Poet Maria Giesbrecht joins Simply Write to talk about releasing her first collection, A Little Feral, and the mix of excitement and vulnerability that comes with it. She shares how her work explores identity, family history, and her Mexican and Mennonite roots, and how poetry helps her make sense of those layers. We discuss the discipline of writing, what her daily creative life looks like, and the importance of community through her organization, Gather. This conversation offers insight into starting out, staying with the work, and letting your writing go into the world.

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This episode explores how to create scenes that propel the story forward. But before we talk about crafting a scene, this episode covers what scenes are, how they work in fiction and nonfiction, and what they need to include to be effective. We also break down the difference between scene and exposition or summary, and when to use each.

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In this episode of Simply Write, Polly sits down with Rachel Weaver to explore the art and challenge of writing memoir.

Rachel shares how her book Dizzy grew out of 18 years living with chronic illness, and how writing became both a relief and an inquiry.

They discuss creative workarounds, truth-telling on the page, and the balance between emotional accuracy and factual detail.

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Polly steps outside her creative comfort zone by exploring a different kind of creative practice and notices what begins to shift. She shares why it can feel both uncomfortable and energizing to try something new—and why that tension matters. Research shows that stretching beyond the familiar can boost motivation, deepen engagement, and open new creative pathways. Polly reflects on how creative risks, even outside your primary craft, can build confidence, spark fresh ideas, and ultimately strengthen your writing.

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In this episode of Simply Write, Polly talks with middle-grade author Michelle Lee about her novel The Magic of Someday Soon and her journey from college professor to full-time writer.

She elaborates on what's at the heart of writing for young readers, why middle grade offers a hopeful “sweet spot,” and how stories can hold both weight and wonder.

Michelle also explains what she's doing to launch and promote her books and the challenges of marketing.

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In this episode of Simply Write, Polly explores how spring’s creative energy can reignite your writing practice, drawing on research showing how increased daylight boosts mood and cognitive flexibility. She then dives into storytelling as the foundation of effective writing—beyond technique. Polly breaks down essential elements like the hook, inciting incidents, and narrative arcs, emphasizing how strong structure keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. With practical insights and examples, she encourages writers to think big picture: not just how to write, but how to carry a reader through a meaningful experience.

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In this episode of Simply Write, Polly talks with Julie Revelant, a B2B healthcare copywriter, about the real rhythms of freelance writing. Julie shares her path from journalism and TV to a niche, B2B career, and breaks down the difference between content (to inform) and copy (to persuade), and how freelancers can position themselves as a strategic partner. This is a practical, candid look at building a sustainable writing life.

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If you’re in the business of writing, you’re also in the business of communication. Pitch letters, emails, proposals, cover letters are part of the administration work writers must do. And if you want to write copy and content for a living, you'll need to master the art of the letter.

In this episode, we share essential tips for writing clear, authentic, and persuasive copy that connects and communicates your message efficiently and effectively. In business writing, clarity matters more than cleverness. When your reader understands you quickly, they’re far more likely to respond, engage, and say yes.

These practical strategies will help you be understood, build trust, and polish your professional writing across platforms and projects.

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Dreams, and that soft state when we are between sleep and waking up, can be fertile ground for ideas. In this episode, Polly talks with Bonnie Buckner about how paying attention to dreams, keeping a dream journal, and lingering in that drifting morning mindset can spark insights for writers.

Bonnie, the author of The Secret Mind, shares her writing process and explains how dreams are a creative space that can help us access insight and unexpected creative breakthroughs.

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Freelancing has changed a lot since the early days of magazines, brochures, and press releases, but one thing hasn’t changed: writers who want to make a living need more than strong sentences. In this episode, Polly talks about what it really takes to build a freelance writing life today.

From defining your services and creating a simple website to pitching editors and connecting with clients, freelancing requires organization, persistence, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Polly also shares practical advice about writing samples, handling rejection, tracking business details, and developing the habit of making things even when there’s no assignment or deadline.

Freelance writing can involve articles, blogs, newsletters, podcast scripts, and more. The opportunities are wide, but success comes to writers who show initiative, follow through, and keep writing.

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