Makin' Stuff with 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’!

In this, our first episode, Ana Hartnett shares her journey from hating writing to becoming my favorite romance novelist. She discusses the intersection of creativity and anxiety, the importance of community building, and how now, more than ever, authentic queer representation matters. She also talks about starting her first wine label, Family Room Wine, and how she wants to use it as a platform for helping lift up other small queer-owned businesses. Ana lets us into her writing process, showing us how her unique approach creates intimate, authentic stories that will leave you hopeful and less alone. I also pick a fight with her.I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.Chapters00:00 - Welcome and Introducing Ana Hartnett03:09 - How Ana Realized She was an Artist11:23 - The Relationship Between Anxiety and Creativity14:45 - Being a Writer v. Being an Author and How to be Both17:12 - Ana's Writing Practice24:01 - How Ana Understands Inspiration27:35 - How Ana Knows When a Story is Ready to be Told31:35 - Why Ana Wanted to Start Family Room Wine35:29 - Why Having an Explicitly Queer Brand as a Writer and Winemaker Matters37:51 - The Importance of Representation39:50 - Talking About Ana's New Book46:06 - The Romance of Friendship52:30 - Real, Messy People are Likable People54:43 - Ana's Mom is Her (*second*) Biggest Fan59:40 - I Pick a Fight With AnaLinksFind Ana on Instagram, Threads, and her websiteCheck out Family Room Wine