The Story Blender

This week, author Cara Reinard joins me to talk about shaping and developing twists and psychological suspense in your writing, the importance of flawed characters, how to be an expert “breadcrumber,” and more. We also chat about your latest release, THE WIFE AT THE WINDOW. Give it a listen, like, and subscribe!

• Have you heard of the novelist Richard Castle? Well… I had a chance to chat with him. Listen as I talk with Tom Straw, who wrote numerous books under Castle’s name. Tom is an award-winning screenwriter, humorist, and New York Times bestselling author whose sharp and witty writing has connected with fans around the world. Together, we explore how stories can lean into struggles, truth, and humor. You’ll love his insights and his encouraging words. Check it out!

This week I caught up with acclaimed Cowboy Poet Brigid Reedy. She is a singer, songwriter, fiddler, poet, and storyteller who has become a singular young voice representing her beloved home state of Montana. At just twenty-three years old, she has already performed at the Grand Ole Opry, the National Storytelling Festival, and Carnegie Hall. We talk about what it means to “feel” a story, how important it is to be passionate about the material you perform, the importance of being aware, the loudest sound you can make on stage, and much more. Give it a listen and subscribe to receive our weekly podcasts!

This week I caught up with bestselling author and writing instructor Vincent Davis. We chat about the only Latin I know (it might surprise you), complex villains, how the best fiction rhymes with reality, how story is its own teacher, and agenda-driven fiction vs. dilemma-driven fiction. Great insights! Give it a listen and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any future Story Blender episodes. 

Listen as I chat with the Real Book Spy, Ryan Steck, about his writing, his editing, and his phenomenally successful website the Real Book Spy. He’s an expert on all things thrillers, espionage, and suspense. We talk about his favorite authors, how he got started by being expelled from school when he was a young teenager, and how he was able to turn things around. He also has a new book out entitled OUT FOR BLOOD. Check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes! 

On this week’s episode of the Story Blender, award-winning mystery writer Lori Roy joins me to talk about getting to know characters, evocative settings, and her latest novel LAKE COUNTY. We also discuss the importance of having an emotional plot shift within every scene and the benefits of doing so. Check it out, give it a listen, and subscribe!

A native of Pasadena, Paul Roland has been pursuing filmmaking since high school and graduated from Cal State Northridge. His directorial debut, "Exemplum," was produced on a budget of $9,500 with a skeleton crew of four people. He credits Ingmar Bergman, Fritz Lang, and James Cameron as the three primary influences on his filmmaking style. Check it out, give it a listen and subscribe!

This week I caught up with award winning author Cara Putman as we chat about suspense, motivation, what creates tension and weaving ethical and mortal dilemmas into your stories to write books readers won’t want to put down. Grab a copy of her latest book “The Vanish”. Check it out, give it a listen and subscribe! 

• This week I catch up with author and fiction instructor Matthew Salesses. He has written a book on writing called CRAFT IN THE REAL WORLD and tackled some of the big questions authors have regarding critiquing each others’ work. Learn how to offer and receive helpful feedback on your writing, how to stay motivated, and how to remain on-task in your project. Join us for a fun and interesting interview and check out his book if you are in a writing critique group. Check it out, give it a listen and subscribe!

• Listen as I chat with Kathleen Antrim, and D.P. Lyle, both some of the mastermind behind the outliers online writing university program. Doug is one of the countries, foremost, experts on forensic medicine in fiction, catheters written, and planned many writers conferences over the years. I pick their brains about what makes a story work the best advice that their mentors have shared with them how to shape a better story, and what to avoid as you do. Check it out, give it a listen and subscribe!