The Write Anyway Podcast

Do you ever feel like your creative life is disconnected from the rest of your existence? Author, editor, and writing coach Bill Kenower introduces the concept of "The All-Day Artist" —not about writing all day, but about bringing the spirit of creativity into every aspect of life.

In this illuminating conversation, Bill shares:

• Why limiting creativity to just writing time holds us back
• How to apply the skills we learn as writers to navigate life's uncertainties
• A practical approach to overcoming boredom by using creative listening
• The importance of following what feels effortless and interesting
• Why caring about how you feel is essential to both writing and living
• Strategies for developing trust in your creative instincts
• The critical difference between writing for yourself versus writing for others

Bill Kenower is the author of "Fearless Writing" and hosts two podcasts: "Fearless Writing" and "Author to Author." His weekly essays can be found at Author Magazine (authormagazine.org).

Whether you're struggling to integrate your creative practice with daily life or looking to bring more authenticity to your writing, this episode offers valuable insights for writers at any stage of their journey.

Find Bill online at williamkenower.com for coaching services, podcast links, and more.

Subscribe to the Write Anyway Newsletter at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe for weekly writing insights and marketing tips.

Sue Campbell shares insights from her recent webinar on boosting productivity for writers. Drawing from her experiences as a mindset and book marketing coach, Sue covers key productivity philosophies, identifies different productivity tendencies, and presents two foundational productivity systems: the Autofocus System and Monday Hour One.

The episode also highlights tools, both analog and digital, to support these systems and emphasizes the importance of mindset in achieving writing goals.

Additionally, Sue introduces her Goal Getter School, a program aimed at helping writers accomplish significant milestones through custom project planning and consistent coaching. Listeners are encouraged to identify their biggest productivity challenges and are offered actionable advice to overcome them.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 Meet Sue Campbell: Your Productivity Coach

02:09 Setting the Stage for Productivity

10:53 Understanding Productivity Tendencies

17:36 Exploring the Autofocus System

22:05 Time Blocking with Monday Hour One

27:33 The Concept of Blissipline

28:02 Pros and Cons of Time Blocking

28:45 Analog Tools for Time Blocking

30:40 Digital Tools for Time Blocking

33:27 Introduction to Goal Getter School

36:08 Goal Getter School Structure and Benefits

42:54 Q&A Session

54:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Developmental editors Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez break down what your first page must promise—and how to deliver it for your ideal reader. From raising the right questions to dodging common traps (info dumps, action-for-action’s-sake), you’ll get practical ways to craft an opening that compels page turns and signals the book you actually wrote.

What you’ll learn

• Why your first page is a promise—and how to make the right one
• How to define and hook your ideal reader (not “everyone”)
• When to open with action vs. narration, and why “start in action” is often misapplied
• Raising mystery and intrigue without confusing the reader
• The truth about “show, don’t tell” on page one
• Where the inciting incident belongs (and when it doesn’t)
• Avoiding info dumps while still orienting the reader
• When to stop polishing page one—and when to return to it
• Simple exercises to sharpen your opening (including hand-copying a favorite first page)
• How to tailor your opening for agents and genre expectations

Timestamps

• 00:00 — The problem: “My first page isn’t hooky enough”
• 01:00 — Who’s your ideal reader? Hint: probably you
• 04:00 — The first page as a promise of the reading experience
• 05:00 — Do you really need to open in action?
• 06:00 — Orientation vs. info dump (especially for SFF)
• 07:30 — Must the inciting incident be on page one?
• 08:30 — Mystery vs. confusion: walking the line
• 10:00 — Intrigue through specific, telling details
• 11:00 — Do protagonists need to be likable?
• 12:00 — “Show, don’t tell”: what the rule actually means
• 14:00 — The trap of overworking your opening
• 15:00 — Write the draft first; promise precisely later
• 17:00 — The power of your first ~300 words
• 18:00 — Discovery writing and changing stories
• 19:00 — Craft exercise: hand-copy your favorite first page
• 20:00 — Making your promise clear—and pitching the right agents

Try this

• Pull three novels you love. Hand-copy their first pages. Mark where they raise questions, slip in exposition, and introduce desire or problem.
• Rewrite your first 300 words to:
• Gut-check: Does your first page promise the book you actually wrote?

Mentioned

• Ursula K. Le Guin (on word choice and deliberate narration)
• Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl (compelling “unlikable” protagonist)
• “It was a dark and stormy night” (Bulwer-Lytton) as an example of permissible telling

Quote
“Your job as a fiction writer is to raise questions. Why I turn the page is because there’s a question in my mind.”

Links

• Subscribe to the Write Anyway newsletter: [email protected]
• Pages & Platforms and the Happily Ever Author Club

If this episode helped you rethink your opening, share it with a writer friend and leave a rating—it helps more writers find the show.

Sue Campbell, a mindset coach for writers, reveals the hidden inner narratives that quietly sabotage creative progress — and shows how to rewrite them so you actually sit down and finish your work.

This episode is full of practical, moment-by-moment strategies: how to surface limiting beliefs, neutralize them, and replace them with believable, emotionally motivating alternatives. If you’ve ever told yourself “I’ll write tomorrow,” or “I hate social media,” this episode gives you the tools to change the story and get writing — even if it’s just one sentence.

Who this episode is for: Writers who feel stuck, procrastinate, avoid revision, dread marketing, or want concrete mindset tools to finish a book and grow an author platform.

Why listen:

• Learn why the story you tell yourself matters as much as the story you’re writing.
• Get a simple, repeatable method to expose and loosen limiting beliefs.
• Walk away with tactical moves you can use immediately: journaling prompts, a “one sentence” rule, and mindset reframes for tech and marketing resistance.

Key takeaways:

• Two stories: the book you’re crafting and the story you tell yourself about your ability to write it. The latter often undermines the former.
• Writing your thoughts down reveals hidden beliefs; reading them aloud turns vague resistance into actionable insight.
• Don’t rely on hollow affirmations. Create rewrites that feel believable and carry emotional weight — even if the first step is neutral (“maybe this could help”).
• Use low-friction actions (e.g., one sentence) to defeat procrastination and build identity as someone who shows up.
• With technology and marketing fears, aim for “just enough” competency to move forward rather than perfection.
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Memorable quotes:

• “The story that you tell yourself as a writer is just as important as the story you’re writing.”
• “Your inner saboteur is laying out a binary that you can’t possibly do both at the same time.”
• “One sentence today can become a stepping stone to a much bigger writing session.”

Resources mentioned:

• Sue Campbell / Happily Ever Author Club: storypath.me/hea
• Write Anyway Newsletter: pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

If this episode moved you, try the one-sentence rule for the next three days and notice how it changes your momentum.

Subscribe, leave a review, and share with a writer who needs to rewrite their inner story.

Is your novel bursting at the seams? Developmental editor Anne Hawley reveals how she cut 100,000 words from her historical novel – and how you can trim your manuscript without losing its heart.

Anne shares battle-tested strategies for identifying and eliminating excess content, including:

• How to know if your manuscript is too long for your genre
• Four major areas to target for significant cuts
• Why "killing your darlings" is so emotionally challenging
• Smart techniques for preserving cut content
• When to keep your longer manuscript despite industry pressures

Plus: Learn why "the reader needs to know this" might be your biggest obstacle to a leaner, stronger story.

Whether you're writing fantasy epics or middle-grade fiction, these practical tips will help you craft a manuscript that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Subscribe to our newsletter: pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

Join the Happily Ever Author Club for more resources:
Is your novel bursting at the seams? In this episode, developmental editor Anne Hawley reveals how she cut 100,000 words from her historical novel – and how you can trim your manuscript without losing its heart.

Anne shares battle-tested strategies for identifying and eliminating excess content, including:

• How to know if your manuscript is too long for your genre
• Four major areas to target for significant cuts
• Why "killing your darlings" is so emotionally challenging
• Smart techniques for preserving cut content
• When to keep your longer manuscript despite industry pressures

Plus: Learn why "the reader needs to know this" might be your biggest obstacle to a leaner, stronger story.

Whether you're writing fantasy epics or middle-grade fiction, these practical tips will help you craft a manuscript that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Join the Happily Ever Author Club for more support and resources: storypath.me/hea

Subscribe to our newsletter: pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Write Anyway podcast, Sue Campbell interviews Neroli Lacey, an accomplished author known for her “delicious fiction for clever women.”

They discuss the successful launch of Neroli's latest book, The Perfumer's Secret, covering her marketing strategies, the importance of building a brand and community, and the unexpected joys of marketing.

Neroli shares her journey from resisting marketing to embracing it, her experience with a hybrid publisher, and how she built a mailing list of over 3,000 subscribers.

Additionally, they delve into the significance of a long-term vision for a writing career and the importance of balancing creative work with marketing efforts.

The episode is rich with insights and actionable tips for both seasoned authors and aspiring writers.

00:00 Introduction to Indie Publishing

00:16 Meet Neroli Lacey: Author and Journalist

00:58 The Perfumer's Secret: A Successful Book Launch

03:00 Marketing Strategies and Challenges

09:48 The Impact of a BookBub Deal

12:56 Building a Community of Writers

14:38 Growing an Email List

17:32 Balancing Writing and Life

26:25 The Importance of Mindset and Coaching

28:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Are you an ADHD writer struggling with traditional writing methods? In this episode, ADHD coach and developmental editor Rachelle Ramirez shares proven strategies to help neurodivergent writers move from blank page to finished manuscript.

Key Topics:

• [00:01:00] Rachelle's personal journey with ADHD diagnosis
• [00:05:00] Why traditional writing systems often fail ADHD writers
• [00:09:00] Task initiation vs motivation - understanding the real challenge
• [00:12:00] The Interest-Based Approach to writing:
• [00:19:00] Adapting strategies when they stop working

Key Takeaways:

• Your brain isn't broken - traditional systems weren't designed for you
• Organization strategies for the ADHD mind
• Practical techniques for task initiation
• Four ways to reignite interest in your writing project

About Our Guest: Rachelle Ramirez is a developmental editor and ADHD coach who brings both professional expertise and personal experience to help neurodivergent writers succeed.

Resources Mentioned:

• Mel Robbins' 5-4-3-2-1 technique
• ADHD Writer Accelerator Program
• [Free ADHD Writers Webinar]

Connect With Us: Subscribe to our newsletter at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe for weekly writing insights and tips.

In this episode of Write Anyway, developmental editors Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez dive deep into the often misunderstood concept of point of view (POV) in storytelling.

Key topics covered:

• Why POV is more than just choosing between first and third person
• How time, distance, and narrative purpose influence POV choices
• The relationship between genre and POV selection
• Common challenges with first-person present tense
• The concept of narrative distance and its impact on storytelling
• Using POV to create irony and humor (featuring examples from True Grit and Huckleberry Finn)
• The importance of understanding who your narrator is speaking to and why

Featured book examples:

• True Grit by Charles Portis
• The Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart
• The Hunger Games
• Jane Eyre
• The Great Gatsby

Practical takeaway: Study the POV choices in your favorite books to better understand how successful authors handle narrative perspective.

Connect with Anne:

Find her novel Restraint on Amazon

Subscribe to the Write Anyway Newsletter at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

In this episode, Rachelle Ramirez talks with renowned author and writing teacher Laura Davis about the transformative power of writing retreats. Laura shares insights from her extensive experience leading various types of retreats, from focused work weekends to international adventures.

Key Topics:

• Different types of writing retreats and their unique benefits
• How to choose the right retreat for your needs
• The value of stepping away from daily routines
• Combining writing with travel and other creative pursuits
• Creating safe spaces for deep personal work
• Building lasting writing communities

About Laura Davis:
Laura Davis is the author of six groundbreaking nonfiction books, including the bestseller The Courage to Heal and her recent mother-daughter memoir The Burning Light of Two Stars. She specializes in building writing communities where people can find their voice and develop their craft.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Writing retreat locations: Bali, Spain, Tuscany, Greece, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Peru
• The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage
• New Camino retreat planned for 2026
• Various retreat themes including grief, aging, and resilience

Learn More:
Visit lauradavis.net to explore upcoming retreats with Laura Davis

Subscribe to Write Anyway:
Get weekly writing insights and tips at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

Sue Campbell talks with Dr. Rachel Meredith, a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist, about practical ways writers can improve their physical energy to enhance creative output. With over 25 years of practice experience, Dr. Meredith shares actionable advice for writers struggling with fatigue, particularly those over 40.

Key Topics Covered:

• Understanding energy management using the "healthcare dollars" analogy
• The importance of proper hydration for energy levels
• Sleep optimization and common sleep disruptors
• Caffeine dependency and strategies for reducing intake
• Essential supplements for energy: B-vitamins and magnesium
• Nutrition guidance for sustained energy
• Special considerations for perimenopause and menopause

Key Takeaways:

1. Daily water intake should be your weight divided by 2 in ounces
2. Optimal sleep duration is 7.5-8.25 hours
3. B-vitamins and magnesium are safe supplements for most people
4. Inflammatory foods like gluten and sugar can impact energy levels
5. Protein-rich breakfasts help stabilize blood sugar throughout the day

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Meredith's practice: Receptive Medicine in Portland, Oregon
• Recommended supplements: B-complex and magnesium glycinate
• Suggested medical tests: ferritin, iron, TSH, free T3, and free T4

Guest Bio: Dr. Rachel Meredith is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist with over 25 years of experience. She practices at Receptive Medicine in Portland, Oregon, where she takes a holistic approach to helping patients optimize their health and energy levels.

The Write Anyway podcast is produced by Pages and Platforms and the Happily Ever Author Club.