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

Bestselling Author Marcy Pusey discusses the ethical use of AI in writing, focusing on the pros and cons of AI assistance and the importance of transparency to readers. The conversation touches on defining ethical writing, AI's role in maintaining integrity and voice, and safeguarding work from AI exploitation. Marcy provides valuable insights on how authors can make the most of AI tools while preserving their creative authenticity.

Authorpreneur and consultant Kathryn McClatchy shares her journey of rebuilding her life after strokes, turning her passion into a successful business. Topics include invisible disabilities, driving challenges, navigating public spaces with a service dog, and managing work challenges with health issues. Her resilience and creativity shine through the podcast.

Romance writer Melissa Whitney discusses creating authentic characters with disabilities in romance novels, emphasizing the importance of research, diversity, and empathy. She shares insights on overcoming self-doubt, multitasking in writing, and crafting complex characters beyond stereotypes. The podcast delves into the depth of love in non-linear narratives and the significance of accurate representation in storytelling.

"...I certainly hope that (this book) reaches the people who do, for one reason or another, feel that the world has just been so unfair to them and why can't it pick on somebody else for once..."After both her parents died, Courtney penned those tragedies into a debut book, When Happily Ever After Fails. In the book, she proves all tragedies can be rewritten, and happiness can bloom where you least expect it. We chat revising a happily ever after doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” mentality and mingling dark and light elements of life is more fact than fiction.Connect with Courtney:https://www.courtneydeane.com/YouTube: @CourtneyDeaneInstragram: @authorcourtneydeaneTikTok: @courtneydeaneFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/authorcourtneydeane/Substack: https://substack.com/@courtneydeaneFind When Happily Ever After Fails on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3Jdi0D0---------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

"...as we're solving problems in our own stories, we're creating problems for the other stories that (Lark and Catrina) had to work in... It made for some really creative outcomes." - Lucy LimonAs critique partners and writers with complementary strengths, romance authors Lark Green, Lucy Limon, and Catrina Bell devised a plan for a holiday novella series where a one author took a different book. We chat how their masterful coordination, thorough world-building, and developmental courtesy helped them stay on track to release the series, even in the midst of last-minute fixes and edits. Connect with Lark Green:https://www.authorlarkgreen.com/Instagram: @authorlarkgreenFacebook: @authorlarkgreenGoodreads: Lark GreenConnect with Lucy Limon:https://www.lucylimon.com/ Instagram: @lucylimon.books BookBub: @LucyLimon_books Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45367606.Lucy_Lim_nConnect with Catrina Bell:linktr.ee/catrinabell Instagram: @catrinabell Twitter: @catrinabellxoxoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/catrinabellwritesFind Horned Up for the Holidays on Amazon:https://amzn.to/4aQJefx---------Lark's Other Episode:Ep 45 - Writing while Working Full-Time with Lark Greenhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/12159925 ---------Other Media Mentioned:Sweet Monster Treats Serieshttps://amzn.to/3SaS7cy---------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

"They always say start your book on a day that's different. That's called an inciting incident. That's what I try to do naturally. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't."A decade into writing her Highlander series, USA Today Bestselling Author C.A. Szarek has built a large cast of interconnected books, and her unorthodox method continues to have no hard and fast rules of writing. We chat about how she gets reacquainted with her books after a period of time away from writing in the world and as an important idea with any writer, how the overall pantsing way of writing her books works best for her.Connect with C.A. Szarek:http://www.caszarek.com/Twitter - @caszarekInstagram - @caszarekFacebook - @caszarekFind C.A. Szarek's books on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3PMXw6m ---------C.A. Szarek's Other Episode:Ep 35 - Highlander Time-Travel Trope and Writing with C.A. Szarekhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11426240 ---------Other Authors Mentioned: Cherry Adair:https://amzn.to/46eWfM7--------- 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

"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---------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