Every writer has characters they love.

And then there are the ones who change you.

In this From the Author’s Desk solo episode of Miles Beyond the Page, I dive into the characters who fundamentally reshaped the way I write romance and story structure.

Two couples did that:

Anna & Kincade – a relationship forged under pressure, built on truth, and defined by devotion that costs something.

Calliope & Henry – a romance rooted in myth, identity, redemption, and the power of story itself.

In this episode, I explore the craft lessons these characters taught me, including:

• Why love is a code of behavior—not just a feeling
• How to write a heroine who refuses to be managed
• Why redemption arcs work best when accountability replaces forgiveness on easy mode
• The romance question that now drives every relationship she writes:
• What does it cost this person to love well?

This episode is part craft discussion, part behind-the-scenes look at my storytelling process, and part love letter to the characters who refuse to stay small on the page.

If you’re a writer interested in emotional architecture, character-driven romance, and building relationships that feel powerful and real, this episode is for you.

✨ Because sometimes the characters we create don’t just live in the story—they transform the way we tell it.

💬 Join the conversation:

Which characters changed the way you write—or the way you read stories?

📚 Learn more about Michelle Miles:

Author of fantasy, romantasy, and fairy-tale retellings filled with quests, curses, kisses, and chaos.

Find my website here.

🎧 Subscribe for more episodes of Miles Beyond the Page

Conversations with authors, craft discussions, and behind-the-scenes insights into writing and publishing.

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles welcomes Canadian authors and entrepreneurs Dave & Lillian Brummet, founders of the Brummet Media Group. Since 1999, the Brummets have built a dynamic creative business that spans blogging, publishing, music, YouTube, and property management—proving that storytelling and entrepreneurship can go hand in hand.

Lillian joins Michelle to celebrate the writing life and discuss their upcoming release—Book #2 in the Purple Snowflake Marketing series—offering insights into marketing, branding, and standing out in a crowded creative landscape.

The Brummets also share the heart behind their projects, including their Conscious Blog, focused on positive and proactive living, and Drum It With Brummet, which supports musicians and percussionists. Through it all, they remain passionate about inspiring others to build sustainable, purpose-driven creative careers.

🎧 Join Michelle and Lillian for an energizing conversation about marketing, creativity, conscious living, and carving out your own purple snowflake path.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more author interviews and creative conversations on Miles Beyond the Page!

ABOUT DAVE & LILLIAN:

Canadian authors Dave & Lillian Brummet have operated the Brummet Media Group since 1999. Their days are filled with managing 2 popular blogs, 8 published books (so far), drum teaching and repair services, a YouTube channel and Property Management services. Lillian joins us today to celebrate the world of writing and discuss their upcoming book release: book #2 in the Purple Snowflake Marketing series.

The Brummet's Conscious Blog focuses on inspiring, positive, proactive topics offering a fresh outlook on the world. The Drum It With Brummet blog serves musicians with a heavy slant toward drummers and percussionists. The Brummet Media Channel shares conscious living topics as well as a behind-the-scenes look at being an entrepreneur, author, musician or writer.

Discover the Brummet's entire library of books here

WHERE TO FIND THEIR BOOKS:

Amazon US | Amazon Canada

WHERE TO FIND THEM:

Brummet's Conscious Blog

Drum It With Brummet Blog

Brummet Media Channel

Lillian's Facebook

LinkedIn

Dave's Facebook

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Susan Carlisle, an award-winning author whose lifelong love of books turned into an extraordinary writing career spanning romance and nonfiction.

Susan has written more than 40 novels for HarperCollins’s Harlequin Medical Romance imprint, celebrated for her strong, compelling heroes and the women who challenge them. She’s also independently published multiple romance titles—including the Modern Masters of Their Castles trilogy—marking an impressive milestone of over 50 published books.

The conversation also explores Susan’s nonfiction work, written under Susan May and S. Carlisle May, including Nick’s New Heart: 30 Years and Counting…, which shares her son’s heart transplant journey, as well as books reflecting her time in the public school system and a WWII historical biography.

Living in Georgia with her husband of more than 40 years, Susan continues to write, read voraciously, travel, and find inspiration in history, family, and castles—lots of castles.

🎧 Join Michelle and Susan for a warm, inspiring conversation about perseverance, passion, and building a lasting writing career across genres.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more author interviews and creative conversations on Miles Beyond the Page!

ABOUT SUSAN CARLISLE:

Award winning author, Susan Carlisle’s love affair with books began when she made a bad grade in math in the sixth grade. Not allowed to watch TV until she brought the grade up, Susan filled her time with books. She turned her love of reading into a love of writing.

She has completed more than 40 books for HarperCollins’s Harlequin medical imprint. Her heroes are strong, vibrant man and the woman who challenge them. She has independently published a number of romances such as Modern Masters of Their Castles trilogy and Racing to You giving her an opportunity to celebrate 50 published books.

Writing nonfiction as Susan May her book Nick’s New Heart 30 Years and Counting…is about her son’s heart transplant experience. Additional nonfiction books she has published are Daily Inspirations from The Unflappable Substitute about her 20 years in the public school system and a historical biography titled A WWII Flight Surgeon’s Story is available under S. Carlisle May.

She lives in Georgia with her husband of over 40 years. They have four grown children and eight grandchildren. Susan loves castles, traveling, cross-stitching and reads voraciously.

WHERE TO FIND HER:

Susan Carlisle Website | Susan C May Website | Facebook Carlisle | Instagram

WHERE TO FIND HER BOOKS:

Amazon | Amazon Author | Susan May