Story Magic

127 - Using magic as a metaphor for mental health with Ruth McKell

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

126 - Reclaiming the Lens: How Marginalized Writers Build Worlds for Their Own Communities with Tiffany Grimes

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how marginalized writers build worlds for their own communities with guest Tiffany Grimes.What you’ll learn fro...

125 - Digital Minimalism with Gauri Yardi

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about digital minimalism with guest Gauri Yardi!What you’ll learn from this episode:What is digital minimalism? Emil...

124 - Commissioning artists

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about commissioning artists for book covers and artwork.What you’ll learn from this episode:when and why you might wo...

123 - Balancing the book of your heart with market decisions

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

122 - Writing good love triangles

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about love triangles!What you’ll learn from this episode: our personal preferencestying love triangles back to chara...

121 - What is the romantasy genre?

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about romantasy!What you’ll learn from this episode:expectations of the genrenavigating the vibesdiscussing the genre...

120 - How do you know when you're done?

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about knowing when your draft/book is done.What you’ll learn from this episode:Being confident in your choiceAt what ...

119 - To prologue or to not prologue

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about prologues!What you’ll learn from this episode:Subjectivity is part of this process and industry What makes pro...

118 - Where and when to end a chapter

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about ending chapters!What you’ll learn from this episode:Scene vs chapterScene structureEnding in the middle?SCENE S...

117 - How to write in different POVs

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about writing in different POVs.What you’ll learn from this episode:Knowing your character well enough to see from th...

116 - The brain science behind writer's resistance with Monica Hay

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the brain science behind resistance with special guest Monica Hay!What you’ll learn from this episode:What caus...

115 - Writing effective descriptions

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about descriptions!What you’ll learn from this episode:What makes a good description? How character perspective impa...

114 - Happy New Year! 2025 Wrap, 2026 Dreams

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about their 2025 years, and what they hope for 2026!Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t ...

113 - Writing unlikeable characters well

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about unlikeable characters.What you’ll learn from this episode [insert bullet points]What does  ‘unlikable’ mea...

112 - Diving into totally new projects

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about jumping into new projects.What you’ll learn from this episode:Moving onto new projects - like a totally new set...

111 - Should you revise or rewrite messy scenes?

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about revising and/or rewriting messy scenes.What you’ll learn from this episode:How to know if you should rewrite or...

110 - Dealing with post-book-release emotions

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about post-book-release emotions!What you’ll learn from this episode:what it's like to release a book into the w...

109 - Return from hiatus

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about what happened during the time we've been on hiatus!Ready to make readers so in love with your characters the...

108 - Dictation with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel are back from hiatus to talk about dictation with guest Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer!What you’ll learn from this episode:Incorpo...

107 - Book coaching behind the scenes with Sam Cameron

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about book coaching behind the scenes with Sam Cameron!This is a special edition episode originally recorded for Sam Ca...

106 - Studying published works

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about studying published works. What you’ll learn from this episode:why studying published works is our fav trick fo...

105 - Revising chunks of your manuscript

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about revising large parts of your manuscript!What you’ll learn from this episode:Rewriting words is so normalHow to ...

104 - Atmosphere and setting with Thea Verdone

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about atmosphere and setting with Thea Verdone.What you’ll learn from this episode:what makes a setting 'gothic&...

103 - Publicity and book marketing with Jenn Vance

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about publicity and book marketing with guest Jenn Vance.What you’ll learn from this episode: how publicity services...

102 - Tackling serious themes with Michael Dante DiMartino

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about tackling serious themes with guest Michael Dante DiMartino.What you’ll learn from this episode:How to navigate ...

101 - Intuitive writing with Becca Syme

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about Intuitive Writing with guest Becca Syme.What you’ll learn from this episode:What is intuitive writing Learning...

100 - Celebrating our 100th episode

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about celebrating our 100th episode!Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting thei...

99 - Acts and act breaks

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about story structure acts and act breaks.What you’ll learn from this episode:What are actsDifferent story structures...

98 - Hybrid publishing with Evette Davis

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about hybrid publishing with guest Evette Davis.What you’ll learn from this episode: what is hybrid publishing (vs i...

97 - Dos and don'ts of writing retreats

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about writing retreats!What you’ll learn from this episode:Resetting mindsetWhat to do with your timeTips and tricks ...

96 - Using a penname

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about pennamesWhat you’ll learn from this episode:What pennames areWhen to use themCircumstances to consider when dec...

95 - You don't have to do anything we say lol

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about not doing what we say!What you’ll learn from this episode:Finding what works for youUsing tools in your writer ...

94 - Writing process with Karisa DeLay and Jaime Vendera

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the individuality of the writing process with guests Karisa DeLay and Jaime Vendera.What you’ll learn from this...

93 - Lessons from writing sequels

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about what we've learned from writing sequels.What you’ll learn from this episode:how much of a sequel needs to ...

92 - The market challenges of genre blending

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the market challenges of genre blending.What you’ll learn from this episode:what constitutes a historical ficti...

91 - Getting back to your story after a break

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about returning to your story after a break.What you’ll learn from this episode:resetting your mindsetreacquainting y...

90 - Who is the internal narrator?

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about internal dialogue and internal narration.What you’ll learn from this episode:Who are your characters talking to...

89 - This is not marketing advice

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about book marketing.What you’ll learn from this episode:What is going on with social mediaHow do we market our books...

88 - We are a blip in the universe

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about mindset when the world is a dumpster fire.What you’ll learn from this episode:a little follow up to our Art whe...

87 - Can ambition be anti-hustle?

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about ambition and anti-hustle.What you’ll learn from this episode:What is anti-hustle? The intersection of ambition...

86 - Perfectionism and hustle culture

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about perfectionism and hustle culture.What you’ll learn from this episode:how perfectionism and hustle culture inter...

85 - Art when the world is falling apart

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about creating when the world sucks.What you’ll learn from this episode: What to do when the world is falling apartS...

84 - 4 Pillars to Author Success with Emma Dhesi

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the 4 pillars to author success with guest Emma Dhesi.What you’ll learn from this episode: A full breakdown of...

83 - How and when to apply the story point

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how and when to apply the story point.What you’ll learn from this episode:Using story point as a tool at differ...

82 - Overthinking vs. thinking something through

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about overthinking vs thinking something through.What you’ll learn from this episode:When are you overthinking? What...

81 - Character want vs need

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about Want vs Need in character arcs.What you’ll learn from this episode:What’s a character want?What’s a charact...

80 - The risk of plagiarism in the writing community

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the risk of plagiarism in the writing community.What you’ll learn from this episode:What feedback relationships...

79 - Lower your expectations with Rachael Herron

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about lowering your writing expectations with guest Rachael Herron.What you’ll learn from this episode:Why lowering y...

78 - How to start querying with Abigail K. Perry

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the querying process with guest Abigail K. Perry!What you’ll learn from this episode:Exactly what a query lette...

77 - Plot + character in the crime/thriller genre with Marybeth Whalen

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about all things plot, character, process, and crime/thriller with guest Marybeth Whalen.What you’ll learn from this ...

76 - Negative arcs

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about negative arcs.What you’ll learn from this episode:The differences between positive and negative arcsHow to shap...

75 - Book marketing with Erica Birtles

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about book marketing with guest Erica Birtles.What you’ll learn from this episode:The right time to start marketing y...

74 - Reviews and your ideal reader

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about getting reader reviews!What you’ll learn from this episode:Mindset around getting reviewsReviews are for reader...

73 - Beta reading

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about beta reading!What you’ll learn from this episode:What is beta reading? When is the right time to search for be...

72 - Sweet and clean romance with Victorine Lieske

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about sweet and clean romance with Victorine Lieske.What you’ll learn from this episode:What sweet and clean romance ...

71 - Publishing's changing landscape with Nicole Meier

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the changing landscape of the publishing industry with guest Nicole Meier.What you’ll learn from this episode:t...

70 - Character arcs across a series with Jennifer Armentrout

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about developing arcs across a series with very special guest Jennifer Armentrout.What you’ll learn from this episode...

69 - Dog Training with Eric Goebelbecker

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about not fiddling around with writing and getting to work with guest Eric Goebelbecker.What you’ll learn from this e...

68 - Lean into messy humanity

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about leaning into messy humanity.What you’ll learn from this episode:What to do when you ask "is this too much?...

67 - All is Lost vs Dark Night of the Soul beats

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the All is Lost vs Dark Night of the Soul story structure beats. What you’ll learn from this episode:What role...

66 - Writing is not always fun

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how writing is not always fun.What you’ll learn from this episode:The different phases of writingHow we natural...

65 - Spicy and erotic romance with Jordyn Kross

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Rachel talks about spicy and erotic romance with guest Jordyn Kross.What you’ll learn from this episode:What erotic romance actually isHow to...

64 - Making intentional writing choices with Kat Caldwell

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about making writing choices with guest Kat Caldwell.What you’ll learn from this episode:A little bit about what coac...

63 - Convincing antagonists

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about antagonists!What you’ll learn from this episode:What an antagonist actually isHow to write believable antagonis...

62 - Shedding the shame of talking about your book with CC Tyler

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about shedding the shame of talking about your book with guest CC Tyler.What you’ll learn from this episode: why you...

61 - Rejection mindset with Kayla Stansbury

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about querying and rejection with guest Kayla Stansbury.What you’ll learn from this episode:what the querying process...

60 - Author Interview with Emilia Emerson

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about indie publishing and the author journey with Emilia Emerson.What you’ll learn from this episode:what it's ...

59 - Being afraid to do it wrong

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about answering a listener question about perfectionism and the idea of doing it wrong.What you’ll learn from this ep...

58 - Return from hiatus

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about returning from an unplanned hiatus.Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting...

57 - Choosing scene POV

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about choosing scene POV.What you’ll learn from this episode:4 questions to determine the most impactful POVs...

56 - Listen up, procrastinators

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about procrastination!What you’ll learn from this episode:Procrastination and perfectionism are two sides of ...

55 - The versatility of the writing process

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the versatility of the writing process.What you’ll learn from this episode:Is it useful to define ourse...

54 - Author interview with Brit KS

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk with author Brit KS.What you’ll learn from this episode: Brit KS's process of developing her world and...

53 - Exploring perfectionism with Jocelyn Lindsay

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how fear is at the heart of perfectionism with guest Jocelyn Lindsay.What you’ll learn from this episod...

52 - The "standard of excellence" rant

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about a little rant about the self-publishing vs traditional publishing debate.What you’ll learn from this ep...

51 - Are character thoughts show or tell?

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about character thoughts, and whether they're show or tell.What you’ll learn from this episode:What inte...

50 - Use character movement to "show"

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about using character movement to "show" on the page.What you’ll learn from this episode:Showing ch...

49 - The 3 layers of show, don't tell

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the three layers of "show!" What you’ll learn from this episode: Showing the action in a sc...

48 - Emily & Rachel updates

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about updates from our personal lives and the Golden May business!Subscribe to our email list: https://goldenm...

47 - A little rant about "should"

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how we hate the word "should!"What you’ll learn from this episode:How to reframe the 'sh...

46 - Set goals free from shame

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about setting goals without shame.What you’ll learn from this episode:How to determine whether your goals are...

45 - LGBTQ+ representation with Sam Cameron

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about LGBTQ+ representation with guest host Sam Cameron.What you’ll learn from this episode:The balance betwe...

44 - The art of self-editing with Tiffany Grimes

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the art of self-editing with guest host Tiffany Grimes.What you’ll learn from this episode:What is self...

43 - Static / flat arcs with Lewis Jorstad

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Lewis & Rachel talk about static and/or flat arcs.What you’ll learn from this episode:What static and flat arcs areWhat static/f...

42 - NaNoWriMo behind the scenes with Lewis Jorstad

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Lewis & Rachel talk about NaNoWriMo behind the scenes.What you’ll learn from this episode:NaNo check inDifferent experiences do...

41 - Create consistency without burnout with Lewis Jorstad

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Lewis & Rachel talk about creating consistency in our routines.What you’ll learn from this episode:The difference between consis...

40 - Stakes and why they're important

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about stakes and why they're important.What you’ll learn from this episode:what stakes really arestakes ...

39 - Creating strong and purposeful secondary characters

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about secondary characters.What you’ll learn from this episode:What's a secondary character? The purpos...

38 - Low stakes stories

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about low stakes stories. What you’ll learn from this episode:What is a low stakes story? Why low stakes s...

37 - How to come up with ideas you actually like

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how to come up with ideas you actually like.What you’ll learn from this episode:Reaching the root cause...

36 - Tips to trick your inner perfectionist

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about tips to trick your inner perfectionist (aka separating thinking from implementing).What you’ll learn fr...

35 - Reaction progressions

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about reaction progressions.What you’ll learn from this episode:what reaction progressions arethe 4 pieces of...

34 - How to grow a thick writer skin

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about growing a thick writer skin.What you’ll learn from this episode:why you actually don't need a thic...

33 - When to write or reject a series with Lewis Jorstad

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about when to write or reject a series with guest Lewis Jorstad.What you’ll learn from this episode: Benefit...

32 - Digging into character backstory

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about digging into character backstory.What you’ll learn from this episode:Backstory vs character factsWhere ...

31 - Harmony in your creative life with Corrie Legge

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about developing harmony in your creative life with Corrie Legge.What you’ll learn from this episode:why har...

30 - The pros and cons of external motivation

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the pros and cons of external motivation.What you’ll learn from this episode:the right mindset for usin...

29 - Build your story with genre with Savannah Gilbo

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about building your story with genre with guest Savannah Gilbo.What you’ll learn from this episode:Why genre ...

28 - Where to start your story

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Emily & Rachel talk about where to start your story.What you’ll learn from this episode:Starting your story by introducing your c...