Simply Write w/ Polly Campbell

Writers who stay flexible and open to change see more opportunities and create work that resonates. In this episode, we dive into writer agility—why it matters, how to train yourself to notice trends, and ways to adapt your writing to an ever-changing world. Join the Simply Write community for more on the writing craft and crafting a writer's life. Subscribe at SimplyWrite. Substack.com. Learn mor...

In this episode, we sit down with award-winning author, poet, and educator Elisabeth Sharp McKetta, PhD to explore the intersection of storytelling, writing, and personal growth. Writing, says Sharp McKetta is an act of discovery, and can help us understand our world and our lives, but just like the changing seasons, our writing and our processes change too. When we pay attention to those shifts,...

Episode Show Notes: The Power of Consistent Effort in Writing Writing isn’t about waiting for inspiration—it’s about committing to steady practice. Research shows that consistency not only enhances creativity but also strengthens self-efficacy, the belief in your ability to succeed. In this episode, we explore how showing up regularly to write sharpens your craft and builds the confidence needed t...

USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Strawser shares insights on navigating multiple timelines and POVs, something she does in her newest book Catch You Later, and how she uses a synopsis to structure her stories while still leaving room for creative surprises throughout the writing process. Strawser who is also a writer, editor-at-large for Writer's Digest, and a mom talks about the role of time...

It's an idea that changed my writing and helped me improve and publish more. What is it? Growth mindset. As writers we regularly face rejection and can be steeped in self-doubt. With a growth mindset, though, we see those rejections and setbacks as nothing more than information we can use to become better. Rejection, critical feedback, and mistakes are not character flaws, they are opportunities t...

Agent and author Jessica Berg shares how building a strong relationship with your agent is like dating—communication is key. Plus, we explore using curiosity to tackle blank-page fears and keep your creative momentum. From spaghetti drafts to editing marathons balanced by cat videos, discover tips to keep writing and find the agent that can help you elevate your writing career. For more on Jessica...

Writing can feel vulnerable no matter your experience level, or what you are working on. Sitting down to a blank page, a new chapter or scene or developing story draft can feel scary. But curiosity is the antidote. In this episode, we offer actionable advice to help you approach your work with fresh eyes. Discover how curiosity can break down barriers, spark your imagination, and keep your writing...

Schedule a block of four or five hours when you go all in on the priority for the day, says USA Today Bestselling author Russell Nohelty and host of The Author Stack, among other pubs, on Substack. Whether that's marketing, writing, or even thinking about the next project, you need to focus your attention on the task of the day. Extraordinarily prolific and committed to helping other writers get t...

Incubation is an essential part of the creative process. But, it's one of the more difficult aspects of writing for Polly and something she's working to improve. In today's episode, Polly will explain what incubation is, how it's an important part of writing and development, and how we can all learn to embrace the process and utilize it to write better. Polly will also explain the subtle shift she...

"You've got to habituate your creativity," says renowned memoirist and teacher Marion Roach Smith. "Be hospitable to your writing." That means making time for your writing and doing it when you are at your creative peak. Then, says Roach Smith, you've got to sit down and discover what your story is really about and spill it out on the page. She tells you how in this episode. Listen up. This episod...

Which habits are helping you get the writing done? Which are slowing you down, feeling dull, or keeping you stuck? In this episode we talk about the habits I believe every writer needs to give attention to if they want to write more and publish more and feel good doing these things. Changing your writer mojo can come down to replacing old routines with better ones and in this episode we'll talk ab...

We hope you enjoy this replay featuring author Khan Wong who talks about blurring genre lines, writing to big themes, and inspiration. All of us at Simply Write will be back in a couple of weeks with new shows about writing and living. In the meantime, please join the Simply Write community and subscribe to our Simply Write substack at https://simplywrite.substack.com Now about the episode: It's d...

If you are looking to launch your freelance business in 2025 this episode can help. Enjoy this replay of one of our most popular episodes from 2023 and we'll be back in a couple of weeks with all new shows to help us with the writing craft and crafting a writing life. For more on the writing craft and craft a writer's life be sure to subscribe to our Simply Write substack at https://simplywrite.su...

Can a typewriter be an antidote to perfectionism? It was for author Woz Flint, author of The Distraction Free First Draft: Unplug, Forget Perfectionism, and Write More Than Ever Using a Typewriter. Flint was gifted a typewriter a decade ago and that ignited her curiosity and opened up a new world of writing and writers, and, typewriter users nationwide. In this episode, she takes us on a deep dive...

We've all heard about the importance of platform and branding, but today we go deeper to talk about shaping the arc of our careers to do work that is not only enjoyable but meaningful. What do you value about writing and what do you want to write next? What have you accomplished, which goals are no longer important? Now is the time to reflect on our work, our goals, and what we want to do with our...

Award-winning author Carol Hoenig, works on all sides of publishing. She's owned a bookstore, worked at another, and handles publicity and events for other authors. In this episode this publishing professional talks about her writing process--yes, her characters speak to her--why she goes all in to marketing her own books, and the one thing she does at the end of her writing session that makes it...

Sure gratitude is good for our health, lowering our blood pressure, easing our stress, and improving our moods, but did you know it can also enhance creativity? A regular gratitude practice will not only leave you feeling better but it will also help you be more open to new experiences, expansive in your thoughts, and more optimistic about writing. And that will help you keep going on the tough da...

Author Scott Semegran is a family man with a full-time job, and author who has written nine books, including several award winners, by writing on his lunch break. The author of The Codger and the Sparrow says it's about making the time you have to write, efficient. He uses a spreadsheet to track his work, so he doesn't waste time trying to find his place in the work, he often plays the same music,...

Patience is linked to perseverance, well-being, and creativity--all things writers need to successfully write and publish without compromising their mental health. Tune in to learn how you can build your patience levels to keep creating amidst the uncertainty of a writing life. For more on the the writing craft and crafting a writer's life join Polly and the Simply Write Community at https://simpl...

J.F. Penn, the award-winning author of Blood Vintage and other books and podcaster at The Creative Penn, kicks off Simply Write's third season with a great conversation about "flipping the script" and allowing your creativity and writing to evolve as your interests grow and change. After creating an extensive nonfiction library for writers, J.F. Penn is now focused on writing edgier, darker fictio...

In nonfiction essays, memoirs, and other forms, you've got to stick to the truth and discover the real-life characters in the story you are telling. But whether that's you, someone you are profiling, or a person in a service piece you encountered, it's up to you to observe their unique behaviors, details, and traits to create layered characters that readers care about and relate to. Characters are...

Ghostwriter Maggie Mills has written books for celebrities, athletes, preachers, and scores of other people who have overcome challenges, built businesses, survived mental illness, and have other incredible stories to tell. She's driven by curiosity, the desire to tell interesting stories, and make a living. In this far-reaching episode, she fills us in on the nuts and bolts that she uses to fulfi...

Rough drafts can help us clarify our ideas and structure, build momentum, expand our creative process, and develop new and innovative ideas in our work, but only if we can allow ourselves to abandon the drive for perfection and write freely. In this episode I share some ways to do it and why we must give ourselves permission to write trash. Only then, do we have the materials on the page that we n...

Veronica Llorca Smith, author of The Lemon Tree Mindset talks about how to grow your writer's brand and business so you can amplify your voice, build your ecosystem, and build your reach. This is a way not only to reach more readers but also to develop a platform that will help you create more publication opportunities. To start developing your writer's brand, consider what you want to be known fo...

Creating a sustainable writing practice is as much about mindset as it is about marketing and craft. Beat yourself up and you're likely to experience creative blocks and even more self-doubt. Self-compassion is actually a way through those blocks and bad feelings. In today's episode, I'll explain why it's so helpful to writers and how you can develop your own more self-compassionate approach. It w...