The Write It Scared Podcast

It's the final quarter of 2024! These are the last 90 days to make good on writing goals, so let's make sure they are reasonable and attainable and not shoot ourselves in the foot and wind up feeling disappointed come January! In this episode, you'll learn how to "Do the Math" while applying the "Lens of Your Reality" and how to add a buffer for when life happens! 00:00 Introductio

Today, I chat with romance author Roni Loren, a two-time Rita Award winner and Gallup® Certified Strengths Coach with the Better Faster Academy.The discussion dives into the controversial advice about editing as you go and how each writer's process is unique. Roni shares her journey, her struggles with self-doubt, and how she overcame burnout. With a focus on character-driven writ

In this episode, we dive deep into the concepts of suspense and tension in storytelling. We clarify the differences between these often-confused terms and explain how both are essential for a compelling narrative. Learn through examining popular works of fiction how long-term and short-term suspense work together to keep readers engaged.This episode is packed with practical tips an

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, I chat with author and Story Grid CEO Tim Grahl. We discuss Tim's challenging yet rewarding journey from struggling writer to accomplished author, highlighting the importance of mastering scene writing and the rigorous learning process that led to his new novel, "The Shithead," dubbed as Faust meets Fleishman Is In Trouble.Tim shares

Today, we celebrate a podcasting milestone and discuss how knowing who you're writing for can help calm your inner critic so you can push past the fear and anxiety of the work not being good enough.In this episode, we delve into the story of E.B. White, a celebrated American author who also struggled with fear and anxiety, to draw inspiration and lessons. I also discuss my writing

In this episode, I’m joined by the delightful Kid-Lit author Cynthia Platt. We talk about the process of writing her debut intergenerational, dual-timeline YA novel, Postcards For Summer, which I adored reading. Cynthia shares what she’s learned about finding a rhythm as a writer, granting herself permission to explore varied interests, and giving herself grace when life interr

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, we explore the art of crafting seamless flashbacks in fiction writing.I break down how and when to use a flashback effectively and the seven key elements every flashback needs to feel seamless and move the story forward.We talk about the pros and cons of flashbacks and how to place them for maximum impact on readers.I also walk you th

This week, we're tackling the daunting task of editing your manuscript.Savannah Gilbo, a certified developmental editor and book coach, and I walk you through how to break down the self-editing process into manageable phases. From taking essential breaks to detailed step-by-step strategies, we cover how to transform your messy first draft into a polished gem. Tune in to learn all a

Techniques to Convey Backstory Without Bogging Down the Narrative: Context & MemoryToday, we dig into the topic of backstory, specifically focusing on how to effectively deliver it without bogging down your narrative by using context and memory to weave backstory seamlessly into your story. Using examples from Rebecca Yarrow's Fourth Wing and VE Schwab's The Invisible Life of A

Today, we're diving into the world of book cover design. I'm thrilled to be joined by Katia from Miblart, a team of professional book cover designers who create marketable book covers for indie authors and publishers. We explore the importance of having a finalized manuscript before commissioning a cover, the types of book covers available, and when you should start thinking about