Shows
Story Deep Dive PodcastEpisode 50: A Year of Plots, Pacing, and Page-Turners on Story Deep DiveWelcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into their picks for Best Plots of 2025 from the 11 books they read and analyzed this year.Whether you’re a writer, editor, or craft-obsessed reader, you’ll gain valuable insights on building narrative drive, balancing romance with external stakes, and structuring a first-in-series book that actually makes readers come back for more.You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!Estimate Timestamps00:00 – December “Best Of” and Plot FocusDana and Rachel...
2025-12-1431 min
Story Deep Dive PodcastEpisode 43: What Writers Can Learn from the Layers of The Woman in the LibraryWelcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into the editor brain behind The Woman in the Library—how secrets fuel momentum, why character interrelationships matter, and what it takes to pull off a “book within a book.”Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on using information as narrative currency, designing ensemble dynamics that reveal character, and selecting (and pacing) a smart story container.You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!Estimate Timestamps00:00...
2025-10-261h 00
Story Deep Dive PodcastEpisode 42: Building Tension Through Character in The Woman in the LibraryWelcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into character craft in The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill—how a tight-knit friend group doubles as a suspect pool, why first-person present makes Freddie an unforgettable lens, and how secrets, lies, and interrelationships drive a mystery forward.Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on building multidimensional casts, pacing revelations, and weaving characterization directly into plot.You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!Estima...
2025-10-191h 02
Story Deep Dive PodcastEpisode 41: Crafting a Fair Play Mystery: Plot Lessons from The Woman in the LibraryWelcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault break down the plot mechanics of The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill.Whether you’re a writer, reader, or story-obsessed strategist, you’ll pick up practical insights on how fair play mysteries escalate through layered information, how to design an amateur sleuthwho can believably solve a case, and how secrets, red herrings, and misdirection fuel momentum without relying on nonstop action.You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!Estimate Timestamps00...
2025-10-121h 02
Story Deep Dive PodcastEpisode 34: Exploring Dark Romance Light , Morally Gray MMCs & Craft Lessons in Beautifully CruelWelcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault wrap up their analysis of Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger with a conversation about genre alignment, intentional storytelling choices, and what writers can learn from studying books that bend or break expectations.Whether you're a writer, editor, or curious reader, you’ll gain valuable insights on how to position your stories in the market, explore emotional and moral complexity, and build a brand that honors your voice.You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!...
2025-08-241h 12
Story Deep Dive PodcastEpisode 10: Love, Death, and Storytelling Secrets from Dead Until DarkWelcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel Arsenault and Dana Pittman dive into the plot of Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris.Whether you're a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on blending romance and crime, hiding your killer in plain sight, and crafting compelling dual-genre stories.You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!Estimate Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & Technical StrugglesRachel and Dana kick off the episode by sharing their technological woes, including their switch from Zoom due to n...
2025-03-091h 19
Story Deep Dive PodcastEpisode 1: Welcome to Story Deep Dive + Exploring Ninth House by Leigh BardugoWelcome to the very first episode of Story Deep Dive!Join your hosts, Rachel Arsenault and Dana Pittman, as they introduce themselves, share the inspiration behind the podcast, and break down the art of reading like a writer.This episode is packed with laughter, insights, and a sneak peek at their first book selection: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.Whether you're a seasoned writer, an aspiring storyteller, or a curious reader, there's something here for you.Estimate Timestamps[00:00] – IntroductionThe episode kicks off with an informal and fu...
2025-01-0547 min