Navigating Feedback and Building Creative Confidence with Amber Petty

Amber Petty helps creatives get bylines and build audiences. She's written for the New York Times, Parade, Bustle, and others, and her clients have been published in outlets like the New Yorker, Washington Post, New York Times and many more. Amber talks with me about how she moved from teaching singing to teaching freelancing, how easy it is to downplay our accomplishments when we really should give ourselves credit for them, how to take feedback, and more.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction.

01:56 Losing job led to full-time freelancing and shift in focus.

03:45 Pandemic inspired helping performers explore alternative side gigs.

05:06 Initial workshop success revealed a real demand for guidance.

06:42 Freelance writing felt more natural and sustainable than voice lessons.

08:32 Previous failures provided valuable lessons for current business success.

11:03 Business doesn’t have to feel hard to be worthwhile.

12:43 Take the easy path—hard enough already for perfectionists.

14:18 Writing doesn’t always need to be grueling or tortured.

15:58 Feedback is easier when you’re getting paid as a freelancer.

18:26 Editors focus on fitting articles, not judging your talent.

22:33 Read editorial feedback in a friendly, not critical, voice.

24:09 Creatives often undervalue or dismiss their legitimate achievements.

28:39 Small victories matter—acknowledge courage to pitch and publish.

33:48 Freelancing provided more satisfaction and momentum than acting.

36:57 Diverse backgrounds enrich your approach to writing and teaching.

40:33 Theater and improv help with webinars, workshops, and engagement.

 

Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.

 

If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.

Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.