Story Sorcery®

About Story Sorcery®

Story Sorcery® with Sue Brown-Moore is where romance writers learn how to stop second-guessing your storytelling instincts. You know that feeling when you've rewritten the same scene five times and it STILL feels wrong? 😤 You're not broken. 😰 Your instincts aren't wrong. 😭 And you're definitely not the only one stuck in revision hell. I've spent over a decade helping romance writers figure out the actual problem, not just slap a bandaid on it. Because there's a difference between "your pacing is off" and understanding WHY a scene isn't working. If you can't identify the root of the problem, you can't fix it. No matter how many times you rewrite. That's why every episode is a deep-dive exploration of ONE romantic fiction storytelling concept so you can understand what's actually happening in your own draft. No formulas. No generic "rules" (that don't even apply to your style). Just honest, editor-in-your-pocket insight from someone who reads romance for breakfast and helps romance authors live their Happily Ever After careers. Ready to finally trust what your storytelling instincts are telling you? Subscribe now, and let's get you out of revision hell. Want more support? Head to https://suebrownmoore.com (suebrownmoore.com) for workshops, free resources, and other ways we can work together.

Publisher

Sue Brown-Moore

Category

arts · education · fiction

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

9 Feb 2026

Latest episode

5 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Sept 2026

   The Friends-To-Lovers Fix | 18

   There are three different types of personal conflict your romance book can showcase between your lead characters. And you might be accidentally making important decisions about your PLOT. Because if you don't give EACH of these three types its own unique external hook, your story might feel flat through the middle. Inside, I share an example of one of these romance arc types—straight from a published book!—and how understanding the character push-pull it creates can prevent a saggy middle plot problem in a Friends-To-Lovers story. Then, I explain what each of the three relationship conflicts is and how to hook them into the external plot in a romance manuscript. SPOILER WARNING: This episode reveals major moments in the book Hot Axe by May Archer. So if you hate spoilers and love reading May Archer, go buy Hot Axe first. You'll learn: Why each of your leads is determined to stay just friends, and why neither one will make a move without plot help Three different ways their self-protections can enable and conflict with one another, and how each one needs a different type of external event to earn the HEA How to use the Friends-To-Lovers example from a real book to map out what your own lovers need in their story (even if you're writing a different trope!) Two super simple do-it-yourself questions that will test whether your romance arc is stuck in a rut mid-manuscript This 35-minute episode is for romance writers who can feel that something is off with your story even though all the romance beats hit just where they should. By the end, you'll learn a new technique for diagnosing where the problem might be by asking two deceptively deep questions that can inspire the right fix for your own manuscript today. Resources from this episode: The Protection Pattern exercise (module inside Enemies To Experts) → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) The Turning Point Plot Milestone: Read this free article on the two-step framework for setting up a story arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/plot-milestones Augmentations intro: This article introduces 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor (http://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor) Flair examples: Read about how two different “big personality” characters break under pressure → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/flair (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/flair) Live Workshop: Write Without Resistance: Book this live workshop with Sue to learn how to identify and gently redirect the four types of emotional self-protections that show up as creative resistance, so you can write with more consistency, confidence, and joy. → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/wwrlive (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/wwrlive) Workshop: Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method (replay inside E2E) → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) Community: Join Enemies To Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) Author Spotlight: May Archer: Visit May Archer’s website and check out her books → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/mayarcher (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/mayarcher) More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) May Archer (author website) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/mayarcher) Write Without Resistance: Book your group’s private workshop with Sue (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/wwrlive) Plot Milestones: The Opportunity & Turning Point (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/plot-milestones) Flair comparisons: Star-Lord vs Illium (Augmentation CCV) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/flair) Hero “Armor” (Augmentations CCV) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor) - Free article: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

2. 

   15 Aug 2026

   The Muddy Middle | 18

   Your hero can sob and scream and lose everything, and that scene might be the weakest moment in your entire story. Because big emotion doesn't necessarily make a scene better. In episode 18, I'm sharing my pro tip for diagnosing a boring, lifeless middle section of a romance book manuscript. SPOILER WARNING: This episode reveals major moments in the book Hot Axe by May Archer. So if you hate spoilers and love reading May Archer, go buy Hot Axe first. You'll learn: Why a big, flashy scene may not be the answer to a flagging midsection How your hero can make the same mistake over and over and still keep the story's energy flowing (there's one condition) What happens when you "James Bond" your romance plot, and why that's a mistake that can lead to critical story problems The pair of two ultra-important decision moments that can make or break your hero's journey (with an example from a published romance book) This 30-minute episode is for romance writers who are struggling with a laggy Act 2 in your maunscript and just can't seem to figure out what the heck is going wrong. By the end, you'll learn what specific scene element to look for to diagnose that messy middy and an insider trick to try on your own manuscript today. Resources from this episode: The Root Fear Factor Replay Vault: The workshop that walks you through how to find the ultra-important Root Fear that drives your hero’s journey → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/RFF-course (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/RFF-course) Liar, Liar, Plot on Fire: Take the workshop where I explain the 5 growth arc phases and demo an offset hero growth arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liar (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liar ) Workshop: Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method (replay inside E2E) → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) The Fear Fingerprint exercise (module inside Enemies To Experts) → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) The Turning Point Plot Milestone: Read this free article on the two-step framework for setting up a story arc → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/plot-milestones The Root Fear (CCV): Read this free article on the hero trait that anchors your entire story → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fear (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fear) Community: Join Enemies To Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) Author Spotlight: May Archer: Visit May Archer’s website and check out her books → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/mayarcher (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/mayarcher) More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) The Root Fear Factor Replay Vault (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/RFF-course) May Archer (author website) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/mayarcher) Write Without Resistance: Book your group’s private workshop with Sue (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/wwrlive) Plot Milestones: The Opportunity & Turning Point (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/plot-milestones) Liar, Liar, Plot on Fire (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liar) - Learn about my workshop course and the 5 questions to diagnose plot problems → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liar The Root Fear explained (CCV) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fear) - Free article: The hero trait that anchors your entire story → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fear Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

3. 

   31 Jul 2026

   Feed Your Feeling Junkies | 17

   Romance readers know how the book ends before they open it. We're not here for the plot. We care about how that book makes us feel. In episode 17, I'm breaking down the sensations we're actually rereading for, and why your hero's backstory is your best tool for threading those feelings into your prose. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode talks about the childhood loss of a pet. Nothing is graphically depicted, but it is mentioned a few times as part of the example hero's backstory. So if this is a sensitive or triggering topic for you, please take care of yourself while listening. You'll learn: Why romance readers reread a book, and it's not for the plot Why a five-page character sheet full of facts (her birthday, her coffee order, the ex who wrecked her) still leaves your hero reading two-dimensional How a few lines of physical detail can save you from a week of rewrites (with an example) The Swap Test for telling the difference between a "plot" scene and a "story" scene (and why understanding that difference is so important) This 30-minute episode is for romance writers who keep rereading a big scene, feeling like something is missing, and can't put your finger on what. By the end, you'll know how to tell a plot scene from a story scene in your own manuscript, and you'll learn a simple backstory test can help you pinpoint the story "feeling" your readers are craving. Resources from this episode: Workshop: Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method (replay inside E2E) → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) The Backstory Bridge exercise (module inside Enemies To Experts) → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) The Fear Fingerprint exercise (module inside Enemies To Experts) → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) Community: Join Enemies To Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

4. 

   16 Jun 2026

   Why They DNF in Chapter One | 16

   You've heard that your first chapter has to hook the reader. But the hook isn't your trope setup or your meet cute. It's a glimpse of who your hero is underneath, and it shows up as a choice they make when the story is barely getting started. In episode 16, I'm breaking down what that glimpse looks like and how to test whether your early pages are giving readers enough reason to stick around. You'll learn: The tiny choice your hero needs to make in their first scene that gives your reader a hint at what they're afraid of How "too perfect" heroes in the early chapters become the cardboard characters readers complain about in reviews The Bridgerton Season 3 scene that shows how powerful a tool body language can be (yes, even in text) A three-question checklist you can use right now to test whether your first chapter is risking DNFs (Did Not Finish reviews) from your readers This 25-minute episode is for romance writers who are worried that your opening chapters aren't strong enough or that you're giving away too much about your hero too soon in the story (hint: you're probably not!). And at the end, I give you a simple checklist to test whether your hero's first scenes give readers a reason to keep turning pages. Resources from this episode: Workshop: Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method (replay inside E2E) → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) Live workshop: The 8-Scene Story Setup: Book your group’s private workshop with Sue today! → hi.suebrownmoore.com/8SSS (hi.suebrownmoore.com/8SSS) Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) Brennan Lee Mulligan: Sit back and listen to Brennan Lee Mulligan—one of the greatest storytellers of our generation—talk about how an unpredictable life has shaped a phenomenally interesting and unstoppable career on this interview with Hank Green on the Study Hall YouTube channel: “How DnD Became a Career: Brennan Lee Mulligan’s College Journey” → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan) The 8-Scene Story Setup: Book your live group workshop with Sue (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/8SSS) The Brennan Lee Mulligan interview (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan) - Sit back and listen to Brennan Lee Mulligan—one of the greatest storytellers of our generation—talk about how an unpredictable life has shaped a phenomenally interesting and unstoppable career on this interview with Hank Green on the Study Hall YouTube channel: “How DnD Became a Career: Brennan Lee Mulligan’s College Journey” (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan) Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

5. 

   19 May 2026

   What 'Oh, Hell No!' Promises | 15

   Your hero gets a chance to do the brave thing in the early chapters, and they don't take it. They dig in, double down, and choose the safe path. And your reader loves them for it. In episode 15, I'm breaking down why that refusal is one of the most important scenes in your entire manuscript and how it sets up (or ruins) every emotional payoff that comes after. You'll learn: The difference between a trope promise and a character promise, and why your story needs both on the page What promises your story is making to your reader in the early story (and why it matters more than your trope setup) Why your big emotional scenes can hit every beat and still feel hollow (because you skipped this one moment) What Penelope from Bridgerton Season 3 can teach you about the promise your own manuscript is making (that you can't afford to break) This 27-minute episode is for romance writers whose readers finish the book and say "that was pretty good" instead of staying up past midnight to read just one more page. And at the end, I give you a gut-check exercise you can try on your own manuscript today to test whether your hero is inviting the reader into their most vulnerable spaces, rather than simply telling about themself. Resources from this episode: Workshop: Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method (replay inside E2E) → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) The Character Core Values (CCVs): Read this free article on the must-have traits for your heroes → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvs (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvs) The Root Fear (CCV): Read this free article on the hero trait that anchors your entire story → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fear (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fear) The Lie (CCV): Read this free article about the psychological protection that shapes your hero’s journey → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/the-lie (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/the-lie) The Plot Milestones (Opp + TP): Read this free article on the two-step framework for setting up a story arc → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/plot-milestones (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/plot-milestones) Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts (https://suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts) More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) Plot Milestones: The Opportunity & Turning Point (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/plot-milestones) The Lie (CCV) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/the-lie) The Character Core Values (CCVs) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvs) - Free article: The Character Core Values that define who your hero is at their core, the good and the bad → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvs The Root Fear explained (CCV) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fear) - Free article: The hero trait that anchors your entire story → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fear Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

6. 

   21 Apr 2026

   The Porch Scene | 14

   You read back through your big ending and it's... disappointing. Technically, it hits all the right beats, but it feels kinda meh. So you make it bigger. You add more dialogue, more stakes, more feelings. And somehow it gets worse. In episode 14, I'm walking you through why the scene that actually earns your hero's big moment isn't near the finale at all, and why you might have already cut it for "not moving the plot forward". You'll learn: Why making your ending bigger (more dialogue, more stakes, more feelings) only makes it feel more forced What the "porch scene" is and why your reader will feel it even when your hero never acknowledges what's happening How a hero uses their Augmentation to show (not tell) you they're actually changing The one question to run on your mid-story scenes this week to tell whether your hero is really growing or just wearing a different emotional outfit This 30-minute episode is for romance writers who can tell your ending isn't hitting the way the way you intended, and you've been trying to fix it by adding more. By the end, you'll know why that instinct backfires and where in your draft the real character-growth work needs to happen instead. Resources from this episode: Related article: Why some heroes wreck you (and others are forgettable) → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/heroes-that-wreck-you (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/heroes-that-wreck-you) Related article: The four stages of a Turning Point moment → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/turning-point (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/turning-point) Related article: The 5 stages of your hero's growth arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases) Related article: The 4 types of Augmentations (hero self-protections) → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor) Learn the timeline dot method: Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method workshop replay (live inside E2E) → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert (podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) Community: Join Enemies to Experts → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) Why Some Heroes Wreck You (& Others Are Unforgettable) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/heroes-that-wreck-you) The 4 stages of the Turning Point moment (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/turning-point) Hero “Armor” (Augmentations CCV) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor) - Free article: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor Liar, Liar, Plot on Fire (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liar) - Learn about my workshop course and the 5 questions to diagnose plot problems → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liar Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. The 5 Growth Phases (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases) - Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

7. 

   7 Apr 2026

   Your Hero's Best Trait Might Be Their Biggest Lie | 13

   Your hero walks into a room and owns it. They're charming or tough or impossibly warm. And you wrote it that way on purpose. But if that personality feels more like a performance than a person, the problem may be deeper than surface level. When there's no wound driving the behavior, even "big" personalities can feel empty. In episode 13, I'm walking you through the four types of protective behavior your romance characters use, how to spot which one your hero defaults to, and why knowing the difference between a personality trait and a coping mechanism is what makes your hero feel real. You'll learn: Why a big, lovable personality can actually flatten your character arc if you don't know what's fueling it The four types of protective behaviors ("Augmentations": Armor, Shield, Mask, and Flair) and how each one shows up differently in your scenes How to trace a hero's protective behavior back to the Wound underneath, using an example from a published romance book What to ask about your own manuscript this week to find where your hero's protection is doing its heaviest lifting This 33-minute episode is for romance writers who write heroes that have strong personalities on the page but still feel like something's missing. By the end, you'll understand which type of protection your character is using and how to write scenes that crack through it just enough to hook your reader. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts The Flair Augmentation Showdown: How two different “big personality” characters break under pressure → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/flair The Character Core Values: Read this free article on the must-have traits for your heroes → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvs The 5 growth arc phases: Read this free article to learn your hero's psychological arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases Growth arcs vs Fall arcs: Read this free article to learn the difference and decide which path your character needs to be on right now → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/growth-vs-fall Protective Augmentations: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor Author Spotlight: Adriana Locke: Visit Adriana Locke’s website and check out her books → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/adrianalocke Interview with Brennan Lee Mulligan: Sit back and listen to Brennan Lee Mulligan—one of the greatest storytellers of our generation—talk about how an unpredictable life has shaped a phenomenally interesting and unstoppable career on this interview with Hank Green on the Study Hall YouTube channel: “How DnD Became a Career: Brennan Lee Mulligan’s College Journey” More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Flair comparisons: Star-Lord vs Illium (Augmentation CCV) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/flair) Adriana Locke (author website) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/adrianalocke) Growth vs. Fall Arcs (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/growth-vs-fall) The Character Core Values (CCVs) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvs) - Free article: The Character Core Values that define who your hero is at their core, the good and the bad → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvs Hero “Armor” (Augmentations CCV) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor) - Free article: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor The Brennan Lee Mulligan interview (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan) - Sit back and listen to Brennan Lee Mulligan—one of the greatest storytellers of our generation—talk about how an unpredictable life has shaped a phenomenally interesting and unstoppable career on this interview with Hank Green on the Study Hall YouTube channel: “How DnD Became a Career: Brennan Lee Mulligan’s College Journey” (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan) Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. The 5 Growth Phases (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases) - Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

8. 

   21 Mar 2026

   The Emotional Mask Your Scene Is Wearing | 12

   If you've got a scene that should feel gut-wrenching, but it reads more like a shrug, the problem probably isn't your writing. In episode 12, I'm walking you through what happens when a scene looks emotional on the surface but isn't connected to what your hero is really going through underneath. You'll learn: Why a scene can make you cry while you're writing it and still fall flat for readers How to tell whether your hero's big moment is doing real character work or just wearing a plot disguise What a bestselling romance novel reveals about the difference between caretaking as love language and caretaking as self-protection The one question to ask any scene that keeps fighting you, before you touch a single word This 20-minute episode is for romance writers who keep rewriting scenes that feel almost right but never quite resonate, no matter how many tweaks you make. By the end, you'll know how to spot when a scene is faking emotion so you can stop wrestling with the words and start asking what the scene actually needs to do. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts The Character Core Values: Read this free article on the must-have traits for your heroes → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvs Spotlight author: CP Rider, urban fantasy romance writer → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/cprider Spotlight author: Lauren Blakely, contemporary romance writer → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/laurenblakely More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn The Character Core Values (CCVs) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvs) - Free article: The Character Core Values that define who your hero is at their core, the good and the bad → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/ccvs Lauren Blakely (author website) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/laurenblakely) - Learn more about Lauren Blakely, the writer I talked about in this episode, on her author website and check out her witty, heartwarming—and also beautifully narrated—stories about the power of love, friendship and sports. C.P. Rider (author website) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/cprider) - Learn more about C.P. Rider, the writer I talked about in this episode, on her author website and check out her addicting, immersive, wildly unpredictable urban fantasy series. Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

9. 

   18 Mar 2026

   The Draft That Didn't Fight Back | 11

   If you've been making story decisions from anxiety instead of confidence, this episode is going to feel like a deep breath. Because the confidence you want isn't about doing everything right. It's about knowing why you're making each choice so you can make the best ones. In episode 11, I'm walking you through what that feels like in practice, with real stories from writers learned to trust their storytelling instincts. You'll learn: Why every story decision romance writers make feels heavier than it should What happened when a writer realized the conflict she kept rewriting wasn't the real conflict at all How a D&D interview about childhood bullying shows us how to write romance characters readers believe in The revealing exercise you can try on your own manuscript this week This 24-minute episode is for romance writers who keep going back and forth on story decisions because you're not sure what your story actually needs. By the end, you'll understand where that second-guessing comes from and what it feels like to start making revision (and drafting!) decisions you trust. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts Hero growth arcs: The 5 phases every hero needs → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases Hero “Armor”: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor Brennan Lee Mulligan: Hear his bullying story yourself → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Hero “Armor” (Augmentations CCV) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor) - Free article: The 4 types of hero defenses that affect your story’s scenes → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/armor The Brennan Lee Mulligan interview (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan) - Sit back and listen to Brennan Lee Mulligan—one of the greatest storytellers of our generation—talk about how an unpredictable life has shaped a phenomenally interesting and unstoppable career on this interview with Hank Green on the Study Hall YouTube channel: “How DnD Became a Career: Brennan Lee Mulligan’s College Journey” (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/meetbrennan) Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. The 5 Growth Phases (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases) - Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

10. 

    15 Mar 2026

    What Writer's Block Really Means | 10

    You had two free hours to write, and instead you reorganized your Trello board. You love this story. You chose it. So why won't your brain let you work on it? In episode 10, I'm breaking down why romance writers get stuck, what your block is actually responding to, plus how one writer's story block disappeared when she swapped a single word in her heroine's Root Fear. You'll learn: Why "butt in chair, just write" advice fails most romance writers Three completely different types of creative blocks that show up in romance manuscripts, each needing a different fix What happened when a writer in my group sessions replaced "fear of failure" with something deeper (and why that depth matters so much in romance books) An exercise you can try this week with three questions to help you figure out what your own resistance is about This 20-minute episode is for romance writers who keep blaming yourself for being lazy or unfocused when the real issue has nothing to do with discipline. By the end, you'll understand why your brain keeps hitting the brakes on your manuscript and have an intuitive way to start working with through resistance instead of against it. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts Liar, Liar, Plot on Fire: Take the workshop where Hollie learned the 5 growth arc phases → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liar The 5 growth arc phases: Read this free article to learn your hero's psychological arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases The Root Fear: Read this free article on the Root Fear for your hero → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases Spotlight author: Hollie Smurthwaite: Visit Hollie's website and check out her books → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/holliesmurthwaite Hollie Smurthwaite (author website) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/holliesmurthwaite) - Learn more about Hollie Smurthwaite, the writer I talked about in this episode, on her author website and check out her funny, witty romance book style. Liar, Liar, Plot on Fire (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liar) - Learn about my workshop course and the 5 questions to diagnose plot problems → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/liar-liar The Root Fear explained (CCV) (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fear) - Free article: The hero trait that anchors your entire story → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/root-fear Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. The 5 Growth Phases (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases) - Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

11. 

    12 Mar 2026

    The Revision Shortcut Hiding in Plain Sight | 9

    Revision isn't slow because you're a slow writer. It's slow because you're fixing symptoms instead of causes. In episode 9, I'm showing you what that actually costs you in real publishing time, and what one focused week of looking at the right thing can replace. You'll learn: Why each revision pass feels like progress but adds weeks to your timeline without solving anything How editing any of the four layers of a romance manuscript creates a compounding ripple effect when you fix one without understanding what it touches What a one-week diagnostic read can replace compared to four or five full passes (with actual math) The three questions to ask about any problem scene before you rewrite a single word This 17-minute episode is for romance writers who keep telling yourself "just one more pass" and are several passes in with nothing to show for it. By the end, you'll know exactly what to look at in the scene that won't cooperate, and why that's probably not even the scene that needs fixing. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

12. 

    9 Mar 2026

    Why Pantsing Your Revision Keeps You Stuck | 8

    If you draft by instinct but dread the revision process, this episode will show you why. The problem isn't that you're an intuitive writer. In episode 8, I'm showing you why the way you draft and the way you revise need to use two completely different parts of your brain, and how that mode switch actually protects your creative voice instead of threatening it. You'll learn: Why your intuition is brilliant at creation but genuinely can't diagnose what's wrong with your story What you're actually protecting when story structure feels like a threat to your creative identity The difference between writer mode and editor mode, and why switching between them doesn't require any planning or outlining How developing analytical revision skills makes your intuitive first drafts stronger over time This 16-minute episode is for romance writers who resist story structuring techniques because you're afraid it will silence your muse or sap the joy out of writing. By the end, you'll know how to test any scene from a book you love with a simple one-question exercise, so you can see for yourself how powerful this "mode switch" can be. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. Get your ticket (https://hi.suebrownmoore.com/cake) - Join Sue for the live workshop, Cake, Not Chaos: The Moment To Moment Method on March 27, 2026 More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

13. 

    5 Mar 2026

    Writing to Market Won't Fix Your Career | 7

    If you've been eyeing romantasy or hockey romance or whatever's blowing up on BookTok right now and wondering if you should pivot, this episode will save you months of second-guessing. Because the conflict you're feeling isn't about making more book sales. In episode 7, I'm breaking down why certain trends blow up, what readers are really craving beneath the surface elements, and how to figure out whether a hot niche genuinely fits your writing or if FOMO is calling the shots. You'll learn: Why Fifty Shades of Grey didn't succeed because of BDSM, and what readers were actually hungry for The difference between copying a trend's surface elements (legendary heroes, fae politics, hockey rivalries) and understanding the emotional core that makes it work How to tell whether you'd be writing for an audience you don't understand, before you spend six months finding out the hard way A set of honest questions to evaluate whether any given niche fits your author brand and loyal readers This 20-minute episode is for romance writers who feel pressured to chase the hottest new trend but aren't sure if a pivot is smart or just fear talking. By the end, you'll understand what actually drives mega-success, and you'll have an exercise to make that "Should I write this?" decision with confidence instead of from FOMO. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

14. 

    2 Mar 2026

    Why Beat Guides Leave Your Romance Feeling Flat | 6

    If you've checked off every beat in Romancing the Beat or plugged your word count into a spreadsheet formula and your story still doesn't feel right, you're not doing it wrong. The tool just can't show you what's missing. In episode 6, I'm walking you through why those guides give you the what and the when, but not the why behind each storytelling choice, and what that gap that costs your manuscript. You'll learn: Why a romance that hits every beat in the right order can still feel flat and formulaic to readers How each beat in phase one of Romancing the Beat actually lives on a different storytelling layer (and why understanding where is ultra-important to understand) The difference between a beat that's doing one job and a beat that's pulling double or triple duty across your story layer cake (+ what that looks like in the story structure) Why beat sheet spreadsheets built on Hero's Journey structure create a unique set of problems for romance writers This 24-minute episode is for romance writers who have followed a beat guide or spreadsheet formula and just can't figure out why your story doesn't land emotionally. By the end, you'll understand what those guides were never built to teach you, and you'll have an exercise to start seeing which layers your beats are actually working on. Resources from this episode: Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/romancingthebeat Jami Gold's beat sheets → https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/jamigold-worksheets More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/romancingthebeat) - Get your copy of the romance-writing craft book Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes on Amazon. Jami Gold's worksheets (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/jamigold-worksheets) - Learn more about the (many!) worksheets for writers by Jami Gold on her website. The 5 Growth Phases (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases) - Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

15. 

    26 Feb 2026

    When Feedback Makes Everything Worse | 5

    More feedback won't solve your manuscript problems. In fact, it usually makes things worse. In episode 5, I'm showing you why conflicting critiques leave you more confused and what actually has to change before any of that feedback you've been collecting is actually usable. You'll learn: Why three readers can give you three completely different diagnoses of the same manuscript How feedback dependency trains you to second-guess every storytelling decision you make The difference between symptom-level reader reactions vs the actual story problem underneath What you're really asking for when you send your manuscript out for critique (Hint: it's probably not feedback) This 20-minute episode is for romance writers who keep collecting opinions hoping someone will finally tell you what's wrong with your story. By the end, you'll see why no amount of external feedback can replace the one skill that makes all critiques useful, and you'll have a gut-check exercise to start building your confidence. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

16. 

    23 Feb 2026

    The Rewrite Loop You Can't Escape | 4

    If you're stuck rewriting the same manuscript—or parts of it—over and over, this episode is for you. Because the problem isn't your writing. In episode 4, I'm breaking down why endless rewrites never get you closer to "done" and what skill you're actually missing. You'll learn: Why rewriting without diagnosing is like fixing a car by randomly swapping parts The three costs of the rewrite loop that go way beyond lost time How surface-level fixes (dialogue tweaks, pacing cuts, added backstory) only treat symptoms instead of causes The detective-eye exercise that can start breaking this cycle today This 18-minute episode is for romance writers who keep rewriting the same manuscript without knowing if it's getting better or just different. By the end, you'll understand why this cycle has nothing to do with your writing ability, and what to do instead of rewriting blind. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

17. 

    13 Feb 2026

    What Book Reviews Really Tell You About Your Story | 3

    Book reviews aren't personal attacks. They're diagnostic data. In episode 3, I'm showing you how to decode what readers really mean when they say "the romance was meh" or "the pacing was off". You'll learn: Why wildly different reactions to the same book reveal story layer misalignment, not just reader preferences What "the pacing was off" actually means about your character growth arc and trope beats How to use 4-star and 2-star reviews to diagnose which story layers need work The reviewer technique that separates what readers SAY from what they actually MEAN This 20-minute episode is for romance writers who are scared of reading your own reviews or don't know how to spin negative feedback positively. By the end, you'll have a diagnostic framework for decoding reviews so you can spot fixable patterns instead of taking criticism personally. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

18. 

    12 Feb 2026

    Why Revision Advice Fails Romance Writers | 2

    Most revision advice tells you what to fix. But what if you're fixing the wrong things? In episode 2, I'm explaining why writing & revision techniques can't solve character growth problems, and introducing the skill you actually need instead. You'll learn: Why most writing & revision advice can't solve what's fundamentally broken in your manuscript (and what to focus on instead) The difference between fixing surface symptoms and diagnosing the root story problem in your romance book How stories are built in four layers (and why one in particular has to work before anything else in your story can) What it looks like when your romance arc is misaligned with this ultra-important story layer Why readers can feel what's wrong in a story (and why even beta readers can't always name it) The movie-watching exercise that trains your brain to spot growth moments in any story This 25-minute episode is for romance writers stuck in endless rewrites without knowing what's actually broken. By the end, you'll understand why "seeing" the heart of your story matters more than collecting more techniques. And you'll have a practical exercise to start training that diagnostic skill today. Resources from this episode: The 5 growth arc phases: Read this free article to learn your hero's psychological arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. The 5 Growth Phases (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases) - Free article: The 5 stages of every character arc → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/5-phases More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

19. 

    9 Feb 2026

    Why I Only Work With Romance Writers | 1

    Romance writers do more than entertain. They reshape how society views autonomy and love. But why is the genre still dismissed as "formulaic"? In episode 1, I'm explaining why I only work with romance writers. Not women's fiction with a love story. Not fantasy with a romantic subplot. Full-on Happily Ever After romance. You'll learn: Why the relationship must be the CAUSE of your character's growth (not just a witness to it or a reward for it) The one question that reveals if you're writing romance or romantic elements in a different genre What's actually broken when readers say they "didn't feel it" but you've written all the right trope beats How forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and second chance romance all use the relationship as the engine for change Why you can diagnose what's broken in your manuscript without paying big edit fees This 16-minute episode is for romance writers who are tired of defending their genre. By the end, you'll understand why romance asks more of you than most writers will ever face. And you'll have a quick way to check if your manuscript is delivering on the reader promise of romantic fiction. Resources from this episode: Community: Join Enemies to Experts → suebrownmoore.com/enemies-to-experts More Resources: Learn from Sue at your own pace → podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Enemies To Experts™ (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/expert) - Learn more about the Enemies To Experts™ program with Sue Brown-Moore. Because falling in love with your manuscript starts with understanding it. More resources (https://podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn) - Learn from Sue at your own pace at podcast.suebrownmoore.com/learn Subscribe to the Story Sorcery® podcast with Sue Brown-Moore on your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact Story Sorcery®

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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