The Write Anyway Podcast

Here's a question that might change how you think about your main character: Does your protagonist want to change things—or preserve them? In this episode, Gabriela Pereira of DIYMFA breaks down her Storytelling Superpower framework—a surprisingly simple way to understand what makes protagonists like Elizabeth Bennett and Katniss Everdeen work so well on the page. Plus: why "supporting ch...

Feeling squeamish about your book—or even asking for blurbs? In this episode, Sue Campbell talks with actor–author–coach Jamie Rose about “Madame X,” the inner voice that sabotages women’s creative work. Come for the mindset shifts and bite-size tools; stay for raw memoir moments, smart launch lessons, and a Steven Pressfield surprise. If you want your launch (and writing life) to feel fun, organi...

Sue Campbell interviews Eli Potter, tech track coordinator for the San Francisco Writers Conference and author of the bestselling book Role Modelship: Multiply Your Impact to Influence AI , about writers’ fears and ethical concerns around AI.In this episode, Eli reveals why being rude to AI will sabotage your results, why writer's block is no longer an excuse, and how writers actually have a m...

On the Write Anyway podcast, host Anne Hawley interviews epic fantasy novelist Don Elliott about a simple strategy he used to rapidly improve his prose and strengthen his author voice without formal schooling. After focusing for years on story craft, Don realized his line-level writing hadn’t advanced as much, so he studied authors he admires—Mark Lawrence, Patrick Rothfuss, Ursula K. Le Guin, Geo...

Can you really write a book while raising kids? Creativity coach Susie Meserve says yes — but not in the way you think. In this episode, Sue sits down with Susie to talk about what actually gets in the way of creative moms (hint: it's not just time), why having children made both of them  more  prolific, and the guilt spiral that so many artist moms never talk about out loud. If you're a c...

Sue interviews keynote speaker and author Christoph Merrill ("Habit Freak") about building, testing, and maintaining non-negotiable habits, including writing, even through mental health challenges. Christoph shares how the simple habit of leaving handwritten notes for his kids while traveling became "the habit that saved my life." He explains his core idea that habits are &quot...

In this episode of the Write Anyway Podcast, host Sue Campbell chats with memoirist Eleanor Vincent about her evolving journey in marketing her work, from initial reluctance to embracing various digital platforms. Eleanor shares insights into the shifts in her mindset since 2022, her strategies for audience engagement, and her experiences with Substack and MailChimp. They discuss her book 'Dis...

Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez dive into the challenges nonfiction writers face when transitioning to fiction writing. They emphasize the critical difference between conveying information and creating intrigue. The discussion covers the importance of revealing character backstory gradually, the pitfalls of over-explaining, and practical advice on how to keep readers turning pages by raising ques...

In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, Sue interviews digital marketing expert Alex Strathdee (https://getshelflife.com/) to delve into effective strategies for growing your readership and ensuring a successful book launch. They discuss the concept of the viral coefficient, emphasizing the importance of finding ideal readers who will actively promote your book. Drawing parallels from startup...

Host Anne Hawley speaks with developmental editor Rachelle Ramirez about what writers can expect from a developmental edit. The conversation covers the importance of submitting a clean manuscript, identifying the story type, and ensuring consistency in narrative structure, character development, and stakes. Rachelle also discusses the common challenges authors face with their manuscripts and provi...

Effective Writing Strategies for ADHD Writers: Beyond Habits In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, host Rachelle Ramirez, a developmental editor and ADHD coach, explores why traditional habits fail for ADHD writers and presents alternative strategies that better align with the ADHD brain. These include designing flexible systems, using external reminders, emphasizing an interest-based appro...

In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, hosts Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez tackle seven common writing rules, aiming to debunk and reframe them as flexible tools rather than hard and fast decrees. They discuss how strict adherence to advice such as 'write every day,' 'write what you know,' 'draft first, edit later,' 'show don't tell,' 'kill your dar...

In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, host Sue Campbell chats with Patricia Marshall, founder and CEO of Luminare Press, about the different approaches to self-publishing: DIY publishing, assisted publishing, and hybrid publishing. Learn the pros and cons of each method, and get insights into costs, processes, and what kind of authors and goals each approach is best suited for. Whether you&...

Certified book coach and editor Nicole Bross discusses strategies and tools for neurodivergent authors with our own ADHD coach and developmental editor Rachelle Ramirez. Nicole is the author of 'A Novel Approach: Strategies for ADHD Writers,' a guide aimed at helping neurodiverse authors overcome challenges like lack of motivation and disorganization. She emphasizes understanding the root...

 Rachelle and Anne discuss the importance of creativity and writing during challenging times. They explore how writing can help individuals personally by enhancing self-esteem, resilience, and mental health, and collectively by fostering empathy and connection. Writing different types of narratives—be it fun stories or political essays—remains significant, even when the world feels tumultuous. Eve...

Demolish Your Comfort Zone: Why Comfort Kills More Dreams Than FailureEpisode Description: Why does success elude you even when you're putting in the time and effort? The brutal truth: You're choosing short-term comfort over long-term results. In this game-changing episode, Sue Campbell interviews Art Turock, the "Comfort Zone Demolition Expert," about why stepping outside your c...

Book Marketing Secrets from Alex Hormozi's $100M Launch with Tim Grahl In this episode, marketing expert Tim Grahl breaks down the strategies behind Alex Hormozi's record-breaking $100 million book launch and shares actionable takeaways for authors at any level. Learn about: The innovative "donation" model that drove massive sales How Hormozi demonstrated his book's principle...

Are you paralyzed by the fear of negative reviews? In this episode of Write Anyway, hosts Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez share a powerful exercise to help writers overcome their fear of criticism. Learn how writing your own worst one-star review—and its positive counterpart—can actually free you to write with more confidence and clarity. Key takeaways: • How to use the "worst review" e...

Do you ever feel tempted to throw in the towel on your creative projects just to feel the sweet relief of freedom from responsibility? In this solo episode of  The Write Anyway Podcast , mindset coach Sue Campbell dives into why that feeling of relief might be a trap—and how it can sabotage your creative goals and personal growth. Sue breaks down: The two types of relief:  circumstantial relief  a...

Struggling with your manuscript despite reading every writing craft book? Developmental editor Lori Puma reveals what 70+ writing books left out. Learn about Story Foundation, the Invisible Story, antagonist networks, and scene sequencing. Perfect for first-time novelists facing common problems like lack of conflict, repetitive plots, or manuscripts that won't come together despite multiple re...

Do you ever feel like your creative life is disconnected from the rest of your existence? Author, editor, and writing coach Bill Kenower introduces the concept of "The All-Day Artist" —not about writing all day, but about bringing the spirit of creativity into every aspect of life. In this illuminating conversation, Bill shares: Why limiting creativity to just writing time holds us back How to app...

Sue Campbell shares insights from her recent webinar on boosting productivity for writers. Drawing from her experiences as a mindset and book marketing coach, Sue covers key productivity philosophies, identifies different productivity tendencies, and presents two foundational productivity systems: the Autofocus System and Monday Hour One. The episode also highlights tools, both analog and digital,...

Developmental editors Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez break down what your first page must promise—and how to deliver it for your ideal reader. From raising the right questions to dodging common traps (info dumps, action-for-action’s-sake), you’ll get practical ways to craft an opening that compels page turns and signals the book you actually wrote. What you’ll learn Why your first page is a prom...

Sue Campbell, a mindset coach for writers, reveals the hidden inner narratives that quietly sabotage creative progress — and shows how to rewrite them so you actually sit down and finish your work. This episode is full of practical, moment-by-moment strategies: how to surface limiting beliefs, neutralize them, and replace them with believable, emotionally motivating alternatives. If you’ve ever to...

Is your novel bursting at the seams? Developmental editor Anne Hawley reveals how she cut 100,000 words from her historical novel – and how you can trim your manuscript without losing its heart. Anne shares battle-tested strategies for identifying and eliminating excess content, including: How to know if your manuscript is too long for your genre Four major areas to target for significant cuts Why...