PODCAST

The Story Blender

WHERE GREAT STORYTELLERS SHARE THE SECRETS TO GREAT STORYTELLING. Hosted by Steven James.

arts books

All Episodes

00:37:55

Anika Pavel

The Story Blender ·

2024/10/04

ANIKA PAVEL was born in Czechoslovakia. What was intended as a one-year stay in England turned her into a refugee when the Soviet Union invaded her homeland. She received a crash course in life that took her from sleeping in a telephone booth at the Victoria railway station in London to waitressing, to the lights of the fashion runway, and on to magazine covers, even a James Bond appearance. When the lights had dimmed, she returned to her first love, writing. Her work has been published in print,

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00:44:21

Liz Weir

The Story Blender ·

2024/10/03

This week we celebrate the art of oral storytelling with one of the world’s leading voices on folk tales, the celebrated Irish storyteller, Liz Weir. She has told her stories to people of all ages on five continents. She has performed in pubs and prisons and hospital rooms. She worked on stages in the mighty Vanderbilt Hall of New York’s Grand Central Station and in London's Royal Albert Hall. Listen as she shares her passion for using stories to bring healing, and to build bridges. Liz shares one

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00:41:24

Michelle Cox

The Story Blender ·

2024/09/26

Michelle Cox has always been obsessed with stories of the past and has spent a lifetime collecting them. She is the award-winning author of historical fiction, including the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series, The Fallen Woman’s Daughter, and The Merriweather Novels. Cox also pens the wildly popular, “Novel Notes of Local Lore,” a weekly blog chronicling the lives of Chicago’s forgotten residents.She lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with her husband, an assortment of children who

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00:43:53

Jenny Milchman

The Story Blender ·

2024/09/19

This week’s guest, Jenny Milchman, is an acclaimed crime and thriller novelist who is a Mary Higgins Clark award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of five novels. We chat about crafting stories will lots of twists and surprises, dealing with self-doubt, the Christmas-morning joy feeling of first drafts and the reality check of revisions, the power of speaking up, and her newest book THE USUAL SILENCE. Check it out and subscribe!

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01:01:27

John Raad

The Story Blender ·

2024/09/13

This week on the story blender I catch up with John Raab, publisher, podcaster, and suspense expert. We talk about some of our favorite types of stories, the difference between suspense and other genres, what makes a thriller really work, and how to pitch your idea to a publisher or editor. You’ll love John’s practical advice, his humor and his down-to-earth personality. Check it out and subscribe so you never miss and episode!

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00:43:26

Andrew Welsh-Huggins

The Story Blender ·

2024/09/05

This week I catch up with Andrew Welsh-Huggins, an acclaimed author of numerous private eye and thriller novels. He is the Shamus, Derringer, and International Thriller Writers award-nominated author of many books and short stories. Andrew has two releases coming up just around the corner and we chat about those, about what makes a good short story, plot twists and pivots, what a “noir” story is (and isn’t). Check it out and subscribe to catch next week’s episode as well!

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00:57:12

John Copenhaver

The Story Blender ·

2024/08/29

This week I catch up with award-winning crime writer John Copenhaver who pens historical mysteries that celebrate minorities and those whose stories aren’t often told. We explore what a story needs at the very start, whether or not to plan out your crime novel before writing it, and the drawbacks of workshopping stories. We also talk about his latest novel, HALL OF MIRRORS. Check it out and subscribe!

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00:40:35

MP Woodward

The Story Blender ·

2024/08/22

If you’ve ever read an action or military thriller you’re probably familiar with the name “Tom Clancy.” And, while he unfortunately passed away in 2013, other gifted authors are still carrying on his legacy and I’m thrilled today to have one of them joining on The Story Blender to talk about his writing process and his latest book TOM CLANCY: SHADOW STATE. M.P. Woodward, a former U.S. Naval intelligence officer, shares his thoughts on leaving no danglers, the importance of an ironic ending,

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00:49:39

Jeffery Deaver & Isabella Maldonado

The Story Blender ·

2024/08/15

Listen in as I pick the brains of co-authors Isabella Maldonado and Jeffery Deaver on the process of writing a crime thriller that will keep readers turning pages. We discuss how to keep your characters intriguing, inside information on writing, and the importance of getting the facts right. We also talk about outlining, their latest thriller, FATAL INTRUSION, and how many drafts and rewrites Jeffery does for his novels (it will probably surprise you!) Give it a listen!

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00:40:00

Caroline Cleveland

The Story Blender ·

2024/08/07

This week I chat with Caroline Cleveland about her southern mystery WHEN CICADAS CRY. She talks about the five aspects of Southern Fiction and how she tried to weave them into her story, the power of story to bring people together, and how cultures are both shaped by stories and reflected in the stories we tell. Give it a listen!

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00:48:19

James Gordon

The Story Blender ·

2024/08/01

This week I talk with James Gordon, who worked for decades in Hollywood in the documentary and reality TV world and contributed to more than 100 shows, including Big Brother, Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model. We talk about his experiences in putting together meaningful and poignant shows, how stories bring us all together, Breaking Bad, and his latest venture, the acclaimed travel podcast, Skiptown All-Stars Travel Podcast. Check it out!

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00:50:28

Jule Selbo

The Story Blender ·

2024/07/24

Acclaimed screenwriter and novelist Jule Selbo shares insights on plot, why she started watching sports after she left Hollywood, finding the new normal at the end of a story, and celebrating dilemma over theme. She also shares the drawbacks of outlining and the story behind her latest novel, 8 DAYS. Give it a listen, check it out, and subscribe.

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00:44:39

Cara Reinard

The Story Blender ·

2024/07/17

This week, author Cara Reinard joins me to talk about shaping and developing twists and psychological suspense in your writing, the importance of flawed characters, how to be an expert “breadcrumber,” and more. We also chat about your latest release, THE WIFE AT THE WINDOW. Give it a listen, like, and subscribe!

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00:51:08

Tom Straw

The Story Blender ·

2024/07/10

Have you heard of the novelist Richard Castle? Well… I had a chance to chat with him. Listen as I talk with Tom Straw, who wrote numerous books under Castle’s name. Tom is an award-winning screenwriter, humorist, and New York Times bestselling author whose sharp and witty writing has connected with fans around the world. Together, we explore how stories can lean into struggles, truth, and humor. You’ll love his insights and his encouraging words. Check it out!

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00:45:12

Brigid Reedy

The Story Blender ·

2024/07/05

This week I caught up with acclaimed Cowboy Poet Brigid Reedy. She is a singer, songwriter, fiddler, poet, and storyteller who has become a singular young voice representing her beloved home state of Montana. At just twenty-three years old, she has already performed at the Grand Ole Opry, the National Storytelling Festival, and Carnegie Hall. We talk about what it means to “feel” a story, how important it is to be passionate about the material you perform, the importance of being aware, the loudest

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00:52:33

Vincent Davis

The Story Blender ·

2024/06/27

This week I caught up with bestselling author and writing instructor Vincent Davis. We chat about the only Latin I know (it might surprise you), complex villains, how the best fiction rhymes with reality, how story is its own teacher, and agenda-driven fiction vs. dilemma-driven fiction. Great insights! Give it a listen and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any future Story Blender episodes.

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00:45:10

Ryan Steck

The Story Blender ·

2024/06/19

Listen as I chat with the Real Book Spy, Ryan Steck, about his writing, his editing, and his phenomenally successful website the Real Book Spy. He’s an expert on all things thrillers, espionage, and suspense. We talk about his favorite authors, how he got started by being expelled from school when he was a young teenager, and how he was able to turn things around. He also has a new book out entitled OUT FOR BLOOD. Check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes!

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00:42:53

Lori Roy

The Story Blender ·

2024/06/12

On this week’s episode of the Story Blender award-winning mystery writer Lori Roy joins me to talk about getting to know characters, evocative settings, and her latest novel LAKE COUNTY. We also discuss the importance of having an emotional plot shift within every scene and the benefits of doing so. Check it out, give it a listen, and subscribe!

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00:46:27

Paul Roland

The Story Blender ·

2024/05/23

A native of Pasadena, Paul Roland has been pursuing filmmaking since high school and graduated from Cal State Northridge. His directorial debut, "Exemplum," was produced on a budget of $9,500 with a skeleton crew of four people. He credits Ingmar Bergman, Fritz Lang, and James Cameron as the three primary influences on his filmmaking style. Check it out, give it a listen and subscribe!

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00:48:01

Cara Putman

The Story Blender ·

2024/05/16

This week I caught up with award winning author Cara Putman as we chat about suspense, motivation, what creates tension and weaving ethical and mortal dilemmas into your stories to write books readers won’t want to put down. Grab a copy of her latest book “The Vanish”. Check it out, give it a listen and subscribe!

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The Story Blender

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