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

"....We need time to think. We need time to research, and we need time to be creative. And so that has to go into our calendar as well."Back in episode 42, Writer, speaker, and social media consultant Kathryn McClatchy provided ways to create realistic, achievable goals and put the right timeframes in place.  Over six months later, we're doing a re-assessing of yearly goals since we're both embarking on new stages of life.  Tag along as we chat ever-changing goals. No matter if you are looking to level up your business, writing, or hobbies, the conversation delves into linking identity with goals and how we manage the shift in our schedule and thinking. Connect with Kathryn:https://kathrynmcclatchy.com/Twitter: @KmmcclatchyInstagram: @kathrynmcclatchyFacebook: @KMMcClatchyTikTok: @kathrynmcclatchyAuthorpreneurs Unleashed PodcastAuthorpreneurs Unleashed (buzzsprout.com) ---------Resources Mentioned: * Atomic Habits by James Clearhttps://amzn.to/3Eo4EkT* Maya Shankarhttps://mayashankar.com/* Building a Second Brain by Tiago Fortehttps://amzn.to/3L8P8gE* The PARA Method by Tiago Fortehttps://amzn.to/3Z7qDpZ* The Bucket List https://amzn.to/482fCug* Trello - Project Management Apphttps://trello.com/* Asana - Platform for Cross-Functional Workhttps://asana.com/* Notion - Note taking Apphttps://www.notion.so/* Evernote - Note Taking Apphttps://evernote.com/---------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

Susan Sheehey, a romance author, discusses the importance of creating compelling external conflicts in storytelling. She emphasizes the significance of focusing on the main character's goals, motivations, and conflicts. She explores how contrasting personalities can create conflicts and drama in a story, and also addresses a character's worst fears and reasons behind them. Additionally, she explores ironic and unexpected endings, and highlights the availability of her books on various platforms.

"My book, A Beautiful Game, was...a love story and also, a love story about soccer and playing soccer."Liz Lincoln and Lainey Davis score goals when it comes to soccer romance. Both ladies write other kinds of sports romance, but in honor of the World Cup, we chat making soccer (or football!) romance accessible to the masses, writing from althetic and non-althetic POVs, and incorporating real events - like the World Cup - into your book. Connect with Liz:https://www.lizlincoln.com/Twitter - @TheLizLincolnInstagram - @lizlincolnauthorTikTok - @lizlincoln Facebook - Liz Lincoln Link for Liz's Books - including "Milwaukee Soccer Club":https://amzn.to/44QMjbq Connect with Lainey: https://www.laineydavis.com/ Instagram - @authorlaineydavisFacebook - @authorlaineydavisTikTok - @authorlaineydavis Link for Lainey's Books - including "Beautiful Game": https://amzn.to/3XYd1wB---------Romance Author C. A. Szarek's Fundraiserhttps://www.givesendgo.com/waterworld2023--------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

"Being a pre-published author is to know exactly what your expectations are of yourself and of your writing...Like is this a career for you or do you just have that one story...?" Danika Bloom, USA Today bestselling romance author, coaches authors like she used to coach small business owners. She empowers and creates a community, so authors don't work alone. We chat tips and methods for launching yourself as an author on the path to publication, rebranding, and resources to help authors achieve their dreams. Connect with Danika:https://www.danikabloom.com/Instagram - @authordanikabloom Facebook - @authordanikabloomTwitter - @DanikaBloomHEA Link for Danika's Books - including "The Billionaire's Shrubbery":https://amzn.to/46DCIqfDanika's Business Site:https://www.authoreverafter.com/Danika's free author resource list: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/f1gkyq4vsc---------Previous episodes mentioned:Ep 42 - Setting Successful Writer Goals with Kathryn McClatchyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/12057827Ep 39 - Curating a Paranormal Romance Anthology with Patrice Caldwellhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11592975Ep 19 - Judging a Book by Its Romance Cover with Sarah Kilhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/10330813Ep 53 - Evolving and Embracing Change as a Creator with Bree Unabashedlyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/12976379--------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

Heidi McCahan, a Harlequin author who uses dictation to write multiple books a year, discusses the benefits of dictation for capturing characters and accessing the emotional level of writing. They also explore topics such as finding book ideas, dealing with rejection, and unlocking productivity with dictation.

"...I really wanted all my characters to have this nice arc...They start at point A and then they're sort of figuring their way through it as the book goes on."Kayla Grosse can't help but write compelling characters with depth - which propelled her previous romance book into a bestseller. Now her cowboy romance, Reign Me In, rides highs and lows as the small-town character's emotional journeys are put front and center; all while hitting all the steamy scenes.We chat exploring different methods of grief, challenges in writing series and how personal experience has impacted Kayla's writing.Connect with Kayla:http://www.kaylagrosse.com/http://www.kaylagrosse.com/newsletterInstagram - @kaylawriteslifeTwitter - @KaylaGrosseFacebook - @kaylagrosseauthorLink for Kayla's Book "Reign Me In":https://amzn.to/42Rb5H7---------Romance Author C. A. Szarek's Fundraiserhttps://www.givesendgo.com/waterworld2023--------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

"...when you can bring your creative brain to marketing, it explodes. There's so much great opportunity to be creative in marketing and think outside the box and try new things."Author and Speaker Carolyn Choate hosts The Financially Free Author Show and has been imbedded in the indie publishing world since the wild west of ebook publishing when Kindle first came out! We discuss about the details of books launch and get off on tangents about our passion for podcasting. Plus, she gives a special glimpse of ways she's implementing her own strategies and writers can too!Book Launch Planner:https://amzn.to/462fMR2Connect with Carolyn:https://www.financiallyfreeauthor.com/ Instagram: @financiallyfreeauthorsFacebook:  @financiallyfreeauthorsYouTube: @Financiallyfreeauthor Pinterest: @FinanciallyFreeAuthor TikTok: @financiallyfreeauthors  --------Instagram Post about Blog Tours:https://www.instagram.com/p/CtWtginAo81/Romance Author C. A. Szarek's Fundraiserhttps://www.givesendgo.com/waterworld2023 ---------- The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryConnect with Me:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryMusic:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the show

"We're pretty good at (the podcast)....I have to not be afraid of like stepping out of the intentions of what it looked like....Not being afraid to step out, to do something different. Owning that like "you're good at what you do". I feel like that's where I'm at right now. "Whether you are a romance writer, reader or content creator, Bree knows the struggles that comes with growth and transformation. She co-hosts, produces, edits, and co-created The Categorically Romance Podcast that introduces listeners to Harlequin category romance and authors that write under the brand. Come with us as we swap stories of hard-learned lessons in expectations and the reality of a creative.Give the podcast a listenhttps://linktr.ee/TheCategoricallyRomancePodcast Connect with Bree and TCR:Instagram: @bree.unabashedlyTwitter:  @BreeUnabashedly Instagram: @thecategoricallyromancepod Twitter:  @thecategoricallyromancepod    -------- Romance Author C. A. Szarek's Fundraiserhttps://www.givesendgo.com/waterworld2023 Author mentioned by Sarah who reviewed the Three Little Pigs Re-tellingInstagram: @courtneymccaskillwrites ----------Books Mentioned from BreeThe Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish (A male/male romance from Harlequin Special Edition)https://amzn.to/3MT8dDsTwin Babies to Reunite Them by Ann McIntosh (A female/female romance featuring two Black women from Harlequin's medical line)https://amzn.to/3qsvHbnAwakened by the Wild Billionaire by Bella Mason (The author who wrote her book in one month - with Harlequin Presents)https://amzn.to/43rXkjdThe Match by Sarah Adams (The one Bree couldn’t remember the title but recalled it had a service dog who detected seizures!)https://amzn.to/42llcnqThe Backup Plan by Jill Shalvis (Straddles the line of romance and women’s fiction)https://amzn.to/45KF2euLizzie and Dante by Mary Bly (Eloisa James’ real name and her women’s fiction book) https://amzn.to/42vM58k ----------  The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryConnect with Me:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryMusic:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo Support the show

"We kinda get hit with these overnight success stories, whether it's a writer or anyone...but what I think we don't hear about as much is the actual real toil and grind and rejection that goes into so many books and to being an author."Author Megan Tady put a lot of editing and querying into her debut, Super Bloom, and has the book to prove it! We discuss why the story of hope, grief, and starting a-new was important to tell. Plus, she talks how the book changed from draft to final version and what author life looks like now that her book has been published.Super Bloom by Megan Tady:https://amzn.to/42coMzVConnect with Megan:https://www.megantady.com/ Instagram: @megtadyFacebook:  @medtadyTwitter: @MegTady--------Book Blurb Magic (DIY course):Use code ROMANCETHESTORY for 10% offhttps://adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/book-blurb-magic/?coupon=ROMANCETHESTORYSpicy Blurb Playbook (DIY course):Use code ROMANCETHESTORY for 10% offwww.spicyblurbplaybook.com1:1 Blurb Audit (Separate from DIY course):Use code ROMANCETHESTORY for 10% offhttps://adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/11-blurb-audit/?coupon=ROMANCETHESTORYCustom Book Blurb Service with Jessie (Separate from DIY course):https://adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/custom-book-blurb/?coupon=ROMANCETHESTORY----------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryConnect with Me:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryMusic:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvoSupport the show

"The city is a beautiful backdrop for (character's) to live their lives in. Whereas in a small town, it's really part of the story."Romance author E.F. Dodd holds a special place in her heart for rural settings and even set her latest book, A Higher Standard, in a small North Carolina town. We chat how specific settings influence your story and tone of a book. Plus, there's discussion on how to avoid the stereotypes of small-town settings and making a romance worthy of a smooth city slicker and a fiery country girl falling for each other. E.F.'s Books:https://amzn.to/3MNqvHJConnect with E.F.:https://www.efdoddwrites.com/ Instagram: @e.f.doddFacebook:  @efdoddwrites --------Spicy Blurb Playbook (DIY course):Use code ROMANCETHESTORY for 10% offwww.spicyblurbplaybook.comBook Blurb Magic (DIY course):Use code ROMANCETHESTORY for 10% offhttps://adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/book-blurb-magic/?coupon=ROMANCETHESTORY1:1 Blurb Audit (Separate from DIY course):Use code ROMANCETHESTORY for 10% offhttps://adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/11-blurb-audit/?coupon=ROMANCETHESTORYCustom Book Blurb Service with Jessie (Separate from DIY course):https://adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/custom-book-blurb/?coupon=ROMANCETHESTORY----------Time Stamps[00:02:25] Indie romance author EF Dodd. [00:04:20] Writing two books at once. [00:09:38] Rural North Carolina. [00:13:55] Equine rescue as unique cause. [00:16:02] Realistic rural setting. [00:19:58] Importance of female friendships. [00:22:14] Importance of community in small towns. [00:26:47] Small town community dynamics. [00:30:56] Romance in rural settings. [00:33:34] Preserving historic buildings. [00:37:13] Love and Business.----------The YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Showhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryConnect with Me:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryMusic:Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvoSupport the show