The Story Blender

Michelle Cox has always been obsessed with stories of the past and has spent a lifetime collecting them.  She is the award-winning author of historical fiction, including the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series, The Fallen Woman’s Daughter, and The Merriweather Novels.  Cox also pens the wildly popular, “Novel Notes of Local Lore,” a weekly blog chronicling the lives of Chicago’s forgotten residents.

She lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with her husband, an assortment of children who continually leave and then come back, and one naughty Goldendoodle.  Unbeknownst to most, she hoards board games she doesn’t have time to play and is, not surprisingly, in love with both Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart.  Likewise, she is happily addicted to period dramas and big band music.  Also marmalade.

This week’s guest, Jenny Milchman, is an acclaimed crime and thriller novelist who is a Mary Higgins Clark award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of five novels. We chat about crafting stories will lots of twists and surprises, dealing with self-doubt, the Christmas-morning joy feeling of first drafts and the reality check of revisions, the power of speaking up, and her newest book THE USUAL SILENCE. Check it out and subscribe!

This week on the story blender I catch up with John Raab, publisher, podcaster, and suspense expert. We talk about some of our favorite types of stories, the difference between suspense and other genres, what makes a thriller really work, and how to pitch your idea to a publisher or editor. You’ll love John’s practical advice, his humor and his down-to-earth personality. Check it out and subscribe so you never miss and episode!

This week I catch up with Andrew Welsh-Huggins, an  acclaimed author of numerous private eye and thriller novels. He is the Shamus, Derringer, and International Thriller Writers award-nominated author of many books and short stories. Andrew has two releases coming up just around the corner and we chat about those, about what makes a good short story, plot twists and pivots, what a “noir” story is (and isn’t). Check it out and subscribe to catch next week’s episode as well!

This week I catch up with award-winning crime writer John Copenhaver who pens historical mysteries that celebrate minorities and those whose stories aren’t often told. We explore what a story needs at the very start, whether or not to plan out your crime novel before writing it, and the drawbacks of workshopping stories. We also talk about his latest novel, HALL OF MIRRORS. Check it out and subscribe!

If you’ve ever read an action or military thriller you’re probably familiar with the name “Tom Clancy.” And, while he unfortunately passed away in 2013, other gifted authors are still carrying on his legacy and I’m thrilled today to have one of them joining on The Story Blender to talk about his writing process and his latest book TOM CLANCY: SHADOW STATE. 

M.P. Woodward, a former U.S. Naval intelligence officer, shares his thoughts on leaving no danglers, the importance of an ironic ending, writing action-packed thrillers with heart, when to break the rules to improve your story, and how to weave in believability and surprise. Give it a listen and subscribe so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes.

Listen in as I pick the brains of co-authors Isabella Maldonado and Jeffery Deaver on the process of writing a crime thriller that will keep readers turning pages. We discuss how to keep your characters intriguing, inside information on writing, and the importance of getting the facts right. We also talk about outlining, their latest thriller, FATAL INTRUSION, and how many drafts and rewrites Jeffery does for his novels (it will probably surprise you!) Give it a listen!

This week I chat with Caroline Cleveland about her southern mystery WHEN CICADAS CRY. She talks about the five aspects of Southern Fiction and how she tried to weave them into her story, the power of story to bring people together, and how cultures are both shaped by stories and reflected in the stories we tell. Give it a listen!

This week I talk with James Gordon, who worked for decades in Hollywood in the documentary and reality TV world and contributed to more than 100 shows, including Big Brother, Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model. We talk about his experiences in putting together meaningful and poignant shows, how stories bring us all together, Breaking Bad, and his latest venture, the acclaimed travel podcast, Skiptown All-Stars Travel Podcast. Check it out! 

Acclaimed screenwriter and novelist Jule Selbo shares insights on plot, why she started watching sports after she left Hollywood, finding the new normal at the end of a story, and celebrating dilemma over theme. She also shares the drawbacks of outlining and the story behind her latest novel, 8 DAYS. Give it a listen, check it out, and subscribe.