Story Sorcery®

Sue Brown-Moore

Story Sorcery® with Sue Brown-Moore is where romance writers learn how to stop second-guessing your storytelling instincts. You know that feeling when you've rewritten the same scene five times and it STILL feels wrong? 😤 You're not broken. 😰 Your instincts aren't wrong. 😭 And you're definitely not the only one stuck in revision hell. I've spent over a decade helping romance writers figure out the actual problem, not just slap a bandaid on it. Because there's a difference between "your pacing is off" and understanding WHY a scene isn't working. If you can't identify the root of the problem, you can't fix it. No matter how many times you rewrite. That's why every episode is a deep-dive exploration of ONE romantic fiction storytelling concept so you can understand what's actually happening in your own draft. No formulas. No generic "rules" (that don't even apply to your style). Just honest, editor-in-your-pocket insight from someone who reads romance for breakfast and helps romance authors live their Happily Ever After careers. Ready to finally trust what your storytelling instincts are telling you? Subscribe now, and let's get you out of revision hell. Want more support? Head to https://suebrownmoore.com (suebrownmoore.com) for workshops, free resources, and other ways we can work together.

  1. 21 APR

    The Porch Scene

    You read back through your big ending and it's... disappointing. Technically, it hits all the right beats, but it feels kinda meh. So you make it bigger. You add more dialogue, more stakes, more feelings. And somehow it gets worse. In episode 14, I'm walking you through why the scene that actually earns your hero's big moment isn't near the finale at all, and why you might have already cut it for "not moving the plot forward". You'll learn: Why making your ending bigger (more dialogue, more stakes, more feelings) only makes it feel more forcedWhat the "porch scene" is and why your reader will feel it even when your hero never acknowledges what's happeningHow a hero uses their Augmentation to show (not tell) you they're actually changingThe one question to run on your mid-story scenes this week to tell whether your hero is really growing or just wearing a different emotional outfit This 30-minute episode is for romance writers who can tell your ending isn't hitting the way the way you intended, and you've been trying to fix it by adding more. By the end, you'll know why that instinct backfires and where in your draft the real character-growth work needs to happen instead. Resources from this episode: Related article: Why some heroes wreck you (and others are forgettable) → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/heroes-that-wreck-youRelated article: The four stages of a Turning Point moment → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/turning-pointRelated article: The 5 stages of your hero's growth arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phasesRelated article: The 4 types of Augmentations (hero self-protections) → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armorLearn the timeline dot method: Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method workshop replay (live inside E2E) → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expertCommunity: Join Enemies to Experts → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expertMore Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Why Some Heroes Wreck You (& Others Are Unforgettable)The 4 stages of the Turning Point momentHero “Armor” (Augmentations CCV) - Free article: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armorLiar, Liar, Plot on Fire - Learn about my workshop course and the 5 questions to diagnose plot problems → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liarEnemies To Experts™ - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it.The 5 Growth Phases - Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

    30 min

  2. 7 APR

    Your Hero's Best Trait Might Be Their Biggest Lie

    Your hero walks into a room and owns it. They're charming or tough or impossibly warm. And you wrote it that way on purpose. But if that personality feels more like a performance than a person, the problem may be deeper than surface level. When there's no wound driving the behavior, even "big" personalities can feel empty. In episode 13, I'm walking you through the four types of protective behavior your romance characters use, how to spot which one your hero defaults to, and why knowing the difference between a personality trait and a coping mechanism is what makes your hero feel real. You'll learn: Why a big, lovable personality can actually flatten your character arc if you don't know what's fueling itThe four types of protective behaviors ("Augmentations": Armor, Shield, Mask, and Flair) and how each one shows up differently in your scenesHow to trace a hero's protective behavior back to the Wound underneath, using an example from a published romance bookWhat to ask about your own manuscript this week to find where your hero's protection is doing its heaviest lifting This 33-minute episode is for romance writers who write heroes that have strong personalities on the page but still feel like something's missing. By the end, you'll understand which type of protection your character is using and how to write scenes that crack through it just enough to hook your reader. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-expertsThe Flair Augmentation Showdown: How two different “big personality” characters break under pressure → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/flairThe Character Core Values: Read this free article on the must-have traits for your heroes → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvsThe 5 growth arc phases: Read this free article to learn your hero's psychological arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phasesGrowth arcs vs Fall arcs: Read this free article to learn the difference and decide which path your character needs to be on right now → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/growth-vs-fallProtective Augmentations: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armorAuthor Spotlight: Adriana Locke: Visit Adriana Locke’s website and check out her books → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/adrianalockeInterview with Brennan Lee Mulligan: Sit back and listen to Brennan Lee Mulligan—one of the greatest storytellers of our generation—talk about how an unpredictable life has shaped a phenomenally interesting and unstoppable career on this interview with Hank Green on the Study Hall YouTube channel: “How DnD Became a Career: Brennan Lee Mulligan’s College Journey”More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Flair comparisons: Star-Lord vs Illium (Augmentation CCV)Adriana Locke (author website)Growth vs. Fall ArcsThe Character Core Values (CCVs) - Free article: The Character Core Values that define who your hero is at their core, the good and the bad → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvsHero “Armor” (Augmentations CCV) - Free article: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armorThe Brennan Lee Mulligan interview - Sit back and listen to Brennan Lee Mulligan—one of the greatest storytellers of our generation—talk about how an unpredictable life has shaped a phenomenally interesting and unstoppable career on this interview with Hank Green on the Study Hall YouTube channel: “How DnD Became a Career: Brennan Lee Mulligan’s College Journey” (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan)Enemies To Experts™ - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it.The 5 Growth Phases - Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phasesMore resources - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

    34 min

  3. 21 MAR

    The Emotional Mask Your Scene Is Wearing

    If you've got a scene that should feel gut-wrenching, but it reads more like a shrug, the problem probably isn't your writing. In episode 12, I'm walking you through what happens when a scene looks emotional on the surface but isn't connected to what your hero is really going through underneath. You'll learn: Why a scene can make you cry while you're writing it and still fall flat for readersHow to tell whether your hero's big moment is doing real character work or just wearing a plot disguiseWhat a bestselling romance novel reveals about the difference between caretaking as love language and caretaking as self-protectionThe one question to ask any scene that keeps fighting you, before you touch a single word This 20-minute episode is for romance writers who keep rewriting scenes that feel almost right but never quite resonate, no matter how many tweaks you make. By the end, you'll know how to spot when a scene is faking emotion so you can stop wrestling with the words and start asking what the scene actually needs to do. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-expertsThe Character Core Values: Read this free article on the must-have traits for your heroes → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvsSpotlight author: CP Rider, urban fantasy romance writer → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/cpriderSpotlight author: Lauren Blakely, contemporary romance writer → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/laurenblakelyMore Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn The Character Core Values (CCVs) - Free article: The Character Core Values that define who your hero is at their core, the good and the bad → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvsLauren Blakely (author website) - Learn more about Lauren Blakely, the writer I talked about in this episode, on her author website and check out her witty, heartwarming—and also beautifully narrated—stories about the power of love, friendship and sports.C.P. Rider (author website) - Learn more about C.P. Rider, the writer I talked about in this episode, on her author website and check out her addicting, immersive, wildly unpredictable urban fantasy series.Enemies To Experts™ - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it.More resources - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

    21 min

  4. 18 MAR

    The Draft That Didn't Fight Back

    If you've been making story decisions from anxiety instead of confidence, this episode is going to feel like a deep breath. Because the confidence you want isn't about doing everything right. It's about knowing why you're making each choice so you can make the best ones. In episode 11, I'm walking you through what that feels like in practice, with real stories from writers learned to trust their storytelling instincts. You'll learn: Why every story decision romance writers make feels heavier than it shouldWhat happened when a writer realized the conflict she kept rewriting wasn't the real conflict at allHow a D&D interview about childhood bullying shows us how to write romance characters readers believe inThe revealing exercise you can try on your own manuscript this week This 24-minute episode is for romance writers who keep going back and forth on story decisions because you're not sure what your story actually needs. By the end, you'll understand where that second-guessing comes from and what it feels like to start making revision (and drafting!) decisions you trust. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-expertsHero growth arcs: The 5 phases every hero needs → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phasesHero “Armor”: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armorBrennan Lee Mulligan: Hear his bullying story yourself → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennanMore Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Hero “Armor” (Augmentations CCV) - Free article: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armorThe Brennan Lee Mulligan interview - Sit back and listen to Brennan Lee Mulligan—one of the greatest storytellers of our generation—talk about how an unpredictable life has shaped a phenomenally interesting and unstoppable career on this interview with Hank Green on the Study Hall YouTube channel: “How DnD Became a Career: Brennan Lee Mulligan’s College Journey” (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan)Enemies To Experts™ - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it.The 5 Growth Phases - Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phasesMore resources - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

    25 min

  5. 15 MAR

    What Writer's Block Really Means

    You had two free hours to write, and instead you reorganized your Trello board. You love this story. You chose it. So why won't your brain let you work on it? In episode 10, I'm breaking down why romance writers get stuck, what your block is actually responding to, plus how one writer's story block disappeared when she swapped a single word in her heroine's Root Fear. You'll learn: Why "butt in chair, just write" advice fails most romance writersThree completely different types of creative blocks that show up in romance manuscripts, each needing a different fixWhat happened when a writer in my group sessions replaced "fear of failure" with something deeper (and why that depth matters so much in romance books)An exercise you can try this week with three questions to help you figure out what your own resistance is about This 20-minute episode is for romance writers who keep blaming yourself for being lazy or unfocused when the real issue has nothing to do with discipline. By the end, you'll understand why your brain keeps hitting the brakes on your manuscript and have an intuitive way to start working with through resistance instead of against it. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-expertsLiar, Liar, Plot on Fire: Take the workshop where Hollie learned the 5 growth arc phases → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liarThe 5 growth arc phases: Read this free article to learn your hero's psychological arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phasesThe Root Fear: Read this free article on the Root Fear for your hero → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phasesSpotlight author: Hollie Smurthwaite: Visit Hollie's website and check out her books → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/holliesmurthwaite Hollie Smurthwaite (author website) - Learn more about Hollie Smurthwaite, the writer I talked about in this episode, on her author website and check out her funny, witty romance book style.Liar, Liar, Plot on Fire - Learn about my workshop course and the 5 questions to diagnose plot problems → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liarThe Root Fear explained (CCV) - Free article: The hero trait that anchors your entire story → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fearEnemies To Experts™ - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it.The 5 Growth Phases - Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

    22 min

  6. 12 MAR

    The Revision Shortcut Hiding in Plain Sight

    Revision isn't slow because you're a slow writer. It's slow because you're fixing symptoms instead of causes. In episode 9, I'm showing you what that actually costs you in real publishing time, and what one focused week of looking at the right thing can replace. You'll learn: Why each revision pass feels like progress but adds weeks to your timeline without solving anythingHow editing any of the four layers of a romance manuscript creates a compounding ripple effect when you fix one without understanding what it touchesWhat a one-week diagnostic read can replace compared to four or five full passes (with actual math)The three questions to ask about any problem scene before you rewrite a single word This 17-minute episode is for romance writers who keep telling yourself "just one more pass" and are several passes in with nothing to show for it. By the end, you'll know exactly what to look at in the scene that won't cooperate, and why that's probably not even the scene that needs fixing. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-expertsMore Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it.More resources - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

    18 min

  7. 9 MAR

    Why Pantsing Your Revision Keeps You Stuck

    If you draft by instinct but dread the revision process, this episode will show you why. The problem isn't that you're an intuitive writer. In episode 8, I'm showing you why the way you draft and the way you revise need to use two completely different parts of your brain, and how that mode switch actually protects your creative voice instead of threatening it. You'll learn: Why your intuition is brilliant at creation but genuinely can't diagnose what's wrong with your storyWhat you're actually protecting when story structure feels like a threat to your creative identityThe difference between writer mode and editor mode, and why switching between them doesn't require any planning or outliningHow developing analytical revision skills makes your intuitive first drafts stronger over time This 16-minute episode is for romance writers who resist story structuring techniques because you're afraid it will silence your muse or sap the joy out of writing. By the end, you'll know how to test any scene from a book you love with a simple one-question exercise, so you can see for yourself how powerful this "mode switch" can be. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-expertsMore Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it.Get your ticket - Join Sue for the live workshop, Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method on March 27, 2026More resources - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

    17 min

  8. 5 MAR

    Writing to Market Won't Fix Your Career

    If you've been eyeing romantasy or hockey romance or whatever's blowing up on BookTok right now and wondering if you should pivot, this episode will save you months of second-guessing. Because the conflict you're feeling isn't about making more book sales. In episode 7, I'm breaking down why certain trends blow up, what readers are really craving beneath the surface elements, and how to figure out whether a hot niche genuinely fits your writing or if FOMO is calling the shots. You'll learn: Why Fifty Shades of Grey didn't succeed because of BDSM, and what readers were actually hungry forThe difference between copying a trend's surface elements (legendary heroes, fae politics, hockey rivalries) and understanding the emotional core that makes it workHow to tell whether you'd be writing for an audience you don't understand, before you spend six months finding out the hard wayA set of honest questions to evaluate whether any given niche fits your author brand and loyal readers This 20-minute episode is for romance writers who feel pressured to chase the hottest new trend but aren't sure if a pivot is smart or just fear talking. By the end, you'll understand what actually drives mega-success, and you'll have an exercise to make that "Should I write this?" decision with confidence instead of from FOMO. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-expertsMore Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it.More resources - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

    21 min
See All (14)

About

Story Sorcery® with Sue Brown-Moore is where romance writers learn how to stop second-guessing your storytelling instincts. You know that feeling when you've rewritten the same scene five times and it STILL feels wrong? 😤 You're not broken. 😰 Your instincts aren't wrong. 😭 And you're definitely not the only one stuck in revision hell. I've spent over a decade helping romance writers figure out the actual problem, not just slap a bandaid on it. Because there's a difference between "your pacing is off" and understanding WHY a scene isn't working. If you can't identify the root of the problem, you can't fix it. No matter how many times you rewrite. That's why every episode is a deep-dive exploration of ONE romantic fiction storytelling concept so you can understand what's actually happening in your own draft. No formulas. No generic "rules" (that don't even apply to your style). Just honest, editor-in-your-pocket insight from someone who reads romance for breakfast and helps romance authors live their Happily Ever After careers. Ready to finally trust what your storytelling instincts are telling you? Subscribe now, and let's get you out of revision hell. Want more support? Head to https://suebrownmoore.com (suebrownmoore.com) for workshops, free resources, and other ways we can work together.

Information

  • Creator
    Sue Brown-Moore
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sue Brown-Moore Ltd
  • Show Website
    Story Sorcery®

You Might Also Like