Episode 17: Editor’s Take on Pacing, Stakes, and Genre Mastery in The Whistleblower

Welcome to Story Deep Dive!

In this episode, Dana and Rachel wrap up their exploration of The Whistleblower by Robert Peston with an editor’s lens—diving into pacing choices, plot construction, and the value of writing from personal expertise.

Whether you’re a crime writer or crafting emotional fiction in another genre, you’ll gain insight into:

- How to incorporate real-world expertise into your storytelling.

- The role of emotional tone and character agency in plot-driven novels.

- Opportunities to elevate tension, raise stakes, and engage readers more deeply.

You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!

Estimate Timestamps

00:00 – Coffee, Two-Steps, and Bourbon Tours

Dana and Rachel open with laughter, catching up on dance fails, past birthdays, and bourbon tour dreams. It’s classic small talk with charm, camaraderie, and creative tangents—laying the cozy foundation before diving deep into the story.

08:45 – The Power of Genre Cross-Training

Rachel shares how editing across genres—like horror and romance—has sharpened her storytelling eye. Horror sharpens atmosphere, while romance deepens relational dynamics. Both offer lessons writers can borrow to strengthen voice, tension, and emotional depth, no matter their genre.

19:30 – Audiobooks as a Tool for Story Study

Dana and Rachel discuss how audiobooks can be a powerful way to absorb story structure, character arcs, and plot flow—especially when planning to reread for deeper analysis. They offer pro tips for how authors can study comps more effectively and retain what matters most for their craft.

31:10 – Editor’s Take: Character Depth and Real-World Expertise

The hosts analyze how Robert Peston uses his background in political journalism to build a high-context crime story that remains accessible to readers. They highlight how the book balances real-world complexity with character-driven stakes, noting its success in exploring corruption without becoming preachy or over-explanatory.

41:50 – Writing Crime When Crime Isn’t Your Specialty

Rachel provides a framework for writers with niche expertise (like doctors, lawyers, or journalists) to write compelling crime fiction. Tips include leaning into your field’s natural conflict points, layering technical details into plot, and avoiding heavy exposition through strategic scene design.

53:05 – The Emotional Payoff: What’s Missing?

Dana notes the book’s low emotional tone and monotone pacing, expressing a desire for greater highs and lows in story beats. She challenges crime writers to explore more emotional resonance and reader satisfaction—not necessarily a happy ending, but a sense of hope or human connection.

1:06:40 – Hope vs. Cynicism in Fiction

The duo discusses the narrative impact of stories that feel emotionally bleak, and the role fiction plays in either empowering or disempowering readers. Dana advocates for a balance of realism and uplift, encouraging writers to consider the emotional legacy of their stories.

1:16:10 – Crafting Characters Around Core Arcs

Rachel returns to the value of streamlined character design, urging writers to focus on how a protagonist’s key transformation can be revealed across the plot. Instead of loading characters with too many traits, use the story itself to show different facets of their personality through their journey.

1:22:15 – Final Reflections and Takeaways

Dana and Rachel close with highlights:

The importance of positioning your story in a time and place that adds narrative pressure.

Building emotional connection through subtle but intentional character work.

Using plot events—not exposition—to translate complex systems to readers.

The result? A conversation that empowers writers across genres to blend real-world insight, strong structure, and layered characters into stories that resonate.

Book Selection

1997. A desperate government clings to power; a hungry opposition will do anything to win. And journalist Gil Peck watches from the sidelines, a respected commentator on the sport of power politics. He thinks he knows how things work. He thinks he knows the rules.But when Gil's estranged sister Clare dies in a hit-and-run, he begins to believe it was no accident. Clare knew some of the most sensitive secrets in government. One of them might have got her killed.As election day approaches, Gil follows the story into the dark web of interests that link politics, finance and the media. And the deeper he goes, the more he realises how wrong he has been.But power isn't sport: it's war. And if Gil doesn't stop digging, he might be the next casualty...

Where to Find the Book

The Whistleblower by Robert Peston is available in physical formats. It’s also widely available in libraries and online retailers. Details on the author’s website.

Next Episode:

In the next episode, Dana and Rachel turn the page to Indigo by Beverly Jenkins—a historical Black romance that shaped an entire generation of readers. Join us as we explore unforgettable characters, sweeping love stories, and Jenkins' mastery of craft.

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