Creative, Actually Podcast

About Creative, Actually Podcast

Creative, Actually is a new podcast hosted by the author E. A. Carter. Elizabeth talks to creatives about their creative life, their struggles, and their wins. Expect to be inspired, uplifted, encouraged and seen. eacarter.substack.com (https://eacarter.substack.com/s/creative-actually-podcast?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

with Elizabeth Carter

Category

arts · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Feb 2026

Latest episode

28 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Oct 2026

   Storycraft Mini-Series with Brandi Badgett: What The Reader Knows

   Brandi Badgett, Fictionary’s star Editor and Instructor guides you through the most important aspects of storycraft to help you write your best book. Today’s topic is all about What The Reader Knows: Brandi shares ways to control what your reader knows (and when) to boost tension, clarity, and trust. You’ll learn about using dramatic irony and reader genre expectations, how to plant foreshadowing that pays off, and the most common plot holes that derail stories. I’m excited to share this series with you. Packed with lots of useful information and actionable tips, it’s perfect for both aspiring authors and seasoned writers! About Brandi Badgett: I am a wife and mother of five beautiful children. My husband is a rocket scientist, so we live in Alabama, just outside of Rocket City. I’m a lifelong bibliophile and learner which means my home is covered in books. I am a senior at BYU-Idaho, working on a degree in Family and Marriage Studies. The things I have learned in classes and reading studies have influenced my life greatly, and I hope to share the knowledge with others. I’ve played with writing since I was young, but when it came to a novel—I always got stuck until I landed upon Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage). Between the knowledge of story I learned there and the kindness of the community, I stayed for years and became a Certified StoryCoach Editor and Instructor. I also write fiction under my pen name Leigh Romero. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Brandi 00:23 Reader Knowledge Basics 01:12 Dramatic Irony Tension 04:53 Foreshadowing Breadcrumbs 09:23 Plot Holes Explained 10:29 Five Plot Hole Types 14:50 Verisimilitude Plausibility 16:27 Cause and Effect Logic 21:41 Research and Expert Help 26:11 Retconning Done Right 29:34 Series Bible Consistency 34:51 No New Third Act Info 37:41 Beta Readers Catch Issues 38:27 How Fictionary Helps 40:49 Final Wrap Up Links: Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage) Love in Development (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)(Amazon ebook) (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5) Where Evil Resides (https://link.amazon/B0dTaqWfb) - Brandi’s horror debut Did you know that I work with amazing creatives from all over the world? If you are working on a project and you would like a mentor, coach, editor, or work through any stucks, I have plenty of ways to meet your needs and at every price point. I’d love to help you reach your goals! Check out what I can do for you! > Work with me (https://authoreacarter.net/editing-and-coaching) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Storycraft Mini-Series with Brandi Badgett: Conflict

   Brandi Badgett, Fictionary’s star Editor and Instructor guides you through the most important aspects of storycraft to help you write your best book. Today’s topic is all about Conflict: Brandi shares the difference between conflict and obstacles, the seven classic types of conflict, and how to tie conflict to your character’s goals, growth, and story’s theme. You’ll also learn how to balance internal vs external conflict, layer multiple conflicts, and much more! I’m excited to share this series with you. Packed with lots of useful information and actionable tips, it’s perfect for both aspiring authors and seasoned writers! About Brandi Badgett: I am a wife and mother of five beautiful children. My husband is a rocket scientist, so we live in Alabama, just outside of Rocket City. I’m a lifelong bibliophile and learner which means my home is covered in books. I am a senior at BYU-Idaho, working on a degree in Family and Marriage Studies. The things I have learned in classes and reading studies have influenced my life greatly, and I hope to share the knowledge with others. I’ve played with writing since I was young, but when it came to a novel—I always got stuck until I landed upon Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage). Between the knowledge of story I learned there and the kindness of the community, I stayed for years and became a Certified StoryCoach Editor and Instructor. I also write fiction under my pen name Leigh Romero. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Back Brandi 00:45 Why Conflict Matters 01:22 Goals Create Tension 03:23 Seven Conflict Types 13:47 Low Stakes Still Count 16:09 Avoid Easy Fixes 17:08 Why Readers Crave Conflict 22:17 Obstacles Versus Conflict 24:28 Writing Conflict Tips 29:10 Balancing Story Intensity 34:40 Starting With Chaos 38:20 How Fictionary Helps 41:00 Wrap Up And Next Episode Links: Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage) Love in Development (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)(Amazon ebook) (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5) Love in Development Goodreads page (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254710317-love-in-development) Did you know that I work with amazing creatives from all over the world? If you are working on a project and you would like a mentor, coach, editor, or work through any stucks, I have plenty of ways to meet your needs and at every price point. I’d love to help you reach your goals! Check out what I can do for you! > Work with me (https://authoreacarter.net/editing-and-coaching) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Storycraft Mini-Series with Brandi Badgett: Character Emotion

   Brandi Badgett, Fictionary’s star Editor and Instructor guides you through the most important aspects of storycraft to help you write your best book. Today’s topic is all about Character Emotion: Brandi explains how to write character emotion so readers can feel what your characters feel. You’ll learn how to avoid flat, melodramatic scenes, replace repetitive gestures and clichés with fresh, character-specific reactions, and use emotional shifts to boost pacing and tension. I’m excited to share this series with you. Packed with lots of useful information and actionable tips, it’s perfect for both aspiring authors and seasoned writers! About Brandi Badgett: I am a wife and mother of five beautiful children. My husband is a rocket scientist, so we live in Alabama, just outside of Rocket City. I’m a lifelong bibliophile and learner which means my home is covered in books. I am a senior at BYU-Idaho, working on a degree in Family and Marriage Studies. The things I have learned in classes and reading studies have influenced my life greatly, and I hope to share the knowledge with others. I’ve played with writing since I was young, but when it came to a novel—I always got stuck until I landed upon Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage). Between the knowledge of story I learned there and the kindness of the community, I stayed for years and became a Certified StoryCoach Editor and Instructor. I also write fiction under my pen name Leigh Romero. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Brandi Badgett 00:39 Why Emotion Hooks Readers 01:42 Common Emotion Pitfalls 05:11 Avoiding Cliches and Repetition 08:23 Psychology of Emotion Basics 11:21 Building Emotional Character Arcs 14:00 Showing Emotion on the Page 19:04 Dialogue as Emotional Subtext 21:44 Method Acting for Writers 22:58 Reading Autism and Empathy 31:00 Why Emotion Changes Lives 35:28 How Fictionary Helps Writers 38:21 Wrap Up and Next Episode Links: Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage) Emotion Thesaurus (https://onestopforwriters.com/emotions) Love in Development (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)(Amazon ebook) (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5) Love in Development Goodreads page (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254710317-love-in-development) Did you know that I work with amazing creatives from all over the world? If you are working on a project and you would like a mentor, coach, editor, or work through any stucks, I have plenty of ways to meet your needs and at every price point. I’d love to help you reach your goals! Check out what I can do for you! > Work with me (https://authoreacarter.net/editing-and-coaching) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

4. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Storycraft Mini-Series with Brandi Badgett: POV

   Brandi Badgett, Fictionary’s star Editor and Instructor guides you through the most important aspects of storycraft to help you write your best book. Today’s topic is all about POV: Brandi explains common POV mistakes like head hopping and inconsistent POV strategy, how to stay inside a character’s lived experience, and when unreliable narrators work without feeling like cheating. She also shares tips to help you build tension and build trust in your reader! I’m excited to share this series with you. Packed with lots of useful information and actionable tips, it’s perfect for both aspiring authors and seasoned writers! About Brandi Badgett: I am a wife and mother of five beautiful children. My husband is a rocket scientist, so we live in Alabama, just outside of Rocket City. I’m a lifelong bibliophile and learner which means my home is covered in books. I am a senior at BYU-Idaho, working on a degree in Family and Marriage Studies. The things I have learned in classes and reading studies have influenced my life greatly, and I hope to share the knowledge with others. I’ve played with writing since I was young, but when it came to a novel—I always got stuck until I landed upon Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage). Between the knowledge of story I learned there and the kindness of the community, I stayed for years and became a Certified StoryCoach Editor and Instructor. I also write fiction under my pen name Leigh Romero. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:43 What POV Really Means 02:23 Single POV Basics 04:23 Dual and Multiple POV 06:48 Common POV Pitfalls 10:46 Practice POV Exercises 13:26 Staying in Character View 15:40 POV Types by Genre 20:13 Choosing Your POV Strategy 23:57 Unreliable Narrators 25:30 Second Person Explained 27:30 Fictionary and Writing Process 31:44 Final Advice and Wrap Up Links: Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage) Love in Development (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)(Amazon ebook) (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5) Love in Development Goodreads page (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254710317-love-in-development) Did you know that I work with amazing creatives from all over the world? If you are working on a project and you would like a mentor, coach, editor, or work through any stucks, I have plenty of ways to meet your needs and at every price point. I’d love to help you reach your goals! Check out what I can do for you! > Work with me (https://authoreacarter.net/editing-and-coaching) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

5. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Storycraft Mini-Series with Brandi Badgett: Show Vs. Tell

   Brandi Badgett, Fictionary’s star Editor and Instructor guides you through the most important aspects of storycraft to help you write your best book. Today’s topic is all about show vs tell: Discover how you can balance the tools of showing vs. telling to write immersive fiction that keeps a reader engaged. Brandi also shares how there are specific times when it’s best for your story to use telling! I’m excited to share this series with you. Packed with lots of useful information and actionable tips, it’s perfect for both aspiring authors and seasoned writers! About Brandi Badgett: I am a wife and mother of five beautiful children. My husband is a rocket scientist, so we live in Alabama, just outside of Rocket City. I’m a lifelong bibliophile and learner which means my home is covered in books. I am a senior at BYU-Idaho, working on a degree in Family and Marriage Studies. The things I have learned in classes and reading studies have influenced my life greatly, and I hope to share the knowledge with others. I’ve played with writing since I was young, but when it came to a novel—I always got stuck until I landed upon Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage). Between the knowledge of story I learned there and the kindness of the community, I stayed for years and became a Certified StoryCoach Editor and Instructor. I also write fiction under my pen name Leigh Romero. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:44 Show Versus Tell Basics 02:59 Dialogue Subtext Examples 04:55 Why Showing Works 06:05 Thoughts and Inner Voice 08:43 Action Beats Not Talking Heads 11:01 Setting and White Room 16:23 Revision Stage Techniques 19:27 When Telling Helps 27:18 Wrap Up and Next Episode Links: Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage) Love in Development (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)(Amazon ebook) (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5) Love in Development Goodreads page (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254710317-love-in-development) Did you know that I work with amazing creatives from all over the world? If you are working on a project and you would like a mentor, coach, editor, or work through any stucks, I have plenty of ways to meet your needs and at every price point. I’d love to help you reach your goals! Check out what I can do for you! > Work with me (https://authoreacarter.net/editing-and-coaching) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

6. 

   19 Aug 2026

   Storycraft Mini-Series with Brandi Badgett: Nonlinear Timelines

   Brandi Badgett, Fictionary’s star Editor and Instructor guides you through the most important aspects of storycraft to help you write your best book. Today’s topic is all about non-linear timelines: Brandi defines non-linear timelines as a single timeline visited out of order (not alternate realities), and clarifies how writers can use dual timelines, flashbacks, flash-forwards, and fragmented structures to control what readers learn, avoid info dumps, increase tension, and reveal past secrets, and much more! I’m excited to share this series with you. Packed with lots of useful information and actionable tips, it’s perfect for both aspiring authors and seasoned writers! About Brandi Badgett: I am a wife and mother of five beautiful children. My husband is a rocket scientist, so we live in Alabama, just outside of Rocket City. I’m a lifelong bibliophile and learner which means my home is covered in books. I am a senior at BYU-Idaho, working on a degree in Family and Marriage Studies. The things I have learned in classes and reading studies have influenced my life greatly, and I hope to share the knowledge with others. I’ve played with writing since I was young, but when it came to a novel—I always got stuck until I landed upon Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage). Between the knowledge of story I learned there and the kindness of the community, I stayed for years and became a Certified StoryCoach Editor and Instructor. I also write fiction under my pen name Leigh Romero. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:55 What Backstory Means 02:53 Wound - Belief - Behavior 04:09 Worldbuilding as Backstory 08:01 Why Backstory Matters 10:09 Avoiding the Info Dump 12:13 Breadcrumbing Examples 15:52 Modern Readers and Pacing 18:09 World First or Story First 22:07 Balancing Worldbuilding Time 25:29 How Fictionary Helps 28:09 Final Thanks and Wrap Up Links: Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage) Love in Development (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)(Amazon ebook) (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5) Love in Development Goodreads page (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254710317-love-in-development) Did you know that I work with amazing creatives from all over the world? If you are working on a project and you would like a mentor, coach, editor, or work through any stucks, I have plenty of ways to meet your needs and at every price point. I’d love to help you reach your goals! Check out what I can do for you! > Work with me (https://authoreacarter.net/editing-and-coaching) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

7. 

   5 Aug 2026

   Storycraft Mini-Series with Brandi Badgett: Backstory

   Brandi Badgett, Fictionary’s star Editor and Instructor guides you through the most important aspects of storycraft to help you write your best book. Today’s topic is all about backstory: what is backstory and why it’s important and what three things you need to know about how to use backstory the best way possible. Brandi shares solutions on how to use backstory to write an engaging book while avoiding the dreaded info dump. (Yay!) I’m excited to share this series with you. Packed with lots of useful information and actionable tips, it’s perfect for both aspiring authors and seasoned writers! About Brandi Badgett: I am a wife and mother of five beautiful children. My husband is a rocket scientist, so we live in Alabama, just outside of Rocket City. I’m a lifelong bibliophile and learner which means my home is covered in books. I am a senior at BYU-Idaho, working on a degree in Family and Marriage Studies. The things I have learned in classes and reading studies have influenced my life greatly, and I hope to share the knowledge with others. I’ve played with writing since I was young, but when it came to a novel—I always got stuck until I landed upon Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage). Between the knowledge of story I learned there and the kindness of the community, I stayed for years and became a Certified StoryCoach Editor and Instructor. I also write fiction under my pen name Leigh Romero. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:55 What Backstory Means 02:53 Wound - Belief - Behavior 04:09 Worldbuilding as Backstory 08:01 Why Backstory Matters 10:09 Avoiding the Info Dump 12:13 Breadcrumbing Examples 15:52 Modern Readers and Pacing 18:09 World First or Story First 22:07 Balancing Worldbuilding Time 25:29 How Fictionary Helps 28:09 Final Thanks and Wrap Up Links: Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage) Love in Development (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)(Amazon ebook - comes out Aug 12, 2026, (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)preorder available (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)) (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5) Love in Development Goodreads page (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254710317-love-in-development) ARC Review of Love In Development by E A Carter Author Leigh Romero Leigh asked me if I might like to read the first book in her new YA Gamer Romance series and within two days of receiving it, I’d devoured it. Despite many other demands on my time, I simply had to know what was coming next for the introverted Molly who’s had her life turned upside down and has to start her life all over again in a new town. Having experienced first-hand what happened to her mother, Molly has sworn off love. She just wants to focus on getting through senior year of high school and earn enough money selling her loot wins and from her earnings at DragonByte to get into college. But life doesn’t work the way she wants it to. Despite wanting to keep a low profile in her new school, she quickly finds herself absorbed into a quirky circle of friends, and finds herself noticing the one guy who keeps himself distanced from all romantic attention. Of course, he’s the most popular guy and Molly hates that she seems as shallow as her deadbeat dad. Molly is sure she can handle her attraction, especially after what she saw her dad do to her mom (and her). Instead, she focuses on her game and on her wins which unlocks a following of fans and the attention of the top player of the game. Is he a friend, is he a foe? Is he even a he? Molly just wants to be left alone, but her friends and her gamer group have other plans. As a girl gamer who’s played World of Warcraft since Vanilla (aka the very first game before its bazillion expansions) I had a feeling this book was going to be a fun read… and holy smokes did it ever deliver the boss loot! Just like Stranger Things swept us up into the world of the early 80s, Leigh’s small town world is fully fleshed out and draws the reader in from the first page. What I loved about this book is how immersive it is. You feel like you are Molly and moving in her world (which I love since this mimics the feeling of playing an avatar in a game). Leigh’s descriptions are lightly done yet allow the reader to experience the story with all the senses. Even a week later, I can still smell the pizza cooking in Dragonbyte’s kitchen, hear the gamers cheering at the big screen, and see the sticky soda rings beside the keyboards. Leigh has written a book for those of us who love to game and crafted a delicious clean romance into it that offers a very satisfying ending. I will be reading this book again. It’s pure escapism. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. 5/5 stars. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

8. 

   22 Jul 2026

   Storycraft Mini-Series with Brandi Badgett: Theme

   Brandi Badgett, Fictionary’s star Editor and Instructor guides you through the most important aspects of storycraft to help you write your best book. Today’s topic is all about theme: what is theme and why it matters, how to figure out what the theme of your book is, and how to craft it into every part of your story without being preachy. I’m excited to share this series with you. Packed with lots of useful information and actionable tips, it’s perfect for both aspiring authors and seasoned writers! About Brandi Badgett: I am a wife and mother of five beautiful children. My husband is a rocket scientist, so we live in Alabama, just outside of Rocket City. I’m a lifelong bibliophile and learner which means my home is covered in books. I am a senior at BYU-Idaho, working on a degree in Family and Marriage Studies. The things I have learned in classes and reading studies have influenced my life greatly, and I hope to share the knowledge with others. I’ve played with writing since I was young, but when it came to a novel—I always got stuck until I landed upon Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage). Between the knowledge of story I learned there and the kindness of the community, I stayed for years and became a Certified StoryCoach Editor and Instructor. I also write fiction under my pen name Leigh Romero. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Series Intro 01:08 Why Theme Matters 02:32 Theme vs Moral Lessons 04:29 Topics and Universal Themes 08:52 Thematic Statements Explained 12:13 Theme as Story Engine 13:04 Major and Minor Themes 15:43 Finding Theme in Revision 18:04 Weaving Theme Into Craft 22:23 Originality and Universal Ideas 24:50 Theme and Reader Connection 31:11 Tips to Identify Theme Mid Draft 33:54 Wrap Up and Next Episode Links: Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage) Love in Development (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)(Amazon ebook - comes out Aug 12, 2026, (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)preorder available (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5)) (https://www.amazon.com/Love-Development-Gamer-Romance-Games-ebook/dp/B0H6VLC8C5) Love in Development Goodreads page (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254710317-love-in-development) ARC Review of Love In Development by E A Carter Author Leigh Romero Leigh asked me if I might like to read the first book in her new YA Gamer Romance series and within two days of receiving it, I’d devoured it. Despite many other demands on my time, I simply had to know what was coming next for the introverted Molly who’s had her life turned upside down and has to start her life all over again in a new town. Having experienced first-hand what happened to her mother, Molly has sworn off love. She just wants to focus on getting through senior year of high school and earn enough money selling her loot wins and from her earnings at DragonByte to get into college. But life doesn’t work the way she wants it to. Despite wanting to keep a low profile in her new school, she quickly finds herself absorbed into a quirky circle of friends, and finds herself noticing the one guy who keeps himself distanced from all romantic attention. Of course, he’s the most popular guy and Molly hates that she seems as shallow as her deadbeat dad. Molly is sure she can handle her attraction, especially after what she saw her dad do to her mom (and her). Instead, she focuses on her game and on her wins which unlocks a following of fans and the attention of the top player of the game. Is he a friend, is he a foe? Is he even a he? Molly just wants to be left alone, but her friends and her gamer group have other plans. As a girl gamer who’s played World of Warcraft since Vanilla (aka the very first game before its bazillion expansions) I had a feeling this book was going to be a fun read… and holy smokes did it ever deliver the boss loot! Just like Stranger Things swept us up into the world of the early 80s, Leigh’s small town world is fully fleshed out and draws the reader in from the first page. What I loved about this book is how immersive it is. You feel like you are Molly and moving in her world (which I love since this mimics the feeling of playing an avatar in a game). Leigh’s descriptions are lightly done yet allow the reader to experience the story with all the senses. Even a week later, I can still smell the pizza cooking in Dragonbyte’s kitchen, hear the gamers cheering at the big screen, and see the sticky soda rings beside the keyboards. Leigh has written a book for those of us who love to game and crafted a delicious clean romance into it that offers a very satisfying ending. I will be reading this book again. It’s pure escapism. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. 5/5 stars. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

9. 

   24 Jun 2026

   Coping With A Special Needs Child and Being Creative - With Writer & Dunie Design Studio Co-Founder Ruana

   In today’s conversation, Elizabeth sits down with her good friend Ruana, co-owner of Dunie, a multidisciplinary design studio in Almaty, Kazakhstan to talk about how having a special needs child has affected her life and her creativity as a writer. Ruana’s young son Idris suffers from a very, very rare genetic disorder that severely impacts his life and future. During the course of the long, frightening and uncertain journey to stabilize him, Ruana needed a heart ablation for what some considered a broken heart. If you are a parent of a special needs child, please be aware that some of the conversation might feel triggering. Please be gentle with yourself. Thank you so much to Ruana for sharing her journey with us and of how she overcame her loss of creativity to express it in new and wonderful ways. Ruana is a truly inspiring person and I am grateful for this meaningful conversation that will encourage many listeners. About Ruana: Ruana Esengosova is the co-founder of Dunie Design. With a background in International Management and Japanese Art, she has always been passionate about heritage and culture. After living for 14 years in the UK, she has come back to Almaty with dreams of establishing Dunie as an international Central Asian brand and gaining more insight into her roots. When she’s not juggling motherhood, she likes to watch anime, write teenage angst romances and send cat memes to her loved ones. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:42 Thoughts on Borat and Kazakhstan 02:11 Almaty Travel and Seasons 03:10 From Wattpad to Long-Term Friendship 04:54 From Delivery to Diagnosis Journey 07:55 Creativity Through Pain 11:06 Finding Dunie Community 13:53 Starting Dunie Vision 15:55 Building a Design Movement in Central Asia 19:38 Writing Meets Design 22:36 Visual Diary Practice 27:09 Future Goals and Doubts 31:34 Social Media Double Edge 36:22 Two Versions of Ruana’s Life 39:15 Writing Serious Stories 43:15 Closing Thanks and Farewell Links: Dunie (https://dunie.studio/) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

10. 

    29 Apr 2026

    The Importance Of Wounds In Romance - With Romance Author and Editor Linda O'Donnell

    In today’s episode, Elizabeth at Creative, Actually chats with sweet romance author, Fictionary Story Coach Editor, and instructor Linda O’Donnell who shares why all successful romance novels have a “wound” for their protagonist to overcome. She shares examples of how writers can progress their character’s wound across the romance beats from the meet cute to breakup and their epiphany. We also get a sneak peak into her upcoming debut romance novel Behind the Scenes, where a woman returns to her hometown only to become stuck in the same house with a movie star she wants nothing to do with. The first of a six-book series, Linda’s closed Northern Star Series focuses on a small-town where women cross paths with various kind of celebrities and misunderstandings abound! We find out more about how her co-authored books with the CEO of Fictionary, Secrets to Writing a Romance and the upcoming Secrets to Writing a Novel can help even brand new writers craft their romance story arc and protagonist’s wound with confidence. So glad to have you here with us! About Linda O’Donnell: Linda O’Donnell is a writer, certified structural editor, certified copy editor, and a writing and editing instructor. She co-authored Secrets to Writing a Romance with Kristina Stanley, and together they are working on their latest book, Secrets to Writing a Novel. Linda’s contemporary romance novel, Behind the Scenes, is coming out mid-2026. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Linda O’Donnell - Sweet Romance Author, Fictionary Instructor, and Editor 00:56 How Linda Shifted From A Career In IT to Writing Romance Novels 03:55 The Importance of Wounds and Character Likeability 05:08 Linda’s Northern Star Series Featuring Celebrity Love Interests 06:06 How Fictionary Helps to Craft A Romance Arc 09:27 How To Define Your Character’s Romance Wound 12:26 How Their Wound Drives The Story’s Conflict 15:28 All About Meet Cutes, Meet Uglies, And The Setup 16:56 Moving The Character’s Wound Journey Through The Story Beats 26:00 How To Tell The Difference Between What Qualifies As A Romance And Other Genres With Romance In Them 31:04 Linda’s Writing Craft Books and Resources 33:05 Where to Find Linda & Close Links: Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage) Behind the Scenes - Book 1 in the Northern Star Series - Linda’s Debut Romance Novel (Link Will Be Added When Book Is Available This Summer) Secrets To Writing A Romance (https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Writing-Romance-Write-Novels-ebook/dp/B0FNN8D2ML) Secrets to Writing A Novel (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1067726225) Linda O’Donnell Sweet Romance Author (https://lindaodonnell.com/) Website The Write Bones (https://thewritebones.com/) - Linda’s Editing & Coaching Services This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

11. 

    15 Apr 2026

    Alexandria Yandt on Outlining, Book Coaching, and Editing with Kindness

    Writer, editor, and Fictionary-certified Story Coach Editor Alexandria Yandt joins Elizabeth on Creative, Actually to discuss how she balances writing books and teaching outlining courses while homeschooling six kids. Alexandria started to write fiction during COVID for escapism and anxiety relief, and shares how she evolved from discovery writing to creating story with structure via Fictionary. She also shares about her journey to her upcoming releases: a closed romance speculative trilogy currently in editing and a historical romance planned to be released in January 2027. About Alexandria Yandt: Stories are journeys, and I love helping writers shape theirs into something unforgettable. My favorite genres to edit include romance (or any story with a romantic subplot), young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. Above all, as a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, I believe in kindness in editing. Writing a book is an act of courage, and my goal is to help writers feel excited and empowered. Using the 38 story elements, I provide actionable feedback that strengthens plots, deepens character arcs, and enhances setting. Lets make your unique story shine! Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Alexandria Yandt 00:30 Teaching Outlining Courses 01:27 Creativity From Lived Experiences 02:30 Why Book Coaching Is Win-Win 03:10 Characters And The Importance Of Interiority 06:19 Balancing A Busy Family Life With Creativity 08:41 Late Nights And Community 11:26 Building Course Content 12:48 Structure That Sparks Aha 14:33 Writing Began In COVID 16:33 Why People Write 18:23 The News And Our Creative Focus 20:06 Skeleton Blurb Fix 21:10 No Outline Needed? 22:43 Keep Learning Craft 23:47 Fictionary Helps Give Writers Structure 27:15 Structure Sparks Ideas 30:13 Harsh Editor Feedback Story 32:09 Hybrid Outlining Tips 34:46 Kindness And Community 35:34 Refilling The Creative Well 35:56 Alex’s Upcoming Books 37:28 Final Thoughts & Goodbye Links: Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/homepage) Fictionary YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/Fictionary) Fictionary Community (https://fictionary.circle.so/) Contact Alexandria at Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/u/34d9e638) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

12. 

    1 Apr 2026

    What Type Are You? How The Enneagram Connects You And Your Characters with Julia Gandrud

    On today’s episode, creativity coach and strengths-focused editor Julia Gandrud joins Elizabeth to discuss how the Enneagram can help writers get to know themselves better and help them write complex characters perfect for different genres. She describes each type’s motivations and fears and how stress and growth patterns can deepen character creation across genres. About Julia Gandrud: Julia Gandrud is a writer, artist, creativity coach, and strengths-focused editor. She’s also a local ambassador for the Editorial Freelance Association. Lately, she’s been more of an executive functioning and accountability coach, because creatives need community. She believes life is best when we support creativity, learning, and connection. She has an MFA in Film from the San Francisco Art Institute (R.I.P.) and an MA in Art Education from Rhode Island College. She’s an Enneagram Coach, Fictionary Certified Editor, a member of the EFA, and a speculative fiction writer. She edits with all genres, with specializations in mystery, speculative fiction, queer romance, memoir, and academic writing. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Julia Gandrud 00:55 Why Editing Chose Her 01:23 Story Patterns And Structure 04:04 Learning To Edit Formally 06:23 Enneagram Writing Substack 09:14 What Enneagram Really Is 11:25 Gut Triad Types 8 9 1 13:13 Heart Triad Types 2 3 4 15:58 Head Triad Types 5 6 7 20:23 Host Finds Their Type 22:30 Using Enneagram For Characters 24:38 Tests Versus Self Inquiry 28:42 Julia Identifies As Nine 29:41 Writing Blind Spots And Conflict 31:45 Villains And Gray Morality 33:12 Wings And Type Stability 34:22 Coaching And Where To Find Her 35:27 Final Thanks And Goodbye Links: Website (https://www.juliagandrud.com/) Substack (https://enneagramwriting.substack.com/) Art Website (https://julialikesfrogs.com/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/julialikesfrogs) Free Enneagram Test (https://enneagram-personality.com/en) Additional analysis and examples of types (https://drdaviddaniels.com/the-enneagram-of-personality/) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

13. 

    18 Mar 2026

    Brandi Badgett: I wrote a horror with mucky middles. This is how I learned to fix them!

    Brandi Badgett shares her transformation on Creative, Actually from a passionate reader into a successful editor and author. She discusses her early love for books, writing endeavors, and how after raising five small children, the Resident Evil community rekindled her writing aspirations. Brandi elaborates on her creative process, the importance of story structure, and using tools like Pro Writing Aid and Fictionary, where she eventually became an instructor. She reflects on writing her YA gamer romance and highlights the challenges of writing middles in stories. Brandi also touches upon the supportive yet competitive nature of the writing community, and being mindful of ever-changing market trends. About Brandi Badgett: I am a wife and mother of five beautiful children who I hope I haven’t screwed up too terribly. My husband is a rocket scientist, so we live in Alabama, just outside of Rocket City. I am a lifelong bibliophile and learner. My home is covered in books. When we moved a few years ago, I had to buy a few more bookcases and now those are all full too... That doesn’t include my kindle collection or the many books I’ve borrowed from the library. Family is very important to me. I work on my relationship with my husband and children every day. I am a senior at BYU-Idaho, working on a degree in Family and Marriage Studies. The things I have learned in classes and reading studies have influenced my life greatly, and I hope to share the knowledge with others. I’ve played with writing since I was young, but when it came to a novel—I always got stuck. Then one day, it just flowed. I had found my genre, Horror ScienceFantasy. Then learning how to make it better led me all over until I landed upon Fictionary. Between the knowledge of story I learned there and the kindness of the community, I stayed for years and became a Certified StoryCoach editor as well as one of the instructors. For about two years, I’ve mostly taught the editing and revising courses. Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:26 Brandi's Journey to Becoming an Author 03:25 Rediscovering Resident Evil and Writing Inspiration 06:53 The Writing Process and Tools 08:57 Fictionary and the Editing Journey 19:47 Understanding Story Structure and Middles 25:49 Writing Different Genres and Personal Insights 30:15 Pitching, Querying, and Market Trends 33:01 Conclusion and Contact Information Links from conversation Brandi’s Author Website (https://www.leighromeroauthor.com/) Brandi’s Facebook (http://ttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086048034545) Editing by Brandi (https://fictionary.circle.so/c/book-your-storycoach-edit/) Discover Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/)’s tools for your book! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

14. 

    4 Mar 2026

    Why Is My Character Not Doing What I Want? Angie Andriot: Sociologist, Editor, and Author Explains Why & How To Fix It

    Perfumer, sociologist, author, and editor Angie Andriot sits down with Elizabeth Carter on the second episode of Creative, Actually. Angie’s an Indiana-based perfumer, the cozy mystery author of Fragrance of Forgotten Truth, and a Fictionary instructor/editor. As a PhD holding sociologist, she shares interesting takes on character-building that may help you understand your characters better. She also shares ideas on what to do when your characters ‘act out’ (and why they do) and a clever trick to get your characters back on track that you’ll love. She also breaks down how Fictionary’s tools help make building your story structure, pacing, and genre beats easier, compares letting your writing ‘sit’ to perfume maceration, credits dreams for story sparks, and offers a brilliant strategy to quickly refill your creative well. About Angie Andriot: Angie has a PhD in Sociology from Purdue University. Her area of specialty was Self & Identity Theory. She spent 12 years as an adjunct sociology professor and eight years as a sociologist of religion. Before that, she was an elementary art teacher. Angie is a certified Fictionary story coach and developmental editor. A certified Author Accelerator book coach and a certified spiritual director. As an editor her specialty is speculative fiction. She loves all things fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. When you work with her, you get a wholehearted advocate for your writing. As your editor, she will nurture your unique voice, guide you to uncover the essence of your story, and help you craft a fantastic novel. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Angie Andriot 01:18 From PhD to Perfumery 02:39 Pandemic to First Fiction 03:52 A Cozy Opening Read 04:52 Using Sociology for Characters 07:32 Character First, Plot Later 09:17 Fixing Character Gaps 10:25 Guided Character Meditation 11:45 Creative Flow Moments 12:43 Writing with Fictionary 16:50 Cozy Meets Horror 18:57 Genre Beats and Tropes 22:53 Fictionary for Editors 24:02 Parallels Between Creating Perfume and Writing a Novel 26:37 Dreams as Story Seeds 29:32 Ways to Fill Your Creative Well 31:41 Links and Book Coaching 33:21 Thanks and Wrap Links: Enchanted Owl Edits (https://enchantedowledits.com/) Iris Applewood (https://irisapplewood.com/) Vetiver Aromatics Perfumery (https://vetiveraromatics.com/) Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

15. 

    18 Feb 2026

    From ER Nursing to Award-Winning Fiction: Jo Taylor on Writing and Creativity

    In the first conversation of Creative, Actually, Elizabeth Carter chats with retired ER nurse and author Jo Taylor about discovering her love of writing while completing an English degree to make a career pivot, and how decades in healthcare shaped her understanding of human nature. They discuss her award-winning 1970s-set novel Margaret of Thibodaux, her Substack Characteristically Speaking, and her use of genealogy and real letters to research historical fiction. Taylor shares craft advice focused on small, embodied character details and explains her character-first “pantser” process, developmental editing with Fictionary, and her experience reaching nearly one million Kindle page reads amid uncertain Amazon marketing and a Substack bookstore listing. About Jo Taylor: Jo Taylor is an obstreperous, retired ER Nurse who is likely an obstreperous writer too. She grew up with three stepmothers—not at the same time—an experience that sharpened her ear for family dynamics, quiet tensions, and the complicated ways people love one another. She's lived on a boat and traced her genealogy back to the year 310, all while collecting the lived details that find their way onto the page. She's been married for 35 years, and she loves to base hero characters on her husband—a hero in real life. Her writing is character-driven, emotionally attentive, and rooted in the small moments that reveal larger truths about grief, resilience, and belonging. Her first book, Postcards: Collected Poems and Short Stories, was released in July 2024. Her debut novel, Margaret of Thibodaux, published in March 2025, marks her first full-length work of literary fiction. Her next novel is Mimi and Maurice, a historical fiction based on true events, due to be published in June, 2026. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Jo Taylor & ‘Margaret of Thibodaux’ 00:49 Finding Writing Through an English Degree (and Falling in Love with It) 01:31 Observing Human Nature Without Writing ‘Hospital Novels’ 03:41 Premonitions, ‘Woo,’ and Sharing Stories on Substack 05:13 Army Brat Life, Autobiographical Threads & Choosing Louisiana 08:45 Genealogy as a Writer’s Secret Weapon (and a Family Link to Martha Graham) 10:42 Writing for Anyone Who Remembers Growing Up in the 1970’s 11:46 Building Your Character With Small Details, Embarrassment, and Emotion 17:13 Pantser vs Plotter, Editing Boundaries, and Writing Good People 21:15 Fictionary, Developmental Editing, and Why Other Methods Felt Artificial 24:36 One Million Page Reads, and Using Fictionary on Margaret of Thibodaux 27:29 Ads, Substack, and Algorithms 30:18 Creativity Through Physicality - Change Your Body, Change Your Brain 33:35 Getting Unstuck With Small Shift That Bring Big Breakthroughs 36:30 AI, Information vs. Wisdom, and Why Human Stories Still Matter 41:07 Lived Experience Is the Material 44:19 Final Thoughts, and Where to Find the Author Links: Jo’s Substack Characteristically Speaking (https://jotaylorauthor.substack.com/) Jo’s Author Website (https://jotaylorauthor.com/) Margaret of Thibodaux novel on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DY2FF3VL) Twitter (https://twitter.com/JoTaylorAuthor) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jotaylorauthor/) Fictionary (https://fictionary.circle.so/) Fleur Hull Substack Bookstore (https://buybooks.substack.com/) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eacarter.substack.com/subscribe (https://eacarter.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.