Embracing the Fiction Author Journey

What makes someone a writer? Do you need to be published or a true storyteller at heart? Or is a love for the written word enough? Joining today’s conversation is Jennifer Bozarth, a writer searching for a genre and the motivation to prioritize her writing. Erin coaches her on the importance of making time for her own goals and happiness amidst their discussion on what it means to be a writer. As...

Did you know that you don’t have to sit down and write a story from beginning to end? You can start with an idea for a specific storyline or scene, skip the exposition, and get right to the good stuff. Writing like this will fuel your creativity. But how do you avoid a jumbled mess? In today’s episode, you’ll learn the advantages of using Google Docs to craft your story whenever you get inspired t...

Many writers dream of publication, but you can’t fine tune your piece of writing, let alone pitch it to the right publisher, until you have a finished writing that draft.  If only 5% of writers finish their first draft, how can you set yourself up for success to ensure you’re part of that group? In today’s episode, Erin is sharing how she finished her first draft in 2022! Her biggest piece of advi...

Have you ever written something you love, that you’re feeling so excited about, but you find yourself unable to get past a certain scene or finish a full draft? Spending the time to really carve out your character’s personality and identity will give you great insight into their motivations and desires, making it easier to craft a story around them. This knowledge develops a deeper understanding o...

Getting back into writing as a parent can be difficult. Add the fact that only 5% of writers finish their first draft, and things can feel a bit dire. Although this statistic may look scary, it’s not all doom and gloom! There is hope; as long as we can pinpoint what is getting in our way, there is a path to a solution. In today’s episode, your host, Erin P.T. Canning, wants to share her journey in...

Parenthood brings unmeasurable joy, but it’s also possible to feel lost in a new world of responsibility. For writers, this radical shift in priorities can move writing to the bottom of their list. In today’s special episode, Erin’s friend and colleague, Maria, interviews her. Erin shares the lead up to losing her identity and her motivation for writing after parenthood, as well as how she found t...

If you ever thought getting back into writing after a long hiatus is too difficult, you're not alone. It’s easy to fall out of the habit and go years at a time without writing, which can make taking that first step feel incredibly daunting. The good news is that it’s never too late to get back to your craft and start writing again, no matter how long it has been. Just ask Erin. After years of...

For parents, the responsibility for our kids plus the rest of life’s challenges can be overwhelming. But the people we were before don’t completely disappear. So how do you nurture these different parts of yourself and fulfill the responsibilities of parenthood? Joining today’s show is Sara Burnett, an author, former English teacher, and mom of two little ones. After a traumatic event, she discove...

We’ve always been told to “show, don’t tell.” As such, we’ve become predisposed to want to show more, which is understandable because too much telling can feel dull and one-dimensional. But this predisposition is where writers can get lost.  While showing feels like an intimate experience with the reader, sometimes it can also cause a scene to feel long and drawn out when it has little to do with...

The process of writing can be joyful, freeing, and nourishing to the soul. But when you become a parent, everything changes. The love for writing does not waiver, but the time to dedicate to your writing does. Joining today’s conversation is Nancy McCabe, a single mom and accomplished professor who has published several books. She grew up loving stories but didn't think she could make a caree...

Discussing or even acknowledging our struggles can feel like a taboo topic for many, especially people who feel the pressure of being the perfect parent for their children. Taking care of little ones requires a lot of energy, and there’s not always enough left over for yourself. Throw in feelings of shame and embarrassment, plus a lack of knowledge and support, and you have a well-shaken coke bott...

Parents have an unparalleled understanding of imposter syndrome. While many find writing to be a cathartic experience, facing the fear of rejection and failure stops many from pursuing their passion. Is 30 years old too late to become brave? Can you be an intern and a mom at the same time? Can you resurrect passions that used to feel impossible?  Joining today’s conversation on balancing writing a...

What does editing a book and parenting have in common? A ton, actually!     As an editor, your job is to excavate through what you are given and pull out the best from the author. Same goes with good parenting. Your job is to direct your children, but allow them to have their voice heard where they can still shine. Your writing and editing skills crossover with parenting more than you would think....

Marginalized voices need space to speak their truth. On the show today is Iris Imaginoria, director of a story-based theater camp, performing arts and writing teacher, cancer and mental health survivor, and parent of a gender-fluid teen. In this episode, we rethink our definitions of success, especially in terms of helping kids, including those who have lost their heroes and others who think they...

This week on Conversations with Parents who Write, I’m going to share with you a variety of revision techniques that are applicable for articles, blog posts, essays, books, and more. Specifically, what steps we can take to make revisions less overwhelming? To not lose momentum? And to organize our thoughts more easily? To answer these questions, I’m going to share tips and tricks I’ve learned duri...

Both of these ladies didn’t realize that confidence was the key to get them writing. Angel Trusty, a mom of four, writing coach, and editor, AND her daughter, Rachel Trusty, author of four novels, are on the show today. In this episode, Angela shares how writing lessons through homeschooling helped her to parent better, how she's tackling imposter syndrome, and what she absolutely loves about...

Do you struggle to make time to write? Especially because of your never-ending to do list? In today's episode, I'm going to share 7 ways you can make time for your writing AND thus yourself. We all need a safe space where we can return to being just ourselves. Nothing more. Nothing less.  Topics discussed in this episode:  Why making time to write is important Why mindset is crucial Chan...

She’s far more excited about exploring the millions of ways a romance can go wrong, rather than right. Amanda Jane Schiller, a mom of one preteen and contemporary romance novelist, is on the show today. In this episode, Amanda discusses the book that completely altered her previous views about writing and became the catalyst for her own writing style. She not only defines books about “romance gone...

Where story ideas come from is something I talk a lot about here on Conversations with Parents who Write. And that’s because I firmly believe in the importance of cultivating our imagination. The same goes for our kids. Having a strong imagination not only helps keep our kids entertained without electronic devices, but also improves our ability later in life to seek creative solutions to problems...

She started writing again as a means to process her infertility struggles. Linnea March, a parent of two boys, former educator, and author of Faultless Notion , is on the show today. In this episode, Linnea shares how fanfiction helped her through her infertility struggles and what she learned from that experience. She also tells us what prompted her to not only finish but also publish a story she...

She uses poetry to immortalize precious moments with her children and the myriad of emotions they contain. Dominique Snedeker, a poet, U.S. Air Force veteran, and at-home parent of three young boys, is on the show today. In this episode, she shares how motherhood has reshaped her identity and how she used poetry to process that change. She also talks about how our memories have evolved because of...

After years of silence, she finally resumed writing for the sake of mental health. Esme Iris, a homeschooling mom of five, spiritual life coach, and soon to be author, is on the show today. In this episode, we discuss how much ADHD is undiagnosed among women and what that feels like. She also shares when her writing didn’t feel safe anymore, how she managed to start writing again after a long hiat...

Who doesn’t enjoy a good love story? Gina Colgrove, an at-home mom of two girls, former healthcare worker, and author of Until There Was You , is on the show today. In this episode, we discuss the history and legitimacy of serial romance novel apps and the ways in which these platforms help writers. Gina also shares what she’s learned by looking back at her first book, what her writing habits and...

She turned tragedy into an opportunity to openly discuss mental health with her own child. Camisha Broussard, a mom of four, English college professor, and author of Daddy Issues, A Memoir , is on the show today. In this episode, she shares how she met her current husband, the love of her life, late in life. She discusses what pulls her to write, what gets her to keep coming back, and how writing...

This single mom chose to share her journey to help moms all over the world. Shauntay Armstead, author of the Enrich Mom MAB (Mom Abundantly Blessing) eBook Galleria, is on the show today. During this episode, she discusses how her father taught her the power of writing, what motivated her to create her parenting mini eBook series, and how writing has made her a better parent. We also talk about wh...