Welcome to Season 2 of Creative, Actually with eight episodes dedicated to the art of storycraft. Today’s topic is all about theme: what is theme and why it matters, how to figure out what the theme of your book is, and how to craft it into every part of your story without being preachy.

Ruana is the co-owner of Dunie, a multidisciplinary design studio in Almaty, Kazakhstan. She shares how having a special needs child has affected her life and her creativity as a writer.

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.

Writer, editor, and Fictionary-certified Story Coach Editor Alexandria Yandt shares how she balances writing books and teaching outlining courses while homeschooling six kids.

Creativity coach and strengths-focused editor Julia Gandrud shares how the Enneagram can help writers get to know themselves better and write complex characters perfect for different genres.

Author and editor Brandi Badgett reflects on writing her new YA gamer romance and the challenges of writing middles in stories, plus how to be mindful of ever-changing market trends.

Ph.D sociologist, author, and editor Angie Andriot shares interesting takes on character-building plus get smart fixes for when they 'act out'.

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.