S2 Episode 21: Romance, Spice, and Everything Nice (Or Naughty)

S2 Episode 21: Romance, Spice, and Everything Nice (Or Naughty)

A casual conversation about romance, spice levels, yearning, fictional crushes, and how two writers somehow ended up talking about this for hours over voice memos. In this episode, we dive into everything from cozy hand-holding romances to the spiciest corners of romantasy, explore why readers love romance in the first place, and share our own very different relationships with spicy scenes. Along the way we discuss emotional intimacy, character chemistry, sapphic stories, reverse harems, BookTok trends, and the awkward reality of writing romantic scenes when your characters have very different plans than you do. This one somehow includes Jane Austen, fairy smut, reverse harems, neurodivergence, and the realization that writers should probably never have their text voice memos and convos played in public. 💌 Don’t miss a thing: Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode! Be sure to follow us... * Rachel's Instagram: bookboundjourney [www.instagram.com/bookboundjourney] * Neno's Instagram: nenoswritersrebellion [www.instagram.com/nenoswritersrebellion] Get the FREE Intuitive Writing Mini Course and Workbook here: https://writersrebellion.com/intuitive-writing [https://writersrebellion.com/intuitive-writing] If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at storystruckpodcast@gmail.com [storystruckpodcast@gmail.com]. Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com [https://www.writersrebellion.com] Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for editing services and writing classes https://www.bookboundjourney.com/ [https://www.bookboundjourney.com/] 🎵 Music Credits: Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at Micah@mechanimation.com [Micah@mechanimation.com]

S2 Episode 20: AI Creativity Trap in Writing

AI is everywhere right now, and writers seem to be stuck somewhere between excitement, curiosity, and existential dread. In this episode, we're sharing our personal experiences with AI, how we've experimented with it in our writing lives, where we've found it useful, and where it started making us question our own creativity. From brainstorming and character development to book maps, copyright concerns, and creative dependency, we're diving into the messy middle instead of pretending there are easy answers. This isn't a debate and it's definitely not a lecture. It's two writers having an honest conversation about a tool that's changing the creative landscape whether we like it or not. 💌 Don’t miss a thing: Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode! Be sure to follow us... * Rachel's Instagram: bookboundjourney [www.instagram.com/bookboundjourney] * Neno's Instagram: nenoswritersrebellion [www.instagram.com/nenoswritersrebellion] Join the Story Weavers Community: Join here [https://x0azoaybcuzzwbosmdre.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/story-weavers/home?invite=6978ef005d760b4226c83c10 ] Get the FREE Intuitive Writing Mini Course and Workbook here: https://writersrebellion.com/intuitive-writing [https://writersrebellion.com/intuitive-writing] If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at storystruckpodcast@gmail.com [storystruckpodcast@gmail.com]. Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for editing services and writing classes https://www.bookboundjourney.com/ [https://www.bookboundjourney.com/] Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com [https://www.writersrebellion.com] 🎵 Music Credits: Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at Micah@mechanimation.com [Micah@mechanimation.com]

S2 Episode 19: Why We Love Writing Twisted Little Stories

Why are we so drawn to dark stories anyway? In this episode, Rachel and Neno wander into the shadowy woods of storytelling to talk about writing dark scenes, dark moments, morally gray characters, gothic atmospheres, emotional wounds, sword fights, cozy villains, and why readers sometimes need stories that pack a punch. But this conversation isn’t really about “how to write darkness correctly.” It’s about why darkness matters in stories in the first place. We talk about the emotional truth behind dark fiction, the strange comfort of fictional suffering, and how stories can help us process fear, grief, loneliness, rage, vulnerability, and change from a safe distance. One minute we’re discussing fantasy battles and shadow daddies, and the next we’re talking about memoirs, healing, and why some stories need time before they’re ready to be told. Basically this episode is part writing conversation, part existential campfire chat in the woods during a thunderstorm. Bring snacks. Maybe a sword. 💌 Don’t miss a thing: Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode! Be sure to follow us... * Rachel's Instagram: bookboundjourney [www.instagram.com/bookboundjourney] * Neno's Instagram: nenoswritersrebellion [www.instagram.com/nenoswritersrebellion] Join the Story Weavers Community: Join here [https://x0azoaybcuzzwbosmdre.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/story-weavers/home?invite=6978ef005d760b4226c83c10 ] Get the FREE Intuitive Writing Mini Course and Workbook here: https://writersrebellion.com/intuitive-writing [https://writersrebellion.com/intuitive-writing] If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at storystruckpodcast@gmail.com [storystruckpodcast@gmail.com]. Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for editing services and writing classes https://www.bookboundjourney.com/ [https://www.bookboundjourney.com/] Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com [https://www.writersrebellion.com] 🎵 Music Credits: Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at Micah@mechanimation.com [Micah@mechanimation.com]

S2 Episode 18: The Emotional Outline Changed Our Process

Ever stare at your plot and think, technically things are happening... but it's missing something? In this episode, Rachel and Nino dive into emotional outlines and why starting with your character’s transformation can completely change the way you build a story. We also get into how this method works for subplots, secondary characters, and even multi-book series. So, if you’ve ever frozen in front of your outline feeling like you’re staring up at a giant mountain of possibilities, this episode might be the thing that helps you find the trail again. Because sometimes the answer isn’t adding more plot. Sometimes it’s getting back in touch with your character. 💌 Don’t miss a thing: Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode! Be sure to follow us... * Rachel's Instagram: bookboundjourney [www.instagram.com/bookboundjourney] * Neno's Instagram: nenoswritersrebellion [www.instagram.com/nenoswritersrebellion] If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at storystruckpodcast@gmail.com [storystruckpodcast@gmail.com]. Get the FREE Intuitive Writing Mini Course and Workbook here: https://writersrebellion.com/intuitive-writing [https://writersrebellion.com/intuitive-writing] Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com [https://www.writersrebellion.com] Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for editing services and writing classes https://www.bookboundjourney.com/ [https://www.bookboundjourney.com/] 🎵 Music Credits: Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at Micah@mechanimation.com [Micah@mechanimation.com]

S2 Episode 17 - Seven Ways to Reveal Character on the Page

What actually makes a character feel real? In this episode, Rachel and Nino break down 7 different ways to bring characters alive on the page for readers. Great character writing isn’t about avoiding telling altogether. It’s about understanding when to use description, action, dialogue, metaphor, physiology, thoughts, and feelings to create a layered, emotionally believable character. We talk about how each technique gives readers a different kind of information and why relying too heavily on just one can make characters feel flat, repetitive, or emotionally distant. From the way a character moves through a room to the thoughts they’d never say out loud, this episode explores how small details work together to create someone who feels fully alive on the page. 💌 Don’t miss a thing: Subscribe and follow Storystruck wherever you listen so you never miss an episode! Be sure to follow us... * Rachel's Instagram: bookboundjourney [www.instagram.com/bookboundjourney] * Neno's Instagram: nenoswritersrebellion [www.instagram.com/nenoswritersrebellion] Join the Story Weavers Community: Join here [https://x0azoaybcuzzwbosmdre.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/story-weavers/home?invite=6978ef005d760b4226c83c10 ] Get the FREE Intuitive Writing Mini Course and Workbook here: https://writersrebellion.com/intuitive-writing [https://writersrebellion.com/intuitive-writing] If you have a suggestion for an episode, drop it in the comments below or email us at storystruckpodcast@gmail.com [storystruckpodcast@gmail.com]. Ready to go from draft to done? Visit Rachel's website today for editing services and writing classes https://www.bookboundjourney.com/ [https://www.bookboundjourney.com/] Want to actually start and finish writing your book (or have someone do it for you)? Check out Neno's book coaching and ghostwriting services at https://www.writersrebellion.com [https://www.writersrebellion.com] 🎵 Music Credits: Special thanks to Michah Silverstein for our beautiful music. If interested in hiring his musical talents, he can be contacted at Micah@mechanimation.com [Micah@mechanimation.com]