One Brilliant Arc (OBA) Newsletter: Let's Fix Stories!

S2E5 -"Forsaken Heirs"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:47:43 GMT

Good stories start with a hook—a moment that grabs the reader’s attention and gets them turning pages. But a hook doesn’t always have to be loud or dramatic. The most effective hooks are the ones that invest us in the emotional heartbeat of the story in an honest, quiet way.

In this episode, the story team from One Brilliant Arc sits down with Kennedy Fish, a passionate writer, artist, and philosophy major, as she shares her journey of revisiting and rewriting her medieval fantasy story—an emotional process rooted in self-discovery and understanding human relationships. Join us as we walk through her rewrites and learn how powerful tiny details, authentic dialogue, and layered conflicts can elevate your story from good to unforgettable. Whether you’re struggling with character development, worldbuilding, or finding your story’s core theme, this conversation breaks down practical tactics with real examples and candid advice.

Pull back the curtain on what the process of getting a manuscript ready for publishing looks like while the OBA story team proves to you that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary or overwhelming process!

Huge thanks to Kennedy for sharing her story with us for this episode! You can follow her writing journey and her art on her Instagram page.

OBA’s story team offers real help for real stories in real time, and we can do the same for your story! Want us to be your partners along the storytelling journey? Check out our services for both beginner and advanced writers:

If what we do here at One Brilliant Arc resonates with you, please consider buying our team a coffee so we can continue helping creatives tell their stories!

☕️ Buy Us a Coffee

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

S2E4 -"Night Vision"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:03:21 GMT

The story team from One Brilliant Arc sits down with Jay Corso, AKA The Pop Culture Detective, AKA , to talk about his newest screenplay, “Night Vision”! Join us to hear the fascinating mythology behind how this unique noir-superhero story came to be, get pro tips on how to write and format a screenplay from the editors and filmmakers at OBA, and dive into how to structure your story to build suspense that pulls your audience into your world.

In this episode, we

explore the various styles of creative writing and how each writer’s process might look different,
talk about the importance of theme for strengthening your writing,
uncover the weaknesses in Hollywood’s storytelling,
and discover the power of anti-heroes for creating a conversation that engages your audience and makes them answer questions of morality for themselves.

Pull back the curtain on what the process of rewriting and doctoring a screenplay to get it ready for production looks like while the OBA story team proves to you that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary or overwhelming process.

Huge thanks to Jay for sharing his story with us for this episode! You can follow his storytelling journey, get his pro tips for smashing creative blocks, and check out his writing and comic strip artwork on his Substack:

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

S2E3 -"A Good Man"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:48:28 GMT

The story team from One Brilliant Arc sits down with Brent Lindstrom, an independent author and filmmaker. Join us as Brent shares his journey from self-publishing novels to crafting screenplays, including his latest project, A Good Man, a rom-com set in a 1950s-style space colony. Discover the challenges and joys of writing clean, engaging stories for adults, and explore the themes of tradition versus change and how to navigate the quest to find a good man. Tune in for an insightful conversation about storytelling, creativity, and the art of balancing humor with meaningful narratives to make films that are a good time for all! Pull back the curtain on what the process of rewriting and doctoring a screenplay to get it ready for production looks like while the OBA story team proves to you that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary or overwhelming process!

Huge thanks to Brent for sharing his story with us for this episode! You can follow his author’s journey and check out his work on his website, and learn about his journey to becoming an independent filmmaker on his YouTube channel.

📚🔗 GET BRENT’S BOOK FOR FREE HERE!

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

S2E2 -"Trapped in Deception"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:03:44 GMT

The story team from One Brilliant Arc sits down for a live editing session of Ken Webb’s debut psychological crime thriller novel, Trapped in Deception. Discover the deeply personal story that inspired this novel and the catharsis of the writing process that helped Ken heal from a devastating friendship with a manipulative sociopath. Join us for a conversation that unpacks the truths behind deceptions, an exploration of the psychological thriller genre, and tons of pro tips and technical insights to help authors maintain their authentic voice and vision while also strengthening their writing through the editing and publishing process. Many authors unfortunately experience similar horror stories to Ken when working with professional editors, but the OBA story coaches want to pull back the curtain for you on what the editing process to get a manuscript ready for publishing should look like and prove to you that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process!

Huge thanks to Ken for sharing his story with us for this episode! You can follow his author’s journey and buy his debut novella on his website.

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

S2E1-Plotting Epic Fantasy Novels that Utilize Cliche Tropes for Powerful Themes

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:50:34 GMT

🎉It’s Season 2 of “Let’s Fix Stories”!🎉

In this episode, the story team from One Brilliant Arc sits down for a live editing session of Bria Rose’s fantasy novel, breathing new life into a story that has sat on the shelf since her high school years. Join us as we dive into the intricacies of her epic universe, discussing whether tropes that are popularly hated should be kept in the plot or not. Our conversation explores the themes of world-building, character development, and the balance between dark and light elements in storytelling. Listen in for pro tips on how to fix info dumping, build tension believably, and balance subtlety in dialogue. We explore the blending of genres and the need for clear stakes in character motivations. Tune in to discover how the key of thematic depth ultimately covers subjective flaws in writing, making cliches feel fresh and fantasy stories reach people with heavy, timely, human truths for the betterment of our society.

Pull back the curtain on what working with a developmental editor looks like while we call out strengths in this manuscript, options for improvement, and prove that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process!

Huge thanks to Bria for sharing her story with us for this episode! You can follow her author’s journey on her website or her social medias: @authorbriarose

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

Episode 10-"Karam's Legacy"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:14:25 GMT

The story team from One Brilliant Arc sits down for a live editing session of ’s serialized urban thriller: . In this episode, we explore the powerful themes of legacy, identity, cultural expectations, and how to heal society from the brokenness of racism and bullying. Parth shares his personal experiences and the emotional truths that shape his storytelling, offering listeners a unique perspective on the power of narrative to heal and connect. Join us for an insightful conversation that celebrates the art of writing and the impact of personal stories! Pull back the curtain on how to write world-changing stories while we call out strengths in this manuscript, options for improvement, and prove that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process!

Huge thanks to Parth for sharing his story with us for this episode! Please subscribe to his Substack to read this wonderful, powerful story and get notified when new chapters are posted!

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

Episode 9-"Beings of Love"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:16:39 GMT

The story team from One Brilliant Arc sits down for a live editing session of ’s dark fantasy novel, Beings of Chaos. In this episode, Rose shares her journey from chaotic dreams and nightmares to crafting compelling narratives in her series of novels, “Almighty Beings.” Join us for a conversation about the art of dark fantasy and balancing softness and grit in fresh concept stories about humans, angels, and demons. Discover the themes that resonate deeply with readers, inspiration for realistic relationships, and get answers to the challenges of writing complex characters, hooking readers from the beginning of your story, and solving pacing problems. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a fan of immersive stories, this conversation offers valuable insights into the art of storytelling. Pull back the curtain on what getting a book ready for publishing looks like while we call out strengths in this manuscript, options for improvement, and prove that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process!

Huge thanks to Rose for sharing her story with us for this episode! You can follow her author’s journey on her TikTok or Instagram pages, and read her series “Almighty Beings” on Wattpad.

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

Episode 8-"The Chaos She Brings"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:32:00 GMT

The Story Team from One Brilliant Arc sits down for a live editing session of Olivia Jane’s dark romance crime thriller, The Chaos She Brings. Discover how to write morally gray characters, the strength of backstory to create narrative depth, and how to lean into your own unique voice to break tired fiction stereotypes. Whether you're a fan of strong, humorous female main characters or intrigued by the psychology of murder, this discussion promises to unravel the layers of tone that make dark romance a captivating genre. Join us for insights, laughs, and a fresh perspective on crafting unforgettable narratives while we share the importance of authentic storytelling. Pull back the curtain on what getting a book ready for publishing looks like while we call out strengths in this manuscript, options for improvement, and prove that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process!

Huge thanks to Olivia Jane for sharing her story with us for this episode! You can follow her writing on TikTok or Instagram @oliviajanewrites, or learn more about her author’s journey through her website and newsletter.

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

Episode 7-"Vengeance"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:03:24 GMT

The Story Team from One Brilliant Arc sits down with , scientist by day and writer by night, for a live editing session of her short story: Vengeance. We look at pivotal events from India’s history, discussing how family secrets, twisted narratives, and the echoes of historical events shape our identities. Join us as we experience the importance of storytelling as a means of connection across cultures and generations, helping us relate to other humans regardless of how far apart on the globe we are. We unravel the damage of hidden truths and untold stories, wrapping up with a compelling discussion on the power of truth, legacy, and the courage it takes to confront the past when all we inherit is silence.

Pull back the curtain on how to get started writing world-changing stories, while we call out strengths in this short story, options for improvement, and prove that editing your work to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process!

Huge thanks to Priyanka for joining us on this episode! You can follow her writing here on Substack, or on Medium at The Ordinary Scientist.

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your story for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

Episode 6-"The Last of Spring"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:03:35 GMT

The Story Team from One Brilliant Arc sits down with amazing fantasy writer Willow James for a live editing session of her book: The Last of Spring. In a conversation full of laughs, we tackle how to subvert toxic and overdone romantasy stereotypes, how to balance marketability with authenticity, how to build a fantasy world that is actually believable, and what makes readers connect deeply with characters. Willow shares the dream that sparked this 16-book series, her journey as an aspiring author, and the depths of emotional truth that are explored in this story as it answers the thematic question: how do you stay true to your identity when everything you believe in is shattered? Pull back the curtain on what getting a book ready for publishing looks like while we call out strengths in this manuscript, options for improvement, and prove that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process!

Huge thanks to Willow for joining us on this episode! You can follow her author's journey and enjoy more of her wonderful personality on her TikTok: @authorwillowjames.

OBA’s Story Team offers real help for real stories in real time, and we can do the same for your story! Want us to be your partners along the storytelling journey? Check out our services for both beginner and advanced writers:

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with the OBA Story Team here:

Episode 5-"Woven in Time"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:35:10 GMT

The team of writers, editors, and story coaches from One Brilliant Arc Media sit down with talented storyteller for a live editing session of her debut fantasy series releasing shortly: Woven in Time. Join us to discover the story behind her story, examine character development, and dive into the profound themes of choice, humanity, and the power to determine our own destiny. Jess shares insights on crafting a bold, expansive narrative spanning 3 books, 3 POV characters, and 3 different time periods, and we highlight the details that writers plant as easter eggs throughout the big pictures they describe. Pull back the curtain on what getting a book ready for publishing looks like while we call out strengths in this manuscript, options for improvement, and prove that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process!

Huge thanks to Jess for joining us on this episode! You can follow her writing and publishing journey and glean insights from her on making your dreams reality at .

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

Episode 4-"Future's Choice"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 16:00:04 GMT

The team of writers, editors, and story coaches from One Brilliant Arc Media sit down with aspiring author Sunny (Sophie Gutschlag) for a live editing session of her first completed draft: a social science story called Future’s Choice. We discuss the unique challenges of writing in a second language with Aphantasia and ADHD, utopian/dystopian worldbuilding, dialogue that reveals deeper character, and how to know which scenes to cut and which scenes should stay. Pull back the curtain on what the first steps toward being a published author looks like while we call out strengths in this manuscript, options for improvement, and prove that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process!

Huge thanks to Sunny for joining us on this episode! You can follow her writing journey and mood reading on her Instagram page.

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE story audit with OBA’s team of editors here:

Episode 3-"Inkbound"

Ceylan Gunduz — Sun, 25 May 2025 22:21:41 GMT

The team of writers, editors, and story coaches from One Brilliant Arc Media sit down with author S.L. Zeidan for a live editing session of her romantasy manuscript, Inkbound. Pull back the curtain on what the process of getting a written draft polished for publishing looks like while we call out strengths in the manuscript, options for improvement, and prove that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process! We discuss the story behind the story, how to use the nuances of satire, and the power of stories that demand to be told.

Huge thanks to Sam for joining us on this episode! You can follow her and enjoy glimpses of her wonderful stories on her TikTok page.

Want to be on our next podcast? Submit your WIP for a FREE review session with OBA’s story team here:

Episode 2-"This Wasn't in the Handbook"

Ceylan Gunduz — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 20:09:17 GMT

and , professional writers, editors, and story coaches from One Brilliant Arc Media, sit down with writer for a live editing session of her fiction manuscript, This Wasn’t in the Handbook. Pull back the curtain on what the process of getting a written draft polished for publishing looks like while we call out strengths in the manuscript, options for improvement, and prove that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process! We discuss the story behind the story, the importance of character development, emotional investment, and the themes of agency and life choices within the narrative.

Our team offers real help for real stories in real time, and we can do the same for yours! Want us to be your partners along the storytelling journey? Check out our services for both beginner and advanced writers:

Huge thanks to Stacy for joining us on this episode! You can follow her and her writing work on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Ep. 1--"Caution: Kids on the Road"

One Brilliant Arc (OBA) — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 23:25:34 GMT

A panel of professional writers, editors, and story coaches from OBA Media take a look at a short story written by , calling out strengths, options for improvement, and showing that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process! We discuss what makes a good opening, how to weave a powerful theme into your story, how to make characters interesting, and how all these elements can work together cohesively to create a story that matters.

We offer real help for real stories in real time, and we can do the same for yours! Want us to be your partners along the storytelling journey? Check out our services for writers: