Writing your first novel is a rollercoaster—exciting, overwhelming, and, let's be honest, a little terrifying. But when you finally reach that finish line? It’s incredible.

In this episode of Write It Scared, I’m joined by debut author Alexandria Faulkenbury. Her debut novel, Somewhere Past the End, will be released in May 2025. 

Alexandria generously shares the highs, the lows, and all the messy moments in between on her journey from childhood storytelling dreams to becoming a published author.

We dive into:

• Alexandria’s personal path—from early passion, to academic detours, to rediscovering writing amidst life's busy chaos.
  
  
  
• Her experience navigating the notoriously challenging query trenches (the struggle is real!).
  
  
  
• What it’s like working with a small press—and why that path can be rewarding.
  
  
  
• How she handled the complexity (and occasional panic!) of writing dual POVs.
  
  
  
• Practical advice on balancing writing with real-life responsibilities (spoiler alert: it’s tough, but doable!).
  
  
  
• Why it’s crucial to celebrate every small win along the way.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer, deep in the query trenches, or just dreaming about writing someday, Alexandria’s story will inspire you and remind you that every step matters.

Episode Breakdown

• 00:00 – A quick personal epiphany (because those happen!)
  
  
  
• 00:25 – Welcome back to Write It Scared!
  
  
  
• 01:28 – Meet Alexandria Faulkenbury
  
  
  
• 02:53 – Alexandria’s writing journey: twists, turns, and surprises
  
  
  
• 05:01 – Inside the story of Somewhere Past the End
  
  
  
• 09:38 – Real talk: navigating the query process
  
  
  
• 15:10 – What it’s really like to work with a small press
  
  
  
• 17:40 – The very real struggles of writing (it’s okay—we all have them!)
  
  
  
• 26:16 – Balancing writing with the chaos of everyday life
  
  
  
• 30:30 – Alexandria’s final words of wisdom and encouragement

Guest info:

Alexandria Faulkenbury holds an M.A. in multicultural and transnational literature and lives in South Carolina with her family. She is a part of the 2025 debutante ball, a collective that celebrates the journey of women writers as they publish their first book. Her work has been featured in The Maine Review and MER Literary, among others. 

Find her at alexandriafaulkenbury.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amfaulkenbury/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/LexiBury

Bluesky:

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

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To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

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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

Not every compelling character needs a massive transformation. Sometimes the most powerful stories come from characters who don’t change—but instead, they change the world around them. That’s what we call a flat character arc, and on this episode of The Write It Scared Podcast, I’m breaking down exactly what that means.

I know—a “flat” arc might sound boring, right? 

But trust me, flat arcs can be incredibly dynamic and emotionally engaging. 

Think of characters like Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. Katniss doesn’t fundamentally change who she is, but her unwavering strength, determination, and beliefs begin to transform everything around her.

Here’s what we’re diving into in this episode:

• What a flat (also called “steadfast” or “static”) arc really is—and why it’s misunderstood
  
  
• The key difference between flat arcs and positive or negative arcs
  
  
• How to craft a flat character who feels vibrant, real, and deeply relatable
  
  
• Using Katniss Everdeen as a practical case study to explore how flat arcs work within traditional story structures
  
  
• Practical, actionable tips for creating compelling flat arc characters readers will love

If you’ve ever struggled with characters who resist change or wondered if every protagonist truly needs to transform, this episode is exactly what you need.

Episode Breakdown

• 00:00 – What exactly is a flat character arc?
• 01:30 – Quick refresher: Positive vs. Negative vs. Flat arcs
• 01:52 – Defining flat character arcs clearly (and busting myths!)
• 05:09 – How to craft dynamic, compelling flat arc characters
• 07:17 – Examples of iconic flat arc characters
• 07:42 – Deep dive: Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games
• 08:10 – Story structure and the flat arc: how it fits in
• 10:39 – Breaking down Katniss’s journey step-by-step
• 20:29 – Key takeaways and tips for your own flat arcs
• 22:07 – Wrap-up + what’s coming next!

Other Episodes mentioned 

Episode 52: Crafting a Corruption Arc

Episode 48: Crafting a Falling Arc

Episode 46: Crafting a Disillusionment Arc

Episode 42: Crafting Positive Arcs of Change 

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

Support the show

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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

If you're a novelist, you might think short stories aren’t “your thing,” but let me tell you—they can be an incredible tool. In this conversation, Demi Michelle Schwartz—author, editor, podcaster, and all-around creative powerhouse— and I dive into how writing short stories can help you:

• Stay creatively engaged between big projects
  
  
• Sharpen your storytelling and character work
  
  
• Play with structure, POV, and genre in low-stakes ways
  
  
• And even reignite your joy when you feel stuck

If you’ve been feeling creatively blocked or craving something new, this conversation might be the nudge you need to try something shorter, messier, and wildly fun.

Episode Breakdown

• 00:00 – Why having a strong story vision matters
  
  
• 01:18 – Meet Demi Michelle Schwartz
  
  
• 03:38 – Demi’s journey to becoming an author and editor
  
  
• 06:50 – The unexpected benefits of short stories for novelists
  
  
• 13:20 – How to approach writing short stories with purpose
  
  
• 21:31 – Making your short stories character-driven
  
  
• 22:15 – We chat about A Pinch of Cinnamon and Lore
  
  
• 22:32 – Flat arcs in short fiction: when characters don’t change
  
  
• 25:39 – POV choices in short stories
  
  
• 27:57 – Demi’s advice for first-time short story writers
  
  
• 29:41 – Facing writing struggles (and getting through them)
  
  
• 32:44 – Navigating self-doubt as a writer
  
  
• 35:11 – Why writing community makes all the difference
  
  
• 39:25 – Demi’s current projects and where to find her
  
  

Demi Michelle Schwartz is an author, editor, publicist, and the host of Literary Blend: A

Publishing Podcast, based in Pittsburgh, PA.

Links

Website: http://demimschwartz.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartz

Instagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartz

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social

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

Support the show

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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

Not every character arc leads to redemption—some lead to ruin. And that’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode.

This week we’re talking about the corruption arc—the dark, compelling journey where a character doesn’t just make mistakes... they choose the wrong path and double down on it. These arcs are all about moral compromise, self-deception, and slow-burning transformation, and when done right, they’re unforgettable.

In this episode, I break down:

• What sets a corruption arc apart from other negative arcs
  
  
• The false beliefs that fuel the fall
  
  
• How to structure a story that shows the slow unraveling of a character’s integrity
  
  
• And of course, I use one of the most iconic examples—Walter White from Breaking Bad—to illustrate how a seemingly good person can become something much darker

Whether you're working on a villain origin story, an anti-hero arc, or just love exploring the more complex, shadowy corners of character development, this episode will help you craft a corruption arc that sticks with your reader.

And don’t miss next week’s episode—I’ll be joined by author and editor Demi Michelle Schwartz, who’s sharing how writing short stories can sharpen your novel-writing skills in surprising ways.

Episode Breakdown

• 00:00 – What is a corruption arc, really?
• 00:17 – Quick hello & what we’re unpacking today
• 01:17 – A refresher on negative character arcs
• 02:28 – The anatomy of a corruption arc
• 04:59 – Walter White’s descent into darkness
• 05:54 – Plot structure and the corruption arc
• 07:44 – Breaking down Walter White’s transformation
• 14:52 – How to craft a strong, believable corruption arc

Corruption arcs are tricky—but so rewarding to write. They push us to look at how people change, what they justify, and the line between who they are and who they become. And spoiler: it’s never as clean as we think.

If you’re building a character who breaks bad, this episode will give you the structure, insight, and tools to do it right.

For more on crafting negative character ars check out:

Episode 46: The Disillusionment Arc

Episode 48: The Falling Arc 

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

Support the show

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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

Querying is hard. Sending email after email, waiting for months (or forever) for a response—it’s enough to make any writer scream. But what if you could skip the inbox slush pile and pitch your book directly to an agent?

That’s precisely what Amy Neilsen—author, literary agent, and freelance editor—joins me to talk about in this episode. Amy has been on both sides of the process, and she’s here to break down the differences between live pitching and cold querying so you can decide which approach is right for you.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Meet Amy Neilsen, A librarian-turned-literary agent
00:34 – Amy’s unexpected journey to publishing Worth It
06:52 – The highs and lows of getting published
10:17 – Why having a writing community matters
12:37 – Live pitching vs. cold querying—how do you choose?
 21:24 – How to overcome pitch nerves (without spiraling)
 22:03 – How to make your live pitch count (and what not to do)
23:20 – Why agent feedback is gold (even when it stings)
25:56 – Must-have comp resources for querying writers
28:02 – How to make real industry connections
37:14 – The power of a solid writing community
38:13 – Where to connect with Amy

To Connect with Amy: 

website - www.amynielsenauthor.com

Manuscript Wish List  - www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/amy-nielsen/

Query Manager - www.querytracker.net/agent/16163

Twitter/X - @AmyNielsen06

IG: @author_amy.nielsen

Other Links and Resources discussed on the show:

Writing Day Workshops

Live Pitch Template

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast Website

How to Find Compelling Comp Titles for Your Book by Star Wuerdemann on the Jane Friedman blog

Thriller 101 Podcast

Thriller storyteller’s society 

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

Download Your Free Novel Planning Guide! 

In this episode of Write It Scared, I’m sharing my interview from the Be a Bestseller 6.0 Back to Basics Summit hosted by Emma Dhesi and we discuss practical strategies for planning and outlining your novel in a way that works for you. 

The highlights:

📌 The fundamentals of storytelling—character, conflict, plot structure, and theme
📌 Why mindset matters and how to set realistic expectations for your writing journey
📌 How to connect with your story’s purpose so you stay motivated
📌 The balance between planning and discovery—because not every writer thrives with a strict outline

And I talk about my own journey—from feeling like a repressed creative soul to fully stepping into my identity as a fiction writer and book coach.

If you’ve ever struggled with turning a story idea into something structured, this episode will give you the tools and confidence to get started.

Episode Breakdown

📌 01:19 – Special episode announcement
📌 02:28 – Interview with Emma Dashie
📌 04:37 – My journey from repressed creative to fiction writer & coach
📌 09:03 – Why mindset is everything in writing
📌 15:19 – Understanding story structure (without overcomplicating it)
📌 20:51 – Finding your story’s purpose—why this story, now?
📌 23:25 – The core foundations of storytelling
📌 25:06 – What makes a compelling story
📌 27:31 – Building conflict & stakes readers care about
📌 28:36 – Writing strong character arcs & believable antagonists
📌 30:50 – The role of theme in storytelling (and how to use it naturally)
📌 32:34 – Plotting vs. Pantsing—which approach is best for you?
📌 36:07 – Inciting incidents, plot points & keeping your story moving
📌 42:17 – Supporting writers through the messy middle
📌 45:04 – Final thoughts + resources to help you plan your novel

Final Thoughts

Writing a novel isn’t about forcing yourself into a one-size-fits-all process. It’s about finding what works for you—a balance between planning and allowing space for discovery.

If you want more help structuring your novel, check out the free resources below!

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

Support the show

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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

Writing a novel is never a straight path. But what happens when that journey takes 20 years? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Fedor, an award-winning independent author, to talk about the long, winding road to publishing his debut novel, What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose, a political science fiction thriller with deep themes and sharp commentary.

Michael shares:

✨ How an idea from two decades ago finally became a published book
✨ The highs and lows of drafting, rewriting, and refining a novel over time
✨ How personal life events and evolving perspectives shaped his storytelling
✨ The importance of community, persistence, and finding the right tools to stay motivated
✨ Lessons learned from self-publishing and navigating the indie author world

If you’ve ever struggled with finishing a manuscript or wondered if it’s too late to make your writing dreams a reality, Michael’s story is proof that perseverance pays off.

Episode Breakdown

📌 00:00 – The reality of long-term writing projects
📌 01:11 – Meet Michael Fedor and his writing journey
📌 02:52 – How What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose came to life
📌 08:29 – Writing political science fiction and balancing genre with message
📌 13:54 – The biggest challenges in writing and rewriting over 20 years
📌 24:00 – How to balance writing with real life (and why it’s okay to take breaks)
📌 26:48 – Michael’s best advice for writers struggling to finish their novel
📌 35:05 – Final thoughts and encouragement for your own writing journey

Writing isn’t just about speed—it’s about sticking with the story that won’t let you go. Whether you're knee-deep in your first draft or revising something you started years ago, this episode will remind you that your book is worth finishing.

Let me know what resonated most with you from Michael’s journey, and as always—keep writing, even when it’s scary. ✨

To connect with Michael, please visit these links:

Substack https://michaelfedorbooks.substack.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23296831.Michael_Fedor

Website https://michaelfedorbooks.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michaelfedorbooks/

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

Support the show

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To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

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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

The Falling Arc isn’t about a villain—it’s about a character who could have chosen differently but instead becomes consumed by their worst impulses. Their story isn’t just dark—it’s unsettling, raw, and real. 

This character starts with potential, but instead of rising to the occasion, they spiral downward—deeper into moral corruption, delusion, or even self-destruction.

The Falling Arc is one of the most devastating negative character arcs (overview of negative arcs in episode 46,) and today, we’re breaking down exactly how to write one.

Using Tom Ripley from The Talented Mr. Ripley as a prime example, this episode explores:

🔥 What makes a falling arc so compelling (and chilling)
🔥 The false beliefs that drive a character’s descent
🔥 Key story beats that shape their tragic downfall
🔥 How to build reader empathy for a character losing their way
🔥 A full breakdown of Tom Ripley’s arc, from his first deception to his final, chilling moment

If you're crafting a protagonist who loses themselves to darkness, this episode will help you nail the psychological and emotional depth needed to make it unforgettable.

Episode Breakdown

📌 00:00 – The power of negative character arcs
📌 00:53 – What makes the falling arc uniquely tragic?
📌 01:37 – The essential ingredients for a compelling downward spiral
📌 02:59 – Breaking down Tom Ripley’s journey step by step
📌 05:05 – How Tom Ripley’s false beliefs drive his moral downfall
📌 07:19 – The inciting incident that sets his descent in motion
📌 10:45 – Midpoint realization: How Tom justifies his crimes
📌 13:41 – The slow, chilling downward spiral
📌 16:55 – The climax and Tom's ultimate fall
📌 19:26 – Final thoughts on writing falling arcs
📌 20:32 – Recap + sneak peek at next week’s corruption arc deep dive

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

What does it take to bring history to life on the page? 

In this episode of Write it Scared, I’m sitting down with Susanne Dunlap—acclaimed historical fiction author, writing mentor, and all-around storytelling powerhouse.

Susanne’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. She went from earning a PhD in music history to publishing her first novel at 50, and now she has 14 novels to her name! 

We chat about the lessons she’s learned along the way—why curiosity, persistence, and patience are essential to writing, how to handle the mountains of research that come with historical fiction, and the delicate balance between fact and storytelling.

We also get into her transition from historical fiction to historical romance (because, let’s be real, who doesn’t love a little romance with their history?)

If you’ve ever wondered how to make history feel real without drowning in research—or if you just need a reminder that it’s never too late to start your writing career—this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

What You’ll Learn:

✅ The key to balancing research and storytelling in historical fiction
✅ Key mindset shifts to avoid overwhelm for historical fiction writers
✅ Tips for managing research without getting stuck in extraneous details
✅ The challenges (and joys!) of transitioning to historical romance

Episode Breakdown:
00:21 – Meet Susanne Dunlap!
00:43 – Her journey from academia to author
01:43 – Lessons from her publishing experience
02:14 – Why persistence matters in writing
02:38 – The power of storytelling in historical fiction
05:13 – Why historical fiction is so captivating
07:39 – Research: How much is too much?
18:18 – Balancing historical accuracy with compelling fiction
21:12 – Challenges in writing historical fiction & how to push through
25:12 – Moving into historical romance: what changes?
28:43 – Final thoughts & what Susanne is working on now

Guest Bio and Links

Susanne Dunlap is the award-winning author of over a dozen historical novels, as well as an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach in fiction, nonfiction, and memoir. Her love of history began in academia with a PhD in music history from Yale. Her novel THE PORTRAITIST won first prize in its category in the 2022 Eric Hoffer Book Awards, and was a finalist in the CIBA Goethe Awards and the Foreword Indies Awards. THE ADORED ONE: A NOVEL OF LILLIAN LORRAINE AND FLORENZ ZIEGFELD, won first place in its category in the 2023 CIBA Goethe Awards for Late Historical Fiction. Today, she lives, coaches, and writes in beautiful Biddeford, Maine.

Website: https://susanne-dunlap.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanne_dun

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

Support the show

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To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

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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

Not every character’s journey leads to triumph—some lead to harsh truths and shattered illusions.

In this episode we do an overview the negative character arcs and then focus on the specifics of the Disillusionment Arc.

Unlike positive arcs where characters grow and overcome their flaws, disillusionment arcs are about painful realizations. These characters start believing in something—an ideal, a system, a person—only to have that belief stripped away, leaving them changed, but not necessarily better off.

Using powerful examples like The Great Gatsby and The Firm, we’ll break down:
✨ How false beliefs shape a character’s journey
✨ The key differences between negative and positive arcs
✨ Why disillusionment arcs resonate so deeply with readers
✨ How to craft a compelling downfall without losing your audience

If you want to explore the darker side of storytelling and create characters whose struggles feel real, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Benefits of understanding negative arcs, even if your main character doesn’t have one

✅The essential components of a Disillusionment Arc
✅ How to differentiate a disillusionment arc from a traditional fall or corruption arc
✅ Why false beliefs are the driving force behind negative arcs
✅ How to use this arc to add depth and emotional impact to your stories
✅ Examples of disillusionment arcs in literature and film (The Great Gatsby, The Firm)

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Negative Character Arcs

01:21 Overview of Negative Character Arcs

06:51 Understanding the Disillusionment Arc

12:45 Disillusionment Arc in Story Structure

16:24 Examples of Disillusionment Arcs

22:03 Wrap Up

Negative arcs don’t just make for compelling stories—they reflect the painful truths we all face at some point. So if you’re ready to explore the darker side of character growth, grab your notebook and let’s dive in.

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