Season two of Story Struck is officially here 🎉

In this laid-back, behind-the-scenes kickoff episode, Rachel Clair and Neno Littlewood ease back into podcast life after a much-needed break and share what’s coming up this season for authors, writers, and storytellers at every stage.

From exciting new guest formats and craft-focused conversations to brand-new Story Spirals (deep-dive book discussions where we lovingly overanalyze everything), this episode is all about setting intentions, building community, and getting excited about writing again.

You’ll also hear us talk candidly about our personal writing goals for the year, short stories, querying, genre exploration, publishing realities, and why stepping away can sometimes be the most productive thing you do as a writer.

Plus: cats make surprise appearances, cozy fantasy gets some love, and we may or may not be plotting a future Substack 👀

If you’re an author looking for encouragement and honest conversations about the writing life, you've found your people.

💌 Don’t miss a thing: Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

Be sure to follow us... Rachel's Instagram: Instagram.com/bookboundjourney Neno's Instagram: Instagram.com/Nenoswritersrebellion

Join the Story Weavers Community https://x0azoaybcuzzwbosmdre.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/story-weavers/home?invite=696febd38fc4658fb94f1120

If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at [email protected].

Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for beta reading and editing services https://www.bookboundjourney.com

Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com

🎵 Music Credits: Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at [email protected]

Season One is a wrap! In this episode, we reflect on their creative journeys, the growth of our writing community, and the valuable lessons learned throughout the season. We discuss the importance of finding joy in writing, the tools and techniques that have helped them, and the significance of author friendships.

The conversation also touches on the challenges of editing and the necessity of marketing for authors. As we look forward to the next season, we are excited about new topics and guests who will continue to inspire and support this writing community.

💌 Don’t miss a thing:

Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

Be sure to follow us...

Rachel's Instagram: Instagram.com/bookboundjourney

Neno's Instagram: Instagram.com/Nenoswritersrebellion

If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at [email protected].

Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for beta reading and editing services https://www.bookboundjourney.com/

Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com

🎵 Music Credits:

Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at [email protected]

#writingpodcast #writing #creativity #editing #bookmarketing #authors #storytelling #writingadvice

Raymond Foster shares his unique journey from a police officer to Uber driver to author. He discusses his latest book, 'Chasing the Surge,' which captures his experiences driving for Uber and the stories he encountered along the way.

Raymond talks about the challenges of shifting from writing academic text to writing memoir and fiction and how he's using memoir as a training ground. He emphasizes the significance of structure, editing, and the creative process, providing valuable insights for aspiring writers.

Get Chasing The Surge: Ten Thousand Rides into The American Night: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Surge-Thousand-Rides-American/dp/1535603011

Contact Raymond at [email protected].

💌 Don’t miss a thing:

Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

Be sure to follow us...

Rachel's Instagram: Instagram.com/bookboundjourney

Neno's Instagram: Instagram.com/Nenoswritersrebellion

If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at [email protected].

Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for beta reading and editing services https://www.bookboundjourney.com/

Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com

🎵 Music Credits:

Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at [email protected]

#RaymondFoster, #ChasingtheSurge, #writingjourney, #storytelling, #selfpublishing, #writingprocess, #editing, #fiction, #memoir

You won't want to miss this conversation about the resurgence of short fiction and serialized storytelling and how everyone can find their creative flow even if your neurodiverse.

In this episode, Michael Burke (author and comic book store owner) discusses his creative process for writing short and publishing his upcoming anthology 'Sinister Society,' which features six novellas centered around themes of secrets and horror. He also dives into how comic books influenced his passion for writing and reading.

Get Sinister Societies: Sic Novellas of Secrets and Horrors

https://ruadanbooks.com/product/sinister-societies-six-novellas-of-secrets-and-horrors/

Follow Michael: https://www.instagram.com/beastburke/

💌 Don’t miss a thing:

Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

Be sure to follow us...

Rachel's Instagram: Instagram.com/bookboundjourney

Neno's Instagram: Instagram.com/Nenoswritersrebellion

If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at [email protected].

Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for beta reading and editing services https://www.bookboundjourney.com/

Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com

🎵 Music Credits:

Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at [email protected]

#novella #writingadvice #writinghelp #writingtips #writing #writingpodcast

Natasha Huling, an author of multiple genres, shares her journey into writing and her fascination with villains in storytelling. We dive into the psychology behind villainy, the importance of creating complex characters with rich backstories, and how personal connections can enhance the narrative.

Natasha shares how a well-crafted villain is essential for a compelling story, as they challenge the hero and add depth to the plot. We also explore the moral complexities of villainy and the need for writers to evolve their characters to meet modern storytelling expectations.

More from Natasha Huling

https://natasha-huling-author.com/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FG1TYBZW

💌 Don’t miss a thing:

Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

Be sure to follow us...

Rachel's Instagram: Instagram.com/bookboundjourney

Neno's Instagram: Instagram.com/Nenoswritersrebellion

If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at [email protected].

Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for beta reading and editing services https://www.bookboundjourney.com/

Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com

🎵 Music Credits:

Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at [email protected]

#authorproblems #authortips #writingadvice #writingtips #antagonist

In this episode, we're joined by Tammie Vecchiarelli, a spiritual mentor, intuitive, and author of Learning Who You Are: A Guide to the Clairsenses and Learning Who You Are: A Guide to the Chakras.

Tammie opens up about her journey of writing these works and how reconnecting with your intuition can transform not just your personal life, but your creative one too. We explore the intuitive writing process, the role of the chakras in creativity, and how tuning into your body can help release energetic and creative blocks.

Whether you’re a writer seeking deeper inspiration or someone craving more alignment in your day-to-day life, this conversation offers gentle, practical wisdom on trusting yourself, healing from within, and allowing your authentic voice to shine through.

More From Tammie:

https://aurorarelationshiphealing.com/

https://medium.com/@tammie_ARH

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Clair-Senses-Learning-Who/dp/B0DFVLCSTL

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Chakras-Learning-Who-You/dp/B0DFYN3FZB

💌 Don’t miss a thing:

Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

Be sure to follow us...

Rachel's Instagram: Instagram.com/bookboundjourney

Neno's Instagram: Instagram.com/Nenoswritersrebellion

If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at [email protected].

Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for beta reading and editing services https://www.bookboundjourney.com/

Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com

🎵 Music Credits:

Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at [email protected]

What really makes a character tick? In this episode, Rachel and Neno put their psychology hats on and dig into the messy, fascinating world of character psychology including how past experiences, trauma (big-T and little-t) and belief systems shape what our characters do and why. From Katniss Everdeen’s PTSD triggers to cozy mystery sleuths coping with heartbreak, they explore how to make fictional people feel flawed and real to draw readers in.

Strap in for candid laughs, storytelling detours, and some seriously nerdy tangents about motivation, genre, and what happens when your own emotions sneak into your work. If you love writing characters who feel alive, complex, and maybe a little too human, this one’s for you.

Join Neno's Main Character Energy Workshop: https://x0azoaybcuzzwbosmdre.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/story-weavers/home?invite=68f7e9276a75825a167c2c4d

💌 Don’t miss a thing:

Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

Be sure to follow us...

Rachel's Instagram: Instagram.com/bookboundjourney

Neno's Instagram: Instagram.com/Nenoswritersrebellion

If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at [email protected].

Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for beta reading and editing services https://www.bookboundjourney.com/

Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com

🎵 Music Credits:

Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at [email protected]

#characterpsychology #writing # Charactertrauma #writerscommunity #characterdevelopment #storytelling #psychologyinwriting #emotionaldepth #motivation #curiosity

Daniel David Wallace shares his insights on writing, focusing on the importance of character development and the 'Character First' writing method.

We discuss how understanding character psychology can enhance storytelling and the significance of creating relatable characters. The conversation also explores the challenges of plotting, the role of conflict in character development, and the importance of diversity in character representation.

Daniel offers practical advice for writers at different stages of their journey and highlights the upcoming writing summit he hosts, which aims to foster a supportive writing community.

Join this year's Escape the Plot Forest Summit:

https://forest.plotsummit.com/?ac=VgScqwJP

More From Daniel:

https://danieldavidwallace.com/

https://www.instagram.com/writingdaniel/

https://danieldavidwallace.com/plot-and-plan/

💌 Don’t miss a thing:

Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

Be sure to follow us...

Rachel's Instagram: Instagram.com/bookboundjourney

Neno's Instagram: Instagram.com/Nenoswritersrebellion

If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at [email protected].

Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for beta reading and editing services https://www.bookboundjourney.com/

Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com

🎵 Music Credits:

Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at [email protected]

Sarah Elizabeth Sawyer shares her experiences and insights on how dictation can enhance your writing process, taking advantage of pockets of time to write your first draft (without being at your desk), overcoming challenges of getting started, and the health benefits of dictation.

The discussion also covers the accessibility of dictation tools, the concept of the Five-Minute Fiction Club, and the upcoming Dictation Bootcamp, providing valuable resources for authors looking to incorporate dictation into their writing routines.

Dictation Bootcamp STARTS OCTOBER 14 (Affiliate link): https://bookboundjourney.com/dictationbookcamp

More from Sarah...

Courses: https://www.fictioncourses.com/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/fictioncourses/

💌 Don’t miss a thing:

Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

Be sure to follow us...

Rachel's Instagram: Instagram.com/bookboundjourney

Neno's Instagram: Instagram.com/Nenoswritersrebellion

Join the Writing Community...

https://x0azoaybcuzzwbosmdre.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/story-weavers/home?invite=68e53dd36c4f6fcfb3dd79d1

If you have a suggestion for an episode, email us at [email protected].

Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for beta reading and editing services https://www.bookboundjourney.com/

Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com

🎵 Music Credits:

Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at [email protected]

Trisha J. Woldridge, a "pangenre chaos word witch" who shares her journey through the realms of horror and dark fantasy. She discusses her unique approach to storytelling, the emotional depth of horror, and the significance of processing trauma through literature. Trisha also delves into the concept of quiet horror, emphasizing its focus on grief and existential dread. She shares insights from her recent Kickstarter campaign for her dark fantasy duology, highlighting the importance of creative control and community support in the publishing process.

More From Trisha

Website: https://anovelfriend.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trishawooldridge/

Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/TJW_newsletter_signup

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B004GGAJ78/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=42e05a7d-5156-4ab9-a784-1f8b60393ab0

💌 Don’t miss a thing:

Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

Be sure to follow us...

Rachel's Instagram: Instagram.com/bookboundjourney

Neno's Instagram: Instagram.com/Nenoswritersrebellion

Join Neno's Writing Community:

https://x0azoaybcuzzwbosmdre.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/story-weavers/home?invite=68dc1e504928fd11990cf944

If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at [email protected].

Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for beta reading and editing services https://www.bookboundjourney.com/

Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com

🎵 Music Credits:

Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at [email protected]