There’s a candle on my stove that I once treated like treasure. I’d light it only on “special” days—afraid that once I'd burned it down, I'd lose that treasure.
One day, I realized something simple but powerful:
I could burn the candle, enjoy it fully, and then… buy another one.
There is no shortage of lovely candles, but I was subconsciously stuck in thinking that I needed to be careful not to burn through that one too fast.
That’s what a scarcity mindset looks like.
And you know what? It shows up in our writing lives, too—especially when it comes to story ideas.
Maybe you’ve clung to your first novel a little too long, polishing and perfecting out of fear that this might be the only good idea you’ll ever have.
But what if that’s not true? What if your creativity is renewable—like candles on a shelf, waiting to be chosen?
In today’s podcast episode, I’m exploring the difference between scarcity and abundance thinking when it comes to your stories. You’ll hear:
- How to build confidence that new ideas will come
- Why you shouldn't "fear the world too much" ("A Christmas Carol")
- 3 actionable ways to cultivate an open, idea-rich mindset
And if you already do have too many ideas? This episode will help you write those stories in ways that feel fresh, inspired, and doable.
Listen to this week's episode and let’s burn the candle, yes?
***
Free resources for you:
The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit
Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation
Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide
5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.