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 insights into crafting a cast that can carry a long-running series, how to use character relationships to enrich story depth, and why even non-writers should embrace the business side of the writing life.

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

Estimate Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and Podcast Framing

Dana and Rachel kick off with their usual banter and a quick intro for new listeners. They explain the podcast’s mission: helping writers learn from books by analyzing them as editors and storytellers.

02:00 – Dana’s Trip: Luxury, Business, and Creative Expansion

Dana recounts her trip to California for the Hello Seven ROI Summit—an inspiring, high-end business conference focused on building seven-figure companies, especially for women and minorities. Keynotes from an Everest-climbing woman of color and Fawn Weaver (CEO of Uncle Nearest) offer valuable life and leadership lessons.

“Being responsible for the gift of your creativity is something I wouldn’t take lightly.” – Dana

15:30 – Authors as Business Owners: Real Talk

Rachel and Dana have a frank discussion about the need for writers to embrace entrepreneurship. Dana outlines why creative success is often tied to business savvy and how making money from books is essential for sustainability.

“If you want to do right by the books you work so hard to create, you’ve got to treat your writing as a business.”

27:15 – Casting Vision for Authors

They expand on what it means to build a brand, support a family through writing, and make intentional business choices that align with your creative goals.

34:00 – Back to the Book: Summary of One for the Money

Rachel gives a snappy, hilarious recap of the book’s premise: an amateur bounty hunter, a murder suspect ex-fling, and a whole lot of chaos. Stephanie Plum needs $10K and ends up knee-deep in New Jersey crime, corruption, and comedy.

36:45 – Character Craft: Stephanie Plum and Serial Growth

They analyze Stephanie as a serial protagonist. Rather than showing dramatic internal change, she evolves through small external wins—perfect for sustaining a long series. Her bumbling approach to bounty hunting offers both stakes and humor.

43:20 – Building the Cast: Recurring Characters and Their Purpose

Rachel and Dana discuss how Evanovich creates a strong secondary cast—some new to Stephanie, others deeply rooted in her life. From Grandma Mazur to Lula and Ranger, every character plays a distinct role that keeps the series fresh and engaging.

“You want readers to come back not just for your protagonist, but for your world.”

52:40 – Humor, Tension, and Role Diversity

The hosts break down how recurring characters bring not just variety, but tonal balance. Stephanie’s world is filled with chaos, but it’s the unique personalities and dynamics that keep readers emotionally and comedically invested.

1:02:15 – Lessons from TV: Applying Serial Logic to the Page

Drawing from shows like The Wire, they illustrate how even secondary characters can evolve meaningfully over time, and how writers can study television structure to enrich their own work.

“Keep your writer hat on when you’re reading—and when you’re watching TV.”

1:09:30 – Practical Takeaways and Writer Mindset

They wrap up with advice for writers considering serial or series writing: start with a clear vision, cast with intention, and stay curious about how each character grows across episodes—even when your protagonist isn’t changing much internally.

About One for the Money

Meet Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter with attitude. In Stephanie’s opinion, toxic waste, rabid drivers, armed schizophrenics, and August heat, humidity, and hydrocarbons are all part of the great adventure of living in Jersey.

She’s a product of the “burg,” a blue-collar pocket of Trenton where houses are attached and narrow, cars are American, windows are clean, and (God forbid you should be late) dinner is served at six.

Out of work and out of money, Stephanie blackmails her bail-bondsman cousin Vinnie into giving her a try as an apprehension agent. Stephanie knows zilch about the job requirements, but she figures her new pal, el-primo bounty hunter Ranger, can teach her what it takes to catch a crook. Her first assignment: nail Joe Morelli, a former vice cop on the run from a charge of murder one. Morelli’s the inamorato who charmed Stephanie out of her virginity at age sixteen. There’s still powerful chemistry between them, so the chase should be interesting…and could also be extremely dangerous.

Where to Find the Book

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich is available in several 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 will wrap up their deep dive into One for the Money with their editor’s takes—discussing what worked, what didn’t, and what writers can take away from a craft perspective.

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