The incredible thing about stories is that they allow us to process the now and create hope for the future. In this episode, we aren’t only discussing teaching, drafting, or the commercial side of writing. David Deane Haskell talks about writing as a tool for healing and connecting with others. He’s very open about his experiences, and we discuss how writing helped him.

In his memoir, David chronicles his healing journey. Trauma never leaves us, and it can come in waves, but when you do the work–David calls it “inner child work”– it gets better and easier over time. He shares his raw experiences in his memoir, Wounded Angels, in the hope that his story will offer hope to his readers.

Writing doesn’t have a single meaning. It is multifaceted. It is a form of self-expression, a way to process our world, a way to find healing, and a way we can be superheroes if that’s what we need.

This is such a powerful episode. You don’t want to miss this one!

You can find David here:

Website: https://daviddeanehaskell.com

David Deane Haskell Stories: https://daviddeanehaskellstories.substack.com

The Inner Child Journal: https://theinnerchildjournal.substack.com

You can find his books here:

Wounded Angels (memoir/nonfiction): https://mybook.to/woundedangels

The Solarian Deep (science fiction): https://mybook.to/solariandeep

Thank you to everyone who has listened and shared this podcast. Every single molecule of support is appreciated 1000%. I should be back in 2027. I have a great lineup of authors ready to share their stories.

Until then, I hope everyone has a great rest of the summer and year. Here’s wishing you all the best in the wilderness.

Follow me on Instagram (@kathrin.classen.writerreader), TikTok (@kathrin.classen.author), Substack (@kathrinclassen), and Facebook (Author Kathrin Classen)!

Song: Step

Artist: Owl Nest

Music by: CreatorMix.com

In this episode, I interview writer and teacher Sara Bednark. We discuss how she, as a teacher, finds ways to encourage people to write and grow in their craft and helps them embrace their unedited self. We also talk about what it means to do the verb so you can be the noun.

There are so many things that stop us from writing: our own lack of confidence, our own negative thoughts, or the words of others. As we understand our needs as writers, in whatever stage we are in, we can start to understand what kind of feedback we need from others. This is a common theme among almost everyone I’ve interviewed.

But here’s the thing to remember: Your words are enough. Your voice is enough. You do not need to be Hemingway to create a unique experience for a reader with your writing. All you need to do is be yourself.

Sara has such a passion for teaching. I loved speaking with her because in the vulnerable world of creating, she grounds us back into the meaning of finding a supportive community.

You can find Sara’s books here:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sara+therese+bednark&i=digital-text&crid=NYN82CZCORS4&sprefix=sara+therese+bednark%2Cdigital-text%2C171&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

You can find out more information about Sara and her classes here:

https://sarabednark.wordpress.com/

Thank you for listening today! Feel free to email me at [email protected]

Don’t miss an episode! Follow me on Instagram (@kathrin.classen.writerreader), TikTok (@kathrin.classen.author), Substack (@kathrinclassen), and Facebook (Author Kathrin Classen)!

Song: Step

Artist: Owl Nest

Music by: CreatorMix.com

Stories allow us to ask the big questions about what we would do if we were in tough situations. In Neal Lipschutz’s book, No Write Way to Die, we are asked how far we are willing to go to protect the people we love. Neal created a genuine feel to his novel by using elements with which he was familiar and not shying away from realistic consequences for his character’s ethically questionable decisions.

In this episode, we talk about how our characters should be multidimensional, as close to human as we can get them, so they feel genuine. We also discuss how writing contrasting characters will create natural tension, why writing a multibook series can be a little tricky, and the need for both show and tell in a story. When he edits, Neal routinely asks himself if he’s shown who the character is through their thoughts and actions.

This episode is also a great reminder that every single writer is unique and approaches writing differently. Neal recommends reading many craft books and taking what you need and leaving the rest.

We talk about the magic of libraries, to read as much as you can, and to write what you love to read because there are others out there who will enjoy what you’ve created.

You can find Neal here:

https://www.facebook.com/neal.lipschutz

Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

You can find his books here:

Amazon, the Barnes and Noble website, or bookshop.org

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=neal+lipschutz&crid=3ML88EJUKJETZ&sprefix=%2Caps%2C118&ref=nb_sb_ss_recent_4_0_recent

Thank you for listening today! Feel free to email me at [email protected]

Don’t miss an episode! Follow me on Instagram (@kathrin.classen.writerreader), TikTok (@kathrin.classen.author), Substack (@kathrinclassen), and Facebook (Author Kathrin Classen)!

Song: Step

Artist: Owl Nest

Music by: CreatorMix.com

From newspaper columns to the rush of wire services to breaking down barriers with informative fiction, Michael Fitzgerald and I talk about how our words have power. We as writers have the responsibility to do our research and get the facts right.

Not only that, this episode will remind you that your voice matters, but you have to speak up to create change. Be brave, do your research, have a strategic plan, and remember that it will take time. Change doesn’t happen overnight.

And how you measure success doesn’t have to be by the numbers. Sales of a book do not equal impact. If you can change one person’s life with what you’ve written, you’ve changed the world.

In this episode, I learned that sometimes you have to get crafty, learn by doing, and put yourself in a challenging situation to grow. No effort is wasted.

And most importantly, write down your story. Make it a part of history.

This episode is such an exciting sneak peek into an amazing career!

If you want to see more of Michael’s work, you can find him here:

Find his book on Amazon or feel free to contact him directly for a signed copy!

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00IWBDVT6/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=4c2f5c3e-3901-437e-bfbf-23f589ade22e

Thank you for listening today! Feel free to email me at [email protected]

Don’t miss an episode! Follow me on Instagram (@kathrin.classen.writerreader), TikTok (@kathrin.classen.author), Substack (@kathrinclassen), and Facebook (Author Kathrin Classen)!

Song: Step

Artist: Owl Nest

Music by: CreatorMix.com

What does it mean to drop a rock? If you imagine every project, every responsibility, every role as a rock, we usually carry around a pretty big sack of them. That’s not a bad thing! But it is all about finding balance in your life.

In this episode, writer and website designer Sue Evergreen and I talk about finding sparks of inspiration, not just in the incredible, but in the mundane. We discuss practicing the act of letting go, learning to identify the difference between your “diamonds” and what external pressures deem as “diamonds,” and taking little steps to create change.

Writing doesn’t always have to be about making money. It can be healing. It can be meditative. It can help you see the extraordinary in the ordinary. And it can help you drop some rocks!

You can find Sue Evergreen and Dropping Rocks here:

https://droppingrocks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DroppingRocks

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092433550733 https://www.instagram.com/droppingrocksblog/

Thank you for listening today! Feel free to email me at [email protected]

Don’t miss an episode! Follow me on Instagram (@kathrin.classen.writerreader), TikTok (@kathrin.classen.author), Substack (@kathrinclassen), and Facebook (Author Kathrin Classen)!

Song: Step

Artist: Owl Nest

Music by: CreatorMix.com

With over 40 books to her name, Melinda Di Lorenzo is a wealth of information about the publishing industry. In this episode, we talk about what it means to set achievable daily/weekly goals and why it is important to view your craft as your career.

Melinda and I also discuss how writing is only 10% of publishing and selling a book. The other 90%? Marketing, collaborating, and networking.

A successful career is not only about being a talented writer. It’s about “timing and luck.” One of my favorite quotes from our chat is “overnight success takes ten years.” What a great reminder that this industry takes time!

Write down those great ideas. Expand them into story. And whatever you do, don’t give up. Whatever success looks like for you, keep going.

From pre-edits to acknowledging your craft as your career to that endless agent/publisher loop, this is not an episode you’ll want to miss.

You can find Melinda here:

www.facebook.com/MelindaDiLorenzo

@melindawrites on X

@melindadilorenzo on Insta

@melindawrites on TikTok

You can find her books here:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Melinda-Di-Lorenzo/author/B073ZQM76N?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1774128781&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=b161bdf3-5c67-4a6e-9699-5197e103db04

If you enjoy these episodes, let me know! Drop a comment or an email at [email protected]

Have you ever thought that, since you didn’t go to school for it or don’t feel like you have “natural talent,” writing isn’t for you? Pediatrician and fiction writer, Kati Eisenhuth, and I talk about how time and effort can forgo our perception of natural talent as long as you stick with it and don’t give up.

Rejection happens to everyone. What matters is that we keep going despite those rejections. In this episode, Kati shows us that writing is like running track; If you perform badly during a meet, you just have to get back out there for the next one like nothing happened.

And there’s a twist to this episode! Kati turns the tables and interviews me! Want to find out my origin story along with Kati’s incredible encouragement? You’ll just have to listen!

You can find Kati here:

katieisenhuth.com

@katieisenhuth

If you are a writer and you have an encouraging word to share with the writing community, please send me an email at [email protected]. I’d love to share your words of wisdom with the writing community.

Song: Step

Artist: Owl Nest

Music by: CreatorMix.com

If you’ve ever thought, ‘it is too late to make my dreams come true’, this episode is for YOU! Natasha Parvey, aka Natalia Lee, got serious about writing her debut children’s book, The Man on the Bike with the Blue Bird, at age 50. She reminds us that it is never too late to start something new. Yes, the unknown can be scary. Yes, it will take time to learn. But what is the worst that can happen? Natasha reminds us that the best thing we can do for ourselves and our dreams is to “just start!”

In this episode, Natasha and I talk about ever-changing social media trends, the importance of speaking to your target audience, understanding that you will never make 100% of people happy and that’s OK, and her personal philosophy when she is considering a new project.

Some of my favorite quotes/phrases in this episode:

* Color code your life

* Work hard, play hard

* Authors aren’t competitive–we just want to see more people read

* Find the best time of day to eat your elephants

* Community will challenge you and cheer you on

* “You gotta try things, you might not be good at them, but you gotta try them to see if you like them.”

I learned so much from Natasha. Speaking to her lit a fire in my belly. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get out there and just start!

Find Natasha here:

Facebook & Instagram @NataliasBooksforKids

Find Natalie Lee’s books here:

https://www.amazon.com/Man-Bike-Blue-Bird/dp/B0F1DMWX3N/ref=sr_1_1?crid=I4TEGDBC1ZIR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2v2Hh8zt5CyDgjhAxmZ1Q28-Ztmb06G3RjdRYSoDEvtZ9z7cMI7VLdNWw3RfbGtWa6XiSvWbQXzQ9BN2khHW8yY7hirWoPe0pkUfrWLrA3MR92Yl1_6dwdbbgcGn0CYDgb-R889IAdOUFxg-K1Xcpf7pTptG4BgP3T-k3cpOtRc8sbB_Y4OYB2Z8l8zCUJInwW4I_VkHTheucEx3EhQCG3c4axLsteHfnznFUI-O_9k.cinrt-xx_sej-RyOzTrXj3K85D_mTs1jSzxnQX2cv24&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+man+on+the+bike+with+the+blue+bird&qid=1742520252&sprefix=%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-man-on-the-bike-with-the-blue-bird-natalia-lee/1148157080?ean=9798992623918

https://www.booksamillion.com/search2?query=The+Man+on+the+Bike+with+the+Blue+Bird

If you have an encouraging word to share, I’d love to hear your story. Just email me at [email protected]

Author Accelerator-certified fiction book coach Stacy Frazer is no stranger to the doubt that plagues all writers. She shares her story and the stories of other writers on her podcast, The Write It Scared Podcast, and reminds us that stories, our stories, “have the power to change and shape lives.” (Direct quote from Stacy)

In this episode, we talk about giving ourselves permission to be creative, why it is so important to have our outsides match our insides, why doubt and creativity go hand-in-hand, and why “writing a novel is an inside job we do not do alone.” (Quoted from the intro of The Write it Scared Podcast)

From blogging to novel writing to helping other writers find their voices, Stacy’s story is deep and meaningful and changed my life.

I’m cashing in that permission slip! And I hope this story gives you the courage to do the same.

Here’s where you can connect with Stacy:

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

Website: https://www.writeitscared.co/

Podcast: https://www.writeitscared.co/podcast

You can also email her at [email protected]

If you have an encouraging word to share, I’d love to hear your story. Just email me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Song: Step

Artist: Owl Nest

Music by: CreatorMix.com

Author and story coach Sharon Hughson is a Feedback Master. (I have personal experience with her work, and thanks to her attention to detail and encouragement, I think differently about how I approach my writing.) In today’s episode, we’ll talk about the importance of reviewing your work, how to process both positive and negative feedback, and what it means to divorce yourself from your writing and why having that emotional distance is so important.

Equally important is defining your feedback goal. Are you writing a memoir for friends and family? Are you writing short stories just for fun? Or, are you looking to have your work published? Knowing your writing goals will help you define the kind of feedback that will be the most helpful for you.

Some resources from Sharon for you amazing writers:

PLOT & STRUCTURE by James Scott Bell

K. M. Weiland’s blog and character workbook

You can find Sharon here:

Substack

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

Youtube https://bit.ly/WriteYTChan

You can find Sharon’s books here:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/SHonAmz

Growth doesn’t happen overnight. Every step takes time, research, and trust in yourself and your community. The cool thing is, you are not alone in the writing wilderness.

Feel free to reach out anytime, or if you want to be on the show, just email me at [email protected]

Song: Step

Artist: Owl Nest

Music by: CreatorMix.com