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

"...if I want readers to be able to identify with the character then I want them to be able to identify with the illness specifically...I can't be ashamed to put the name (of illness) on the page."

Romance author Cara Dion knows writing through the pain of chronic illness is not just about the physical aspects but touches ever part of her life. We chat her experience with chronic illness, the way it affects her writing and using romance as a way to create relatable characters and powerful commentary on challenges, both illness and beyond. Plus, who doesn't enjoy a good, ol' fashioned Hemingway to Sierra Simone pipeline?

Find Cara Dion on Kindle:
https://amzn.to/4d95nWh

Connect with Cara:
https://www.caradion.com/
Facebook - @caradion.author
Instagram - @caradion.author

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🌟Emily at Emagine Shop🌟
https://emilyatemagine.com/

Use code for 10% off your purchase
official code: romancingthe10

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Media Mentioned:

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
https://amzn.to/4e3sDGh

Priest by Sierra Simone
https://amzn.to/3XtiJqr

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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

Support the show

"I think initially planning it out was kind of difficult. Only because...(the writer) is very descriptive. She says she can't draw, but in my mind, (they) just do it differently. (Writers) do it with words."

USA Today Bestselling Author C.A. Szarek collaborated with comic artist Gilbert Perez to create an illustrated version of her romantic fantasy novel. Chrissy provides the writer's perspective of how she was able to convey and hone down her story to the essentials to be illustrated. Gilbert provides the artist perspective of composing scenes, managing workload, and figuring out limitations - such as color blindness - to create art.

Connect with C.A. Szarek:
http://www.caszarek.com/
Twitter/X - @caszarek
Instagram - @caszarek
Facebook - @caszarek

Connect with Gilbert Perez
https://gilbertperezart.wixsite.com/2021
Instagram - @gilbertperezart
TikTok - @gilbertperezart
Twitter/X - @gilbertperezart
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gilbertperezart?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Sword’s Call Illustrated Edition by C.A. Szarek — Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/caszarek/swords-call-illustrated-edition

Find C.A. Szarek's books on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3PMXw6m

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Other Media Mentions:

Path of the Pale Rider Issues #1 - 5 by Laurie Calcaterra
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pathofthepalerider/path-of-the-pale-rider-issue-5

Ep 65 - Building an Interconnected Series with C.A. Szarek
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/13976922

Ep 35 - Highlander Time-Travel Trope and Writing with C.A. Szarek
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11426240

Lauren Smith's Wicked Designs: The Illustrated Edition
https://amzn.to/3Zbe0wg

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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

"....(Screenwriting) is, to me, a lot more puzzle-like than novels...if somebody gives me a screenplay to read that is 140 pages, I know it doesn't work."

Award-winning author Emily Roberson explores the intricacies of adaptation as she delves into how to write compelling scripts. From options as an author to translating a story to the screen, Emily shares insights, challenges, and plenty of examples. Whether you’re a writer or simply curious about storytelling, join us as we unpack the written word and its visual counterpart.

Connect with Emily
https://www.emilyrobersonbooks.com/
YouTube: @emilyrobersonbooks
TikTok: @robersonemily
Instagram: @robersonemilym
Twitter/X: @RobersonEmily

Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters by Emily Roberson
https://amzn.to/3YW8bCH

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Other Media Mentions:

Time to Write with Amy Kelly and Emily Roberson
https://timetowritepodcast.com/

"The Screenwriting Life” with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
https://www.thescreenwritinglife.co/

Michael Arndt
https://www.youtube.com/@michaelarndt8848

Cinestory
https://cinestory.org/

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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

"As a romance fan, we couldn't get anybody or any of the networks to buy into....(or) pay to make these adaptations, and so we started our own streaming platform..."

Tosca Musk, CEO and founder behind streaming service Passionflix, takes proper time, care, and effort to make a romance book into a movie for the fans. We chat determining what role she takes in each production, the power of delegating and getting fans involved with productions. It's all part of her master plan-fingers crossed!

Connect with Tosca
https://passionflix.com/
Twitter/X: @toscamusk
Instagram: @toscamusk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057793790249

Passionflix membership
https://watch.passionflix.com/

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Media Mentions:

Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J. R. Ward
https://amzn.to/46YvzBf

The Air He Breathes by Brittainy Cherry
https://amzn.to/4dPG4t2

Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy
https://amzn.to/3yKD5Dp

Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre
https://amzn.to/3yLFBJy

Blood and Ash Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
https://amzn.to/4fUskPl

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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

"...and if you create this single story for a people of a certain historically, marginalized identities; you know, that gets taken by readers and it gets inside of them in ways we might not expect or intend to..."

Award-winning author Alex Temblador commitment to diverse storytelling helped create a tool to authentically write and edit a character whose identity differs. We delve into the art of authentically writing characters whose identities differ from our own by exploring the complexities of crafting diverse characters, addressing topics such as identity terms, stereotypes, and unconscious biases.

Connect with Alex
https://www.alextemblador.com/
https://www.writinganidentitynotyourown.com/
Twitter/X: @alex_temblador
Instagram: @alex_temblador
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1360921567
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextemblador/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15807980.Alex_Temblador

Writing an Identity Not Your Own: A Guide for Creative Writers
https://amzn.to/4dhE8JS

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Other Media Mentions:

Writing the Other (Conversation Pieces)
https://amzn.to/3X467Gj

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story | TED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg

I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much | Stella Young
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K9Gg164Bsw

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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

"...Introducing family shows a different side (to the character) and allows the character to be a little more well-rounded in the way they interact..."

Writing instructor and multi-genre author, Amber Royer, encounters the challenges and surprises of introducing new characters with her Bean to Bar Cozy Mystery Series. She even touched on understating off-page characters until authors know the dynamics they present with the main protagonist and the importance of moving a character forward. 

Connect with Amber
http://amberroyer.com/
Twitter/X: @amber_royer
Instagram: @amberroyerauthor
Facebook: @Amber.Royer.Author

Bean to Bar Mysteries Series by Amber Royer
https://amzn.to/465yUNI

Amber Royer - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoA_29HV2nPmRnox9LPVanw

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Media Mentions:

Stop or My Mom Will Shoot
https://amzn.to/46B1OpZ

Case Closed
https://amzn.to/4fHHwzw

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Amber's Other Episode:

Ep 14 - Character Agency, Motives and Chocolate-writing
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/8890402

Ep 43 - Making a Cozy Mystery Cozy
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/12098109

Ep 61 - Writing Engaging Pets and Animal Sidekicks
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/13653198

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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

"It's been fun to kinda see (Melissa's writing) evolve also in the narration I have done for her....her stories get better and better with time. It's the same with narration too."

Romance author Melissa Whitney Author and narrator Harlow Wilde are a dynamic duo when it comes to audiobooks. We discuss the changing production process of each book, what to expect creating an audiobook, and working together as an author and narrator for the best listening experience in an audiobook.

Honestly, this episode is three former theater kids who geeked out about being creative and it's glorious.

Connect with Melissa:
https://www.melissawhitneywrites.com/
Instagram: @Melissa_WhitneyAuthor
TikTok: @melissasuewhitney
Facebook: Melissa Whitney Author
Twitter: @SteamingPlot81
Threads: @melissa_whitneyauthor

"Finding Home" on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3WmcEg7

Connect with Harlow:
https://www.harlowwilde.com/
Instagram: @harlow.wilde
TikTok: @Harlow.wilde_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarlowWilde

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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

"If you're just starting out, I personally would recommend waiting (to invest in audiobooks) until you have a full series that...is selling well. ...If the series isn't working, you're not going to know that until the series has been out for a while."

As an author and narrator, Karen White knows what it takes to get into listening ears. We discuss her passion for audiobooks with the creation of Home Cooked Books, an audiobook community designed to support authors and readers. She shares leveraging narrators, your platforms, and tips for creating and promoting your audiobook.   

Connect with Karen:
https://www.homecookedbooks.com/
https://www.karengrey.com/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hcbaudiobooklovers
Listeners Page including the weekly SuperFan News signup: https://www.homecookedbooks.com/for-listeners
Author FAQs: https://www.homecookedbooks.com/authorfaqs

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Media Mentioned:
C.A. Szarek's Audiobooks

Collision Force
https://amzn.to/3RWEEEB

Sword's Call
https://amzn.to/4cI841c

King of Hearts
https://amzn.to/3RUldMM

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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 try to write really fierce, headstrong characters...but at the same time, it's ok to be vulnerable. It's ok to say I don't have all the answers."

Author Kimberly Packard lovingly calls women's fiction the "trash can punch" genre since it has a little bit of everything, and while her characters and novels run the gamut within the genre, the emotional arcs that keep readers invested is the glue that holds them all together. We delve into balancing emotional arcs in a plot that helps readers root for your characters. She shows us how to lean into feelings - without dragging down the narrative or wearing down the reader!

Find "This Time Around" on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4eb5JNT

Connect with Kimberly:
www.kimberlypackard.com
Facebook - @kimberlypackardauthor
Twitter - @kimberlypackard
Instagram - @kimberlypackard

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Media Mentioned:

The episode where Kim's blurb for This Time Around appeared!
Ep 34 - Dissecting Book Blurbs with Jessie Cunniffe
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11384252

"This Time Around" cover artist who gets a shout-out:
Sarah Hansen
https://www.okaycreations.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

"If it feels like I'm trying to force something...that's usually when I know to kinda let go. Either set it down or hold it with an open hand and see what happens. Whatever happens with it, let that be. "

Amy Kelly, the new leader at Lone Star Literary Life, shares her unique journey as an author, podcaster and literary advocate to enrich both Texans and other authors. We explore how previous experiences and knowledge all lead to taking over LSLL and managing time and effort into the right endeavors.

Connect with Amy:
Personal Instagram: @amykellytheishgirl
Business Instagram: @lonestarlit
Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theishgirl
Business Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoneStarLiterary

Websites:
https://theishgirl.com/
https://www.lonestarliterary.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