Episodes
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This week I catch up with award-winning storyteller and folklore expert Linda Poland. She has traveled the world telling stories and was the Resident Storyteller for the town of Jonesborough, Tennessee, the unofficial capital of storytelling in the United States. Listen to her folksy wisdom on storytelling, how a report card inspired her 40 years later, and the one sentence that made all the difference to her as a storyteller.
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Exciting news! Bestselling author J.T. Ellison is joining Steven James on The Story Blender podcast! đïžâš Dive deep into the craft of storytelling as they discuss the art of writing thrillers, character development, and the twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Don't miss this chance to hear from one of the masters of suspense!
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This weekâs guest, Iain S. Thomas, is an international bestselling author, artist and technologist whose work focuses on the intersection of technology, culture and spirituality. His words appear everywhere, from fridge magnets to monuments and as tattoos on his millions of readers. Heâs words have been quoted by everyone from Steven Spielberg and Harry Styles to Kim Kardashian and Arianna Huffington. He has dozens of local and international awards for his creativity, including the Columbian Universityâs Breakthroughs In Storytelling Award. Listen in as we chat about poetry, life, and everything in between. Check it out!
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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, online and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She shares insights on her stories and encouragement for anyone who has a story of their own to tell. Check it out!
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This week we celebrate the art of oral storytelling with one of the worldâs 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 Yorkâs 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 of the powerful stories that got her through the pandemicâa message of hope for anyone in need of encouragement. Check it out!
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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 Womanâs Daughter, and The Merriweather Novels. Cox also pens the wildly popular, âNovel Notes of Local Lore,â a weekly blog chronicling the lives of Chicagoâs forgotten residents.
She lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with her husband, an assortment of children who continually leave and then come back, and one naughty Goldendoodle. Unbeknownst to most, she hoards board games she doesnât have time to play and is, not surprisingly, in love with both Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart. Likewise, she is happily addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade.
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This weekâs 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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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. Youâll love Johnâs 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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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 ânoirâ story is (and isnât). Check it out and subscribe to catch next weekâs episode as well!
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This week I catch up with award-winning crime writer John Copenhaver who pens historical mysteries that celebrate minorities and those whose stories arenât 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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If youâve ever read an action or military thriller youâre probably familiar with the name âTom Clancy.â And, while he unfortunately passed away in 2013, other gifted authors are still carrying on his legacy and Iâm 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, writing action-packed thrillers with heart, when to break the rules to improve your story, and how to weave in believability and surprise. Give it a listen and subscribe so you donât miss any upcoming episodes.
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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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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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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 Americaâs 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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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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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 âbreadcrumber,â 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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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 Castleâs 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. Youâll love his insights and his encouraging words. Check it out!
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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 âfeelâ a story, how important it is to be passionate about the material you perform, the importance of being aware, the loudest sound you can make on stage, and much more. Give it a listen and subscribe to receive our weekly podcasts!
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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 donât miss any future Story Blender episodes.
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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. Heâs 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 donât miss any episodes!
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