Write with Confidence

Writing alone is hard, but writing with others? Well, that's a different story. In fact, it might just be the key to a more focused and productive writing practice. In this episode, I'm sharing one of my favorite ways to stay motivated and actually get words on the page, and it doesn't require a writing partner, a critique group, or anyone else reading your work. Tune in to find out wh...

"So how's the book going?" It's a simple question, but one that we writers often dread. In this episode, we talk about how to share your writing with others in a way that protects your work, protects your peace, and still feels honest.  I share three strategies to keep in mind every time the topic comes up, including what to say when things are actually going well and what to say...

You finally sit down to write. Twenty minutes later, you've fixed three sentences, looked something up, answered two texts, and lost the thread entirely. Sound familiar?  In this episode, I'm breaking down five practical habits that help you protect your focus, stay in flow, and actually finish your writing session with something to show for it. These are the same strategies I share with m...

Getting back to an unfinished manuscript isn't just about finding the time. It's about knowing where to start. In this episode, I break down the FIRE method: four steps that take you from stuck and avoidant to back at the page with real momentum. Whether your manuscript has been sitting for six months or six years, this episode will show you the way back. BONUS!! Download your FREE Writer&...

You live a full life. You work hard, and you show up for everyone and everything, except...your book. Maybe you think of yourself as lazy when it comes to writing. But what if that's the wrong word entirely? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what's really going on when you can't make yourself sit down and write and what it takes to actually overcome that resistance. BONUS!!...

Will my book be good enough? You've asked yourself this question or others like it. It sounds like a reasonable concern, but what if it’s something else trying to sabotage your dreams? In this episode, we break down exactly what's happening when self-doubt tries to talk you out of finishing your manuscript, and I walk you through the three-step process I use myself and with writers to shut...

If you can't answer this question, you're not alone, but it's foundational to building a writer's identity. And this is a critical component of developing confidence as a writer. Knowing WHY you write won't make the hard days disappear, but it will make them survivable. In this episode, we explore how knowing your purpose as a writer can be your most powerful tool, the thing yo...

What if the secret to unlocking your best writing happens before you ever open your manuscript? In this episode, we're exploring morning pages, the simple practice from Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way (1992) that has transformed the creative lives of writers and other creatives around the world. Whether you've tried them before and drifted away, or you've been curious but were...

In this episode, we dig into the real reason you can’t seem to find time to write, and, spoiler alert, it’s not your schedule. Through a personal story and some honest reflection, you’ll start to see why writing keeps losing out to everything else on your to-do list and what’s actually driving that pattern. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of what’s holding you back, along with a simp...

Are writing groups the secret to staying consistent or the reason you keep second-guessing your work? In this episode, we take an honest look at the benefits and drawbacks of writing groups, so you can decide if they are helping your writing or holding you back. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of what to look for and what to avoid, so you can build a writing community that truly supp...

Are you trying to learn everything you can about writing, but not actually writing with any consistency? In this episode, we dig into the habit of never-ending learning: why it feels productive, why it’s so easy to fall into, and how it can keep you stuck. You’ll start to recognize the subtle ways you might be delaying your writing, and what’s really going on beneath the surface. If you’ve ever fe...

You keep telling yourself you just need more time to write, but what if that’s not the real issue? In this episode, we take a closer look at why consistency feels so hard and what’s actually getting in the way. You’ll start to see your writing habits through a new lens—one that shifts the focus from time to identity and structure. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of why your current a...

Do you have a dream of publishing your book, but you lack the confidence to step into the publishing world? In this episode, you’ll learn some of the language of the industry so you can start seeing yourself as someone who belongs in writing and publishing spaces. I’ll walk you through key terms and acronyms you’re likely to encounter and explain how they fit into the bigger picture of writing and...

Have you been telling yourself you’ll write your book when life calms down, after the kids are older, when work slows down, or when you finally have more time? What is this “someday” plan really costing you? This episode will uncover the real ways postponing your writing dream is holding you back, from the excuses that keep you stuck to the emotional weight that builds when you keep putting it off...

Rejection is part of every writer's journey, but it doesn't have to stop you in your tracks. In this episode, you'll learn how to shift your perspective on rejection so it no longer feels like a personal attack on your abilities and instead becomes useful information that moves your writing practice forward. You'll also walk away with four practical strategies to put rejection to work for you. The...

If you've ever read another writer’s work and immediately felt like you didn't measure up, you're not alone. In this episode of the Write with Confidence podcast, we get honest about the comparison spiral that almost every writer falls into, why it happens, and what it's actually telling you about your relationship with your own writing. You'll walk away with five practical strategies to shift you...

Are you a perfectionist who's been told your high standards are holding you back? What if everything you've been taught about perfectionism is wrong, and your so-called "flaw" is actually one of your greatest strengths as a writer? In this episode, writing productivity coach, Kristina Chilian, reframes perfectionism from a creativity killer into a powerful tool you can wield with confidence. You'l...

Is procrastination keeping you from your writing? Do you have a lot of mental drama around the work that you’re avoiding? If so, this episode is for you. I share what procrastination actually means and give you four powerful questions to help you uncover why you're really avoiding your writing. Whether you've been putting off a difficult scene, delaying that query letter, or just can't...

You know the thing you've been putting off? The project you keep meaning to start, the manuscript you're not quite ready to share, the class you'll sign up for when the timing is better? There's always a reason to wait, but waiting has a cost.  In this episode, we're talking about one of the most powerful shifts a writer can make: starting before you feel ready. We'll cover...

Are you not finishing your book or writing project because you’re afraid of what might happen if you succeed? In this episode, we unpack the fear of success — the hidden anxiety that can sabotage your writing before you ever hit “publish.”  We’ll explore: What fear of success actually is How it shows up for writers The deeper beliefs underneath it Two powerful mindset shifts that help you reclaim...

Is the fear of failure keeping you from writing to your potential? Are you playing it safe and not putting 100% of yourself into your writing practice? In this episode, we look at the many ways that fear of failure can show up for writers and how it works to keep us stuck. I share a different way of thinking about failure and how to use it to your advantage. If you’ve been holding back because you...

Is your academic training getting in the way of your creative writing?  In this episode, I explore what it means to still be writing for a grade as an adult writer. We’ll look at the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs of this mindset, why it’s so deeply ingrained, and how it erodes your confidence, creativity, and trust in yourself. If you’ve ever felt frozen without clear instructions, anxious abou...

Does writing sometimes feel harder, more stressful, or more discouraging than it should? Are there areas of your writing life where you feel off or out of balance?  In this episode of Write with Confidence , I share why your writing success depends on much more than skill or discipline and how intentionally designing your writing life can bring clarity, balance, and peace. You’ll learn how small,...

In this episode of Write with Confidence , I challenge the idea that confidence is something writers earn AFTER: after finishing a manuscript, publishing a book, or receiving positive feedback. I define confidence and explain why real confidence doesn’t require certainty, fearlessness, or having everything figured out.  Then we explore the three core capabilities you can be confident in right now:...

In Episode 2 of Write with Confidence , I challenge three common myths about confidence that fuel self-doubt and keep writers stuck. You’ll learn why confident writers don’t actually have everything figured out, why struggle is not a sign you’re doing it wrong, and why waiting for external validation only disconnects you from your creativity. I'll introduce you to practical mindset shifts and...