EPISODE · Jun 25, 2026 · 1H 24M
Makin' Stuff with JJ Arias
from Makin' Stuff with Macon Leigh · host Macon Leigh
In this episode, JJ Arias shares her journey to becoming one of the most important and prolific sapphic romance novelists working today. We go deep into the craft of storytelling, the power and importance of writing internal journeys, and how JJ pushes her creative boundaries as part of her writing practice. We truly go full nerd mode in this one, dissecting the nuances of writing compelling characters, the importance of authenticity, and the power of queer stories.I also go embarrassingly hard, far too hard, in picking a fight with JJ about Ice Queens.I hope y’all have as much fun with this one as I did!Chapters00:00 Introducing JJ Arias02:00 The Journey of Becoming a Writer04:39 The Influence of Reading on Writing05:26 Nora Roberts, Reading Broadly, and Learning the Rhythm of Story07:37 Understanding Craft and Storytelling10:26 Exploring Themes in Writing12:53 The Intersection of Horror and Romance15:09 The Role of Fear in Storytelling17:56 The Complexity of Horror and Survival20:31 Queer Identity in Horror Literature23:24 The Safe Space of Romance for Dark Themes31:11 The Creative Process: Inspiration and Story Development39:11 Crafting Internal Journeys: The Art of Emotional Storytelling47:03 The Nuances of Writing Sex: Character and Vulnerability50:37 The Art of Storytelling and Twists53:15 The Craft of Writing: Challenges and Joys55:50 Finding the Right Editor: A Personal Journey59:29 The Importance of Human Touch in Editing01:00:00 The Co-Writing Experience: Collaboration and Discovery01:05:15 Writing Queer Stories: A Personal and Community Choice01:09:02 The Power of Storytelling in Understanding Identity01:11:24 The Evolution of Mobile Phones01:12:47 Reflections on the Future01:13:14 Ice Queens vs. Cinnamon Rolls01:19:10 Understanding Character Archetypes01:22:29 Closing ThoughtsYou can find JJ on Instagram, and don’t forget to check out Yappin’!
What this episode covers
In this episode, JJ Arias shares her journey to becoming one of the most important and prolific sapphic romance novelists working today. We go deep into the craft of storytelling, the power and importance of writing internal journeys, and how JJ pushes her creative boundaries as part of her writing practice. We truly go full nerd mode in this one, dissecting the nuances of writing compelling characters, the importance of authenticity, and the power of queer stories.I also go embarrassingly hard, far too hard, in picking a fight with JJ about Ice Queens.I hope y’all have as much fun with this one as I did!Chapters00:00 Introducing JJ Arias02:00 The Journey of Becoming a Writer04:39 The Influence of Reading on Writing05:26 Nora Roberts, Reading Broadly, and Learning the Rhythm of Story07:37 Understanding Craft and Storytelling10:26 Exploring Themes in Writing12:53 The Intersection of Horror and Romance15:09 The Role of Fear in Storytelling17:56 The Complexity of Horror and Survival20:31 Queer Identity in Horror Literature23:24 The Safe Space of Romance for Dark Themes31:11 The Creative Process: Inspiration and Story Development39:11 Crafting Internal Journeys: The Art of Emotional Storytelling47:03 The Nuances of Writing Sex: Character and Vulnerability50:37 The Art of Storytelling and Twists53:15 The Craft of Writing: Challenges and Joys55:50 Finding the Right Editor: A Personal Journey59:29 The Importance of Human Touch in Editing01:00:00 The Co-Writing Experience: Collaboration and Discovery01:05:15 Writing Queer Stories: A Personal and Community Choice01:09:02 The Power of Storytelling in Understanding Identity01:11:24 The Evolution of Mobile Phones01:12:47 Reflections on the Future01:13:14 Ice Queens vs. Cinnamon Rolls01:19:10 Understanding Character Archetypes01:22:29 Closing ThoughtsYou can find JJ on Instagram, and don’t forget to check out Yappin’!
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Makin' Stuff with JJ Arias
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