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 give to his younger self that might be good for all of us to listen to today. Give it a listen!

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 without consequences. She has a new book called LETTERS FROM STRANGERS and lots of great advice for novelists and screenwriters. Check it out!

This week I talk with novelist Meg Serino about her new novel, ANNAPURNA. We explore the issues that fiction allows us to evaluate, the crossroads that we face, and the new insights that stories can bring us. We chat about the importance of forgiveness and grace, extending them toward yourself, and shaping stories that really enrich people on an emotional level. Check it out!

This week I chat with the bestselling authors from the popular podcast, Friends & Fiction. We dive into their advice on what writers should focus and what to avoid, the advantages and drawbacks of stepping out on a limb, and lessons learned from unexpected places. We also talk about their books, their podcast, and how to connect with a community of 250,000 committed readers and writers. Check it out!

Have you ever heard of the infamous pirates Captain Kidd and Blackbeard? Have you ever been interested in the golden age of pirates, privateers, and the truth behind the legends? This week, I interview Samuel Marquis, the author of the new book “Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal.” Marquis shares fascinating insights on pirates, storytelling, the way fiction wears with truth in legendary stories, and what it means to be “a villain all nations.”
Check it out.

This week I catch up with Michael Carson, the president of the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee—the site of the contemporary storytelling revival. We discuss the power of stories to bring joy, to bring healing, and to bring people together. We talk about the dance of audience and teller, how important it is to respond to your listeners even as you tell your story, and why there is no one right way to tell a story. Check it out and learn more about the International Storytelling Center and the amazing programs they offer year round.

This week I chat with suspense author Jaclyn Goldis about her writing process, the importance of curiosity, plunging into reality through fiction, writing advice you’ve heard but should never follow, whether or not to write every day, what success as an author truly looks like (it might surprise you) and more. We also discuss her latest book, The Safari. Check it out!

Don’t miss this week’s episode of The Story Blender as I interview gothic novelist Paulette Kennedy. We talk about everything from cemetery rubbings to creating a sense of dread, to how much we love it when characters question their own sanity and travel on a journey of self-awareness through the narrative. What is it that makes a story gothic? How does isolation and self-questioning fit into that genre? You’ll also love her advice on what to do in regard to chasing your dreams.