This week Ines and Leslye tackle how to bring stories to a close with a deep dive on story endings. We dive into character arcs, open doors (and windows!), and resolutions.

BOOKS MENTIONED

Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell: https://amzn.to/4a6NaqQ

Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi: https://amzn.to/44v2TPn

One Stop for Writers: https://onestopforwriters.com/emotions

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope: https://amzn.to/4btzGXe

Save the Cat by Blake Snyder: https://amzn.to/4abpK3A

Save the Cat Goes to the Movies by Blake Snyder: https://amzn.to/4bpDJUm

Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody: https://amzn.to/3xf7TFV

The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger: https://amzn.to/3WuZD4t

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming: https://amzn.to/3WuZwG5

Ines’ Substack where she breaks down Marvel movies according to the Five Part Finale

https://ineswrites.substack.com/p/5-part-finale-of-the-incredible-hulk

Check out Margie Lawson’s courses: https://www.margielawson.com/lecture-packets/

Sign up for author Nalini Singh’s newsletter to receive fan service here: https://nalinisingh.com/

Want the official Psy-Changeling Reading Order? Click here: https://nalinisingh.com/books/psychangeling-series/

Want to learn worldbuilding from Leslye? Sign up here: https://learn.myimaginaryfriends.net/

Want to learn story structure from Ines? Sign up here: https://ineswrites.com/PTP

Get ready for Shield of Winter, coming in 1 week! Grab your copy to read along: https://amzn.to/4b6r34L

Find the hosts online at:

L. Penelope: https://lpenelope.com/

Ines Johnson: https://ineswrites.com/

Credits: "Moonlight Hall" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Get ready for a festive episode with Wild Invitation, a collection of four enchanting novellas from the Psy-Changeling series. With a touch of Christmas spirit, these shorts offer glimpses into the daily lives and celebrations of the DarkRiver and SnowDancer packs.

Each novella not only catches up with beloved characters but also weaves in the joyous moments that define the holiday season for these powerful shapeshifter communities.

Sign up for author Nalini Singh’s newsletter to receive fan service here: https://nalinisingh.com/

Want the official Psy-Changeling Reading Order? Click here: https://nalinisingh.com/books/psychangeling-series/

Want to learn worldbuilding from Leslye? Sign up here: https://learn.myimaginaryfriends.net/

Want to learn story structure from Ines? Sign up here: https://ineswrites.com/PTP

Get ready for Shield of Winter, coming in 2 weekS! Grab your copy to read along: https://amzn.to/4b6r34L

Find the hosts online at:

L. Penelope: https://lpenelope.com/

Ines Johnson: https://ineswrites.com/

We chat with bestselling author Angel Lawson about "traumance," a subgenre where a broken hero finds healing through the transformative power of a romantic relationship. Beyond the pages of traumance, we also venture into the realms of fanfiction and fandom, where passionate communities breathe new life into beloved characters and settings. And finally, Angel walks us through her success in co-authoring in the literary world, shedding light on the unique challenges and rewards that come from sharing the creative process.

Want to delve into Angel’s stories? Start with the Royals of Forsyth: https://amzn.to/4aBYoV6

And you can also visit her website at www.forsythu.com

Want to get embroiled in the Reesa Tessa Tiktok Drama “Who the Fuck Did I Marry?” https://youtu.be/EC1dKx6maZ4?si=j7GPQqoWJNMeZvoZ

Sign up for author Nalini Singh’s newsletter to receive fan service here: https://nalinisingh.com/

Want the official Psy-Changeling Reading Order? Click here: https://nalinisingh.com/books/psychangeling-series/

Want to learn worldbuilding from Leslye? Sign up here: https://learn.myimaginaryfriends.net/

Want to learn story structure from Ines? Sign up here: https://ineswrites.com/PTP

Get ready for Wild Invitation, coming in 1 week! Grab your copy to read along: https://amzn.to/3VDxfMV

Find the hosts online at:

L. Penelope: https://lpenelope.com/

Ines Johnson: https://ineswrites.com/

Credits: "Moonlight Hall" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Heart of Obsidian peels back the layers of a seemingly impenetrable character to reveal the heart beneath the obsidian exterior of Counselor Kaleb Krycheck. Singh masterfully crafts a tale of redemption, power, and unwavering devotion set against the backdrop of a world teetering on the brink of monumental change.

In this episode, we discuss how Heart of Obsidian shifts the paradigm of heroism, presenting a story where love, in its most obsessive form, becomes a catalyst for transformation and redemption.

BOOKS MENTIONED:

What I Did For a Duke by Julianne Long: https://amzn.to/3JdMULN

Sign up for author Nalini Singh’s newsletter to receive fan service here: https://nalinisingh.com/

Want the official Psy-Changeling Reading Order? Click here: https://nalinisingh.com/books/psychangeling-series/

Want to learn worldbuilding from Leslye? Sign up here: https://learn.myimaginaryfriends.net/

Want to learn story structure from Ines? Sign up here: https://ineswrites.com/PTP

Get ready for Wild Invitation, coming in 2 weeks! Grab your copy to read along: https://amzn.to/3VDxfMV

Find the hosts online at:

L. Penelope: https://lpenelope.com/

Ines Johnson: https://ineswrites.com/

Credits: "Moonlight Hall" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

You will get taken on a journey, possibly against your will, in this discussion of dark romance with bestselling author Skye Warren. It’s more than just the non-consent and power dynamics that make readers of the genre rabid. Learn why Skye insists dark romance is feminist literature, and see if you agree!

Skye recommends if you want to try out a dark romance, start with her book The Pawn which you can find on her website at skyewarren.com

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Dark Angel by Mary Balough: https://amzn.to/4azRwaB

Prisoner & Hostage by Skye Warren and Annika Martin: https://amzn.to/3vAp4GQ

One the Way Home by Skye Warren: https://amzn.to/3VEGwEL

Deliver by Pam Goodwin: https://amzn.to/3voIXk5

Wanderlust by Skye Warren: https://amzn.to/3VGAMKG

Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas: https://amzn.to/3VGAMKG

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole: https://amzn.to/3PKPL2h

Twist Me by Anna Zaires: https://amzn.to/3PKPL2h

Push by Clair Wallis looks like it’s out of print: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21010103

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: https://amzn.to/49glS0H

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas: https://amzn.to/3U0pRu5

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas: https://amzn.to/3U0pYpv

Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas: https://amzn.to/49ijBSN

Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas: https://amzn.to/3TVT0Xg

Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas: https://amzn.to/3xihO2M

To Have and To Hold by Patricia Gaffney: https://amzn.to/43H03WN

What I Did for a Duke by Juliann Long: https://amzn.to/3TB6kip

Sign up for author Nalini Singh’s newsletter to receive fan service here: https://nalinisingh.com/

Want the official Psy-Changeling Reading Order? Click here: https://nalinisingh.com/books/psychangeling-series/

Want to learn worldbuilding from Leslye? Sign up here: https://learn.myimaginaryfriends.net/

Want to learn story structure from Ines? Sign up here: https://ineswrites.com/PTP

Get ready for Heart of Obsidian, coming in 1 week! Grab your copy to read along: https://amzn.to/3PFEQXG

Find the hosts online at:

L. Penelope: https://lpenelope.com/

Ines Johnson: https://ineswrites.com/

Credits: "Moonlight Hall" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

In this episode, we dive into Tangle of Need, which focuses on Adria, a strong-willed Snow Dancer wolf going through a bad break up of her chosen life partner, and Riaz, a lone wolf battling the torment of a lost fated mate bond. As they grapple with their unexpected and intense connection, the story explores themes of love's resilience, the struggle for identity within the confines of pack law, and the pursuit of happiness amidst personal turmoil.

MEDIA MENTIONED

Poker Face is streaming on Peacock.

Columbo is Poker Face’s predecessor which is also streaming on Peacock.

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest is the epistolary novel Leslye recommended: https://amzn.to/43Lyvje.

PSA: Do not watch Sanditon or Miss Scarlett and the Duke or Sleepy Hollow. They are not romances!

Sign up for author Nalini Singh’s newsletter to receive fan service here: https://nalinisingh.com/

Want the official Psy-Changeling Reading Order? Click here: https://nalinisingh.com/books/psychangeling-series/

Want to learn worldbuilding from Leslye? Sign up here: https://learn.myimaginaryfriends.net/

Want to learn story structure from Ines? Sign up here: https://ineswrites.com/PTP

Get ready for Heart of Obsidian, coming in 2 weeks! Grab your copy to read along: https://amzn.to/3xi538e

Find the hosts online at:

L. Penelope: https://lpenelope.com/

Ines Johnson: https://ineswrites.com/

Credits: "Moonlight Hall" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Today, we discuss the crux of romantic comedies: the deception and the revelation.

Ines postulates that there are four types of Romantic Comedy Deceptions: the Merry War, Identity Deception, Bet or Wager Deception, and the Magic Potion Deception. Each of these deceptions creates obstacles for the characters to overcome on their journey to finding true love.

The eventual revelation and resolution of these deceptions not only provide satisfying conclusions, but also highlight themes of authenticity, vulnerability, and the transformative power of love. And the humor comes as the characters continually try to conceal the deception.

The Shakespeare article mentioned about the Merry War: https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/discover/blogs-and-features/2022/04/20/much-ado-about-nothing-a-battle-of-wits/

BOOKS AND FILMS MENTIONED:

Leap Year: https://amzn.to/3VEagl8

The Proposal: https://amzn.to/3TWykhR

The Hating Game book: https://amzn.to/3TULaNl

The Hating Game movie on Amazon Prime: https://amzn.to/3IXh6KM

Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes: https://amzn.to/4cDndS0

Pretty Woman: https://amzn.to/4axnAf5

Notting Hill: https://amzn.to/3PFvlYD

Ten Things I Hate About You: https://amzn.to/49agPio

How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days: https://amzn.to/3xmvbPg

No Hard Feelings: https://amzn.to/3TWZBki

Thirteen Going on Thirty: https://amzn.to/3PFj6eu

Groundhog’s Day: https://amzn.to/3PFj6eu

Freaky Friday: https://amzn.to/3PIwXkd

What Women Want: https://amzn.to/3TVFXVE

What Men Want: https://amzn.to/49ahZug

Love Potion No. 9: https://amzn.to/3VCrbUT

The Little Mermaid: https://amzn.to/3xpxpxi

Splash: https://amzn.to/43H3zAz

Mannequin: https://amzn.to/49f9sWL

Penelope: https://amzn.to/4acTdek

Crazy Rich Asians: https://amzn.to/49izisW

Sign up for author Nalini Singh’s newsletter to receive fan service here: https://nalinisingh.com/

Want the official Psy-Changeling Reading Order? Click here: https://nalinisingh.com/books/psychangeling-series/

Want to learn worldbuilding from Leslye? Sign up here: https://learn.myimaginaryfriends.net/

Want to learn story structure from Ines? Sign up here: https://ineswrites.com/PTP

Get ready for Tangle of Need, coming in 1 week! Grab your copy to read along: https://amzn.to/3ToTuVn

Find the hosts online at:

L. Penelope: https://lpenelope.com/

Ines Johnson: https://ineswrites.com/

Credits: "Moonlight Hall" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

We finally take a bite out of Kiss of Snow, where the fierce and resilient Sienna Lauren, a young Psy defector, and the powerful alpha wolf, Hawke, are caught in a tumultuous dance of forbidden desire. Their undeniable attraction threatens to ignite the world, but first they’ll be tested by the coldest of wars and the fiercest of passions.

Join us as we explore the intricate dynamics of inner and outer power, past loyalties and future desires, and the transformative power of pack bonds.

Sign up for author Nalini Singh’s newsletter to receive fan service here: https://nalinisingh.com/

Want the official Psy-Changeling Reading Order? Click here: https://nalinisingh.com/books/psychangeling-series/

Want to learn worldbuilding from Leslye? Sign up here: https://learn.myimaginaryfriends.net/

Want to learn story structure from Ines? Sign up here: https://ineswrites.com/PTP

Get ready for Tangle of Need, coming in 2 weeks! Grab your copy to read along: https://amzn.to/3ToTuVn

Find the hosts online at:

L. Penelope: https://lpenelope.com/

Ines Johnson: https://ineswrites.com/

Credits: "Moonlight Hall" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.