In this episode, we dive into Stacey Swann's journey as a writer, from her experience in writing programs to her path to publication. 

Join us as Stacey shares what she wishes she knew earlier in her writing life, how she managed to persevere through tough writing moments, and the promise she made to herself to finish her book. Stacey also discusses with Zahie the valuable insights she gained from investing in coaching – including the power of conversational hypnosis and mental rehearsal tools – and how she is working on taking the shame out of not writing. Lastly, don’t miss out on the technique she reveals that you can implement right away to enhance your own writing journey.

Stacey Swann's debut novel Olympus Texas was a Good Morning America Book club selection, an Indie next pick and was long listed for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. Stacey Swann holds an MFA from Texas State University and was a Stegner fellow at Stanford University. 

We talk about:

• [2:00] Stacey's experience in writing programs
• [3:35] Community, feedback, and exposure to other styles of writing
• [5:40] How Stacey’s experience of editing for private clients and teaching workshops informs her writing
• [8:50] The path to finishing her book
• [11:30] How to keep going when the writing gets tough
• [14:00] The promise that removed pressure
• [15:00] Stacey's path to publication
• [24:15] Stacey's key takeaways from investing in coaching
• [25:55] Conversational hypnosis and mental rehearsal tools
• [27:45] What Stacey wishes she knew earlier on in her writing life
• [30:35] Taking the shame out of not writing
• [31:10] One technique to implement right away

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Free workbook: www.mindsettofinishyourbook.org 
• Stacey’s books and publications: https://www.staceyswann.com/publications
  
  
  

Connect with Stacey

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceyrswann/
• Website: https://www.staceyswann.com/

Connect with Zahie

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignstorytelling/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zahieelkouri/
• Work with me: https://sovereignstorytelling.com/work-with-me
• Website: https://sovereignstorytelling.com/

Find her online at mindsettofinishyourbook.org and on Instagram @sovereignstorytelling.

In this episode, we explore the art of protecting and nurturing your vision as a creative individual. 

You will learn to overcome creative blocks caused by negative comments and create a nurturing creative space that fosters experimentation, risk-taking, and authenticity, empowering you to confidently navigate feedback while preserving your artistic identity.

We talk about:

• [1:45] My four-step process to build and maintain a relationship with your book
• [3:00] Early feedback causing creative block
• [6:50] Building a Creative Chrysalis
• [10:00] Connect to your vision
• [12:30] Entertain feedback like a sovereign 
• [17:40] Sovereign Storytelling

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Free workbook: https://sovereignstorytelling.com/workbook; www.mindsettofinishyourbook.org 

Connect with Zahie

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignstorytelling/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zahieelkouri/
• Work with me: https://sovereignstorytelling.com/work-with-me
• Website: https://sovereignstorytelling.com/
• Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/649d97ce5fbda70a14000ef2 

Find her online at mindsettofinishyourbook.org and on Instagram @sovereignstorytelling.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Mindset to Finish Your Book. 

In this episode, I take you through step one of a four-step process that will help you finish your book (and fix everything that’s wrong with it). 

I’ll teach you about the origins of the 5 to 1 praise to criticism ratio in all healthy relationships and what that has to do with your relationship with your book. Plus I’ll share the questions I ask clients that make the creative process most fun, interesting, and generative.

We talk about:

• [1:50] Reframing your writing process
• [4:35] How is it normal to crave companionship during the creative process
• [7:25] Reframing criticism as neutral feedback 
• [9:20] Why you should not outsource your belief in your book 
• [10:05] Strategies for reminding yourself what you love about your book
• [12:30] Developing a relationship with your book

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Free workbook: https://sovereignstorytelling.com/workbook; www.mindsettofinishyourbook.org 

Connect with Zahie

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignstorytelling/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zahieelkouri/
• Work with me: https://sovereignstorytelling.com/work-with-me
• Website: https://sovereignstorytelling.com/

Find her online at mindsettofinishyourbook.org and on Instagram @sovereignstorytelling.

Why haven’t you finished the book you really, really want to write? 

Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, The Mindset to Finish Your Book Podcast will help you shift your relationship with your creativity so that you can finish the exact book you’ve always wanted to write, on exactly your own terms. 

Every other week, Zahie El Kouri—author, certified life coach, former lawyer, and current mother of three—shares insight on the most transformative tools of life coaching and how to apply them to your life as a writer. 

Joining her are super-cool guests from the worlds of coaching and publishing. Think of Zahie as your life coach for creative writing, ready to jump in and help at the press of a button. 

Find her online at mindsettofinishyourbook.org and on Instagram @sovereignstorytelling.