In this episode of Romancing Like Swift, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emma-Lee Jane welcome steamy contemporary romance author Darby Fox to discuss how Taylor Swift's music inspires writers and enhances storytelling. Together, they explore the concept of micro tropes—those small but impactful moments in stories—universal fantasies that captivate readers, and the emotional connections that make romance novels resonate. Darby shares her experiences crafting stories about rock stars and billionaires, emphasizing the importance of specificity and character development in creating compelling narratives.
The discussion also highlights the challenges romance authors face, including misconceptions about the genre, and strategies for blending craft with emotional resonance. The trio reflects on Taylor Swift’s lyrics, albums, and their influence on character development and storytelling. The episode concludes with a lighthearted "Kiss, Marry, Kill" segment featuring Swift's songs, showcasing how personal connections shape storytelling preferences.
Key Takeaways:
- Darby Fox writes contemporary romance featuring rock stars and billionaires, blending craft with emotional intensity.
- Micro tropes are small, specific moments that enhance storytelling and deepen reader engagement.
- Universal fantasies tap into core desires and are central to captivating romance readers.
- Romance novels offer readers an emotional escape and explore desires in a safe and imaginative way.
- Taylor Swift's lyrics provide inspiration for writers through their depth and relatability.
- Character development is crucial, and authors can use their 'id lists'—personalized ideas of what excites them—to enhance storytelling.
- Music, including Taylor Swift’s albums, serves as a powerful source of creative inspiration for writers.
- Romance novels often face undue criticism but play a vital role in exploring emotional connections and universal fantasies.
- Tropes and character-specific moments are tools to create unforgettable scenes.
- Writing requires revisions, patience, and strategies for building characters readers love.
Episode Breakdown:
- 00:00 – Introduction to Romancing Like Swift Podcast
- 00:31 – Guest Introduction: Darby Fox
- 02:05 – Darby’s Writing Journey and Inspirations
- 03:01 – Swiftie Era and Album Discussions
- 05:21 – Microtropes and Universal Fantasies in Romance Writing
- 07:41 – Crafting Stories with Emotional Appeal
- 18:39 – The Importance of Specificity in Storytelling
- 22:42 – Real-Life Parallels in Romance Writing
- 32:40 – Building Character Scenes with Microtropes
- 33:26 – The Role of Tropes in Crafting Stories
- 34:22 – Taylor Swift's Influence on Storytelling
- 36:09 – Gilmore Girls as Character Inspiration
- 41:37 – Challenges in Writing Distinct Characters
- 45:55 – Revisions and the Writing Process
- 55:44 – Kiss, Marry, Kill: Taylor Swift Song Choices
- 01:02:39 – Final Thoughts and Farewell
Titles Referenced:
7 Figure Fiction by T Taylor
Story Genius by Lisa Cron
Popular Podcasts
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com