
Story Magic
Golden May
Hey fiction writer! Want your readers to stay up until 2am, so engrossed in your story they just can’t put it down? Want to build a successful, fulfilling, and sustainable writing life that works for YOU? Story Magic is the place for you. Every week, professional book coaches and editors Emily and Rachel from Golden May dive into writing craft, community, and mindset tips, tricks, and advice so you can write and publish books you’re damn proud of, again and again. We cover craft topics like story structure, character development, worldbuilding and ‘show, don’t tell’; we dive into how to grow your writing community of readers and writing partners; and we’ll talk about all those mindset challenges from imposter syndrome and perfectionism to fear of the blank page. Story Magic has all the tools you need to become the author you’re meant to be. You’ve got this, let’s go!
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Top 10 Story Magic Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Story Magic episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Story Magic for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Story Magic episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Welcome to Story Magic! - Trailer
Story Magic
02/03/23 • 2 min
Hey fiction writer! Want your readers to stay up until 2am, so engrossed in your story they just can’t put it down? Want to build a successful, fulfilling, and sustainable writing life that works for YOU? Story Magic is the place for you.
Every week, professional book coaches and editors Emily and Rachel from Golden May dive into writing craft, community, and mindset tips, tricks, and advice so you can write and publish books you’re damn proud of, again and again. We cover craft topics like story structure, character development, worldbuilding and ‘show, don’t tell’; we dive into how to grow your writing community of readers and writing partners; and we’ll talk about all those mindset challenges from imposter syndrome and perfectionism to fear of the blank page.
Story Magic has all the tools you need to become the author you’re meant to be. You’ve got this, let’s go!
Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story’s plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we’re going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!
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12 - "How do I write faster?"
Story Magic
04/20/23 • 47 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about slow writing!
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- why you feel the need to write fast
- how slow writing can actually result in better stories
- Addressing why you might be writing slowly
- Tools for addressing the things holding your writing process back
Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic
If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!
Follow us on social media!
Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/
Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilygoldenedits/
Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story’s plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we’re going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!

2 - What if it could be easy?
Story Magic
02/16/23 • 25 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about our favorite trick to making your writing life easy.
In this episode you'll learn:
- how you're probably making writing harder than it needs to be
- how to take the pressure off yourself
- our fav tip for making writing easy
- the top ways you can implement this tip
Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic
If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!
Follow us on social media!
Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/
Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilygoldenedits/
Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story’s plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we’re going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!

9 - Dialogue that feels natural
Story Magic
03/30/23 • 24 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about how to create dialogue that feels natural.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- how to create intentional and relevant dialogue
- using dialogue to show subtext
- how to show a character's true desires in the dissonance between what they say and do
- weaving conflict and action throughout a conversation
- the impact of reading your dialogue out loud
Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic
If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!
Follow us on social media!
Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/
Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilygoldenedits/
Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story’s plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we’re going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!

7 - Wtf is agency?
Story Magic
03/16/23 • 39 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about character agency!
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- What agency actually is
- The difference between story and scene goals
- Using story goals to drive scene goals to create character choices
- Lots of examples!
Join us for our LIVE character goals and agency Masterclass How to Craft a Page Turner on March 24th at 1pm EST! Learn more: https://goldenmayediting.com/pageturner
Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic
If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!
Follow us on social media!
Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/
Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilygoldenedits/
Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story’s plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we’re going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!

03/09/23 • 30 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about the difference between exposition and info dump.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- what is exposition? what is info dump?
- the 3 keys to exposition
- examples breaking down how these two things show up on the page
- how you evaluate your own writing for purpose, relevance, and meaning
Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic
If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!
Follow us on social media!
Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/
Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilygoldenedits/
Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story’s plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we’re going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!

04/13/23 • 52 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk with guest Kristen Kieffer about creating in sequence.
What you’ll learn from this episode
- What does it mean to create in sequence?
- What happens when you create outside of sequence
- The creative fulfillment pyramid
- Finding fulfillment in your writing practice
Check out more of Kristen's work!
Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic
If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!
Follow us on social media!
Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/
Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilygoldenedits/
Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story’s plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we’re going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!

1 - The writing life you deserve
Story Magic
02/16/23 • 42 min
Today on our first official episode, Emily & Rachel talk about building a sustainable writing life.
In this episode you'll learn:
- how to avoid the 'shoulds' in your writing life
- the 3 pillars of a sustainable writing life
- how to develop practices that work for YOU
- where to get started with creating the writing life you deserve!
Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic
If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!
Follow us on social media!
Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/
Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilygoldenedits/
Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story’s plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we’re going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!

3 - Flawed people are more interesting
Story Magic
02/16/23 • 26 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about character flaws.
In this episode you'll learn:
- why character flaws are so important
- our definition of the Internal Obstacle
- the difference between general flaws and the Internal Obstacle belief
- how to start developing your character's deep-seated flawed beliefs
- examples from published works!
Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic
If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!
Follow us on social media!
Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/
Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilygoldenedits/
Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story’s plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we’re going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!

15 - Staying true to your humanity
Story Magic
05/11/23 • 21 min
Today, Emily & Rachel talk about staying true to your humanity.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- How we bring our whole selves to the writing process
- No one can ask you to diminish your true self
- You do not need to change yourself to fit someone else's preferences
Ready to make readers so in love with your characters they can’t stop biting their nails in anticipation? Grab The Magic of Character Arcs free email course: www.goldenmayediting.com/arcsmagic
If you enjoyed Story Magic, please rate, review and follow on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast!
Follow us on social media!
Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/bookcoachrachel/
Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilygoldenedits/
Join us on June 5th, 2025 at 8pm ET for our FREE + live masterclass called The Structure of Change! Your character arcs exist within your story’s plot. You have to craft them together. In this FREE class, we’re going to show you exactly how. All you have to do is register to save your spot at https://www.tenaciouswriting.com/characterarcs! See you there!
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FAQ
How many episodes does Story Magic have?
Story Magic currently has 103 episodes available.
What topics does Story Magic cover?
The podcast is about Fiction, Podcasts, Books and Arts.
What is the most popular episode on Story Magic?
The episode title 'Welcome to Story Magic! - Trailer' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Story Magic?
The average episode length on Story Magic is 37 minutes.
How often are episodes of Story Magic released?
Episodes of Story Magic are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Story Magic?
The first episode of Story Magic was released on Feb 3, 2023.
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