The Power of a Writers’ Group – WN 035
Belonging to a writers’ group can have some amazing benefits. Avoid the pitfalls & make the most of your writers’ group with today’s episode of Write Now.
Feeling Like A Fraud – WN 034
Sometimes our doubts get the better of us. Sometimes we listen to the voice that asks, “Who gave YOU permission to be a writer?” Here’s how to fight back.
Do I Need A Website? – WN 033
Many writers wonder whether they need a website. Today I’m answering that question & providing tips on creating a solid online presence.
Sarah’s Blog: 2015 In Books
2015 was going to be the year that I read a book a week. (NOTICE THAT I SAID “WAS”.) 🙂 When I set the goal of 52 books in January 2015, I had not yet launched the Write Now podcast (that launched in February) and I had no idea what the year would bring,...
Sarah’s Blog: Personal Stuff Time.
How do you know when to stop pushing yourself? (a.k.a. My lifelong struggle.)
Your New Year’s Writing Resolution – WN 032
This year, make (and keep!) a writing-centric New Year’s resolution with these 8 simple tips.
Sarah’s Blog: I Want Your Opinion!
Thanks for stopping by to take this (hopefully quick) survey! Please be brutally honest as you answer these questions — my goal is to make the Write Now podcast better in 2016. 🙂 Or else! LOL! Thanks again. I’m looking forward to creating some awesome new...
Creating In A Time of Destruction – WN 031
Destruction is deeply tied with loss and grief and pain, but it’s a reality we as writers have to deal with and respond to. Here’s how.
Sarah’s Blog: Now On Spreaker
Hey friends! Just a quick update: the Write Now podcast is now on Spreaker!>> So if you’re a Spreaker user, be sure to follow me there! It’s just one more way to stay connected with the Write Now podcast and in line with your writing goals. What...
Letting Go – WN 030
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.
Sarah’s Blog: We Crave Mystery.
“The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer.” — Ken Kesey. Why we crave mystery—but not necessarily answers.
Writing With All of Your Senses – WN 029
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.
My Writing Retreat – WN 028
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.
Sarah’s Blog: Glad To Be Back.
Hey there, friends. I returned from my mission trip to Jamaica a couple days ago, and wow, was it amazing. And heartbreaking. And right back around to amazing again. I held hands and spoke and danced with the elderly and sick at an infirmary. I had a great time...
NaNoWriMo and You – WN 027
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.
When Life Kinda Sucks – WN 026
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?
Sarah’s Blog: The Season of No
I’m kicking off what I’m calling my Season of No, in which I stop saying yes to every single little thing that people ask me to do.
Sarah’s Blog: You Shall Know The Truth.
And maybe set you free. There’s a long and storied history of the links between truth & beauty, creativity & madness, and art & catharsis. I’ve said before that I believe that writers are the penultimate truth-tellers. But telling the truth...
My 10 Favorite Books (Part 2) – WN 025
There’s always a reason behind why your favorite books are your favorites. Here are the next 5 on my list — and why.
My 10 Favorite Books (Part 1) – WN 024
We all have our favorite books. Here are the first 5 of my top 10, complete with why I love them oh-so-much.
Sarah’s Blog: Write your own story.
Write your own story. I think that a lot of writers start out this way: We read and read and read… and ultimately get frustrated that we’re limited to the role of participant. That we can’t make the characters behave in the way we want them to. That...
Sarah’s Blog: Worth it.
Worth it. I had an idea in April 2013 for a podcast. It would help writers who struggled with busy lives to follow their dreams and make the time to write. In April 2013, I didn’t have the time to create a podcast, let alone the knowledge I’d need (wait,...
What Does Success Look Like For You? – WN 023
Success is something that we all daydream about but rarely give any serious thought. But it is possible, if you plan for and work toward it. Here’s how.
Sarah’s Blog: Introducing Coffee Break.
Announcing Coffee Break, a sister podcast to the Write Now podcast! Sometimes you need a coffee break, to clear your head, breathe, and find inspiration. I’m hoping that Coffee Break will help provide that for you. (Though you’ll have to provide your own...
Was I Meant To Be A Writer? – WN 022
When you wonder whether you were “meant” to be a writer, whose mandate are you following? This week’s episode will help you answer this tough question.
How To Defeat Writers’ Block – WN 021
Writers’ block happens to most writers and creators. Here are some ways you can fight back.
Truth In Fiction – WN 020
Some people say “Writers are liars.” But I think that all writers, especially fiction writers & poets, are the penultimate truth-tellers. Here’s why.
7 Reasons You Need A Writing Mentor – WN 019
A mentor might be the best thing that ever happens to you as a writer. From wise counsel to new challenges, here are 7 reasons you need a writing mentor.
Fail A Lot – WN 018
I’m going to give you some advice that you probably don’t hear very often: FAIL A LOT. In fact, the more you fail, the more you’ll succeed. Here’s why.
Your Professional vs. Creative Self – WN 017
Are your professional & creative selves ever at odds with each other? How does that affect your writing? And how do you find a healthy balance?
How to Make Writing Fun Again. – WN 016
Remember when writing used to be fun? Or better yet, satisfying? Re-ignite the spark and douse the shame with this week’s podcast episode.
Why Is It So Important For Writers To Read? – WN 015
“Reading is essential if you’re going to be a writer.” You’ve heard it from teachers and fellow writers and books on writing. But WHY? Here’s 8 amazing benefits writers get from reading.
Creating A Space For Writing – WN 014
What is your perfect writing environment? And is that where you do your best writing? Why do we take our writing environments so seriously?
7 Ways to Write Yourself Out of a Corner – WN 013
You’ve written yourself into a corner and you have no idea how to fix it. Well, being in the corner sucks, so here are 7 ways you can try to get out.
My 8 Favorite Writing Tools – WN 012
In which we explore some great writing tools, caffeine addiction, unhealthy pencil obsessions, and (bonus!) Jane Austen’s homemade ink recipe.
Finding Your Voice – WN 011
What is this elusive element we call a voice? And how do we go about developing our own?
Writing Is Our Passion – WN 010
You’re passionate about writing. But the word “passion” means “to suffer”. What does that mean for us as writers?
Say Yes to Writing – WN 009
There are only 24 hours in a day. So saying “yes” to writing often means saying “no” to other stuff. Fun stuff. Important stuff. And that’s hard.
How to Write When You Don’t Feel Like Writing – WN 008
It can be incredibly hard to write every day. But I’ve found a way to make myself write (and write well) even when I don’t feel like it. Find out how in this week’s podcast.
Who Is My Audience & How Do I Write For Them? – WN 007
You want people to read and like (and buy!) your book. A great way to do that is to write stuff that people want to read. But who are those people?
Walk It Off – WN 006
Dumpster diving. Mall walking. A 19th-century transcendentalist. Oh yeah, and how going for a walk can help free you from writers’ block.
5 Tips to Regain Lost Confidence – WN 005
All writers second-guess their abilities at some point. Here’s 5 tips on how to regain your lost confidence and become awesome again.
Sarah’s Blog: Happy Launchday!
Guys. GUYS! I am super excited to announce the OFFICIAL LAUNCH of the Write Now podcast in iTunes! Thank you so much for the support & encouragement you’ve given me along the way. I couldn’t have done this without you. Want to help me get into the...
Go On – Surprise Yourself – WN 004
My own ability to surprise myself is my all-time favorite thing about writing. I’ve never been able to fully articulate how it works, or where the magic comes from. But I take a stab at it in today’s podcast episode.
Sarah’s Blog: People are cutting-edge.
Just a teaser for my upcoming Trendigital Summit talk. The summit is February 13, 2015, right here in Sioux Falls. I speak at 9:00 a.m. I hope you can make it.
Writing as Self Care – WN 003
The idea of using writing as a way to attain and maintain both physical and mental health isn’t new. Explore the ways in which writing can provide healing.
Sarah’s Blog: Writing Can Change the World
Martin Luther King Jr. was not only a great leader and humanitarian but an amazingly powerful writer as well. One of my favorite books is his renowned Why We Can’t Wait: Letter from Birmingham Jail, and it contains this haunting passage: “Perhaps it is...
5 Steps to Making Your Writing Goals a Reality – WN 002
As writers, how do we set goals — and stick to them? This episode explores five steps for setting realistic goals and following through on them.
What’s Keeping You From Writing? – WN 001
Why don’t we write, if it’s our passion? Why, if we’re writers at heart, do we sometimes stop writing? Or why do we often run away from our talent?