About this episode
One of our most popular writing craft episodes deserves a replay: Writing the Black Moment with USA Today Bestseller, Rachel Bailey.
NB re audio quality, we apologise that this isn’t to our current standard (despite new editing), but we’re sure you’ll find the content worth listening to nevertheless!
A fantastic tutorial on how you can take your writing to the next level!
In romance fiction, the black moment (also called the dark night of the soul) is the emotional low point—when it seems like all hope is lost, the relationship is broken beyond repair, and the characters may not find their way back to each other.
Some technique tips include:
1. Make It Deeply Personal
The black moment hits hardest when it attacks the characters’ deepest fears or vulnerabilities. Ask:
What is your character most afraid of?
What do they believe about love that this moment confirms?
How does this moment feel like the ultimate betrayal or failure?
2. Use Physical and Emotional Reactions
Let your character feel it in their body—give them tears, anger, numbness, or gut-punch dread. Make readers feel it.
3. Let It Be Messy
This moment is the emotional climax. Don’t hold back on drama, raw dialogue, misunderstandings, or irreversible decisions (or ones that feel that way).
4. Show the Stakes
Make sure the reader understands what’s truly at risk—not just the relationship, but something deeper (identity, trust, belief in love).
ABOUT RACHEL
Rachel Bailey is a lover of books, dogs, and popcorn. Luckily, she has two dogs, a popcorn maker, and bookshelves overflowing with books, so she’s covered on all fronts. Despite spending her life trying to scam more time to read, she’s managed to graduate with degrees in psychology and social work, as well as a PhD in English, and now has her dream job – making up stories for a living. Her books have hit bestseller lists, have won and been nominated for awards, are published in over twenty-six countries and have been translated into sixteen languages.
Rachel’s first three novels were released in 2010, and all three became USA Today bestsellers. She has since had books released with three different publishers and dipped her toes in the self-publishing waters, though she recently took a break from publishing to complete her PhD. A past president of the Romance Writers of Australia, Rachel regularly teaches writing workshops at local, national, and international conferences and writing festivals.
Find her at: www.rachelbailey.com
