In this week’s episode of Author Culture, we’re talking about what happens when writing stops being fun — and how to bring the joy (and curiosity) back to your creative process.

Whether it’s burnout, pressure to “get serious,” or just the grind of expectations, it’s easy for writing to start feeling like drudgery. You start thinking, “well, this is just what professionals do,” and before you know it, you’re approaching your story like it’s a tax form instead of an adventure.

In this episode, we’ll dig into:

-How to spot when you’ve swapped curiosity for cynicism-The subtle mindset shift that reignites your love of storytelling-The role of faith, purpose, and permission in reclaiming your joy

You get to have fun with your words again — even when life’s hard, deadlines loom, and your playlist’s on repeat.

So today, join me for a reminder that your writing doesn’t have to be all grind and grit. You can still choose curiosity, play, and purpose — and your words will thank you for it.

Free Resources & Links

Sign up for my newsletter and get a free World Building Check-Up Guide + Social Media Cheat Sheet → Subscribe Here

Grab the World Building Made Easy series on Amazon → Get the Series

Get creative with Weird Writing Prompts → Weird Writing Prompts on Amazon

Connect with me:

Instagram → @janeen_ippolito

Substack → Author Culture

Facebook → Janeen Ippolito Author

YouTube → @JaneenIppolito

References for this episode: Jon Acuff - One Word to Sextuple Your Success: https://jonacuff.com/atg252

Changing Habits: https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/changing-habits/The

Psychology of Habit Formation: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3505409/

Music by: https://bluefoxmusic.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

C.S. Lewis didn’t plot out the entire Narnia saga. He didn’t number the books. He wrote the second one first. And somehow, it all worked.

This week’s episode continues our celebration of the 75th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. We dive into the final three “impossible reasons” The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe works, including:

-How Lewis survived brutal critique from his own writing group-Why the story became a series without a master plan-How the books remain readable out of order

Next week, we’ll pivot to another story with actionable writing tips and encouragement — don’t miss it.

Free Resources & Links

Sign up for my newsletter and get a free World Building Check-Up Guide + Social Media Cheat Sheet: Subscribe Here

Grab World Building Made Easy series on Amazon: Get the Series

Get Creative with Weird Writing Prompts: Weird Writing Prompts

Connect with me:

Instagram: @janeen_ippolito

Substack: Author Culture

Facebook: Janeen Ippolito Author

YouTube: @JaneenIppolito

___

References for this episode:- https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58698/16-facts-about-lion-witch-and-wardrobe- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia

- https://www.crossway.org/articles/the-birth-of-narnia-and-why-tolkien-hated-it/

- https://www.crossway.org/articles/c-s-lewiss-role-in-the-lord-of-the-rings/

___Music by: https://bluefoxmusic.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

C.S. Lewis basically said: “what if I mixed literally every mythology and Santa Claus into the same world?”

By modern standards, that should be a world-building disaster — and yet it still works.

This week’s episode celebrates the 75th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. We’re exploring the first two of five “impossible reasons” this classic story works, and what authors can learn from it:

Next week, we’ll explore the final three impossible reasons The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe works—don’t miss it.

Free Resources & Links

Sign up for my newsletter and get a free World Building Check-Up Guide + Social Media Cheat Sheet: Subscribe Here

Grab World Building Made Easy series on Amazon: Get the Series

Get Creative with Weird Writing Prompts: Weird Writing Prompts

Connect with me:

Instagram: @janeen_ippolito

Substack: Author Culture

Facebook: Janeen Ippolito Author

YouTube: @JaneenIppolito___References for this episode:- https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58698/16-facts-about-lion-witch-and-wardrobe- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia

- https://www.crossway.org/articles/the-birth-of-narnia-and-why-tolkien-hated-it/

-“Sometimes Fairy Stories Say best What’s to Be Said” by C.S. Lewis

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

You’ve got the idea. You’ve got the vibe. What you don’t have? A clue where to start.

That’s okay—today we’re breaking down five approachable ways to begin your book, depending on your creative instincts and mood.

Inside this episode:

* Why your starting method shapes your story (and sanity)

* The pros and pitfalls of each starting approach

* How to match your method to your project’s needs

Whether you’re a plotter, a dreamer, or an emotional chaos gremlin, there’s a way to start that fits you - and mixing, matching, and mash-ups are totally welcome.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Sometimes “cozy” sneaks up on you. A book about war mages? Comforting. A gentle fantasy romance? Overstimulating. Go figure.

In this episode, I’m unpacking my latest reading round-up and diving into how we find comfort in stories that weren’t built to be cozy—and what that says about our brains, habits, and creative needs.

Plus, I’m talking books. Because books are fun.

👉 Inside this episode:

* What makes a book feel cozy even when it isn’t labeled that way

* How personal context changes what seems relaxing

* Why “comfort reads” can look different for every reader

This episode of Author Culture is cozy meets chaos, with plenty of book chat in between.Want more fun author help? Check out my website: https://jiauthor.com/

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

This quarter has been A LOT. From releasing The Veracin Blade during a whirlwind season with my mother-in-law’s health challenges, to finding ways to keep writing even when life felt upside down, I’m unpacking it all. Plus, I share how dictation helped me power through a tough project (Frogs at Noontide), and why sharing your book consistently—without apology—matters more than you think. Stick around for a special treat: a live read-aloud from my latest release!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when K-Pop stardom meets supernatural & urban fantasy action? A spectacularly fun move that works even when it “shouldn’t.” In this episode, Janeen Ippolito and special guest R.J. Metcalf unpack K-Pop Demon Hunters and what it can teach us about storytelling. From genre-bending fun to powerful character arcs, this movie is a case study in how mashups can draw in a wider audience, the potency of character arcs, and why

👉 Inside this episode:

* When open-ended world building actually offers more engagement (and endless YouTube theories about what it really means)

* How cultural perspectives shape reception

* Why authors shouldn’t shy away from complex themes

* The role of character arcs in fan investment

Prefer to read? Click the transcript button on the Substack page - you can read straight through or use the transcript to skip around on the video.

Author Culture is a reader-supported podcast offering thoughtful takes, sustainable author tips, and fandom joy to authors everywhere. To receive new posts and support my work, become a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Writing and marketing don’t have to feel overwhelming. In this conversation with E.J. Kitchens, I dig into how simplifying your approach can create more momentum and consistency. We’ll talk about breaking projects into manageable steps, leaning on community support, and making the process fun so you actually want to keep going.

* Simplify your process to stay consistent

* Use the skills you’ve already built in challenging seasons

* Make it fun so you actually want to keep going

Progress doesn’t come from giant leaps—it comes from showing up, one step at a time.

Connect with Janeen - jiauthor.com

Connect with E.J. Kitchens - https://www.ejkitchens.com/

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Tired of one-size-fits-all marketing advice? Same. That’s why in this Author Culture episode, I’m cutting through the noise and showing you how to filter your marketing strategy through your unique motivations - your reason and your why.

We’ll talk about balancing profit goals, reader impact, and personal expression so you can stop stressing about what you “should” do and start leaning into what works for you.

You’ll leave with a better sense of balance—and permission to pursue your unique success.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Hey there,

Being an author isn’t easy—and no, it doesn’t magically get easier with your 5th or 15th book. In this episode, I get honest about my own struggles and why failure doesn’t mean you’re done—it means you’re learning and growing.

Includes:

* How to process feelings without getting stuck

* Why every author faces struggles—yes, even the pros

* The true value of kind, slightly brutal author friends

Tune in and remind yourself: your writing journey is worth it.

Prefer to read? Click the transcript button on the Substack page - you can read straight through or use the transcript to skip around on the video.

Author Culture is a reader-supported podcast that I create to help scifi and fantasy authors just like you. Consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack and get sneak peeks on my latest books and toolkits for authors.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe