Josee Smith

The Writing Mom Podcast

Arts EN ↓ 58 episodes

A cozy podcast for moms who dream of writing a novel but feel pulled in a hundred directions. Hosted by certified book coach and working mom Josee Smith, this show is your gentle nudge to make space for your story, 20 minutes at a time. You’ll find honest conversations about writing in the middle of motherhood, practical tips for building a sustainable routine, and encouragement to call yourself a writer now, not someday. Subscribe for weekly episodes and visit www.joseesmithbookcoach.com to book a free consult and start writing your novel—for real this time.

Author

Josee Smith

Category

Arts

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

Ep 33: Why Following Your Creative Dreams Helps Your Kids Too 14.01.2026

Following your creative dreams doesn’t pull you away from your kids, it teaches them what it looks like to live a meaningful, courageous life. In this episode, we’re talking about why pursuing your writing matters not just for you, but for your children too. When kids see their parents go after something they love, it shapes what they believe is possible for themselves. I’m sharing personal reflec...

Ep 32: The Secret to Becoming a Consistent Writer 07.01.2026

As we step into a new year, this episode is your invitation to start fresh without the pressure of having everything perfectly planned. If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to begin writing again, or hoping for more time, more energy, or a more organized life before you commit to your novel, this conversation is for you. The truth is, most moms never get ideal conditions—but writing is stil...

Ep 31: Reflecting on Your Writing Year 31.12.2025

As we close out 2025, this episode is your gentle invitation to pause and look back on your writing year with honesty, compassion, and celebration. So many writers skip the part where they acknowledge what did go well, but that reflection is essential. Today, I’m guiding you through simple questions to help you notice your progress, understand what supported your creativity, and set grounded inten...

Ep 30: A Permission Slip for the Holidays 24.12.2025

This week’s episode is a short, cozy reminder that you’re allowed to slow down. The holidays are full and emotional—especially for moms—and if your writing has taken a back seat, you haven’t failed. In this episode, I’m offering you a permission slip: it’s okay to rest, it’s okay to prioritize family and celebration, and it’s okay if your creativity looks quieter this season. You’ll hear encourage...

Ep 29: Behind The Scenes Of Writing My 7th Book! 17.12.2025

This week I’m giving you a peek behind the curtain of my brand-new cozy mystery — not just what the book is about, but what it meant to write a novel across early motherhood, step away from it for years, and finally return to finish it. I’m sharing how this story began, why becoming a mom shifted my creative direction, how I rediscovered the pull of these characters, and what it was really like to...

Ep 28: Lessons from Publishing My Seventh Book (Three Years and One Baby Later) 10.12.2025

Publishing my seventh book this week felt completely different from every book before it—and in the best way. In this episode, I’m sharing what I learned about creativity, persistence, and identity after writing and publishing my first book as a mom. We’ll talk about following your true creative pull (even when it means taking a big detour), why letting go of deadlines actually helped me finish, a...

Ep 27: Identity Shifts: From “Wannabe” to “Writer” to “Author” 03.12.2025

Every writer goes through identity shifts: the quiet dreaming stage, the moment you finally call yourself a writer, and the leap to sharing your words as an author. In this episode, I’m breaking down what each stage looks like, why the transitions can feel so uncomfortable, and how to know which one you’re in right now. I’ll share how fear and doubt kept me stuck in the “wannabe” stage for years,...

Ep 26: Building a “Good Enough” Writing Routine That Sticks 26.11.2025

Perfect writing routines look great on paper, but they rarely survive real life. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to create a "good enough" writing routine that actually lasts: one that bends with you through busy seasons, shifting nap schedules, and energy slumps. I’ll share how my own routine evolved from pre-mom life to now, why flexibility is the secret to consistency, and what...

Ep 25: How Writing a Series Taught Me Persistence (and How You Can Borrow That Persistence) 19.11.2025

Finishing six cozy mysteries didn’t happen because I had endless time or perfect motivation; it happened because writing a series forced me to build real, steady persistence. In this episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes truth about what it took to keep going from Book 1 all the way to Book 6: navigating new challenges with each story, moving through the murky middle when doubt crept in, and...

Ep 24: What to Do When Mom Guilt Creeps In With Your Writing 12.11.2025

That pang of guilt when you sit down to write? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing how to handle the guilt that can show up when you make time for your writing: why it’s normal, what it really means, and how to reframe it so it doesn’t stop you from writing your novel. You’ll learn simple strategies for quieting guilt in the moment, longer-term mindset shifts to keep you aligned with yo...

Ep 23: What Actually Makes You a Writer (Hint: It’s Not Publishing or Perfection) 05.11.2025

You don’t need a book deal, an agent, or a bestseller list to call yourself a writer. In this episode, we’re talking about what really makes you a writer, and why waiting for external validation keeps you stuck. I’ll share how self-publishing helped me stop waiting for permission, why perfectionism is just another form of fear, and how claiming your writer identity right now changes everything abo...

Ep 22: The 3 Most Common Time Traps for Moms Who Want to Write (and How to Escape Them) 29.10.2025

Think you don’t have time to write? You’re probably falling into one of these traps. In this episode, I’m sharing the three biggest time traps that keep moms from writing, and what to do instead. You’ll hear real examples from my own writing life and learn how to create consistent time for your novel (even with kids, chores, and chaos). Don’t miss my November 8 workshop: Finally Write Your Novel:...

Ep 21: The Biggest Mistakes I Made Writing My First Series (and What I’d Do Differently) 22.10.2025

I’ve written and published six cozy mysteries... but I didn’t get everything right the first time. In this episode, I share the biggest mistakes I made while writing my first series (and what I’d do differently now). From not planning the series arc clearly enough, to doubting my messy drafts, to relying too much on other people’s advice -- I’m breaking down what I learned and how you can avoid th...

Ep 20: How to Write Without Feeling Selfish 15.10.2025

If you’ve ever felt guilty for taking time to write, this episode is for you. We’re unpacking why writing can feel “selfish” for moms, and why it’s actually one of the most generous things you can do -- for yourself & your family. I’ll share what happened when I felt mom guilt during a writing retreat, how I reframed writing as care instead of indulgence, and simple ways to start writing again...

Ep 19: Why It’s Scary to Call Yourself a Writer (and Why That Fear Matters) 08.10.2025

Why is it so hard to say the words, “I’m a writer”? Because labels shape identity - and once you say it out loud, you’re accountable to it. In this episode, I dig into why claiming the title feels so vulnerable, especially for moms. From cultural narratives that minimize creative work to the risk of judgment when you’re unpublished, fear is normal. But fear also means you care. I’ll share the stor...

Ep 18: How to Write When You’re Exhausted 01.10.2025

Most moms are writing tired. If you wait until you’re well-rested, your novel will never get written. In this episode, I share practical ways to keep writing even when your energy is low. From micro-commitments (like one sentence or five minutes) to reframing what progress really looks like, you’ll hear how small, messy steps still build momentum. I’ll also talk about how I drafted a novel in thre...

Ep 17: Calling Yourself a Writer Changes Everything 24.09.2025

The words you use to describe yourself matter. Saying “I’m trying to write” feels very different from saying, “I’m a writer.” In this episode, I dive into why claiming your writer identity changes how you show up for your work, and for yourself. I’ll share the moment I finally said the words “I’m a writer,” how finishing my cozy mystery series helped solidify that belief, and why identity builds r...

Ep 16: Why You Need to Start Writing Now 17.09.2025

Waiting for the perfect time to write your novel? Here’s the truth: it’s not coming. Life will always be full, and if not now, when? In this episode, I share why starting now matters more than waiting for the stars to align. From my own pandemic writing journey to the power of small, consistent steps (like 10 minutes a day), you’ll hear how action builds confidence faster than any pep talk ever co...

Ep 15: There’s No “Right” Way to Write a Novel 10.09.2025

Ever feel like you’re doing it wrong because your writing process doesn’t look like someone else’s? You’re not. In this episode, I’m breaking down why there’s no single “right” way to write a novel, and how comparison can actually kill your momentum. I’ll share what happened when I tried to force myself into someone else’s method (spoiler: it backfired), and how I eventually learned to trust my ow...

Ep 14: Why Your Story Matters, Especially as a Mom 03.09.2025

Your voice, your perspective, and your lived experience matter—especially in your writing. In this episode, I’m sharing why moms have powerful stories the world needs, how to stop worrying about being “too similar” to other writers, and why your exact voice is what will connect with readers. You’ll learn: Why your perspective as a mom is valuable in storytelling How to embrace your unique lens—eve...

Ep 13: Why Motivation in Your Writing Fades (and What to Do About It) 27.08.2025

Every writer starts with excitement, but what happens when that motivation fades? In this episode, I’m talking about why it’s normal to lose steam, what the “murky middle” really means, and how to reconnect with your story when doubt creeps in. You’ll learn: Why motivation fades after the initial spark The difference between losing motivation and losing connection Practical ways to stay on track w...

Ep 12: What My Writing Process Actually Looks Like (and How It’s Changed Over Time) 20.08.2025

Your writing process will evolve with each season of life—and that’s not a bad thing. In this episode, I’m sharing how my process has shifted from pre-motherhood to now, the “shoulds” I had to let go of, and why flexibility has made my writing sustainable. You’ll learn: Why your process can (and should) adapt over time How to make writing work with the time and energy you actually have Why breaks...

Ep 11: You Don’t Need Inspiration to Write—But You Do Need a Process 13.08.2025

You don’t need to wait for a lightning bolt of inspiration to write—you need something simpler and more sustainable: a process that works for you. In this episode, I’m sharing how to write even when you don’t feel like it, why inspiration isn’t a reliable strategy, and how building a simple, repeatable process is what actually leads to finished books. You’ll learn: Why “showing up” is often more i...

Ep 10: Common Writing Myths That Hold You Back (and What to Believe Instead) 06.08.2025

Think you need hours of time, a fancy degree, or a perfect plan to start your novel? Think again. In this episode, I’m busting three of the most common writing myths I see hold moms back from getting started—and offering beliefs that will actually move you forward. You’ll learn: Why writing doesn’t have to happen every day to count How you can be a “real writer” without a publishing deal or MFA Wh...

Ep 9: What Writing a Series Taught Me About the Creative Process and Persistence 30.07.2025

Writing a novel is hard. Writing six? That taught me I can do just about anything. In this episode, I’m reflecting on what I learned from writing a six-book cozy mystery series, and how that experience shaped my creative process, built my confidence, and helped me trust the messy middle. You’ll hear: Why I focused on one book at a time instead of overplanning the series arc How I kept going even w...

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