Simply Write w/ Polly Campbell

Writing and publishing are connected, but they aren't the same job. Writing asks for curiosity, creativity, and practice. Publishing requires networking, marketing, and a thick skin. In this episode of Simply Write, we're talking about why every writer needs to understand both roles, how shifting between them can make you more effective, and why it's important to keep writing something that's just...

Dr. Corey Seemiller, author of The Soulmate Strategy shares how intuitive writing shapes her process, from drafting in flow to stepping away when the work stalls. She discusses managing multiple projects, using a weekly Shut Up and Write session to stay focused, trusting instinct over force, and the importance of showing over telling in memoir. For more on the writing craft and crafting a writer's...

You don’t become a writer by thinking about writing or preparing to write. You become one by writing consistently, even in small ways. We talk about how short sessions build evidence you can trust, why inconsistency makes writing feel harder, and how to shift the cycle. You’ll get simple ways to focus on action, set realistic goals, and track progress without getting stuck on quality. For more on...

Poet Maria Giesbrecht joins Simply Write to talk about releasing her first collection, A Little Feral, and the mix of excitement and vulnerability that comes with it. She shares how her work explores identity, family history, and her Mexican and Mennonite roots, and how poetry helps her make sense of those layers. We discuss the discipline of writing, what her daily creative life looks like, and t...

This episode explores how to create scenes that propel the story forward. But before we talk about crafting a scene, this episode covers what scenes are, how they work in fiction and nonfiction, and what they need to include to be effective. We also break down the difference between scene and exposition or summary, and when to use each. For more on the writer's craft and crafting a writer's life,...

In this episode of Simply Write, Polly sits down with Rachel Weaver to explore the art and challenge of writing memoir. Rachel shares how her book Dizzy grew out of 18 years living with chronic illness, and how writing became both a relief and an inquiry. They discuss creative workarounds, truth-telling on the page, and the balance between emotional accuracy and factual detail. For more on writing...

Polly steps outside her creative comfort zone by exploring a different kind of creative practice and notices what begins to shift. She shares why it can feel both uncomfortable and energizing to try something new—and why that tension matters. Research shows that stretching beyond the familiar can boost motivation, deepen engagement, and open new creative pathways. Polly reflects on how creative ri...

In this episode of Simply Write, Polly talks with middle-grade author Michelle Lee about her novel The Magic of Someday Soon and her journey from college professor to full-time writer. She elaborates on what's at the heart of writing for young readers, why middle grade offers a hopeful “sweet spot,” and how stories can hold both weight and wonder. Michelle also explains what she's doing to launch...

In this episode of Simply Write, Polly explores how spring’s creative energy can reignite your writing practice, drawing on research showing how increased daylight boosts mood and cognitive flexibility. She then dives into storytelling as the foundation of effective writing—beyond technique. Polly breaks down essential elements like the hook, inciting incidents, and narrative arcs, emphasizing how...

In this episode of Simply Write, Polly talks with Julie Revelant, a B2B healthcare copywriter, about the real rhythms of freelance writing. Julie shares her path from journalism and TV to a niche, B2B career, and breaks down the difference between content (to inform) and copy (to persuade), and how freelancers can position themselves as a strategic partner. This is a practical, candid look at buil...

If you’re in the business of writing, you’re also in the business of communication. Pitch letters, emails, proposals, cover letters are part of the administration work writers must do. And if you want to write copy and content for a living, you'll need to master the art of the letter. In this episode, we share essential tips for writing clear, authentic, and persuasive copy that connects and commu...

Dreams, and that soft state when we are between sleep and waking up, can be fertile ground for ideas. In this episode, Polly talks with Bonnie Buckner about how paying attention to dreams, keeping a dream journal, and lingering in that drifting morning mindset can spark insights for writers. Bonnie, the author of The Secret Mind, shares her writing process and explains how dreams are a creative sp...

Freelancing has changed a lot since the early days of magazines, brochures, and press releases, but one thing hasn’t changed: writers who want to make a living need more than strong sentences. In this episode, Polly talks about what it really takes to build a freelance writing life today. From defining your services and creating a simple website to pitching editors and connecting with clients, fre...

Author Mark Wilson joins Simply Write with Polly to talk about his debut novel, Full of Beans, a time-traveling detective story, and the steady work it took to bring the book to life. Mark shares how he built the story with detailed outlines on graph paper and wrote during evenings and weekends while holding a demanding day job as a researcher working toward a cure for Rett syndrome. We talk about...

Chapter summaries are the architectural backbone of a strong nonfiction proposal, and in this episode, we talk about their role in your nonfiction book proposal and what a good chapter summary should include. Then we dive into the importance of shipping your work. Writing is powerful when shared, and a regular practice of writing to publish or share with others will uplevel your work. For more on...

Polly talks with award-winning fantasy author Z.S. Diamanti about writing craft, productivity, and the systems that support a long-term creative life. They discuss managing multiple projects, using accountability partners, and protecting focused writing time. Zac shares insights from launching the third book in his Fables of Finlestia series and discusses his Stone & Sky series, along with his app...

In this episode, we explore how to build character on the page without overexplaining. Objects serve as emotional anchors. Character quirks and behavior under pressure expose character motivation, and character can be revealed through actions, habits, and choices. We talk about it all in this episode. For more about the writing craft and crafting a writer's life, join our Simply Write community at...

This episode of Simply Write features Theresa, a seasoned tarot reader and author with more than 30 years of experience, in a grounded conversation about metaphysical writing and creative practice. Theresa shares how she uses tarot and astrology as tools for personal insight and creative development, including how these practices inform her writing process. We talk about making complex metaphysica...

In this episode of Simply Write w/Polly we continue our coverage of the elements of a nonfiction book proposal and discuss manuscript specifications and the role of the table of contents. Then the focus shifts to troubleshooting. Polly breaks down how to diagnose what’s really going on when the process feels like a slog and the work dull and slow. Here, we look at mindset, planning, and focus as a...

Polly talks with Carol Strickland, art historian, professor, and author, about her shift from nonfiction to historical fiction and what drew her to write about remarkable women. Carol shared the inspiration behind her novel Sparks Fly Up: The Lost Story of Margaret Fuller, which explores the life and work of the influential 19th-century American writer and feminist, and how passion, rigorous resea...

Intuition isn’t guesswork. Research shows it’s the fast, unconscious integration of the skills you’ve already built, and it happens more easily when we stop overthinking. In this episode, Polly talks about how to access our writer's intuition and how to use it to find flow and make our writing sessions for satisfying and productive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Polly digs into what it takes for writers to build a platform today—why it matters, how to start, and how to keep going without burning out, with author and book publicity consultant Emily Florence. Emily explained her approach to sustainable writing and work practice, and how to take consistent, small steps to grow a career. Instead of taking on all social media, writers can focus on a few platfo...

To start the New Year, we break down the habits, craft techniques, and mindset shifts Polly uses to elevate her writing and also create a more satisfying writing process. We explore how to read like a writer, build consistent routines, strengthen clarity and style, develop voice, and the importance of revision. And why it's important to find calm in discomfort. Want to have a better, more producit...

In this episode, Polly talks with memoir coach and author Wendy Dale, whose books include Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals and The Memoir Engineering System. Wendy shares how a deep dive into reading memoir manuscripts shaped her approach to writing and led her to develop seven core principles that help writers avoid common mistakes while still leaving room for creativity. In this ch...

New writers often ask for tips about how to write and finish their books. Sure, there are plenty of lessons on craft—but the real key is mindset. Writing a book takes persistence. Do what you can to make it easier to keep going: prime your brain to create, find a supportive community, and celebrate your progress along the way. The words will come if you keep showing up. In this episode, Polly cove...