The Story Blender

This week on The Story Blender I talk with award-winning author Carol VanDenHende about the power of letter writing to the people who’ve impacted you in your life. We dive into how stories can bridge differences, the freedom that comes from accepting that you are enough, what 5-year-olds can teach us about narrative theory, and using stories as a force for good. Give it a listen, and check out her Orchid trilogy for some powerful, ...

This week on The Story Blender podcast I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brent Weeks—New York Times bestselling author of The Night Angel Trilogy and The Lightbringer Series.

We talked about building complex worlds that feel alive, the discipline it takes to write sweeping multi-book sagas, and how he balances the demands of storytelling with the surprises his characters throw at him along the way. We also discussed the im...

author, and storyteller who also serves as the Executive Director of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. John Bucher is a master at exploring the profound connections between myth, culture, and personal identity. 

He’s been featured on platforms such as the BBC, the History Channel, the LA Times, and The Hollywood Reporter, among many others and has collaborated with everyone from Academy Award nominees and Emmy winners to magicians...

This week on The Story Blender, I spoke with award-winning, bestselling author Joe Hart about what drives a story forward—especially if it tapes into mystery or suspense. What are the dynamics that shape those two things? How are they related to each other? We explored the dark corners of psychological suspense and how to craft twists that truly land as we chatted about his latest novel, I BECOME HER.

If you enjoy stories that c...

This week I had the chance to chat with author Kerry Nietz—yes, the mind behind  the novel Amish Vampires in Space. We talked about where the idea came from, what it means to write organically, and why the slow-and-steady approach can be just as powerful as writing in bursts of inspiration.

We also explored a few creatures we wish were real, and the joy of discovering a story as it unfolds. Kerry’s creative journey is unique, th...

This week on The Story Blender, I’m joined by literary agent and bestselling author Donald Maass, recorded live at the Advanced Fiction Intensive in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Donald co-hosted the event with me, and we captured a special Q&A with questions from the writers in attendance.

We talked about how to build powerful stories without getting in your own way, how to write with authority, why tension drives everything, and wh...

This week I was thrilled to welcome Katia Lief—acclaimed author and fiction instructor at The New School in Manhattan—onto The Story Blender. We discuss the strengths of the upcoming generation of storytellers (it might surprise you), the power of imagination, telling (and writing) authentic stories, writing activities that will help you improve your writing today, and her latest book WOMEN LIKE US. 

Ever wondered how to blend heart...

On this week’s episode of The Story Blender, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We Choose and The Ghostwriter. 

We talked about the importance of perseverance and resilience as you pursue your storytelling dreams, weaving secrets and reveals into your fiction, and her writing journey.

If you’re a fan of thrillers with heart, or you’re curious about how Julie creates such...

This week I caught up with Catalina Margulis, a speaker, author, story coach, and journalist from Toronto, Canada. We discuss how much truth memoirs can (or should) contain, how to create believable characters, and why it’s important to get out of the way when you tell a story. We also examine the intersection of truth and storytelling, explore the craft of narrative nonfiction, and uncover what drives compelling stories.

Give it a ...

I sat down with Rob Hart, the critically acclaimed author of The Warehouse and The Medusa Protocol for a fast-paced and thought-provoking conversation about villains, twists, and how to create characters who are both deeply flawed and utterly compelling. 

We also discuss whether or not you can benefit from reading your reviews (both good and bad) and what kung fu movies and musicals have in common—and what storytellers can learn...

This week on The Story Blender, we’re diving into myth, adventure, and the power of storytelling with Robert A. Walker, author of the Seven Gods series. We explore his process of listening to characters—and what that even means—and responding to the story as it unfolds, providing an intimate look at their struggles and journeys. He also shares inside info about his latest book Two Crowns, Three Blades and a word of advice he would ...

This week’s guest, Susan Walter, moved to Los Angeles after flubbing an interview to be a newscaster, hoping to work in film and television production. Upon realizing writers were having all the fun, Susan became a screenwriter, then a director. She made her directorial debut on "All I Wish" starring Sharon Stone, which she also wrote. Susan transitioned to writing novels during the pandemic so she could murder people with...