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 comm…

It’s not selfish to write! Here’s why. Josee Smith is an indie author and book coach for working moms who want to finish the novel of their dreams. She achieved her childhood dream of finishing a novel and publishing it in 2021, and now she supports other writers with the same dream. As a new mom with a busy job, she understands the challenges of m…

In which we talk about Sacha’s new empire and how Rachael is enjoying herself (could we just say this for every episode? It’s possible!) 🏠 INK VILLAGE! Click here for the details! 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too) Writing doesn't have to be so hard. With internationally bestselling…

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 …

Do you also circle the laptop like it might be venomous? You'll love this episode! Marybeth Mayhew Whalen is the author of Every Moment Since and 9 previous novels. Marybeth received a BA in English with a concentration in Writing and Editing from NC State University a long time ago and has been writing ever since. She is the co-founder of The Book…

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 5…

Tiffany Yates Martin always brings the real talk and also the kind talk. Here we go deep on how to get out of being stuck and not burning out while honoring exactly what we want to do. Tiffany Yates Martin has spent her entire career as an editor in the publishing industry, working with major publishers and New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Str…

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 ch…

How do you keep the magic alive when writing? Sophie Berti lives in California. Find her hiking in the foothills, chasing her kid around the beach, making tea, or on sophieberti.com. Steeped is her first novel. ❤️ Adventure 52 - Patreon 🚨 Sign up to hear first about the 90 Day courses 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers …

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 writ…

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…

More thoughts about the new year, with Sacha and Rachael! ❤️ Adventure 52 - Patreon 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too) Writing doesn't have to be so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron, learn how to embrace ease, reject perfectionism, and finally create your…

What do you do when life gets so challenging you're not sure what to do next? Follow what Rosie did! When a rare form of arthritis ended her career and left her in a wheelchair, Rosie Radcliffe had to shield in lockdown so embarked on fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. She wrote some dreadful ones before finding her feet, and learn…

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 ag…

How to make suspense actually suspenseful and the power of a fuzzy outline! Helena Echlin has written for numerous publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including The Guardian and The Times. She taught at Stanford University for eight years and has recently returned to the UK, where she now teaches fiction writing for Oxford University’s Depa…

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, …

Don't miss this chat about not only micro-communities, but how to know when you've NAILED your query letter! Michele Tracy Berger is the Eric and Jane Nord Family Professor in the Department of Religious Studies and director of the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities at Case Western Reserve University. She has a secondary appointment in the Depart…

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 I…

The most popular episode every year - check out what Rachael made in 2024 and how she made it! Also, what will she be changing, adapting, doing in 2025? Her words of the year are Sparkle and Bloom, so that's a hint. ❤️ Adventure 52 - Patreon 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too) Writin…

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…

This is an interview you will LOVE, start to finish. Get ready to be overjoyed. Elisabeth Sharp McKetta is an award-winning writer and writing teacher and a mother of two. With a PhD on the intersections between fairy tales and autobiography, as well as a seven-year streak of writing weekly poems for strangers, she teaches writing for Oxford Depart…

Let's plan for the new year with Sacha and Rachael! ❤️ Adventure 52 - Patreon - http://patreon.com/rachael ✏️ Write More, Worry Less: A Year of Pressure-Free Productivity Jan 4, 2025 - CLICK HERE for the details! Don't miss the early-bird pricing, good till Dec 10th! 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (an…

Support — who needs it? You do! How to get it (and how to hold open space for your writing, too). Heidi McIntyre’s journey as a writer began in college when a professor convinced her to switch majors to English, igniting her passion for storytelling. With a background in marketing consulting, Heidi spent years specializing in fresh produce, collabo…

Rachael’s back from swimming with the turtles - catch up with her today. And how does a writer move from flash to longer work? Find out with Kate! Kate Mahony is a long-time writer of short stories and flash fiction with an MA in Creative Writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Wa…

Learn more about small group book coaching with Stacy Frazer and Write It Scared. Season one wraps up with a chat about the importance of learning how to rest, and I share my messy journey through creative burnout and how I recovered. Thank you to all the guests and listeners! So much good stuff to come in 2025! 00:00 Introduction: The Struggle of …

Learn more about Group Coaching with Write It Scared. Ready for a dive-deep conversation about the emotional rollercoaster of writing? In this episode, I’m chatting with Rachael Herron—a trad and indie author who knows her way around multiple genres and isn’t shy about sharing less-than-stellar moments of her writing journey. We dig into story stru…

Rachael's landing book planes and Sacha's cleaning up after an incredibly successful Kickstarter! Enjoy! 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too) Writing doesn't have to be so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron, learn how to embrace ease, reject perfectionism, an…

How to write an identity not your own! Also: on inhabiting your character, on easy reading being damned hard writing, on grounding the reader in a scene, and expecting that you WILL make mistakes (and that's okay.) Alex Temblador is the Mixed Latine award-winning author of Writing An Identity Not Your Own, Secrets of the Casa Rosada and Half Outlaw…

Are you feeling frustrated with your writing? Do you struggle with setting up unrealistic expectations of yourself and your words? You’re not alone, and today, I will offer up a mindset shift. Join me as we unpack the importance of embracing gratitude for every part of the writing process—ESPECIALLY the words that don’t make it into your manuscript…

On zooming out to look at character interiority and having scene goals, as well as slowing down the hurry mode. Enjoy! Nicole Meier is an author and book coach living in the Pacific Northwest. Her debut novel, The House of Bradbury, was chosen as a Best Book of 2016 by Refinery29. Her second book, The Girl Made of Clay, was named a Top Book accordi…

Are you a writer who struggles to write because of a chronic illness or a writer who desires to write a disabled character with integrity and authenticity? If so, this episode is for you. Certified Book Coach Sandra Postma and I discuss how chronic conditions can shape the creative process, tackling issues like fatigue and brain fog. Sandra, a chro…

On writing with heart, soul, and pen! Robin Finn, MPH, MA, is the author of the new book, Heart. Soul. Pen.: Find Your Voice on the Page and in Your Life. She is the creator and founder of Heart. Soul. Pen.® women’s writing workshops and Hot Writing™ where midlife and menopause inspire the desire to say what you mean without apologizing. Robin teac…