The Write It Scared Podcast

Mar 09 2025 49 ep. 25 mins 10
The Write It Scared Podcast artwork

A podcast to help fiction writers work through self-doubt and learn the craft of writing a novel. 

  Arts  Education  Fiction
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Poli-Fi Author, Michael Fedor on Writing, Rewriting, and Never Giving Up

Mar 09 2025 35 mins  
Writing a novel is never a straight path. But what happens when that journey takes 20 years? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Fedor, an award-winning independent author, to talk about the long, winding road to publishing his debut novel, What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose, a political science fiction thriller with deep themes and sharp commentary. Michael shares: ✨ How an

Crafting the Tragic Falling Character Arc

Mar 02 2025 24 mins  
The Falling Arc isn’t about a villain—it’s about a character who could have chosen differently but instead becomes consumed by their worst impulses. Their story isn’t just dark—it’s unsettling, raw, and real. This character starts with potential, but instead of rising to the occasion, they spiral downward—deeper into moral corruption, delusion, or even self-destructio

Tips on Writing Historical Fiction with Author Susanne Dunlap

Feb 23 2025 38 mins  
What does it take to bring history to life on the page? In this episode of Write it Scared, I’m sitting down with Susanne Dunlap—acclaimed historical fiction author, writing mentor, and all-around storytelling powerhouse. Susanne’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. She went from earning a PhD in music history to publishing her first novel at 50, and now she has 14 novels

Essentials of Crafting Negative Character Arcs + Deep Dive into the Disillusionment Arc

Feb 16 2025 24 mins  
Not every character’s journey leads to triumph—some lead to harsh truths and shattered illusions. In this episode we do an overview the negative character arcs and then focus on the specifics of the Disillusionment Arc. Unlike positive arcs where characters grow and overcome their flaws, disillusionment arcs are about painful realizations. These characters start believing in so

Valentine’s Special! Crafting Authentic Romance with Trisha Jenn Loehr

Feb 09 2025 45 mins  
FREE Romance Story Structure & Beat Guide From Write It Scared Love is in the air! In this special Valentine’s Day episode of the Write it Scared podcast, I’m thrilled to be joined by the amazing Trisha Jenn Loehr, a romance expert and Author Accelerator Certified Fiction Book Coach. Together, we’re diving headfirst into the art (and heart) of writing authentic romance. W

On Wise Productivity and Building Positive Character Arcs

Feb 02 2025 25 mins  
Download the Understanding Story Structure and Character Arcs PDF GUIDE. Learn the art of crafting positive character arcs and tackling the realities of time management. I kick things off by sharing some eye-opening insights inspired by Oliver Burkman’s 4,000 Weeks, Time Management for Mortals, a must-read for anyone rethinking how to make the most of their time (spoiler: it’s

Learning to Say No to "Mom Guilt" with Author MK Pagano.

Jan 26 2025 32 mins  
In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I discuss overcoming guilt as a parent pursuing creative passions and introduce M.K. Pagano, the author of 'Girls Who Burn,' who shares her journey to becoming a published writer. Our conversation highlights the challenges of balancing writing with parenting, dealing with setbacks such as losing an agent, and the importance of communi

Understanding Story Structure and Character Arcs

Jan 19 2025 21 mins  
Free Download: Understand Story Structure and Character Arcs Today, we’re diving deep into the magic of character arcs and how they intertwine with story structure and plot. I'll share insights on developing authentic characters so readers will empathize with them and want to know more. We'll chat about different character arcs—positive, negative, and flat—and how understandi

Unlocking Your Characters with Michele Regenold

Jan 12 2025 29 mins  
In this episode, I sit down with Michele Regenold, an author and certified book coach, to delve into the intricacies of character development. We explore the importance of knowing what drives your characters, distinguishing between their wants and needs, and identifying their fears. Michele introduces her character development tool 'Interview for Insight,' which aids writers in gai

Easing Into 2025 and Setting Smarter Writing Goals

Jan 05 2025 14 mins  
If you feel unprepared for the new year, this episode is for you! Today, we discuss the importance of easing into the new year, reflecting on past achievements, and setting attainable writing goals. But at some point, we need to get after it, and for that, I have a detailed goal-setting exercise to help you map out your 2025 writing goals! Remember to practice patience and persiste