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September 5, 2025 82 mins

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Season 5, Episode 659: From Fantasy Worlds to Dark Romance with a Dominant Female Main Character: A Writer's Journey Through the Pandemic with Author MZ Rylan, an Indie Author who writes about powerful women, why choose,  and enemies to lovers.

Prefer to watch us chat instead of just listen? Catch the episode on YouTube (minus the excerpt, which is only on podcast apps) https://youtu.be/OB5Q7j4K7P8

MZ Rylan:
www.mzrylan.com

Bound by Her links www.MzRylan.com/boundbyher

Bound by Her (Affiliate links): https://amzn.to/47wNsK4

Dive into an enlightening conversation between authors Ruan Willow and MZ Rylan as they explore the unexpected creative paths that emerged during the pandemic. MZ shares her fascinating transition from crafting intricate fantasy worlds to embracing the raw authenticity of dark romance, while both authors discuss the delicate balance of writing about sexuality and power dynamics in fiction.

The episode tackles compelling topics including:

  • The art of portraying mature, confident characters in romance
  • Challenging stereotypes around femininity, masculinity, dominance,  and submission
  • The complexities of writing in third-person perspective
  • Navigating platform censorship and trigger warnings
  • Marketing challenges in the dark romance genre

Their candid discussion reveals how authors blend research, personal experience, and creativity to craft authentic stories that push boundaries while respecting reader sensitivities.

Ready to peek behind the curtain of contemporary romance writing? Listen to this episode for an unfiltered look at the evolving world of romantic fiction and the authors who dare to challenge conventions.

Key Takeaways:

• The pandemic significantly shifted MZ Rylan's writing focus from intricate fantasy to dark romance, highlighting how external circumstances can influence creativity.

  
• The discussion challenges traditional stereotypes about masculinity and submission in literature, advocating for more diverse and nuanced character representations such as a dominant woman leader, femdom, and female lead relationships.


• Curiosity is emphasized as a critical element in storytelling, reinforcing the idea that real-life experiences are fundamental to crafting compelling narratives.

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