Breaking Writer's Block

Sometimes writers resist writer for reasons that have nothing at all to do with the actual practice. Being able to identify where your resistance comes from can help you know how to tackle it and get back to writing. Let's chat about it in today's episode. Happy writing! Let's connect: Instagram Threads Email

Winning the lottery is not a solid retirement plan, nor is banking on a single runaway hit a solid plan for an author career. Today, I talk about how to plan to build your successful career. Happy writing! Let's connect: Instagram Threads Email

Most people who set out to write novels never even finish writing a book. Why is that? In today's episode, I break down ten possible reasons you've not finished your book and give tips, tricks, and advice to overcome what's stopping you. Happy writing! Let's connect: Instagram Threads Email

It's a subject that seems to be taboo to talk about in writing circles but one I think is important to openly discuss: QUITTING When is it the right decision to quit writing a book? How do you come to that choice and know that it's what's best for you? I cover it all in todays episode. Happy writing! Let's connect: Instagram Threads Email

Conflict is essential to books. It's what moves the pacing along and keeps readers flipping pages, desperate to see what happens next. But how do you write satisfying conflict? Today's episode is all about that, breaking down what, exactly, conflict is and giving you tips for how to infuse your story with the conflict it needs. Happy writing! Let's connect: Instagram Threads Email

It's time to stop calling yourself an aspiring writer and proudly own the title of WRITER. Happy writing! Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

It's true of photography, it's true of ceramics, and it's true of writing too: the more you do it, the better you get! Happy writing! Let's connect: Instagram Threads Email

If you want to swing for the fences, you have to be willing to strike out. Happy writing! Listen to Taylor's entire iHeartRadio Innovator Award acceptance speech here . Let's connect! Instagram Threads Email

Having a coach to help you throughout the writing and publishing process can be hugely beneficial, but not all coaches are good. Unfortunately, there are many grifters and scammers out there. In today's episode, I walk through the red flags to watch for when looking for a book coach and then share some green flags to help you know what kind of writing coach is best for you. Happy writing! Let&...

Is it true that you need a thick skin to be successful as an author? Let's discuss! Happy writing! Connect with Rae: Instagram Threads Email

There is a lot of writing advice out there, but not all of it will be helpful for you. In today's episode, I discuss how to protect yourself from the advice (however well-meaning) that is more harmful for you than helpful. Happy writing!

Knowing who you want to read your story can be hugely helpful as you plan and write your book. But who is that ideal reader? In today's episode I break down how to find your ideal reader...and the answer is much simpler than you might think. Happy writing!

I've got horror on my mind lately, so for today's episode I'm sharing my six biggest tips for writing horror. These tips will help you create a story for impact, one that will scare your readers and leave them craving more. Happy writing!

It's Superbowl Sunday, so today I want to talk about winning awards! It's a nice, quick episode for you today, friends. Happy writing!

When you're setting out to write your book, it can be hard to decide which idea you want to work on. If you've gone through the POP method of decision making (from Episode 22: Three Simple Steps to Solve Any Writing Problem ) and are still feeling stuck, this episode is for you! I share with you a simple method to figuring out which of your wonderful ideas to focus on first so you can get...

Why do you procrastinate writing even when you enjoy doing it? Procrastination is as much a part of writing for many people as developing characters and daydreaming plot ideas. There are myriad reasons for procrastination, but one of the most prevalent ones in writers is perfectionism. In today's episode, I break down what's happening in your brain when your perfectionism makes you procras...

One of the toughest balancing acts a writer has to pull off is deciding how much backstory to share with the reader and figuring out how to deliver that backstory without major info dumps and exposition scenes. In today's episode, I give some tips on how to manage your backstory and recommend a fun TV show for you to watch to see a great example of how to pull this off. Happy writing! (And hap...

There are 24 hours in a day no matter who you are, but the number of hours you have available to focus on your writing and grow your author career are limited by the circumstances and obligations of your life. Comparing your output to that of someone whose schedule and life is not the same as your own will lead to nothing but frustration and shame. It's time to take control of your own writing...

There's been a lot of discussion surrounding Taylor Swift's record-breaking fourth Album of the Year Grammy win, and much of it is focusing on whether or not her reaction to Celine Dion presenting the award was appropriate. Unfortunately, this takes away from something magical that happened in her acceptance speech: Taylor revealed the single most important secret to having a fulling and s...

An unfortunate reality of being a writer is that not everyone you want to support your writing career is actually going to be supportive. In today's episode, I walk you through finding your Circle of Support so you can protect yourself from the pain that comes from continually trying to get support from people in your life who are unwilling to give it. It's time to look to your Circle of S...

Motivation goes away, so you need to be able to write using your dedication to your stories rather than waiting for motivation to come back, but how do you get yourself to keep writing when you don't have motivation? In today's episode, I answer a listener question (thanks, Ashley!) with five quick tricks you can use to write even when you're not feeling motivated. Happy writing!

It comes at some point in pretty much all creative projects--that moment when your initial rush of enthusiasm and motivation wanes and the work gets hard. You may find yourself disliking everything you write and questioning whether you should even continue with your project. My friend, you have not fallen off a cliff...you've hit the Dip! In today's episode, I explain what the Dip is and g...

Entering the world of writing and publishing sometimes feels like you need to learn a new language. Suddenly people are throwing around phrases like alpha reader and beta reader and CP...and your head is left spinning. In today's episode, I break down all things alpha, beta, and CP for you. We go over the differences, some best practices, and why alpha readers are not the best way to go. Happy...

Happy February, writers! Today's episode is all about checking in with our writing goals. Most New Year's Resolutions have already been abandoned by February 1st, but that doesn't mean you need to let go of the writing goals you've set--even if progress doesn't look like you wanted it to. In today's episode, I help you reframe your goals so you can make forward progress on...

M Night Shyamalan is known for writing some of the best twists in Hollywood. In today's episode, I break down how he wrote the twist in The Sixth Sense and what it can teach you about creating super effective, mind-blowing twists in your own writing. Happy writing! SPOILER ALERT--if you somehow don't know the twist in the Sixth Sense movie yet, please skip this episode until you've see...