Writer Therapy Sessions

In this episode of Writer Therapy Sessions, Timothy sits down with author and corporate lawyer A. Marc Ross, whose latest political thriller, Attacking the Dragon, blends real-world geopolitics with an original fictional conspiracy surrounding China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Marc shares how his professional experience and travels in China helped shape the world of the novel, why he wanted to write a political thriller that approached China from a different angle, and how he balances factual research with the freedom of fiction. The conversation also explores his return to creative writing later in life, transitioning from legal writing to fiction, publishing through both assisted and independent channels, marketing as an author, and the challenge of standing out in an increasingly crowded publishing world.

Marc also discusses originality, genre expectations, learning to accept criticism, working without rigid outlines, and why persistence and internal validation matter so much for writers trying to build a career.

Connect with A. Marc Ross

Website:
https://amarkross.com

If you’re a writer looking for an encouraging, creative community, connect with Tim on instagram:

instagram.com/writertherapysessions

instagram.com/timothycolombawrites

Writer Therapy Sessions features personal interviews with writers from all stages of their writing journey. Whether you're outlining your first idea, deep into revisions, or somewhere in between, you have a story to share.

In this special Writer Therapy Sessions SPOILERCAST, Timothy sits back down with author Allen Longstreet for a deeper conversation about his dystopian thriller Underbelly.

With the spoiler gates officially open, Allen talks about the choices behind the novel’s characters, worldbuilding, technology, themes, and some of the creative decisions that shaped the finished story. They also dig into the research and real-world ideas that influenced the book, the balance between ambiguity and explanation, and what Allen hoped readers would carry with them after reaching the final page.

This conversation contains major spoilers for Underbelly. Read the book first if you want to experience the story unspoiled.

Connect with Allen Longstreet

Books, social media & more:
https://linktr.ee/allenlongstreet

If you’re a writer looking for an encouraging, creative community, connect with Tim on instagram:

instagram.com/writertherapysessions

instagram.com/timothycolombawrites

Writer Therapy Sessions features personal interviews with writers from all stages of their writing journey. Whether you're outlining your first idea, deep into revisions, or somewhere in between, you have a story to share.

In this episode of Writer Therapy Sessions, Timothy sits down with author Allen Longstreet, whose work spans political thrillers, gothic horror, dystopian fiction, and screenwriting. Allen talks about discovering writing as an escape when he was young, self-publishing his earliest novels, and the years of experience that eventually led to his newest release, Underbelly.

The conversation explores what it means to genuinely take your writing seriously without taking yourself too seriously. Allen shares his approach to capturing ideas, building a consistent writing routine, working with professional editors, navigating querying and self-publishing, finding ARC readers, marketing a release, and knowing when to protect the creative vision behind a project. He also discusses his background in film and screenwriting and why understanding storytelling across different mediums has shaped the way he writes fiction.

Tim and Allen also dive into the creation of Underbelly, including its near-future dystopian world, surveillance, technology, memory, power, and Allen's preference for leaving readers enough unanswered questions to keep thinking after the final page. The episode ultimately becomes a conversation about creative ambition, trusting your instincts, and doing the work necessary to turn an idea into something readers can actually experience.

Connect with Allen Longstreet

Books, social media & more:
https://linktr.ee/allenlongstreet?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

If you’re a writer looking for an encouraging, creative community, connect with Tim on instagram:

instagram.com/writertherapysessions

instagram.com/timothycolombawrites

Writer Therapy Sessions features personal interviews with writers from all stages of their writing journey. Whether you're outlining your first idea, deep into revisions, or somewhere in between, you have a story to share.

In this episode of Writer Therapy Sessions, Timothy sits down with Kayleigh Shoen, flash fiction writer, instructor, and founder of two writing communities focused on short story submissions and journaling.

Kayleigh shares how a single writing class at Boston's GrubStreet transformed her career, leading from the finance industry to publishing flash fiction, teaching creative writing, and helping new writers get their first publications. They discuss why flash fiction is an ideal creative outlet for novelists, how publishing short stories can build confidence and community, and why submitting your work is far less intimidating than many writers believe.

The conversation also explores the many forms journaling can take, balancing creative work with everyday life, and the importance of finding other writers who understand the journey.

Connect with Kayleigh Shoen

Short Story Submissions Simplified (Skool):
https://www.skool.com/flash-fiction-9247/about

Journaling with Kayleigh (Skool):
https://www.skool.com/write-with-kayleigh-4018/about

Website:
https://kayleighshoen.com

Substack Newsletter:
https://kayleighshoen.substack.com/

If you’re a writer looking for an encouraging, creative community, connect with Tim on instagram:

instagram.com/writertherapysessions

instagram.com/timothycolombawrites

Writer Therapy Sessions features personal interviews with writers from all stages of their writing journey. Whether you're outlining your first idea, deep into revisions, or somewhere in between, you have a story to share.

In this episode of Writer Therapy Sessions, Timothy Colomba sits down with author Zane Dowling, whose work spans fantasy, historical fiction, and Christian-themed novels. Zane shares how The Tryadon Prophecy, Brother's Keeper, and Tears of an Angel came to life, why he prefers writing "by the seat of his pants," and how research, history, and imagination often collide in unexpected ways.

The conversation explores editing, storytelling, building believable fantasy worlds, and why every manuscript deserves multiple revisions. Zane also discusses mentoring other writers, running his Skool writing community The Write Way, and the value of putting your work into the world instead of waiting for perfection.

Connect with Zane Dowling:

📚 Read Zane's Books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Zane-Dowling/author/B00A5VA4V4/allbooks?ccs_id=78c33014-cd2f-4793-8fdb-b15f38196a4a

✍️ The Write Way (Skool):
https://www.skool.com/the-write-way-1277/about

If you’re a writer looking for an encouraging, creative community, connect with Tim on instagram:

instagram.com/writertherapysessions

instagram.com/timothycolombawrites

Writer Therapy Sessions features personal interviews with writers from all stages of their writing journey. Whether you're outlining your first idea, deep into revisions, or somewhere in between, you have a story to share.

In this episode of Writer Therapy Sessions, Timothy speaks with fantasy author Melle Miller, creator of Waking Chaos: The Scales of Amat' Aga.

Melle shares how a simple map made from spilled rice grew into an entire fantasy world filled with kingdoms, religions, histories, and cultures. Together they discuss worldbuilding, self-publishing through Amazon, balancing a full-time career with writing, designing book covers, using AI as a creative tool, and why every writer needs a system to keep an expanding story organized.

If you've ever dreamed of building your own world—or wondered what it really takes to publish your first novel—this conversation offers an honest look at the creative process behind epic fantasy.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/06rkbumo

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/4E6pRE

Email: [email protected]

Twitter/X: https://x.com/MelissaMil67474

Facebook: https://facebook.com/melle.miller.54.2025

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mellemiller54

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bluebellemelle

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@melle.miller.54

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MelleMiller5414

If you’re a writer looking for an encouraging, creative community, connect with Tim on Instagram:

instagram.com/writertherapysessions

instagram.com/timothycolombawrites

Writer Therapy Sessions features personal interviews with writers from all stages of their writing journey. Whether you're outlining your first idea, deep into revisions, or somewhere in between, you have a story to share.

What can Dungeons & Dragons teach us about storytelling?

In this episode of Writer Therapy Sessions, Tim sits down with Mike Grindrod—journalist, Dungeon Master, and author of Hell Isn't Empty—to discuss the intersection of collaborative storytelling, fiction writing, and imagination.

Mike shares how years of running tabletop roleplaying games helped shape his approach to character, worldbuilding, and narrative, as well as the journey of bringing his own novel to life.

The conversation explores the creative lessons writers can learn from D&D, the value of play and escapism, balancing journalism with fiction, and why some of the best stories emerge when people create together. Whether you're a novelist, gamer, or simply fascinated by how stories work, this episode offers an engaging look at creativity from multiple angles.

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/three_kobalds_in_a_trenchcoat

🌐 Website: https://www.grimmwrites.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

🎓 Skool: @michael-grindrod-4130

If you’re a writer looking for an encouraging, creative community, connect with Tim on instagram:

instagram.com/writertherapysessions

instagram.com/timothycolombawrites

Writer Therapy Sessions features personal interviews with writers from all stages of their writing journey. Whether you're outlining your first idea, deep into revisions, or somewhere in between, you have a story to share.

Author and engineer M.C. Terriche (Casey Marie) joins Writer Therapy Sessions to discuss her This Could Be Paradise novella trilogy, a story inspired by questions many people face: Is this really the life I wanted? and What happens if I change course?

Casey shares her journey from technical writing and engineering into fiction, why she chose to release her story as a trilogy of novellas, how she balances writing with a demanding career, and what she has learned about self-publishing, audiobooks, and building a creative life in Nashville.

A thoughtful conversation about identity, storytelling, and the realities of being an independent author.

Follow M.C. Terriche:

Website & Link Hub: https://linktr.ee/authormcterriche

Books:
This Could Be Paradise Series by M.C. Terriche

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormcterriche

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormcterriche

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormcterriche

If you’re a writer looking for an encouraging, creative community, connect with Tim on instagram:

instagram.com/writertherapysessions

instagram.com/timothycolombawrites

Writer Therapy Sessions features personal interviews with writers from all stages of their writing journey. Whether you're outlining your first idea, deep into revisions, or somewhere in between, you have a story to share.

In this episode of Writer Therapy Sessions, we talk with author, musician, actor, and creative entrepreneur Daniel Andrews, author of the international bestseller Tears Behind the Smile. Daniel opens up about living with anxiety and panic attacks, turning deeply personal diary entries into a published book, and using creativity as a way to survive difficult moments.

We discuss self-publishing, hybrid publishing, building a personal brand as a creator, music, acting, mental health, and the realities of trying to make a living through art. Daniel also shares his thoughts on honest storytelling, learning from experienced mentors, and why creators shouldn’t let fear, criticism, or perfectionism stop them from putting their work into the world.

The conversation explores how pain can fuel creativity, the emotional side of writing, and the importance of authentic communities where writers and artists can support one another without judgment.

Topics include:
• Anxiety, panic attacks, and creative expression
• Turning diary entries into a published book
• Self-publishing vs. hybrid publishing
• Building a personal brand through writing, music, and acting
• Writer insecurity and perfectionism
• Honest storytelling and emotional vulnerability
• Creative mentorship and learning from experience
• Music, songwriting, and artistic identity
• The importance of positive creative communities

Follow Daniel “Tierz” Andrews:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tierz_official_sttp
X: https://x.com/TierzOfficial
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/officialtierz
Order Tears Behind the Smile on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0fnjJcfc
Order Tears Behind the Smile for Kindle: https://a.co/d/0gbW3vmU

If you’re a writer looking for an encouraging, creative community, connect with Tim on instagram:

instagram.com/writertherapysessions

instagram.com/timothycolombawrites

Writer Therapy Sessions features personal interviews with writers from all stages of their writing journey. Whether you're outlining your first idea, deep into revisions, or somewhere in between, you have a story to share.

In this episode of Writer Therapy Sessions, we talk with author, music therapist, and entrepreneur Courtney Shawl about creativity, healing, songwriting, AI, and the deeper reasons people feel called to make art in the first place.

Courtney shares her journey from music therapy and songwriting to self-publishing, mentorship, and building creative communities around expression and healing. We discuss writer’s block, artistic identity, belief, persistence, and how AI can be used as a powerful creative tool without replacing the human imagination behind the work.

The conversation explores how songwriting can help people process emotions, why expressive arts matter for healing, the realities of self-publishing, and the tension between creating art for fulfillment versus fame, validation, or money. Courtney also breaks down how she uses AI in her workflow—from outlining books and organizing ideas to designing book covers and demo tracks for music.

Topics include:
• Writer isolation and creative community
• Songwriting as therapy and self-expression
• AI-assisted writing and music creation
• Self-publishing and creative entrepreneurship
• Mentorship, belief, and overcoming creative blocks
• Book cover design, branding, and visual simplicity
• Art for healing versus art for recognition

Chapters:
00:00 – Writer Therapy and Isolation
07:31 – The Role of AI in Writing and Music Creation
14:18 – The Impact of Belief and Mentorship on Success
20:00 – The Ultimate AI Cheat Code
28:20 – AI in Book Cover Design
33:31 – Expressive Arts in Healing
41:40 – Art for the Sake of Art vs. Fame and Money

Follow Courtney Shawl:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneyschawl/
Book. Brand. Business: http://skool.com/bookbrandbusiness
One Day Songwriter: http://skool.com/onedaysongwriter
Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Courtney-Anne-Schawl/author/B0FPRNZPPX?shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=bf0dadb9-caa8-4d92-85f3-471b78793883

If you’re a writer looking for an encouraging, creative community, connect with Tim on instagram:

instagram.com/writertherapysessions

instagram.com/timothycolombawrites

Writer Therapy Sessions features personal interviews with writers from all stages of their writing journey. Whether you're outlining your first idea, deep into revisions, or somewhere in between, you have a story to share.