The Write It Scared Podcast

Submit to Season 4 Courage Files Here! 

What happens after the book is finally out in the world—and all the noise starts creeping in? 

In this conversation, indie MM romance author Alex Cross joins me to talk about emotionally intense storytelling, publishing pressure, writer’s block, and the challenge of protecting your creativity once readers, reviews, and big expectations enter the picture.

We talk about the Fire Between Us series and its highly anticipated second installment, From Our Ashes, which released May 4th, 2026, as well as her stunning Us duet—E...

Submit to Season 4 Courage Files Here 

What does it take to keep believing in a story through rejection, rewrites, and years of uncertainty?

Middle grade author Shafaq Khan joins me to talk about her debut novel, Zaina: Lost and Found, a historical adventure inspired by the real-life Hippie Trail through Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey in the 1970s. We discuss balancing research with fast-paced storytelling, writing about identity and belonging, and the emotional resilience required to survive the long road to publication.

Shafaq also shares the behind-the-scenes reality of querying, revising after difficult f...

Submit to Season 4 Courage Files Here!

What if the answer isn’t forcing yourself or your story harder… but trusting the process a little longer?

In this episode, I talk with author and book coach Andromeda Romano-Lax about her latest psychological thriller, What Boys Learn, the messy reality of revision, and why stepping away from a draft can sometimes be exactly what your story needs.

We also dig into self-doubt, negativity bias, supportive feedback, and why writers grow by finishing more books—not by obsessing over making a single book perfect.

T...

Submit to Season 4 Courage Files Here!

 Ever hit that point in drafting or revision where you’re not sure what should happen next? 

You might know the next big plot point, but the how-to-get-there part… that’s the problem. 

In this solo episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I break down why the answer usually isn’t inventing a brand-new conflict. More often, the next scene is already hidden inside the consequences of what just happened. We talk about cause-and-effect storytelling, tracking what changed in the previous scene, and how pressure fr...

What if your growth as a writer isn’t supposed to be neat or linear?

Who says it can't be chaotic as hell? 

AK Nevermore, author of more than 20 titles, returns to talk about messy growth, genre-hopping, indie publishing, and learning craft by doing. We dig into fear, doubt, and even spite as creative fuel, plus why not every piece of feedback deserves your attention.

If you’ve ever felt like your process is chaotic or your career path doesn’t look “right,” because it’s different than another author's,  this conversation is a reminder tha...

Submit to the Courage Files 

Are you worried if you’re making the right moves in your author career (ads, audio, direct sales… all of it)? 

This episode will help you take a breath and zoom out.

I’m joined by returning guest Becca Syme to talk about how publishing has changed—and why so many writers are making decisions from pressure, fear, or misread data. We dig into insights from her new book, Dear Writer, You Still Need to Quit, including why the old “gold rush” advice doesn’t apply anymore, what ac...

SHARE YOUR COURAGEOUS WRITING MOMENT to the Courage Files for Season 4 and Win a Free Edit  

What happens when the dream you’ve carried for years starts to feel too heavy?

Author and performer Emmy McGuire joins me to talk about the long road to her debut thriller, No One Aboard—a chilling mystery about a family and crew vanishing at sea—and what it took to keep going through rejection, burnout, and years away from writing.

We dig into the craft behind her dual-timeline, multi-POV structure, as well as the...

SHARE YOUR COURAGEOUS WRITING MOMENT 

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

We made it to Episode 100! 

And we are celebrating with a brand-new segment to the podcast called the Courage Files, which will launch in Season 4 (September 2026) 

This new segment is all about your writing wins—big, small, messy, hard-won, or quietly brave—because one of the most powerful antidotes to doubt is hearing that other writers are showing up too. 

If you’ve taken a courageous step in your writing life, I invite you to sha...

We’ve reached the end of the first quarter of the year, and this is a perfect moment to pause and ask a far more useful question than “What did I accomplish?”

Is the way I’m approaching my writing actually working for me right now?

In this short solo episode, I share a gentle, guilt-free Q1 reset and reflection questions to help you course-correct, plus a behind-the-scenes look at my own writing progress — including finishing a draft, facing rejection, uncovering major plot issues, and doing the slow revision work that actually moves books forw...

Want to write fear that actually gets under a reader’s skin—not just jump scares on the page? Start with what unsettles you.

Horror and thriller author Nicole M. Wolverton joins me to discuss why discomfort can be more powerful than terror, how writing from your own fears creates unforgettable stories, and why horror can be deeply empowering during difficult times. 

Nicole is also very candid about the process, the realities of publishing, rejection, and the mindset she attributes to her success in publishing and marketing. 

Timestamps
 
 01:10 – Meet Nicole Woolverton
 03:16...

Writing can be hard, lonely work. Talking about the struggle can release pressure and help you get back to the page—but only if you’re sharing with the right people.

I talk about why feelings aren’t facts, how isolation keeps writers stuck, and how to build a small circle of writing trust that you can lean into when you feel stuck.

Timestamps
 00:00 Writing Struggle + Isolation
 01:44 Listener Question About Short Stories
 03:44 Why Venting Helps Writers
 05:45 Feelings Aren’t Facts
 07:57 Choosing Who to Tell
 09:48 Building a Circle of Trust
 12:27 Fin...

 If you’ve ever told yourself you’re lazy, undisciplined, or just “bad at finishing,” this episode might reframe everything.

In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I talk with book coach and editor Nicole Bross about how ADHD impacts a writer’s mindset, motivation, and process—especially for those diagnosed later in life. We unpack the shame spiral so many writers fall into, why traditional writing advice doesn’t work for everyone, and how diagnosis can open the door to self-compassion and smarter systems.

We also talk about her book A Novel Approach: Strat...

If you’re querying—or even thinking about it—this episode is going to change how you approach your pitch.

In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I sit down with literary agent and author Ann Rose to talk about what actually makes a query stand out. (Spoiler: it doesn’t have to be perfect. It has to be clear.) We dig into hook, stakes, market realities, why “Dexter meets Legally Blonde” works, and what happens after an agent requests a full.

We also talk about imposter syndrome, the slower publishing climate, why publishing i...

What do you do after 197 rejections … for the same book?

Well, if you’re author Carmela Dutra, you keep going.

In this episode, Carmela shares the real story behind her debut cozy mystery, A Murder Most Foul—from querying too soon and rewriting extensively to finding the right agent after nearly 200 nos. We talk about saggy middles, tense slips, brutal feedback, and what it takes to rebuild a manuscript from the ground up.

If you're struggling with self-doubt, facing a bunch of rejection, and just feeling like maybe it’s time to throw in the t...

 Blog Post on Stakes with Examples 

If your story feels flat or like it’s not going anywhere, check your stakes!

Today, we break down what stakes really are, why “just make it worse” isn’t helpful advice, and how to create meaningful consequences for your characters that keep readers emotionally invested.

We’ll talk personal, relational, and thematic stakes—and how to pressure-test them so your story actually holds.

Timestamps
 00:00 What Stakes Really Mean
 01:37 Why Stakes Come from Choice
 06:43 Personal + Relationship Stakes
 11:09 Thematic Stakes
 12:27 Pressur...

What does it really take to build a successful novel? 

Kate Broad discusses leaving her romance author career to write literary fiction and how her debut novel, Greenwich, required multiple drafts and rewrites. 

She shares what it's like to scrap early drafts, rebuild the story from the ground up, write complex characters that are hard to like, and what she tells herself when the writing feels hard. 

If you need a reminder that your first draft can become something magical, that struggling is just part of the work and process of bringing a nov...

How do you write a sex scene that readers actually read and not just skim? 

That’s what today’s episode is all about! 

Author Accelerator certified book coaches Stacy Frazer and Jennifer Larkin team up for an honest conversation about writing sex in fiction—without cringe.

Stacy and Jen discuss when sex scenes belong in a story, how explicit they need to be, and how to write intimacy that deepens character and advances the plot. 

You’ll learn how genre expectations (including YA vs. adult), consent, and emotional intent shape effective i...

Self-publishing isn’t a shortcut nor a consolation prize. It’s a publishing model that works well for some writers and not at all for others.

Today, I’m joined by Libby Waterford, a prolific romance author and self-publishing educator with more than twenty books published across pen names.

We break down what self-publishing actually involves: the costs writers don’t always anticipate, the level of control and responsibility it requires, and how marketing, timelines, and long-term goals factor into whether it’s a good fit for you.

This episode is about education and unders...

“What does my character want?” Sounds like a simple question—until it isn’t. 

If you’ve ever struggled to figure out the difference between your character's wants and needs, been confused by the language of conscious goals and unconscious goals or desires, this episode is for you! 

Today, we simplify things so you never get confused again!  

We look at how goals create momentum on the page to inform the plot, while desires drive the character's internal change.  

You’ll also get practical ways to diagnose what’s missing when a character feels s...

There’s a persistent myth that if writing feels hard, you’re doing it wrong. 

This conversation with debut novelist Charlene Wang gently dismantles that idea. We talk honestly about messy drafts, perfectionism, long revision timelines, and the quiet persistence it takes to keep going when doubt creeps in.

Charlene shares her path to publishing I'll Follow You, including years of revision, mindset shifts, and learning to trust the process even when progress felt slow. If you’ve ever wondered whether struggle means failure, this episode offers reassurance that struggle is often part of becoming the wri...

What happens when you stop trying to make your story palatable—and start making it true?

Today, I'm joined by author Ivette Diaz for a powerful conversation about writing hopeful dystopian stories, the importance of representation on the page, and choosing integrity over marketability. We talk about writing through hard seasons, navigating self-doubt, and why community—not competition—is what sustains a writing life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your story belongs, felt pressure to soften your voice, or needed a reminder that you are doing enough, this episode is for you.

Guest Bi...

Draft It Scared Group Coaching

Real Talk: Writer to Writer

Are you afraid of being judged for what you write? 

You’re not alone. Me too. And in this episode, I get personal by sharing my writing updates, how publishing a short story felt exposing, and how I’m learning to navigate the fear of being seen for what I write.

We also talk about changes to the podcast and setting writing intentions for 2026 that align with your life, not work against it. 

Timestamps:
 00:00 Personal reflection
 01...

Draft It Scared Group Coaching Open For Enrollment–Apply Here!

If you’ve ever questioned how to find the right critique partner—or survive traditional publishing—this episode will feel like a deep breath.

Fantasy author and book coach Gabrielle K. Byrne joins me to talk about building healthy critique relationships, navigating the realities of publishing, and learning to let go so you can fall back in love with your writing process. 

It’s honest, grounding, and full of the writer-to-writer wisdom we all need.

Timestamps
 01:23 Meet Gabrielle K. Byrne

What if you wrote one book in three days… and another in thirty years?

That’s the creative range of today’s guest, Susan Sloate, and trust me—this conversation will make you breathe a little easier about your own writing timeline.

In this episode, Susan and I get real about the messy, magical parts of the writing life: panic, procrastination, emotional landmines, unexpected breakthroughs, and the quiet confidence that your story is already finished in your head—you just have to mine for it. She also shares how music threads through her process, how she handle...

Don’t believe you’re cut out to be a writer? Think again. 

Cozy mystery author Iris Applewood talks about how personal challenges and a whole lot of curiosity shaped her path to writing cozy mysteries and what she’s learned about the genre.

We explore the creation of her magical town, Serenity Falls, how community is a character, and discuss what to do when your “whodunit” isn’t so clear. 

It’s a grounded, encouraging conversation about following your heart and finding joy in the mystery of creating novels.

Timestamps:
 01:23 Meet...

Info on Group Book Coaching with Write It Scared

Working on a rom-com? 

This conversation with bestselling author Kate Archer is packed with craft insights and the best mindset support!

We get into what makes humor land, how to keep your characters authentic, and how to keep conflict fresh in a genre built on familiar beats.

Kate also shares how she built her writing life, the routines that keep her grounded, and the strategies she uses to push past fear, resistance, and the inner critic. 

It’s an h...

Could a gratitude practice be the reset your writing life needs?

Gratitude can shift your mindset, ease the pressure you put on yourself, and bring you back to the heart of why you write. 

You’ll hear how a simple practice helped me reconnect with my creative life, why it matters specifically for writers, and a challenge to help you create your own writing gratitude list.

Timestamps:
 00:00 The power of gratitude in writing
 01:33 Why gratitude matters right now
 02:23 Draft It Scared enrollment info
 03:32 My gratitude list story

In this episode, I chat with debut author Jean Ende, who published her first novel, Houses of Detention, at seventy-nine. Jean shares what inspired her to start writing, how she mined her family history for fiction, and what she’s learned about persistence, rejection, and finding community along the way.

It’s an honest, uplifting reminder that it’s never too late to chase your creative dreams or to finally write the story that’s been waiting for you.

Timestamps:
 00:00 Finding your creative spark at any age
 01:31 Meet Jean Indy
 07:04 The inspiration behind Hous...

Special Offer: Mini-Blueprint Strategy Session 

Author Accelerator is running a Black Friday Book Coaching Sale, and I’m one of 80 certified coaches offering a limited-time Mini Blueprint Strategy Session to help 100 writers get unstuck before the year ends.

If you’ve been spinning your wheels or second-guessing your story, this session is designed to help you find clarity and momentum. For $299 USD, you’ll get:

This offer is ideal for commerc...

Ever get feedback that your main character feels flat, reactive, or like things just happen to them? That’s because they lack agency, one of the main ingredients in narrative drive — the force that makes readers keep turning the pages and engage with the story. 

In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, we’re digging into what real agency looks like on the page and how to give your characters the power to act, choose, and change their fate. I’ll walk you through the three key ingredients every active protagonist needs—motive, means, and opportunity...

Struggle to believe your work is good enough? Yeh. Me too. We all do. 

Ever wonder what it takes to write in a language that isn’t your first—and still sound like you?

In this episode, I sit down with writer and book coach Karmen Spiljak to talk about what it really means to write without borders. Karmen shares her journey from Slovenia to indie publishing in English, and the mindset shifts that helped her move past perfectionism, comparison, and imposter syndrome to find joy and freedom on the page.

We talk about...

What does it really take to write and publish more than forty books—and still love the process? In this episode of Write It Scared, I sit down with fantasy author Michelle Miles, who’s done exactly that.

Michelle pulls back the curtain on the realities of indie publishing—how to manage burnout, balance creativity with deadlines, and build systems that let you keep writing for the long haul. We talk about shifting from traditional to indie publishing, finding joy in the work again, and learning when to push forward (and when to pause).

If you’ve...

If you’ve ever worried your story feels flat or stalled, this one’s for you. 

Today, we’re digging into one of the trickiest but most essential tools in your writer’s toolbox: narrative drive. This is the force that makes your reader lean in, turn the page, and stay invested in your character’s journey.

I’ll break down what narrative drive actually is, why it matters so much, and how to wield it on the page. We’ll talk about the three C’s—concern, curiosity, and control of information— and how to use them to keep t...

Today I’m chatting with middle-grade and YA author Ali Terese, author of Free Period and Vote for the G.O.A.T. 

Ali shares her journey to becoming a published author, the challenges of writing for kids, and the joy of tackling tough topics with humor. 

We discuss current word count trends in middle-grade literature, working with critique groups, connecting with librarians and educators, and why rewriting is where the real magic happens.

If you’re navigating your own kid lit path—or just need encouragement to keep going—this conversation will leave you...

Feeling like giving up on your novel?

Don’t. 

In this episode, I talk with fantasy author Bruce Buchanan about how he went from years of false starts to giving up entirely to finally publishing his debut novel, The Blacksmith’s Boy. 

Bruce shares what finally broke through his mental blocks, how community kept him going, and the role of process in quieting doubt and imposter syndrome. 

If you’re struggling to finish, this one’s full of encouragement and practical tips!

Timestamps
 00:00 Overcoming the First Manuscript Hurdle
 00:30 W...

Today we’re busting one of the sneakiest myths out there: that you need a literary background to write a great novel. 

Spoiler—you don’t. 

In this episode, I share a story from a coaching call, plus my own late start as a novelist, to remind you that credentials matter far less than persistence, passion, and the willingness to keep learning by doing. Writing skills can be learned—but the only thing that really counts is that you keep showing up. 

The takeaway? Don’t let yourself fail before you even start. You are a wri...

Debut author Christine Ma-Kellams talks about her novel The Band, a story that mixes psychology and K-pop. 

We dig into how real-life experiences can shape your fiction, what it takes to move through self-doubt, and why chasing perfection is the fastest way to stall your draft.

Christine shares her perspective on trusting your subconscious, embracing the chaos of the writing process, and staying grounded when social media starts to feel like a trap. 

This one’s equal parts practical advice and encouragement—with a little humor to keep you going.

Timestamps
 0...

Nothing cuts quite like that dreaded question: “So… how’s your book coming?” 

 In this episode of Write It Scared, I dig into why it stings, how to answer without spiraling, and how to reframe it into an empowering moment. Because progress isn’t about speed or polish—it’s about staying true to what you value and what you’re making meaning of in your creative life.

Timestamps:
 00:00 The Writer’s Spiral
 01:27 The Dreaded Question
 02:20 Why It Stings
 03:27 Reframing the Conversation
 06:44 The Truth About Writing
 07:48 How to Share about Your Journey
 09...

Award-winning graphic novelist Stan Yan joins me to talk about his debut late middle-grade graphic novel, The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang (out September 30, 2025). We dig into his creative journey, the highs and lows of publishing, and what it really takes to bring a graphic novel to life.

Stan also shares how embracing authenticity fuels his storytelling—and why representation matters. Plus, parents, librarians, and educators won’t want to miss the giveaway at the end: a chance to win a school visit from Stan himself.

Episode Timestamps

 00:19 Welcome to Write It Sc...

In this kickoff episode, I’m talking about what it means to set intentions for your writing life—without the pressure of perfection.

I’ll walk you through eight prompts to help you set meaningful goals, reflect on what’s been working (and what hasn’t), and move into the next season of your writing with more clarity and less self-doubt.

You’ll also hear about the Polished Page Pack—a free bundle of tools from expert book coaches and editors to support you wherever you are in your process.

Let’s set the stage for a...