Romancing the Story: Writing Romance, Storytelling, and Book Structure

Sarah Gamez
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Romancing the Story: Writing Romance, Storytelling, and Book Structure

Story enthusiast and romance writer Sarah Gamez explores the creative craft and pragmatic aspects of writing with niche topic discussions, inspirational pieces and industry insights. Join in on conversations with authors and experts on creating engaging stories, marketing your books, and navigating the (self) publishing world. Whether you write romance or not, there's plenty of tips to be found on storytelling, genres, and medias. Sometimes, with a twist of romance.

  1. MAY 5

    Ep 84 - Dark Fantasy and Rebellion: Building Depth with Magic with Sarah Hawley

    "You want to (write dark themes) in a way that's sensitive and include the dark content but also consider the impact."  Sarah Hawley, USA Today Bestselling Author, knows how to occupy space in darker narratives and brutal high-stakes stories in addition to her lighter rom-com books. We focus on the first book of a high fantasy series, Servant of Earth, and its themes of escapism, rebellion, and fighting for a better world even when the odds are against you. Connect with Sarah: https://www.sarahhawleyauthor.com/ Instagram: @mssarahhawley Twitter: @MsSarahHawley Check out "Servant of Earth" by Sarah Hawley, the first book in The Shards of Magic Series: https://amzn.to/3GE7RRW --------- The YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory Find me below: Twitter - @RomancetheStory Instagram - @RomancetheStory Facebook - @RomancetheStory  Music: Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo  Support the show

    45 min

  2. 11/12/2024

    Ep 83 - Time Travel RomCom: Chivalry for a Modern Romance with Bryn Donovan

    "One thing I love about the romance genre is that you're allowed to have those big, emotional moments....without apology." Romance Author and former Hallmark creative producer, Bryn Donovan discusses the charming and humorous moments that arise with miscommunication in romcoms, the challenges of a love that transcends time, and the heartwarming journey that led to her novel being published and made into a movie. Connect with Bryn: https://www.bryndonovan.com/ Instagram: @bryndonovanauthor TikTok: @bryndonovan Twitter/X: @BrynDonovan YouTube: @BrynDonovanWriter Facebook: @AuthorBrynDonovan Find "Her Knight at the Museum" by Bryn Donovan: https://amzn.to/44nRClL --------- The YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory Find me below: Twitter - @RomancetheStory Instagram - @RomancetheStory Facebook - @RomancetheStory  Music: Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo  Support the show

    47 min

  3. 11/05/2024

    Ep 82 - Crafting Characters using Enneagrams with Krystal Shannan

    "...each enneagram has a really unhealthy bar all the way up to a healthy bar. So for me, it's 'where did my character start on the bar?' and 'how do I get them to a healthy place of the enneagram through the story?'..." USA Today Bestselling Author Krystal Shannan explores the fascinating world of Enneagrams and their powerful application in character development and character arcs. Discover how the nine Enneagram types can help you create characters who are relatable, genuine, and dynamic. Krystal provides insights to craft characters that resonate deeply with your readers and drive compelling narratives. Connect with Krystal: https://www.krystalshannan.com/ YouTube: @KrystalShannan Facebook: @KrystalShannan Instagram: @krystalshannan --------- Other Media Mentions: The Enneagram Institute https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/ --------- The YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory Find me below: Twitter - @RomancetheStory Instagram - @RomancetheStory Facebook - @RomancetheStory  Music: Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo  Support the show

    55 min

  4. 10/29/2024

    Ep 81 - Political Passions: Creating a High-Profile Romance with Alicia Wilder

    "For (the politican couple), it's almost a negotiation -  I know what I want. Are you able to give it to me? And just having that back and forth." Romance Author Alicia Wilder created a not-so-secret, forced proximity romance set in Washington DC with likeable characters to boot in My Secret Vice. She walked through the process of toeing the line between politics and passion and talks about building a West Wing-type romance with emotional depth, older MCs, ambitions, and respecting power balance. Connect with Alicia: https://aliciawilder.com/ TikTok - @aliciabwilder Instagram - @aliciabwilder Facebook - @aliciabwilder Twitter/X - @aliciabwilder Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/aliciabwilder GoodReads - Alicia_Wilder Find Alicia Wilder's books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4fo5e2A --------- The YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory Find me below: Twitter - @RomancetheStory Instagram - @RomancetheStory Facebook - @RomancetheStory  Music: Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo  Support the show

    44 min

  5. 09/17/2024

    Ep 80 - Writing Through Pain: Chronic Illness Narratives with Cara Dion

    "...if I want readers to be able to identify with the character then I want them to be able to identify with the illness specifically...I can't be ashamed to put the name (of illness) on the page." Romance author Cara Dion knows writing through the pain of chronic illness is not just about the physical aspects but touches ever part of her life. We chat her experience with chronic illness, the way it affects her writing and using romance as a way to create relatable characters and powerful commentary on challenges, both illness and beyond. Plus, who doesn't enjoy a good, ol' fashioned Hemingway to Sierra Simone pipeline? Find Cara Dion on Kindle: https://amzn.to/4d95nWh Connect with Cara: https://www.caradion.com/ Facebook - @caradion.author Instagram - @caradion.author --------- Media Mentioned: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert https://amzn.to/4e3sDGh Priest by Sierra Simone https://amzn.to/3XtiJqr --------- The YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory Find me below: Twitter - @RomancetheStory Instagram - @RomancetheStory Facebook - @RomancetheStory  Music: Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo  Support the show Support the show

    55 min

  6. 09/03/2024

    Ep 79 - Prose to Pictures: Illustrating a Novel with C.A. Szarek and Gilbert Perez

    "I think initially planning it out was kind of difficult. Only because...(the writer) is very descriptive. She says she can't draw, but in my mind, (they) just do it differently. (Writers) do it with words." USA Today Bestselling Author C.A. Szarek collaborated with comic artist Gilbert Perez to create an illustrated version of her romantic fantasy novel. Chrissy provides the writer's perspective of how she was able to convey and hone down her story to the essentials to be illustrated. Gilbert provides the artist perspective of composing scenes, managing workload, and figuring out limitations - such as color blindness - to create art. Connect with C.A. Szarek: http://www.caszarek.com/ Twitter/X - @caszarek Instagram - @caszarek Facebook - @caszarek Connect with Gilbert Perez https://gilbertperezart.wixsite.com/2021 Instagram - @gilbertperezart TikTok - @gilbertperezart Twitter/X - @gilbertperezart Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gilbertperezart?mibextid=ZbWKwL Sword’s Call Illustrated Edition by C.A. Szarek — Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/caszarek/swords-call-illustrated-edition Find C.A. Szarek's books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PMXw6m --------- Other Media Mentions: Path of the Pale Rider Issues #1 - 5 by Laurie Calcaterra https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pathofthepalerider/path-of-the-pale-rider-issue-5 Ep 65 - Building an Interconnected Series with C.A. Szarek https://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/13976922 Ep 35 - Highlander Time-Travel Trope and Writing with C.A. Szarek https://www.buzzsprout.com/1064368/11426240 Lauren Smith's Wicked Designs: The Illustrated Edition https://amzn.to/3Zbe0wg ---------  The YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory Find me below: Twitter - @RomancetheStory Instagram - @RomancetheStory Facebook - @RomancetheStory Music: Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo  Support the show

    53 min

  7. 08/27/2024

    Ep 78 - Book to Screen: Writing a Script and Adaptation with Emily Roberson

    "....(Screenwriting) is, to me, a lot more puzzle-like than novels...if somebody gives me a screenplay to read that is 140 pages, I know it doesn't work." Award-winning author Emily Roberson explores the intricacies of adaptation as she delves into how to write compelling scripts. From options as an author to translating a story to the screen, Emily shares insights, challenges, and plenty of examples. Whether you’re a writer or simply curious about storytelling, join us as we unpack the written word and its visual counterpart. Connect with Emily https://www.emilyrobersonbooks.com/ YouTube: @emilyrobersonbooks TikTok: @robersonemily Instagram: @robersonemilym Twitter/X: @RobersonEmily Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters by Emily Roberson https://amzn.to/3YW8bCH --------- Other Media Mentions: Time to Write with Amy Kelly and Emily Roberson https://timetowritepodcast.com/ "The Screenwriting Life” with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna https://www.thescreenwritinglife.co/ Michael Arndt https://www.youtube.com/@michaelarndt8848 Cinestory https://cinestory.org/ --------- The YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory Find me below: Twitter - @RomancetheStory Instagram - @RomancetheStory Facebook - @RomancetheStory Music: Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo  Support the show

    53 min

  8. 08/22/2024

    Ep 77 - Romance in Filmmaking with Tosca Musk

    "As a romance fan, we couldn't get anybody or any of the networks to buy into....(or) pay to make these adaptations, and so we started our own streaming platform..." Tosca Musk, CEO and founder behind streaming service Passionflix, takes proper time, care, and effort to make a romance book into a movie for the fans. We chat determining what role she takes in each production, the power of delegating and getting fans involved with productions. It's all part of her master plan-fingers crossed! Connect with Tosca https://passionflix.com/ Twitter/X: @toscamusk Instagram: @toscamusk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057793790249 Passionflix membership https://watch.passionflix.com/ --------- Media Mentions: Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J. R. Ward https://amzn.to/46YvzBf The Air He Breathes by Brittainy Cherry https://amzn.to/4dPG4t2 Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy https://amzn.to/3yKD5Dp Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre https://amzn.to/3yLFBJy Blood and Ash Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout https://amzn.to/4fUskPl --------- The YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory Find me below: Twitter - @RomancetheStory Instagram - @RomancetheStory Facebook - @RomancetheStory Music: Strawberry Flavor Love by Daystar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMi0dxVgqvo  Support the show

    48 min
See All (85)

4.9
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Story enthusiast and romance writer Sarah Gamez explores the creative craft and pragmatic aspects of writing with niche topic discussions, inspirational pieces and industry insights. Join in on conversations with authors and experts on creating engaging stories, marketing your books, and navigating the (self) publishing world. Whether you write romance or not, there's plenty of tips to be found on storytelling, genres, and medias. Sometimes, with a twist of romance.

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