Today, Emily & Rachel talk about writing flow!

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• What is flow state
• How to find flow state
• Experimenting with your unique brain and body
• Letting go of shame surrounding focus and discipline

STOLEN FOCUS by Johann Hari: https://stolenfocusbook.com/

Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic

Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/

If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!

Follow us on social media!

Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/

Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about organization!

What you’ll learn from this episode: 

• Emily and Rachel's personal processes
• Deciding on what your priorities are first
• Not using "organization" as a procrastination tool
• Leaning into your brain and body's natural tendencies

Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic

Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/

If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!

Follow us on social media!

Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/

Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about magic as a metaphor for mental health with guest Ruth McKell.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• using writing as catharsis
• incorporating mental health themes into your magic
• including mental health representation intentionally
• practical tips for developing magic through real-world observation

Read HONEY IN HER VEINS by Ruth McKell: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239680531-honey-in-her-veins

Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic

Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/

If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!

Follow us on social media!

Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/

Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how marginalized writers build worlds for their own communities with guest Tiffany Grimes.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• What it means to "reclaim the lens" 
• Why so many marginalized writers hesitate to go fully into their own cultures, identities, or lived experiences on the page
• How can writers tell when they’re unconsciously writing for the mainstream gaze instead of for their own communities
• Why reclaiming the lens lead to stronger stories overall

TIFFANY GRIMES' WEBSITE: https://www.burgeondesignandeditorial.com/

THE RESIDENCY: https://www.burgeondesignandeditorial.com/residency-enroll

TIFFANY'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/burgeondesignandeditorial

Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic

Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/

If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!

Follow us on social media!

Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/

Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about digital minimalism with guest Gauri Yardi!

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• What is digital minimalism? 
• Emily's and Gauri's experience 
• How to incorporate digital minimalism into your creative life
• The challenges of limiting tech when marketing is a big piece of the writing journey

GAURI YARDI'S WEBSITE: https://www.gauriyardi.com/

GAURI'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gauri.yardi/

Resources mentioned:

• Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/575667/digital-minimalism-by-cal-newport/
• Susan Dennard’s substack article “Experiments In Focus” https://stdennard.substack.com/p/experiments-in-focus
• Cal Newport’s podcast episode “This is your brain on phones” https://www.thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/ep-374-this-is-your-brain-on-phones/ 
• Stolen Focus by Johann Hari https://stolenfocusbook.com/

Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic

Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/

If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!

Follow us on social media!

Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/

Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about commissioning artists for book covers and artwork.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• when and why you might work with an artist
• where and how to find artists
• what the process is like
• how to work with an artist

Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic

Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/

If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!

Follow us on social media!

Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/

Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about writing what you want vs writing to market.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• staying true to writing what you love
• considering market as a business tool
• not letting this question mess with your mindset

Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic

Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/

If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!

Follow us on social media!

Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/

Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about love triangles!

What you’ll learn from this episode: 

• our personal preferences
• tying love triangles back to character
• avoiding common pitfalls

Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic

Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/

If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!

Follow us on social media!

Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/

Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about romantasy!

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• expectations of the genre
• navigating the vibes
• discussing the genre's critique
• reading within the genre

Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic

Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/

If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!

Follow us on social media!

Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/

Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about knowing when your draft/book is done.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• Being confident in your choice
• At what point should you get outside feedback
• Different paths have different questions to consider

Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation?  Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic

Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/

If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!

Follow us on social media!

Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/

Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/