April 8, 2025 • 37 mins
Five book coaches reveal their most powerful mindset hacks to help you crush self-doubt, overcome perfectionism, and finally finish your first draft—even if you've been stuck for months.
Picture this: You sit down with a fresh cup of coffee, open your laptop to write your novel, and then that voice of doubt creeps in: "This is terrible. You don't know what you're doing." And then you're staring at a blinking cursor, completely frozen.
Sound familiar?
If you're nodding your head, you're not alone. Whether you're just starting your first novel or you've been trying to finish that draft for months (or years!), these mental roadblocks aren't signs of failure—they're normal challenges every writer faces.
Tune in to this episode to hear five proven mindset strategies from professional book coaches and editors who have helped countless first-time novelists overcome writer's block, self-doubt, and procrastination to finally type "The End" on their first drafts.
- [02:11] The surprising mindset shift that turns "This writing is terrible" into productive writing sessions
- [08:41] How to carve out writing time that actually works (without quitting your day job or neglecting your family)
- [14:43] Why waiting to "feel inspired" is killing your novel—and the counterintuitive approach that actually works
- [20:12] The five simple questions that can rescue your story when you're stuck in the dreaded "middle slump"
- [27:08] How strategic "neglect" might be the missing ingredient to finally type "The End" on your manuscript
If you're an aspiring author who is writing your first draft, or if you've started multiple manuscripts but keep getting stuck in the middle, this episode's for you!
🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:
- Get on the waitlist for my Notes to Novel course!
- Candace Coakley’s website and Instagram
- Sam Henke’s website and Instagram
- Jenny Luke’s website and Instagram
- Karla Diaz’s website and Instagram
- Sam Cameron’s website and Instagram
⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts
"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure t
Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I know it can be so hard to sit down to write when
you know there are dishes in thesink or laundry to be done or,
in my case, a lot of dog hair tovacuum up.
This is something I definitelyneed to work on, because in
almost all scenarios I know thatI will prioritize cleaning or
doing chores or whatever, and Iwill blame it on my brain
needing a clean space to do thework, which is probably partly
(00:20):
true, but I also know somewherein the back of my head that it's
kind of a cop-out.
Welcome to the Fiction WritingMade Easy podcast.
My name is Savannah Gilbo andI'm here to help you write a
story that works.
I want to prove to you thatwriting a novel doesn't have to
be overwhelming, so each week,I'll bring you a brand new
episode with simple, actionableand step-by-step strategies that
(00:43):
you can implement in yourwriting right away.
So whether you're brand new towriting or more of a seasoned
author looking to improve yourcraft, this podcast is for you.
So pick up a pen and let's getstarted.
In today's episode, you'regoing to hear from five
different coaches and editors onhow to manage your mindset
while writing your book.
(01:03):
At the end of last year I polledyou, my lovely listeners, and I
know that so many of you areworking on your first drafts
maybe even your first draft ofyour first book ever and you're
coming up against some commonroadblocks that almost all
writers face A lack of time,perfectionism that says
everything you write is terrible, self-doubt that makes you
(01:23):
question everything you're doing, and so on and so on.
These are all very commonhurdles that new and experienced
writers face.
So the very first thing I wantyou to know before we dive into
the episode is that if you'restruggling to start your book or
finish your first draft, youare so not alone.
And second, this episode isgoing to help you with some of
those mental and emotionalroadblocks.
(01:44):
And second, this episode isgoing to help you with some of
those mental and emotionalroadblocks.
So what I did is I asked fivebook coaches and editors to
share their number one tip tohelp aspiring writers get to the
end of their first draft.
So you're going to hear tipsfrom Candice Coakley, sam Henke,
jenny Luke, carla Diaz and SamCameron, all geared towards
helping you build the writinglife you want, overcome some of
the most common mental andemotional roadblocks that hold
(02:07):
writers back and start makingheaps of progress on your book.
So, without further ado, let'sdive in, starting with a tip
from Candice Coakley, and she'sgoing to talk to you about
having compassion for yourselfas you go through the process of
writing your first draft.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Let's take a listen of writing your first draft.
Let's take a listen.
Hi there to all of Savannah'slisteners.
I'm Candice Coakley, a writingcoach, developmental editor and
meditation teacher.
I am passionate about helpingwriters craft and share
transformative stories, whetherthrough a compelling memoir or
an unforgettable novel.
Today, I want to talk aboutsomething that affects every
(02:45):
writer at some point being kindto yourself during the messy
process of writing your firstdraft.
It's so important to havecompassion for yourself.
I often see writersunnecessarily beating themselves
up.
Here's a scenario A writer sitsat her desk ready to tackle her
first draft.
She has high hopes for today'ssession.
She's made a fresh cup ofcoffee, set the mood with a
(03:08):
candle and cracked open herlaptop.
But after a few sentences, thatfamiliar voice of doubt starts
whispering.
This is terrible.
You don't know what you'redoing.
The more she writes, the louderthe voice gets, until
eventually she's frozen staringat the screen.
She slams her laptop infrustration, thinking I'll never
(03:29):
get this right.
Does this sound familiar?
It's so common, especially whenwe're creating something new.
But what if we approach thesemoments with humor instead of
frustration?
What if, instead of feelingrage, we made a huge joke of it
to bring down the tension,instead of listening to that
nasty inner critic, we couldthink well, there's my writing
(03:51):
neuroses showing up again.
Guess we're in for a wild ridetoday.
A little laughter at ourselvescan go a long way.
After all, these imperfectionsare what make us human.
This type of authenticity isthe perfect fodder for deepening
our characters.
Plus, making fun of quirksgives us something to laugh
about later and to commiseratewith our writing friends.
(04:12):
As writers, we're drawn toexploring the human condition,
and what's more human thanimperfection?
Channeling these raw feelingsinto your work is far more
valuable than letting themstress you out.
That's why my self-compassiontip for today is simple but
powerful Keep your sense ofhumor.
By lightening up and laughingat ourselves, we can be more
(04:34):
compassionate toward our writingand its inevitable
imperfections.
Some of my favorite authors andmeditation experts use humor and
don't take themselves soseriously.
I love the way best-sellingauthor Anne Hood talks about
writing.
She jokes it's not brainsurgery.
When we mess up, nobody dies.
She keeps it in perspective andencourages us to approach our
(04:56):
craft with dedication, butwithout the paralyzing pressure
on ourselves.
Another example from anotherwriter named Anne is Anne
Lamott's humorous,self-deprecating tone, which is
what makes her work so authentic.
She encourages us to embraceour shitty first drafts without
being so harsh on ourselves.
Some of my favorite mindfulnessexperts also take a
(05:19):
lighthearted approach.
In interviews, the Dalai Lamaoften laughs at himself, joking
about his bald head or thesimplicity of his monk's robes.
He finds joy and humility inthe everyday.
In, jack Kornfield, a renownedteacher of mindfulness and
Buddhism, says If you can'tlaugh at yourself, you've missed
(05:39):
the whole point of being human.
He reminds us that thespiritual journey isn't just
about discipline and seriousness.
It's also about joy, lightnessand celebrating the human
experience in all its messybeauty.
This perspective is exactlywhat we need when we're sitting
in front of a blank page or amessy draft, thinking why isn't
(06:00):
this perfect?
Yet, instead of treating everyimperfection like a catastrophe,
we can approach it withkindness and a little fun.
Even as we take our writingseriously, we can take ourselves
lightly.
So take that messy first draftin stride.
Keep your sense of humor andremember that your neuroses and
imperfections are part of thejourney, maybe even the best
(06:23):
part.
Embrace it all and use it todeepen your story, your
characters and your writing life.
To wrap up, I want to share aquick way to bring compassion
and humor into your writingpractice.
It's called self-compassionatereframing.
So here's what you do when youcatch yourself thinking negative
thoughts like this is terrible.
So here's what you do when youcatch yourself thinking negative
(06:44):
thoughts like this is terrible.
I'm a bad writer.
Pause and reframe it with humor.
Even bad puns or silly jokeswork.
For example, if writing baddialogue is a crime, lock me up
or plot twist.
The real genius of this chapteris its ability to confuse even
the author.
Sure, it's cheesy, but you getthe point.
(07:06):
Crack yourself up.
A good laugh will trigger theendorphins and put you in a
better mood about your shittyfirst draft.
If you want moreself-compassion mindset ideas,
there's a list on my websitecalled Take your Writer Self
Less Seriously.
Thanks for listening and happywriting.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
I love what Candice said there.
Less seriously Thanks forlistening and happy writing
feeling and I love how Candiceshared some tips for how to
shift your mindset when thishappens, especially how she
talked about reframing some ofour negative thoughts with humor
.
I also like to check myselfsometimes when the negative
thoughts creep in and I'll pauseand think to myself is this
something I would ever say to afriend?
(07:57):
Like, if a friend was writing abook, would I ever stop and
tell them hey, just so you knowyour dialogue is really bad.
You should probably give up onyour dream of writing a book?
Absolutely not.
There is no way I would eversay that to a friend.
So sometimes just thinking thatthrough helps me realize I'm
being so tough on myself and Ideserve a little compassion
Because, let's face it, writinga book is challenging, right?
(08:20):
We all deserve a littlecompassion, not just because
we're human, but also becausewe're actually setting out to do
something challenging.
So no wonder we're not prosright out the gate, right?
Anyway, candice, thank you somuch for sharing this tip with
us.
If anyone listening wants toget in touch with Candice or
follow along with what she'sdoing, I will link to all the
places.
You can find her on theinternet in the show notes.
(08:40):
Next up, we're going to hearfrom Sam Hinke, and Sam's going
to talk about how to prioritizeyour writing time when life gets
busy.
So here's the tip.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
I'm Sam Hinke, an author accelerator, certified
fiction book coach.
I live in Louisville, Kentucky,with my husband, two daughters,
a dog and a bunny namedSherlock.
Prioritizing writing when youhave a full-time job or are a
stay-at-home parent is difficult.
Time is one of our mostprecious resources and none of
(09:12):
us feel like we have enough ofit, especially when we have
responsibilities that take upmost of our day.
If there is anyone out therewho does have plenty of time for
everything that they need andwant to do, I'd love to meet
them so they can teach me theirmagic.
But for the rest of us, meremortals that are writing in the
margins of our day, I've puttogether some tips to help us
(09:33):
give ourselves permission toprioritize writing.
So, first and foremost, youneed to be clear on why you're
writing.
Why does writing this storymean so much to you?
What is the goal you're tryingto reach?
How will it feel when you reachthat goal?
Write down your why and put itup on your bathroom mirror to
(09:54):
remind yourself that thisendeavor is important and that
you must prioritize it if youare to meet that goal.
Now that you're clear on yourwhy, what does giving yourself
permission to write look like ona day-to-day level.
It looks like scheduling yourwriting time on your calendar
just like you would schedule adoctor's appointment.
(10:16):
Be careful to be realisticabout where that time fits best
and how much time you actuallyhave available to you.
Don't set yourself up forfailure by scheduling the most
idealized option that is notactually attainable.
If you're a morning person,consider scheduling writing for
(10:39):
the morning before the kids getup or before you have to leave
for work.
If you are a night owl, theevening will be a better option.
I personally use a daily topthree list to make sure I'm
accomplishing my top priorities.
Of course, there's always morethan three things that I want to
accomplish in a day, but theseare the three things that are
(11:02):
non-negotiable highest priorityfor the day.
But these are the three thingsthat are non-negotiable highest
priority for the day.
So if your goal is to writethree days a week, then for
three days writing should be onyour top three list.
Resist the urge to leave it off.
This is part of giving yourselfpermission to prioritize
writing.
If you're struggling toconsistently put it on a list,
(11:23):
read your why and remindyourself of its importance.
At night, check your top threelists to see what you
accomplished and what you didn't.
If you didn't get your writingdone, ask yourself why it didn't
happen.
Was it something totally out ofyour control, like a kid
getting sick or the car breakingdown?
Or was it losing time scrollingon your phone or putting other
(11:47):
tasks first or kids interrupting?
Note down the reasons and,after a few weeks, look for
patterns.
Once you've identified theobstacles in your way, you can
work on making changes.
If you have ADHD and findyou're distracted by other tasks
, post that top three listsomewhere where you will see it
multiple times throughout theday.
(12:08):
You may need to move where youpost the list every few days so
that you don't get used toseeing a note card there and
stop noticing it.
Finally, we must communicatewhat we need from our families.
They love us and want to helpus, but they aren't mind readers
.
If you have young children,schedule with your spouse for
(12:31):
when your spouse can keep themoccupied while you write.
I strongly encourage you toshare your writing goals with
your kids so they understand whyit's important to you.
Check in with your kids andtell them how your draft is
coming along and celebrate withthem when you hit a milestone.
Kids, especially young kids,are more cooperative when they
(12:53):
feel like they're involved.
If you have older kids or teenswho have a habit of
interrupting because they simplyforget that you're busy, it is
absolutely fine to hang awriting in progress sign on the
door to remind them that you'rebusy.
It is absolutely fine to hang awriting in progress sign on the
door to remind them that you'rebusy.
Brainstorm with your spouse onways to simplify life, even a
few days a week.
This might look like orderinggrocery pickup or delivery, your
(13:16):
spouse taking over cooking afew nights a week, or your
spouse handling bedtime on theirown so that you can start
writing earlier in the evening.
In summary, get clear on whywriting is important to you and
prioritize it like any otherappointment.
Use a daily top three list toidentify obstacles and
communicate the support you needfrom your family.
(13:38):
I hope these tips help you makemore time for writing so you
can reach your goals.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
I love all of these tips, sam.
Thank you so much for sharingthese.
I know for me personally itsounds easy to give yourself
permission to write, but inreality it can be super hard to
do for all of the reasons Sampointed out.
I love the idea of gettingfriends and family involved and
rooting for you, and I've heardfrom so many writers who have
done this that it really helpsin terms of their ability to
(14:05):
show up at their desk.
One of the writers in my notesto novel course recently shared
with me that during dinner herfamily does a little check-in on
each of their days or thedifferent things they're working
on, and she loves having thattime and space to update her
family on her novel, and sheeven said that recently she's
been getting her kids involvedin brainstorming things for her
book as well.
She said they don't always comeup with the best ideas, but
(14:28):
talk about a fun family activitythat really helps your kids and
your spouse feel a rootinginterest in your book.
Right?
I think that's so neat.
So anyway, thank you, sam, forsharing these tips with us.
I will, of course, post all thelinks to where you can find Sam
around the internet in the shownotes All right.
Next up we're going to hearfrom Jenny Luke on the idea of
having the courage to write yourfirst book and really owning
(14:48):
the idea of being a beginner.
So here's the clip.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
G'day.
It's Jenny here and I'm soexcited to be part of this
podcast episode because I lovesharing my passion for writing
anytime I can.
I'm an author, professionalcopywriter and certified book
coach and, I'm happy to say I'vemade my living out of writing
for over 15 years now.
I love all things writing, butI also know how tricky it can be
(15:14):
to keep your head in the gamewhen you're starting out as a
new writer or you're deep into abig writing project like
drafting a novel.
As an active writer and writingcoach, I'm pretty familiar with
the crazy roller coaster rideof drafting a novel, and I love
helping writers find theirgroove and rise to the challenge
.
Taking on a novel-lengthproject is thrilling, but it's
(15:35):
not for the faint-hearted, andmindset can be so important to
see you through.
So today I want to zero in ontwo key mindset ideas that I
believe can be super useful inhelping you successfully finish
your first draft.
Idea number one is givingyourself permission to be a
beginner, and idea number two ishaving the courage to start
writing, no matter where you arein the writing process.
(15:58):
If things have stalled, itcould be one or both of these
things making it feel hard foryou to write.
Firstly, I want you to take amoment to remember that every
writer starts out as a beginner.
Including the successfulauthors you admire most, they
didn't start out writing perfectdrafts and it's likely they
still don't.
I can promise you that yourfirst draft won't be perfect, no
(16:19):
matter how hard you try, butwriting a perfect first draft
isn't the name of the game, sothat's totally okay.
Try to give yourself freedom towrite imperfectly, be creative
and messy and make mistakes, andembrace the notion that this
raw draft is really just thebeginning.
Your draft will be imperfectrelative to your intended
(16:40):
finished product, but it's anessential ingredient in the
process.
So be cool with the rawness andimperfections.
See how it changes your writingsessions for the better.
Now, the second idea I want usto talk about is having the
courage to start.
Sometimes, sitting down to writeis the hardest thing to do, and
it's so strange because, on onehand, we want to write but on
(17:01):
the other hand, we findourselves reluctant to do the
writing.
Weird, huh.
But the reason why often comesdown to us feeling some sort of
fear.
What if I'm no good at this?
What if nobody wants to readwhat I've written?
What if I get stuck and I don'tknow what to do next.
You're not alone if you've hadthoughts like these, because I'm
pretty sure we all do.
(17:21):
There can be so much going onin our heads before we've even
picked up a pen or put ourfingers on the keyboard.
But here's the thing fear or alack of confidence is a natural
part of the process and everycreative, no matter how
experienced, goes through itfrom time to time process and
every creative, no matter howexperienced, goes through it
from time to time.
So what can we do when fearshows up?
Well, we can identify thesefearful thoughts for what they
(17:44):
are, which is mostly unhelpful,and then replace them with a
different set of thoughts thatare grounded in courage rather
than fear.
It really does take courage tobe a writer, but when we muster
courage and make a start, that'swhen motivation and inspiration
show up, and this is reallyimportant to know.
Motivation and inspirationoften show up after we've begun
(18:06):
putting words onto the page, notbefore then.
With this new courageousmindset that says, stuff the
fear and self-doubt, I'm justgoing to write.
Anyway, your writing sessionthat started out feeling pretty
shaky transforms into aninspired and productive writing
session.
It comes down to taking thatfirst step.
(18:26):
So at this point there's partof me that wants to say give
yourself permission to fail.
But I also want to tell youthat in writing, you actually
can't fail.
Writing is a process of trialand error and it's iterative in
nature.
You are going to write badsentences, you will have off
days and you will get stuck, butit's all part of the journey,
(18:48):
because you'll also writegorgeous sentences, have great
days and, with any luck,experience your own version of
writer's flow.
The challenging days are whatmake the eventual great days
feel so amazing.
You just have to keep showingup.
Okie dokie.
I'm so glad we've had thischance to chat and I really hope
you find these tips useful.
(19:09):
You really can write a wholedraft from start to finish.
So start where you are, usewhat you have and trust the
process, and remember what thatwise fish once said just keep
swimming.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
I love this, jenny, and I totally agree with
everything you said.
These are such great remindersfor everyone who is in the
writing trenches right now, andI especially like the idea of
having courage to show up and bea beginner.
This is something I talk abouta lot in my Notes to Novel
course the idea of havingcourage before confidence.
And that's just because theconfidence is going to come.
It will come the more you showup at your desk, the more you
(19:45):
hone your writing skills andthings like that.
So, yes, we might not haveconfidence right now, but we are
all capable of tapping intothat source of courage we have
inside of us that helps us dohard things.
Even if you're brand new towriting, you can tap into this
well of courage and let itpropel you through your first
draft.
That is absolutely true.
So thank you so much, jenny,for sharing these tips with us
(20:06):
and for my listeners.
I will link to where you canfind Jenny around the internet
in the show notes if you want toget in touch with her.
Next up, we're going to hearfrom Carla Diaz and she's going
to talk to us about lettingcuriosity guide our way forward.
Here is the clip.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
Hello, my name is Carla Diaz.
I am a bilingual author,accelerator, certified book
coach, a story grid scenewriting workshop coach and a
developmental editor.
I support writers in Englishand Spanish in taking their
stories from an idea to afinished draft on which they can
proudly sign their names.
Today, I'm excited to share howwriters can spark their
(20:42):
creativity just by stayingcurious.
According to the online OxfordEnglish Dictionary, curiosity is
defined as a desire to know orlearn In the best way.
It's that eagerness to exploreanything new or unusual.
It's that eagerness to exploreanything new or unusual.
Curiosity is such a wonderfulpart of being human.
Without it, we might not bewhere we are today.
(21:02):
Just think about our ancestors.
They ventured out of theircaves, were eager to explore the
world, and even crossed oceansto discover new lands.
It's astonishing how curiositydrives our minds to grow and our
civilization to flourish.
This trait is incrediblyvaluable for writers.
By nurturing their curiosityabout the world around them,
(21:24):
writers can discover answers totheir own lingering questions
and, in doing so, providereaders with the insights they
are eager to find.
When writers lack curiosity,their storytelling can become
stagnant and uninspired.
Without curiosity, a writer mayfall into the trap of relying
(21:48):
on clichés and predictableplotlines, leading to a
narrative that feels formulaic.
The writing process can becomemechanical, with the writer
merely going through the motionsrather than crafting a
narrative that captivates andchallenges the reader.
This can lead to a disconnectbetween the writer and their
audience, as the story fails toevoke the intended emotional
response or provoke thought.
Curiosity is essential forwriters to create dynamic,
(22:09):
engaging stories that resonatewith readers and leave a lasting
impact.
The good news is that writersare curious by nature.
They have a fearless spiritwhen it comes to asking
questions.
This curiosity inspires them toexplore intriguing what-if
scenarios, dive deep into theircharacter psyches and uncover
(22:30):
the rich nuances of their storyworlds.
The five Ws are always nearbywho, what, where, when.
Although not technically a Whow and why.
Who are the characters?
What is the plot?
Where is the setting?
When is the timing of the storyor when does it take place?
How pertains to the story'sstructure or transformation arc,
(22:54):
which might include a single,combined or group protagonist,
and why is the theme?
Nurturing a mindset thatactively seeks fresh
perspectives and insights is keyto keeping the spark of
curiosity alive in your writing.
Here are some strategies tohelp you maintain that curiosity
in your daily life and as adriving force in your writing
(23:16):
that curiosity in your dailylife and as a driving force in
your writing.
Practice mindful observation.
Take time to notice the detailsin your surroundings, whether
it's the texture of a leaf orthe rhythm of a bustling street.
Paying attention to the smallthings can spark curiosity and
inspire creative thought.
Engage in active listening.
When conversing with others,focus on truly understanding
(23:37):
their perspectives, Askquestions and seek to learn from
their experiences.
This practice not only fuelscuriosity, but also deepens your
connections with others.
Set aside time for reflection.
Dedicate a few moments each dayto reflecting on what you've
learned or observed.
You keep your curiosity activeby documenting your thoughts,
(23:58):
questions and observations aboutthe world around you.
Journaling can be a powerfultool for helping you process and
explore your thoughts moredeeply.
Embrace the unexpected, Allowyourself to follow unexpected
paths and explore new interests.
Whether you take a differentroute home or try a new hobby,
embracing the unexpected canlead to delightful discoveries
(24:20):
and fuel your curiosity.
As mentioned before, ask what,if Constantly pose hypothetical
questions about your characters,settings and plot.
This practice stimulatescreative thinking and can lead
to unexpected twists anddevelopments in your story.
And can lead to unexpectedtwists and developments in your
story.
This one is super importantStudy masterworks.
(24:41):
Masterworks are stories thathave endured and resonated with
readers across generations.
Studying masterworks allows usto develop pattern recognition
by identifying the structuralelements that consistently
engage readers.
It also exposes us to genremastery by helping us understand
genre conventions andobligatory moments.
(25:02):
Challenge assumptions.
Don't take anything for grantedin your writing.
Question established norms andconventions and consider
alternative viewpoints.
This mindset can lead toinnovative storytelling and
fresh insights.
This mindset can lead toinnovative storytelling and
fresh insights.
Engage with diverse media.
Explore various forms ofstorytelling beyond books, such
(25:24):
as films, theater and even videogames.
Each medium offers uniquenarrative techniques and can
inspire fresh ideas for yourwriting.
Travel and explore newenvironments.
If possible, visit new placesand immerse yourself in
different cultures.
The experiences and stories youencounter can provide rich
material for your writing.
(25:44):
By integrating these practicesinto your routine, you can
maintain a vibrant sense ofcuriosity that continually fuels
your writing.
Remember, the ultimate goal isto generate catharsis, that
satisfying release of tensionand emotion, which is only
possible when curiosity has beenskillfully maintained
throughout the narrative.
(26:04):
So tell me, how do you ensurecuriosity remains a central part
of your writing process?
Speaker 1 (26:12):
This is such a great tip, and I think that curiosity
is something we're all born withand can exercise like a muscle.
I really resonate with whatCarla said about asking why to
everything too.
For me, this is so much fun todo, whether it's asking why
about my character's motivations, or asking why a certain genre
convention needs to be in astory in order for it to work,
(26:32):
or whatever it is.
I think this is such a greatway to not only understand what
makes stories work, but it'salso helpful in terms of getting
to the heart of what you'rewriting about or getting
yourself unstuck.
So I 100% agree with what Carlasaid being curious and stoking
the flames of your curiosity isso important.
I also love what she said aboutexposing our minds to new
(26:54):
things, whether that be throughtravel, different storytelling
mediums or whatever it is.
It's so, so good and soimportant.
So thank you, carla, and foranyone listening, if you want to
get in touch with Carla, I willlink to where you can find her
around the internet in the shownotes Next up.
We're going to hear from SamCameron, and Sam is sharing such
a fun and unique perspective onbalancing writing with chores
(27:15):
and how to figure out what toprioritize, if you feel.
Speaker 6 (27:23):
Hello writers.
I'm Sam Cameron, the author andbook coach behind Truant Pen, a
substack of weekly advice forstuck writers.
I have always enjoyed cooking,mostly because cooking is a
prerequisite to eating, which ismy true passion.
When I started my career as ahigh school teacher, cooking was
(27:45):
a source of solace and acreative outlet.
I would get home at 3 pm, hoursbefore my wife, and be too
mentally and emotionallydepleted to write, but I could
reliably get myself into thekitchen by 5 o'clock to make
dinner.
It was a pleasure to give myovertaxed brain a break while my
(28:05):
hands were busy.
Sometimes podcasts and musickept me company.
Sometimes I cooked alone withmy thoughts.
At the end of my labors, I wasrewarded with something warm and
delicious to eat, as well as mywife's praise and gratitude.
When the pandemic began, I feltlike the only person in America
(28:26):
who started cooking less.
That spring, as other peoplediscovered their kitchens, I
reconnected with the writtenword.
Instead of homemade sourdough,I devoured books.
Reading and writing became myescape.
I realized how much I hadmissed storytelling as my
(28:47):
creative outlet.
So when the world began to openback up and my calendar started
to fill up with pre-pandemicobligations, I knew that if I
wanted reading and writing tostay front and center in my life
, something else had to diminish, else had to diminish.
(29:11):
I chose cooking From autilitarian perspective.
The point of cooking was to beable to eat, and there were
plenty of ways to keep myselfand my wife adequately fed
without needing to spend an houror more in the kitchen each
night, plus all of the mentaleffort that went into meal
planning and grocery shopping.
Having had this revelation aboutcooking, I began to have others
as well, such as that I didn'tneed to fold and put away my
(29:34):
clean clothes.
My wife had happily lived outof a laundry basket of clean,
unfolded laundry for years.
It turns out I can too.
On the surface, my wife and Imight look like we've regressed.
In our 20s, we had a tidy,well-decorated apartment and
home-cooked meals.
Nearly every night Our friendswould come over and remark that
(29:57):
it looked like real grown-upslived here.
Now, in our 30s, we eat fewerfresh vegetables and our
apartment looks like thebachelor pad neither of us ever
had.
But we're so much happierBecause we're no longer
committing time and energy tolive up to someone else's
standard of excellence.
(30:18):
We can devote ourselves insteadto the work we each love to do.
In my case, that's been writingbooks and running my business
as a book coach.
Kurt Vonnegut once said thatwriting is a lot like inflating
a blimp with a bicycle pumpAnybody can do it.
All it takes is time.
(30:39):
If writing matters to you andyou struggle to have the time or
energy to do it, you may needto take other things off your
plate so that you have time torest and time to write.
What can you drop or choose tofail at?
For me, I've chosen to fail atkeeping up with dishes and
(30:59):
folding laundry.
My apartment is messy, but mybooks get written.
You might be thinking toyourself okay, sam, maybe that
worked for you, but I love tocook, or I need to have a tidy
living space in order tofunction.
So your equation might lookdifferent from mine.
(31:20):
Maybe your answer is to shareresponsibilities with someone
else, such as a partner or achild who is ready to take on
some more responsibility at home, or a neighbor your kids can
carpool with.
It can be really difficult toask for this help.
It may even feel selfish, butyou will be a much better friend
(31:41):
slash partner, slash parent ifyou are carving out this time
for yourself.
My recommendation is to audithow you spend your time, to help
you figure out what is trulyessential to your functioning
and to the well-being of yourloved ones, and then to figure
out what to drop, streamline orwhere to ask for support so you
(32:01):
have more time to rest and write.
It's important to note thatthese decisions will require
sacrifice.
To get my writing done, I'vetraded in tidiness and
home-cooked meals.
I also have reduced my teachinghours to part-time and will
eventually stop entirely, whichhas come with a pay cut and less
(32:24):
stability.
My wife and I agreed that forus, this was a doable and
worthwhile sacrifice.
What does that trade-off looklike for you?
What are you willing and ableto give up so that you have the
time and energy to write thebook you've always dreamed of
writing?
I hope you find thespaciousness you deserve.
(32:45):
I can't wait to read your book.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
This is such a great tip and it's something that I
think I personally needed tohear as well.
If you're listening and yourbrain works like mine, I know it
can be so hard to sit down towrite when you know there are
dishes in the sink or laundry tobe done or, in my case, a lot
of dog hair to vacuum up.
This is something I definitelyneed to work on, because in
almost all scenarios I know thatI will prioritize cleaning or
(33:11):
doing chores or whatever, and Iwill blame it on my brain
needing a clean space to do thework, which is probably partly
true.
But I also know somewhere inthe back of my head that it's
kind of a cop-out.
I definitely get more of thatinstant reward or that instant
dopamine hit from cleaning upsomething or completing
something, checking it off myto-do list, and sometimes
because of that it feels easierthan writing.
(33:33):
But I also hear myself sayingthat right now and I'm like but
wait a minute, I want toprioritize my writing, I want to
get my book done.
So it's such a funny thing ourbrains do to us right, and I
know that I will definitely beputting some of Sam's tips into
practice for sure.
Everything she said is so truefor me and so timely.
So thank you so much for thesetips, sam.
(33:55):
For listeners, I will link towhere you can find Sam around
the internet in the show notes,and I know that Sam also has a
free time audit workbook you cangrab, so I will post a link to
that in the show notes as well.
Now, before I let you go, I wantto reiterate that if you're
struggling with any of thesecommon roadblocks, you are not
alone and there is helpavailable if you need it.
You can reach out to one of thecoaches or editors that were
(34:17):
featured in today's episode, oryou can get on the waitlist for
my Notes to Novel course thatwill be opening for enrollment
soon.
Notes to Novel is my signaturecourse that walks you through
how to brainstorm, outline andwrite your first draft in a way
that's both efficient andorganic, and it's designed to
help you overcome all of theroadblocks that aspiring authors
face, while giving you theproven and practical tools, tips
(34:39):
and strategies to actually getyour book written.
If you want to learn more aboutthe Notes to Novel course, you
can go to savannahgilbocomforward slash waitlist, and we
will also post that link in theshow notes for you as well.
So that's it for today'sepisode.
As always, thank you so much fortuning in and for showing your
(35:00):
support.
If you want to check out any ofthe links I mentioned in this
episode, you can find them inthe show notes listed in the
description of each episodeinside your podcast player or at
savannahgilbocom forward slashpodcast.
If you're an Apple user, I'dreally appreciate it if you took
a few seconds to leave a ratingand a review.
Your ratings and reviews tellApple that this is a podcast
(35:22):
that's worth listening to and,in turn, your reviews will help
this podcast get in front ofmore fiction writers just like
you.
And while you're there, goahead and hit that follow button
, because there's going to beanother brand new episode next
week, full of actionable tips,tools and strategies to help you
become a better writer.
So I'll see you next week anduntil then, happy writing.
I know it can be so hard to sit down to write when
you know there are dishes in thesink or laundry to be done or,
in my case, a lot of dog hair tovacuum up.
This is something I definitelyneed to work on, because in
almost all scenarios I know thatI will prioritize cleaning or
doing chores or whatever, and Iwill blame it on my brain
needing a clean space to do thework, which is probably partly
(00:20):
true, but I also know somewherein the back of my head that it's
kind of a cop-out.
Welcome to the Fiction WritingMade Easy podcast.
My name is Savannah Gilbo andI'm here to help you write a
story that works.
I want to prove to you thatwriting a novel doesn't have to
be overwhelming, so each week,I'll bring you a brand new
episode with simple, actionableand step-by-step strategies that
(00:43):
you can implement in yourwriting right away.
So whether you're brand new towriting or more of a seasoned
author looking to improve yourcraft, this podcast is for you.
So pick up a pen and let's getstarted.
In today's episode, you'regoing to hear from five
different coaches and editors onhow to manage your mindset
while writing your book.
(01:03):
At the end of last year I polledyou, my lovely listeners, and I
know that so many of you areworking on your first drafts
maybe even your first draft ofyour first book ever and you're
coming up against some commonroadblocks that almost all
writers face A lack of time,perfectionism that says
everything you write is terrible, self-doubt that makes you
(01:23):
question everything you're doing, and so on and so on.
These are all very commonhurdles that new and experienced
writers face.
So the very first thing I wantyou to know before we dive into
the episode is that if you'restruggling to start your book or
finish your first draft, youare so not alone.
And second, this episode isgoing to help you with some of
those mental and emotionalroadblocks.
(01:44):
And second, this episode isgoing to help you with some of
those mental and emotionalroadblocks.
So what I did is I asked fivebook coaches and editors to
share their number one tip tohelp aspiring writers get to the
end of their first draft.
So you're going to hear tipsfrom Candice Coakley, sam Henke,
jenny Luke, carla Diaz and SamCameron, all geared towards
helping you build the writinglife you want, overcome some of
the most common mental andemotional roadblocks that hold
(02:07):
writers back and start makingheaps of progress on your book.
So, without further ado, let'sdive in, starting with a tip
from Candice Coakley, and she'sgoing to talk to you about
having compassion for yourselfas you go through the process of
writing your first draft.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Let's take a listen of writing your first draft.
Let's take a listen.
Hi there to all of Savannah'slisteners.
I'm Candice Coakley, a writingcoach, developmental editor and
meditation teacher.
I am passionate about helpingwriters craft and share
transformative stories, whetherthrough a compelling memoir or
an unforgettable novel.
Today, I want to talk aboutsomething that affects every
(02:45):
writer at some point being kindto yourself during the messy
process of writing your firstdraft.
It's so important to havecompassion for yourself.
I often see writersunnecessarily beating themselves
up.
Here's a scenario A writer sitsat her desk ready to tackle her
first draft.
She has high hopes for today'ssession.
She's made a fresh cup ofcoffee, set the mood with a
(03:08):
candle and cracked open herlaptop.
But after a few sentences, thatfamiliar voice of doubt starts
whispering.
This is terrible.
You don't know what you'redoing.
The more she writes, the louderthe voice gets, until
eventually she's frozen staringat the screen.
She slams her laptop infrustration, thinking I'll never
(03:29):
get this right.
Does this sound familiar?
It's so common, especially whenwe're creating something new.
But what if we approach thesemoments with humor instead of
frustration?
What if, instead of feelingrage, we made a huge joke of it
to bring down the tension,instead of listening to that
nasty inner critic, we couldthink well, there's my writing
(03:51):
neuroses showing up again.
Guess we're in for a wild ridetoday.
A little laughter at ourselvescan go a long way.
After all, these imperfectionsare what make us human.
This type of authenticity isthe perfect fodder for deepening
our characters.
Plus, making fun of quirksgives us something to laugh
about later and to commiseratewith our writing friends.
(04:12):
As writers, we're drawn toexploring the human condition,
and what's more human thanimperfection?
Channeling these raw feelingsinto your work is far more
valuable than letting themstress you out.
That's why my self-compassiontip for today is simple but
powerful Keep your sense ofhumor.
By lightening up and laughingat ourselves, we can be more
(04:34):
compassionate toward our writingand its inevitable
imperfections.
Some of my favorite authors andmeditation experts use humor and
don't take themselves soseriously.
I love the way best-sellingauthor Anne Hood talks about
writing.
She jokes it's not brainsurgery.
When we mess up, nobody dies.
She keeps it in perspective andencourages us to approach our
(04:56):
craft with dedication, butwithout the paralyzing pressure
on ourselves.
Another example from anotherwriter named Anne is Anne
Lamott's humorous,self-deprecating tone, which is
what makes her work so authentic.
She encourages us to embraceour shitty first drafts without
being so harsh on ourselves.
Some of my favorite mindfulnessexperts also take a
(05:19):
lighthearted approach.
In interviews, the Dalai Lamaoften laughs at himself, joking
about his bald head or thesimplicity of his monk's robes.
He finds joy and humility inthe everyday.
In, jack Kornfield, a renownedteacher of mindfulness and
Buddhism, says If you can'tlaugh at yourself, you've missed
(05:39):
the whole point of being human.
He reminds us that thespiritual journey isn't just
about discipline and seriousness.
It's also about joy, lightnessand celebrating the human
experience in all its messybeauty.
This perspective is exactlywhat we need when we're sitting
in front of a blank page or amessy draft, thinking why isn't
(06:00):
this perfect?
Yet, instead of treating everyimperfection like a catastrophe,
we can approach it withkindness and a little fun.
Even as we take our writingseriously, we can take ourselves
lightly.
So take that messy first draftin stride.
Keep your sense of humor andremember that your neuroses and
imperfections are part of thejourney, maybe even the best
(06:23):
part.
Embrace it all and use it todeepen your story, your
characters and your writing life.
To wrap up, I want to share aquick way to bring compassion
and humor into your writingpractice.
It's called self-compassionatereframing.
So here's what you do when youcatch yourself thinking negative
thoughts like this is terrible.
So here's what you do when youcatch yourself thinking negative
(06:44):
thoughts like this is terrible.
I'm a bad writer.
Pause and reframe it with humor.
Even bad puns or silly jokeswork.
For example, if writing baddialogue is a crime, lock me up
or plot twist.
The real genius of this chapteris its ability to confuse even
the author.
Sure, it's cheesy, but you getthe point.
(07:06):
Crack yourself up.
A good laugh will trigger theendorphins and put you in a
better mood about your shittyfirst draft.
If you want moreself-compassion mindset ideas,
there's a list on my websitecalled Take your Writer Self
Less Seriously.
Thanks for listening and happywriting.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
I love what Candice said there.
Less seriously Thanks forlistening and happy writing
feeling and I love how Candiceshared some tips for how to
shift your mindset when thishappens, especially how she
talked about reframing some ofour negative thoughts with humor
.
I also like to check myselfsometimes when the negative
thoughts creep in and I'll pauseand think to myself is this
something I would ever say to afriend?
(07:57):
Like, if a friend was writing abook, would I ever stop and
tell them hey, just so you knowyour dialogue is really bad.
You should probably give up onyour dream of writing a book?
Absolutely not.
There is no way I would eversay that to a friend.
So sometimes just thinking thatthrough helps me realize I'm
being so tough on myself and Ideserve a little compassion
Because, let's face it, writinga book is challenging, right?
(08:20):
We all deserve a littlecompassion, not just because
we're human, but also becausewe're actually setting out to do
something challenging.
So no wonder we're not prosright out the gate, right?
Anyway, candice, thank you somuch for sharing this tip with
us.
If anyone listening wants toget in touch with Candice or
follow along with what she'sdoing, I will link to all the
places.
You can find her on theinternet in the show notes.
(08:40):
Next up, we're going to hearfrom Sam Hinke, and Sam's going
to talk about how to prioritizeyour writing time when life gets
busy.
So here's the tip.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
I'm Sam Hinke, an author accelerator, certified
fiction book coach.
I live in Louisville, Kentucky,with my husband, two daughters,
a dog and a bunny namedSherlock.
Prioritizing writing when youhave a full-time job or are a
stay-at-home parent is difficult.
Time is one of our mostprecious resources and none of
(09:12):
us feel like we have enough ofit, especially when we have
responsibilities that take upmost of our day.
If there is anyone out therewho does have plenty of time for
everything that they need andwant to do, I'd love to meet
them so they can teach me theirmagic.
But for the rest of us, meremortals that are writing in the
margins of our day, I've puttogether some tips to help us
(09:33):
give ourselves permission toprioritize writing.
So, first and foremost, youneed to be clear on why you're
writing.
Why does writing this storymean so much to you?
What is the goal you're tryingto reach?
How will it feel when you reachthat goal?
Write down your why and put itup on your bathroom mirror to
(09:54):
remind yourself that thisendeavor is important and that
you must prioritize it if youare to meet that goal.
Now that you're clear on yourwhy, what does giving yourself
permission to write look like ona day-to-day level.
It looks like scheduling yourwriting time on your calendar
just like you would schedule adoctor's appointment.
(10:16):
Be careful to be realisticabout where that time fits best
and how much time you actuallyhave available to you.
Don't set yourself up forfailure by scheduling the most
idealized option that is notactually attainable.
If you're a morning person,consider scheduling writing for
(10:39):
the morning before the kids getup or before you have to leave
for work.
If you are a night owl, theevening will be a better option.
I personally use a daily topthree list to make sure I'm
accomplishing my top priorities.
Of course, there's always morethan three things that I want to
accomplish in a day, but theseare the three things that are
(11:02):
non-negotiable highest priorityfor the day.
But these are the three thingsthat are non-negotiable highest
priority for the day.
So if your goal is to writethree days a week, then for
three days writing should be onyour top three list.
Resist the urge to leave it off.
This is part of giving yourselfpermission to prioritize
writing.
If you're struggling toconsistently put it on a list,
(11:23):
read your why and remindyourself of its importance.
At night, check your top threelists to see what you
accomplished and what you didn't.
If you didn't get your writingdone, ask yourself why it didn't
happen.
Was it something totally out ofyour control, like a kid
getting sick or the car breakingdown?
Or was it losing time scrollingon your phone or putting other
(11:47):
tasks first or kids interrupting?
Note down the reasons and,after a few weeks, look for
patterns.
Once you've identified theobstacles in your way, you can
work on making changes.
If you have ADHD and findyou're distracted by other tasks
, post that top three listsomewhere where you will see it
multiple times throughout theday.
(12:08):
You may need to move where youpost the list every few days so
that you don't get used toseeing a note card there and
stop noticing it.
Finally, we must communicatewhat we need from our families.
They love us and want to helpus, but they aren't mind readers
.
If you have young children,schedule with your spouse for
(12:31):
when your spouse can keep themoccupied while you write.
I strongly encourage you toshare your writing goals with
your kids so they understand whyit's important to you.
Check in with your kids andtell them how your draft is
coming along and celebrate withthem when you hit a milestone.
Kids, especially young kids,are more cooperative when they
(12:53):
feel like they're involved.
If you have older kids or teenswho have a habit of
interrupting because they simplyforget that you're busy, it is
absolutely fine to hang awriting in progress sign on the
door to remind them that you'rebusy.
It is absolutely fine to hang awriting in progress sign on the
door to remind them that you'rebusy.
Brainstorm with your spouse onways to simplify life, even a
few days a week.
This might look like orderinggrocery pickup or delivery, your
(13:16):
spouse taking over cooking afew nights a week, or your
spouse handling bedtime on theirown so that you can start
writing earlier in the evening.
In summary, get clear on whywriting is important to you and
prioritize it like any otherappointment.
Use a daily top three list toidentify obstacles and
communicate the support you needfrom your family.
(13:38):
I hope these tips help you makemore time for writing so you
can reach your goals.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
I love all of these tips, sam.
Thank you so much for sharingthese.
I know for me personally itsounds easy to give yourself
permission to write, but inreality it can be super hard to
do for all of the reasons Sampointed out.
I love the idea of gettingfriends and family involved and
rooting for you, and I've heardfrom so many writers who have
done this that it really helpsin terms of their ability to
(14:05):
show up at their desk.
One of the writers in my notesto novel course recently shared
with me that during dinner herfamily does a little check-in on
each of their days or thedifferent things they're working
on, and she loves having thattime and space to update her
family on her novel, and sheeven said that recently she's
been getting her kids involvedin brainstorming things for her
book as well.
She said they don't always comeup with the best ideas, but
(14:28):
talk about a fun family activitythat really helps your kids and
your spouse feel a rootinginterest in your book.
Right?
I think that's so neat.
So anyway, thank you, sam, forsharing these tips with us.
I will, of course, post all thelinks to where you can find Sam
around the internet in the shownotes All right.
Next up we're going to hearfrom Jenny Luke on the idea of
having the courage to write yourfirst book and really owning
(14:48):
the idea of being a beginner.
So here's the clip.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
G'day.
It's Jenny here and I'm soexcited to be part of this
podcast episode because I lovesharing my passion for writing
anytime I can.
I'm an author, professionalcopywriter and certified book
coach and, I'm happy to say I'vemade my living out of writing
for over 15 years now.
I love all things writing, butI also know how tricky it can be
(15:14):
to keep your head in the gamewhen you're starting out as a
new writer or you're deep into abig writing project like
drafting a novel.
As an active writer and writingcoach, I'm pretty familiar with
the crazy roller coaster rideof drafting a novel, and I love
helping writers find theirgroove and rise to the challenge
.
Taking on a novel-lengthproject is thrilling, but it's
(15:35):
not for the faint-hearted, andmindset can be so important to
see you through.
So today I want to zero in ontwo key mindset ideas that I
believe can be super useful inhelping you successfully finish
your first draft.
Idea number one is givingyourself permission to be a
beginner, and idea number two ishaving the courage to start
writing, no matter where you arein the writing process.
(15:58):
If things have stalled, itcould be one or both of these
things making it feel hard foryou to write.
Firstly, I want you to take amoment to remember that every
writer starts out as a beginner.
Including the successfulauthors you admire most, they
didn't start out writing perfectdrafts and it's likely they
still don't.
I can promise you that yourfirst draft won't be perfect, no
(16:19):
matter how hard you try, butwriting a perfect first draft
isn't the name of the game, sothat's totally okay.
Try to give yourself freedom towrite imperfectly, be creative
and messy and make mistakes, andembrace the notion that this
raw draft is really just thebeginning.
Your draft will be imperfectrelative to your intended
(16:40):
finished product, but it's anessential ingredient in the
process.
So be cool with the rawness andimperfections.
See how it changes your writingsessions for the better.
Now, the second idea I want usto talk about is having the
courage to start.
Sometimes, sitting down to writeis the hardest thing to do, and
it's so strange because, on onehand, we want to write but on
(17:01):
the other hand, we findourselves reluctant to do the
writing.
Weird, huh.
But the reason why often comesdown to us feeling some sort of
fear.
What if I'm no good at this?
What if nobody wants to readwhat I've written?
What if I get stuck and I don'tknow what to do next.
You're not alone if you've hadthoughts like these, because I'm
pretty sure we all do.
(17:21):
There can be so much going onin our heads before we've even
picked up a pen or put ourfingers on the keyboard.
But here's the thing fear or alack of confidence is a natural
part of the process and everycreative, no matter how
experienced, goes through itfrom time to time process and
every creative, no matter howexperienced, goes through it
from time to time.
So what can we do when fearshows up?
Well, we can identify thesefearful thoughts for what they
(17:44):
are, which is mostly unhelpful,and then replace them with a
different set of thoughts thatare grounded in courage rather
than fear.
It really does take courage tobe a writer, but when we muster
courage and make a start, that'swhen motivation and inspiration
show up, and this is reallyimportant to know.
Motivation and inspirationoften show up after we've begun
(18:06):
putting words onto the page, notbefore then.
With this new courageousmindset that says, stuff the
fear and self-doubt, I'm justgoing to write.
Anyway, your writing sessionthat started out feeling pretty
shaky transforms into aninspired and productive writing
session.
It comes down to taking thatfirst step.
(18:26):
So at this point there's partof me that wants to say give
yourself permission to fail.
But I also want to tell youthat in writing, you actually
can't fail.
Writing is a process of trialand error and it's iterative in
nature.
You are going to write badsentences, you will have off
days and you will get stuck, butit's all part of the journey,
(18:48):
because you'll also writegorgeous sentences, have great
days and, with any luck,experience your own version of
writer's flow.
The challenging days are whatmake the eventual great days
feel so amazing.
You just have to keep showingup.
Okie dokie.
I'm so glad we've had thischance to chat and I really hope
you find these tips useful.
(19:09):
You really can write a wholedraft from start to finish.
So start where you are, usewhat you have and trust the
process, and remember what thatwise fish once said just keep
swimming.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
I love this, jenny, and I totally agree with
everything you said.
These are such great remindersfor everyone who is in the
writing trenches right now, andI especially like the idea of
having courage to show up and bea beginner.
This is something I talk abouta lot in my Notes to Novel
course the idea of havingcourage before confidence.
And that's just because theconfidence is going to come.
It will come the more you showup at your desk, the more you
(19:45):
hone your writing skills andthings like that.
So, yes, we might not haveconfidence right now, but we are
all capable of tapping intothat source of courage we have
inside of us that helps us dohard things.
Even if you're brand new towriting, you can tap into this
well of courage and let itpropel you through your first
draft.
That is absolutely true.
So thank you so much, jenny,for sharing these tips with us
(20:06):
and for my listeners.
I will link to where you canfind Jenny around the internet
in the show notes if you want toget in touch with her.
Next up, we're going to hearfrom Carla Diaz and she's going
to talk to us about lettingcuriosity guide our way forward.
Here is the clip.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
Hello, my name is Carla Diaz.
I am a bilingual author,accelerator, certified book
coach, a story grid scenewriting workshop coach and a
developmental editor.
I support writers in Englishand Spanish in taking their
stories from an idea to afinished draft on which they can
proudly sign their names.
Today, I'm excited to share howwriters can spark their
(20:42):
creativity just by stayingcurious.
According to the online OxfordEnglish Dictionary, curiosity is
defined as a desire to know orlearn In the best way.
It's that eagerness to exploreanything new or unusual.
It's that eagerness to exploreanything new or unusual.
Curiosity is such a wonderfulpart of being human.
Without it, we might not bewhere we are today.
(21:02):
Just think about our ancestors.
They ventured out of theircaves, were eager to explore the
world, and even crossed oceansto discover new lands.
It's astonishing how curiositydrives our minds to grow and our
civilization to flourish.
This trait is incrediblyvaluable for writers.
By nurturing their curiosityabout the world around them,
(21:24):
writers can discover answers totheir own lingering questions
and, in doing so, providereaders with the insights they
are eager to find.
When writers lack curiosity,their storytelling can become
stagnant and uninspired.
Without curiosity, a writer mayfall into the trap of relying
(21:48):
on clichés and predictableplotlines, leading to a
narrative that feels formulaic.
The writing process can becomemechanical, with the writer
merely going through the motionsrather than crafting a
narrative that captivates andchallenges the reader.
This can lead to a disconnectbetween the writer and their
audience, as the story fails toevoke the intended emotional
response or provoke thought.
Curiosity is essential forwriters to create dynamic,
(22:09):
engaging stories that resonatewith readers and leave a lasting
impact.
The good news is that writersare curious by nature.
They have a fearless spiritwhen it comes to asking
questions.
This curiosity inspires them toexplore intriguing what-if
scenarios, dive deep into theircharacter psyches and uncover
(22:30):
the rich nuances of their storyworlds.
The five Ws are always nearbywho, what, where, when.
Although not technically a Whow and why.
Who are the characters?
What is the plot?
Where is the setting?
When is the timing of the storyor when does it take place?
How pertains to the story'sstructure or transformation arc,
(22:54):
which might include a single,combined or group protagonist,
and why is the theme?
Nurturing a mindset thatactively seeks fresh
perspectives and insights is keyto keeping the spark of
curiosity alive in your writing.
Here are some strategies tohelp you maintain that curiosity
in your daily life and as adriving force in your writing
(23:16):
that curiosity in your dailylife and as a driving force in
your writing.
Practice mindful observation.
Take time to notice the detailsin your surroundings, whether
it's the texture of a leaf orthe rhythm of a bustling street.
Paying attention to the smallthings can spark curiosity and
inspire creative thought.
Engage in active listening.
When conversing with others,focus on truly understanding
(23:37):
their perspectives, Askquestions and seek to learn from
their experiences.
This practice not only fuelscuriosity, but also deepens your
connections with others.
Set aside time for reflection.
Dedicate a few moments each dayto reflecting on what you've
learned or observed.
You keep your curiosity activeby documenting your thoughts,
(23:58):
questions and observations aboutthe world around you.
Journaling can be a powerfultool for helping you process and
explore your thoughts moredeeply.
Embrace the unexpected, Allowyourself to follow unexpected
paths and explore new interests.
Whether you take a differentroute home or try a new hobby,
embracing the unexpected canlead to delightful discoveries
(24:20):
and fuel your curiosity.
As mentioned before, ask what,if Constantly pose hypothetical
questions about your characters,settings and plot.
This practice stimulatescreative thinking and can lead
to unexpected twists anddevelopments in your story.
And can lead to unexpectedtwists and developments in your
story.
This one is super importantStudy masterworks.
(24:41):
Masterworks are stories thathave endured and resonated with
readers across generations.
Studying masterworks allows usto develop pattern recognition
by identifying the structuralelements that consistently
engage readers.
It also exposes us to genremastery by helping us understand
genre conventions andobligatory moments.
(25:02):
Challenge assumptions.
Don't take anything for grantedin your writing.
Question established norms andconventions and consider
alternative viewpoints.
This mindset can lead toinnovative storytelling and
fresh insights.
This mindset can lead toinnovative storytelling and
fresh insights.
Engage with diverse media.
Explore various forms ofstorytelling beyond books, such
(25:24):
as films, theater and even videogames.
Each medium offers uniquenarrative techniques and can
inspire fresh ideas for yourwriting.
Travel and explore newenvironments.
If possible, visit new placesand immerse yourself in
different cultures.
The experiences and stories youencounter can provide rich
material for your writing.
(25:44):
By integrating these practicesinto your routine, you can
maintain a vibrant sense ofcuriosity that continually fuels
your writing.
Remember, the ultimate goal isto generate catharsis, that
satisfying release of tensionand emotion, which is only
possible when curiosity has beenskillfully maintained
throughout the narrative.
(26:04):
So tell me, how do you ensurecuriosity remains a central part
of your writing process?
Speaker 1 (26:12):
This is such a great tip, and I think that curiosity
is something we're all born withand can exercise like a muscle.
I really resonate with whatCarla said about asking why to
everything too.
For me, this is so much fun todo, whether it's asking why
about my character's motivations, or asking why a certain genre
convention needs to be in astory in order for it to work,
(26:32):
or whatever it is.
I think this is such a greatway to not only understand what
makes stories work, but it'salso helpful in terms of getting
to the heart of what you'rewriting about or getting
yourself unstuck.
So I 100% agree with what Carlasaid being curious and stoking
the flames of your curiosity isso important.
I also love what she said aboutexposing our minds to new
(26:54):
things, whether that be throughtravel, different storytelling
mediums or whatever it is.
It's so, so good and soimportant.
So thank you, carla, and foranyone listening, if you want to
get in touch with Carla, I willlink to where you can find her
around the internet in the shownotes Next up.
We're going to hear from SamCameron, and Sam is sharing such
a fun and unique perspective onbalancing writing with chores
(27:15):
and how to figure out what toprioritize, if you feel.
Speaker 6 (27:23):
Hello writers.
I'm Sam Cameron, the author andbook coach behind Truant Pen, a
substack of weekly advice forstuck writers.
I have always enjoyed cooking,mostly because cooking is a
prerequisite to eating, which ismy true passion.
When I started my career as ahigh school teacher, cooking was
(27:45):
a source of solace and acreative outlet.
I would get home at 3 pm, hoursbefore my wife, and be too
mentally and emotionallydepleted to write, but I could
reliably get myself into thekitchen by 5 o'clock to make
dinner.
It was a pleasure to give myovertaxed brain a break while my
(28:05):
hands were busy.
Sometimes podcasts and musickept me company.
Sometimes I cooked alone withmy thoughts.
At the end of my labors, I wasrewarded with something warm and
delicious to eat, as well as mywife's praise and gratitude.
When the pandemic began, I feltlike the only person in America
(28:26):
who started cooking less.
That spring, as other peoplediscovered their kitchens, I
reconnected with the writtenword.
Instead of homemade sourdough,I devoured books.
Reading and writing became myescape.
I realized how much I hadmissed storytelling as my
(28:47):
creative outlet.
So when the world began to openback up and my calendar started
to fill up with pre-pandemicobligations, I knew that if I
wanted reading and writing tostay front and center in my life
, something else had to diminish, else had to diminish.
(29:11):
I chose cooking From autilitarian perspective.
The point of cooking was to beable to eat, and there were
plenty of ways to keep myselfand my wife adequately fed
without needing to spend an houror more in the kitchen each
night, plus all of the mentaleffort that went into meal
planning and grocery shopping.
Having had this revelation aboutcooking, I began to have others
as well, such as that I didn'tneed to fold and put away my
(29:34):
clean clothes.
My wife had happily lived outof a laundry basket of clean,
unfolded laundry for years.
It turns out I can too.
On the surface, my wife and Imight look like we've regressed.
In our 20s, we had a tidy,well-decorated apartment and
home-cooked meals.
Nearly every night Our friendswould come over and remark that
(29:57):
it looked like real grown-upslived here.
Now, in our 30s, we eat fewerfresh vegetables and our
apartment looks like thebachelor pad neither of us ever
had.
But we're so much happierBecause we're no longer
committing time and energy tolive up to someone else's
standard of excellence.
(30:18):
We can devote ourselves insteadto the work we each love to do.
In my case, that's been writingbooks and running my business
as a book coach.
Kurt Vonnegut once said thatwriting is a lot like inflating
a blimp with a bicycle pumpAnybody can do it.
All it takes is time.
(30:39):
If writing matters to you andyou struggle to have the time or
energy to do it, you may needto take other things off your
plate so that you have time torest and time to write.
What can you drop or choose tofail at?
For me, I've chosen to fail atkeeping up with dishes and
(30:59):
folding laundry.
My apartment is messy, but mybooks get written.
You might be thinking toyourself okay, sam, maybe that
worked for you, but I love tocook, or I need to have a tidy
living space in order tofunction.
So your equation might lookdifferent from mine.
(31:20):
Maybe your answer is to shareresponsibilities with someone
else, such as a partner or achild who is ready to take on
some more responsibility at home, or a neighbor your kids can
carpool with.
It can be really difficult toask for this help.
It may even feel selfish, butyou will be a much better friend
(31:41):
slash partner, slash parent ifyou are carving out this time
for yourself.
My recommendation is to audithow you spend your time, to help
you figure out what is trulyessential to your functioning
and to the well-being of yourloved ones, and then to figure
out what to drop, streamline orwhere to ask for support so you
(32:01):
have more time to rest and write.
It's important to note thatthese decisions will require
sacrifice.
To get my writing done, I'vetraded in tidiness and
home-cooked meals.
I also have reduced my teachinghours to part-time and will
eventually stop entirely, whichhas come with a pay cut and less
(32:24):
stability.
My wife and I agreed that forus, this was a doable and
worthwhile sacrifice.
What does that trade-off looklike for you?
What are you willing and ableto give up so that you have the
time and energy to write thebook you've always dreamed of
writing?
I hope you find thespaciousness you deserve.
(32:45):
I can't wait to read your book.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
This is such a great tip and it's something that I
think I personally needed tohear as well.
If you're listening and yourbrain works like mine, I know it
can be so hard to sit down towrite when you know there are
dishes in the sink or laundry tobe done or, in my case, a lot
of dog hair to vacuum up.
This is something I definitelyneed to work on, because in
almost all scenarios I know thatI will prioritize cleaning or
(33:11):
doing chores or whatever, and Iwill blame it on my brain
needing a clean space to do thework, which is probably partly
true.
But I also know somewhere inthe back of my head that it's
kind of a cop-out.
I definitely get more of thatinstant reward or that instant
dopamine hit from cleaning upsomething or completing
something, checking it off myto-do list, and sometimes
because of that it feels easierthan writing.
(33:33):
But I also hear myself sayingthat right now and I'm like but
wait a minute, I want toprioritize my writing, I want to
get my book done.
So it's such a funny thing ourbrains do to us right, and I
know that I will definitely beputting some of Sam's tips into
practice for sure.
Everything she said is so truefor me and so timely.
So thank you so much for thesetips, sam.
(33:55):
For listeners, I will link towhere you can find Sam around
the internet in the show notes,and I know that Sam also has a
free time audit workbook you cangrab, so I will post a link to
that in the show notes as well.
Now, before I let you go, I wantto reiterate that if you're
struggling with any of thesecommon roadblocks, you are not
alone and there is helpavailable if you need it.
You can reach out to one of thecoaches or editors that were
(34:17):
featured in today's episode, oryou can get on the waitlist for
my Notes to Novel course thatwill be opening for enrollment
soon.
Notes to Novel is my signaturecourse that walks you through
how to brainstorm, outline andwrite your first draft in a way
that's both efficient andorganic, and it's designed to
help you overcome all of theroadblocks that aspiring authors
face, while giving you theproven and practical tools, tips
(34:39):
and strategies to actually getyour book written.
If you want to learn more aboutthe Notes to Novel course, you
can go to savannahgilbocomforward slash waitlist, and we
will also post that link in theshow notes for you as well.
So that's it for today'sepisode.
As always, thank you so much fortuning in and for showing your
(35:00):
support.
If you want to check out any ofthe links I mentioned in this
episode, you can find them inthe show notes listed in the
description of each episodeinside your podcast player or at
savannahgilbocom forward slashpodcast.
If you're an Apple user, I'dreally appreciate it if you took
a few seconds to leave a ratingand a review.
Your ratings and reviews tellApple that this is a podcast
(35:22):
that's worth listening to and,in turn, your reviews will help
this podcast get in front ofmore fiction writers just like
you.
And while you're there, goahead and hit that follow button
, because there's going to beanother brand new episode next
week, full of actionable tips,tools and strategies to help you
become a better writer.
So I'll see you next week anduntil then, happy writing.
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