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

Welcome to the unofficial afterparty!After recording Episode 90 with Monica and Maria from Juicy Details Romance Editing, we weren't quite ready to stop talking.We kept chatting about books, romance, storytelling, publishing, and all the wonderfully nerdy topics that seem to come naturally when passionate story people get together.So rather than let those moments disappear into the editing void, I decided to share them with y'all!This bonus episode is a little more casual and a little more behind-the-scenes so grab your favorite beverage and join us for the conversation that kept going after the interview!Connect with Juicy Details:https://www.juicydetailsediting.com/Instagram: @juicydetailsediting---------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=zMi0dxVgqvoSupport the showSupport the show

"...Everyone was talking...don't expect to make a career (as an indie romance author) because the marketing is impossible to handle and I thought that's ridiculous...."RomIntel was designed to help romance authors navigate book marketing with real-time reader data and romance market analytics. Hanna Odendaal empowers authors to identify ideal readers, track emerging trends, optimize pricing strategies, and make informed launch and relaunch decisions that support long-term book sales.Connect with Hanna:https://www.romintel.com/Instagram: @rom_intel---------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=zMi0dxVgqvoSupport the showSupport the show

"...we feel strongly that romance novels have the potential to make the world better in a number of ways."Juicy Details Romance Editing brings a craft‑focused, thoughtful approach to polishing love stories. Using the “3 Pillars of Genre Fiction Editing,” Monica and Maria take meticulous care with every manuscript and believe deeply in romance’s power to make the world a better place. At the time of recording, the team was three editors strong; today, they continue their mission as a dedicated duo.Connect with Juicy Details:https://www.juicydetailsediting.com/Instagram: @juicydetailsediting---------Media Mentions:Ep 30 - Interracial Romance and the South Asian Experience with Khushi T. Sahahttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/romancing-the-story-writing-romance-storytelling-and/id1511776362---------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=zMi0dxVgqvoSupport the show

"I think the number one thing (for an audiobook) is collaboration is the key..."Audiobooks are an intimate experience. Author Loren Sorensen and Narrators Willa Jaymes and Christian Leatherman would know about creating stories - both in a book and in the booth. Loren gives us a glimpse behind the inspiration of her novella, The Trouble with Christmas. We also delve into Christian's thorough prep work and Willa's careful, immersive approach to character work.Connect with Loren:https://www.lorensorensenwrites.net/Instagram: @lorensorensenwritesTikTok: @lorensorensenwritesShopify: https://lsorensenbookstop.myshopify.com/Connect with Willa:https://www.willa-jaymes.com/Instagram: @willajaymesnarratorTikTok: @willajaymesnarratorFacebook: @willajaymesnarratorConnect with Christian:https://christianleatherman.com/Instagram: @leathermanaudioTikTok: @leathermanaudioAudible: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Christian+LeathermanCheck out The Trouble with Christmas:https://amzn.to/4q3skkk---------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=zMi0dxVgqvoSupport the show

"There's a reason a lot of the marginalized characters start out in places like Wattpad...it becomes this people driven publishing house in a way...."Watty award winning author, Lux Raven, understands how platforms like Wattpad are influencing publishing, reader's habits, and the rules of writing. We chat the success of serialized fiction and how authors can succeed there too. Plus, we chat the making of binge-able moments that can help build an audience.Connect with Lux:https://www.luxravenwrites.com/Instagram: @luxravenwrites Wattpad: @LuxRavenTikTok: @luxravenwritesCheck out the Siren's Mark Duology:https://amzn.to/48JyxvW---------Special Thanks to:Heather Kay Ling - Narratorhttps://www.heatherkayling.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=zMi0dxVgqvoSupport the show

"Someone said to me in my twenties...you can have it all but not all at the same time and that has stuck with me for a long time." Award winning author, Alisha Fernandez Miranda joined me to chat the myth of “having it all,” motherhood, following your passions, and embracing strengths featured in her debut, Someone's Gotta Give. We also discuss the realities of working in philanthropy, fiction versus memoire writing, and exploring viewpoints of ambition and burnout. Connect with Alisha:https://www.alishafmiranda.com/Instagram: @alishafmirandaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alishafernandezmiranda/Check out Someone's Gotta Give:https://amzn.to/47ZkTVt---------Media Mentions:Poderistashttps://poderistas.com/Good Morning America Interviewhttps://youtu.be/_GmQ1JEE4BI?si=BaG09OBt-uGe_W6V---------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

"...usually (writing) my central character is early for me and my central themes are early for me and everything else springs from that, and that includes the magic..."Author and Veteran video game writer, Morgan Lockhart blends magic, game‑style lore, and emotional stakes in her writing, enough to craft character thematics and individual journeys of magic. We discuss the influence of game writing mechanics in a narrative, shout-outs to Jim Henson, and using family and traditions to address emotional and mental health in the cozy, small town holiday setting.Connect with Morgan:https://www.lockhartwrites.com/Instagram: @lockhartwritesBlueSky: @mizdoomcookie.bsky.socialCheck out A Spell for Midwinter's Heart:https://amzn.to/3WJa8QC---------Media Mentions:Craft Tips for Writing a Magic-Filled Story with She Writeshttps://shewrites.com/craft-tips-for-writing-a-magic-filled-story/The Muppet Christmas Carolhttps://amzn.to/4hR0mW4Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmashttps://amzn.to/49LOi6x---------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

"My therapist and I talk all the time about how the support system you have and where you're at (in life) totally dictates how you handle recovery."Romance Author Thea Claire portrays realistic recovery from addiction in her novels and how resilience shapes character arcs, emotional truths, and heals trauma. We explore the track of her own recovery and the importance of community, pushing through setbacks, and the impact it has on long-term growth. Connect with Thea:https://thea-claire-author.square.site/Facebook: @theaclaireauthorInstagram: @theaclaireauthorTikTok: @theaclaireauthorCheck out The Recovering Good Girl Series:https://amzn.to/4n5Ayqz---------Media Mentions:Pucking Around by Emily Rathhttps://amzn.to/47jFm6OJust for the Summer by Abby Jimenezhttps://amzn.to/4okOjCL---------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

"You want to (write dark themes) in a way that's sensitive and include the dark content but also consider the impact." Sarah Hawley, USA Today Bestselling Author, writes dark fantasy worldbuilding that makes rebellion feel inevitable and magic feel consequential, a drastic shift from her lighter rom-coms. Focusing on her high fantasy series, we discuss creating believable rebellion arcs, designing a dark narrative that shapes story stakes, and techniques for deepening character motivation, along with themes of escapism, rebellion, and fighting for a better world even when the odds are against you.Connect with Sarah:https://www.sarahhawleyauthor.com/Instagram: @mssarahhawleyTwitter: @MsSarahHawleyCheck out "Servant of Earth" by Sarah Hawley, the first book in The Shards of Magic Series:https://amzn.to/3GE7RRW---------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

"One thing I love about the romance genre is that you're allowed to have those big, emotional moments....without apology."Romance Author and former Hallmark creative producer, Bryn Donovan discusses the charming and humorous moments that arise with miscommunication in romcoms, the challenges of a love that transcends time, and the heartwarming journey that led to her novel being published and made into a movie. Connect with Bryn:https://www.bryndonovan.com/Instagram: @bryndonovanauthorTikTok: @bryndonovanTwitter/X: @BrynDonovanYouTube: @BrynDonovanWriterFacebook: @AuthorBrynDonovanFind "Her Knight at the Museum" by Bryn Donovan:https://amzn.to/44nRClL---------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