If your book has been sitting untouched for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve already tried the obvious solution: push yourself harder.

Write more often. Get more disciplined. Set a deadline. Put your butt in the seat.

And if that worked, great. But if it hasn’t, this episode is for you.

Because one of the things I see all the time with stalled book projects is that the longer the book sits, the more we start making the problem about ourselves. We decide we’re lazy, undisciplined, too distracted, not a “real” writer, or maybe just incapable of finishing the thing.

That makes sitting down to write feel pretty terrible.

So in this episode, I’m talking about a different way to get unstuck: finding your way back to the part of the project that actually interests you.

We’ll talk about what happens when self-doubt starts running the writing process, how to reconnect with the reason you wanted to write the book in the first place, and six practical things you can try when writing has started to feel like a slog.

I also tell you why I bought myself a little kid’s watercolor set when I couldn’t make myself work on my memoir. It helped more than it had any business helping.

Take the Expert Author Quiz to find out what kind of book you should write and get personalized advice for moving it forward:

https://pageandpodium.com/quiz

Learn more about Page & Podium Press:

https://pageandpodium.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

06:08 How books stall

08:31 Why the writing process gets harder after the easy beginning

10:47 When ADHD, self-doubt, and identity-level fear take over

11:39 Finding the seed of curiosity again

13:55 Tip 1 — Look for the other side of the coin

18:35 Tip 2 — Refocus on what the book is for

22:40 Tip 3 — Change the medium to unstick the idea

26:29 Tip 4 — Get around other writers and use body doubling

29:47 Tip 5 — Reconnect with what you enjoy about writing

33:19 Tip 6 — Do something ridiculous to restart creativity

36:28 You deserve to enjoy the writing process

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Is your book idea actually ready to become a book?

One of the biggest mistakes nonfiction authors make is comparing a rough, early idea to the polished idea inside a published bestseller. But those ideas did not begin fully formed. They were refined through writing, conversation, feedback, market testing, self-reflection, and often professional support.

In this episode, I share five practical ways to hone your book idea before you start writing. You’ll learn how to clarify your unique perspective, test your message through speaking and teaching, use journaling to uncover what you may be avoiding, listen more closely to your audience, and connect your expertise with the personal experiences that made you care about this topic in the first place.

The clearer your idea is before you begin, the easier the writing process becomes—and the stronger, more distinctive the final book will be.

Not sure what kind of book best fits your experience, goals, and expertise? Take the free Expert Author Quiz for a personalized result, examples of authors with a similar path, and practical guidance on what to embrace, what to watch out for, and what to do next:

https://pageandpodium.com/quiz

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Why comparing your rough idea to a published bestseller is unhelpful

01:29 The significance of developing a clear, unique perspective early on

02:41 How completed books undergo extensive editing, market testing, and self-reflection

03:37 Real-time example of a client’s journey from idea to polished chapters

04:57 The impact of idea development on writing ease and quality

06:24 Overcoming fears of sharing your idea or having it stolen

06:54 Practical ways to hone your idea: working with professionals

08:17 The value of feedback and discussion in refining your message

09:39 The importance of clarifying your core differentiator

10:43 Using speaking and teaching to test and deepen your ideas

11:43 Building your platform and audience early for better clarity

13:11 Journaling on emotional vulnerabilities and underlying premises

14:33 Exploring basic, foundational details that ground your larger idea

16:24 How understanding simple mechanics can strengthen your message

17:51 Combining personal stories with your expertise for greater impact

21:07 The importance of integrating your personal connection with the topic

23:33 Yolanda Bogart’s blend of personal story and professional expertise

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Getting feedback on your nonfiction manuscript can be one of the most overwhelming parts of the writing process—but the right feedback can help you see exactly what is working, what needs attention, and what to do next.

In this episode, I break down three ways to get more useful feedback on your manuscript, including who to ask, what questions to give them, and why a marked-up manuscript is not always the best option.

Ready for professional feedback on your manuscript?

Page & Podium Press offers manuscript reviews for completed nonfiction and memoir manuscripts. You’ll receive a detailed written report on your manuscript’s strengths, its most important opportunities for improvement, and practical recommendations for revision—plus a coaching session to help you create a clear plan.

Learn more: https://pageandpodium.com/manuscript

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Why feedback feels so difficult for first-time authors

01:35 What effective manuscript feedback actually looks like

05:33 Tip 1: Choose the right level of feedback

06:06 Friends and family feedback

11:18 Beta readers: when they help and when they don’t

16:56 Why professional editorial feedback is different

22:38 Tip 2: Be specific about the feedback you need

26:55 Tip 3: Consider a different feedback format

34:35 Manuscript review and next steps

MUSIC

“Dewflower”

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Are you ready to write a book—or are you waiting to feel more qualified, more confident, or more certain first? In this episode, we’re breaking down three concrete questions that can help you decide whether you’re ready to begin your expert book. We’ll talk about how to know whether your idea is both recognizable and unique, why commitment matters more than confidence, and what your book needs to do for you beyond simply selling copies.

🔗 Want a roadmap to the things that will trip you up as you write your book? Take the free Expert Author Quiz. In just a few minutes, you’ll get a personalized report with your strengths, challenges, examples of successful authors like you, and concrete next steps. Take the quiz at pageandpodium.com/quiz.

New videos every Tuesday—subscribe and never miss an update!

Timestamps:

2:35 The Expert Author identity

4:20 How books give us readiness

9:58 1. Is your book unique AND recognizable?

18:30 2. Are you committed to this idea?

24:18 3. Do you know what you want the book to do?

29:18 Take the Expert Author Quiz

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Traditional publishing still holds a powerful place in many authors’ imaginations. Even writers who care deeply about equity, access, and justice often find themselves wanting the validation of a traditional book deal. But what happens when the industry we’re trying to enter is built around gatekeeping? In this episode, we’re talking about alternatives to traditional publishing, the history and rhetoric behind “vanity press” shaming, and why excellence does not have to mean waiting for permission from the Big Five.

🔗 If you’ve been working on your memoir for a while but you’re not making the progress you want, I have something practical for you. The Memoir Method Checklist walks you through every step from idea to finished book—not in a vague, inspirational way, but in a clear, get-this-done way. Download it free at pageandpodium.com/checklist.

New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update!

Timestamps:

0:00-Intro

1:42 Wanting a book deal vs resisting the traditional industry

4:37 What is gatekeeping

6:21 Historical context of book publishing gatekeeping vs resistance

8:30 Differentiating traditional publishers from nontraditional publishers

12:22 The origin of the term "vanity presses"

14:45 The structure of gatekeeping in history

18:55 The two ways gatekeeping works

20:58 Separating neutral aspects of traditional publishing from inequitable aspects

24:30 Three ways authors can resist

24:55 Reflect on your own thought patterns surrounding traditional publishers

27:27 Identify gatekeeping as a historical pattern that prevents access

31:20 Remember that traditional publishers are trying to predict reader reaction

36:20 If you want a traditional contract, go into it with context

👉 *Follow Us:*

*LinkedIn:* [Page and Podium Press]( / page-and-podium-press )

*Facebook:* [Page and Podium Press]( / pageandpodiumpress )

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Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

When your memoir feels stuck, the advice you’ll often hear is to push through. Sit down, force the words, meet the deadline, keep going no matter what. But for memoir writers, that advice can make the work harder—and the book weaker.

In this episode, we’re talking about memoir writer’s block, why “pushing through” often backfires, and what to do instead. We’ll look at why a better writing process leads to a better finished book, how accountability can turn into self-bullying, and why joy still matters even when you’re writing about painful or traumatic experiences.

🔗 Most memoirs don’t stall because of lack of time. Most memoirs stall because of lack of clarity. That’s why I put together the Memoir Method Checklist. It gives you every step in the process from idea to finished book, so you can see what comes next and keep moving without forcing your way through. Download it free at pageandpodium.com/checklist.

📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update!

Timestamps:

0:00-Intro

2:45 "Pushing through" is antithetical to good work

4:38 Excellent memoirs come from excellent processes

6:15 Why a better process produces a better product

10:47 Pushing through is for things we don't want to do

13:17 Pushing through often leads to abandoning the project

14:05 Instead of pushing through, dig deeper and heal the root

14:44 Where is the urge to push through coming from?

16:22 Accountability without kindness is just bullying

18:00 Use your deadlines as long as they work, then set new ones

19:07 Big goals are important but not usually urgent and not as important as allowing creative expression

21:42 Keep your eyes on your own paper

👉 **Follow Us:**

- **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/)

- **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress)

- **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/)

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Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday!

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Writing your first memoir can feel especially unsettling because there is so much you can’t know at the beginning. Will you struggle with the outline? Will you know what to include? Will your family be upset? Will the book change the way you understand your own life?

In this episode, we’re talking about what to expect when you write your first memoir—from developing your natural voice and building a structure to navigating the messy middle, revising your draft, and knowing when to stop chasing perfection. If you’re craving certainty before you begin, this conversation will help you understand why some uncertainty is part of the process—and how to keep going anyway.

🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist.

📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update!

Timestamps:

2:01 Searching for certainty in memoir writing

4:13 Where these stages came from

4:45 Stage 1: Developing your voice

10:03 Stage 2: Learning structure in a basic way

15:16 Stage 3: Starting to trust your instincts

17:42 Stage 4: Outgrowing generic writing advice

21:29 Stage 5: Feeling the urge to start over

24:12 Stage 6: Hitting the revision despair stage

29:09 Stage 7: Accepting that finished isn’t perfect

31:29 Stage 8: Starting over at the next level

👉 **Follow Us:**

- **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/)

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Writing can feel isolating, and many memoirists make it even harder by keeping their process completely private. But talking about your work—especially early on—is one of the most powerful habits you can build. It strengthens your clarity, deepens your confidence, and makes the entire journey more sustainable. In this episode, we’re exploring why looping your family and friends into your writing process can transform both your memoir and your experience of creating it.

🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist.

📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update!

Timestamps:

0:00-Intro

1:54 When fear stops us from sharing:

4:23 Tip 1: Prepare/practice an "elevator pitch"

8:27 Tip 2: Ask questions about various events

10:38 Tip 3: Ask what memories stand out from your particular topic

13:54 Tip 4: Share passages in person or via email

17:28 Tip 5: Share your writing schedule

20:23 Tip 6: Share the things you’re learning about your story

23: 11 Talking about your work is never easy, but practice will help

👉 **Follow Us:**

- **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/)

- **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress)

- **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/)

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Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday!

Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

Ideas feel electric when they first arrive—shiny, energizing, full of promise. But once you start trying to turn that spark into an actual memoir, the glow fades and the idea can suddenly feel heavy, ambiguous, or even burdensome. Is it really worth the effort, or was it only meant to live in your imagination? In this episode, we’re breaking down five traits of strong, marketable memoir ideas so you can tell whether your spark has the potential to become a book that truly lives up to its early promise.

🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist.

📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update!

Timestamps:

0:00-Intro

4:15 Focused topic

8:23 Unique angle

13:15 Curiosity

16:19 Connection to expertise

19:04 Audience

👉 **Follow Us:**

- **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/)

- **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress)

- **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/)

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Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday!

Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal