Welcome to the very first episode of Story Deep Dive!
Join your hosts, Rachel Arsenault and Dana Pittman, as they introduce themselves, share the inspiration behind the podcast, and break down the art of reading like a writer.
This episode is packed with laughter, insights, and a sneak peek at their first book selection: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.
Whether you're a seasoned writer, an aspiring storyteller, or a curious reader, there's something here for you.
Please note that the audio in this episode may be slightly off from our usual standards. We’re aware of the issue and actively working to improve it. Thank you for your patience and continued support as we get everything sorted out! 😊
You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!
Estimate Timestamps
[00:00] – Introduction
The episode kicks off with an informal and fun welcome as Rachel and Dana express their excitement about launching the podcast.
[03:30] – Meet Your Hosts
Rachel Arsenault introduces herself as the founder of Story Cipher, specializing in crime and fantasy novels. She’s a writer and editor who shares her expertise on platforms like Substack and Twitch. www.storycipher.me
Dana Pittman follows with her introduction: a USA Today bestselling author, developmental editor, and the chief storyteller at Danja Tales. Dana’s work focuses on helping fantasy and romance authors build successful writing careers and find balance between creativity and marketability. www.danjatales.com
Their mutual admiration sets a collaborative and supportive tone as they share anecdotes about their respective work.
[07:45] – Purpose and Goals of Story Deep Dive
Rachel and Dana explain the podcast’s mission: to dive deep into specific books and discuss how they can inspire and teach writers. Each episode focuses on different storytelling aspects such as plot, characters, and key takeaways. The goal is to provide actionable insights to help writers improve their craft and draw inspiration from established works.
[10:30] – Weekly Recap and Recent Projects
Rachel shares updates from Story Cipher, including podcast recordings, upcoming long-form Substack posts, and the launch of The Complete Crime Writers Workbook. She discusses a recent interview with Dana about non-traditional mystery stories and reflects on her busy end-of-year schedule.
Dana describes her experience closing out the year with a virtual retreat for her students, reviewing their progress, and helping them set goals for the upcoming year. Despite the whirlwind of work, she expresses pride in her students' accomplishments.
[15:45] – The Importance of Reading as a Writer
The conversation shifts to the critical role reading plays in a writer’s creative process. Rachel outlines three key benefits of reading:
Inspiration and Participation: Reading expands creative horizons and inspires fresh ideas by showcasing how other authors construct stories.
Genre Awareness: Understanding genre-specific conventions and reader expectations.
Style Discovery: Identifying writing styles that resonate and shape one’s narrative voice.
Rachel explains how she reads alongside her clients to help them translate insights from other works into their own projects. Dana adds that for romance writers, studying tropes, tone, and intimacy helps elevate storytelling and exceed reader expectations.
[24:15] – Re-reading, Community, and Deep Story Analysis
Dana highlights the value of re-reading books multiple times to sharpen analytical skills. The hosts emphasize the importance of reading across genres to gain fresh perspectives and discover narrative techniques that may otherwise go unnoticed.
They encourage listeners to be patient with themselves as they build this skill, noting that the process requires "turning something off to turn something else on." By engaging in these deep-dive discussions, writers can learn to identify key story elements and draw connections across different genres.
[31:20] – Monthly Podcast Structure and Book Selections
Rachel and Dana outline the monthly structure of the podcast:
Week 1: Introduction to the book and initial impressions.
Week 2: Deep dive into the plot.
Week 3: Character analysis and development.
Week 4: Editor’s perspective and key takeaways.
Their book selections are designed to challenge readers and writers to step outside their comfort zones. They stress that even if a book isn’t in a preferred genre, it can still offer valuable lessons in storytelling.
[37:00] – First Book Selection: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
The hosts unveil Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo as their first book for discussion. Rachel shares her love for the book, describing it as the epitome of her storytelling preferences, blending crime and fantasy seamlessly. She praises Bardugo’s expert use of a soft magic system and the intricate, twist-filled crime plot.
Dana admits she was initially hesitant about the book due to its darker themes but found herself captivated by the rich character development, narrative complexity, and thought-provoking themes. She notes Bardugo’s ability to weave together mystery, fantasy, and social commentary while keeping readers fully engaged.
[45:50] – Why Ninth House Stands Out
Rachel and Dana discuss how Ninth House innovates traditional storytelling by combining genre elements in unique ways. They highlight Bardugo’s masterful world-building, including her use of Yale’s real-life campus as a backdrop for the novel’s magical underworld. Dana emphasizes the book’s slow-burn romance and impactful twists, describing it as a story that surprises and delights with every turn.
[51:30] – Closing Thoughts and Listener Encouragement
The hosts invite listeners to join them on their journey through Ninth House. They assure listeners that even if they haven’t read the book, they can still enjoy the podcast discussions and gain insights into storytelling techniques.
Rachel provides a brief content warning for potentially sensitive topics in the book and suggests checking trigger warnings if needed. The episode concludes with a warm sign-off as the hosts express their excitement for upcoming episodes and invite feedback, questions, and book recommendations from their audience.
Book Selection
Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug-dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. In fact, by age twenty, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most prestigious universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?
Still searching for answers, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. Their eight windowless “tombs” are the well-known haunts of the rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street’s biggest players. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.
Where to Find the Book
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is available in physical, ebook, and audiobook formats. It’s also widely available in libraries and online retailers. Details on the author’s website.
Next Episode
In the next episode, Rachel and Dana will dive into the plot of Ninth House, breaking down its twists, narrative structure, and key storytelling choices. Don’t miss it!
Follow and Join the Conversation:
Like what you heard? Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts with Rachel and Dana. Whether you're reading along or just here for the insights, they’re excited to have you on board for this storytelling adventure!
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