Learn more about Group Coaching with Write It Scared.

Ready for a dive-deep conversation about the emotional rollercoaster of writing? 

In this episode, I’m chatting with Rachael Herron—a trad and indie author who knows her way around multiple genres and isn’t shy about sharing less-than-stellar moments of her writing journey. 

We dig into story structure, the ups and downs of writing and revising, and the emotional twists that come with the territory of trying to write your first novel.

Rachael opens up about her move to New Zealand, her battles with creative burnout, and how she handles imposter syndrome. Plus, we’ll unpack some practical advice for handling self-doubt, writing shitty drafts, and learning to believe in yourself and your voice. 

Join us for insights that will help you navigate the emotional challenges of writing and remind you that you’re not alone and that you are not doing it wrong!

00:18 Introduction 

01:22 Meet Rachel Heron

04:08 Rachel's Writing Journey

11:31 The Importance of Story Structure

17:27 Rachel's Writing Process Today

18:42 Refining the Draft: From Messy to Polished

19:08 The Third Draft: Adding the Final Touches

19:56 Reading and Reviewing: The Final Steps

20:31 Teaching and Sharing the Process

20:53 Creating 'Unstuck': A Unique Journey

25:06 The Challenges of Writing and Creativity

30:42 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome

32:24 Final Thoughts and Advice for Writers

34:26 Current Projects and Closing Remarks

 
Guest Bio and Links
Rachael Herron is the internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books, including thrillers (under R.H. Herron), mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir, and nonfiction about writing. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, Oakland, and she’s taught writing extension workshops at both UC Berkeley and Stanford. A dual New Zealand and American citizen, she lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her banjo-playing wife and brick-eating dog.

Books: Unstuck and Fast-Draft Your Memoir, both here

Rachael Herron: Website | Newsletter | Bio | Patreon

Unstuck: An Audacious Hunt for Home and Happiness, available

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

Are you feeling frustrated with your writing? Do you struggle with setting up unrealistic expectations of yourself and your words?  

You’re not alone, and today, I will offer up a mindset shift. 

Join me as we unpack the importance of embracing gratitude for every part of the writing process—ESPECIALLY the words that don’t make it into your manuscript. 

Remember, every word contributes to your growth, no matter how discarded it may feel.

NO WORDS ARE WASTED. 

Writing is a practice. 

With the holiday season upon us, it’s the perfect time to slow down and appreciate our efforts. 

Remember to be patient with yourself and celebrate your efforts and all the words you write, even the ones you delete. 

00:00 Introduction: The Myth of the Perfect First Draft

01:30 Mindset Shift: Gratitude for Unused Words

02:21 Thanksgiving Reflection: Slowing Down and Showing Gratitude

03:47 Embracing the Writing Process: Practice Does Not Make Perfect, It Makes Improvement.

07:49 Encouragement for Writers: You Matter More than You Know. So Does Your Story.

09:21 Conclusion: Keep Writing and Keep Practicing Gratitude!

Learn 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/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

Are you a writer who struggles to write because of a chronic illness or a writer who desires to write a disabled character with integrity and authenticity? 

If so, this episode is for you. 

Certified Book Coach Sandra Postma and I discuss how chronic conditions can shape the creative process, tackling issues like fatigue and brain fog. Sandra, a chronically ill person, emphasizes the importance of empathy, self-compassion, and community, reminding us that acknowledging our limitations doesn’t mean we should blame ourselves. 

Sandra shares practical tips on avoiding stereotypes in writing and highlights resources designed to support chronically ill writers. 

You’ll be inspired as we talk about renowned authors who have faced similar challenges, and Sandra gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming workshop on creating authentic disabled characters—an effort to uplift disabled voices in the publishing landscape.

Episode Highlights:

01:23 – Meet Sandra Postma  

03:06 – Sandra’s Journey to Writing and Coaching  

05:25 – Challenges of Writing with Chronic Illness  

09:37 – Empathy, Connection, and Vulnerability  

13:33 – Overcoming Internal Narratives  

17:09 – Acceptance and Acknowledgement  

18:37 – The Value of Your Voice  

19:35 – Embracing Your Unique Voice Through Illness  

21:28 – The Power of Community for Writers with Chronic Illness  

24:08 – Resources and Workshops for Writing Authentic Disabled Characters  

26:48 – The Emotional Load of Writing and Overcoming Bias  

34:01 – Inspiration from Writers with Disabilities  

35:47 – Final Thoughts and Wishes for Fellow Writers  

Guest Bio and Links

Links and books  mentioned in the show:

How To Write An Authentic Disabled Character Workshop by Sandra Postma

The Mighty Online Network

Writing The Other: A Practical Approach by Nisi Shawl & Cynthia Ward

Sandra Postma is a former journalist who switched from fact to fiction after discovering her own writing held the power for change. Founding Your Story Mentor in 2021, Sandra is now a writer of fiction and non-fiction, and a certified book coach.

In her work as a book coach, Sandra helps writers with a chronic illness, disability or mental struggles. She helps writers embrace their unique voice and develop their story ideas into novels.

Connect with Sandra on her website or follow her on Instagram and threads 

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

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/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

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/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

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/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

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/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

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/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

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/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

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/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