Write Now Episodes

This week, we’re talking about expectations and how they tint our reality and shape our experiences… and what we can REALLY expect if we want to write full-time.

No matter how much coffee I drink, I’m never able to write as quickly as I want to. This week, we’re taking a look at what it means to be a “slow writer” — and all of the baggage that comes along with it.

Creating consistently strengthens your command of the craft and builds trust with your audience. But if you’re anything like me, creating on a consistent basis feels impossible. Why are we like this? What do we do when we fail to live up to our own — and others’ — standards?

What happens when your childhood dream feels like it’s no longer achievable? What does it mean if (and when) your 5-year plan goes off the rails? Today we’re talking about what happens when our writing dreams change — and what it means for us as creators.

What is writing to you — a hobby, a second job, a meditative practice? Something else? All of the above? This week, we’re talking about the role of writing in our lives and how we can feel more satisfied and fulfilled in doing what we love.

How should we navigate selling our creative work? I speak with Asa Merritt about pitching a project, which hill(s) to die on, and the pros and cons of telling a personal story on a commercial platform.

This week's episode is a really personal one — it's all about IDENTITY, and where our identities come from.  Have you ever had someone tell you that you're not a writer, or that you're not creative? Or that you're not [insert label here], even though you know you are?...

Why are endings so darn hard to write? Is it just because it’s difficult to wrap up all of the loose ends… or is there something more going on? What makes for a truly satisfying ending, and how do we create one?

Why did I ditch my laptop and start writing everything by hand? What are the benefits — and what have I learned from it about the craft of writing?

If you’ve ever been curious about how live-action roleplaying game podcasts are planned, created, recorded, and produced, or if you have any interest in RPGs like D&D, Pathfinder, or improv in general, give this episode a listen. Cat is an expert in plucking meaningful narrative from a scattered story and provides tons of great advice on how to clarify your own creative work.

No matter who you are, Kate Wallinga’s story of wielding creativity to take back agency in her life will inspire and astound you.

In this episode I’m asking why might creatives we hold onto regrets? What are we punishing ourselves for? Why do we spend so much time and energy focusing on our regrets and what purpose might they serve?

What is your ideal balance or imbalance? What would it take to actually get there? What can you drop in your life that does not feed your purpose?

In this episode, I break down my writing process, tool-by-tool.

I’m joined by two of the co-creators of the sci-fi audio drama, Marsfall: Eric Saras and Dan Lovley. They discuss their process for writing their series collaboratively.

Times get tough and sometimes I am not okay. I haven’t been okay for a while. Maybe you can say the same. Maybe we can get through it together.

I’ve been thinking a lot about our circumstances lately, and how we interpret what we are going through, and how that interpretation informs a huge part of our self-identity and self-worth as writers and creators. What would we do, and who would we become, if we interpreted our situation(s) a little bit differently?

Are there any absolutely universal writing rules? In this week’s episode, we’re taking a look at not only writing advice but the context surrounding it.

I’m starting 2022 with an interview with the AMAZING Tomi Adeyemi, author of Children of Blood & Bone and all-around incredible individual. We’re talking about getting un-stuck from writer’s block, what it means to be a successful author, the sensory/aesthetic experience of writing, and more. (And Midori loudly plays with a plastic bag in the background!) You won’t want to miss it.

We’re constantly trying to move toward being better writers — but how do we make ourselves bulletproof against life? Is one particular system or another the answer… or is it, as we fear, impossible?

Are you ready to take on the Hustle Culture? Then tune in to this week’s episode, where I get to interview fellow podcaster, novelist, and journal enthusiast Amie McNee! Together, we’ll talk about transforming the narrative, choosing yourself, and finding your creative stride. Don’t miss out!

Have you ever experienced that magical moment when the words pour from your fingers and send you into a timeless creative zone? That’s what I call flow, and this week’s episode explores what it is and how to get there.

Where do our ideas come from? How intentional are we about curating our input and inspiration — and how does it affect our creative output? Today, we’re exploring different types of creative input and how what we pay attention to affects our art.

If you’ve ever wasted time waiting for the perfect creative opportunity to come along, then you need to listen to today’s episode! In it, we talk about what it takes to stop waiting for opportunities and start creating our own!

Like all creatives, I deal with the fear that comes with producing new things—and I don’t always deal with it well. This fear is the reason I haven’t created a solo episode in weeks, and it might just be the reason why you’re stuck in a creative rut right now. So tune in, and let’s tackle the fear together!

Charlie Jane Anders has a list of publication credits as long as my arm, so you can imagine my excitement when she agreed to let me interview her! Join us as we talk about her new books, her experience writing for TV, her past in journalism, and more!

Is your fear preventing you from releasing your creativity into the world? Then you’ll want to check out the recent interview with my friend and mentor, Rebecca Wiener McGregor! Rebecca is a transformational hypnotist, love amplifier, and all-around life coach, and she’s ready to shed some light on our fears as creators. It’s an insightful interview that you shouldn’t ignore!

Have you ever wanted to write an audio drama but didn’t know where to begin? Then you need to join me as I interview fellow audio dramatist David S. Dear! David is the creator of A Ninth World Journal, and we discuss everything from plotting an audio drama, where to find inspiration, how to use elements of theater, and more!

Want to talk about Science Fiction? Then I’ve got the perfect interview for you! Join me as I interview the one and only Kate (K.B.) Wagers, author of the Indranan War trilogy, the Farian War trilogy, and more! It’s a show you won’t want to miss!

There’s nothing quite like a deep conversation with a good friend, and that’s why I’m excited to bring you this week’s episode! In it, I get to talk with Lee Shackleford, the creator of RELATIVITY, about loss, the burnout of creativity, and how to accept ourselves for who we are. Don’t miss it!

This week, I had the honor to sit down with Kate Brauning, one of the developmental editors at Dovetail Fiction, the creator of the Breakthrough Writers’ Boot Camp, and the author of several YA novels with an unusual twist. If you’re an author or writer of any capacity, then you need to listen to this interview!

Join us this week as we sit down with author and fellow audio-dramatist Marguerite Croft to talk about honoring the Dreamer in our lives and stories. We’ll also talk about her work with Point Mystic, as well as what it means to figure out what you want from your life, and to be surrounded by people who support you. Tune in today!

This week, I get to interview my good friend, author Jimmie Bise, Jr.! We talk about the uncertainty and fear involved in claiming the title of “Writer”, starting and giving up on projects, and the necessary but often overlooked element of fun in our craft. It’s an interview you won’t want to miss!

Procrastination and laziness often go hand-in-hand, but those labels do not define you or the work you do. Today, we’re exploring the various ways we procrastinate, where our procrastination comes from, and how we can take time to own our “laziness” and put it to work!

I’m going to be honest — I have not been okay lately. And maybe you haven’t either. So I sat down with my good friend Sean Howard to talk about mental health among creators, why it’s okay to ask for help, and how we’re all “Beautifully Broken.”

David duChemin, the best-selling author of such titles as Start Ugly and The Problem With Muses, is joining us today to talk about his creative process, why creativity isn’t about making masterpieces, and the wisdom of letting yourself “start ugly” and seeing where it goes. It’s an interview you won’t want to miss!

Have you ever felt like you’re too old to start, too late, or that you’ve missed your chance? Do you have regrets about not writing, publishing, or creating sooner or earlier in life? This week’s episode will help you take the pressure off as Sarah explains why it’s NOT too late for you as a creator.

Are you feeling unmotivated to write or create? You’re not alone. In this episode we dive into what motivates us and why we tend to lose it in the first place. It’s time to get your motivation back!

There are tons of lies floating around about creativity and creative writing, and from them, I’ve compiled ten myths that it’s time we expose and expel once and for all. Ready? Let’s bust some myths.

This week we’re focusing on the literary element of theme. Theme can be expressed on purpose or by accident, and added to your work while you’re creating it or afterward. How can we be intentional about the themes in our work — and why should we be?

“Which one of these projects should I write next?” If that question frequently floats around in your head, this episode is for you. I’ll help you decipher which projects to tackle and when!

You’re a writer — but do you think of yourself as a leader? In today’s episode we talk about the 3 keys to being a successful leader through your writing.

I’ve broken down my creative process into 6 phases, from brainstorming to publication, all of which we’ll talk about in today’s episode.

Sometimes, the only thing that gets in the way of my writing is… me. Today, we’re talking about resistance — what it is, when and why it strikes, how to resolve it, and what happens if we don’t.

There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and as always, that comes with a lot of pressure — even the pressure to create. Today, we’re talking about internal and external pressures, how they impact (and often disrupt) our creative processes and inspiration, what they mean for us as writers, and how we can respond to them in a productive way.

When is writing not writing? I know, it sounds like a riddle. But it’s actually a great question in disguise that leads to a necessary discussion of what the writing process actually *is*. Buckle in!

How do you know if you’ve set a good writing goal for yourself? Or is goal-setting for writing even a good idea? Today’s episode explores how we move along the path toward success.

Fear shows up for us writers in a lot of ways we don’t expect or recognize. Let’s explore those fears — and how they’re holding us back — together.

It’s been a while — maybe longer — since you’ve written. And with all of the rust buildup, thoughts of inadequacy, and other factors… how do you get back into it?

Today’s topic comes from a listener question: How will I know when I’m good enough to publish — and that I won’t look back on my work in 10 years and cringe? Join us for a chat about fear, bravery, and constant action.

I've spoken before on this show about the effects of imposter syndrome, a.k.a feeling like a fraud. But how do you actually feel about yourself? Do you truly believe you are a writer? Does it seem too easy (or too impossible) to just say that out loud? What do...

Hello, friends! I'm finally, fully, officially back from my Write Now sabbatical. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your patience and support. There have been a lot of new developments in my life and career. For one, I've been running around like crazy...

Has someone ever had the same idea as you or just downright stole it? Let’s talk about how writers should handle idea theft and when to reclaim credit.

How should writers approach criticism? How do we tell if it’s constructive or not? Most importantly, should we allow criticism to affect our writing?

Making the switch to a career writer is tough, but you can do it! Here are some pointers that can help your writing dream become a reality.

Today we’ll take a look at what we should do if (& when) we find ourselves exhausting, burned out, and feeling hopeless as we stare down a blank page.

Trying to write while traveling can be one of the most frustrating things for a writer. Let’s explore some ways to jumpstart our creativity on the road!

“Do I need a writing degree?” It’s a complex question that involves factors like time, money, lifestyle, goals, & more. Work through your own decision with help from today’s episode of the Write Now podcast!

Words have power — especially the words we say and think about ourselves. So whether you think you’re slime or God’s gift to writing, the way you think about yourself can have an immense effect on your work.

What’s the worst that will happen if you put yourself out there? How will you handle rejection? Even worse, what happens if you do nothing?

You finally have a website! Now how do you let the internet know you exist? How do you attract users? Never fear: SEO (search engine optimization) is here!

Do you ever put off writing because you need to wash the dishes or watch American Idol with your spouse? Are these legit reasons — or just excuses? Learn how to ditch the excuses and just write in this week’s episode of the Write Now podcast!

Are you living the life you want to live? Living a creative life is about making your own decisions and breaking the mold. But what does that mean?

Where does the time go? Between work, family, and countless other obligations, who has the time to write these days? You do! Let’s prioritize!

Don’t let myths about personality keep you from fully exploring yourself as a writer. Discover your strengths, weaknesses, and how you recharge!

What’s the best music to listen to (if any) while you write? Let’s talk about music curation and what different genres of recorded sound can do for you!

If you write, you have a personal brand! Let’s discuss some ways you can grow, maintain, and market your brand to help readers find your work.

Sometimes the most important aspect of writing is not the words you string together but the questions you ask. And one question in particular is incredibly helpful.

We learned a lot of great things in school. But our educational system isn’t perfect, and there are some things we should have learned about writing (and life) that we didn’t. All of those (and more!) in this week’s episode!

A mission statement is a valuable tool for a writer — it can help you understand your own story, remind you of your purpose, and guide you toward your goals. Today’s episode of Write Now podcast will help you create one!

Stuck in a soul-sucking, toxic day job while you dream of being a paid writer? Today’s episode covers 10 different career paths for writers just like you.

Chances are, you’ve heard of the concept of a muse, whether you’ve read your fair share of Shakespeare or simply seen Disney’s “Hercules”. But can a muse possibly have an effect on us here in the modern world?

I know, I know. You hate networking. I hate networking. It feels so corporate and shallow and sell-out-y. But it’s important for writers nonetheless. That’s why this episode is here to help you navigate the turbulent waters of this essential skill.

Is it true that there’s “nothing new under the sun”, that we just keep retelling the same 3 stories over and over, and that Hollywood is out of ideas? Find out in the latest episode of Write Now!

We hear it all the time: “We can’t afford to pay our writers,” or, “Your payment will be exposure and experience!” But is that true? Should we take that unpaid internship? Find out in Episode 041 of Write Now.

Rejection happens to every writer. This week’s episode explores different types of rejection and how some of them can actually help us to become better writers.

Many writers wonder whether they need a website. Today I’m answering that question & providing tips on creating a solid online presence.

Letting go is one of the hardest things a writer has to do. Here’s how to let go of perfectionism, ego, control, & more — graciously & gracefully.

I’m back from my mission trip to Jamaica, my friends. And I have several stories and writing insights to share with you. It’s all here in episode 029 of the Write Now podcast.

I’ve spoken with many writers over the years about the merits of a writers’ retreat. But what good can a short-term retreat do? Find out in this episode.

NaNoWriMo is a marathon for writers. The challenge: write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. It’s insane, but fun, & a great way to form a daily writing habit.

Sometimes things like illness, depression, toxic people, and bad situations at work can get the best of us. So what’s a writer to do?