The Confident Fiction Author

We hear a lot about time management… but for fiction writers especially, the real game-changer is energy management. 

If you’ve ever had the time to write but zero gas in the tank, this episode is for you.

In this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast, I share simple, practical ways to make 2026 the year you manage your creative energy—so you can write more consistently without burning out.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Time vs. energy: why “I don’t have time to write” often means “I don’t have the energy to write.”
• How to find your peak creative window (morning, lunchtime squeeze, evening, or night) and build sessions around it.
• Writing in short bursts followed by intentional rest—to keep momentum without draining yourself.
• When to give yourself grace—and how a quick reset (even 60 seconds of eyes-closed rest) can reopen your creative flow.

I’d love to hear when your energy peaks. Come share on my Substack: fictioncourses.substack.com

Here’s to a year of steady, energized writing!

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Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes

If you’re anything like me, you may be coming out of the holiday fog still asking, “Wait, what day is it again?” January can feel like a groggy Monday morning. And just like Mondays, it may take a little time to warm up before we hit our stride.

In this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast, I’m sharing a unique way I plan my writing year: I outline my year with the same kind of rhythm as my week.

Here’s what you’ll discover inside:

• Why January–March is your “Monday” and the best time for deep, focused projects, followed by springtime Tuesday and keeping the momentum going.
• How to use the summer “slump” as your creative Wednesday to refuel instead of beating yourself up.
• Why autumn feels like a “Thursday” second wind—a time to finish well.
• How to approach November and December as your weekend: time for personal projects, reflection, and intentional rest.

When you map your year like a full week, you’ll stop expecting every month to look the same. You’ll give yourself permission to work with your natural creative rhythms, not against them.

After you listen, hop over to my Substack at fictioncourses.substack.com and share how you would outline your year like a week. I’d love to hear what big projects you’re planning for your “Monday.”

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Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes

The holidays are here—twinkling lights, Christmas cookies, shopping lists, and parties galore.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” right? Who wants to be productive, churning out thousands of words?

And yet…what if you still want to keep writing?

In this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author, I’m sharing low-stress strategies for continuing your writing through the holiday season. Because whether you’re writing to meet a deadline, to relax, or just to stay connected with your story, it doesn’t have to add stress to your already full days.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

• Why fiction writing can actually be a form of relaxation.
• How to use short, low-stakes sessions to keep your story toasty warm.
• Micro-goals you can sneak into even the busiest weeks.

And here’s the best part: any writing you do this month is a bonus. You’re not less of a writer if you pause, or if you only write in tiny pockets of time. You’re still a writer—through rest, through chaos, and through Christmas cookies.

I’ll be taking a short podcast break to enjoy this holiday season myself, but I’ll be back in January with some fresh New Year’s planning episodes. Until then, I wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a season full of creativity and rest!

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Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes

I love this time of year—Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve; all the lights and cozy gatherings. 

But, being honest: for many of us, the holidays can also feel rushed and heavy with shoulds—including the one that whispers, “You should be writing.”

In this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast, I make a simple case: give yourself permission to pause. Rest isn’t quitting; rest fuels your creativity for the new year.

Inside the episode, we’ll talk about:

• Intentional rest vs. unintentional guilt
• Why rest is a real part of the writing process.
• Practical ways to pause your fiction writing without losing momentum

If December is your “rest and refill” month, this episode will help you do it on purpose—without the guilt following you around from Christmas party to kitchen baking to gift wrapping.

In the next episode, I’ll share low-stress tips for those who do want to keep writing through the holidays. But for today? If you need it, use this week’s episode as your permission slip to take a holiday.

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Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes

As fiction authors, we’re natural explorers—we chase stories into new eras, new worlds, and yes, new cultures. But when you’re researching a culture that isn’t your own, it can feel like you’re holding a map written in a foreign language.

In this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast, I share practical, no-drama tips for researching another culture with accuracy, respect, and confidence—so you can build story worlds readers trust (and love).

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why accuracy builds trust (even in fantasy) and how it strengthens your confidence as an author
• Where to start: books, primary sources, oral histories, and works by members of the culture
• How to go “beneath the glass” at museums, archives, and cultural centers (and build real relationships)
• Bias checks & cross-checks: balancing sources inside and outside the culture

Want to go deeper specifically with Native American characters? My course Fiction Writing American Indians walks you step-by-step through authentic research and portrayal—without stereotypes or misrepresentation.

You don’t have to research alone—or feel lost. With the right approach, research will energize your writing and spark your best plot twists.

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Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes

Have you ever had a story idea that included a character or culture outside of your own—and then hesitated?

You wondered, What if I get it wrong? What if readers call me out?

In this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast, I talk about how you can respectfully and confidently write beyond your own experiences. Because if we only ever write from our personal worlds, our stories will be flat, limited, and missing the depth readers crave.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

• Why authenticity matters, even in fiction—and how readers connect when they sense it.
• Practical steps for writing “the other” with depth, respect, and realism.
• Why you should use caution with sensitivity readers (I did an entire podcast episode on this topic alone. You can listen to it here.)
• How to balance shared humanity with unique cultural identity for authentic characters.

Writing beyond your own experience isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. And when done with care, it builds trust with your readers while giving them richer, more immersive story worlds.

And if you’d like to go deeper, I created a digital course called Fiction Writing American Indians, where I teach you step by step how to bring Native characters to life with authenticity and respect. You can also grab my free guide, Five Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing Native Americans, at FictionCourses.com/AmericanIndians.

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Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes

Have you ever wanted to do something simple—like leave a book review, reply to a reader email, or edit a single chapter—yet it suddenly felt impossible?

Instead of tackling the task, you’d rather scroll Instagram or take out the trash. Sound familiar?

That’s your writing brain arguing with you.

In this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast, I share why your brain resists even small creative tasks and, most importantly, how you can win those arguments.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

• Why procrastination isn’t laziness—it’s your brain protecting energy.
• The first step to winning: recognizing your brain’s sneaky excuses.
• How “micro goals” make procrastination almost impossible.
• Simple rewards and rituals that retrain your brain to love writing time.

These strategies will help you stop stalling, start writing, and actually enjoy the process.

Ready to put these strategies into practice today? Here’s a quick one: leave a review on The Confident Fiction Author podcast. 😉 It only takes a minute, and it’s a powerful way to energize your writing brain (plus, I’ll be so grateful!).

You don’t have to let procrastination win. Your brain may argue—but you’re in charge.

***

Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes

Let’s be honest: dictated drafts can look messy.

I still remember the first full scene I dictated—nearly 1,500 words while doing dishes. When I had it transcribed, it looked like it had been chewed up and spit out by autocorrect: Missing punctuation, random words, broken sentences. I almost gave up right then.

But here’s what I discovered (and what I share in this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast): messy drafts aren’t a failure. They’re the key to momentum.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why messy dictated drafts actually signal progress, not problems.
• How dictation helps you silence your inner editor and write forward.
• Why “messy = breakthrough.”
• How my cleanup time went from 50/50 to 90/10 as my dictation skills improved.

If you’ve been waiting for “perfect” words to hit the page before you could finish your novel, this episode will give you the freedom to let go, embrace the mess, and gain the momentum you need.

If messy drafts have been the thing holding you back from dictating your fiction, my upcoming Dictation Bootcamp was designed for you! We kick off October 14th with 4 live days of training, assignments, and a private community to help you take those first steps.

It’s just $37 to join—and yes, enrollment is finally open.

👉 Enroll in Dictation Bootcamp now

Messy drafts lead to finished novels. Let’s get your stories moving!

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Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes

Does the thought of dictating your novel bring up images of expensive microphones, digital recorders, and pricey software?

That’s exactly what kept me from dictating my fiction for years. Back when the Dragon Dictation software cost hundreds of dollars (and came on CD-ROMs!), I thought I’d need at least $1,000 worth of gear before I could even get started.

But here’s the secret: you don’t need fancy gear to dictate your fiction.

In this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast, I share how I started dictating with nothing more than my smartphone—and why that’s still all I use today, after 14 dictated books.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

• The biggest myth that stops authors from trying dictation (and why it isn’t true).
• How I overcame years of tech overwhelm and finally started speaking my stories.
• Why success with dictation comes from training your brain, not buying gadgets.

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’ll start dictating once I have the right setup,” this episode will show you why that’s the wrong approach, and what to do instead.

And remember, my upcoming Dictation Bootcamp kicks off October 14th. Inside, I’ll walk you through how to start dictating step by step—using just your phone or computer—so you can finally capture your stories without tech overwhelm.

Dictation doesn’t start with gear. It starts with you.

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Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes

When you hear the word dictation, you might picture speed—writers rattling off 10,000 words a day and hitting sky-high word counts.

But here’s the truth I share in this episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast: dictation isn’t about speed. It’s about building a sustainable fiction writing career.

In this episode, I open up about:

• How I went from an epic failure at dictation to making it the cornerstone of my writing life.
• The hidden toll typing takes on your body (and how dictation can protect your health for the long run).
• The surprising way dictation keeps creativity flowing—anywhere, anytime—even while doing dishes!
• Why dictation may be the key to avoiding (or recovering from) author burnout.

This episode is especially for you if you’ve tried dictation before and thought, “My brain just doesn’t work that way.” You’ll hear how I broke through that block—and how you can, too.

If you’re curious about trying dictation for yourself, stay tuned—I’ve got my Dictation Bootcamp kicking off October 14th! You’ll get step-by-step training, live support, and the confidence to start speaking your stories.

Dictation isn’t just a tool for fast writers. It’s a strategy for fiction authors who want longevity, creativity, and joy in their writing life.

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Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes