In this episode , hosts Sue Campbell and Rochelle Ramirez explore the pervasive fear of criticism that many writers face, offering practical strategies to overcome it. They discuss how fear can paralyze writers, especially in memoir and fiction, and the impact of social media criticism.

The episode addresses the psychological aspect of fear, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between real threats and exaggerated fears.

The hosts provide methods to fortify resilience, like shadow work and approaching writing with a playful mindset. They also suggest practical steps like writing under a pen name or practicing in low-stakes environments to build confidence.

The discussion aims to empower writers to push through fears, allowing their stories to reach and impact others.

00:00 Welcome to the Write Anyway Podcast

00:39 Understanding the Fear of Criticism

03:06 Strategies to Overcome Criticism

07:42 Building Resilience and Self-Trust

13:58 Practical Tips for Writers

22:07 Embracing Rejection and Criticism

24:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Want more help maintaining a creative practice despite life's obstacles? Subscribe to the ⁠Write Anyway newsletter ⁠from Pages & Platforms.

* Some links are affiliate links, we get a small commission when you purchase, but you don't pay more.

Guest: Eirinie Carson

In this episode, Sue Campbell speaks with writer Eirinie Carson about balancing writing with caregiving and processing grief through writing. Carson is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir https://bookshop.org/a/113574/9781685890469 (Melville House, 2023) and the upcoming novel Blood Fire Baby (February 2026).

Key Discussion Points:

• Writing while parenting two young children
• Processing grief through writing after the loss of a close friend
• The importance of creating space for creative work as a caregiver
• Experience at writers' residencies, particularly Hedgebrook
• The role of supportive partners in maintaining a writing practice
• How motherhood inspired Carson to pursue writing seriously
• Writing both memoir and fiction about grief and family history

Notable Quotes:
"Writing looks like nothing... It's not like I am toiling in a field. But writing also looks like reading. It also looks like taking a walk. It also looks like thinking about things." —Eirinie Carson

Books Mentioned:

• The Dead Are Gods by Eirinie Carson
• Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden
• Blood Fire Baby by Eirinie Carson (forthcoming in 2026)

Resources:

• Hedgebrook Writers Residency
• The Writers' Grotto in San Francisco

Want more help maintaining a creative practice despite life's obstacles? Subscribe to the Write Anyway newsletter from Pages & Platforms.

* Some links are affiliate links, we get a small commission when you purchase, but you don't pay more.

The new year is coming and I want you to be well prepared to set goals in a new and more effective way, so I’m bringing you interviews with students from my Goal Getter School for Writers.

In this episode, I’m talking with the writer Sarah McKee.  Sarah is a mother and wife who loves writing and being outdoors.  She used to believe that being sensitive was a disgrace but has learned how to use this gift to the fullest by writing better characters and has recently learned how to set real goals and get them achieved!

Learn how she finally completed her first draft in three months after years of working on it.

You can find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.e.mckee/

In Goal Getter School, you will set a big goal for your writing career and learn a framework to manage your mind to achieve it.

The goal of the program is to teach you to manage your mind so you can better realize your creative potential for the rest of your life.

If you’re interested in learning more about Goal Getter School and maybe even applying for the January 2023 cohort, visit http://pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter

2020 has dealt us uncertainty like never before. I have some experience with uncertainty--and I daresay an unfair advantage--so I'm sharing with you some things I've found helpful in hopes that it helps reduce your suffering a bit too.

In this episode, Sue discusses that age-old question: When is the best time to write? 

As we've mentioned, we'll be opening the doors to our Story Path course soon, which is designed to help you use the power of Story Types to write a great book. Please join us on Friday, August 28 at 12 PM PT for a free webinar: "Get Your Story Unstuck" where we'll give you an overview of the 7 essential Story Types. We promise you'll walk away with something useful to apply to your story. Visit pagesandforms.com/eb-registration to register.

 In this episode, we offer a tiny little slice of what's inside our Story Path course: a discussion of between Rachelle Ramirez and me about the importance of audience emotion and what you can do to help create specific feelings in your audience.

Learn more about story types and how they help you solve your pesky story problems at by watching our free, on-demand "Get Your Story Unstuck" webinar: https://www.storypath.me/masterclass-registration

We have a special treat for you this week. We're getting ready to reopen the doors on our Story Path course, so we've got a little audio sample for you of something from Module 5 on the importance of premise in your story. 

When it comes to what your story is about, the answer you give to others and the answer you need yourself to write the book can be completely different. One helps others find your book, the other helps you find your story. Rachelle Ramirez and Anne Hawley dive into how and why to distill your premise down to its essence.  

If you want to hear more about our Story Path course, visit http://storypath.me where you can download our seven page guide to the essential story types and you'll get on a mailing list to be notified when the Story Path course opens for enrollment later in August 2020.

If you’re writing a novel or piece of narrative nonfiction and you can’t seem to get anywhere with it, I’ll bet you dollars to dark chocolate you can’t satisfactorily answer the following question:

What type of story are you telling?

If the question itself confuses you, if your answer takes twenty minutes, or if you said “It’s a fantasy,” or “It’s young adult,” I have good news. By the end of this article, you’ll have a much clearer idea of why you’ve wandered off the path, and how to get back on.

Download a free guide to all 7 Story Types at http://storypath.me.

Many writers know they'll have to do their marketing eventually, they just want to put it off as long as possible. In this episode, we'll look at 6 reasons to start now. And if your author website is one of the places you're stuck, Pages and Platforms is offering a free webinar on Friday, July 10, 2020. Sue will show you exactly what you do and don’t for your author website. Register at https://www.pagesandplatforms.com/author-website-registration.

Our brain sends us fear messages all the time. How do we know when to heed them and when to plow ahead, even when we are afraid? This episode will give you one powerful question to ask to help you decide.

Sue talks with author Helen Zuman, author of the memoir Mating in Captivity, about her successful outreach push during the pandemic with the help of the Pages & Platforms Outreach Intensive. A new session of the Outreach Intensive begins June 8, 2020. Visit http://pagesandplatform.com/outreach-intensive.

Writers face a ridiculous amount of choices. But we've got to get good and making them and moving on or we'll never get anywhere.

This week on the podcast, we're talking setting—and getting—goals with novelist Neroli Lacey. Get some gems about reaching your own goals by listening to Neroli's share her biggest takeaways from the program.

Applications for Goal Getter School are now open. Learn more at: https://www.pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter

Neroli writies delicious fiction for clever women. Trained as a journalist, she wrote for all the great British newspapers: The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Evening Standard and for Vogue, Tatler, and New Statesman. 

She's also been an investment banker and commodity futures trader. She's traveled all through Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. She's the proud mother of two wildly spirited daughters and an adventurous stepson. She divides her time between New York and a medieval village in the South of France.  

            On a perfect day, she writes until 2.00 p.m and hikes up, or skis down a mountain in the afternoon.

Sue takes a look at what an author website is actually for (and it's probably not what you think). And she shares some essential dos and don'ts for author websites so you can give yours a tweak.

Settings goals is crucial for your success as an author. But there are some pitfalls to goal-setting. The biggest one is getting graspy and desperate to reach our goals. In this episode, I'm introducing the "goal sandwich" as a way to get yourself mentally prepared to set goals from a place of already feeling worthy.

We're gearing up to present the Pages & Platforms Scene Workshop later this month, so we're kicking things off by taking a look at the first essential element of a good scene: The inciting incident.

I'm passing the mic to Story Grid certified editor Anne Hawley to take us through some of the finer details of inciting incidents: what they are, why you need one, and their various flavors.

To learn more about the upcoming Scene Workshop, visit: http://pagesandplatforms.com/sceneworkshop.

I'm helping run a productivity mastermind right now and I asked all the incoming writers to tell me their biggest obstacles to reaching their writing goals. Of the 18 or so writers polled, 3-4 main obstacles surfaced: not enough time, fear of failure, perfectionism, and procrastination. But there's ONE thing that sits behind of all of these obstacles that writers often don't see.

Times being what they are, it can be tough to get your writing done. The first question to ask, whether you're writing or you're not is this: Do I like my reasons? If you're not writing, and you don't like your reasons, I offer a tip for overcoming the urge to procrastinate your writing.

This week on the podcast, we're talking setting—and getting—goals with novelist Kristina Bak. Get some gems about reaching your own goals by listening to Kristina share her biggest takeaways from the program, including how she went from barely know what a podcast was to landing four guest spots on podcasts with just five pitches!

Applications for Goal Getter School are now open. Learn more at: https://www.pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter

Visit Kristina's website kristinabak.com for a free e-edition of Nowever, Book 1 in her YA series starring Stevie, a teen girl who discovers she can heal pain with a touch of her hand.Kristina lives in an Oregon mountain town where she is currently writing the third novel in her series described as Near-future, Non-dystopian Realism with supernatural elements. Though nominally YA, this series is intended to inspire, entertain, and empower readers from age 12 to 120.Her latest adult novel, From Here to Argentina: A Tango Love Story, and books 1 and 2 in her YA series, Nowever and Cold Mirage, are available through independent bookstores, as well as Amazon and other usual online sources. Check your library for digital copies.

This week on the podcast, we're talking setting—and getting—goals with author Dr. Laurel Standley, an environmental chemist and author of self-help books on reducing exposure to toxic chemicals, as well as fiction focused on eco-fiction and cozy mysteries, the latter under the pen name June Lucas. She's working on three separate projects and Goal Getter School helped her make headway and set a proper pace for the work.

Get some gems about reaching your own goals by listening to Laurel share her biggest takeaways from the program, including how she learned to take small steps forward and take beach days when needed!

Applications for Goal Getter School are now open. Learn more at: https://www.pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter

Lots of writers have goals but many writers don't have the healthiest relationship with their goals. Goal Getter School is a place where I teach writers to meet their goals without being an asshole to themselves and without burning out.

Listen to students share their key takeaways from the program and get some gems for yourself.

Visit pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter. To learn more about Goal Getter School and apply. Today's guest is author Gretchen Cherington (gretchencherington.com).

Her first memoir, Poetic License, won multiple awards. Her second memoir, The Butcher, The Embezzler and The Fall Guy, was published in June. Her essays have appeared in the Huffington Post, Culture Club, The Millions, Crack the Spine, Bloodroot Literary magazine and more. Her essay "Maine Roustabout" was nominated for a 2012 pushcart prize.

Now let's hear Gretchen share some of her goal getting advice for writers.

The new year is coming and I want you to be well prepared to set goals in a new and more effective way, so I’m bringing you interviews with students from my Goal Getter School for Writers.

In this episode, we look at how one writer met her goal to finish her first (aka zero) draft.

Lori Howard is a fantasy writer currently working on her first full-length novel. A bookkeeper by trade, she also teaches Scottish Country Dancing. She lives with her husband, daughter and cat in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In Goal Getter School, you will set a big goal for your writing career and learn a framework to manage your mind to achieve it.

The goal of the program is to teach you to manage your mind so you can better realize your creative potential for the rest of your life.

If you’re interested in learning more about Goal Getter School and maybe even applying for the January 2023 cohort, visit http://pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter

The new year is coming and I want you to be well prepared to set goals in a new and more effective way, so I’m bringing you interviews with students from my Goal Getter School for Writers.

In this episode, we look at how one writer met her goals to create and execute a launch plan for her second novel.

Drēma Drudge is the award-winning author of the novels Victorine (March 2020) and Southern-Fried Woolf (January 2023). A graduate of the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing, she and her husband, musician and writer Barry Drudge, have two grown children, a new granddog, and live in a picturesque town in Indiana. They also host the podcast MFA Payday. 

Learn more about Drēma and get a free art fiction short story at: www.dremadrudge.com.

In Goal Getter School, you will set a big goal for your writing career and learn a framework to manage your mind to achieve it.

The goal of the program is to teach you to manage your mind so you can better realize your creative potential for the rest of your life.

If you’re interested in learning more about Goal Getter School and maybe even applying for the January 2023 cohort, visit http://pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter

The new year is coming and I want you to be well prepared to set goals in a new and more effective way, so I’m bringing you interviews with students from my Goal Getter School for Writers.

In this episode, we look at how one writer met her goals to create and execute a launch plan for her novel while pivoting on her memoir.

Sue Campbell interviews Kathryn Brown Ramsperger, a lifelong journalist and novelist. She's written for Nat Geo and Kiplinger publications, the MacGuffin and Thought Catalog, and many more, She's the author of three award-winning novels, the most recent (to launch in 2023) is titled A Thousand Flying Things. Kathryn worked for the International Red Cross for 25 years, and she brings that humanitarian eyewitness viewpoint to her writing. She's also a coach who founded Ground One, LLC who helps creatives and families with differences get unstuck. 

You can find more about her writing at https://kathrynbrownramsperger.com. Connect with her on social media @kathyramsperger.

In Goal Getter School, you will set a big goal for your writing career and learn a framework to manage your mind to achieve it.

The goal of the program is to teach you to manage your mind so you can better realize your creative potential for the rest of your life.

If you’re interested in learning more about Goal Getter School and maybe even applying for the January 2023 cohort, visit http://pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter

The new year is coming and I want you to be well prepared to set goals in a new and more effective way, so I’m bringing you interviews with students from my Goal Getter School for Writers.

In this episode, I’m talking with the author Joy Imboden Overstreet (https://www.joyoverstreet.com/). Joy created the original Thin Within workshops in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1975.  She was one of the very first health educators to ditch diets in favor of mindful eating. She’s published a book called The Cherry Pie Paradox and came to Goal Getter School to work on finishing the accompanying workbook and audiobook and the marketing around them. 

Learn how she used Goal Getter School to complete her audiobook and workbook, book podcasts to promote them, and start on her next memoir project.

In Goal Getter School, you will set a big goal for your writing career and learn a framework to manage your mind to achieve it.

The goal of the program is to teach you to manage your mind so you can better realize your creative potential for the rest of your life.

If you’re interested in learning more about Goal Getter School and maybe even applying for the January 2023 cohort, visit http://pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter

In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, book coach and author Anne Janzer discusses how writers can stop beating themselves up about productivity. She shares insights from her experience coaching writers and authoring books like The Writer's Process and The Writer's Voice.

Key Discussion Points:

• Why writers struggle with productivity expectations
• The difference between process issues and personal barriers
• How to maintain a sustainable writing practice
• Dealing with perfectionism and fear in writing
• When to persist with or let go of a project
• The importance of focusing on process over output

Notable Quotes:
"Every writer knocks themselves around about their productivity." - Anne Janzer

"Perfectionism is often fear in disguise looking really productive and important." - Anne Janzer

"Nothing is wasted in writing." - Anne Janzer

Resources Mentioned:

• Anne Janzer's website: annejanzer.com
• Books: "The Writer's Process" and "The Writer's Voice"
• John Steinbeck's "Working Days: The Journals of The Grapes of Wrath"

Connect With Pages & Platforms:
Subscribe to the Write Anyway newsletter at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

Feeling squeamish about your book—or even asking for blurbs? In this episode, Sue Campbell talks with actor–author–coach Jamie Rose about “Madame X,” the inner voice that sabotages women’s creative work. Come for the mindset shifts and bite-size tools; stay for raw memoir moments, smart launch lessons, and a Steven Pressfield surprise. If you want your launch (and writing life) to feel fun, organic, and fear-resilient, this one’s a must-listen.

Sue Campbell interviews Eli Potter, tech track coordinator for the San Francisco Writers Conference and author of the bestselling book Role Modelship: Multiply Your Impact to Influence AI, about writers’ fears and ethical concerns around AI.In this episode, Eli reveals why being rude to AI will sabotage your results, why writer's block is no longer an excuse, and how writers actually have a massive advantage in an AI-saturated world.Plus: the one question that unlocks AI's real power, why your brain is getting "wired" to AI output (and why that's dangerous), and how to use these tools ethically without losing what makes your writing yours.Whether you're AI-curious or AI-skeptical, this conversation will change how you think about technology in your writing life.

In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, hosts Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez tackle seven common writing rules, aiming to debunk and reframe them as flexible tools rather than hard and fast decrees.

They discuss how strict adherence to advice such as 'write every day,' 'write what you know,' 'draft first, edit later,' 'show don't tell,' 'kill your darlings,' 'write to the market,' and 'open in the middle of the action' can stymie a writer's creativity. By balancing these traditional guidelines with practical realities and personal preferences, Anne and Rachelle provide insights to help writers maintain their authentic voice and creative flow.

The episode concludes with information about the Pages and Platforms Black Ink Friday Sale, which includes significant discounts on masterclasses, coaching sessions, and manuscript evaluations.

00:00 Introduction: Debunking Writing Rules

02:10 Rule 1: Write Every Day

03:57 Rule 2: Write What You Know

05:01 Rule 3: Draft First, Edit Later

06:52 Rule 4: Show, Don't Tell

08:23 Rule 5: Kill Your Darlings

10:03 Rule 6: Open with Action

11:23 Rule 7: Write to Market

13:36 Identifying Bad Writing Advice

14:33 Special Offers and Conclusion

In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, host Sue Campbell chats with Patricia Marshall, founder and CEO of Luminare Press, about the different approaches to self-publishing: DIY publishing, assisted publishing, and hybrid publishing.

Learn the pros and cons of each method, and get insights into costs, processes, and what kind of authors and goals each approach is best suited for. Whether you're looking to keep full control and manage all aspects yourself, or prefer to hand over parts or all of the process to professionals, this episode aims to guide writers in making informed decisions about turning their manuscripts into market-ready books.

00:00 Introduction to Self-Publishing Options

00:34 Meet Patricia: Insights from Luminare Press

02:18 DIY Publishing: Pros and Cons

10:52 Self-Publishing Assist: Pros and Cons

14:10 Hybrid Publishing: Pros and Cons

18:23 Choosing the Right Path for Your Book

23:47 Avoiding Scams in Publishing

24:44 Conclusion and Resources

Certified book coach and editor Nicole Bross discusses strategies and tools for neurodivergent authors with our own ADHD coach and developmental editor Rachelle Ramirez. Nicole is the author of 'A Novel Approach: Strategies for ADHD Writers,' a guide aimed at helping neurodiverse authors overcome challenges like lack of motivation and disorganization. She emphasizes understanding the root causes of these issues, using various techniques such as changing work environments, visual organization, and finding the right accountability partners. Nicole also advocates for pre-emptive outlining to break down larger tasks into manageable ones, thereby reducing the feeling of overwhelm. The episode offers actionable insights and tips for both ADHD and non-ADHD writers.

00:00 Welcome to the Write Anyway Podcast

00:09 Meet Nicole Bross: Strategies for ADHD Writers

00:48 The ADHD Writer's Challenge: Finding Motivation

01:58 Tips and Tricks for Staying Motivated

03:12 Understanding Accountability: Internal vs External

05:32 Finding the Right Accountability Partner

09:58 Overcoming Overwhelm and Disorganization

12:39 The Importance of Outlining

15:51 Tools and Techniques for Organizing Your Writing

17:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

 Rachelle and Anne discuss the importance of creativity and writing during challenging times. They explore how writing can help individuals personally by enhancing self-esteem, resilience, and mental health, and collectively by fostering empathy and connection. Writing different types of narratives—be it fun stories or political essays—remains significant, even when the world feels tumultuous. Every form of storytelling, whether a memo, a romantic novel, or an essay, can be a powerful tool for personal expression and societal impact.

00:00 Introduction: Writing in Dark Times

00:14 The Importance of Creativity Now

00:33 Struggles and Doubts of Writers

01:27 The Value of Art and Writing

02:10 Personal Growth Through Writing

03:46 Connecting with Others Through Stories

04:11 The Impact of Fiction

10:38 Writing as a Form of Activism

13:24 The Power of Memoirs

14:00 Conclusion and Farewell

Demolish Your Comfort Zone: Why Comfort Kills More Dreams Than FailureEpisode Description:

Why does success elude you even when you're putting in the time and effort? The brutal truth: You're choosing short-term comfort over long-term results. In this game-changing episode, Sue Campbell interviews Art Turock, the "Comfort Zone Demolition Expert," about why stepping outside your comfort zone isn't enough—you need to demolish it entirely.

What You'll Learn:

• The crucial difference between holding people accountable vs. inviting accountability
• Why "interest" will sabotage your writing dreams (and how commitment changes everything)
• The "colossal deception" that keeps writers stuck in self-limiting patterns
• Art's proven system for overcoming fear of rejection (that landed him 125+ Fortune 500 speaking gigs)
• How to identify the hidden "short-term payoffs" that derail your long-term goals
• The identity shift that transforms aspiring writers into published authors

Key Quotes:
"Comfort kills more dreams than failure ever will."
"Discomfort is the price of freedom."
"There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, just results."

Perfect for writers who:

• Feel stuck despite "trying hard"
• Struggle with procrastination and self-sabotage
• Want to finish their book but keep choosing other priorities
• Need accountability strategies that actually work
• Are tired of staying in their comfort zone

Guest Bio:
Art Turock is a longtime executive coach for Fortune 500 companies and author of the new book Demolish Your Comfort Zones: Six Unconventional Practices to Crush Your Hidden Limitations. At age 55, he took up sprinting and won silver and bronze medals at the USA Track and Field Masters Championship. His quote about commitment vs. interest appeared on Starbucks cups nationwide.

Resources Mentioned:

• Art's book: Demolish Your Comfort Zones
• Art's website: artturock.com
• Write Anyway newsletter: pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

Content Warning: Brief discussion of food and dieting from approximately 19:00-22:00.

Book Marketing Secrets from Alex Hormozi's $100M Launch with Tim Grahl

In this episode, marketing expert Tim Grahl breaks down the strategies behind Alex Hormozi's record-breaking $100 million book launch and shares actionable takeaways for authors at any level. Learn about:

• The innovative "donation" model that drove massive sales
• How Hormozi demonstrated his book's principles through the launch itself
• Practical ways authors can scale these strategies to their own level
• The power of customer-financed acquisition for growing your reach
• Why building genuine relationships is crucial for book marketing success
• Specific tactics for both fiction and non-fiction authors
• Tim's "Books & Beer" networking strategy that any author can implement

Tim also shares insights from his 17+ years helping authors market their books and discusses his work with Story Grid, where he applies deliberate practice principles to help writers improve their craft.

Featured Guest: Tim Grahl

• Founder of Story Grid
• Author of Your First 1000 Copies and The Shithead
• Book marketing consultant who has helped authors hit the NYT bestseller list

Resources Mentioned:

• storygrid.com
• Story Grid YouTube Channel
• Tim's latest novel: The Shithead

Subscribe to the Write Anyway Newsletter at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

Are you paralyzed by the fear of negative reviews? In this episode of Write Anyway, hosts Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez share a powerful exercise to help writers overcome their fear of criticism. Learn how writing your own worst one-star review—and its positive counterpart—can actually free you to write with more confidence and clarity.

Key takeaways:
• How to use the "worst review" exercise to identify and face your writing fears
• Why negative reviews can help you better understand your ideal reader
• Real examples of one-star/five-star review pairs from both hosts
• Why not every book is for everyone (and why that's okay!)

Whether you're writing fiction or non-fiction, this practical exercise will help you push past perfectionism and write for the readers who truly matter. Join Anne and Rachelle as they demonstrate how embracing potential criticism can actually strengthen your writing practice.

Subscribe to our newsletter at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe for weekly writing insights and tips.

Do you ever feel tempted to throw in the towel on your creative projects just to feel the sweet relief of freedom from responsibility? In this solo episode of The Write Anyway Podcast, mindset coach Sue Campbell dives into why that feeling of relief might be a trap—and how it can sabotage your creative goals and personal growth.

Sue breaks down:

• The two types of relief: circumstantial relief and engineered relief, and why they feel so good (but aren’t always good for you).
• How your inner saboteur can mislead you into giving up on valuable projects in exchange for short-term emotional comfort.
• The long-term cost of avoiding discomfort in your creative journey—and how it leads to abandoning your creative potential.
• Why tolerating discomfort is essential not just for writing, but for becoming the person and artist you want to be.

Learn how to reframe discomfort as a necessary step toward growth and discover what might be waiting for you on the other side of creative resistance.

Subscribe to the Write Anyway Newsletter for mindset and marketing tips at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe.

Struggling with your manuscript despite reading every writing craft book? Developmental editor Lori Puma reveals what 70+ writing books left out.

Learn about Story Foundation, the Invisible Story, antagonist networks, and scene sequencing.

Perfect for first-time novelists facing common problems like lack of conflict, repetitive plots, or manuscripts that won't come together despite multiple revisions.

Includes tips on creating dynamic antagonists, building cause-and-effect chains, and troubleshooting story problems. Get Lori's free ebook "What Craft Books Left Out" at loripuma.com.

Keywords: writing craft, developmental editing, story structure, novel writing, antagonist development, scene structure, first novel, writing advice, manuscript revision, plot development.

00:00 - Introduction: Why traditional writing books might not be enough
01:00 - Meet Lori Puma: From editor to craft book detective
02:00 - Story Foundation: The missing piece for first-time novelists
03:00 - Symptoms of story foundation problems
05:00 - The Invisible Story: What happens off the page
07:00 - Common antagonist mistakes and how to fix them
09:00 - The Princess Bride example: Antagonists vs. antagonists
11:00 - Shaping sequences: Creating cause-and-effect chains
12:00 - How to get Lori's free ebook and connect

Do you ever feel like your creative life is disconnected from the rest of your existence? Author, editor, and writing coach Bill Kenower introduces the concept of "The All-Day Artist" —not about writing all day, but about bringing the spirit of creativity into every aspect of life.

In this illuminating conversation, Bill shares:

• Why limiting creativity to just writing time holds us back
• How to apply the skills we learn as writers to navigate life's uncertainties
• A practical approach to overcoming boredom by using creative listening
• The importance of following what feels effortless and interesting
• Why caring about how you feel is essential to both writing and living
• Strategies for developing trust in your creative instincts
• The critical difference between writing for yourself versus writing for others

Bill Kenower is the author of "Fearless Writing" and hosts two podcasts: "Fearless Writing" and "Author to Author." His weekly essays can be found at Author Magazine (authormagazine.org).

Whether you're struggling to integrate your creative practice with daily life or looking to bring more authenticity to your writing, this episode offers valuable insights for writers at any stage of their journey.

Find Bill online at williamkenower.com for coaching services, podcast links, and more.

Subscribe to the Write Anyway Newsletter at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe for weekly writing insights and marketing tips.

On the Write Anyway podcast, host Anne Hawley interviews epic fantasy novelist Don Elliott about a simple strategy he used to rapidly improve his prose and strengthen his author voice without formal schooling.

After focusing for years on story craft, Don realized his line-level writing hadn’t advanced as much, so he studied authors he admires—Mark Lawrence, Patrick Rothfuss, Ursula K. Le Guin, George R. R. Martin, and Joe Abercrombie—to analyze sentence-level choices like length, metaphor use, lyricism, and how emotion is conveyed. He then took a fully edited manuscript and rewrote passages multiple times, trimming stacked metaphors and avoiding naming emotions in favor of evoking them, sharing before-and-after examples.

Don recommends daily 30–60 minute rewrite drills—rewriting your own work in an admired author’s style or rewriting their passages in your voice—to build muscle memory, reporting dramatic improvement within a week.

Sue Campbell shares insights from her recent webinar on boosting productivity for writers. Drawing from her experiences as a mindset and book marketing coach, Sue covers key productivity philosophies, identifies different productivity tendencies, and presents two foundational productivity systems: the Autofocus System and Monday Hour One.

The episode also highlights tools, both analog and digital, to support these systems and emphasizes the importance of mindset in achieving writing goals.

Additionally, Sue introduces her Goal Getter School, a program aimed at helping writers accomplish significant milestones through custom project planning and consistent coaching. Listeners are encouraged to identify their biggest productivity challenges and are offered actionable advice to overcome them.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 Meet Sue Campbell: Your Productivity Coach

02:09 Setting the Stage for Productivity

10:53 Understanding Productivity Tendencies

17:36 Exploring the Autofocus System

22:05 Time Blocking with Monday Hour One

27:33 The Concept of Blissipline

28:02 Pros and Cons of Time Blocking

28:45 Analog Tools for Time Blocking

30:40 Digital Tools for Time Blocking

33:27 Introduction to Goal Getter School

36:08 Goal Getter School Structure and Benefits

42:54 Q&A Session

54:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Developmental editors Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez break down what your first page must promise—and how to deliver it for your ideal reader. From raising the right questions to dodging common traps (info dumps, action-for-action’s-sake), you’ll get practical ways to craft an opening that compels page turns and signals the book you actually wrote.

What you’ll learn

• Why your first page is a promise—and how to make the right one
• How to define and hook your ideal reader (not “everyone”)
• When to open with action vs. narration, and why “start in action” is often misapplied
• Raising mystery and intrigue without confusing the reader
• The truth about “show, don’t tell” on page one
• Where the inciting incident belongs (and when it doesn’t)
• Avoiding info dumps while still orienting the reader
• When to stop polishing page one—and when to return to it
• Simple exercises to sharpen your opening (including hand-copying a favorite first page)
• How to tailor your opening for agents and genre expectations

Timestamps

• 00:00 — The problem: “My first page isn’t hooky enough”
• 01:00 — Who’s your ideal reader? Hint: probably you
• 04:00 — The first page as a promise of the reading experience
• 05:00 — Do you really need to open in action?
• 06:00 — Orientation vs. info dump (especially for SFF)
• 07:30 — Must the inciting incident be on page one?
• 08:30 — Mystery vs. confusion: walking the line
• 10:00 — Intrigue through specific, telling details
• 11:00 — Do protagonists need to be likable?
• 12:00 — “Show, don’t tell”: what the rule actually means
• 14:00 — The trap of overworking your opening
• 15:00 — Write the draft first; promise precisely later
• 17:00 — The power of your first ~300 words
• 18:00 — Discovery writing and changing stories
• 19:00 — Craft exercise: hand-copy your favorite first page
• 20:00 — Making your promise clear—and pitching the right agents

Try this

• Pull three novels you love. Hand-copy their first pages. Mark where they raise questions, slip in exposition, and introduce desire or problem.
• Rewrite your first 300 words to:
• Gut-check: Does your first page promise the book you actually wrote?

Mentioned

• Ursula K. Le Guin (on word choice and deliberate narration)
• Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl (compelling “unlikable” protagonist)
• “It was a dark and stormy night” (Bulwer-Lytton) as an example of permissible telling

Quote
“Your job as a fiction writer is to raise questions. Why I turn the page is because there’s a question in my mind.”

Links

• Subscribe to the Write Anyway newsletter: newsletter@pagesandplatforms.com
• Pages & Platforms and the Happily Ever Author Club

If this episode helped you rethink your opening, share it with a writer friend and leave a rating—it helps more writers find the show.

Sue Campbell, a mindset coach for writers, reveals the hidden inner narratives that quietly sabotage creative progress — and shows how to rewrite them so you actually sit down and finish your work.

This episode is full of practical, moment-by-moment strategies: how to surface limiting beliefs, neutralize them, and replace them with believable, emotionally motivating alternatives. If you’ve ever told yourself “I’ll write tomorrow,” or “I hate social media,” this episode gives you the tools to change the story and get writing — even if it’s just one sentence.

Who this episode is for: Writers who feel stuck, procrastinate, avoid revision, dread marketing, or want concrete mindset tools to finish a book and grow an author platform.

Why listen:

• Learn why the story you tell yourself matters as much as the story you’re writing.
• Get a simple, repeatable method to expose and loosen limiting beliefs.
• Walk away with tactical moves you can use immediately: journaling prompts, a “one sentence” rule, and mindset reframes for tech and marketing resistance.

Key takeaways:

• Two stories: the book you’re crafting and the story you tell yourself about your ability to write it. The latter often undermines the former.
• Writing your thoughts down reveals hidden beliefs; reading them aloud turns vague resistance into actionable insight.
• Don’t rely on hollow affirmations. Create rewrites that feel believable and carry emotional weight — even if the first step is neutral (“maybe this could help”).
• Use low-friction actions (e.g., one sentence) to defeat procrastination and build identity as someone who shows up.
• With technology and marketing fears, aim for “just enough” competency to move forward rather than perfection.
• 
  

Memorable quotes:

• “The story that you tell yourself as a writer is just as important as the story you’re writing.”
• “Your inner saboteur is laying out a binary that you can’t possibly do both at the same time.”
• “One sentence today can become a stepping stone to a much bigger writing session.”

Resources mentioned:

• Sue Campbell / Happily Ever Author Club: storypath.me/hea
• Write Anyway Newsletter: pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

If this episode moved you, try the one-sentence rule for the next three days and notice how it changes your momentum.

Subscribe, leave a review, and share with a writer who needs to rewrite their inner story.

Is your novel bursting at the seams? Developmental editor Anne Hawley reveals how she cut 100,000 words from her historical novel – and how you can trim your manuscript without losing its heart.

Anne shares battle-tested strategies for identifying and eliminating excess content, including:

• How to know if your manuscript is too long for your genre
• Four major areas to target for significant cuts
• Why "killing your darlings" is so emotionally challenging
• Smart techniques for preserving cut content
• When to keep your longer manuscript despite industry pressures

Plus: Learn why "the reader needs to know this" might be your biggest obstacle to a leaner, stronger story.

Whether you're writing fantasy epics or middle-grade fiction, these practical tips will help you craft a manuscript that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Subscribe to our newsletter: pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

Join the Happily Ever Author Club for more resources:
Is your novel bursting at the seams? In this episode, developmental editor Anne Hawley reveals how she cut 100,000 words from her historical novel – and how you can trim your manuscript without losing its heart.

Anne shares battle-tested strategies for identifying and eliminating excess content, including:

• How to know if your manuscript is too long for your genre
• Four major areas to target for significant cuts
• Why "killing your darlings" is so emotionally challenging
• Smart techniques for preserving cut content
• When to keep your longer manuscript despite industry pressures

Plus: Learn why "the reader needs to know this" might be your biggest obstacle to a leaner, stronger story.

Whether you're writing fantasy epics or middle-grade fiction, these practical tips will help you craft a manuscript that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Join the Happily Ever Author Club for more support and resources: storypath.me/hea

Subscribe to our newsletter: pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Write Anyway podcast, Sue Campbell interviews Neroli Lacey, an accomplished author known for her “delicious fiction for clever women.”

They discuss the successful launch of Neroli's latest book, The Perfumer's Secret, covering her marketing strategies, the importance of building a brand and community, and the unexpected joys of marketing.

Neroli shares her journey from resisting marketing to embracing it, her experience with a hybrid publisher, and how she built a mailing list of over 3,000 subscribers.

Additionally, they delve into the significance of a long-term vision for a writing career and the importance of balancing creative work with marketing efforts.

The episode is rich with insights and actionable tips for both seasoned authors and aspiring writers.

00:00 Introduction to Indie Publishing

00:16 Meet Neroli Lacey: Author and Journalist

00:58 The Perfumer's Secret: A Successful Book Launch

03:00 Marketing Strategies and Challenges

09:48 The Impact of a BookBub Deal

12:56 Building a Community of Writers

14:38 Growing an Email List

17:32 Balancing Writing and Life

26:25 The Importance of Mindset and Coaching

28:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Are you an ADHD writer struggling with traditional writing methods? In this episode, ADHD coach and developmental editor Rachelle Ramirez shares proven strategies to help neurodivergent writers move from blank page to finished manuscript.

Key Topics:

• [00:01:00] Rachelle's personal journey with ADHD diagnosis
• [00:05:00] Why traditional writing systems often fail ADHD writers
• [00:09:00] Task initiation vs motivation - understanding the real challenge
• [00:12:00] The Interest-Based Approach to writing:
• [00:19:00] Adapting strategies when they stop working

Key Takeaways:

• Your brain isn't broken - traditional systems weren't designed for you
• Organization strategies for the ADHD mind
• Practical techniques for task initiation
• Four ways to reignite interest in your writing project

About Our Guest: Rachelle Ramirez is a developmental editor and ADHD coach who brings both professional expertise and personal experience to help neurodivergent writers succeed.

Resources Mentioned:

• Mel Robbins' 5-4-3-2-1 technique
• ADHD Writer Accelerator Program
• [Free ADHD Writers Webinar]

Connect With Us: Subscribe to our newsletter at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe for weekly writing insights and tips.

In this episode of Write Anyway, developmental editors Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez dive deep into the often misunderstood concept of point of view (POV) in storytelling.

Key topics covered:

• Why POV is more than just choosing between first and third person
• How time, distance, and narrative purpose influence POV choices
• The relationship between genre and POV selection
• Common challenges with first-person present tense
• The concept of narrative distance and its impact on storytelling
• Using POV to create irony and humor (featuring examples from True Grit and Huckleberry Finn)
• The importance of understanding who your narrator is speaking to and why

Featured book examples:

• True Grit by Charles Portis
• The Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart
• The Hunger Games
• Jane Eyre
• The Great Gatsby

Practical takeaway: Study the POV choices in your favorite books to better understand how successful authors handle narrative perspective.

Connect with Anne:

Find her novel Restraint on Amazon

Subscribe to the Write Anyway Newsletter at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

In this episode, Rachelle Ramirez talks with renowned author and writing teacher Laura Davis about the transformative power of writing retreats. Laura shares insights from her extensive experience leading various types of retreats, from focused work weekends to international adventures.

Key Topics:

• Different types of writing retreats and their unique benefits
• How to choose the right retreat for your needs
• The value of stepping away from daily routines
• Combining writing with travel and other creative pursuits
• Creating safe spaces for deep personal work
• Building lasting writing communities

About Laura Davis:
Laura Davis is the author of six groundbreaking nonfiction books, including the bestseller The Courage to Heal and her recent mother-daughter memoir The Burning Light of Two Stars. She specializes in building writing communities where people can find their voice and develop their craft.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Writing retreat locations: Bali, Spain, Tuscany, Greece, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Peru
• The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage
• New Camino retreat planned for 2026
• Various retreat themes including grief, aging, and resilience

Learn More:
Visit lauradavis.net to explore upcoming retreats with Laura Davis

Subscribe to Write Anyway:
Get weekly writing insights and tips at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

Sue Campbell talks with Dr. Rachel Meredith, a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist, about practical ways writers can improve their physical energy to enhance creative output. With over 25 years of practice experience, Dr. Meredith shares actionable advice for writers struggling with fatigue, particularly those over 40.

Key Topics Covered:

• Understanding energy management using the "healthcare dollars" analogy
• The importance of proper hydration for energy levels
• Sleep optimization and common sleep disruptors
• Caffeine dependency and strategies for reducing intake
• Essential supplements for energy: B-vitamins and magnesium
• Nutrition guidance for sustained energy
• Special considerations for perimenopause and menopause

Key Takeaways:

1. Daily water intake should be your weight divided by 2 in ounces
2. Optimal sleep duration is 7.5-8.25 hours
3. B-vitamins and magnesium are safe supplements for most people
4. Inflammatory foods like gluten and sugar can impact energy levels
5. Protein-rich breakfasts help stabilize blood sugar throughout the day

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Meredith's practice: Receptive Medicine in Portland, Oregon
• Recommended supplements: B-complex and magnesium glycinate
• Suggested medical tests: ferritin, iron, TSH, free T3, and free T4

Guest Bio: Dr. Rachel Meredith is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist with over 25 years of experience. She practices at Receptive Medicine in Portland, Oregon, where she takes a holistic approach to helping patients optimize their health and energy levels.

The Write Anyway podcast is produced by Pages and Platforms and the Happily Ever Author Club.

In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, host Anne Hawley interviews certified EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) tapping practitioner Helen McConnell about using tapping to overcome writer's block and creative barriers.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to EFT tapping and its benefits for writers
• Live demonstration of tapping techniques for writer's block
• Discussion of how fear and safety mechanisms can block creativity
• Practical tips for accessing creative inspiration
• Real results: Anne's positive outcome following the tapping session

Guest: Helen McConnell

Certified EFT tapping practitioner with 14 years of experience

Specializes in helping people resolve trauma, relieve pain, and clear mental blocks

Returning host of "What's Bugging You" podcast

Resources Mentioned:

Helen's website: purposeprosperityhappiness.com

Contact Helen: helen@helenmcconnell.com

Write Anyway newsletter: pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

Special Opportunity:

Helen is seeking three writers to participate in writing-related tapping sessions for her podcast "What's Bugging You." Interested writers can contact her at helen@helenmcconnell.com.

Can you really write a book while raising kids?

Creativity coach Susie Meserve says yes — but not in the way you think.

In this episode, Sue sits down with Susie to talk about what actually gets in the way of creative moms (hint: it's not just time), why having children made both of them more prolific, and the guilt spiral that so many artist moms never talk about out loud.

If you're a caregiver who's told yourself "I'll get back to my writing when things slow down" — this one's for you.