The Write It Scared Podcast

Feeling stuck at a creative crossroads? You’re not alone!

In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I dive into that all-too-familiar struggle every writer faces when contemplating whether to push through or step back from a project. Drawing from insights in Seth Godin’s The Dip, I unpack the tricky phase where doubt creeps in, and we’re tempted to abandon our current work-in-progress for something newer and shinier.

I’ll share some thought-provoking questions and journaling prompts to help you figure out if you are dealing with Resistance or if it’s genuinely time to listen to the creative muse and move on to something else. Plus, I’ll point you toward some invaluable resources like Dear Writer, You Need to Quit by Becca Syme, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, and How to Decide by Annie Duke.

Join me for a deep dive into reflection, aligning your decisions with your values and long-term goals. Whether you choose to move forward with your current project or pivot, this episode will empower you to take the next steps with confidence

00:00 Introduction to the Creative Crossroads

00:42 Facing the Creative Crossroads

01:15 Deciding Whether to Quit or Push Through

02:08 Understanding the Creative Call

03:59 Reflecting on Your Creative Path

04:43 Applying Seth Godin's 'The Dip' to Writing

05:33 The Phases of Writing a Novel

06:43 Understanding the Dip

07:37 Identifying If You're in the Dip

08:34 Facing Resistance

09:26 Journal Prompts for Decision-Making

10:11 The Skill of Finishing

11:03 Recommended Resources

11:43 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Learn more about Small-Group Book Coaching With Write It Scared 

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Do you want to be more efficient when it comes to your writing? 

Wish there was a way to understand what type of writing process would work well for you instead of trying and failing at a method that works well for others? 

Guess what? 

There is. 

It still takes work but makes a massive difference in my writing life.

In this episode, I’m joined by Becca Syme, creator of the  Better-Faster Academy and Strengths for Writes classes and host of the Quit Cast For Writers. 

Becca and I discuss using the CliftonStrengths assessment tool to understand your unique writing talents and personality and how that will help you improve your writing process, avoid burnout, and focus on what you naturally excel at. 

Tune in to learn how embracing your strengths can enhance creativity and productivity and sustain your passion for writing despite setbacks! 

01:18 Introduction to Special Guest: Becca Syme

03:33 Becca Syme's Journey to Writing and Coaching

07:15 Understanding CliftonStrengths for Writers

15:21 Better Faster Academy: Enhancing Your Strengths

21:07 Write Better Faster: The Path to Alignment

25:01 The Importance of Individual Coaching

25:31 Strengths for Writers vs. Write Better Faster

26:25 Personal Experiences with Strengths for Writers

27:43 Nonfiction Books for Writers

30:24 Critical Reviews and Reader Reactions

31:43 The Complexity of Writing Advice

38:06 Understanding Your Strengths: Basements and Balconies

43:41 Final Thoughts and Advice for Writers

47:16 Where to Find More Resources

Guest Bio and Links: 

Becca Syme (MATL) is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has been coaching success alignment for more than a decade. She is the author of the Quitbooks for Writers series and the popular Write Better-Faster course. She also writes mystery novels in her spare time and lives on one of the thousand lakes in Minnesota.

You can connect with Becca through her website or follow her on Instagram

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Are you good at acknowledging your efforts and celebrating your creative milestones?

Like most of us, probably not.

Does this make you a better, healthier, or happier writer? NOPE.

Today, we discuss the damaging effects of not acknowledging our efforts and achievements (no matter how big or small) and break down some actionable steps and relevant self-assessment questions to help you slow down, reflect, and learn to celebrate your progress and yourself—because, my friend, you are worth celebrating!

Tune in to learn how embracing this practice can reinforce self-worth, bolster motivation, and sustain your passion for writing.

Download the self-assessment tool from the show to incorporate this valuable practice into your writing life.

The Insecure Writer's Self-Assessment Tool: 11 Questions to Build Your Creative Resiliency And Be a Happier Writer.

00:00 Introduction to Write It Scared

01:13 Welcome and Episode Overview

01:19 The Importance of Celebrating Achievements

04:12 Challenges in Acknowledging Success

05:14 Practical Steps for Self-Assessment

07:16 Self-Assessment Questions

08:28 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

09:05 Conclusion

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

This one is for all the writers who have turned into parents or parents who’ve turned into writers.

Becoming a parent changes you. Irrevocably. Sometimes it's amazing, sometimes (often) it's terrifying. Some days you look up and realize your actual boss is a tiny human that you created. 

It's a mind trip.

Ad when those precious people grow into the age where they can actually read what you write…now that is something else entirely. Something far more magical.

From almost giving up to writing a breakout novel that became a major motion picture (and a great one) to learning how to write a second novel on a notes app while breastfeeding award, winning author Julia Walton is going to give you a ton of inspiration and must-know guidance on how to stay in it and stay kind to yourself when times are tough and you're desperately trying to navigate the turbulent waters of parenthood.

I can’t wait for you to listen to this 100% authentic, beautiful human talk to you about her process, how she nearly quit but ultimately wrote her debut, how she learned to embarrass the “gross” first draft, and how being a mom has changed her writing focus.

00:00 The Importance of the First Draft

01:44 Intro to Author Julia Walton

03:15 Julia Writing Journey

07:51 The Success of Words on Bathroom Walls

09:36 Writing in the YA Space

13:02 Writing Process and Motherhood

17:17 New Middle-Grade Book: Weirdly Walter

21:55 Advice for Writers

25:21 The Role of an MFA

35:56 The Importance of Pre-Orders

37:09 Conclusion and Farewell

Weirdly Walter is available for pre-order through HarperCollins. 

Enter the Goodreads Giveaway for Weirdly Walter

Guest Bio and Links: 

Julia Walton is the award-winning author of Words on Bathroom Walls (now a major motion picture starring Charlie Plummer, Taylor Russell, and Andy Garcia), Just Our Luck, and On the Subject of Unmentionable Things. She received an MFA in creative writing from Chapman University and a BA in history from UC Irvine. Julia lives with her husband and children in Huntington Beach, California.

To connect with Julia, please visit her website:  https://www.juliawalton.com/  or find her on Instagram at @JuliaWaltonWrites

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Today, I talk with Julie Arts, an experienced book coach and 'query wizard,' to offer expert advice on how to write effective query letters. Julie shares her journey in the writing world, insights on crafting a compelling pitch, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips on querying agents. The episode is packed with valuable information designed to help writers navigate the daunting query process. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining self-care and confidence in the writing journey, providing reassurance and comfort. Join us for this in-depth masterclass on getting your story in front of the right people and setting realistic expectations in your writing journey.

00:00 Introduction to Story Pitch Challenges

02:46 Interview with Julie Arts: Journey and Expertise

08:10 Query Letters: Expectations and Mechanics

22:38 Personal Connection in Storytelling

23:29 Crafting a Juicy Pitch

24:14 Synopsis vs. Query

26:02 Specificity in Queries

27:17 Hooking the Reader

30:04 Common Query Mistakes

34:35 Querying Strategies

39:18 Handling Rejection and Self-Care

42:04 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Guest Bio and Links: 

Julie Artz has spent the past decade helping writers like you slay their doubt demons and get their novels and memoirs reader-ready. She's worked with both award-winning and newer authors across the publishing spectrum, from Big Five to small and university presses to indie and hybrid. She is an Author Accelerator-certified Founding Book Coach, a sought-after speaker and writing instructor.

Connect with her on Instagram @JulieArtz, subscribe to her newsletter, Wyrd Words Weekly, or download her Craft Your Query Workbook today.

Other links mentioned in the show:
Publisher’s Lunch 

https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/category/new-releasesforthcoming/

Writer’s Beware

https://writerbeware.blog/

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

In this episode, I'm interviewed by Certified Book Coach Sara Gentry of Story Solutions for Writers. We chat about the challenge of managing fear and uncertainty in writing. I break down my philosophy on 'writing it scared' and highlight the importance of aligning intentions with actions. We discuss common fears writers face, the role of mentorship in overcoming self-doubt, and practical tips to keep moving forward. Tune in for valuable insights and encouragement to help you embrace the discomfort of the writing process and turn it into a catalyst for creativity.

00:00 Introduction and Overcoming Fear
01:30 Special Episode: Guest Interview
02:16 Stacy's Philosophy on Writing Through Fear
07:26 Common Fears Writers Face
09:37 Overcoming Writing Challenges
15:11 The Role of Mentorship in Writing
16:10 Stacey's Journey to Becoming a Writer
17:25 The Importance of Book Coaching and Self-Assessment

Download your free guide to remove creative blocks and write despite discomfort. 

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

It's the final quarter of 2024! These are the last 90 days to make good on writing goals, so let's make sure they are reasonable and attainable and not shoot ourselves in the foot and wind up feeling disappointed come January! 

In this episode, you'll learn how to "Do the Math" while applying the "Lens of Your  Reality" and how to add a buffer for when life happens! 

00:00 Introduction: Reflecting on Unmet Goals
01:34 Setting Realistic Year-End Writing Goals
03:01 Case Study: Drafting a Novel in the Final Quarter
04:14 Applying the Lens of Reality to Writing Goals
07:06 Adjusting Goals for Achievability
10:07 Alternative Goal-Setting Methods
11:37 Conclusion: Aligning Actions with Intentions

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Today, I chat with romance author Roni Loren, a two-time Rita Award winner and Gallup® Certified Strengths Coach with the Better Faster Academy.

The discussion dives into the controversial advice about editing as you go and how each writer's process is unique.

Roni shares her journey, her struggles with self-doubt, and how she overcame burnout. With a focus on character-driven writing and leveraging personal strengths, Ronnie offers valuable insights for her fellow writers.

00:00 Introduction: Challenging Writing Norms
01:30 Meet Romance Author Roni Lauren
02:05 Roni's Writing Journey
04:36 Discussing 'The Ones Who Got Away' Series and writing Rom Drama
06:30 Exploring Romance and Character Development
16:29 The Challenges of Writing and Burnout
20:55 Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome
28:08 Current Projects and Final Thoughts

Guest Bio & Links
Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. She holds a master’s degree in social work and spent years as a mental health counselor, but now she writes full-time from her cozy office in North Texas where she puts her characters on the therapy couch instead. She is a two-time RITA Award winner, a HOLT Medallion winner, and a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is also a Gallup® Certified Strengths Coach with the Better Faster Academy.

Links:

Website: http://www.roniloren.com

Newsletter/Substack for readers: https://roniloren.substack.com/

The Nourished Writer (a newsletter/Substack for writers) https://thenourishedwriter.substack.com/

Instagram: @roniloren

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

In this episode, we dive deep into the concepts of suspense and tension in storytelling. 

We clarify the differences between these often-confused terms and explain how both are essential for a compelling narrative. 

Learn through examining popular works of fiction how long-term and short-term suspense work together to keep readers engaged.

This episode is packed with practical tips and tools for creating page-turning tension and suspense in your writing.

00:00 Understanding Suspense and Tension
01:38 Crafting Suspense and Tension in Your Novel
04:50 Long-term vs. Short-term Suspense
06:10 Dissecting The Hunger Games
10:10 Tools for Wielding Suspense and Tension
12:12 Practice and Resources
13:06 Conclusion and Next Steps

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, I chat with author and Story Grid CEO Tim Grahl. 

We discuss Tim's challenging yet rewarding journey from struggling writer to accomplished author, highlighting the importance of mastering scene writing and the rigorous learning process that led to his new novel, "The Shithead," dubbed as Faust meets Fleishman Is In Trouble.

Tim shares his beliefs about the significance of building fundamental writing skills first. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the writing craft and the internal narratives that shape their work.

00:22 Welcome to Write It Scared

01:24 Interview with Tim Grahl

04:13 Tim Grahl's Writing Journey

08:22 The Shithead: A Deep Dive

19:33 Writing Process and Techniques

27:32 The Importance of Learning to Write In Scenes

30:42 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Guest Bio: 

Tim Grahl is the C.E.O. of Story Grid, a university and publishing house dedicated to teaching and publishing complex stories. He is the author of the bestselling book marketing methodology and protocol, Your First Thousand Copies and The Book Launch Blueprint. His memoir Running Down a Dream, a warts and all confession of the trials and tribulations of a contemporary small business owner, drew accolades from Ryan Holiday, Barbara Corcoran, Daniel H. Pink, Derek Sivers, and Steven Pressfield, who described it as “Indispensable.” The writing of his first novel, a young adult science fiction coming-of-age action story, The Threshing, was the subject of the first three years of the Story Grid Podcast, a perennial chart-topper on multiple podcast bestseller lists.

Connect with Tim Grahl and read the Shithead here. 

Story Grid

Story Grid’s  YouTube Channel

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears