great way to expand your writing skills and a new way to craft your work. In that regard, we should aim to represent other communities respectfully and authentically. I talk about ways I've seen it not work and how together, we can do better as a collective going forward.Find me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryMusic by Nico Maximilianhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF7OwLvnKHgSupport the show

Change starts with us. It starts with the way we think and our actions.This isn't the typical podcast for "Romancing the Story". Instead, I took time to process the social injustice that has come to the forefront of a lot of important discussions. I am a small voice on a platform, and I don't wish to take attention away from the more critical voices in the Black Lives Matter movement. Instead, I highlighted an abbreviated version of why the movement is important and focus on what writers and readers can do in the short term and long term to progress change and help dismantle an old method of thinking. Compiled list of sources referenced in the podcast:Organizations, Memorial Funds, or Bail Funds for BLM:https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.html#victim-memorialBook recommendations for anti-racismhttps://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2020/06/06/871023438/this-list-of-books-films-and-podcasts-about-racism-is-a-start-not-a-panaceahttps://www.charisbooksandmore.com/understanding-and-dismantling-racism-booklist-white-readersBlack owned businesses list:https://nymag.com/strategist/article/black-owned-businesses-support-shop.htmlFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryMusic:Prelude in C (BWV 846) by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4237-prelude-in-c-bwv-846-License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Support the show