Submit Your Writing Win to the Courage Files for Season 4! 

Can we find more play in writing by lowering the stakes? This episode explores how perfectionism, pressure, productivity culture, and the need to “get it right” can slowly drain the joy out of creativity.

I talk about where play naturally exists in the writing process—daydreaming, brainstorming, messy drafting—and why reconnecting with those moments might matter more than forcing constant productivity. Sometimes the path back to creativity isn’t pushing harder. Sometimes it’s lowering the stakes enough to let yourself explore.

So if you’ve been feeling stuck in drafting or revision, overwhelmed by expectations, burned out by productivity culture, or guilty because writing hasn’t felt fun lately… this one’s for you.

There’s also a quick season update and information about the new Courage Files segment coming in Season Four.

Timestamps:
 00:00 When expectations block creativity
 00:24 Welcome to Write It Scared
 01:21 Season update + Courage Files
 03:48 What “play” means in writing
 04:43 When writing starts to feel heavy
 07:23 Lowering the stakes
 08:33 Reflection prompts
 09:21 Closing thoughts

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/wis

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

Submit to Season 4 Courage Files Here! 

What happens after the book is finally out in the world—and all the noise starts creeping in? 

In this conversation, indie MM romance author Alex Cross joins me to talk about emotionally intense storytelling, publishing pressure, writer’s block, and the challenge of protecting your creativity once readers, reviews, and big expectations enter the picture.

We talk about the Fire Between Us series and its highly anticipated second installment, From Our Ashes, which released May 4th, 2026, as well as her stunning Us duet—Echoes of Us and Becoming Us. 

We dig into the craft, including keeping track of dual timelines, writing toxic relationships, character psychology, and messy, deeply human love stories. Alex also shares her journey into self-publishing, the realities of revising published work, navigating social media and comparison, and learning how to reconnect to why she writes in the first place.

It’s an honest conversation about creativity, vulnerability, and continuing to write even when fear and doubt get loud.

Timestamps

04:04 Meet Alex Cross

08:29 Choosing a risky debut

11:37 Echoes of Us

19:11 Crafting dual timelines

24:44 Revising published work

29:49 Fire Between Us update

33:30 Writing high-angst stories

35:53 Writer’s block + sequel struggles

37:56 Reviews, doubt, and social media

41:35 Boundaries and support systems

44:48 Protecting the magic of writing

47:26 What’s next + where to find Alex 

To connect with Alex and read her books, go to her website and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.

All of Alex's books are available in KU. 

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/wis

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

Submit to Season 4 Courage Files Here 

What does it take to keep believing in a story through rejection, rewrites, and years of uncertainty?

Middle grade author Shafaq Khan joins me to talk about her debut novel, Zaina: Lost and Found, a historical adventure inspired by the real-life Hippie Trail through Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey in the 1970s. We discuss balancing research with fast-paced storytelling, writing about identity and belonging, and the emotional resilience required to survive the long road to publication.

Shafaq also shares the behind-the-scenes reality of querying, revising after difficult feedback, finding community, and learning to trust her voice as a writer.

If you’re deep in the messy middle of your own writing journey, this conversation is a reminder that persistence matters—and sometimes the long road is part of becoming the writer you’re meant to be.

Timestamps
 00:00 – Grounding Through Story
 07:12 – The Premise of Zaina: Lost and Found
 11:42 – Research vs. Storytelling
 24:07 – Querying and Rejection
 30:00 – Tough Feedback and Big Rewrites
 35:12 – Learning to Trust Her Voice
 41:59 – Advice for Writers

Links Mentioned:

Shafaq Khan Website

Instagram

Tiktok 

SCBWI

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/wis

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

Submit to Season 4 Courage Files Here!

What if the answer isn’t forcing yourself or your story harder… but trusting the process a little longer?

In this episode, I talk with author and book coach Andromeda Romano-Lax about her latest psychological thriller, What Boys Learn, the messy reality of revision, and why stepping away from a draft can sometimes be exactly what your story needs.

We also dig into self-doubt, negativity bias, supportive feedback, and why writers grow by finishing more books—not by obsessing over making a single book perfect.

Timestamps
 00:00 Permission to Think
 01:20 Meet Andromeda
 08:38 Why She Turned to Thrillers
 13:53 The Draft Breakthrough
 21:07 Villains + Mystery Craft
 25:46 Negativity Bias
 28:17 Trusting the Process
 32:56 Helpful Feedback
 38:17 Why Writers Need More Manuscripts

To connect with Andromeda, read her many helpful Substacks, and purchase her books, please visit her website.  

She enjoys hearing from readers.

You can also find her on Instagram

Other links mentioned:

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/wis

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

Submit to Season 4 Courage Files Here!

 Ever hit that point in drafting or revision where you’re not sure what should happen next? 

You might know the next big plot point, but the how-to-get-there part… that’s the problem. 

In this solo episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I break down why the answer usually isn’t inventing a brand-new conflict. More often, the next scene is already hidden inside the consequences of what just happened. We talk about cause-and-effect storytelling, tracking what changed in the previous scene, and how pressure from other characters and antagonistic forces naturally creates momentum.

I also share a simple trick for getting unstuck when your brain goes blank: writing a messy reaction scene first. 

Plus, there’s a quick update on The Courage Files coming in Season 4.

Timestamps
 00:00 Why Writers Get Stuck
 02:07 The Courage Files Update
 04:08 “What Happens Next?”
 05:12 Cause-and-Effect Story Logic
 05:52 Finding the Consequences
 08:04 Pressure From Other Characters
 09:51 The Reaction Scene Trick

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/wis

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 if your growth as a writer isn’t supposed to be neat or linear?

Who says it can't be chaotic as hell? 

AK Nevermore, author of more than 20 titles, returns to talk about messy growth, genre-hopping, indie publishing, and learning craft by doing. We dig into fear, doubt, and even spite as creative fuel, plus why not every piece of feedback deserves your attention.

If you’ve ever felt like your process is chaotic or your career path doesn’t look “right,” because it’s different than another author's,  this conversation is a reminder that there’s no one way to build a writing life—just the way that works for you. 

Timestamps
 00:00 Fear as Fuel
 01:31 Meet AK Nevermore
 09:19 Why Indie Publishing Works for AK
 16:54 Messy Process + Pantsing
 21:50 Worldbuilding + Craft
 26:13 Fear, Doubt, and Motivation
 30:21 Redefining Success
 34:32 Choosing the Right Feedback

To connect with AK and read her work please go to her website 

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/wis

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

Submit to the Courage Files 

Are you worried if you’re making the right moves in your author career (ads, audio, direct sales… all of it)? 

This episode will help you take a breath and zoom out.

I’m joined by returning guest Becca Syme to talk about how publishing has changed—and why so many writers are making decisions from pressure, fear, or misread data. We dig into insights from her new book, Dear Writer, You Still Need to Quit, including why the old “gold rush” advice doesn’t apply anymore, what actually matters at different stages of your publishing career, and how to make smarter, more sustainable decisions.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all the options—or like you’re behind—this conversation will help you reset and then move forward with more clarity.

Timestamps
 00:00 Why Becca Wrote This New Book
 01:36 Meet Becca Syme
 07:23 The New QuitBook + Publishing Shift
 12:55 Saturation, Curation, and Discoverability
 17:22 How Writers Misread Sales Data
 20:39 The Five Phases of an Author Business
 24:37 Investment vs. Speculation
 26:36 Author Archetypes
 29:24 Early Career Pressure + Market Awareness
 32:22 Scaling Demand (Phase Two)
 36:09 Later Career Phases
 40:36 Decision Fatigue + Cost
 42:06 Fear-Based Decisions
 42:56 Where to Learn More
 

Guest Bio and Links

Becca Syme holds a master’s degree in transformational leadership and has been a success coach (primarily utilizing the Gallup Strengthsfinder®) for over fifteen years. She’s coached over 5,000 individual authors and creatives through her Write Better-Faster and Strengths for Writers classes & coaching cohorts: six- and seven-figure authors, major award winners, midlisters, and new authors alike. Becca is the host of QuitCast for Writers, Author of the QUIT BOOKS SERIES FOR WRITERS, and a USA TODAY Best-Selling author of cozy mysteries under the pen name R.L. SYME.

Website

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/wis

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

SHARE YOUR COURAGEOUS WRITING MOMENT to the Courage Files for Season 4 and Win a Free Edit  

What happens when the dream you’ve carried for years starts to feel too heavy?

Author and performer Emmy McGuire joins me to talk about the long road to her debut thriller, No One Aboard—a chilling mystery about a family and crew vanishing at sea—and what it took to keep going through rejection, burnout, and years away from writing.

We dig into the craft behind her dual-timeline, multi-POV structure, as well as the emotional reality of writing: the pressure, the fear of scrutiny, and the quiet work of reconnecting with why you started in the first place.

If you’ve been doubting yourself or your story, this is your reminder: your “why” matters more than anything.

Timestamps
 00:00 – Why We Write
 03:19 – Emmy’s Journey to Publication
 07:04 – The Story Behind No One Aboard
 14:54 – Craft: POV and Structure
 20:00 – Navigating Doubt and Pressure
 28:01 – Resetting After Burnout
 34:43 – Advice for Writers

Bio: 

Emy McGuire is a full-time actor, author, playwright, and pirate. She has written a queer pirate musical, sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, and toured the United States as a performer in the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy. She has a degree in theatre and creative writing from New College of Florida. No One Aboard is her debut novel, and her second one comes out in late 2026. She hopes to someday return to the sea and embrace being a real-life siren. 

Links:

Website

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/wis

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

SHARE YOUR COURAGEOUS WRITING MOMENT 

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

We made it to Episode 100! 

And we are celebrating with a brand-new segment to the podcast called the Courage Files, which will launch in Season 4 (September 2026) 

This new segment is all about your writing wins—big, small, messy, hard-won, or quietly brave—because one of the most powerful antidotes to doubt is hearing that other writers are showing up too. 

If you’ve taken a courageous step in your writing life, I invite you to share it. With your permission, some submissions will be featured on the show.

Beginning in Season 4, one submission per quarter will also be randomly selected to receive a free editorial assessment (up to 10 pages) plus a 30-minute coaching session with me!

Submissions are open NOW.

Here’s to the first 100 and many more! 

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/wis

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

We’ve reached the end of the first quarter of the year, and this is a perfect moment to pause and ask a far more useful question than “What did I accomplish?”

Is the way I’m approaching my writing actually working for me right now?

In this short solo episode, I share a gentle, guilt-free Q1 reset and reflection questions to help you course-correct, plus a behind-the-scenes look at my own writing progress — including finishing a draft, facing rejection, uncovering major plot issues, and doing the slow revision work that actually moves books forward.

If your year hasn’t gone as planned, don’t feel like you're behind. Instead, use your reflections to create a new plan of action that makes how you approach your writing work for you! 

Slow and steady still counts.

Timestamps

00:00 Gentle Q1 check-in
00:28 Why this checkpoint matters
01:25 Quarter One reality check
02:21 Key reflection questions
04:01 Personal Q1 writing update
05:00 Draft win + rejection whiplash
05:27 Discovering and fixing a major logic flaw
06:37 Slow, steady revision plan
07:39 Your Q1 reset for Q2
08:50 Coaching support & next steps
09:41 Final thoughts

Need extra support?

If you’d like personalized guidance, structure, or accountability as you move forward, learn more about working with me as a book coach: writeitscared.co

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

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/wis

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