The Whole Writer

Stuck in revision even after fixing the pacing, the dialogue, and the structure? In this episode of The Whole Writer, I share the one question I've found beneath every manuscript problem: What does this story need from me that I haven't been willing to give it yet?

After years of guiding writers through developmental edits and novel revision, I've seen the same pattern again and again. Writers often name exactly what isn't working in their manuscript, then ask me to help fix everything except that one thing. It isn't because they can't see the problem. It's because facing it honestly costs something.

In this solo episode, I talk about:

• Why technical craft fixes stop working at a certain point in revision
• How to recognize writing resistance, such as avoiding a scene, rewriting the same paragraph, or reorganizing instead of revising
• The three things I find a manuscript usually asks of you: patience, honesty, and permission
• How to get curious about your resistance instead of frustrated with yourself
• Why I still ask myself this question, and why it applies to first-time writers and multi-published authors alike

Whether you're revising a novel, a memoir, or your very first draft, I hope this episode gives you a gentle, practical way to move through revision with more self-trust and less self-judgment.

To learn more about my coaching programs and manuscript services for fiction writers, visit nicolemeier.com.

If this episode helped you, I'd love it if you left a rating and review. It helps more writers find the show.

I'm joined by creativity coach Charlotte Donlon for a conversation I think has been missing from most craft circles: what it actually means to write from a compassionate place. We talk about her forthcoming book Spiritual Direction for Writers, and why she believes all of life is the writing life, not just the days we sit down to draft.

Charlotte opens up about coming to writing later in life, healing through a daily writing practice after a manic episode and major depression, living with bipolar disorder, and the identity crisis she faced as a writer when her father died just months before her first book released. We dig into nourishing rhythms, solo retreat practices, writer identity, loneliness and belonging in the creative life, and how to be curious with yourself instead of chastising yourself when the writing isn't happening.

If you've ever felt like you weren't a real writer during a season when you weren't writing, or you're looking for a gentler, more sustainable approach to your creative practice, this episode is for you.

We cover:

• Charlotte's path from classical ballet to an MFA in creative writing
• Writing as healing while living with bipolar disorder and mental illness
• Grief, identity, and what it means to be a writer during hard seasons
• Her belong, become, behold, bestow framework from Spiritual Direction for Writers
• Nourishing rhythms, solo writing retreats, and self-compassion for writers
• Being a good literary citizen and finding belonging through art and community

Find Charlotte at spiritualdirectionforwriters.com

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love a rating and review, it helps more writers find the show. And if you want support with your own manuscript or writing life, come find me at nicolemeier.com.

Struggling with how to revise a novel or memoir once the first draft is done? In this episode, I reframe revision as the real heart of writing a book, not just fixing typos and tightening scenes. Learn why the self-editing process is emotional as much as technical, how to find the story underneath your story, and why writers lose themselves when they revise to please feedback instead of revising toward the book they meant to write.

If you're deep in your own novel revision process or memoir revision and wondering whether you're doing it right, this conversation will help you trust your instincts and your craft again, together instead of at odds.

Want to join my fall revision cohort? Become a paid Substack subscriber at Dear Whole Writer and you're in!

Want to learn more about my editing services? Visit nicolemeier.com

A quick note before the new season starts: revision has no roadmap, and that's exactly the problem. Introducing Whole Revision, a ten-week cohort for my paid Substack subscribers, opening September 8th. I'd love to see you inside!

To join, visit this link here.

Email: [email protected]

What if the secret to writing a compelling novel—and querying it successfully—starts with understanding what's deeply meaningful to you? In this episode, I sit down with author Karin Gillespie to explore how to identify the personal connection in your writing and translate it into a pitch that agents and editors can't ignore.

Karin, author of nine novels and creator of the popular Substack "Pitch Your Novel," shares her 20+ year publishing journey—from traditional publishing with the Big Five to indie publishing and back again. She's seen the industry from every angle, and she's here to help you navigate today's competitive landscape with wisdom, warmth, and practical guidance.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why your personal connection to your story matters more than you think
• How to write a novel with a clear desire line that drives your narrative forward
• The essential elements every query letter needs (including the one-sentence pitch most writers forget)
• How to identify and pitch your book's genre in today's market
• What "comps" are and why they're crucial to your query success
• The reality of submission in 2025—and why it's so different from even five years ago
• How to create your pitch before you write your novel (and why this can save you heartbreak)
• Finding joy in the writing process, even when the business side feels overwhelming

Whether you're drafting your first manuscript or querying your fifth novel, this conversation offers both tactical advice on how to query a literary agent and gentle encouragement to stay connected to what makes your writing meaningful.

Connect with Karin Gillespie: Substack: Pitch Your Novel

Mentioned Resources:

• Publisher's Marketplace
• Query Tracker
• Amazon for comp research

If you're ready to learn how to write a novel that matters to you and stands out in the marketplace, this episode is your roadmap.

The Whole Writer is a podcast for fiction writers who want to nurture both their craft and their creative well-being. Hosted by Nicole Meier, multi-published author and book coach.

Want more support on your writing journey? Visit nicolemeier.com to explore coaching programs for fiction writers.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other writers discover the show!

🎙️Find Karin Gillespie here.

🎙️Find Nicole Meier here.

Jane Friedman discusses the major shifts she's witnessed in publishing over the past ten years. 

Inside this episode, we explore:

• the explosive growth of audiobooks
• the new tools and platforms available to writers today 
• the rise of the creator economy and its impact on authors
• the emergence of AI in writing and publishing

Jane brings her signature practical wisdom and market intelligence to help writers understand and navigate this transformed landscape. Tune in for more.

🎙️Find more on Jane Friedman here.

🎙️Find more on Nicole Meier here.

Bestselling author J.T. Ellison shares what it really takes to build a creative life that stands the test of time. 

From honoring the seasons of your writing career to navigating burnout and rediscovering joy, J.T. offers candid insights into the mindset shifts, boundaries, and community connections that keep creativity sustainable. Whether you're in the trenches of a first draft or navigating the ups and downs of publishing, her wisdom is a reminder that longevity in the creative world isn't about hustle—it's about alignment, intention, and protecting what matters most.

Find more on J.T. Ellison here and here.

Find more in Nicole Meier here.

I'm sharing an interview I originally recorded for the Cracking Open podcast because the conversation feels just as relevant for our Whole Writer community.

We talk about something I believe deeply: creativity isn't reserved for people with endless time, perfect circumstances, or extraordinary talent. It's a practice of returning to yourself—again and again.

In our conversation, we explore:

• How I found my way back to writing after years of raising three children and caring for family.

• Why resistance so often disguises itself as "not enough time," perfectionism, or fear of being judged.

• The small, consistent habits that helped me build a sustainable writing life.

• Why confidence doesn't come before we begin—it grows because we begin.

• How creativity supports not only our writing, but our sense of wholeness.

Whether you're drafting a novel, revising a memoir, or simply trying to reconnect with the creative part of yourself, I hope this conversation encourages you to keep showing up for your work—and for yourself.

If this episode resonates, I'd love to hear from you. You can find more encouragement, craft essays, and thoughtful reflections for novelists and memoirists in my Dear Whole Writer newsletter.

To find Molly Carroll's podcast, Cracking Open, visit here.

Is AI quietly eroding your creative confidence? I’m sharing what I’m seeing in manuscripts as an editor, discussing the concept of “agency decay,” and making a case for why the messy, uncertain work of drafting is exactly where your writer’s voice gets made.

In this episode:

• Why AI-generated pages are recognizable to agents, editors, and book coaches
• What “agency decay” is and how it chips away at your creative confidence over time
• The difference between using AI as a tool vs. letting it replace your creative work
• 3 practical strategies to reclaim your voice and trust yourself on the page

For fiction writers, memoir writers, and anyone who’s been tempted to outsource the blank page, this one’s for you.

To find more on Nicole, visit nicolemeier.com

What happens when traditional publishing stalls your career — and you decide to take matters into your own hands?

In this episode, Nicole sits down with award-winning novelist Annie Cathryn (The Friendship Breakup, Eat the Cake) to talk candidly about her journey from querying 125 literary agents, landing a traditional publishing deal, and ultimately making the leap to self-publishing her latest novel.

Whether you're a fiction writer wondering how to self-publish your first novel, or a traditionally published author weighing a move to indie publishing, Annie's story is full of hard-won wisdom and practical insight.

They cover:

• What it really takes to query literary agents — and why 125 rejections isn't failure
• Why traditional publishing didn't work for Annie's sophomore novel (and why it had nothing to do with her writing)
• How she launched an indie publishing business in a single day — LLC, website, pub date and all
• The honest learning curve of self-publishing: book formatting, cover design, IngramSpark vs. Amazon, and what she'd do differently
• The real benefits of being an indie author: creative control, real-time sales data, and choosing your own pub date
• How to decide whether traditional or self-publishing is the right fit for your author career

Annie's debut novel Eat the Cake — a story of grief, unexpected hope, and a scavenger hunt through Florence — releases July 21st. Find her on Instagram @msanniecathryn and pre-order at bookstoread.com/anniecatherine.

For more on Nicole Meier, visit nicolemeier.com