S12 E50: Novelist Gina Wilson

What does it feel like when time slips away and creativity flows effortlessly? For Gina Wilson, this unexpected state of "flow" during writing became the bridge between her established career as an executive coach and her emerging identity as a novelist. 

Wilson brings a unique perspective to her writing, grounded in her Master's degree in Cognitive Psychology and years of helping leaders overcome burnout and self-doubt. During our conversation, she reveals how she discovered writing induced a state of complete immersion and energy that contrasted sharply with the depleted feeling many experience in their professional lives. This revelation led her from non-fiction to her recent novel "Silicon Valley East," which follows a female protagonist navigating the male-dominated tech world of the 1980s.

The conversation explores the discipline behind creative work, with Wilson sharing her structured approach to writing—daily dedicated time blocks, character spreadsheets, and regular revision cycles. Her methods reflect her background in management consulting while allowing space for creative exploration. Most refreshing is Wilson's candid discussion of vulnerability in the creative process, particularly when sharing work with writing groups and beta readers. She credits these communities with providing crucial feedback while acknowledging how difficult it can be to open oneself to critique.

At its heart, Wilson's message centers on personal agency—the belief that we aren't victims of circumstance but can make meaningful choices that transform our lives. Whether through coaching or storytelling, she aims to help people recognize their power to pivot when one path doesn't work out. For writers still finding their voice, her advice resonates with authenticity: write in your own voice, because no one else shares your unique perspective and experiences. In a world increasingly populated by AI-generated content, Wilson's emphasis on genuine human expression feels both timely and essential.

Ready to discover how your creative pursuits might transform your professional journey? Listen to this episode, then reflect on when you last experienced true flow in your own life—that magical state where time disappears and energy abounds.

Send us a text

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.