Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic: Finding Voice and Author Identity Through Social Media, with guest Anne Abel.

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot.

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

***

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): launching my four-month book coaching container Aligned Author TODAY. The price is drastically cut this week (it's $667 off the regular price.) Go to valerieihsan.com/alignedauthor for all the details.
• Write in the Harbor conference is coming up
• (Erick):
• running google ads and qualifying potential clients
• polishing stories up for omnibus edition
• Anne: book launch
• What are you reading?

• Valerie:
• Just finished:
• Creative Act (Rick Rubin)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman;
• Erick:
• Down the River Unto the Sea (Walter Moseley)
• Summer of Night (Dan Simmons)
• Anne's Read: YellowFace, Entitlement (Aman)
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1:
• Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic):

Notes:

Anne's IG page: instagram.com/annesimaabel

1. Memoir and social media are the same to me in terms of what I'm posting; openly share about mental health (that how I began); by sharing stories and share hope

Shorter the better (video on IG and TikTok). 3 minutes max.

Innovation and Hope TED Talk, social media opened up my world (origin story, transformation, be proud of); ideas: say YES; do your best

Reels, hook, social media isn't writing -- talk about what excites you instead of focusing on writer's block.

Just do your best.

And don't forget:

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

• (Valerie): launching my four-month book coaching container Aligned Author TODAY. The price is drastically cut this week (it's $667 off the regular price, and for 24 hours only starting now, the paid in full price -- with an extra whole month of coaching for free and ANOTHER LIVE discount on top-- is $1333 for FIVE months of coaching. The price will never be this low again. There is also a monthly payment option. Go to valerieihsan.com/alignedauthor for all the details. The replay to last night's masterclass The Alchemy of Memory is up for another 24 hours, and then it goes away, along with the LIVE Launch price.
• Aligned Author officially starts on Wednesday, October 22nd, so the special Launch price will be in affect only until then.
• Secret podcast is in the works (it's actually a secret memoir). Working on two at the same time (in true Generator, Aries, Futurist fashion): Pura Vida Bound project chronicling our move to Costa Rica (never written a live memoir before), and this secret one that I'm not ready to talk about.
• getting rid of furniture and starting to paint inside this week; Ali's been working on touching up the paint outside and painting the fascia boards for under the new gutters. Hired the shipping company, our shipping pickup date is December 15 (a Monday), and then we'll leave after that.
• Getting ready for our going away party, doubling as Rental Ready date.
• Write in the Harbor conference is coming up (still need to rental a place for that!)
• (Erick):
• What are you reading?

• Valerie:
• Just finished:
• Sounds Like Love (Ashley Poston)
• Creative Act (Rick Rubin)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman;
• Erick: Voice of the Fire (Alan Moore)
• Lost in the Dark (Brad Weismann) Gettysburg: The Last Invasion
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1:
• Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic):

Notes:

And don't forget:

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Free masterclass: The Alchemy of Memory — Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Wed, Oct 8, 2025). Learn to braid personal narrative with research, family history, and big ideas—plus structures, privacy choices, and momentum tools. Includes a short meditation + oracle card pull. Save your seat → valerieihsan.com/hybrid

***

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): planning my free masterclass on hybrid memoir writing for October 8th.
• (Erick): booked all the conferences for the rest of the year; new ghostwriting ads; working on new series of stories;
• What are you reading?

• Valerie:
• (need recommendations for audio books)
• Just finished: The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland (Rachael Herron)
• Sounds Like Love (Ashley Poston)
• Creative Act (Rick Rubin)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman;
• Erick: Voice of the Fire (Alan Moore)
• Lost in the Dark (Brad Weismann) Gettysburg: The Last Invasion
• gaming books (DnD campaign)
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1:
• Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic):

Notes:

Mindset as a customer vs the provider: Customer: 1. Know what you need 2. Know where you are in process 3. Know how you are talking to 4. Have willingness to learn what I don't know; Provider: 1. Identify what client needs 2. Can I provide that 3. Build rapport 4. Where does the job fit in the calendar? 5. Signing the contract

Hiring and Firing (+ screening process): start with identifying what the client needs. (Receiving 5 or 6 emails a week.) Screen out those that don't have an idea of what they want, unrealistic expectations (always unhappy with results); build relationships/collaborations; sub-contractor contracts because too many anchor projects; referral service/hub -- writer running a writing business; Know what you are willing to do

Red Flags: need too much education around industry (pie in the sky expectations); respect and value for the work/time/energy; wants something that you don't know how to do or don't want to offer (do you need the $, try it and see if you like it);

Forecasting Jobs: anchor jobs and satellite jobs

Ideal Client: temperament, communication, adaptability, rapport (educated about writing a plus), open to suggestions, know what they want

And don't forget:

Free masterclass: The Alchemy of Memory — Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Wed, Oct 8, 2025). Learn to braid personal narrative with research, family history, and big ideas—plus structures, privacy choices, and momentum tools. Includes a short meditation + oracle card pull. Save your seat → valerieihsan.com/hybrid

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link

Main Topic: "Intentionality in Writing: Hendrika de Vries on Resistance, Feminism, and Telling the Truth"

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot.

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

***

Free masterclass: The Alchemy of Memory — Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Wed, Oct 8, 2025). Learn to braid personal narrative with research, family history, and big ideas—plus structures, privacy choices, and momentum tools. Includes a short meditation + oracle card pull. Save your seat → valerieihsan.com/hybrid

***

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): prepping for yard sale; planning my free masterclass on hybrid memoir writing for October 8th.
• (Erick): Southwest Writers Conference speaking gig last weekend, working on new conference pitches; (What can I create new for them?); new Google ads running right now for ghostwriting and editing
• (Henrika): Santa Barbara writing community; Chicago Lit Festival (met with other She Writes Press writers)
• What are you reading?

• Valerie:
• Unstuck (Rachael Herron) (need recommendations for audio books)
• Just finished:
• Creative Act (Rick Rubin)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman;
• Erick: Voice of the Fire (Alan Moore)
• Lost in the Dark (Brad Weismann) Gettysburg: The Last Invasion
• (Hendrika): Swimming Pretty (history of aquatic swimming by Vicki Valosik); Why We Swim (Bonnie Tsui) (how we lose our differences); Black Cake (Charmaine Wilkerson)(protagonist is a swimmer)
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1:
• Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic):

Notes:

Hendrika is a retired family therapist, a teacher, and a writer, chronicling her life experiences with oppression and resistance in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, migration, competitive swimming, and misogyny in 1950s Australia. A fierce feminist and activist, de Vries infuses her writing with historical depth and personal perspective on challenges facing women and anyone deemed other. She is the author of When a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew, award-winning memoir of her WWII childhood. Her writing has also appeared in The New York Times and the LA Times. She lives in Santa Barbara, CA. Find out more about her at www.agirlfromamsterdam.com.

2019 Mary Sarton Women's Book Award winner

2019 Nautilus Award for Memoir and Personal Journey winner

Non-fiction Author Association Gold

2020 Eric Hoffer First Horizon and Culture award winner

2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist - Memoirs

2021 NYC Big Book Awards winner - Memoir and Young Adult Non-fiction

Intentionality in Writing: Hendrika de Vries on Resistance, Feminism, and Telling the Truth

Valerie's notes:

1. They aren't just our stories. How have other people done this? How our story relates to the human story. Allowed the little girl to have a voice. How to structure to allow the reader relate to inner experience.
2. intuitive writer, start with notes, jot down memories, voice arrives (I was walking; I was unhappy, how does this relate); authentic voice is how it starts, gradually themes show up. Layers.
3. Differences between essay and memoir (angry vs what is the story here)
4. learn life-saving: look at the risks, sometimes when you try to save someone, they'll try to drown you.
5. face life as an athlete, commitment and dedication, couldn't translate to writing process (haha), grab time, 11-2 magic time to write, set aside time a few times a week to write (let the story come); think about it while swimming and walking;
6. risk life to follow values but measuring the risk;
7. "truth-telling is activist resistance" (Bruce Lipton); The Year of Living Kindly (Donna Cameron)

my childhood experiences were psychological examples of resistance: how do we move through difficult times; is memoir self-indulgent? 2017 saw Neo-nazis walking in Virginia then knew others needed to hear about my story because I didn't think this could ever happen again; themes/resistance/loss/what sustains us? How do we create these turning points? How do these define us?

Focus on the human resistance (victimhood wasn't allowed); find the good moments; pacing in the story (and our lives) mixing the trauma with tenderness and humor. Find the light in the moments.

Don't do it alone. Writers conferences and being with other writers. Share stories and being in community, stimulates our writing, not being afraid to share. Find your community.

Robert Jay Lifton: "Surviving Our Catastrophes"

Henrik's first memoir: When a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew (also available in audio now)

"Open Turns: From Dutch Girl to New Australian"

Hendrika de Vries | September 2, 2025 | She Writes Press | Memoir

Paperback | 978-1647429508 | $17.99

Ebook | 978-1647429515 | $12.99

And don't forget:

Free masterclass: The Alchemy of Memory — Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Wed, Oct 8, 2025). Learn to braid personal narrative with research, family history, and big ideas—plus structures, privacy choices, and momentum tools. Includes a short meditation + oracle card pull. Save your seat → valerieihsan.com/hybrid

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

🎙️ The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow 📅 Recorded on September 3, 2025 🎧 Hosted by Valerie Ihsan & Erick Mertz

Welcome back, Writers and Crafters! In this soul-nourishing episode, Valerie and Erick explore what it really takes to return to your writing routine after a break. Whether you've been away for weeks or months, we offer compassionate strategies, creative rituals, and mindset shifts to help you gently restart your writing life—without falling into guilt, shame, or perfectionism.

✨ Main Topic: "The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow" 🔥 Key themes: creative rhythm, return rituals, reframing productivity, embodied discipline, and more.

Segment 1: Author Updates & Announcements

• Valerie shares updates from the road: memory-making, travel, and rental-ready logistics

• Plans for a free masterclass on hybrid memoirs coming in October 🎉

• Erick's gearing up for speaking at a writing conference and Ghost Story Weekend in Newport with Wordcrafters

• Running ads, finishing client work, and preparing for a busy season

• 📚 What We're Reading:

  • Valerie:

    • • Creative Act (Rick Rubin)
      • High Hopes by Anne Abel (coming to the podcast in October!)

    • In progress: Four Thousand Weeks (Oliver Burkeman), The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz), The Teller of Small Fortunes (Julie Leong)

  • Erick:

    • • About Grace (Anthony Doerr)

Segment 2: Resources, Tips & Tidbits

• 🔍 Tidbit of the week: Umarell — an Italian word for retired men who watch construction sites 👀

• Bonus tips for mindset shifts and productivity hacks

Segment 3: Main Topic - The Art of Starting Over

• Restate your writing goal: has it changed or evolved?

• Rebuild with rhythm, not rigidity

• Try a "return ritual": a gentle Artist's Way-style reentry (oracle cards, candles, morning pages, or altar time)

• Give it time:

  • 3 days to wrap your mind around restarting

  • 3 weeks to settle into a new rhythm

• Replace guilt with grace. You're not behind—you're beginning again.

💚 Get 48% off your first subscription of Magic Mind (mental performance + sleep shot) Claim it here → magicmind.com/VALERIE20 Use code VALERIE20 at checkout #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

🧠 Writing Tools We Love: 👉 ProWriting Aid (affiliate link) Perfect for editing and polishing your writing with AI-backed insights.

🎉 Support the podcast and get writing resources, books, and exclusive coaching content: 🖋️ Valerie's Patreon → patreon.com/valerieihsan 📖 Erick's Patreon → patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

💬 Want to work with Valerie 1:1? Schedule a free consultation: valerieihsan.com

📲 Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan 📲 Erick's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Main Topic: How to Write a Book That Grows Your Business and Honors Your Spirit (Help soul-led entrepreneurs see how writing a book can amplify their work without losing authenticity or feeling salesy.)

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot.

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): I've been getting a lot of hits from the universe in the form of repeated messaging that I need to triple down on the the learning in public. I just can't wait until my life and mission statement is perfect before I show up online with a lesson neatly tied with a bow. First, that just prevents me from posting anything. Second, I'm hearing a lot lately that people aren't looking for gurus anymore. They don't want perfection. They can't relate to that. They want to watch the messy middle, and when I heard that (again), the realization hit. I write memoirs about how I got through something and what I learned along the way. I read memoirs so that I can see how they got through something. I want to be inspired by watching (reading) them pull themselves out of the mire and accomplish something difficult, because I want to do that too. "We just want to see real women figuring it out." (Tatyana Gosh)
• So, I'm going to start really showing up online with the messiness of humanity, and without the lessons already learned. My goal is everyday on IG. A reel, post, or story. Preferably multiples.
• • I met with colleague yesterday, another coach, and she said something that I immediately wrote down: If I show up imperfect, that doesn't mean bad. I've been so focused on trying to rewrite my limiting belief around perfection = professional, that I didn't take it a step further. Why do I think that if I'm imperfect, I'm bad? Side note: "Who doesn't like a badass woman?" (Tatyana Gosh)
• (Erick):

• What are you reading?

• Valerie: Just finished: The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About (Mel Robbins)
• Creative Act (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book High Hopes (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October).
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick: Devil in a Blue Dress (Walter Mosely); Hap and Leonard (stories) (Joe Lansdale)
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1:
• Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic):

Notes:

The problem with traditional "business book" advice

• Focused on funnels, not fulfillment
• Often strips the soul from the message
• Too rigid for creative, intuitive entrepreneurs
• "If the book reads like a sales page, it's probably not honoring the deeper mission."

What it really means to write a soul-aligned book that supports your business

• The book becomes a bridge between your inner truth and outer impact
• Writing from your why positions you as an authority with depth—not just expertise
• "People buy from those they connect with. Your book is a bridge, not a billboard."

Ways your book can grow your business authentically

• Builds credibility + trust with aligned clients
• Deepens your brand story and your core message
• Expands your reach without burnout (your book travels when you can't)
• "You're not marketing. You're storytelling. And that's magnetic."

Let your business offer inform your book—not dictate it

• Use client patterns and questions to uncover themes
• Let your unique framework or transformation process shape the content (not just regurgitate)
• Bonus: You may create your next offer through writing the book
• Writing How-To Books (Three Story Method series)

Avoiding the trap of performance

• Write with your audience in mind, not for their approval
• Let go of "shoulds" and write from soul-led service
• •

Examples of what alignment looks like in practice

• Including rituals, reflections, or creative practices in your book
• Speaking directly to your dream client as if you're in sacred conversation

Closing encouragement:

• You don't have to choose between success and soul. Your book can hold both.
• The more you write from your essence, the more magnetic your business becomes

• "When you write to be liked, you dilute your magic."

Project Runway fails are usually because they didn't stay "true to themselves as a designer" and it show.

🌀 Listener Reflection Prompt:

"What message lives at the heart of your work—and how could your book become an offering of that message?"

🎯 Closing Thought:

"Your book can be a calling card and a calling. When you write from truth, your audience finds you."

And don't forget:

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Main Topic: From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes That Still Feel True to You (with guest HR Cole)

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot.

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): no go on a workshop I pitched; working to get quotes for shipping companies (it's not as straight forward as I thought); thinking about content and documenting our trip and the prep of it (memoir)
• (Erick):

• What are you reading?

• Valerie: Just finished:
• Creative Act (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book High Hopes (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October). The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About (Mel Robbins)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick: Devil in a Blue Dress (Walter Mosely); Hap and Leonard (stories) (Joe Lansdale)
• Hope (H.R. Cole): Into Thin Air (John Krakauer)
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1:
• Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic):

Notes:

H.R. Cole is a Pennsylvania native who completed her first (handwritten) fantasy novel at the age of twelve. She's remained an avid writer and has one published middle grade novel and a successful health journalism career. Cole lives with her husband, dogs, and cats in mountainous Upstate New York.

www.hrcole.com

http://www.instagram.com/hidden.gems.books

Plot where it goes, and the choreography of the scene, what are my non-negotiables? Use it showcase character traits that show up in intimate times. What do I want to portray in this scene?

1. Goal (character development) (ex: kindness? Make a list of how to showcase kindness.)

2. True to self

3. True to character (make a list of words that are appropriate)(Are they seasoned lovers or innocent?)

Fight scenes and sex scenes have some similarities.

Common mistakes: Boring, gloss over, not relevant

What makes a good sex scene?

Humanize the character

Describe details without words that shock you or take you out of the story. Natural. Aligned with personal experience.

Don't feel the speed bump going into the scene.

Follow the Golden Rules of writing just as you would in any other scene. Use the same language in the spicy scenes as the rest of the book.

Shorter sentences in action scenes. Sure. But use the same type of language.

Go through the process of char dev for a reason. Know your character. It pays off when you get to the more complicated scenes (fight, action, sex). Inherent traits. Did I stay true to this character? Did I learn something about a character? Nice place to set up the psychology of a character. Vulnerable scenes are where we learn about the character. Character insight no where else.

What about flashbacks in the scene? (Sentence of thought, convey emotions/doubt)

Getting feedback on spicy scenes: assess the comfort levels of critique partners, warn ahead of time, what's the best way to send this to you. Make it part of your group culture.

Romantasy (fantasy with a strong romantic plot); The Chalice and the Blade series (romantic fantasy)(instead of fantastical romance); tough marketing term because romantasy doesn't necessarily have an HEA.

Spice levels up front in marketing copy. Keywords: romantic fantasy

Be proud of your sex scenes. It's okay to explore it.

And don't forget:

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): hard stuff at home (sharing that with my patrons, and a little on social media)
• (Erick):

• What are you reading?

• Valerie: Just finished: Austin Kleon's Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad
• Creative Act (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book High Hopes (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October).
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick:
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic):

Notes:

Today's episode is about legacy. Not the legacy of awards or bestseller lists. But the kind of legacy that changes hearts. That shifts the field. That ripples out long after you're gone.

When you write your book — the real one — you're not just capturing information. You're encoding energy. You're creating a guide. A lighthouse. An invitation.

Your book becomes a place someone can go to feel less alone. It becomes a spell, a balm, a declaration. It says, "I've been there too. And here's what I learned."

You're not just writing a book. You're writing your book.

And that distinction changes everything.

Sometimes people come to me and say,

"I just want to get it out of my head." "I want to use it as a business card." "I want to boost my visibility."

And all of those reasons are valid. In fact, your book can help grow your reach. It can become a doorway to speaking, teaching, building a body of work.

But here's the thing: When you write from alignment… from soul… from truth… You don't just get visibility. You get peace. You get clarity. You get momentum, energy, fulfillment. You become more you.

Because you're not performing. You're not proving. You're remembering.

And that's when your book becomes a legacy. Not because of how many copies it sells — But because of how many lives it touches.

Aligned Author isn't a writing bootcamp. It's a sacred, strategic container for birthing the book you were born to write.

This is where structure meets intuition. Where craft meets soul. Where resistance meets ritual.

Inside Aligned Author, you receive:

• A sacred 60–90 minute strategy session to clarify your soul's vision
• A custom action plan that honors your unique creative rhythm
• Weekly 1:1 coaching sessions (recorded for your reflection)
• Story structure guidance + intuitive insight + business strategy
• Meditations, writing exercises, and oracle-based support
• Ongoing mentorship and accountability — weekly, monthly, and via direct messaging
• Access to group calls for reflection and celebration

And most importantly… You'll walk away with a book that feels like truth. Not just something you wrote… but something you became.

So if you're ready — If you're done circling the dream… If you're ready to stop doubting and start devoting... I'd be honored to walk beside you.

You can book your Soul Strategy Session today at valerieihsan.com, or DM me @valerieihsan on Instagram.

Your story is sacred. Your voice is needed. And your book is waiting to be written — not someday, but now.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Whether you choose to write with me, or on your own, I hope you remember this:

You are not here to write like everyone else. You are here to write like you.

Because the book you were born to write… Was born for someone who's waiting to read it.

Until we meet again — Be brave. Be true. Be writing.

Next Episode:

From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes That Still Feel True to You (with guest HR Cole)

And don't forget:

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Main Topic: Today's episode is all about Ego Meeting Soul (the inner vs outer world of writing)

In our last episode of the mini podcast series The Book You Were Born to Write, we listened for the first whispers of the book inside you. We honored that quiet knowing — the call to finally write the book that's been circling your spirit. And today… we're stepping into the next phase. The moment when the whisper gets louder… And fear shows up, too.

Because the truth is: Wanting to be seen… and fearing that visibility… Often live side by side in the writer's heart.

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot.

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): hard stuff at home (sharing that with my patrons, and a little on social media)
• (Erick):

• What are you reading?

• Valerie: Just finished: Austin Kleon's Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad
• Creative Act (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book High Hopes (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October).
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick:
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic):

Notes:

Let's talk about what really stops us from writing.

It's not usually time. It's not lack of talent. It's not even discipline.

It's the shadow voices that rise up when we start getting close to something real.

Things like:

• "What if people think I'm full of myself?"
• "Who am I to write this?"
• "What if I pour my soul onto the page and nobody cares?"

That's not laziness. That's vulnerability. That's ego doing its job — trying to protect you from pain, rejection, exposure.

And I want to say this with all the tenderness I can: Your ego is not the enemy.

Your ego is trying to keep you safe. It's the part of you that learned to please, to perform, to protect. And when you start writing something true — something sacred — That part gets nervous.

Because soul-led writing isn't just about ideas. It's about embodiment. And embodiment means being seen.

But here's the secret: You don't need to kill the ego. You just need to give it a new job.

Let it become the steward of structure. Let it help you organize your message. Let it take care of the outline, the deadlines, the goals.

Let your soul guide the content. Let your ego support the container.

This is what I call writing from alignment. Structure + spirit. Mastery + mystery. Ego + soul.

Let me tell you a quick story.

Earlier this year, I was working on creating content for my audience. I felt alive while think about it — raw, truthful, exposed. But every time I sat down to finish it or thought about posting it, I froze.

I wasn't stuck because of the craft. I was stuck because I was afraid. Afraid of what people would think. Afraid it would change how I was seen. Afraid it would change who I was allowed to be.

So I did what I now teach my clients to do: I paused. I lit a candle. I asked:

"Who is this content for?" "What do they need to hear?" "What am I protecting by staying silent?"

And my soul said:

"This story is medicine. But only if you let it be seen."

So I finished it. I sent the email; I've been posting the content. And the response? Emails. Messages. Tears. Connection. Not because it was perfect. But because it was true.

That is the power of writing from soul. It's not about proving. It's about revealing. And when ego and soul are in right relationship, your book becomes unstoppable.

So I've created a little tool to help you check in with where you are in that dance.

It's a simple quiz — part journal worksheet, part self-discovery ritual — called: "Where Is Your Ego Helping… and Where Is It Hijacking?"

It'll help you recognize:

• When you're over-editing out of fear
• When your visibility blocks are in charge
• When your ego is actually your greatest asset

You can download it for free at valerieihsan.com/soulwhisperpages

And if you're feeling ready to move deeper into this work — If you know the book inside you is real, but the fear feels louder than the fire right now — I'd love to offer you a Soul Strategy Session.

It's a 60–90 minute sacred space, just you and me. We'll talk about what's calling to be written. What's standing in your way. And what aligned next step will open the gates.

You'll leave with clarity, a custom plan, and a little magic.

You can book that now at valerieihsan.com/scheduler

or send me a DM @valerieihsan.

You're not behind. You're unfolding.

Your story is sacred. Your fear is human. And your book is waiting — not for your perfection, but for your yes.

Next episode, we're talking about legacy. The kind that lives in hearts, in hands, in pages passed down like medicine.

Until then… Be gentle. Be honest. Be listening.

Next episode: is about legacy. Not the legacy of awards or bestseller lists. But the kind of legacy that changes hearts. That shifts the field. That ripples out long after you're gone.

Today's episode is all about Hearing the Call. That moment when the idea of writing a book stops being a far-off fantasy... and starts feeling like destiny.

You might not feel ready. You might not know what you want to say yet. But if you're listening to this right now — I have a hunch that something is stirring.

That stirring? That's your soul whispering: It's time.

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot.

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): playing around with IG stories quite a bit, check it out @valerieihsan;
• Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.) I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own superpowers.
• (Erick):

• What are you reading?

• Valerie: Just finished: The Five-Star Weekend (Elin Hilderbrand)
• Your Human Design (Shayna and Dana; DayLuna);
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick:
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic): Welcome to The Book You Were Born to Write — a sacred podcast series for soul-led entrepreneurs who know… deep in their bones… that a book is asking to come through. Not just any book. Not a content machine. Not a regurgitation of things you've already taught. But the book. The one that's been flickering in the corners of your dreams, tapping on your shoulder during still moments, and sighing in your chest when you imagine a life fully expressed.

Notes:

This is what I call the Soul Whisper. It's the part of you that knows… There's something you haven't said yet. There's a story still vibrating in your ribcage. There's a message that could outlive you—if you let it.

But then… the thoughts come in.

"Who am I to write this?" "I don't have time." "It's all been said before." "What if no one cares?"

And I want to pause here and say something important: You are not behind. You are not broken. You are not too late. You are exactly on time.

These doubts are not evidence that the dream is wrong. They are evidence that it matters.

Here's what I've learned in all my years as a coach, writer, The desire to write a book doesn't come to everyone. If it's coming to you, it's for a reason. And even if you don't feel ready… Even if you're not sure what the book is about yet… Even if you're scared — Your book already knows you. It's been circling you for years. (Big Magic idea) And the whisper you're hearing now? That's the sound of your soul making contact.

Here's what I want you to know:

You don't have to write every day. You don't need to have the whole thing outlined. You don't need to quit your business or disappear into a writing cave for three years.

What you need is this: Stillness. Curiosity. And a commitment to listen.

That's what this first phase is about. Not rushing into productivity. But devotion. Not output… but alignment.

If this is resonating with you — if your body is saying "yes" even while your mind is saying "wait" — then I invite you to deepen the conversation.

I've created a free journaling ritual for you, called "The Soul Whisper Pages." It's a set of guided prompts and a short audio meditation that will help you connect to the essence of the book that wants to come through.

You can download that now at https://valerieihsan.com/soulwhisperpages.

And before we close, I want to leave you with a question:

If your book could speak to you right now… what would it say?

Write it down. No editing. Just channel.

Next episode: Next time, we'll explore what happens after you say yes—when ego and soul begin their wild and necessary dance. It's vulnerable. It's thrilling. And it's where your book truly begins to take form.

Until then… Trust the whisper. It's not going anywhere. It's waiting for you to answer.

And don't forget:

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries