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Story Magic

Golden May

Hey fiction writer! Want your readers to stay up until 2am, so engrossed in your story they just can’t put it down? Want to build a successful, fulfilling, and sustainable writing life that works for YOU? Story Magic is the place for you. Every week, professional book coaches and editors Emily and Rachel from Golden May dive into writing craft, community, and mindset tips, tricks, and advice so you can write and publish books you’re damn proud of, again and again. We cover craft topics like story structure, character development, worldbuilding and ‘show, don’t tell’; we dive into how to grow your writing community of readers and writing partners; and we’ll talk about all those mindset challenges from imposter syndrome and perfectionism to fear of the blank page. Story Magic has all the tools you need to become the author you’re meant to be. You’ve got this, let’s go! 

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  • 27 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 37 min
  • English

Episodes 27

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  • April 2 · 45 min

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

    Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how marginalized writers build worlds for their own communities with guest Tiffany Grimes. What you’ll learn from this episode: What it means to "reclaim the lens" Why so many marginalized writers hesitate to go fully into their own cultures, identities, or lived experiences on the page How can writers tell when they’re unconsciously writing for the mainstream gaze instead of for their own communities Why reclaiming the lens lead to stronger stories overall TIFFANY GRIMES' WEBSITE: https://www.burgeondesignandeditorial.com/ THE RESIDENCY: https://www.burgeondesignandeditorial.com/residency-enroll TIFFANY'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/burgeondesignandeditorial 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.tenaciouswriting.com/ If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast! Follow us on social media! Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/ Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

  • March 26 · 54 min

    125 - Digital Minimalism with Gauri Yardi

    Today, Emily & Rachel talk about digital minimalism with guest Gauri Yardi! What you’ll learn from this episode: What is digital minimalism? Emily's and Gauri's experience How to incorporate digital minimalism into your creative life The challenges of limiting tech when marketing is a big piece of the writing journey GAURI YARDI'S WEBSITE: https://www.gauriyardi.com/ GAURI'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gauri.yardi/ Resources mentioned: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/575667/digital-minimalism-by-cal-newport/ Susan Dennard’s substack article “Experiments In Focus” https://stdennard.substack.com/p/experiments-in-focus Cal Newport’s podcast episode “This is your brain on phones” https://www.thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/ep-374-this-is-your-brain-on-phones/ Stolen Focus by Johann Hari https://stolenfocusbook.com/ 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.tenaciouswriting.com/ If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast! Follow us on social media! Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/ Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/ Join us November 4th from 7pm - 9pm ET for Mic Check! In this LIVE virtual workshop, we’re teaching you to amplify your character's voice so they feel so alive it’s like they’ve taken up residence inside your head. No more cardboard cutouts. No more blocks. When you sit down to write, your characters will come with you—ready to shine. Register at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/miccheck! See you there!

    • Transcript
  • March 19 · 40 min

    124 - Commissioning artists

    Today, Emily & Rachel talk about commissioning artists for book covers and artwork. What you’ll learn from this episode: when and why you might work with an artist where and how to find artists what the process is like how to work with an artist 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.tenaciouswriting.com/ If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast! Follow us on social media! Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/ Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/ Join us November 4th from 7pm - 9pm ET for Mic Check! In this LIVE virtual workshop, we’re teaching you to amplify your character's voice so they feel so alive it’s like they’ve taken up residence inside your head. No more cardboard cutouts. No more blocks. When you sit down to write, your characters will come with you—ready to shine. Register at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/miccheck! See you there!

    • Transcript
  • March 12 · 27 min

    123 - Balancing the book of your heart with market decisions

    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 love considering market as a business tool not letting this question mess with your mindset 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.tenaciouswriting.com/ If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast! Follow us on social media! Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/ Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

    • Transcript
  • March 5 · 27 min

    122 - Writing good love triangles

    Today, Emily & Rachel talk about love triangles! What you’ll learn from this episode: our personal preferences tying love triangles back to character avoiding common pitfalls 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.tenaciouswriting.com/ If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast! Follow us on social media! Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/ Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

    • Transcript
  • February 26 · 32 min

    121 - What is the romantasy genre?

    Today, Emily & Rachel talk about romantasy! What you’ll learn from this episode: expectations of the genre navigating the vibes discussing the genre's critique reading within the genre 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.tenaciouswriting.com/ If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast! Follow us on social media! Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/ Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/

    • Transcript
  • February 19 · 29 min

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

    Today, Emily & Rachel talk about knowing when your draft/book is done. What you’ll learn from this episode: Being confident in your choice At what point should you get outside feedback Different paths have different questions to consider 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.tenaciouswriting.com/ If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast! Follow us on social media! Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/ Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ebgoldenbooks/ Join us September 21st - September 25th for Story Stress Test! In this FIVE-day LIVE virtual workshop, we’re going to show you how to stress-test and strengthen your story’s foundation. Leave the doubt behind, and bring the fun instead! All you have to do is register at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/storystresstest! See you there!

    • Transcript
Showing 21–27 of 27 episodes