Creative, Actually

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 Editor00:56 How Linda Shifted From A Career In IT to Writing Romance Novels03:55 The Importance of Wounds and Character Likeability05:08 Linda’s Northern Star Series Featuring Celebrity Love Interests06:06 How Fictionary Helps to Craft A Romance Arc09:27 How To Define Your Character’s Romance Wound12:26 How Their Wound Drives The Story’s Conflict15:28 All About Meet Cutes, Meet Uglies, And The Setup16:56 Moving The Character’s Wound Journey Through The Story Beats26:00 How To Tell The Difference Between What Qualifies As A Romance And Other Genres With Romance In Them31:04 Linda’s Writing Craft Books and Resources33:05 Where to Find Linda & CloseLinks:FictionaryBehind 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 RomanceSecrets to Writing A Novel (Link Will Be Added When Book Is Available)Linda O’Donnell Sweet Romance Author WebsiteThe Write Bones - 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

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 Yandt00:30 Teaching Outlining Courses01:27 Creativity From Lived Experiences02:30 Why Book Coaching Is Win-Win03:10 Characters And The Importance Of Interiority06:19 Balancing A Busy Family Life With Creativity08:41 Late Nights And Community11:26 Building Course Content12:48 Structure That Sparks Aha14:33 Writing Began In COVID16:33 Why People Write18:23 The News And Our Creative Focus20:06 Skeleton Blurb Fix21:10 No Outline Needed?22:43 Keep Learning Craft23:47 Fictionary Helps Give Writers Structure27:15 Structure Sparks Ideas30:13 Harsh Editor Feedback Story32:09 Hybrid Outlining Tips34:46 Kindness And Community35:34 Refilling The Creative Well35:56 Alex’s Upcoming Books37:28 Final Thoughts & GoodbyeLinks:FictionaryFictionary YouTube ChannelFictionary CommunityContact Alexandria at Fictionary 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

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 Gandrud00:55 Why Editing Chose Her01:23 Story Patterns And Structure04:04 Learning To Edit Formally06:23 Enneagram Writing Substack09:14 What Enneagram Really Is11:25 Gut Triad Types 8 9 113:13 Heart Triad Types 2 3 415:58 Head Triad Types 5 6 720:23 Host Finds Their Type22:30 Using Enneagram For Characters24:38 Tests Versus Self Inquiry28:42 Julia Identifies As Nine29:41 Writing Blind Spots And Conflict31:45 Villains And Gray Morality33:12 Wings And Type Stability34:22 Coaching And Where To Find Her35:27 Final Thanks And GoodbyeLinks:WebsiteSubstackArt WebsiteInstagramFree Enneagram Test Additional analysis and examples of types 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

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 & Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:26 Brandi's Journey to Becoming an Author03:25 Rediscovering Resident Evil and Writing Inspiration06:53 The Writing Process and Tools08:57 Fictionary and the Editing Journey19:47 Understanding Story Structure and Middles25:49 Writing Different Genres and Personal Insights30:15 Pitching, Querying, and Market Trends33:01 Conclusion and Contact InformationLinks from conversationBrandi’s Author WebsiteBrandi’s FacebookEditing by BrandiDiscover Fictionary’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

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 Andriot01:18 From PhD to Perfumery02:39 Pandemic to First Fiction03:52 A Cozy Opening Read04:52 Using Sociology for Characters07:32 Character First, Plot Later09:17 Fixing Character Gaps10:25 Guided Character Meditation11:45 Creative Flow Moments12:43 Writing with Fictionary16:50 Cozy Meets Horror18:57 Genre Beats and Tropes22:53 Fictionary for Editors24:02 Parallels Between Creating Perfume and Writing a Novel26:37 Dreams as Story Seeds29:32 Ways to Fill Your Creative Well31:41 Links and Book Coaching33:21 Thanks and WrapLinks:Enchanted Owl EditsIris ApplewoodVetiver Aromatics PerfumeryFictionary 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

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 Substack05:13 Army Brat Life, Autobiographical Threads & Choosing Louisiana08:45 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’s11:46 Building Your Character With Small Details, Embarrassment, and Emotion17:13 Pantser vs Plotter, Editing Boundaries, and Writing Good People21:15 Fictionary, Developmental Editing, and Why Other Methods Felt Artificial24:36 One Million Page Reads, and Using Fictionary on Margaret of Thibodaux27:29 Ads, Substack, and Algorithms30:18 Creativity Through Physicality - Change Your Body, Change Your Brain33:35 Getting Unstuck With Small Shift That Bring Big Breakthroughs 36:30 AI, Information vs. Wisdom, and Why Human Stories Still Matter41:07 Lived Experience Is the Material44:19 Final Thoughts, and Where to Find the AuthorLinks:Jo’s Substack Characteristically SpeakingJo’s Author WebsiteMargaret of Thibodaux novel on AmazonTwitterInstagramFictionaryFleur Hull Substack Bookstore 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