"You should be writing, because that's the only thing that ultimately you can have even a hope of controlling." ~Valerie Valdes Welcome back to the talented Valerie Valdes, also known as Lia Amador! We are here to launch her newest book, a fantasy rom-com titled Witch You Wood. We talk magical reality shows, romance, and tropes. We also get real about the struggles that persist even after being published. Valerie discusses her experiences with self-doubt and how she manages to push through these challenges. We also explore the nuances of writing romance, the balance between subtlety and straightforwardness, and the significance of knowing your audience. (This post went live for supporters on October 20, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at <a href= "http://www.patreon.com/mightymur" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Patreon</a>!) <a href= "https://murverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/isbw-s21-ep19.docx"> Download Transcript</a> Links <ul> <li><a href="http://valerievaldes.com">Valerie Valdes / Lia Amador</a></li> <li><a href="https://escapepod.org">Escape Pod</a> </li> <li><a href= "https://www.internationallatinobookawards.com=">International Latino Book Award</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.alihazelwood.com=">Ali Hazelwood</a></li> <li><a href="https://marybalogh.com/">Mary Balogh</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.indiaholton.com/">India Holton</a></li> <li><a href="https://jackielaubooks.com">Jackie Lau</a></li> <li><a href="https://marybalogh.com/">Archive of Our Own</a></li> <li><a href="https://baldursgate3.game/">Baldur's Gate 3</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.supergiantgames.com/games/hades-ii/">Hades 2</a></li> <li><a href= "https://bookshop.org/a/91235/9781250375087">Behooved</a></li> </ul> Evergreen Links <ul> <li><a href= "https://bookshop.org/lists/i-should-be-writing-season-21" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">See all books from Season 21</a></li> <li>Like the podcast? Get the book! <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Should-Be-Writing-Writers-Workshop-ebook/dp/B079TLDQTQ/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">I Should Be Writing</a>.</li> <li>Socials: <a href="http://mightymur.bsky.social/" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Bluesky</a>, <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/mightymur2" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Instagram</a>, <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/murlafferty" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">YouTube</a>, <a href= "https://www.focusmate.com/i/eFYhRYYxW7" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Focusmate</a></li> <li>Theme by <a href="https://johnanealio.bandcamp.com/" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">John Anealio</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.adagio.com/signature_blend/group.html?group=18371" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends</a></li> <li>Support local book stores! <a href= "https://bookshop.org/contributors/mur-lafferty" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!</a></li> <li>OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, <a href= "https://www.flyleafbooks.com/mur-lafferty-signed" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Flyleaf Books!</a></li> </ul> — "Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on <a href= "http://www.patreon.com/mightymur" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Patreon</a>! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by <a href="https://johnanealio.bandcamp.com/music" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">John Anealio</a>, art by <a href= "http://ko-fi.com/numbersninja/commissions" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Numbers Ninja</a>, and files hosted by <a href="https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=MUR" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Libsyn (affiliate link).</a> Get archives of the show via <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/mightymur" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Patreon.</a> October 23, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 19 | <a href="https://murverse.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-link-auto="">murverse.com</a> "Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes" by <a href="http://murverse.com" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">Mur Lafferty</a> is licensed under <a href= "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">CC BY-NC-SA 4.0</a> In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.

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[ISBW] Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes

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