Write Your Heart Out

Thanks for everything, Hearties. We hope each of you has a wonderful summer.

We'll be back in the fall, but In the mean time, send us your short stories, episode ideas, interview requests, offers of representation, or just reach out to tell us how much you miss us.

Love,
Kayla Ogden & Rachel Cyr

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at [email protected]

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod 

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

What makes a good critique in a writers group? How do you workshop fiction without destroying a writer’s confidence? In this episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla Ogden and Rachel Cyr dive deep into creative writing critiques, writing workshops, querying literary agents, revising fiction, and the emotional experience of sharing your work out loud.

Kayla shares what happened when she submitted the opening chapter of her novel The Cherry Tree (formerly Pillow Forts Down) to a large critique group led by published authors, including surprising feedback about character behavior, realism, scene details, and reader expectations. Rachel discusses receiving revision notes on her own novel Dinner for Eight and why constructive criticism can completely transform a manuscript.

The conversation explores:

•  how to critique creative writing constructively 
•  what makes a good writers group 
•  giving and receiving feedback as a novelist 
•  common workshop mistakes 
•  genre expectations in speculative fiction and literary fiction 
•  querying literary agents 
•  revising first chapters 
•  writing believable characters 
•  AI and speculative fiction concepts 
•  overcoming fear of sharing your writing 

They also discuss ketamine therapy, old “storybook homes,” Silicon Valley creative culture, AI romance story ideas, and why writers should stop creating rules that prevent them from writing.

If you’re an aspiring author, novelist, screenwriter, MFA student, or creative writer looking for honest conversations about the writing life, this episode is for you.

Please subscribe, rate and review! 

New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at [email protected]

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod 

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

This week on Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel dive into a packed Storytime episode featuring three wildly different works of fiction: a lyrical fable about creative burnout and artistic devotion, a chilling modern horror story about violence, internet fame, and true crime culture, and a slow-burn paranormal thriller that spirals into psychological terror. They also discuss Lena Dunham’s memoir, creepy Instagram algorithms, horror tropes, writing tension, and the strange emotional weight of sharing fiction online. Plus: an unexpected unboxing moment as MJ’s published book finally arrives in the mail. 

Read "Viral" here: https://www.reddit.com/r/scarystories/comments/1s4by4u/viral/
Find Janine Inez here:
https://heartmaintenance.substack.com/subscribe

https://www.instagram.com/heartmaintenance/

Private Practice: www.wholecirclewell.com

Please subscribe, rate and review! 

New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at [email protected]

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod 

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

In this episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla Ogden and Rachel Cyr dive into a lively, spoiler-light discussion of Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash—a sharp, darkly funny debut novel that blends family drama, literary fiction, and thriller elements. 

From open marriages and rebellious daughters to conspiracy theories, billionaire villains, and unexpected found family, this episode explores what makes Lost Lambs such a standout modern novel—and why readers are calling it one of the most voice-driven books of the year.

Kayla and Rachel break down:

•  The unique narrative voice and character development in Lost Lambs
•  Why the book feels both literary and wildly entertaining
•  The balance between dark themes (like human trafficking and conspiracy culture) and humor 
•  How Madeline Cash pushes back against autobiographical fiction trends 
•  The concept of “compersion vs. jealousy” in the writing world 

Plus, they chat about:

•  The rise of book-to-screen adaptations (including Verity by Colleen Hoover) 
•  Why some bestselling authors succeed through emotional resonance over prose style
•  A quick recommendation of Margot’s Got Money Troubles (and why the audiobook is worth it) 

Whether you're a writer looking to sharpen your voice, a reader searching for your next book club pick, or someone curious about how novels translate to screen—this episode is packed with insight, humor, and honest takes on today’s literary landscape.

Buy MJ's Book! Writtenbymj.com

🎧 Perfect for fans of:
 literary fiction podcasts, book club discussions, writing craft, debut novels, dark humor books, family saga stories, Colleen Hoover discourse, and author interviews

Please subscribe, rate and review! 

New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at [email protected]

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod 

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

In this heavy yet gripping episode, Kayla and Rachel record from the closet amidst a backdrop of global tension and personal transitions. The duo navigates the "dark energy" of the world by leaning into the stories sent in by their listeners—specifically, two chilling tales of horror that mirror the unsettling atmosphere of the week.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• A Father’s Perspective on Voice: Rachel reads a thoughtful email from her dad, Dave, who offers a structured and spiritual take on what "voice" means in storytelling—defining it as the different paths multiple characters take toward a single, predetermined destination.
• Viral by Dan Surber: Kayla reads part one of a meta-horror story involving a "golden boy" university student, a Ring doorbell camera, and a terrifying home invasion. The girls break down the tension-building techniques, the surprise twist, and the mechanics of writing a convincing slasher.
• Slam, Shatter, Scream by Justin Webb: Rachel reads the first half of a supernatural horror story from a London-based author. The story follows Nicole, an atheist who finds herself spiraling into fear as strange noises disrupt the silence of her apartment—and her increasingly strained marriage.
• The Nuance of Dialogue: A look at how Justin Webb uses realistic, frustrating marital dialogue to build tension without relying on explicit tone descriptors.
• The "Darling" Debate: Rachel and Kayla discuss the balance between rich character backstory and the fast-paced requirements of a short story.

Featured Stories:

• "Viral" by Dan Surbur (Part 1)
• "Slam, Shatter, Scream" by Justin Webb (Part 1)

Stay Tuned: We’re leaving you on a cliffhanger! Join us next time for Part 2 of both stories, along with a special reading by Janine Inez and a deep dive into Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash.

Connect with Us: Have a story you want us to read? Send us an email! We love hearing from you and—as Kayla guarantees—we can tell the difference between your talent and an AI.

Please subscribe, rate and review! 

New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at [email protected]

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod 

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

In this episode, Kayla returns from the San Francisco Writers Conference with a lot more than just a fancy hotel receipt. While the "volunteer-to-pitch" lifestyle had its quirks, it led to some major new connections—including the "New Andy" and the brilliantly creative Dr. Janine Inez.

But the real heart of the conversation is the 18-page deep dive Kayla received from Cornerstones US. Kayla and Rachel break down the "brutally helpful" feedback on her manuscript, Pillow Forts Down, covering:

• The Death of the Info-Dump: Why your prologue might be doing too much heavy lifting and how to weave backstory into the action.
• Deepening the "Why": Moving beyond shock value to explore the emotional core of a character’s hypersexuality.
• The Big Reveal: Why Fiona McLaren (shoutout to Fiona!) officially categorized the novel as Book Club Fiction and what that means for the road to publishing.
• Style vs. Substance: Navigating the tricky waters of ethereal death scenes and passive character reveals.

We also share a sobering and heartfelt update on Fiona’s current situation in Cyprus, and talk about the actual costs (and massive value) of hiring a top-tier literary consultant.

Next time: We’re diving into story time or a look at Madeline Cash’s Lost Lambs. Read along with us!

Please subscribe, rate and review! 

New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at [email protected]

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod 

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

What happens when the thrill of drafting collides with the slog of revision? We open the door on a month of messy pages, tempting new ideas, and the uneasy question: hobby or publication. Kayla makes the case for hiring a developmental editor early, sharing how professional notes outpaced even the best beta reads and saved months of wheel‑spinning. Rachel weighs the cost, the goal, and the head noise of a manuscript with promise. Along the way we look at how to study the market without losing your voice—mining Publishers Weekly deal announcements for clean, high‑signal hooks that reveal how agents position novels.

Then we get hands‑on with a craft exercise from The Lab. Kayla reads a sharp scene twice—first through Corinne, a grieving newcomer who wants to vanish, then through Vernon, a too‑friendly neighbor convinced his charm is a favor. Same sidewalk, totally different worlds. The contrast shows how voice isn’t just point of view; it’s diction, cadence, and what a character can’t help noticing. Rachel follows with three versions of a pivotal moment from Dinner For Eight, including a chilling original from Kyle’s perspective that brushes right up against love bombing. We pull apart how language encodes power, how manipulation performs as tenderness, and why a sentence’s rhythm can tilt a scene’s ethics.

We close with reading fuel: Madeline Cash’s Lost Lambs has Kayla dazzled and rattled in the best way. That jolt—envy meeting awe—can expand our range if we chase what the sentences actually do. Help us out: define “voice” in a single, useful sentence and send an example that changed your writing brain. If you’re revising, drafting, or debating whether to hire help, this one offers practical tools, a few laughs, and a nudge to choose your goal on purpose.

If this conversation moved you, tap follow, rate the show, and drop a quick review. Share the episode with a writer who’s stuck in edits and tell us: what’s your clearest sign a scene truly has voice?

Please subscribe, rate and review! 

New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at [email protected]

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod 

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

In this STORYTIME episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel dive into the mailbag to read and critique work from two listeners they’ve never met! The duo travels from the eerie, rain-soaked landscapes of Ireland to the literal depths of the afterlife, finally landing under the vast, star-filled skies of the Atlantic.

In this episode, we explore:

• "Pink Rotary Telephone" by Barry Malone: A chilling horror story about a piece of obsolete technology that rings with a message no one wants to answer. Kayla and Rachel discuss the trauma of the past and the "likability" of a protagonist caught in a supernatural cycle.
• "Debtor’s Prison" by Chris Ritchey: A high-concept look at the afterlife where "scaring" is a quota-based job. The hosts unpack the mystery of a man tasked with haunting the woman he loves most.
• "Juliet" by Chris Ritchey: A shift into the literary genre with a moving piece of historical fiction. Set against the backdrop of the 1986 Challenger disaster, this story follows a young boy’s journey from the depths of depression to a soul-saving sailing trip with his father.

Plus, Kayla shares some exciting personal news—she just received her developmental edit letter for her novel, Pillow Forts Down, from Cornerstones Literary Consultancy! She gives us a sneak peek into the feedback from her editor in Cyprus and discusses the "show, don't tell" struggle every writer knows all too well.

Please subscribe, rate and review! 

New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at [email protected]

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod 

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

We are officially relevant.

In this episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel dive into Jeanette McCurdy’s debut novel Half His Age, the much-anticipated follow-up to her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died. We unpack the controversial age-gap dynamic, the power shifts between predator and prey, and how McCurdy flips the traditional narrative by centering the teenage girl’s desire.

Is the novel really about the relationship — or is it about worth, longing, addiction, and the hunger to be seen?

We discuss:

• How McCurdy’s memoir informs (or doesn’t inform) the fiction
• The moral tension of writing and consuming uncomfortable stories
• The brilliance of voice in Waldo, Mr. Corgi, and Waldo’s mother
• A perfect “Save the Cat” theme-stated moment
• Whether the audiobook narration enhances or distracts
• And yes… the scene everyone will be talking about

Plus, we rate it (7 vs. 9 👀), debate craft choices, and ask: how fearless do you have to be to write like this?

Next up: Storytime with Chris Ritchie and a voice-switching writing challenge.

If you’ve read Half His Age, we want to hear your thoughts.

Write your heart out.

Please subscribe, rate and review! 

New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at [email protected]

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod 

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

In this craft-focused episode of Write Your Heart Out, hosts Kayla Ogden and Rachel Cyr tackle one of the biggest questions in creative writing: what is voice? From author voice to narrator voice to character voice, they break down how voice shows up on the page—and how to strengthen it through sentence variety, rhythm, and intentional POV choices (especially in first-person).

They also recap their first in-person Write Your Heart Out writers group in San Mateo, reflect on the learning curve of writing a debut novel vs. a new work-in-progress, and share why writers are readers (and how reading fuels better writing). Along the way, they reference insights inspired by Mary Karr and Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, plus a practical exercise: rewrite a paragraph in a completely different voice to discover new possibilities in your style.

If you’re looking for writing advice on voice, first-person narration, sentence flow, and building confidence as a writer, this episode is for you.

Submit your work for a future Storytime episode at writeyourheartoutpod.com.

Please subscribe, rate and review! 

New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at [email protected]

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod 

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885