Today, Emily & Rachel talk about book coaching behind the scenes with Sam Cameron! This is a special edition episode originally recorded for Sam Cameron's substack, Truant Pen. Check out Truant Pen here: https://truantpen.substack.com/ What you’ll learn from this episode: what 1:1 book coaching is really like lessons learned from writing, revising, querying, and getting an agent what coaching feels like to a coach how rest is so important to the writing process Ready to make readers so in lo...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about studying published works. What you’ll learn from this episode: why studying published works is our fav trick for leveling up your skills how to study and apply the lessons growing your knowledge while keeping your unique voice Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the pe...
Jun 19, 2025•18 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about revising large parts of your manuscript! What you’ll learn from this episode: Rewriting words is so normal How to know you have to do it Tips and tricks for rewriting Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you ...
Jun 12, 2025•24 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about atmosphere and setting with Thea Verdone. What you’ll learn from this episode: what makes a setting 'gothic' bringing atmosphere to life on the page choosing relevant and important setting details showing world building on the page CHECK OUT THEA's WEBSITE: https://theaverdone.com/ Read NEVER LEAVE, NEVER LIE: https://theaverdone.com/#never-leave-never-lie Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation...
Jun 05, 2025•41 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about publicity and book marketing with guest Jenn Vance. What you’ll learn from this episode: how publicity services can help you the strategy of book marketing different marketing methods and paths finding and embracing the strategy that works for you Check out BOOKS FORWARD: https://booksforward.com/ Register for the FREE "Ask a Publicist" webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QMfcpNUFSyq61jzB72AEag Ready to make readers so in love with your characte...
May 29, 2025•41 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about tackling serious themes with guest Michael Dante DiMartino. What you’ll learn from this episode: How to navigate serious topics for younger audiences Embracing seriousness but with the right tone The craft of writing cross-medium Finding your story's message during revisions Check out Michael's website: https://www.michaeldantedimartino.com/ Read BOTH HERE & GONE: https://www.michaeldantedimartino.com/here-and-now Ready to make readers so in love with you...
May 22, 2025•57 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about Intuitive Writing with guest Becca Syme. What you’ll learn from this episode: What is intuitive writing Learning how to recognize your intuition Building self-trust Check out The Better-Faster Academy: https://betterfasteracademy.com/ Snag Becca's Free Resources: https://betterfasteracademy.com/links Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: htt...
May 15, 2025•49 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about celebrating our 100th episode! Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules. Learn more: https://www.tenaci...
May 08, 2025•27 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about story structure acts and act breaks. What you’ll learn from this episode: What are acts Different story structures (3 act vs 4 act vs 5) The purpose act breaks serve Breaking down some examples Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, an...
May 01, 2025•34 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about hybrid publishing with guest Evette Davis. What you’ll learn from this episode: what is hybrid publishing (vs indie or trad publishing) what it's like to query/submit to a hybrid publisher expectations for hybrid publishing what it's like to republish a series with a hybrid publisher Check out Evette's books: https://evettedavis.com/ Read The Council Trilogy now: https://evettedavis.com/#books Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t s...
Apr 24, 2025•42 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about writing retreats! What you’ll learn from this episode: Resetting mindset What to do with your time Tips and tricks for making the “most” of it Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing lif...
Apr 17, 2025•17 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about pennames What you’ll learn from this episode: What pennames are When to use them Circumstances to consider when deciding Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainab...
Apr 10, 2025•19 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about not doing what we say! What you’ll learn from this episode: Finding what works for you Using tools in your writer toolbelt Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustain...
Apr 03, 2025•17 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the individuality of the writing process with guests Karisa DeLay and Jaime Vendera. What you’ll learn from this episode: How processes change over time How mindset and process work together Writing as neurodivergent people Lessons for our younger writer selves LINKS: Check out Karisa's books: https://www.venderapublishing.com/author-bios/karisa-delay Check out Jaime's books: https://www.venderapublishing.com/author-bios/jaime-vendera Learn more about Vendera...
Mar 27, 2025•50 min
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 be planned before writing laying the groundwork for future books weaving together plot threads and subplots making sure character goals and agency are still present Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com...
Mar 20, 2025•29 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the market challenges of genre blending. What you’ll learn from this episode: what constitutes a historical fiction how to balance blending different genres meeting reader expectations vs breaking the mold finding the right answers for yourself and your story Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Jo...
Mar 13, 2025•26 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about returning to your story after a break. What you’ll learn from this episode: resetting your mindset reacquainting yourself with your work in progress reconnecting with your why relying on your community Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, min...
Mar 06, 2025•25 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about internal dialogue and internal narration. What you’ll learn from this episode: Who are your characters talking to within their thoughts Considering this question within your narrative framework Using internal voice to bolster characterization Studying other works and comp titles Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayedit...
Feb 27, 2025•20 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about book marketing. What you’ll learn from this episode: What is going on with social media How do we market our books when social media is in flux Meeting the needs of your readers Using universal fantasy to market our books Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect...
Feb 13, 2025•25 min
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 when the world is burning episode does writing matter when the outside world is a mess? choosing to create (or not) Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the per...
Feb 06, 2025•19 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about ambition and anti-hustle. What you’ll learn from this episode: What is anti-hustle? The intersection of ambition and anti-hustle Internal vs external motivation Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will b...
Jan 30, 2025•41 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about perfectionism and hustle culture. What you’ll learn from this episode: how perfectionism and hustle culture intersect the root of the inner critic narrative Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will build...
Jan 23, 2025•16 min
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 apart Seeking refuge in community Feeling your feelings Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will b...
Jan 16, 2025•25 min
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 each of the 4 pillars Why each pillar is so important The cyclical nature of the writing journey Join Emma's (totally free!) Be a Bestseller 6.0 event: www.BeABestseller.net Check out Emma Dhesi's website: https://emmadhesi.com/ Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic o...
Jan 09, 2025•40 min
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 different points in your process Using the story point as the guidepost Incorporating themes before the story point Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfec...
Nov 21, 2024•14 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about overthinking vs thinking something through. What you’ll learn from this episode: When are you overthinking? What does it feel like? What should you do about it? Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect combo of craft, mindset, and community resources, you will b...
Nov 14, 2024•18 min
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 character need? How do these compare to the internal goal and external goal? How do these mesh with the story point? Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect c...
Nov 07, 2024•12 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the risk of plagiarism in the writing community. What you’ll learn from this episode: What feedback relationships should really be like The benefit vs the risk Keeping your receipts Finding a community that you deserve Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: https://www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic Join Tenacious Writing! With the perfect co...
Oct 31, 2024•15 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about lowering your writing expectations with guest Rachael Herron. What you’ll learn from this episode: Why lowering your expectations can actually make you more prolific Adjusting to the discomfort of failure Finding emotional regulation in your writing process Shifting your mindset to build self-trust Rachael's website: https://rachaelherron.com/ Check out Rachael's first draft process: http://rachaelherron.com/sfd Get on Rachael's email list: https://rachaelher...
Oct 17, 2024•45 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the querying process with guest Abigail K. Perry! What you’ll learn from this episode: Exactly what a query letter is and how to structure it for your best chance at snagging an agent's attention How to know when you're ready to query and where to get started when you make that choice Why people keeping saying 'querying is hard than ever right now', and whether or not it's true Pitfalls authors make in querying and how to avoid them Connect with Abby: https:/...
Oct 10, 2024•59 min
