StoryADay presents: I, WRITER - A Writing Podcast about Building a Successful Writing Practice

A four-week momentum/rescue plan to help keep your writing life progressing outside the bounds of a challenge like StoryADay May.

How can you be successful as a writer if you don't define success? But how do you define success? In this episode I suggest a definition of seven different writing 'modes' you can build into your success framework.

A reminder to mark the end of the StoryADay May challenge, and not to simply keep sprinting.

What does success really look like for a writer? In this episode, I share a surprisingly encouraging reminder from a 1951 editorial in Galaxy Science Fiction : even at the highest magazine rates of the day, it took "a stupendous amount of writing" to support a writer. That may not sound comforting at first — but it is. Because it means writing was never easy. False starts, abandoned drafts, storie...

StoryADay 2026 Handbook: https://stada.me/2026handbook Inspiration Corner Here are some prompts that you might have missed, this month, to get your creative wheels turning. Days 1-9 Day 10 - Darkness to Light, from Renan Bernardo Day 11 - Inhumanity, from Julie Duffy Day 12 - The Visitor, from Debbie Ohi Ridpath Day 13 - Here's a Quarter…, from Michele Reisinger Day 14 - Mine your Emotions, from J...

In the light of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America organization's statement on AI and eligibility for the Nebula Awards, I recorded this bonus episode of the podcast to give you my perspective on where we are and where we're headed, regarding AI and the creative arts and, well, civilization as a whole. For more like this, subscribe and follow along at StoryADay.org And please share...

A story got accepted… and another came back not accepted — and I'm weirdly thrilled. Here's why embracing rejection can strengthen your consistent writing habits, PLUS: a holiday writing prompt to keep you writing in December. Links: StoryADay Podcast episode 109: https://storyaday.org/episode109 The 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc  

Hi writers! This week I'm sharing a surprising example of how writing (and writers) can help people in the real world, inspired by a project announced by Brandon Sanderson. It leads to one clear lesson about what it actually takes to build a sustainable writing life — especially if you want to write consistently, keep your momentum, and grow beyond the "solitary writer" myth. Plus: a quick writing...

A short meditation on why sustainable writing comes from small, repeatable choices. We touch on Coetzee, Tom Stoppard, and the quiet ways stories ripple outward—then land on the core: build the habit, revise bravely , and let the work be enough.

We all have that voice that whispers, "Who are you to think you can write?" In this gentle, thoughtful episode, Julie Duffy shares why those inner critics feel so convincing—and how to move past them. From celebrating small wins to journaling the negative voices into submission, she offers calm, practical ways to rebuild confidence and keep writing. A soothing reflection on self-doubt, creative co...

Writing is hard — but it's even harder alone. In this episode, Julie shares why connecting with other writers is the key to overcoming blocks, staying consistent, and building a joyful writing life. Discover how community keeps you motivated, accountable, and growing as a writer. Join the Superstars group: storyaday.org/superstars

On Day 14 of the StoryADay Challenge, how's it going? Perfectly? Oh, you magical unicorn you. For the rest of us, I have some thoughts... 00:00 StoryADay Update - Limit Your Choice, Do Hard Things 04:51 Creating artificial limits for freedom 05:43 Recommit 05:46 Make It Public 06:44 Make It Smaller and More Specific 08:37 Have A Theme 09:24 Commit To The Prompts 10:13 Be There For Yourself Even Wh...

Join Julie from Story A Day on Day 10 of Story A Day May as she discusses using strong emotions like rage as fuel for your writing. Julie shares personal insights on transforming negative emotions into positive creative energy and how it can lead to problem-solving and positive thinking. She also highlights today's writing prompt from Patricia A. Jackson, which encourages writers to pen a story fr...

Creativity brings its own rewards - how writing more helps you write more... join us: https://storyaday.org

I wasn't feeling great, on Day 7 of the StoryADay Challenge, so here's what I dd to get my inspriation back....   Join us: https://storyaday.org

(and yes, episode four comes from Day 5. You didn't miss anything. I just don't do these every day) This update from the StoryADay challenge comes on Day 5, but works for you any time you're trying to write.  Join the challenge: https://storyaday.org 00:00 Introduction to StoryADay Challenge 00:15 Taking a Break: The Importance of Rest 01:07 Dealing with Prompts: Inspiration and Flexibility  02:14...

Maybe you're tired, sad, or otherwise struggling emotions when you're trying to write. What do you do, to keep going?  I have two suggestions, today. Find more at https//storyaday.org

On writing flash fiction to a writing prompt by F. E. Choe, the art of Flash Fiction, and the benefits of brainstorming. Get a sneak preview of my Flash Fiction Workshop here (first 3 lessons, free!): https://stada.me/flash-preview

These mini episodes bring you in-the-moment updates from my StoryADay May challenge, in the hope that what I'm learning will also be helpful to you!   Episode 1 - In which I talk about confidence and humility as a creative person join the challenge: https://storyaday.org/

Warm up for the StoryADay May Challenge (or any writing) with these character exercises. Create your raw materials this month; write like the wind, next month! LINKS All the warm up tasks: https://stada.me/april-warm-ups  

Get ready for StoryADay May with these warm-up tasks in April PLUS: hear about the wonderful writers who have sent us prompts for this year's challenge sign up at: https://storyaday.org

During StoryADay I like to give you meaty writing exercises disguised as prompts. This week I'm giving you seven mini-prompts that you can use to juice up an existing work-in-progress or to spark a new one. You can find all these prompts here: https://storyaday.org/sftw101 Playlist of YouTube Short writing prompts Sign up for the StoryADay May Challenge here: https://storyaday.org/signup

What's life really like as a writer? Well, the answer is as varied as the number of writers you ask, but for me, this is how things are going: Listen in, you might be inspired! LINKS Join Superstars + I, WRITER Course at a discount before Dec 15, 2024 https://storyaday.org/superstars Writing Prompts: https://storyaday.org/writing-prompt-archive/ Flash Fiction Primer: https://storyaday.org/flash-fi...

It's that time of year again, when we look back at what happened last year in our lives and what we hope to make happen next year in our writing lives.  1-6 projects Planning Pie: LINKS: Register for the Annual Planning Workshop Join the StoryADay Superstars

This week I rant about the Best American Short Story Collection...and more 00:00 20241018Podcast 06:00 Read literary fiction if you like it 07:29 Read in your chosen genre 10:38 Using Your Knowledge In Your Writing - How I Wrote A Story 14:28 Read widely 18:55 Reading from Critique Week 21:40 Book Club