This episode gives you an update on the book writing experiment I recently tested! We discuss:

• UPDATE on my book writing experiment that I told you about in Episode 145 of my Indie Author Weekly podcast (writing 4,000 words/day for a full week, and not doing any other business tasks)
• How I prepped for writing the actual book itself
• Daily breakdown of how that first week of the experiment went
• 3 reasons why I decided to go back to the drawing board with my book
• An important reminder we can all keep in mind when it comes to prioritizing our creative pursuits
• Navigating mindset drama when allowing ourselves to work on creative projects and outlets
• Was this experiment a success? Overview of results and what I learned from this experience, plus what I’ll be doing next…

Resources & links mentioned in this episode: 

• Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching 
• Episode 145 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast (background and details about this book writing experiment)
  Episode 144 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast (how my writing process works with the Notes & Scenes document)
• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast 
• Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/ 
• Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590 
• Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow 
• Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse 

Let’s chat about this episode:

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
• Email: [email protected] 
• Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question 

Support the show

Let’s talk about the importance of being earnest as a writer and getting comfortable with potentially embarrassing yourself! In this episode, we cover…

• The self-consciousness → self-compassion spectrum that many of us experience as writers, and the importance of embracing earnest along the way.
• How I reviewed my high school creative writing assignment where the professor didn’t understand that my “grammatical error” was actually a stylistic choice, not a grammatical error (and how I was very indignant about it!) — and the importance of knowing the rules before you break them.
• The worries and fears we might have about “Will readers understand my writing style and storytelling choices?” — and why it’s okay if people don’t “get it.”
• Consequences of being true to ourselves, our messages, and our voices: Who benefits from us NOT being vocal and true to ourselves? What is true for me? If I wasn’t worried about how I’d be perceived, what would I want to say? Or, if I knew that people would really appreciate whatever my truth happens to be, what would I say? 
• What I LOVE about the work I do nowadays: How I write about characters who are working through this exact type of issue, AND how I get to coach people working through these issues as well.

Resources & links mentioned in this episode: 

• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast 
• Book your 1:1 life coaching session with me so we can work through your feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment, hiding your true self, and other mindset issues that are holding you back: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching 
• Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/ 
• Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590 
• Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow 
• Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching 
• Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse 
• Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/ 

Let’s chat about this episode:

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
• Email: [email protected] 
• Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question 

Support the show

All about a new writing experiment I’m testing out to make a lot better progress with my novels! We discuss…

• Why I’m doing this new experiment, what my schedule will look like, how I plan to make it happen, and my expected results with writing for a larger, dedicated period of time
• 2 reasons why I’ve been struggling with writing, and the problem that can come up with trying to find time to write novels (including feelings of guilt and concerns that it’s “self-indulgent”)
• The deep sense of relief and fulfillment I had when I finally got around to writing my book after procrastinating on it all day long (and how this is a really good reminder!)
• “I should be working on other parts of my business” — how this is a very real problem for business owners, and the way that this actually has a NEGATIVE effect on your business! More on this (including the top 3 questions to ask yourself if this is a struggle for you) in the “How to Balance Passion and Profession” video on my solopreneur tips YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WH4cAaC0Vq0 
• Difference between writing for a specific amount of time vs writing a specific amount of words (and how focusing on one vs the other will be more useful in different circumstances)
• How I had an initial plan to write 2,000 words/day for a week, but having other tasks on my plate completely threw me off — and specifically WHY this was such a problem for me (this is what led me to decide to do the 4,000 words/day book writing challenge for a full week)
• Why you should ALWAYS pay attention to any stagnation or “stuckness” that arises — keep in mind that just because a strategy used to work for you, doesn’t mean it always will continue working! 

Resources & links mentioned in this episode: 

• "How to Balance Passion and Profession” video on my solopreneur tips YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WH4cAaC0Vq0 
• Book your 1:1 life coaching session with me so we can work through your feelings of guilt, procrastination, and other mindset issues that are holding you back from writing your book: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast 
• Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/ 
• Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590 
• Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow 
• Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse 
• Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/ 

Let’s chat:

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
• Email: [email protected] 

Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question 

Support the show

“How do you write your books? By hand, by typewriter?” In this episode, we’re answering THAT question! Get ready for a full recap of the logistics and practical side for how I write my books…

0:00 Intro

0:20 Answering a question from a friend: “How do you write your books? By hand, by typewriter?” — and a few other logistics when it comes to the practical side of how I write books

0:50 When it comes to writing books, here’s why I do NOT use a typewriter, and why I do NOT write by hand 

3:40 My process for writing my novels — outlining my books on paper and a Google doc (plus a quick explanation about what my chapter outline looks like)

5:35 The 3 types of Google docs I always use for writing my novels

9:30 Keeping tabs open vs not, and using external monitors while working on the computer

11:50 A few additional types of Google docs I like using when working on books

12:50 How I usually “write” large portions of my books without actually writing them

16:45 Writing in various environments

17:50 How I use music when writing my books

23:00 Bookmark giveaway!

25:05 Wrap up

WIN BOOKMARKS featuring Sagan’s novels when you publish a review of any of her books between now and April 30, 2023! All you need to do is write and publish a review of any of her books on Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, etc (any book platforms of your choice), and then email hello[at]saganmorrow[dot]com with the link and your mailing address — and then Sagan will mail you bookmarks!

Resources & links mentioned in this episode: 

• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast 
• Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/ 
• Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590 
• Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow 
• Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching 
• Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse 
• Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/ 
• Tune into the Polyamorous Passions soundtrack: https://saganmorrow.com/polypassionsplaylist 

Let’s chat about this episode:

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
• Email: [email protected] 
• Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question 

Support the show

A year ago, I experienced an EXTREME case of imposter syndrome in my author career… which led to a TON of procrastination! In this episode, I’m sharing all about that experience and how I navigated it. 

In this episode, we discuss…

• How my imposter syndrome came about
• What I did to work through imposter syndrome (including some of the specific ways I did self-coaching for this, and the type of questions I asked myself to get to the root issues).
• 3 things I did to actively navigate procrastination (and how you can apply that to your own situation if you’re struggling with procrastination).
• How imposter syndrome and procrastination affects us all (plus what you need to know about EFFECTIVELY and SUCCESSFULLY managing imposter syndrome, and what we can do together to help YOU work through these issues, too)

Are imposter syndrome and/or procrastination holding you back (in your personal life or your professional life), too? This episode is for you!

WIN BOOKMARKS featuring Sagan’s novels when you publish a review of any of her books between now and April 30, 2023! All you need to do is write and publish a review of any of her books on Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, etc (any book platforms of your choice), and then email hello[at]saganmorrow[dot]com with the link and your mailing address — and then Sagan will mail you bookmarks!

Resources & links mentioned in this episode: 

• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast 
• Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/ 
• Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590 
• Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow 
• Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching 
• Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse 
• Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/ 

Let’s chat about this episode:

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
• Email: [email protected] 
• Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question 

Support the show

I was recently hanging out with a friend, and she said this: “I want to read your books, but I feel like it’s weird because I don’t want to know about your sex life…”

Totally get that! Let’s talk about that today, because I think this is a very common frame of mind for friends and family of romance authors...

IN THIS EPISODE, I share several important things to keep in mind if you're wondering about this, too, plus a few different options for you!

WIN BOOKMARKS featuring Sagan’s novels when you publish a review of any of her books between now and April 30, 2023!

All you need to do is write and publish a review of any of her books on Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, etc (any book platforms of your choice), and then email hello[at]saganmorrow[dot]com with the link and your mailing address — and then Sagan will mail you bookmarks!

Resources & links mentioned in this episode: 

• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast 
• Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/ 
• Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590 
• Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow 
• Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching 
• Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse 
• Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/ 

Let’s chat about this episode:

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
• Email: [email protected] 
• Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question 

Support the show

Today we are answering a listener-submitted question: How did you get "brave enough" to talk publicly about being a romance author? 

This question was posted by Morgan Starling Writes on an Instagram post back in Feb 2022, in which she said, “I'm hesitant to post pictures of my face on here because of my "day job", so to speak. But at the same time, it feels like there's no balance to the interaction with those whose faces I do get to see! How do you, fellow smut writers or readers, go about it? Did you start out anonymously, too? Was there a point at which you decided: 'Now I'm brave enough'? I just started listening to the podcast of Sagan. It's really cool and she has a beautiful voice. Wonder what she'd have to say about this - Sagan?”

In this episode, I share my answer to that question, PLUS some key questions I recommend asking yourself (this is me putting on my Life Coach hat!)

WIN BOOKMARKS featuring Sagan’s novels when you publish a review of any of her books between now and April 30, 2023!

All you need to do is write and publish a review of any of her books on Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, etc (any book platforms of your choice), and then email hello[at]saganmorrow[dot]com with the link and your mailing address — and then Sagan will mail you bookmarks!

Resources & links mentioned in this episode: 

• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform (SaganMorrow.com/podcast)
• Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at SaganMorrow.com/books 
• Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590 
• Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow 
• Get success & life coaching: SaganMorrow.com/coaching
• Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: SaganMorrow.com/powerhouse

Let’s chat about this episode:

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
• Email: [email protected] 
• Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at SaganMorrow.com/question 

Support the show

WELCOME BACK to the Indie Author Weekly podcast! We went on hiatus back in December 2021, and we are finally ready to RELAUNCH this podcast! Woohoo!

In this episode, we discuss…

• More details about WHY we went on hiatus for such a long time (15 months rather than our originally-planned 2 months).
• Update on what Sagan’s been up to in her author life over the past year — book writing (several books), planning and mapping out 24 book ideas, self-publishing updates, working through imposter syndrome, and joining TikTok for book promotional purposes.
• The future of Indie Author Weekly (what to expect, both from the content and logistics)

WIN BOOKMARKS featuring Sagan’s novels when you publish a review of any of her books between now and April 30, 2023!

All you need to do is write and publish a review of any of her books on Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, etc (any book platforms of your choice), and then email hello[at]saganmorrow[dot]com with the link and your mailing address — and then Sagan will mail you bookmarks!
 
Resources & links mentioned in this episode: 

• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast 
• Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/ 
• Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590 
• Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow 
• Work with Sagan: SaganMorrow.com/workwithme
• Episode 139 of Indie Author Weekly (why I went on hiatus from this podcast) — https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/9657830-139-doing-the-uncomfortable-thing-this-is-not-the-episode-i-had-planned 
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@saganlives 
• Self Publishing Formula (how I learned about TikTok for authors): https://selfpublishingformula.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Qu8GvA0lUm3GmzBqmmfeg 

Let’s chat about this episode:

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
• Email: [email protected] 
• Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question 

Support the show

Today I am doing an uncomfortable thing... This is not the episode I had planned! When you're feeling the internal struggle, when your energy levels are low, when your capacity and bandwidth aren't quite there... What happens next? We're addressing exactly that in this episode of Indie Author Weekly!

This is the podcast for indie authors, aspiring authors, and curious bookworms who want the inside scoop, tips and motivation, and behind-the-scenes journey of writing and self-publishing books.   

TUNE IN NOW to find out about the future of Indie Author Weekly, and 3 reasons why I'm sharing this with you today...  

Resources & links mentioned in this episode:  

• Get podcast and book updates delivered to your inbox at SaganMorrow.com/behindthescenes .
• Learn more about all of Sagan's books (including Small Town Stilettos, the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Our Choice: Romance for Roe, and the business books) at SaganMorrow.com/books .
• Episode 137 of Indie Author Weekly: When to quit a project .
• Get productivity and success coaching with Sagan in Solopreneur CEO: SaganMorrow.com/ceo .
• Super-quick survey to share what you want MORE of on Indie Author Weekly: SaganMorrow.com/question 
• Reach out to Sagan on Twitter or Instagram: @Saganlives .
• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at SaganMorrow.com/podcast .
• Subscribe, rate and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts .

Let's chat about this episode:  

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram .
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly .
• Email [email protected] .
• Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) in this survey at SaganMorrow.com/question 

Support the show

Are you in the process of writing a novel this month, for National Novel Writing Month (or, as it’s more commonly known, NaNoWriMo), and are you getting caught in the struggle of it? That’s exactly what we’re addressing on today’s episode of Indie Author Weekly! 

This is the podcast for indie authors, aspiring authors, and curious bookworms who want the inside scoop, tips and motivation, and behind-the-scenes journey of writing and self-publishing books.   

TUNE IN NOW to get SIX resources for starting to write your novel this month, during #NaNoWriMo...   

Resources & links mentioned in this episode:

• Get podcast and book updates delivered to your inbox at SaganMorrow.com/behindthescenes .
• Learn more about all of Sagan's books (including Small Town Stilettos, the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Our Choice: Romance for Roe, and the business books) at SaganMorrow.com/books .
• Episode 32 of Indie Author Weekly: 20 writing prompt ideas .
• Episode 114 of Indie Author Weekly: 7 examples for how to get story ideas from everyday life .
• Episode 133 of Indie Author Weekly: 5 tips for how to write a book with a busy schedule .
• Episode 65 of Indie Author Weekly: 10 tips to beat writer's block .
• Episode 31 of Indie Author Weekly: how to get through the messy middle .
• Episode 46 of Indie Author Weekly: how to boost your word count during NaNoWriMo .
• NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) .
• Get productivity and success coaching with Sagan: SaganMorrow.com/ceo .
• Super-quick survey to share what you want MORE of on Indie Author Weekly: SaganMorrow.com/question 
• Reach out to Sagan on Twitter or Instagram: @Saganlives .
• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at SaganMorrow.com/podcast .
• Subscribe, rate and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts .

Let's chat about this episode:

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram .
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly .
• Email [email protected] .
• Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) in this survey at SaganMorrow.com/question 

Support the show