The Write It Scared Podcast

What do you do after 197 rejections … for the same book? Well, if you’re author Carmela Dutra, you keep going. In this episode, Carmela shares the real story behind her debut cozy mystery, A Murder Most Foul —from querying too soon and rewriting extensively to finding the right agent after nearly 200 nos. We talk about saggy middles, tense slips, brutal feedback, and what it takes to rebuild a man...

 Blog Post on Stakes with Examples  If your story feels flat or like it’s not going anywhere, check your stakes! Today, we break down what stakes really are, why “just make it worse” isn’t helpful advice, and how to create meaningful consequences for your characters that keep readers emotionally invested. We’ll talk personal, relational, and thematic stakes—and how to pressure-test them so your st...

What does it really take to build a successful novel?  Kate Broad discusses leaving her romance author career to write literary fiction and how her debut novel, Greenwich, required multiple drafts and rewrites.  She shares what it's like to scrap early drafts, rebuild the story from the ground up, write complex characters that are hard to like, and what she tells herself when the writing feel...

How do you write a sex scene that readers actually read and not just skim?  That’s what today’s episode is all about!  Author Accelerator certified book coaches Stacy Frazer and Jennifer Larkin team up for an honest conversation about writing sex in fiction—without cringe. Stacy and Jen discuss when sex scenes belong in a story, how explicit they need to be, and how to write intimacy that deepens...

Self-publishing isn’t a shortcut nor a consolation prize. It’s a publishing model that works well for some writers and not at all for others. Today, I’m joined by Libby Waterford, a prolific romance author and self-publishing educator with more than twenty books published across pen names. We break down what self-publishing actually involves: the costs writers don’t always anticipate, the level of...

“What does my character want?” Sounds like a simple question—until it isn’t.  If you’ve ever struggled to figure out the difference between your character's wants and needs, been confused by the language of conscious goals and unconscious goals or desires, this episode is for you!  Today, we simplify things so you never get confused again!   We look at how goals create momentum on the page to...

There’s a persistent myth that if writing feels hard, you’re doing it wrong.  This conversation with debut novelist Charlene Wang gently dismantles that idea. We talk honestly about messy drafts, perfectionism, long revision timelines, and the quiet persistence it takes to keep going when doubt creeps in. Charlene shares her path to publishing I'll Follow You , including years of revision, mi...

What happens when you stop trying to make your story palatable—and start making it true ? Today, I'm joined by author Ivette Diaz for a powerful conversation about writing hopeful dystopian stories, the importance of representation on the page, and choosing integrity over marketability. We talk about writing through hard seasons, navigating self-doubt, and why community—not competition—is wha...

Draft It Scared Group Coaching Real Talk: Writer to Writer Are you afraid of being judged for what you write?  You’re not alone. Me too. And in this episode, I get personal by sharing my writing updates, how publishing a short story felt exposing, and how I’m learning to navigate the fear of being seen for what I write. We also talk about changes to the podcast and setting writing intentions for 2...

Draft It Scared Group Coaching Open For Enrollment–Apply Here! If you’ve ever questioned how to find the right critique partner—or survive traditional publishing—this episode will feel like a deep breath. Fantasy author and book coach Gabrielle K. Byrne joins me to talk about building healthy critique relationships, navigating the realities of publishing, and learning to let go so you can fall bac...

What if you wrote one book in three days … and another in thirty years ? That’s the creative range of today’s guest, Susan Sloate, and trust me—this conversation will make you breathe a little easier about your own writing timeline. In this episode, Susan and I get real about the messy, magical parts of the writing life: panic, procrastination, emotional landmines, unexpected breakthroughs, and th...

Don’t believe you’re cut out to be a writer? Think again.  Cozy mystery author Iris Applewood talks about how personal challenges and a whole lot of curiosity shaped her path to writing cozy mysteries and what she’s learned about the genre. We explore the creation of her magical town, Serenity Falls, how community is a character, and discuss what to do when your “whodunit” isn’t so clear.  It’s a...

Info on Group Book Coaching with Write It Scared Working on a rom-com?  This conversation with bestselling author Kate Archer is packed with craft insights and the best mindset support! We get into what makes humor land, how to keep your characters authentic, and how to keep conflict fresh in a genre built on familiar beats. Kate also shares how she built her writing life, the routines that keep h...

Could a gratitude practice be the reset your writing life needs? Gratitude can shift your mindset, ease the pressure you put on yourself, and bring you back to the heart of why you write.  You’ll hear how a simple practice helped me reconnect with my creative life, why it matters specifically for writers, and a challenge to help you create your own writing gratitude list . Timestamps:  00:00 The p...

In this episode, I chat with debut author Jean Ende, who published her first novel, Houses of Detention , at seventy-nine. Jean shares what inspired her to start writing, how she mined her family history for fiction, and what she’s learned about persistence, rejection, and finding community along the way. It’s an honest, uplifting reminder that it’s never too late to chase your creative dreams or...

Special Offer: Mini-Blueprint Strategy Session   Author Accelerator is running a Black Friday Book Coaching Sale, and I’m one of 80 certified coaches offering a limited-time Mini Blueprint Strategy Session to help 100 writers get unstuck before the year ends. If you’ve been spinning your wheels or second-guessing your story, this session is designed to help you find clarity and momentum. For $299...

Ever get feedback that your main character feels flat, reactive, or like things just happen to them? That’s because they lack agency, one of the main ingredients in narrative drive — the force that makes readers keep turning the pages and engage with the story.  In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, we’re digging into what real agency looks like on the page and how to give your character...

Struggle to believe your work is good enough? Yeh. Me too. We all do.  Ever wonder what it takes to write in a language that isn’t your first—and still sound like you ? In this episode, I sit down with writer and book coach Karmen Spiljak to talk about what it really means to write without borders. Karmen shares her journey from Slovenia to indie publishing in English, and the mindset shifts that...

What does it really take to write and publish more than forty books—and still love the process? In this episode of Write It Scared , I sit down with fantasy author Michelle Miles, who’s done exactly that. Michelle pulls back the curtain on the realities of indie publishing—how to manage burnout, balance creativity with deadlines, and build systems that let you keep writing for the long haul. We ta...

If you’ve ever worried your story feels flat or stalled, this one’s for you.  Today, we’re digging into one of the trickiest but most essential tools in your writer’s toolbox: narrative drive. This is the force that makes your reader lean in, turn the page, and stay invested in your character’s journey. I’ll break down what narrative drive actually is, why it matters so much, and how to wield it o...

Today I’m chatting with middle-grade and YA author Ali Terese, author of Free Period and Vote for the G.O.A.T.   Ali shares her journey to becoming a published author, the challenges of writing for kids, and the joy of tackling tough topics with humor.  We discuss current word count trends in middle-grade literature, working with critique groups, connecting with librarians and educators, and why r...

Feeling like giving up on your novel? Don’t.  In this episode, I talk with fantasy author Bruce Buchanan about how he went from years of false starts to giving up entirely to finally publishing his debut novel, The Blacksmith’s Boy.  Bruce shares what finally broke through his mental blocks, how community kept him going, and the role of process in quieting doubt and imposter syndrome.  If you’re s...

Today we’re busting one of the sneakiest myths out there: that you need a literary background to write a great novel.  Spoiler—you don’t.  In this episode, I share a story from a coaching call, plus my own late start as a novelist, to remind you that credentials matter far less than persistence, passion, and the willingness to keep learning by doing. Writing skills can be learned—but the only thin...

Debut author Christine Ma-Kellams talks about her novel The Band, a story that mixes psychology and K-pop.  We dig into how real-life experiences can shape your fiction, what it takes to move through self-doubt, and why chasing perfection is the fastest way to stall your draft. Christine shares her perspective on trusting your subconscious, embracing the chaos of the writing process, and staying g...

Nothing cuts quite like that dreaded question: “So… how’s your book coming?”   In this episode of Write It Scared , I dig into why it stings, how to answer without spiraling, and how to reframe it into an empowering moment. Because progress isn’t about speed or polish—it’s about staying true to what you value and what you’re making meaning of in your creative life. Timestamps:  00:00 The Writer’s...