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

Freya Marske dazzles readers with her immersive worlds and has the credentials to show for it! She's an international bestselling author, winner of the Romantic Novel Award for Fantasy, and a Hugo-nominated podcaster. She discusses methods in building meticulous, literary worlds readers want to lose themselves in and how to balance a story that does so much with its premise - think Edwardian Knives Out on a boat!  We also chat on leveraging a historic setting to layer a story and fleshing out characters and worldbuilding. Best of all, her series "The Last Binding" centers compelling queer characters that subvert and play on classic romance tropes - the-rake-and-wallflower coupling anyone? Connect with Freya:https://freyamarske.com/Instagram - freyamarske Twitter - @freyamarske Goodreads - Freya MarskeLink for Freya's Recent Release "A Restless Truth (The Last Binding Book 2)":https://amzn.to/3U8eiy4Link for Freya's First Book in the Series "A Marvellous Light":https://amzn.to/3Fu0QAnOther books mentioned:Maurice by E.M. Forsterhttps://amzn.to/3zwBPky---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Patrice Caldwell holds many esteemed titles already -  children’s book editor, literary agent,  Forbes’s “30 Under 30” media list, and Publishers Weekly Star Watch honoree - and she hold a distinct passion for uplifting diverse voices in the publishing industry.She discusses the process of pitching, curating, and editing a YA paranormal romance anthology - titled Eternally Yours - with fifteen of today’s bestselling writers, including Casey McQuiston, Julian Winters, Kat Cho, Melissa de la Cruz and Chloe Gong. Editing the anthology with so many diverse voices was no easy feat and we talk about it in all it's glorious detail! Connect with Patrice:https://patricecaldwell.com/Instagram - @pncaldwell Twitter - @whimsicallyoursLink for Patrice's Recent Anthology "Eternally Yours":https://amzn.to/3U6na7iLink for Patrice's 1st Anthology "A Phoenix First Must Burn":https://amzn.to/3fhJjkr---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStoryResources:Melissa de la Cruz's "Blue Bloods"https://amzn.to/3sLswcoChloe Gong's "These Violent Delights"https://amzn.to/3fiCrDcCasey McQuiston's "Red, White & Royal Blue"https://amzn.to/3sH37ATKendare Blake's "Three Dark Crowns"https://amzn.to/3U3f8wcSarah Gailey's "The Echo Wife"https://amzn.to/3U5vkgaElizabeth Gilbert's Ted Talk "Your Elusive Genius"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86x-u-tz0MAAdditional Music:Let the Mystery Unfoldby geoffharveySupport the show

Kayla Grosse started off writing scripts but found her calling as a bestselling author of romance. Her rockstar romance, I Like You Like That, is hitting all the right chords with an empowered plus-size heroine and a sizzling love story.We get real about plus-size representation in media, the influences behind her empowering female protagonist and writing a character that embodies confidence and knows her worth - regardless of size.TW: We do briefly talk about eating disorders, weight loss, and fatphobia. Connect with Kayla:http://www.kaylagrosse.com/http://www.kaylagrosse.com/newsletterInstagram - @kaylawriteslifeTwitter - @KaylaGrosseFacebook - @kaylagrosseauthorLink for Kayla's Book "I Like You Like That":https://amzn.to/3VSpl03---------The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

It's all about tropes! Aimee Walker is a new author and qualified editor - providing all levels of editorial services to authors of romance and women's fiction with clients across four continents. Pulling from her knowledge, clients and resources, she created a top trope book that gamifies tropes found in your favorite contemporary romances. We talk on the importance of tropes and how they cannot be underestimated in romance writing and reading.Connect with Aimee:https://aimeewalkerproofreader.com/Instagram - @aimeewalkereditorialservicesTwitter - @AimeeEditorialFacebook - @AimeeWalkerEditorialServicesTop Tropes: A Romance Writer's Guide link:https://amzn.to/3MYS5QA---------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/romancethestoryWhat 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

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