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In this episode, we share nuggets of wisdom and insight from attending the Mountain Words Festival in Crested Butte, CO from May 24-26, 2024. There's a lot to learn from authors outside your own genre. It's easy to find yourself deeply immersed in your own genre, so in this episode we speak to the benefits of learning across genres. We attended a variety of sessions led by authors across a variety of genres who spoke about the writing process, idea generation, and experiences with the publishing process. The writing journey is unique for everyone. It's inspiring to hear from successfully published authors about being prepared for the long game of writing and being dedicated to your craft.

 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.

Stay until the end of the episode to learn about our Virtual Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. 

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

Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

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

You can find us on Instagram and Threads

Send a text

In this episode, Elizabeth chats with Lina AbiRafeh, Ph.D. about the parallels between searching for an agent and the world of dating. Lina gets to the heart of her memoir writing process and her experience searching for an agent. You won't want to miss this delightful and insightful conversation!

Connect with Lina by signing up for her newsletter on her website: https://www.linaabirafeh.com/ 

ABOUT OUR GUEST: 

Lina AbiRafeh, PhD.
Women's Rights Activist. Author. Speaker.
Lina AbiRafeh is a global women's rights expert, speaker, and author with decades of
experience worldwide in countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, the Central African Republic,
Papua New Guinea, and more. Lina serves a range of organizations in a senior advisory
capacity and sits on various international boards. She is also a fellow at the Council on Foreign
Relations. Lina is a global speaker, media voice, and author of three books. She has received
numerous awards and accolades for her work including the Gender Equality Top 100
Worldwide.

LINKS: 

Website: https://www.linaabirafeh.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lina-abirafeh-28774867/
Twitter: @LinaAbiRafeh
Instagram: @LinaAbiRafeh
Medium: https://linaabirafeh.medium.com/

Connect with the Inspired Writer Collective:

Join our FREE Facebook Writing Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspiredwritercollective
Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://inspired-writer-collective.ck.page/24be00b363
Join our online writing community membership for women memoir writers: https://inspired-writer-collective.mn.co/

The Inspired Writer Collective is an online writing community membership for women memoir writers. Created by authors Stephanie Oswald, Ph.D. & Elizabeth Wilson, it's a supportive online space to get more writing done, improve your craft, and strategically navigate your path to publishing. 

We offer weekly "Time to Write" sessions on Zoom for getting more writing done. You don't have to turn on your camera (though we'd love to see), but we'd love to meet you and encourage you on your writing journey. When you schedule time in your calendar, you're more likely to show up and it's even better when you're part of a community of writers. 

Subscribe to our channel for our weekly podcast videos and inspiration for your writing j

 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.

Stay until the end of the episode to learn about our Virtual Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. 

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

Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

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

You can find us on Instagram and Threads

Send a text

In this week's episode, we're focused on writing craft with Elizabeth sharing a presentation on Showing vs. Telling that she presented for Central Colorado Writers. You can get the PDF of the presentation in the link below. 

At one time or another, we all struggle with this as writers to find the right balance in our manuscripts between showing and telling. There's a time and place for both. No matter where you are in your journey it's good to get back to basics. As Plato said: "There is no harm in repeating a good thing."   

Get the presentation here: https://inspired-writer-collective.ck.page/7b5ba70b69

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://inspired-writer-collective.ck.page/24be00b363
Join our online writing community for women memoir writers: https://inspired-writer-collective.mn.co/

The Inspired Writer Collective is an online writing community for women memoir writers. Created by authors Stephanie Oswald, Ph.D. & Elizabeth Wilson, it's a supportive online space to get more writing done, improve your craft, and strategically navigate your path to publishing. 

We offer weekly "Time to Write" sessions on Zoom for getting more writing done. You don't have to turn on your camera (though we'd love to see), but we'd love to meet you and encourage you on your writing journey. When you schedule time in your calendar, you're more likely to show up and it's even better when you're part of a community of writers. 

Subscribe to our channel for our weekly podcast videos and inspiration for your writing journey.

 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.

Stay until the end of the episode to learn about our Virtual Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. 

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

Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

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

You can find us on Instagram and Threads

Send a text

A conversation with children's book author, Anandamayi Baker, about her inspiration for writing Bee-Coming Strong.  You can find Anandamayi Baker online at: https://anandamayibaker.com/ 

A note from Anandamayi Baker:

As a child growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, nature served me as a protective friend. I would spend countless hours studying ants on their journey to and from their nests, fascinated by how they walked in continuous streams of small black lines, always seeming to know just what they were doing. Just being with these seemingly insignificant little beings was so calming to me. It helped me forget all my troubles and challenges by bringing me into an entirely different universe. Whether it was being with ants, lizards, frogs, bees, trees or weeds, nature uplifted me. My grandfather was a tremendous influence on me in terms of piquing my interest in the natural world. He was the one who helped us build boxes out of cardboard and collect the monarch caterpillars so that we could study them up close. It was a mind-blowing mystery for me to be able to feed them and observe as each became a beautiful chrysalis, complete with what looked like tiny golden jewels encircling it. And to watch them hatch? Pure and utter delight and wonder, a phenomenon that is amazing to see at any age. After graduating from UC Davis, I lived in both Idaho and Arizona, finally settling in southern California after finding my spiritual home with the Yoga Center of California. For many years I was blessed to work on magnificent Palomar Mountain in San Diego County, serving in the store and restaurant that are owned by the Yoga Center.  Living on Palomar placed me in a wonderland for engaging nature. The innumerable stars at night, the brilliant blue skies in the day, the heady fragrance of the pines and oaks, the rocks, butterflies, birds – a feast for all the senses. And I was completely charmed by the bees who used to walk around the palms of my hands when I meditated outside in the forest. It felt magical. When children connect with nature something marvelous can manifest. I think it is one of the most important gifts we can give them. Feeling connected to nature can be transformative for children, allowing them to move beyond themselves and their challenges into something much greater and grander. It can help foster a respect for nature and for life itself, which I believe is cruci

 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.

Stay until the end of the episode to learn about our Virtual Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. 

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

Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

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

You can find us on Instagram and Threads

Send a text

Are you a more introverted writer? If so, the thought of having to put your face anywhere online to market yourself or your book might feel like a daunting task.

So overwhelming that you freeze and don't move forward to promote your book.

In this episode, Stephanie discusses ideas for building your author platform that don't involved the need to show up with your face everywhere online. It's been a topic on her mind because she's not always the biggest fan of showing up, even though she does it here for the podcast, but when thinking about her author platform it's not her top priority to put her face in all the online spaces. 

This is the first of many discussions to come on our YouTube channel about tech for building your author platform.

 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.

Stay until the end of the episode to learn about our Virtual Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. 

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

Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

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

You can find us on Instagram and Threads

Send a text

We welcome our guest, Dr. Christiane Schroeter, to the show to talk about the four key elements of a pitch for marketing your book to agents and readers.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter is a Business & Wellness Coach known for her European flair. She helps women improve their health and confidence so they can show up for their life & business differently. Christiane has a Ph.D. in Health Economics and teaches Marketing, Innovation & Entrepreneurship. She earned multiple national and international teaching and publication awards. Most of her clients find Christiane through her Happy Healthy Hustle Podcast, ranked among the TOP 1.5% globally. Christiane creates a community on Instagram and YouTube, sharing how to nurture your health without the overwhelm.

Here's how you can connect with Dr. Christiane Schroeter:

Hello Happy Nest
Podcast
Dr. Christiane Schroeter on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok 

 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.

Stay until the end of the episode to learn about our Virtual Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. 

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

Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

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

You can find us on Instagram and Threads

Send a text

Outline your way to a finished book. In this episode, we talk about the benefits of outlining to help get you to the finish line with your book. We share about our own experiences and Elizabeth gives a sneak peek into how she's helping writers in her memoir course approach outlining.

 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.

Stay until the end of the episode to learn about our Virtual Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. 

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

Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

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

You can find us on Instagram and Threads

Send a text

In this episode, Elizabeth and I talk about how to regain perspective when life throws you curve balls. It all started with Spring Break with our kiddos and some unexpected life events that made it feel like progress on our writing was slow. But, we discuss different ways we've found to reframe our experiences and focus them towards our writing. There's a lot that can be pulled from life into your writing. We also discuss the huge benefits of journaling to stay on track. Even if that's the only writing you get done in a day, it's still writing and you never know what nuggets of wisdom can make their way into your manuscript.

 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.

Stay until the end of the episode to learn about our Virtual Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. 

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

Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

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

You can find us on Instagram and Threads

Send a text

Don't hesitate, get started writing your memoir. In this episode, Elizabeth shares about her Memoir Master Cohort Course that will set you up with an outline for your memoir along with determining your core message. Elizabeth is currently in the editing phase of her memoir, and so she knows the pitfalls and roadblocks that can get in your way when you're just getting started. Her course will help you save time and frustrations because you'll be working with an experienced writer and in a small group which helps tremendously with productivity and remembering to show up for yourself. 

Enrollment has closed for April, but be sure to get on the waitlist for the next session: https://inspired-writer-collective.ck.page/42427911ef

 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.

Stay until the end of the episode to learn about our Virtual Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. 

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

Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

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

You can find us on Instagram and Threads

Send a text

This episode is Part 2 in a short series focused on publishing. We discuss the indie publishing route and what you should know about distinguishing this from trying to do all of the work yourself. While indie publishing is a form of self-publishing, we make the distinction that it's different because it becomes like a team sport. You surround yourself with the people who will help you succeed rather than trying to do all of the steps by yourself.

 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.

Stay until the end of the episode to learn about our Virtual Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. 

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

Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

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

You can find us on Instagram and Threads