Josee here. We're halfway through January, and I haven't gotten back into my writing routine. Rather than beat myself up about it, I'm revisiting the first episode of this podcast and lowering my expectations back to 20 minutes of writing a day.

If you're also struggling to get back to writing in the new year, maybe this episode will help you out, too. Enjoy!

Ready to create a writing routine that fits your real life? Book a free consultation call where we’ll talk about your story, your writing time, and how I can help you finish your novel, without needing a perfect plan or perfect draft. ⁠https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book

Following your creative dreams doesn’t pull you away from your kids, it teaches them what it looks like to live a meaningful, courageous life. In this episode, we’re talking about why pursuing your writing matters not just for you, but for your children too. When kids see their parents go after something they love, it shapes what they believe is possible for themselves.

I’m sharing personal reflections on writing as a mom, how creativity helped me reconnect with myself after becoming a parent, and why modeling passion and commitment is a powerful part of motherhood. If you’ve ever felt torn between caring for your family and honoring your creative dreams, this episode is a gentle reminder that the two can coexist... and even strengthen each other.

Want support making writing part of your real life as a mom? Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book

As we step into a new year, this episode is your invitation to start fresh without the pressure of having everything perfectly planned. If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to begin writing again, or hoping for more time, more energy, or a more organized life before you commit to your novel, this conversation is for you. The truth is, most moms never get ideal conditions—but writing is still possible in the middle of real life.

In this episode, I’m sharing why momentum comes from starting small, how to reset your writing life with compassion instead of pressure, and simple, doable ways to reconnect with your story in this season. You’ll hear reminders that you’re not behind, that your dream is still valid, and that your next step doesn’t have to be big to matter. Let this episode be your reset button for 2026.

Want accountability and a plan that works with your real life? Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Check out my new novel! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2L9XCS6

As we close out 2025, this episode is your gentle invitation to pause and look back on your writing year with honesty, compassion, and celebration. So many writers skip the part where they acknowledge what did go well, but that reflection is essential. Today, I’m guiding you through simple questions to help you notice your progress, understand what supported your creativity, and set grounded intentions for the year ahead.

You’ll hear why even the smallest wins matter, how to evaluate what worked (and what didn’t), and why your next step for 2026 doesn’t need to be a giant goal—it just needs to be doable. I’m also sharing how focusing on consistent action, not perfect plans, helped me publish my seventh novel this year. No matter how your 2025 unfolded, there’s something here to celebrate… and so much possibility waiting for you in 2026.

Want accountability and a clear plan to finish your book next year? Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book⁠⁠

Check out my new novel! ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2L9XCS6

This week’s episode is a short, cozy reminder that you’re allowed to slow down. The holidays are full and emotional—especially for moms—and if your writing has taken a back seat, you haven’t failed. In this episode, I’m offering you a permission slip: it’s okay to rest, it’s okay to prioritize family and celebration, and it’s okay if your creativity looks quieter this season.

You’ll hear encouragement for navigating guilt, tiny ways to stay connected to your book if you want to, and why stepping away for a week (or even a month) won’t undo your momentum. Your writing will be there in January—and you’re still a writer, no matter how much you did or didn’t get done this month.

If you want 2026 to be the year you finally finish your novel, let’s talk. Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book⁠⁠

Check out my new novel! ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2L9XCS6

This week I’m giving you a peek behind the curtain of my brand-new cozy mystery — not just what the book is about, but what it meant to write a novel across early motherhood, step away from it for years, and finally return to finish it.

I’m sharing how this story began, why becoming a mom shifted my creative direction, how I rediscovered the pull of these characters, and what it was really like to refine a book I drafted before my son was born. You’ll hear about letting go of deadlines, trusting slow progress, and following your creativity even when it takes unexpected detours.

If you’re a mom who worries that stepping away means you’ll never finish your book, I hope this episode shows you what’s possible when you listen to your creative instincts — and come back when you’re ready.

Ready for support finishing your novel? Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book⁠

Check out my new book! ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2L9XCS6

Publishing my seventh book this week felt completely different from every book before it—and in the best way. In this episode, I’m sharing what I learned about creativity, persistence, and identity after writing and publishing my first book as a mom.

We’ll talk about following your true creative pull (even when it means taking a big detour), why letting go of deadlines actually helped me finish, and how publishing feels steadier and more joyful now that I trust myself and the long game of indie publishing.

If you’re writing through a full, messy, beautiful season of life—or trying to find your way back to your book—you’ll hear why your creative dreams are still very much possible, even if your timeline looks different than it used to.

Ready for support as you work toward your next finished book? Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book⁠

Check out my new book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2L9XCS6

Every writer goes through identity shifts: the quiet dreaming stage, the moment you finally call yourself a writer, and the leap to sharing your words as an author. In this episode, I’m breaking down what each stage looks like, why the transitions can feel so uncomfortable, and how to know which one you’re in right now.

I’ll share how fear and doubt kept me stuck in the “wannabe” stage for years, what changed when I started writing my cozy mystery series, and how publishing my first book transformed the way I saw myself. Whether you’re still writing in secret or ready to own your voice publicly, this conversation will help you see that every stage counts, and that you’re closer than you think to stepping into your next one.

Ready to step into your writer identity with confidence? Book a free consultation to get support: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book

Perfect writing routines look great on paper, but they rarely survive real life. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to create a "good enough" writing routine that actually lasts: one that bends with you through busy seasons, shifting nap schedules, and energy slumps. I’ll share how my own routine evolved from pre-mom life to now, why flexibility is the secret to consistency, and what makes a routine sustainable long-term.

You’ll learn how to anchor your writing to everyday rhythms, reset after a break without shame, and design a process that keeps you coming back to the page. Because a “good enough” routine isn’t settling—it’s what makes writing possible.

Ready to build a routine that feels doable (and doesn’t collapse when life gets busy)? Book a free consultation to design yours: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book

Finishing six cozy mysteries didn’t happen because I had endless time or perfect motivation; it happened because writing a series forced me to build real, steady persistence. In this episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes truth about what it took to keep going from Book 1 all the way to Book 6: navigating new challenges with each story, moving through the murky middle when doubt crept in, and learning to trust myself even when a draft felt messy or confusing.

You’ll hear what helped me push through the hard parts, why persistence is a skill (not a personality trait), and how finishing even one book can change your confidence as a writer. If you’ve ever wondered whether you have what it takes to stick with your novel, this episode will help you see what’s possible for you too.

If you want persistence but keep stalling out, let’s talk. Book a free consultation to create your writing momentum: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book

And if you like cozy mysteries, check out the series on Amazon!