Ep185: Beyond the Hero’s Journey: Exploring the Hidden Arcs in Every Story
Release Date: 04/30/2025
Writer Craft Podcast
Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first...
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How POV Affects Your Story PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one...
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Main Topic: Finding Voice and Author Identity Through Social Media, PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to...
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(Valerie): launching my four-month book coaching container Aligned Author TODAY. The price is drastically cut this week (it's $667 off the regular price, and for 24 hours only starting now, the paid in full price -- with an extra whole month of coaching for free and ANOTHER LIVE discount on top-- is $1333 for FIVE months of coaching. The price will never be this low again. There is also a monthly payment option. Go to for all the details. The replay to last night's masterclass The Alchemy of Memory is up for another 24 hours, and then it goes away, along with the LIVE Launch price. Aligned...
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Free masterclass: The Alchemy of Memory — Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Wed, Oct 8, 2025). Learn to braid personal narrative with research, family history, and big ideas—plus structures, privacy choices, and momentum tools. Includes a short meditation + oracle card pull. Save your seat → *** Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): planning my free masterclass on hybrid memoir writing for October 8th. (Erick): booked all the conferences for the rest of the year; new ghostwriting ads; working on new series of stories; What are you reading? Valerie: ...
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Main Topic: “Intentionality in Writing: Hendrika de Vries on Resistance, Feminism, and Telling the Truth” PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind...
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✨ Writer Craft Podcast | Episode 198 🎙️ The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow 📅 Recorded on September 3, 2025 🎧 Hosted by & 💬 Episode Summary Welcome back, Writers and Crafters! In this soul-nourishing episode, Valerie and Erick explore what it really takes to return to your writing routine after a break. Whether you've been away for weeks or months, we offer compassionate strategies, creative rituals, and mindset shifts to help you gently restart your writing life—without falling into guilt, shame, or perfectionism. ✨ Main Topic: “The Art...
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Main Topic: How to Write a Book That Grows Your Business and Honors Your Spirit (Help soul-led entrepreneurs see how writing a book can amplify their work without losing authenticity or feeling salesy.) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and...
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Main Topic: From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes That Still Feel True to You (with guest HR Cole) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind...
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Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): hard stuff at home (sharing that with my patrons, and a little on social media) (Erick): What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: Austin Kleon's (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book s (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October). (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; (Alexandra Horowitz) ; Julie Leong Erick: Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes:...
info_outlineMain Topic: 3 arcs in every book (begins at 15:31)
Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code
VALERIE20 at checkout
You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20
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PATREON:
Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.
Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.
Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):
- (Valerie): writing How to Write a Novel (ask ChatGPT for new title), homework from the business coach, thinking about content creation and refining my book coaching offer; back pain
- (Erick): Trunk "shopping" for summer work = Witness accounts. Book a retreat for world-building. Preorder up for Shadow Signals (cover from Miblart)
What are you reading?
- Valerie: The Stars and Their Light (Olivia Hawker)
- (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
- Erick:
- Mr. Mercedes (Stephen King), Somna (gn) (Becky Cloonan)
- Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):
- Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:
Segment 3 (Main Topic):
The Three Narrative Arcs (Bill Kenower)
The Physical Arc (Story arc, plot, what happens in the book)
Character/Emotional arc (how the character changes)
Intentional Arc (Thematic arc)
Narrative arc (how the story is told)
If problems with character (flat, 2 dimensional, "Just didn't connect with them"):
Add inner dialogue for tension and character motivation;
Make sure your emotional arc is solid. (Character + Flaw + Death of Flaw at end = Character/Emotional Arc)
And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind :
https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.
#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance
Next episode:
Find Us:
Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)
Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor