Fun Is Better Than Perfect with Jimmie Bise, Jr. – WNP 126

Fun Is Better Than Perfect with Jimmie Bise, Jr. – WNP 126

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!

What’s My Motivation?

What’s My Motivation?

I have a really weird relationship with motivation — and perhaps you do, too.  Every once in a while, my eyelids fly open at 6am and I bounce out of bed, eager and excited to tackle the day’s work. I love these days and am incredibly grateful for them. The other 360...
Procrastination – WNP 125

Procrastination – WNP 125

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!

Figuring Out Life

Figuring Out Life

I feel like life has been tough for a lot of us lately. I’ve been attempting to balance priorities and obligations and it hasn’t been going very well.  I hope this doesn’t sound too complain-y, or like a big ol’ pile of first-world problems,...
Sneaky Procrastination

Sneaky Procrastination

It was Saturday afternoon. I had taken care of everything on my to-do list. It was too hot and humid to go outside, and I had just brewed a fresh cup of my favorite tea. I was wearing cozy sweatpants and a hoodie, and I had seated myself at my desk, prepared to write....
Episode 124: Beautifully Broken with Sean Howard

Episode 124: Beautifully Broken with Sean Howard

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.”

Starting Ugly with David duChemin – WNP 123

Starting Ugly with David duChemin – WNP 123

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!

The Leap Is A Lie

The Leap Is A Lie

Searching for validation takes a lot of time and energy, but we all do it because we want to feel like our work is good and that people enjoy it. However, are we receiving validation from people we respect, or are we relying on the standards of others to determine our worth?

Seeking Validation – WNP 122

Seeking Validation – WNP 122

Searching for validation takes a lot of time and energy, but we all do it because we want to feel like our work is good and that people enjoy it. However, are we receiving validation from people we respect, or are we relying on the standards of others to determine our worth?

You’re Not Doing It Wrong

You’re Not Doing It Wrong

I did a lot of research into various writing practices for Episode 121 of Write Now with Sarah Werner, which came out last Wednesday. I read about writers who wake up at 4:00 a.m. and writers who sleep in until noon. I read about writers who write every day and...
A Writing Practice That Works For YOU – WNP 121

A Writing Practice That Works For YOU – WNP 121

There’s a lot to be said about writers with dedicated writing practices, and they make it seem so easy to “just sit down and write!” However, you don’t need a dedicated writing practice to become successful. Here’s why…

My Biggest Writing Fear Right Now

My Biggest Writing Fear Right Now

Have you ever had someone else articulate something that you weren’t able to — and the second they did, your eyes opened up wide, you hopped up and down in your chair, and you started yelling, “Oooh! Oh, that’s ME!”? This past week, I finally opened up my copy of...
You’re Invited!

You’re Invited!

I’m so excited to announce that I’ve been invited to interview New York Times bestselling author Anne Lamott for her upcoming virtual event on May 24, 2021! We’ll be talking about resilience, courage, and her new book, Dusk Night Dawn.  Oh, and best of all, the event...
Trusting Yourself – WNP 119

Trusting Yourself – WNP 119

Do you trust yourself? Or have you ever been at a point where the sage phrase, “All I know is that I know nothing” has turned into, “I am wrong, and everyone else is right”? Today we’re talking about why — and how — writers can learn to trust themselves.

Searching For Answers

Searching For Answers

I spend a lot of my time searching for answers — in books, in podcasts, in webinars and talks, in formal lessons, in quiz results, in music, and in many of the everyday conversations I have. The answers are responses to questions that I may have explicitly asked —...
Podcast Storytelling – WNP 118

Podcast Storytelling – WNP 118

We talk a lot about writing for the reader, stage, and screen — but how about for the ear? Whether it’s for a nonfiction or fiction (audio drama) podcast, today we’re talking about what makes audio-only storytelling really come to life.

We’ve Lost… That Valid Feeling…

We’ve Lost… That Valid Feeling…

In last Wednesday’s create-along, we ended up having a fantastic conversation about our need for external validation. I’m talking about constantly refreshing your download statistics after posting a new podcast episode to your RSS feed, compulsively checking your...
It’s Not Too Late – WNP 117

It’s Not Too Late – WNP 117

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.

Beating Myself Up For Not Being Mary Oliver

Beating Myself Up For Not Being Mary Oliver

Back in 2015, I went on a wilderness writing retreat in the northern woods of Minnesota. I recorded a Write Now podcast episode about it (including some of it from the three-seasons porch of the little hermitage where I stayed), but today, I realize that the episode...
Bulletproof

Bulletproof

I was texting with my lovely friend and fellow creator Jordan earlier this week, and we ended up discussing how we’ve both been feeling weighed down by creative pressure lately, and how the threat of burnout also seems to loom closer than usual.  As we enter our...
A Writer’s True Work – WNP 116

A Writer’s True Work – WNP 116

What is our True Work? And how do we discern between our True Work and the busy work which fills our days? Today, I’m going to ask you a series of questions to help you deep dive and discover if you are doing your True Work— the work that fills your heart — or if you are simply filling your time with busy work.

Do You Take Your Own Advice?

Do You Take Your Own Advice?

I’m one of those people who has lots of advice for other writers, podcasters, and creators. It’s the entire basis of my podcast Write Now with Sarah Werner, as well as the vast majority of interviews and public speaking gigs I’ve done over the past several years....
Is Writing Hard Work? – WNP 115

Is Writing Hard Work? – WNP 115

Most writers will admit that writing is work, enjoyable work though it may be. But how do we respond to people who insist that it’s “just a hobby”, “not a real job”, or “not real work”? Is it possible for something to be a mix of work and play — and what does that mean for us as creators?

You Can Do This

You Can Do This

Hey. I know it’s Monday. I know that things have been tough lately. I’ve talked with so many creators who are tired, hurt, worn out, burned out, and full of fear that I’m wondering if this is the “new normal” I keep hearing about.  But it doesn’t have to be. And if...
Is Ambition Bad? – WNP 114

Is Ambition Bad? – WNP 114

What does it mean to be ambitious? By definition, “ambition is a strong desire to do or achieve something, usually requiring determination and hard work”. Today I’m going to talk about what it means to be ambitious, especially as writers, and why ambition has such a bad reputation, and finally, whether or not you might be ambitious, too.

Be The Author

Be The Author

I have a short, simple reflection for you this week. I was taking a social media webinar last week with Amie McNee, and she said something really surprising — and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. She said, “I had to BE the author I wanted to be in...
The Writing Plateau – WNP 113

The Writing Plateau – WNP 113

Have you ever experienced a writing plateau? The point in your writing journey where your growth and progress taper off, and you get comfortable resting on your laurels? Today we’re taking a look at whether this is a good or a bad thing, and how to re-ignite your ambition and your upward trajectory — if that’s the right move for you.

Creativity Is In The Here & Now

Creativity Is In The Here & Now

I think a lot about the future. So much so that I feel like I live there most of the time. For me, everything is about future plans, future goals, and what’s next, from my next project all the way to my next meal.  It’s one reason I love speculative and science...
Writer’s Guilt – WNP 112

Writer’s Guilt – WNP 112

Do you ever feel guilty, as a writer? It’s more common than you think. Writers feel guilty for writing too much, not enough, “selfishly” taking time away from their families, making money, not making money… the list goes on. Today let’s talk about writer’s guilt and how to begin to alleviate it.

Who Do You Think You Are?

Who Do You Think You Are?

Do you ever doubt your creative abilities? Because I do! … My own creative abilities, I mean. Not yours. It can be really hard to believe in ourselves constantly, even if deep down, we know we’re good at what we do. Because those doubts can creep in about not only our...
From Surviving to Thriving – WNP 111

From Surviving to Thriving – WNP 111

Some, if not most of us, have been in survival mode at one point or another. Survival mode means that you’re barely hanging on by your fingernails, doing what you need to in order to get through the day in one piece. But it’s not the most pleasant way to live, and it’s possible to not just survive but thrive. Here’s how..

Girl In Space Is One Of The Top 10 Best Fiction Podcasts

Girl In Space Is One Of The Top 10 Best Fiction Podcasts

I am INCREDIBLY honored and grateful to find Girl In Space in the top 10 of Podyssey’s “15 Best Fiction Podcasts Of All Time” list. Just… wow. Thank you! Now, several weeks ago on Twitter, I talked about how my show has won awards and gained...
Social Media For Creators in 2021

Social Media For Creators in 2021

I don’t know if this is how it is for you, but for me… social media is an absolute roller coaster. I’m either feverishly posting multiple times a day on multiple platforms, or I’m completely burned out, overwhelmed, and radio silent. It’s rarely anywhere in between. ...
Being “Productive Enough” – WNP 110

Being “Productive Enough” – WNP 110

Do you consider yourself a “productive” creator? Productivity seems to be everywhere these days, and we spend a ton of time planning our days to ensure we get the most done we can in the time we have. In this week’s episode, we’re going to look at productivity in a different way. So if you have been struggling and feeling like you aren’t getting enough done, this episode is for you!

The Plateau

The Plateau

If (like me) you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know the horror that lies in the word “plateau.” A plateau is a point that you reach in your progress… and sometimes don’t progress beyond.  In geological terms, a plateau is “an area of relatively high level ground”....
The Blank Page – WNP 109

The Blank Page – WNP 109

Do you ever feel like when you sit down to write, there’s just nothing there? Many writers will say that the blank page is their biggest fear — and it can represent many different obstacles. In this week’s episode, I am going to share some reasons you may be experiencing writer’s block and a few things you can do to work past it.

From Surviving To Thriving

From Surviving To Thriving

Have you ever felt like you were in “survival mode”? Or… are you perhaps even feeling that way today? Survival mode happens when we give over to our most basic survival instincts — driven by extreme fear or stress, we’re living minute-to-minute, in constant...
Outrunning The Avalanche – WNP 108

Outrunning The Avalanche – WNP 108

What happens when we fall behind? It might feel like you’re running down a snowy mountain as a giant avalanche barrels down behind you. If you feel constantly stressed, behind, and that you can’t produce content fast enough in order to keep up, then this week’s episode is for you! I am going to give you some tips on how to outrun and avoid being buried by the avalanche of creating content.

I Don’t Know What To Write!

I Don’t Know What To Write!

Do you ever just sit down and… you have no idea what to write, or create, or even do? Well, you’re not alone. I sat down to write this week’s newsletter, opened up my little idea folder, and… realized I hadn’t prepped for this week with an idea. “I have no idea what...
Strong Female Characters – WNP 107

Strong Female Characters – WNP 107

When you think of a strong female character, what comes to mind? Maybe you think of physical strength, or the size of the gun they might be holding. Today, I am going to break down the different traits and ways you can build and incorporate strong female characters into your work.

The Un-Goals

The Un-Goals

I was sitting here, working on my 2021 goals, and thinking about what I could add this year to challenge myself as a creator while bringing extra value to my audience, when I had a REALIZATION. A big one.  I had already written down all of the things from 2020 that I...
Why Do We Self-Sabotage? – WNP 106

Why Do We Self-Sabotage? – WNP 106

Have you ever gotten in your own way and stopped yourself from starting (or finishing) a creative project, going after success, or even being happy? If this sounds familiar, you’ve experienced self-sabotage. This week I’m talking about 4 different barriers that most self-sabotagers run into and giving you some tips on how to break the self-sabotage cycle.

Do You Feel Productive Enough?

Do You Feel Productive Enough?

I’m writing this email, which will arrive in your inbox on Monday the 11th, on the evening of Friday the 8th during my Create-Along livestream. (I’m trying to get better at doing things ahead of time!) So far, this week has been… well. Not fantastic. On Monday and...
Writers As Entrepreneurs – WNP 105

Writers As Entrepreneurs – WNP 105

If you’re a writer, do you also think of yourself as a business owner or entrepreneur? Should you? This can be a touchy subject, especially given the social perception that you can be an artist or a businessperson — but not both. So let’s talk about the implications, the “should”s, and how it all works together in this week’s episode.

Useful Tools For Creators

Useful Tools For Creators

Happy 2021! I’m so excited to start out the new year with you.  Over the last few weeks of 2020, we’ve been talking about prioritizing and protecting your time for writing and creating. This isn’t a switch that can be flipped in a moment or even a day — it’s a change...
Protecting Your Time – WNP 104

Protecting Your Time – WNP 104

This week, we’re talking about what eats up your writing time — internal or external forces — and how to protect that precious time by setting boundaries!

Sliding Into 2021

Sliding Into 2021

Are you doing any planning for 2021? It’s so hard to realize that the new year is upon us when 2020 has seemed so eternal, so heavy, and so all-encompassing. It’s hard to remember that there is indeed life beyond 2020! It can also seem a little...
The Writer’s Mindset Manifesto – Audiobook

The Writer’s Mindset Manifesto – Audiobook

A special holiday bonus from me to you — my very first audiobook! The Writer’s Mindset Manifesto will help you break through the barriers of fear and inadequacy to help you create your very best work.

The Marketing Enigma

The Marketing Enigma

I know, I know. The title of today’s email contains the dreaded M-word: Marketing. The thing that is so easy to confuse with selling, selling your soul, or simply selling out.  Other people get it confused with being fake, harassing others, yelling into a void, or...