Where Character Serves the Plot: Writing Like a “Gardener” with Lisa Unger

Love on the Shelf: Sheila Roberts on Romance and Resilience

Author Sheila Roberts stops by Chapter Chat to discuss her latest romance novel, Love on the Shelf and to preview the Christmas novel she has coming out later this year. Sheila opens up about what it’s like having her holiday books adapted into movies, why she’s drawn to writing stories full of warmth and hope, and how her writing process takes a book from first spark to finished page. We also bond as cancer survivors, sharing how that experience can reshape perspective, deepen gratitude, and influence creativity. Plus, Sheila breaks down why romance remains one of the most popular genres and what readers are really looking for when they pick up a love story.

Where Character Serves the Plot: Writing Like a “Gardener” with Lisa Unger

Chapter Chat sits down with New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger to talk thrillers and the creative process behind them. Unger shares why she’s a writing “gardener,” letting stories evolve on the page instead of relying on detailed outlines, and how plot flows from character in her work. She also dives into the research that fuels her suspense, the mix of luck and hard work behind publishing success, and why she believes “failure is the norm” (and nothing to fear). Plus: a candid conversation about introverts and extroverts, and how different personality types help society and storytelling flourish.

When Research Becomes Story: Priya Parmar, Katherine Hepburn, and The Original

Author Priya Parmar joins Chapter Chat to discuss her novel The Original, and the enduring fascination with Katherine Hepburn. Parmar shares how she balances deep research with imaginative storytelling. Parmar blends real people, places, and details with fiction in a way that feels authentic without being constrained by the record. She also walks us through the meticulous care she put into crafting the book, from shaping character and voice to honoring the era’s texture while building a compelling, original narrative.

Summer State of Mind: Kristy Woodson Harvey on Found Family and Books That Hook You

Kristy Woodson Harvey joins Chapter Chat to talk about her latest release, Summer State of Mind and why “found family” remains one of her favorite themes to explore on the page. We also dig into the power of a “hook book,” the irresistible read that sparks a lifelong love of reading, and how Kristy approaches writing stories that pull readers in and keep them there.

A Thriller, a Byline, and a Busy Life

Corinne Sullivan joins Chapter Chat to talk about her latest thriller, Yours Always, and the eight-year gap between her first and second novels. She shares what it’s like balancing writing with motherhood and her role as Senior News Editor at Cosmopolitan, plus how the changing media landscape has shaped her career and her storytelling.