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

"...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

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Media Mentions:

Ep 30 - Interracial Romance and the South Asian Experience with Khushi T. Saha

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/romancing-the-story-writing-romance-storytelling-and/id1511776362

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The YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ

Support the Show
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory

Find me below:
Twitter - @RomancetheStory
Instagram - @RomancetheStory
Facebook - @RomancetheStory 

Music:
Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo

Support 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: @lorensorensenwrites
TikTok: @lorensorensenwrites
Shopify: https://lsorensenbookstop.myshopify.com/

Connect with Willa:
https://www.willa-jaymes.com/
Instagram: @willajaymesnarrator
TikTok: @willajaymesnarrator
Facebook: @willajaymesnarrator

Connect with Christian:
https://christianleatherman.com/
Instagram: @leathermanaudio
TikTok: @leathermanaudio
Audible: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Christian+Leatherman

Check out The Trouble with Christmas:
https://amzn.to/4q3skkk

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The YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ

Support the Show
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory

Find me below:
Twitter - @RomancetheStory
Instagram - @RomancetheStory
Facebook - @RomancetheStory 

Music:
Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo

Support 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: @LuxRaven
TikTok: @luxravenwrites

Check out the Siren's Mark Duology:
https://amzn.to/48JyxvW

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Special Thanks to:

Heather Kay Ling - Narrator

https://www.heatherkayling.com/

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The YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ

Support the Show
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory

Find me below:
Twitter - @RomancetheStory
Instagram - @RomancetheStory
Facebook - @RomancetheStory 

Music:
Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo

Support 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: @alishafmiranda
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alishafernandezmiranda/

Check out Someone's Gotta Give:
https://amzn.to/47ZkTVt

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Media Mentions:

Poderistas

https://poderistas.com/

Good Morning America Interview

https://youtu.be/_GmQ1JEE4BI?si=BaG09OBt-uGe_W6V

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The YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ

Support the Show
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory

Find me below:
Twitter - @RomancetheStory
Instagram - @RomancetheStory
Facebook - @RomancetheStory 

Music:
Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar
https://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: @lockhartwrites
BlueSky: @mizdoomcookie.bsky.social

Check out A Spell for Midwinter's Heart:
https://amzn.to/3WJa8QC

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Media Mentions:

Craft Tips for Writing a Magic-Filled Story with She Writes

https://shewrites.com/craft-tips-for-writing-a-magic-filled-story/

The Muppet Christmas Carol

https://amzn.to/4hR0mW4

Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmas

https://amzn.to/49LOi6x

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The YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ

Support the Show
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory

Find me below:
Twitter - @RomancetheStory
Instagram - @RomancetheStory
Facebook - @RomancetheStory 

Music:
Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar
https://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: @theaclaireauthor
Instagram: @theaclaireauthor
TikTok: @theaclaireauthor

Check out The Recovering Good Girl Series:
https://amzn.to/4n5Ayqz

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Media Mentions:

Pucking Around by Emily Rath

https://amzn.to/47jFm6O

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

https://amzn.to/4okOjCL

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The YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ

Support the Show
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory

Find me below:
Twitter - @RomancetheStory
Instagram - @RomancetheStory
Facebook - @RomancetheStory 

Music:
Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar
https://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: @mssarahhawley
Twitter: @MsSarahHawley

Check out "Servant of Earth" by Sarah Hawley, the first book in The Shards of Magic Series:
https://amzn.to/3GE7RRW

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The YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ

Support the Show
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory

Find me below:
Twitter - @RomancetheStory
Instagram - @RomancetheStory
Facebook - @RomancetheStory 

Music:
Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar
https://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: @bryndonovanauthor
TikTok: @bryndonovan
Twitter/X: @BrynDonovan
YouTube: @BrynDonovanWriter
Facebook: @AuthorBrynDonovan

Find "Her Knight at the Museum" by Bryn Donovan:
https://amzn.to/44nRClL

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The YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ

Support the Show
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory

Find me below:
Twitter - @RomancetheStory
Instagram - @RomancetheStory
Facebook - @RomancetheStory 

Music:
Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo 

Support the show

"...each enneagram has a really unhealthy bar all the way up to a healthy bar. So for me, it's 'where did my character start on the bar?' and 'how do I get them to a healthy place of the enneagram through the story?'..."

USA Today Bestselling Author Krystal Shannan explains how the Enneagram can shape believable motivations, conflicts, and arcs to make characters unforgettable. We explore their powerful application in character development and character arcs. Discover how the nine Enneagram types can help you create characters who are relatable, genuine, and dynamic. Krystal provides insights to craft characters that resonate deeply with your readers and drive compelling narratives.

Connect with Krystal:
https://www.krystalshannan.com/
YouTube: @KrystalShannan
Facebook: @KrystalShannan
Instagram: @krystalshannan

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Other Media Mentions:

The Enneagram Institute
https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/

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The YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ

Support the Show
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory

Find me below:
Twitter - @RomancetheStory
Instagram - @RomancetheStory
Facebook - @RomancetheStory 

Music:
Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo 

Support the show

"For (the politican couple), it's almost a negotiation -  I know what I want. Are you able to give it to me? And just having that back and forth."

Romance Author Alicia Wilder created a not-so-secret, forced proximity romance set in Washington DC with likeable characters to boot in My Secret Vice. She walked through the process of toeing the line between politics and passion and talks about building a West Wing-type romance with emotional depth, older MCs, ambitions, and respecting power balance.

Connect with Alicia:
https://aliciawilder.com/
TikTok - @aliciabwilder
Instagram - @aliciabwilder
Facebook - @aliciabwilder
Twitter/X - @aliciabwilder
Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/aliciabwilder
GoodReads - Alicia_Wilder

Find Alicia Wilder's books on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4fo5e2A

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The YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ

Support the Show
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory

Find me below:
Twitter - @RomancetheStory
Instagram - @RomancetheStory
Facebook - @RomancetheStory 

Music:
Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo 

Support the show