Summary of Episode 07.26: "Romance Novels with a Ticking Clock"

Fated Mates - A Romance Novel Podcast
Hosts: Sarah MacLean and Jen Prokop
Release Date: March 12, 2025

I. Empowering Political Engagement with Amanda Littman [00:01 – 19:16]

In this episode, Sarah MacLean and Jen Prokop spotlight Amanda Littman from Run for Something, an organization dedicated to encouraging young people to run for local offices. Sarah introduces Amanda by highlighting the importance of local elections and the impact individuals can have by stepping into roles such as school board or city council members.

Key Points:

• Origin of Run for Something: Amanda explains that the organization was created in response to the 2016 election aftermath, aiming to fill the void for new political candidates, especially at the local level. “[Run for Something] was born of the ashes of the 2016 election…” ([04:13]).
• Achievements: Since its inception, Run for Something has empowered over 190,000 young individuals and endorsed more than 3,000 candidates, successfully electing around 1,500, predominantly women and people of color ([05:03]).
• Call to Action: Sarah shares an inspiring story of a listener who ran for and won a local school board election with minimal votes, underscoring the tangible impact Amanda's organization can have.
• Practical Steps to Run: Amanda advises listeners to visit runforwhat.net to find available offices, access resources, and begin the candidacy process. She emphasizes the importance of identifying personal motivations and aligning them with the appropriate office level ([09:47]).

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah MacLean [02:42]:
  "You are smart, you are savvy, you are a magnificent firebird. And you can be on the school board because look at these idiots."

• Amanda Littman [09:47]:
  "First thing you do is go to run for something's website... Then you're going to start getting information from our team... if you can, volunteer for a local race... make sure you vote."

Amanda also promotes her upcoming nonfiction book on leadership, encouraging listeners to continue engaging with political processes beyond running for office.

II. Exploring 'Ticking Clocks' in Romance Novels [29:48 – End]

Transitioning from political engagement, Sarah and Jen delve into the storytelling craft within romance novels, focusing specifically on the concept of "ticking clocks." This narrative device introduces urgency and prevents the stalling of romantic development by setting a deadline by which the characters must resolve their conflicts or achieve their romantic goals.

Key Points:

• Definition and Importance: Sarah defines a ticking clock as a narrative element that imposes a time limit on the romance, ensuring that the storyline maintains momentum and tension. “[A ticking clock] is how much conflict can we pack into this thing to make sure that, like, the pages keep turning” ([36:34]).

• Effective Usage: The hosts discuss various subgenres where ticking clocks are effectively utilized, such as historicals, contemporaries, and paranormal romances. They emphasize that the ticking clock should feel immediate and driven by the story’s internal or external conflicts, rather than being an arbitrary timeline.

• Examples and Analysis:

  • "White Out" by Adrian: A suspenseful journey through Antarctica with a strict deadline, showcasing how environmental dangers can serve as a ticking clock.
  • "Fan Service" by Rosie Dannon: Utilizes the protagonist’s transformation and impending full moon as elements that heighten urgency ([71:03]).
  • "Curvy Girl Summer" by Danielle Allen: Centers around a 30th birthday deadline, blending personal growth with romantic aspirations ([62:14]).

• Common Pitfalls: Jen cautions against using calendar-based ticking clocks that don’t inherently drive the story’s conflict. For instance, setting a romance to conclude with a sports season’s end can feel forced if not organically tied to the characters’ journeys.

• Balancing Tension and Development: Both hosts agree on the necessity of interspersing moments of respite within the ticking clock framework to allow character development and prevent narrative fatigue. They reference "One Last Night" by Lauren Ford and "The Other Side of Disappearing" as exemplary works where breaks are seamlessly integrated without diluting the story’s urgency.

Notable Quotes:

• Jen Prokop [38:03]:
  "I think the thing about a ticking clock is it has to really be driven by the story itself."

• Sarah MacLean [40:36]:
  "I like external conflicts so much that the pacing of the book has to go fast."

• Sarah MacLean [72:35]:
  "Once you are aware of ticking clock as a concept, you will start to see it everywhere because it is a really solid way of just tightening all, like, closing all the walls in."

Conclusion: Sarah and Jen underscore that ticking clocks are invaluable in romance storytelling for maintaining engagement and driving character interactions. By setting clear deadlines, authors can enhance the emotional stakes and ensure that the romantic arc progresses compellingly.

III. Listener Engagement and Future Topics

As the episode wraps up, Sarah and Jen encourage listeners to engage with their upcoming content, including read-alongs and discussions on other romantic tropes. They also promote their Patreon for exclusive content and invite listeners to connect via their website and social media platforms.

Final Notes: This episode of Fated Mates adeptly balances political activism with a deep dive into romance novel crafting, offering listeners both inspiration for civic engagement and valuable insights into effective storytelling techniques. The inclusion of Amanda Littman's perspectives on local politics adds a unique and empowering dimension to the podcast, while the comprehensive analysis of ticking clocks provides romance writers and enthusiasts with practical tools to enhance their narratives.

Links and Resources:

• Run for Something: runforsomething.net
• Amanda Littman's Upcoming Book: "When We're in the Next Generation's Guide to Leadership" (Release: May)
• Patreon: fatedmates.net/patreon
• Social Media: Instagram, Threads, Bluesky

Disclaimer: This summary omits advertisement segments and non-content discussions to focus solely on the episode's core content.