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

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

C.A. Szarek is a renaissance woman of romance writing. With 17 books and counting, she writes everything from romantic suspense to epic fantasy romance. She has been both traditional published and self published, has been president of her local Romance Writers, and she is also an editor on the side in addition to her full-time and part-time gigs. No matter what stage you are in your writing journey, Szarek has some nugget of wisdom to sink your teeth into....and lots of dragon mugs. Find C.A. Szarek's books on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3PMXw6mOr connect through her website:http://www.caszarek.com/Twitter - @caszarekInstagram - @caszarekFacebook - @caszarekSupport 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

Did you know fanfics were and still are dominated by women? We take a bit of a journey from the usual romance fare to explore the strange new(ish) world of fanfiction. Fanfiction holds a very special place in our hearts and is a personal passion project. We examine the impact of fanfiction in romance and how romantic fanfiction has influenced writers. Fanfiction inspires people to write, whether nurturing a writing passion that has always existed or encouraging a fan who might not have otherwise written at all. Ukulele Star Trek: TOS Cover by thesadchickenhttps://youtu.be/Z0S94lexjo8Find me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryOpinions are my own, but the references below helped:https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/4xa4wq/the-forgotten-early-history-of-fanfictionhttp://www.gender-focus.com/2010/02/18/fanfiction-and-feminism/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdDIMOehLm8https://bookriot.com/2019/10/14/history-of-fanfiction/https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-promise-and-potential-of-fan-fictionhttps://www.techtimes.com/articles/70108/20150723/fan-fiction-star-trek-harry-potter-history-of-fan-fiction-shakespeare-roman-mythology-greek-mythology-sherlock-holmes.htmhttps://sites.duke.edu/unsuitable/fan-fiction/https://repository.library.georgetown.edu/bitstream/handle/10822/551540/17_etd_kem82.pdfMusic: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

Mia London and Susan Sheehey concoct an author synergy that makes magic happen on the page. Both ladies encourage each other by writing through adversity and created an awesome Indie Romance Author dream team. They co-authored two different series, a Romantic Comedy and a Romantic Suspense. If their characters aren't making you laugh, they are liable to make things explosive - both literally in the book and figuratively in the bedroom. Did we mention they have range?Find Mia and Susan's books on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3LDeCjyOr connect through their website:www.MiaLondon.comwww.SusanSheehey.comSupport 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

Kimberly Packard keeps us on our toes with all the feels in women's fiction and builds a case for writing compelling relationships in novels. She also gives writing advice on plot development and process for newbie writers. Learn how romance genre mingles with women's fiction for a little lovin' to all readers. And we take a moment to talk about dogs. Duh. Kimberly's books:https://amzn.to/3ObdFkAFind the video on Youtube:https://youtu.be/TaHKyHjUe3IFind Kim here:www.kimberlypackard.comFacebook - @kimberlypackardauthorTwitter - @kimberlypackardInstagram - @kimberlypackardSupport 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

Why is reading a good love story so satisfying but writing one is so hard?  Budding romance writer, Sarah Gamez, answers those questions with a deep-dive look into writing and reading love stories and our favorite guilty pleasures. Including guest speakers and round-table discussions, we focus on the writing elements of romance, how romances influences our favorite stories, and developing our own narratives. Here, happy endings are always guaranteed. Support the show

Romance is a key ingredient to almost every story. Whether it be the focal point or a sub-plot, characters seek to find love in some form or another. In the inaugural episode, Sarah gives a personal story as a reader and champions the case for reading romance, both in general and during dark times.Spoiler alert: It's pretty much about love, connection, and female empowerment.After all, HEA is only a page away. Huzzah!  Why do you love romance? What is your favorite thing about the romance community or Romancelandia?Find me on twitter and instagram. @RomancetheStoryOpinions are my own, but the references below helped:https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057%2F9781137462619_10https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/99818/slmoody_1.pdf?sequence=1Music: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