The Write It Scared Podcast

FREE Romance Story Structure & Beat Guide From Write It Scared Love is in the air! In this special Valentine’s Day episode of the Write it Scared podcast, I’m thrilled to be joined by the amazing Trisha Jenn Loehr, a romance expert and Author Accelerator Certified Fiction Book Coach.  Together, we’re diving headfirst into the art (and heart) of writing authentic romance. We’re unpacking everyt...

Download the Understanding Story Structure and Character Arcs PDF GUIDE. Learn the art of crafting positive character arcs and tackling the realities of time management. I kick things off by sharing some eye-opening insights inspired by Oliver Burkman’s 4,000 Weeks, Time Management for Mortals, a must-read for anyone rethinking how to make the most of their time (spoiler: it’s not about doing more...

In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I discuss overcoming guilt as a parent pursuing creative passions and introduce M.K. Pagano, the author of 'Girls Who Burn,' who shares her journey to becoming a published writer.  Our conversation highlights the challenges of balancing writing with parenting, dealing with setbacks such as losing an agent, and the importance of community su...

Free Download: Understand Story Structure and Character Arcs Today, we’re diving deep into the magic of character arcs and how they intertwine with story structure and plot. I'll share insights on developing authentic characters so readers will empathize with them and want to know more. We'll chat about different character arcs—positive, negative, and flat—and how understanding these can...

In this episode, I sit down with Michele Regenold, an author and certified book coach, to delve into the intricacies of character development. We explore the importance of knowing what drives your characters, distinguishing between their wants and needs, and identifying their fears.  Michele introduces her character development tool 'Interview for Insight,' which aids writers in gaining...

If you feel unprepared for the new year, this episode is for you!   Today, we discuss the importance of easing into the new year, reflecting on past achievements, and setting attainable writing goals. But at some point, we need to get after it, and for that, I have a detailed goal-setting exercise to help you map out your 2025 writing goals! Remember to practice patience and persistence and incorp...

Learn more about small group book coaching with Stacy Frazer and Write It Scared . Season one wraps up with a chat about the importance of learning how to rest, and I share my messy journey through creative burnout and how I recovered. Thank you to all the guests and listeners! So much good stuff to come in 2025! 00:00 Introduction: The Struggle of Creative Ambition 01:40 Season One Wrap-Up and Fu...

Learn more about Group Coaching with Write It Scared. Ready for a dive-deep conversation about the emotional rollercoaster of writing?  In this episode, I’m chatting with Rachael Herron—a trad and indie author who knows her way around multiple genres and isn’t shy about sharing less-than-stellar moments of her writing journey.  We dig into story structure, the ups and downs of writing and revising...

Are you feeling frustrated with your writing? Do you struggle with setting up unrealistic expectations of yourself and your words?   You’re not alone, and today, I will offer up a mindset shift.  Join me as we unpack the importance of embracing gratitude for every part of the writing process—ESPECIALLY the words that don’t make it into your manuscript.  Remember, every word contributes to your gro...

Are you a writer who struggles to write because of a chronic illness or a writer who desires to write a disabled character with integrity and authenticity?  If so, this episode is for you.  Certified Book Coach Sandra Postma and I discuss how chronic conditions can shape the creative process, tackling issues like fatigue and brain fog. Sandra, a chronically ill person, emphasizes the importance of...

Feeling stuck at a creative crossroads? You’re not alone! In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I dive into that all-too-familiar struggle every writer faces when contemplating whether to push through or step back from a project. Drawing from insights in Seth Godin’s The Dip , I unpack the tricky phase where doubt creeps in, and we’re tempted to abandon our current work-in-progress for s...

Do you want to be more efficient when it comes to your writing?  Wish there was a way to understand what type of writing process would work well for you instead of trying and failing at a method that works well for others?  Guess what?  There is.  It still takes work but makes a massive difference in my writing life. In this episode, I’m joined by Becca Syme, creator of the   Better-Faster Academy...

Are you good at acknowledging your efforts and celebrating your creative milestones? Like most of us, probably not. Does this make you a better, healthier, or happier writer? NOPE. Today, we discuss the damaging effects of not acknowledging our efforts and achievements (no matter how big or small) and break down some actionable steps and relevant self-assessment questions to help you slow down, re...

This one is for all the writers who have turned into parents or parents who’ve turned into writers. Becoming a parent changes you. Irrevocably. Sometimes it's amazing, sometimes (often) it's terrifying. Some days you look up and realize your actual boss is a tiny human that you created.  It's a mind trip. Ad when those precious people grow into the age where they can actually read w...

Today, I talk with Julie Arts, an experienced book coach and 'query wizard,' to offer expert advice on how to write effective query letters. Julie shares her journey in the writing world, insights on crafting a compelling pitch, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips on querying agents. The episode is packed with valuable information designed to help writers navigate the daunting q...

In this episode, I'm interviewed by Certified Book Coach Sara Gentry of Story Solutions for Writers. We chat about the challenge of managing fear and uncertainty in writing. I break down my philosophy on 'writing it scared' and highlight the importance of aligning intentions with actions. We discuss common fears writers face, the role of mentorship in overcoming self-doubt, and prac...

It's the final quarter of 2024! These are the last 90 days to make good on writing goals, so let's make sure they are reasonable and attainable and not shoot ourselves in the foot and wind up feeling disappointed come January!  In this episode, you'll learn how to "Do the Math" while applying the "Lens of Your  Reality" and how to add a buffer for when life happe...

Today, I chat with romance author Roni Loren, a two-time Rita Award winner and Gallup® Certified Strengths Coach with the Better Faster Academy. The discussion dives into the controversial advice about editing as you go and how each writer's process is unique. Roni shares her journey, her struggles with self-doubt, and how she overcame burnout. With a focus on character-driven writing and lev...

In this episode, we dive deep into the concepts of suspense and tension in storytelling.  We clarify the differences between these often-confused terms and explain how both are essential for a compelling narrative.  Learn through examining popular works of fiction how long-term and short-term suspense work together to keep readers engaged. This episode is packed with practical tips and tools for c...

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, I chat with author and Story Grid CEO Tim Grahl.  We discuss Tim's challenging yet rewarding journey from struggling writer to accomplished author, highlighting the importance of mastering scene writing and the rigorous learning process that led to his new novel, "The Shithead," dubbed as Faust meets Fleishman Is In Trouble. Tim shares...

Today, we celebrate a podcasting milestone and discuss how knowing who you're writing for can help calm your inner critic so you can push past the fear and anxiety of the work not being good enough. In this episode, we delve into the story of E.B. White, a celebrated American author who also struggled with fear and anxiety, to draw inspiration and lessons. I also discuss my writing fears and...

In this episode, I’m joined by the delightful Kid-Lit author Cynthia Platt.  We talk about the process of writing her debut intergenerational, dual-timeline YA novel, Postcards For Summer , which I adored reading.  Cynthia shares what she’s learned about finding a rhythm as a writer, granting herself permission to explore varied interests, and giving herself grace when life interrupts.  She discus...

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, we explore the art of crafting seamless flashbacks in fiction writing. I break down how and when to use a flashback effectively and the seven key elements every flashback needs to feel seamless and move the story forward. We talk about the pros and cons of flashbacks and how to place them for maximum impact on readers. I also walk you through an anal...

This week, we're tackling the daunting task of editing your manuscript. Savannah Gilbo, a certified developmental editor and book coach, and I walk you through how to break down the self-editing process into manageable phases.  From taking essential breaks to detailed step-by-step strategies, we cover how to transform your messy first draft into a polished gem.  Tune in to learn all about the...

Techniques to Convey Backstory Without Bogging Down the Narrative: Context & Memory Today, we dig into the topic of backstory, specifically focusing on how to effectively deliver it without bogging down your narrative by using context and memory to weave backstory seamlessly into your story.  Using examples from Rebecca Yarrow's  Fourth Wing and VE Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addi...