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PODCAST

Turning to Story

Turning to Story

Writing is tough, and the publishing industry is tougher. Authors Lyssa Mia Smith and Anna Mercier have come together to present their most effective defense against the woes of the industry: craft. Join us for weekly in-depth looks at specific craft topics explored through a lens of searching for joy.

arts books

All Episodes

01:03:44

42: The Power of Prose

Turning to Story ·

2025/06/04

This week, we're breaking down the art of good prose; specifically, how it delivers the promise of the premise. We're talking sentence lengths, verbs, and punctuation!Follow the Turning to Story Substack

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01:24:41

41: Specificity: A Lit Agent's Craft Secret

Turning to Story ·

2025/05/28

Listen, we could tell you all day what it takes to make a query and a novel sparkle, but why not hear it from a star agent like Michaela (Mike) Whatnall? That's right! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith chat with Mike Whatnall of the Dystel, Goderich & Bourret agency about what makes a project really stand out and the answer is: specificity. Mike's craft insight covers everything from pitches to magic systems and everything in between.Michaela Whatnall's

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01:15:10

40: Writing Romantic Intimacy

Turning to Story ·

2025/05/21

This week, romance author Ruby Barrett teaches Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith all about intimacy. From kissing to open-door spice, she shares the techniques that will make readers swoon.Ruby Barrett's WebsiteTurning to Story Substack

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01:00:53

39: Stakes and Stuckholds

Turning to Story ·

2025/05/14

You've got your outline and character arcs ready, but the draft isn't drafting! What do you do?! Never fear. This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss the one thing that's likely holding your wordcount back: personal stakes.Join the Turning to Story Substack for extra episode notes!

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01:09:40

38: The Key to Success with Of the Publishing...

Turning to Story ·

2025/05/07

Have we got a treat for you! Authors and fellow podcasters Angela Montoya and Melanie Schubert from Of the Publishing Persuasion join us for a chat about how to handle the lows of publishing as well as tips to ensure your journey has staying power.Follow Angela Montoya and Melanie Schubert on InstagramCheck out Of the Publishing PersuasionFollow the Turning to Story Substack for notes on the episode

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00:58:44

37: Transferable Skills

Turning to Story ·

2025/04/30

We're always told that no writing goes to waste, but what does that actually mean?! Well, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith have got you covered this week. They cover the skills that will follow you throughout the writing journey. From querying to Netflix deals, these are the forever golden techniques to hone.Follow the Turning to Story Substack!Preorder Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith now!

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01:03:28

36: Putting Your Characters Through Hell

Turning to Story ·

2025/03/05

As writers, it's our job to create engaging, dynamic, and precious characters... and then torture them until they complete their character arc! Readers will turn the page just to watch a character fight back against a bully or realize their stubbornness and pride is keeping them from the love of their life. This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss how putting characters in a vacuum in which they are devoid of the thing they really need can create addictive stories.Subscribe to

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01:00:02

35: Magic Systems

Turning to Story ·

2025/02/19

We said magic systems deserved their own episode, so we delivered! How do you create a magic system that tantalizes your readers, maxes out vibes, and develops a gut-wrenching theme? Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith go into detail about how you can make your witches, mages, and space wizards do work for you!Remember to check out the Turning to Story Substack for shownotes.Also, pre-order Lyssa's book, GILDED IN VENGEANCE, now!

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00:54:34

34: Underlying Fantasy

Turning to Story ·

2025/02/12

You know we love tropes on Turning to Story. Cuddling for warmth. Touch-starved. Enemies to lovers. Butwhyare those tropes so darn good? This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith analyze T. Taylor's7 Figure Fictionto uncover the truth about tropes.Follow the Turning to Story Substack for show notes!Pre-order Lyssa's YA fantasy romance, GILDED IN VENGEANCE, now!Check out7 Figure Fiction by T. Taylor

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01:07:50

33: Worldbuilding

Turning to Story ·

2025/02/05

How do you create a world that leaps from the page? What about one readers will print t-shirts and fanart of? This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss how make the world of your story work for you.Remember to add Lyssa's new YA romantic fantasy, GILDED IN VENGEANCE, to your Goodreads! Also, follow the Turning to Story Substack for episode notes and extras!

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00:58:03

32: Crafting Strong Character Choices

Turning to Story ·

2025/01/29

Betray their family? Leave home for an adventure? Reveal that your skin sparkles in the sunlight to the girl you love? This week is all about character choices. Authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith chat about what makes strong choices as well as the power they have to send your plot in directions your readers will love. Add Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith on Goodreads Follow the Turning to Story Substack for weekly updates and notes!

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01:00:42

31: Therapy for Characters

Turning to Story ·

2024/12/19

Grab a warm cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and prepare to take your characters to therapy! This week, Lyssa Mia Smith puts on her psychologist hat to guide us through character behavior patterns and how they can help us build story from the character up.Join the Turning to Story Substack!

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01:02:04

30: Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling

Turning to Story ·

2024/12/11

This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith uncover the secrets of Pixar's powerful writing. It starts with internal conflict and ends with jaw-dropping, personal themes. Analyze craft and cheer on football players making touchdowns??Join the Turning to Story Substack

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01:06:45

29: Feedback

Turning to Story ·

2024/12/04

Writing is hard, and the way we present and learn from feedback can make it easier! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith cover some do's and don'ts of giving and receiving feedback. Join the Turning to Story substack for show notes and extra info!

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00:48:45

28: Four Corner Opposition

Turning to Story ·

2024/11/20

Want to know a trick for writing compelling side characters? What about a trick for mapping character change? And how about something that helps you generate scene ideas? No, it's not magic. It's four corner opposition. This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss and apply John Truby's advice to scenes, chapters, and acts.Get extra resources at the Turning to Story Substack!

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00:54:47

27: Plot Twist Reversals

Turning to Story ·

2024/11/13

What makes the perfect twist? Just when your reader thinks they have it all figured out, how do you turn them in a different direction? Reversals! From first chapter hooks to gasp-worthy midpoints, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith talk about reversals that keep your reading guessing! Join the Turning to Story substack for show notes and extra resources!

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00:57:55

26: The List Every Romance Needs

Turning to Story ·

2024/11/06

This week, we're tackling our favorite topic: romance! Authors Lyssa Mia Smith and Anna Mercier discusses the list every crackling romance needs to make your readers swoon! Get extra info and show notes at the Turning to Story Substack

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01:02:13

25: Writing the Perfect Scene

Turning to Story ·

2024/10/30

We're back for a third season of deep dives on craft, vampire jokes, and fun surprises! This week, we dive into what makes a scene perfect, and we're not just talk about conflict or characters. Join authors Lyssa Mia Smith and Anna Mercier they analyze scenes to see if they hold up to the perfect scene test.Join the Turning to Story Substack for behind extra resources!

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01:02:22

Surviving Publishing: When Publishing Bites Back

Turning to Story ·

2024/08/21

Congratulations, Campers! You made it to the final week of the surviving publishing boot camp. To celebrate, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith wanted to take a moment to acknowledge some of the truly heinous ways the publishing industry can kick you while you're already down. We share this in the spirit of catharsis and as a way to help prepare for the very rocky road ahead!Join the Turning to Story Substack

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00:53:47

Surviving Publishing: Action Plans for Writing Dreams

Turning to Story ·

2024/08/14

While dreams are events we cannot control, that doesn't mean that we can't work toward them. This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith apply their favorite tool-- deliberate practice-- to all things outside of the writing craft! Get behind the scenes info at the Turning to Story Substack

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