Consistency Over Perfection: The Real Path to Writing Success

In this episode of "Pass the Mic" by Resilient Voice Media, Gabi interviews Jenny Quinlan, an experienced editor, book coach, and founder of Historical Editorial and The Winning Writers Club. With over 14 years of experience and 500+ manuscripts under her belt, Jenny shares her journey from self-doubt to self-confidence and how that evolution now helps others succeed.

She discusses overcoming procrastination, perfectionism, and fear, and highlights how mindset, habits, and community support are essential for creative growth. Jenny talks about her work guiding writers—especially in historical fiction, fantasy, and romance—and how her newest venture, the Winning Writers Club, helps writers build accountability, confidence, and momentum.

Jenny's story is full of practical advice for beating creative blocks and serves as a reminder that every writer has the potential to move forward by simply starting. She also shares a sneak peek into her debut nonfiction book, The Writer's Little Book of Self-Confidence, published in February 2025.

 

Building Consistent Writing Habits (00:06:18) Jenny explains the importance of consistency, breaking writing into manageable steps, and developing a regular writing routine.

Jenny's Early Career & Natural Strengths (00:08:46) Jenny shares her journey from struggling writer to editor, and how her diverse experiences contributed to her current career.

Proudest Career Wins (00:13:12) Jenny highlights key achievements: starting her business, public speaking at conferences, and leading a major industry event.

Navigating Industry Changes & Business Pivots (00:21:39) Jenny describes reaching a business crossroads, diversifying her services, and adapting to changing industry and client needs.

Burnout and Setting Boundaries (00:25:40) Jenny talks about experiencing burnout, phasing out book cover design, and learning to set boundaries for self-care.

Overcoming Self-Sabotage (00:30:58) Jenny details her strategies for tackling procrastination and perfectionism, and the importance of accepting "done is better than perfect."

Building Self-Belief and Support Systems (00:33:05) Jenny explains her independent approach, the role of self-belief, and the value of supportive friends and clients.

About the Winning Writers Club (00:39:13) Jenny describes her membership community's focus on mindset, consistency, productivity, and accountability for writers.

What Makes Jenny's Community Unique (00:42:10) Jenny explains how her group differs by emphasizing mental support, creative well-being, and mindset over just craft or marketing.

Mindset Work for Writers (00:45:28) Discussion on the necessity of mindset work for writers, and how underlying beliefs impact creative success.

Advice for New Writers Facing Fear (00:45:56) Jenny offers practical steps for beginners: do some learning, avoid over-preparing, and start writing to build confidence.

Powerful Quotes from the Episode

Jenny, 00:15:56, 'That was another big win for me—having the courage to say yes, I'm going to try this, because that was a pretty big step outside my comfort zone.'

Jenny, 00:30:02, 'For me, my two biggest sabotages were procrastination and perfectionism, both rooted in fear.'

Jenny, 00:31:50, 'Having a real conversation with yourself about who you are and why you are that way can really help you find the confidence to overcome some of those sabotages and do what you really want to do.'

Jenny, 00:36:06, 'Sometimes when you tell somebody what you're do