Inspired Writer Collective Podcast

In this week's episode, we discuss the nuanced decision of how much “spice” or intimate content to include in your romance novel, memoir, or fiction with romantic elements. Stephanie shares her personal journey navigating this important choice in her own writing, breaking down the decision-making process into three key areas:

Your audience - Within your genre, what does your audience expect? How are you choosing to balance YA vs. Adult audience expectations and the spectrum from sweet romance to more mature content? 

Character development - How you can use intimate scenes to deepen character growth 

Your comfort zone - What are you most comfortable with? If you imagine yourself sitting on stage being interviewed about your novel, what is your comfort level? It's important to find your authentic voice within your genre.

We cover reading preferences and writing dilemmas, from deciding between YA and adult genres to considering “fade to black” techniques versus more explicit content and Elizabeth shares her experience determining appropriate intimacy levels in memoir writing. 

Perfect for romance writers, memoirists, and fiction authors wrestling with portraying relationships authentically while staying true to their vision and audience. #RomanceWriting #WritingAdvice #SpiceLevels #WritingTips #AuthorAdvice #CreativeWriting #MemoirWriting

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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.

Join Elizabeth for a great conversation with Marysol James, a remarkably prolific self-published romance author with 31 books across six bestselling series who discovered her writing career by happy accident. 

Marysol's journey includes not only impressive literary success spanning cowboys to motorcycle bikers, but also a powerful personal story of healing and rebuilding her life after an abusive relationship derailed her writing. 

Meet Marysol James:

Marysol James was a best-selling romance writer when she met and fell in love with a man who offered her a future worthy of one of her books… but within two years of moving in with him, she had lost everything that she’d worked for. She was abused emotionally, psychologically, physically, and financially. She was isolated and manipulated and gaslighted, until she was convinced by a narcissist that everything was her fault.

She managed to leave the relationship 18 months ago, and has spent that time reclaiming her life, her dignity, her sanity, and her independence. She has returned to romance writing and has done extensive research – with a therapist specialised in narcissistic trauma - and has taken her horrible experience, and created a 90-day program called ‘It Happens To The Best Of Us’.

The program is aimed at high-achieving women, and it teaches the red flags and realities of being in a romantic relationship with a narcissist. It explains the patterns and behaviours of narcissism, and shows you how to reclaim your power and your peace. The program launch date is Saturday, April 5.

To find out more about ‘It Happens To The Best Of Us', or to set up a one-on-one call with Marysol about how the program can help you, please go to her Instagram account: ​https://www.instagram.com/marysoljames/​

Connect with Marysol online: 

Website: ​https://marysoljames.com​

YouTube: ​https://www.youtube.com/@MarysolJames-s6q​

FaceBook: ​https://www.facebook.com/marysol.james.romanceauthor​

Newsletter: ​https://marysoljames.substack.com

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.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to craft a story that keeps readers turning pages late into the night? 

You don't want to miss this week's podcast episode featuring our discussion of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston—a masterclass in suspense and character development. 

It's a book that was optioned for the screen before it was published, it's a Reese's Book Club pick, but those aren't the reasons why we picked it. 

Stephanie had gone "down the rabbit hole" of reading books with the word lie in the title, and this book struck her the most because of the author's craft. 

In this episode you'll hear us talk about the following and more:

• how the author strategically includes backstory 
• the use of tension to keep you turning the page
• examining the author's use of first person narrative

Also, get the Read Like a Writer Workbook PDF here.

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 week on the podcast, Elizabeth chats with Angela Dunn Cartledge about connecting with others through our stories. It takes a lot of courage to put your personal story out into the world, and Angela creates a safe space for people to share and find they're not alone. 

Meet Angela: 

Angela Dunn-Cartledge is a working mom of triplets who lives in Knoxville with her family. She has been working as mostly in Finance her entire career but wanted a way to connect and tell her story on a deeper level. She started a podcast called Been There Dunn That in March 2024 and has never looked back. Her goal is to reach the silent sufferers who are grieving and stuck but don’t know where to turn.

Connect with Angela:

Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/dunnthatpodcast?igsh=cm1obzB2czdmYzAy&utm_source=qr​

Website: ​https://www.dunnthatpodcast.com/​ 

You don't want to miss hearing Angela's story. You'll be inspired as you listen to her talk about the following and more: 

• the transformative power of giving voice to your story
• how she creates a safe space on her podcast for vulnerability
• what we can learn from connecting with others through shared experiences

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 week on the podcast, Elizabeth chats with Julie Sedler about her writing process and journey to publishing her memoir, ​Watch Me: Part Dare. Part Demand.​

Meet Julie: 

I’m Julie Sedler a chemical engineer by training, but a storyteller at heart. I have spent years journaling and writing down my latest inspirations on random post-it-notes. This has brought the ‘in the moment’ commentary and perspective to my books, courses, and coaching. I released my first memoir, Watch Me, in 2023 on how I transformed my life after divorce.

I learned first hand that my new life would cost me my old one.

All the ‘tuition’ I paid for the experiences of tearing down my life, rebuilding it based on my own dreams, and breaking the cycles of ingrained conditioning for what I should want and do has led me to create my courses.

I am here to help others by guiding them on their own path of self-discovery and growth.

*More available on ​my website​ or by request ([email protected]) using discount code: writer

You can connect with Julie on social:

@Julie_Sedler_Author on Instagram 

@Julie_The_Author on TikTok

You don't want to miss hearing Julie's story. You'll be inspired as you listen to her talk about the following and more: 

• she didn't have formal training as a writer, but she had a story to tell
• journaling, especially by hand, has been an integral part of her process
• the feeling of holding her published book in her hands
• how deeply personal it is to write a memoir
• arriving at the marketing step for her book later than expected

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 week on the podcast, we talk about our experience setting goals for our writing inspired by working through Amanda McKinney's PATH course. 

We do not make this recommendation lightly. Anything that we ourselves promote on the podcast (outside of providing a space for guests to share their services, books, and products) is heavily vetted. 

Here's what's in this week's episode: 

• how the goal setting strategy designed by Amanda works so well for planning your writing time
• how we've applied what we learned to our writing lives and you can too
• feeling inspired by the process because it feels simple and attainable
• the incredible benefit of the course for women entrepreneurs

Click here to access Amanda's PATH course to set your goals. Use code INSPIRED to get your 20% discount. 

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 week on the podcast, Elizabeth and Stephanie talk about what it means to be a data driven author and how it's become a new coaching program of the Inspired Writer Collective. 

During their discussion, they touch upon the following and more:

• how Stephanie arrived at focusing on data
• keeping your approach to data simple
• helping authors not feel overwhelmed when it comes to data
• what are you curious about?
• what questions can data answer for you?

Send a DM to Stephanie ​@data.driven.author​ on IG if you're interested in setting up a Coffee Chat Call to learn more

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 week on the podcast, Elizabeth chats with Yoga and Writing Teacher Adrien Terrell about the benefits of integrating a yoga practice with your writing practice. 

During their discussion, they touch upon the following and more:

• releasing energy in the body through yoga poses
• creating a ritual for yourself when you're ready to write
• finding time to write and your path to being a writer that's uniquely your own
• using storytelling to navigate grief and challenges you face

Adrien Terrell is a writer and yoga teacher. She found yoga during a time of grief and found solace and healing in practice. Her journey was so powerful she felt compelled to share her yoga passion with the community. experience. She has been published in numerous family publications and self-published a young adult novel when she was eighteen. Writing was put aside while she dedicated herself to raising four children and growing a woodworking business with her husband. The enthusiasm to return to writing resurfaced when she was training for her yoga teaching license. She realized the ritual of combining writing and movement added a layer of creativity to both passions. She leads workshops and courses to inspire others to explore their imagination in yoga practice and various forms of prose.

Connect with Adrien:

​Composed Yoga Website​

​Instagram​: @adriencompose.yoga

​YouTube​: Compose Yoga with Adrien

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 week on the podcast, Elizabeth chats with award-winning political thriller author ​Michael Fedor.​

During their discussion, they touch upon the following and more:

• writing a political thriller
• using your own story to inspire what you're writing
• creating a prequel to hook your readers
• building your writer identity

There's so much inspiration for writers packed into this episode.

Michael shares what inspired him to start writing and how he draws from his own experience working in Washington D.C. to develop his characters and stories.

You'll find useful tips for setting yourself up for success to market yourself and your books.

If you'd like to connect with Michael online, here are some places you'll find him:

​Website​ for Michael Fedor: use code inspired (good for 2 weeks from 1/20/2025) for a discount on his books

Search @michaelfedorbooks on social media

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 week on the podcast, we discuss the benefits of being a guest on podcasts.

During our discussion, we touch upon the following:

• practicing showing up for yourself
• refining your message
• creating community
• reaching a broader audience of potential readers

There's a lot of value in setting your sights on being a podcast guest, especially as an author.

You'll gain self-confidence and propel your author journey forward by being a guest on podcasts.

You can begin before your book is even ready for publication.

Elizabeth mentions a resource shared by another podcaster called Matchmaker.fm to help you find connections.

There's also the Podcast Collaborative that's been a great resource for connecting us with guests and opportunities.

So, get ready for finding inspiration to take action for yourself this year!

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.