Inspired Writer Collective Podcast

In this episode, we talk about how in the world you can carve out time to write. We share our own struggles with finding time to write. The resistance that comes from wanting everything to be great the first time words hit the page. Allowing for time to play with your writing and valuing yourself on your writing journey. 

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 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!

Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

You can find us on Instagram.

Discover the dynamic world of publishing as the hosts share insights from Stephanie's recent attendance at the AWP conference. Exploring the shift from self-publishing to small presses, the Elizabeth and Stephanie discuss the importance of research and finding the right fit for your work.

The episode covers experiences at the conference, where Stephanie engaged with small presses, learned submission preferences, and navigated literary sessions on traditional publishing. The hosts celebrate the journey of querying as a roller coaster, emphasizing the value of learning from rejection.

Technological tools like Scrivener are praised for streamlining the writing and formatting process, while Elizabeth also highlights the strategy of submitting works to literary journals for early exposure and feedback.

Listeners gain practical tips and inspiration for navigating the diverse avenues of publishing, encouraging writers to celebrate their unique journey in bringing their stories to the world.

Send us Fan Mail

 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!

Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

You can find us on Instagram.

In this podcast episode, Elizabeth shares her experience of starting a non-fiction book through a 30-day writing program. She initially had two ideas, one about financial coaching and the other about finding community after relocating. The prompts guided her in defining the target audience and key message. However, the book ended up with a blend of memoir and self-help, creating a challenge during the editing phase.

Stephanie agrees that quick writing programs might not be suitable for creating high-quality books. She emphasizes the importance of time in the writing process and discusses the struggle with the perception that books should be written quickly. Both hosts stress the significance of a writer's unique voice and the need for quality over speed.

They also share insights into outlining, suggesting structures for different genres like contemporary romance or memoir. Stephanie discusses her shift from non-fiction to contemporary romance and encourages writers to embrace the messy process, emphasizing the importance of consistent writing sessions.

They touch upon the use of mind maps to brainstorm ideas, privacy in the writing process, and the challenge of sharing early writing with others. The episode concludes with a reminder for writers to embrace their chosen identity and pursue their stories with dedication.

Send us Fan Mail

 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!

Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

You can find us on Instagram.

This is the first monthly installment of the Read Like A Writer book club reflections. 

Elizabeth and Stephanie, share their takeaways from genre-specific books they read for the month of January. Stephanie discusses a contemporary romance novel "Yours Truly" by Abby Jimenez. She emphasizes key takeaways related to chapter openings and closings, effective use of dialogue, and the art of showing, not telling. Elizabeth talks about "Untamed" by Glennon Doyle, focusing on the book's structure, particularly the use of vignettes, repetition of sentiments for impact, and a special sentence structure that involves presenting a scene, expressing emotions, and making a strong self-statement in three progressively shorter sentences. 

The discussion touches on how these insights can be applied to memoir and other genres. A Read Like A Writer workbook is also now available for download within the Inspired Writer Collective. Links can be found at the end of the show notes. In February, Elizabeth and Stephanie will be exploring character development and sense of place through Barbara Kingsolver's "Demon Copperhead". Links below can be used to join the book club only portion of our online community for access to the workbook, on-going chat discussion, and the live Zoom meeting.

Send us Fan Mail

 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!

Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

You can find us on Instagram.

This episode is Part 2 of a multi-week discussion of first chapter dos and don'ts. In this podcast episode, Stephanie and Elizabeth discuss common pitfalls and challenges in writing the first chapter of a book. They emphasize the importance of avoiding an overly slow opening, generic or cliched beginnings, overwritten prose, excessive descriptive detail, backstory or info dumping, a list-like structure, too many characters and places, false beginnings or bait and switch tactics, and shifting points of view. The hosts provide insights and advice on each of these challenges, highlighting the significance of engaging the reader, showing instead of telling, and maintaining consistency with the genre. They caution against manipulating reader expectations and suggest the importance of establishing the author's unique voice in the first chapter. Elizabeth and Stephanie wrap up the discussion with conversation around the merits of a prologue, when it might be necessary, and how a writer will know if they need one or not.

Send us Fan Mail

 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!

Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

You can find us on Instagram.

Join us as we delve into the intricacies of crafting compelling first chapters that hook readers from the start. This is Part 1 of a 2-week series on first chapter challenges. In this episode, we explore the key objectives of the first chapter, from engaging the reader with the story and characters to setting the mood and kickstarting the plot development. We discuss common pitfalls and stylistic aspects, offering insights into evaluating whether your first chapter truly sets the stage for your story. Drawing from personal experiences and literary examples, we examine the importance of posing questions, introducing main characters, and navigating genre-specific expectations. Whether you're starting a new book or revisiting an old manuscript, this episode provides valuable tips for crafting an engaging opening that keeps readers turning the pages. Join us as we unravel the art of crafting captivating first chapters.

Send us Fan Mail

 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!

Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

You can find us on Instagram.

In this podcast episode, the hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, discuss their experiences with writing in a community setting. They share the benefits of having a scheduled time for writing, the accountability it provides, and the inspiration they draw from interacting with other writers. The conversation emphasizes the power of community in providing motivation, immediate feedback, and a sense of connectedness. They also touch on the impact of identity and belief systems in maintaining positive writing habits and the importance of starting small to make progress. The hosts stress the value of being part of a writing community, both online and in person, to support each other in the writing journey. The episode concludes with a quote from John Green about the collective nature of facing challenges and moving forward together.

Send us Fan Mail

 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!

Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

You can find us on Instagram.

In this episode, Elizabeth and Stephanie explore various aspects of writing and the craft of storytelling. They delve into topics such as the importance of rest and balance for writers, intentional goal-setting, managing business aspects while maintaining focus on writing projects, and the value of reading like a writer. They discuss the significance of exploring different genres and styles, analyzing character development, world-building, tension, and word choice. Drawing from their own experiences and observations, Stephanie and Elizabeth reflect on how various authors approach these elements in their works, offering insights and potential strategies for their own writing endeavors. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the importance of learning from the works of established authors and how each book can serve as a mentor in the writer's journey. The episode concludes with a reflection on narrative choices, including the use of tense and point of view, and how they influence the reader's experience in memoir and fiction writing.

Send us Fan Mail

 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!

Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

You can find us on Instagram.

In this episode, Stephanie and Elizabeth share insights into the delicate balance of parenting and personal projects. They discuss the challenges of returning from holidays and dealing with the aftermath of COVID, all while juggling their creative pursuits.

 Stephanie shares their progress on a book, inspired by the captivating storytelling of Abby Jimenez, specifically diving into the complexities of contemporary romance and the art of crafting tension and resolution. The conversation delves into the importance of well-developed characters and the unique ways in which Jimenez weaves her stories together across different books. The hosts also explore trigger warnings in contemporary romance and the handling of tough subjects. 

The episode concludes with a discussion on the joys and challenges of the writing process, including the non-linear approach to scene creation, the significance of dialogue, and the influences of different writing styles. Overall, it's an engaging and insightful conversation about the intricacies of parenting, reading, and writing in the midst of life's various demands.

Send us Fan Mail

 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!

Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

You can find us on Instagram.

Join Elizabeth and Stephanie in this episode as they delve into the importance of creating a balance between dedicated writing time and intentional rest. The hosts kick off by discussing the community's upcoming events and resources, including weekly prompts focusing on self-reflection as writers.

The main focus of the episode revolves around the concept of "Time to Write" within the community and the benefits it brings. They emphasize the power of writing in community, setting goals, and the accountability that comes with shared writing sessions. The hosts share personal experiences from recent writing sessions, showcasing the flexibility to work on different genres and the unexpected creative flow that can emerge during these dedicated times.

As the conversation unfolds, Elizabeth and Stephanie transition to the equally vital topic of taking time to rest. They explore the significance of allowing ideas to percolate and giving the mind a break, especially during the busy holiday season. The hosts share insights into their own struggles with taking time for rest and provide practical tips on scheduling and reframing rest as a crucial part of the writing process.

Listeners are encouraged to find their own definition of rest and to overcome the societal pressure associated with taking breaks. The episode concludes with a reminder that finding a balance between writing and resting is essential for overall well-being and sustained creativity.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into optimizing your writing routine and nurturing a healthy writing lifestyle within the Inspired Writer Collective community.

Send us Fan Mail

 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!

Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

You can find us on Instagram.