This week, I’m breaking down the new direction for my creative business—and why YouTube is now the center of it all. From trying (and abandoning) Patreon to dreaming up a serialized assassin story to now reading flash fiction on YouTube, I’m sharing it all: what’s working, what’s not, and how I plan to make money from storytelling without burning out.

🔔 Subscribe to my YouTube: ChaChanna on YouTube
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A few weeks ago, I had a stellar storytelling weekend. I debuted a brand-new story on Saturday, got great feedback, and then performed it again at the open mic show I host—Storytelling Sundays at The Westport Library.

In this episode, I’m walking you through my full process from idea spark to stage-ready performance, how my prep style has (thankfully) evolved over the years, and what makes live storytelling so magical for me. I also share what I’m working on next, including dipping my toes into folktales!

🎤 Plus: I’m on a mission to become a better MC, and I share the behind-the-scenes nerves of running a storytelling show.

📅 Next show: July 13 at The Westport Library (curated lineup—don’t miss it!)

🎙️ Hit play to hear how I create, practice, and perform personal stories—and why I keep coming back to the mic.

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🔔 Subscribe to Writing in Color with ChaChanna and sign up for my newsletter Beyond the Page for monthly flash fiction and creative joy: https://www.chachannawrites.com/newsletter/

Last weekend was a storytelling double feature with back-to-back events, big laughs, and a whole lotta love. For the first time, my friends and family came out in force to support me, and even joined in the fun!

This episode, I’m sharing how that experience reminded me why I tell stories out loud, and how behind the scenes, the dominoes are falling on my own fictional story arc. I thought I had it all figured out...until I sat down to write.

Now I’m making big decisions about the foundation of Color-Coded Assassins, the structure of Season One, and how to balance ambition with real life. Plus, I’m setting a deadline that feels doable, and talking through how I plan to finish a whole dang season of stories while living a full life.

🔗 Subscribe to my newsletter Beyond the Page for behind-the-scenes updates, bonus stories, and early access: ChaChannaWrites.com/newsletter

💬 Let’s talk! Message me on Instagram @ChaChannaWrites or email me at [email protected] and tell me: Have you ever had to scrap your original creative plan?

This week I’m switching gears—and sharing what it really looks like to grow a creative business from scratch.

I’m talking about my goal to reach 100 newsletter subscribers, why I’m not asking friends and family to sign up, and the honest (sometimes sad!) numbers behind this podcast. I’m also sharing my next move to reach more readers—hello, short story submissions—and why I’m putting my assassin stories on pause (for now).

Plus, I talk about From Paris With Love, YouTube Shorts movie recs, and the surprising joy of a well-placed object reveal.

💌 Want monthly story extras, behind-the-scenes peeks, and joyful moments? Subscribe to my newsletter Beyond the Page: https://www.chachannawrites.com/newsletter/

Wanna say hi? Send me a note at: [email protected]

This week, I’m diving back into a world I thought I left behind—my Color-Coded Assassins series. From a dusty notebook to a fully fleshed-out universe, I share how the story has evolved and why I’m more obsessed than ever. I’m also reflecting on the process of slow building, creative structure, and trusting the pace of your own path.

Plus:
✨ A joyful tradition my boyfriend and I look forward to every week
😳 An embarrassing (but hilarious) cemetery moment from my teen years
🎤 Two chances to see me live on stage this May!

Come for the storytelling journey, stay for the laughs—and maybe even share your own awkward childhood memory.

📍 Tell Me Another – May 17 at Hartford Flavor Company
📍 Storytelling Sunday – May 18 at The Westport Library
Details: ChaChannaWrites.com/appearances

It’s my birthday, and I’m spending part of it with you! 🎉 This episode isn’t about strategy or schedules—it’s a celebration. I’m reflecting on the unexpected return to fiction writing that began earlier this year, the joy of rediscovering old dreams, and giving myself full permission to evolve. I’m talking about what it means to come back to a passion, how I’ve surprised myself creatively, and I even read a birthday note to future me.

Oh—and there’s a candle wish waiting for you too. 🎂✨

Let’s celebrate what’s blooming—in me and in you.

💌 Sign up for my monthly newsletter Beyond the Page (it launched today!): ChaChannaWrites.com/newsletter

What kind of writer do I actually want to be? Short stories? Comics? Audio dramas? (Definitely not novels—at least for now!) In this episode, I share how I went from trying to do all the things to focusing on short stories as the foundation of my creative world.

You’ll hear the story that started it all: The Assignment, featuring Jasmine, Cardinal, and Ebony—three assassins on a mission that goes very off script. Ambushes, betrayal, and one very toxic partnership. 😬

PLUS: I talk about where this story came from, how it changed from the original version, and how I plan to expand the assassin universe going forward.

If you love juicy twists, short fiction, and messy character dynamics—you’re in the right place.

👉 Want more stories and behind-the-scenes peeks? Sign up for my newsletter Beyond the Page at ChaChannaWrites.com/newsletter

In this episode of Writing in Color, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my creative process—messy notes, character profiles, and all! I’ve been deep in the world of my Color-Coded Assassins series, and I’m finally organizing the 27 pages (yep, 27!) of character details I’ve gathered. Plus, I share how I’m reshaping my writing routine to actually work with my life—not against it.

If you’ve ever felt like you “should” be doing more, this one’s for you. I’m talking writing joyfully, writing imperfectly, and trusting the story to unfold in its own time.

💌 Sign up for my newsletter Beyond the Page at ChaChannaWrites.com/newsletter
📍Join me in person: My next live storytelling show is May 18 at the Westport Library!

https://westportlibrary.org/event/storytelling-sundays-at-the-library-2/2025-05-18/

This week, I’m fresh off the storytelling high from the Sharing the Fire conference hosted by Northeast Storytelling—and I’ve got stories to share! From powerful workshops and jaw-dropping performances to heartwarming fringes that sparked new inspiration. I reflect on why stories matter, the joy of being surrounded by fellow creatives, and how storytelling can inspire hope, connection, and courage. Plus, I share a joyful moment from the weekend and what it reminded me about how I want to show up in the world.

If you’ve ever been moved by a performance or walked away from an event feeling changed, this one’s for you.

Storytelling Organization: Northeast Storytelling: https://www.nestorytelling.org/

You can also purchase the replays of this past Sharing the Fire Conference.

Find me on Instagram @ChaChannaWrites

💌 Want more story goodness? Subscribe to Beyond the Page, my monthly newsletter full of creative reflections, joyful moments, and behind-the-scenes peeks at my writing life: ChaChannaWrites.com/newsletter

In this debut episode, I share how I got back into fiction writing, what inspired me to start this podcast, and why I’m documenting my creative journey from the beginning. If you’ve ever felt nervous about starting something new, you’re not alone—we’re figuring it out together.

For more behind-the-scenes and story love, follow me on Instagram @ChaChannaWrites and join my newsletter, Beyond the Page, at https://www.chachannawrites.com/newsletter/