Breaking Writer's Block

In which I give possibly too much information to try to illustrate a point about your perception vs the truth. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #80: Is it True? #40: Why Do You Procrastinate? #225: First Draft Diaries: The Beginning Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

Friends, it's time for the periodic reminder that you do not need to write every day if it doesn't work for you. Happy writing! Related Episodes: ⁠#12: The Problem with Writing Advice⁠ ⁠#17: You Need to Write Every Day...Right?⁠ ⁠#107: You Don't Need to Hustle⁠ Let's Connect: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Threads⁠ ⁠Email

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” ― Louis L'Amour It's great when your words are flowing like water, but what about those writing days when it feels more like chipping each word out of a block of ice? Let's discuss. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #133: Turn On the Faucet #94: Productivity Hacks Won't Work #18: Why Is This Book...

I'm sorry... this is so messy. I'm new at this. I'm not sure what I'm doing. my characters ran away from me. my plot is pretty dark. and twisted. the language is rough. I'm not great at grammar. it's so long. it's too short. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! STOP IT! Your art it your art, and there's no need to apologize for what you create. Write what yo...

Timing is a big part of finding success as a writer. Getting your query to the right agent at the right time , having a producer read your screenplay at the right time, your book finding a superfan who will share it with all her fans at the right time. So much of it comes down to timing. But what about the right timing of things before the book is written? Happy writing! Related Episodes: #15: Fou...

What's it like writing a first draft as an author who's been doing this for a very long time? I'm jumping into a new book tomorrow; follow along for the journey! Happy writing! Related Episodes: #11: Is Your Writing Goal GOOD ENOUGH? #18: Why Is This Book Harder to Write Than the Last? #66: Stop Setting Word Count Goals Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

Sometimes the inner critic can get so loud that it's hard to write. When that happens, I have a quick tip to help you get words on the page. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #99: Working WITH Your Inner Editor Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

It's tempting to want to crowdsource your writing, to reach out and ask what people want to see in your book. But the sooner you realize that what people say they want and what they'll actually buy aren't always the same thing, the more peaceful your writing practice can be. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #44: Who Is Your Ideal Reader? #58: The Audacity to Chase Your Dreams #71: Trus...

I've got a short and sweet, but vitally important, episode for you today, friends. Let's chat about why you're scared to write and how that can actually be a superpower. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #13: Why Do You Resist Writing? #21: Motivation vs Dedication #40: Why Do You Procrastinate? Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

We've got another listener question today! Jessica reached out to ask how to make sure the more technical parts of her novel are accurate. Let's discuss. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #193: The Most Important Thing #157: How to Manage Research #191: The Wrong Question Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

Today we're tackling one of my most frequently asked questions: Do I need a big social media platform to be picked up my an agent or publisher. Happy writing! Check out Don Martin (whose social media handle is @headonfirePOD, not simply @headonfire, as I say in the episode) on Threads , Instagram , and TikTok . Related Episodes: #13: The Problem With Writing Advice Let's Connect: Instagram...

One of the biggest road blocks standing between you and your dream of being an author is finding the time to write. Don't worry, it's not as hard as it may seem; books are written in twenty-minute bursts all the time. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #9: Finding Time to Write...When You Have No Time #17: You Need to Write Every Day...Right? #45: Is the Advice Helpful or Harmful? Let's...

Today we're talking Josh Hartnett and professional envy and yes those two things are somehow related. I don't make the rules, y'all. I just share what I'm thinking to help you create the best writing life you can have. Happy writing! 
 Related Episodes: #65: An Overnight Success #54: Winning the Lottery #84: It's Not a Race 
 Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

Have you considered hiring a book coach (or writing coach) but aren't quite sure if you need one? Today's episode answers the question, "Why do I need a writing coach?"...and the answer may surprise you. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #72: Trust Your Instincts #111: Do I Need an MFA? #122: You Don't Have a Craft Problem Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

Writer, if you can eliminate one word from your vocabulary, let it be impossible . Happy writing! Related Episodes: #3: Are Your Thoughts Helping You Write? #10: The One Thing ALL Successful Authors Have in Common #25: YOU the Successful Author Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

My dear writers, being serious about your writing doesn't mean you can't be playful with it. Allow yourself to have FUN with your writing, and you may find yourself writing your best work yet. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #69: What If You Don't Need to Do MORE? #78: Let It Be Easy #82: Let It Be Messy Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

Happy August, writers! It's time for my monthly check-in to let you know how things are going for my practice and career as well as give you some advice and encouragement for your own goal setting. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #183: Mid-year Check-in: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself #178: Baste Your Story Together #81: Everything Is Iterative Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

When you're learning different elements of writing, it's common to find prompts and exercises to help with each specific element. But what tends to happen is that these exercises--these side quests-- start to become a procrastination security blanket that keeps you from writing your actual book. What if, instead, you learned to write through writing the book you actually want to be writing...

I'm noticing an alarming trend on social media: newer authors tearing down popular books/authors in what I can only assume is an attempt to seem "cool." But, my friends, it's seriously not a good look. Let's chat. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #36: Your Circle of Support #37: The Secret to a Successful Creative Career #84: It's Not a Race Let's Connect: Instagram T...

We tend to talk to and about ourselves in ways we would never talk to or about other people, and it's time to change, y'all. Happy writing! Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

I try to have a new episode for you every non-vacation day...but sometimes I need the reminder as much as the next person, so today I have a reminder from a previously recorded episode. Happy Writing! Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

We're tackling a listener question today and chatting about what it means to commit to your writing. Spoiler alert: it's not as hard as it may seem. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #17: You Need to Write Every Day...Right? #21: Motivation vs Dedication #67: Create a Consistent Writing Practice in ONE Step Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

Today's episode is all about embracing the mess as I chat about embracing your spiky ideas instead of smoothing them down. Happy writing! Related Episodes: #158: Dare to Dream... #151: Plot Bunnies #134: Is it Practicality or Is it Fear? Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

Y'all asked, so I'm here to answer! Here are my thoughts about the five books I read on vacation. Happy writing! (And happy reading.) Related Episodes: #105: One Small Change to Improve Your Writing Practice #172: The Easiest (and BEST!) Way to Learn Your Genre #205: Fill Your Creative Well Let's Connect: Instagram Threads Email

"Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work." ~Stephen King "Sucking at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something." ~Jake the Dog Happy writing! Related Episodes: #48: Swing For the Fences #49: Quantity Dictates Quality #10: The One Thing ALL Successful Authors Have in Common Le...