We're living in a storytelling moment deeply fascinated by darkness—and for good reason. Stories have always helped us metabolize fear, trauma, and moral failure. But darkness is not meant to be the destination.

In this episode, I explore why writers need a sense of wonder in fiction, not as escapism or denial, but as a way of completing the story arc. Wonder is what allows stories to move through the descent rather than getting stuck there and to imagine a future still worth moving toward.

This is a reflection on how stories work psychologically and culturally, why so many books already carry hope with quiet integrity, and how writers (often without realizing it) contribute to building meaning, courage, and care through the stories they tell.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• Why dark stories play an essential role in storytelling

• The danger of getting stuck in the descent

• Why stories must complete the arc

• The sense of wonder in fiction as moral imagination

• How stories help us imagine a future worth moving toward

Links & Resources

📚 Writing craft & story theory:
https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/

✍️ Join my mailing list (weekly insights for writers):
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/resources/free-e-book/

📖 Explore my books and resources for writers:
https://kmweilandstore.com/
(Including Writing Your Story's Theme, Structuring Your Novel, and Creating Character Arcs)

📷 Find me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/authorkmweiland/

About the Host

K.M. Weiland is an award-winning and internationally published author of writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. She mentors writers in story theory, technique, the deeper meaning of narrative, and all the wild and wonderful highs and lows of the writing life.

In this episode, I'm looking back on how my writing career evolved in 2025—a milestone year marked by turning forty, rediscovering my teaching voice, and stepping into a deeper vision for my work. I explore the transitions from SEO to GEO, the shifting landscape of the writing life, and the tools and insights that helped me reimagine the next decade of my author career. Join me as I share the lessons, transformations, and new directions that are shaping where Helping Writers Become Authors goes from here.

It's that time again—my annual roundup of the best books I read this year! In this episode, I'm sharing the top 10 reads that made my 2025 unforgettablem, from romantasy and magical realism that were some of my best reads of the decade to thought-provoking nonfiction that challenged how I think about life, creativity, and the world around us.

This year, I read purely for the joy of it. No research, no goals, just great stories, fascinating ideas, and the simple pleasure of turning pages late into the night.

Join me as I talk about the books that inspired me most and why they stuck with me long after I finished them. Whether you're looking for your next great read or just want to reflect on your own year in books, you'll find plenty of inspiration here.

Full transcript here: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/best-books-i-read-in-2025/