Story Deep Dive Podcast
Join editor and USA Today bestselling author Dana Pittman and developmental editor Rachel Arsenault for a weekly deep dive into great novels.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 72 minutes
- Episodes
- 37
- Years Active
- 2025
Episode 37: Found Families, Hidden Powers, and Worldbuilding in Sin & Chocolate
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dig into the plot craft of K.F. Breene’s Sin & Chocolate—how found family powers the engine of Book 1, how magic integrates with stakes (no…
Episode 36: Magic, Conflict, and Chemistry in Sin & Chocolate
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Rachel & Dana kick off a new series by framing Sin & Chocolate by K.F. Breene—what it is, why it works, and how writers can learn from it.
Whether you're a …
Episode 35: The Struggle Bus Episode: Outlining, Coaching, and Scaling as a Writer
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this bonus episode, Dana and Rachel get candid about the messy middle of creative life—balancing writing, coaching, and running a business.
From Rachel’s Academy outlini…
Episode 34: Exploring Dark Romance Light , Morally Gray MMCs & Craft Lessons in Beautifully Cruel
Welcome 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 sto…
Episode 33: Morally Gray and Made to Love: Character Deep Dive in Beautifully Cruel
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger, a slow-burn romantic suspense that brushes the edges of dark romance without fully crossing…
Episode 32: The Power of Obsession and a 28-Day Clock in Beautifully Cruel
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger, a slow-burn romantic suspense that brushes the edges of dark romance without fully crossing…
Episode 31: Dark Romance, Dangerous Men, and Emotional Depth in Beautifully Cruel
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger, a slow-burn romantic suspense that brushes the edges of dark romance without fully crossing…
Episode 30: Plot, Promise, and Laugh-Out-Loud Stakes in One for the Money
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the characters of One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.
Whether you're a writer, editor, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insi…
Episode 29: Building a Cast That Lasts – Characters in One for the Money
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the characters of One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.
Whether you're a writer, editor, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insi…
Episode 28: Plot, Genre Mashups & Cozy Vibes in One for the Money
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the genre-bending plot of One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.
Whether you're a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valu…
Episode 27: Blending Crime, Comedy, and Romance in One for the Money
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into One for the Money by Janet Evanovich—a genre-blending, character-driven story that sparked more laughs and creative insights than…
Episode 26: Coffee Chats & Craft Talk: Innovation, Nonfiction, and the Fantasy of Romance
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this special bonus episode, Dana and Rachel share a casual, behind-the-scenes conversation about tackling a non-fiction book, using insights from other genres to innovat…
Episode 25: Mystery, Romance, and Suspense in Cold and Deadly
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this final episode of the Cold and Deadly series, Dana and Rachel explore how Toni Anderson weaves mystery, romance, and suspense into a seamless narrative.
Whether you w…
Episode 24: Character Arcs, Emotional Wounds, and Subtle Conflict in Cold and Deadly
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel kick off their new four-part series on Cold and Deadly by Toni Anderson with a preview episode that blends personal updates, genre analysis…
Episode 23: Romantic Structure, Pacing, and Slow Burn Execution in Cold and Deadly
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel analyze the romantic structure of Cold and Deadly by Toni Anderson—digging into how pacing, restraint, and emotional stakes are used to del…
Episode 22: Genre Mashups, Reader Promises, and Slow Burn Romance in Cold and Deadly
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel kick off their new four-part series on Cold and Deadly by Toni Anderson with a preview episode that blends personal updates, genre analysis…
Episode 21: Love, Legacy, and Liberation: Storytelling Lessons from Indigo
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Rachel and Dana wrap up their four-part exploration of Indigo by Beverly Jenkins with a wide-ranging conversation on how to write emotionally resonant hist…
Episode 20: Crafting Memorable Characters with Layers of Love in Indigo
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the unforgettable characters of Indigo by Beverly Jenkins.
Whether you're a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable i…
Episode 19: Setting, Stakes, and Slow Burn Romance in Indigo
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the plot of Indigo by Beverly Jenkins.
Whether you're a romance author, historical fiction fan, or genre storyteller, you’ll gain…
Episode 18: Tropes, History, and Emotional Stakes in Indigo
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the plot of Indigo by Beverly Jenkins.
Whether you're a romance author, historical fiction fan, or genre storyteller, you’ll gain…