Explore every episode of the podcast The Whole Writer
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43. Behind-the-Scenes of Self-Publishing a Debut Novel with Saleema Ishq | 03 Dec 2024 | 00:29:58 | |
Ever wish you could go behind-the-scenes and ask an author how they went from idea to finished manuscript, how they overcame writing challenges, and how they went about the business of self-publishing their first book? Good news, I'm doing that today with author Saleema Ishq. | |||
| 42: Three Ways to Go From Force to Flow in Your Novel | 26 Nov 2024 | 00:10:32 | |
Feeling stuck in your writing? There’s a difference between forcing a story and letting it flow. With the New Year approaching, it’s easy to feel the pressure to “just get it done.” But sometimes, the best progress happens when we lean into flow. | |||
| 33. Recovering From Creative Burnout with Emily Golden & Rachel May | 17 Sep 2024 | 00:49:18 | |
Do you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of creative burnout? The state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that affects your creative work? | |||
| 32. How to Write an Action Story That Works With Savannah Gilbo | 10 Sep 2024 | 00:35:02 | |
Today I'm talking with fellow book coach Savannah Gilbo about how to write an action story that works. Inside the episode we're discussing:
Plus, Savannah's sharing details about her brand new book for novel writers. Tune in to find out more. | |||
| 31. [MASTERCLASS] How to Go From Idea to Action in Your Novel Writing | 03 Sep 2024 | 00:23:05 | |
If you didn't get a chance to attend my free webinar on August 27th, which was titled: How to Go From Idea to Action in Your Novel Writing; the good news is, I'm sharing the content again here inside this episode in the form of a free mini-masterclass. | |||
| 30. Inside Steps to Story: Real Talk From Writers in My Program | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:23:52 | |
You're going to hear a special episode today.
and so much more! | |||
| 29. Five Powerful Mindset Habits to Adopt Before You Write Forward | 20 Aug 2024 | 00:11:51 | |
Those who adapt a healthy mindset from the start are usually the ones who follow through with their novel writing dreams. That's why I'm breaking down some key mindset habits for writers inside today's episode. | |||
| 28. How to Build a Strong Foundation for Your Novel Writing | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:10:29 | |
Here’s the tough truth, I often see writers (myself included at one time) who are so excited about their story idea that they rush through the process and forget to establish a strong foundation for their novel.
Tune in to learn more. | |||
| 27. Four Signs Your Novel Manuscript Isn't Hanging Together | 06 Aug 2024 | 00:13:29 | |
Today's episode is all about story craft! I’m diving into the red flags that signal your novel manuscript might need a tune-up. Writing a book is a massive undertaking, and with so many moving parts, it's easy to lose sight of crucial structural elements along the way. The four issues I’m diving into are:
Tune in to find how to identify and strengthen these elements. | |||
| 26. Six Ways to Avoid Overwhelm When Crafting Your Novel | 30 Jul 2024 | 00:09:11 | |
Inside this episode, I'm diving into a topic that most writers are not immune to: project overwhelm. | |||
| 25. How to Know if Your Story Premise Will Fill a Whole Book | 23 Jul 2024 | 00:08:47 | |
Today I’m tackling a question that every novelist faces at some point: "How do I know if my story premise will fill a whole book?" | |||
| 24. Sidestep These 4 Novel-Writing Pitfalls for Success | 16 Jul 2024 | 00:10:48 | |
Today I'm diving into four crucial mistakes to avoid when writing your novel. While there is no wrong way to write your book, because your writing process should be your own, I can tell you that there are certain mistakes to be avoided in your process.
Tune in to learn how to avoid and overcome these writing mistakes in order to draft a strong novel manuscript. | |||
| 41. An Author’s Guide to Thriving with Camille Pagan | 19 Nov 2024 | 00:31:29 | |
Listeners, you’re in for a treat today. I’m chatting with friend and author coach, Camille Pagan. We’re diving into the topics of...
...and so much more. | |||
| 23. Summer Boost: 3 Ways to Stay in the Writing Flow Right Now | 09 Jul 2024 | 00:07:21 | |
Small but consistent efforts will keep you connected to your work this summer. Tune into today's short but sweet episode to learn three quick ways to keep your writing flow moving in the right direction this summer. | |||
| 22. From Manuscript to Market: Trends I'm Seeing in my Book Coaching | 02 Jul 2024 | 00:12:30 | |
I have the privilege of getting to know fiction writers and their stories because of the work that I do. And lately, I've been noticing some trends. Today's episode is all about the list of trends that are unique to my corner of the world. | |||
| 21. Beta Readers vs. Developmental Editors: What Writers Need to Know | 25 Jun 2024 | 00:12:26 | |
In today's episode, we're going to dive into a hot topic in the novel writing process: Beta readers versus developmental editors. | |||
| 20. Your Burning Questions Answered! | 18 Jun 2024 | 00:24:32 | |
I sent out a CTA to my followers asking their burning questions about their writing and publishing journeys. I got a great response and am happy to say that the questions sent back to me have a nice range of topics.
Tune in to learn more! | |||
| 19. Flat Characters, Flat Story: Breathing Life into Your Cast | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:10:22 | |
Are flat characters killing your story? It's something I see all too often in my book coaching and developmental editing business. | |||
| 18. Do This ONE Thing to Transform Your Novel Writing | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:10:43 | |
In this episode, I'm talking about ONE crucial strategy for novel writers: the idea of leaning into your wins. | |||
| 17. Top 10 Things I've Learned as an Author | 28 May 2024 | 00:16:41 | |
Today is my book's birthday! CITY OF BOOKS is now out in the world. And in celebration, I want to do something a little different today. I'm going to pull back the curtain and share parts of my author journey with you. | |||
| 16. The Road to Publication: A Roundtable Discussion with Jeanne Blasberg & Susie Orman Schnall | 21 May 2024 | 00:50:26 | |
I'm having an inspired conversation with two of my sisters in publishing for our books releasing this spring and summer. And there's a giveaway!👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
THERE'S ALSO A GIVEAWAY!!📚 | |||
| 15. Big Shifts in Publishing with Brooke Warner | 14 May 2024 | 00:33:17 | |
In today's episode, I'm taking a deep dive into the BIG shifts in publishing with my publisher, Brooke Warner.
And so much more! This episode is packed with insight that you don't want to miss! | |||
| 14. Why Mentors Matter with Jennie Nash | 07 May 2024 | 00:39:36 | |
Welcome to a special month of podcast episodes! Because this is my book launch month (CITY OF BOOKS releases May 28th📚), I’m taking my podcast from solo episodes to interviews.
Where to find Jennie Nash: | |||
| 40. Real Answers for Real Writing Struggles | 12 Nov 2024 | 00:23:39 | |
Today is another Ask Me Anything! Inside this episode I'm answering these five questions: | |||
| 13. How to Hook Readers in Scene One | 30 Apr 2024 | 00:08:43 | |
Crafting a strong opening scene is crucial for grabbing the reader's attention and setting the tone for the entire novel. So, in today’s episode, I'm discussing key elements that writers need to know when creating the opening to their novel. | |||
| 12. PSA: Five Things Writers Can Control | 23 Apr 2024 | 00:06:23 | |
Today’s episode is meant to be a gentle reminder for anyone who is feeling perplexed or frustrated with certain elements of the writing and publishing journey. My number one recommendation is to take time to focus on the craft. Because in this, there are five wonderful things you can have control over. | |||
| 11. Do You Have Kitchen Sink Syndrome in Your Writing? | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:07:38 | |
In this episode, we'll be delving into the art of restraint in novel writing. Specifically, we'll discuss why it's crucial for writers to resist the temptation to throw in everything but the kitchen sink into their novel manuscript. Otherwise known as kitchen sink syndrome. It’s something I see often in my book coaching and developmental editing business – writers find themselves stuck and second guessing their story, and as a result, they tend to throw far too many characters, plot points, & twists and turns into an already packed story, for fear of not hooking their reader. | |||
| 10. Overcoming Common Roadblocks in Novel Writing | 09 Apr 2024 | 00:08:00 | |
If you've been second-guessing yourself and letting doubt hold you back from your writing goals, this episode is for you! Inside this episode, I'm breaking down writing roadblocks into four different categories.
Let's first identify them and then talk about ways to overcome them. | |||
| 9. How Writers Can Know Their Protagonist Better | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:08:04 | |
Inside this episode of Steps to Story, we discuss why knowing your protagonist on a deeper level allows you to create a more engaging and relatable story. | |||
| 8. Why Healthy Writing Habits Matter | 26 Mar 2024 | 00:10:40 | |
In this episode of Steps to Story, I'm talking about practices that can fuel our writing process and propel us forward. | |||
| 7. Top Three Story Questions You Should Be Asking Yourself | 19 Mar 2024 | 00:07:51 | |
Today we're tackling a crucial aspect of storytelling: the top three story questions you should be asking yourself as a writer. | |||
| 6. Accountability: How To Get It And Keep It | 12 Mar 2024 | 00:08:45 | |
In today's episode of Steps to Story, we're looking into the crucial aspect of accountability in novel writing. I first encourage you to acknowledge that the business of life has a natural ebb and flow, so in this regard none of us are perfect when it comes to accountability. But! There are helpful ways to bring a stronger element of this into our novel writing. So, let's explore how to not only get but also maintain accountability in our writing practice. | |||
| 5. Five Game Changing Tips for Writing Your Novel | 05 Mar 2024 | 00:10:15 | |
In today's episode, we're diving deep into the key elements of crafting a novel. Whether you're just starting out on your novel writing journey or on manuscript draft number three, understanding these elements is essential for crafting a compelling and unforgettable story. | |||
| 4. Unlocking the Power of Creative Community: A Roundtable Discussion | 27 Feb 2024 | 00:22:50 | |
Welcome back to this very special episode of Steps to Story. I'm so excited about this episode because I had an opportunity to do a roundtable discussion with five of my small group writing clients. | |||
| 39. Are You Relying on Tactics or Strategy in Your Novel Writing? | 29 Oct 2024 | 00:12:18 | |
In today's episode, I'm diving into a crucial question for novel writers. Are you relying on tactics or strategies to move your work and progress forward? | |||
| 3. Is Your Work Worthy? How to Measure Your Writing. | 21 Feb 2024 | 00:08:46 | |
Today I'm talking about the difficult question of whether or not your work is worthy. As a book coach whose worked with so many different types of writers over the years, I get asked this question all the time. And as an author, I’ve been there too. So I get it! The number one thing writers come to me wanting to know is whether or not their story idea is unique enough, whether their writing is good enough, and whether or not they have what it takes to get published. Here’s the truth… My answer is always the same: If your story is one that you care about, it is absolutely worthy! Instead, It’s the structure – the way in which you’re telling it – that might need strengthening. In other words, it’s not about what you’re creating, it’s about how you’re creating it. | |||
| 2. What Happens When You Tell People You're Writing a Book? | 14 Feb 2024 | 00:09:20 | |
There’s a kind of internal struggle authors face when deciding to share their writing endeavors with others. As writers, we at some point find ourselves in the honeymoon phase of crafting a book, one where we’re excited, motivated and inspired about being a storyteller. It’s also one where we find ourselves in the creative flow and, that euphoria, makes us want to shout from the rooftops!
It's a journey filled with excitement, challenges, and unexpected twists. Let's dive in! | |||
| 1. How to Go From Idea to Action | 06 Feb 2024 | 00:10:16 | |
Every book begins with an idea, a spark of inspiration. I always say if you go to bed thinking about your story each night, and can’t stop thinking about your plot, character, or setting, you’re ready to write you story. But how do you take that initial spark and turn it into a fully-fledged concept for a novel? | |||
| Welcome to the Steps to Story podcast | 28 Jan 2024 | 00:03:47 | |
Welcome! I started this podcast because while I believe there’s never been a better time to be a writer… I also know that taking the steps to getting the story out of your head and onto the page is one that requires support. | |||
| 38. Writing Retreats: Five Reasons Why They Can Be a Game Changer | 22 Oct 2024 | 00:10:29 | |
Today I'm diving into one of my all time favorite topics: writing retreats. What makes them such a transformative experience for authors and how can they benefit our writing? | |||
| 37. Strengthening Your Story's Bones: Customized Support for Story Structure | 15 Oct 2024 | 00:10:59 | |
In today's episode of Steps to Story, we're diving into one of the most crucial aspects of storytelling, your story's structure. | |||
| 36. Level Up Your Thriller, Mystery & Suspense with Samantha Skal & Kerry Savage | 08 Oct 2024 | 00:45:41 | |
Suspense, mysteries and thrillers, oh my! Welcome to spooky season! Inside this episode of Steps to Story I'm talking with book coaches Samantha Skal and Kerry Savage about:
And so much more! You can Samantha Skal here. | |||
| 35. Embrace the Drift: How Distraction Can Help Your WIP | 01 Oct 2024 | 00:13:01 | |
Today I'm exploring how you can strategically allow yourself to be distracted and how those moments can open up new avenues in your novel writing. | |||
| 34. [✨Big Announcement!] Author Platforms with Gretchen Schaffer | 24 Sep 2024 | 00:22:37 | |
Are you an emerging author who's starting to think about your author platform? Or perhaps you're just dipping your toe into the world of publisher pitches and agent queries. 📚 | |||
| 70. The Secret to Unlocking Creative Flow with Gabriela Blandy | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:52:00 | |
In this transformative episode, I sit down with Gabriela Blandy—writer, life coach, breathwork facilitator, and shamanic practitioner—to explore the deeper reasons behind creative resistance and procrastination. Gabriela reveals that most of us weren't taught that our dreams are our most precious possession, leading to automatic patterns of looking away from our creative urges. She explains how childhood conditioning creates physical tension in our bodies that literally blocks creative energy from flowing, and why traditional productivity tips often fail when deeper emotional and energetic wounds haven't been addressed. Through practical techniques like chakra-based body diagnostics, specific movement practices, and reconditioning journaling prompts, Gabriela offers accessible ways for writers to identify where they're holding tension and learn to welcome creative energy back into their bodies. This conversation goes beyond surface-level writing advice to address the root causes of creative blocks, helping writers understand that procrastination isn't about lack of commitment—it's about safety and the need to heal our relationship with creativity itself. For more on The San Francisco Writers Conference, visit here. | |||
| 69. Real Answers for Real Writing Struggles: Part 2 | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:17:09 | |
I've been noticing some common themes in the conversations I'm having with writers. So today, instead of answering specific questions you've sent me, I want to address five patterns I keep seeing in my work with novel writers. Patterns that go beyond craft and into how we sustain ourselves as creative people. These aren't just technical writing problems. They're the deeper challenges that can make or break our writing career. They're about mindset, sustainability and what it really takes to show up as an intentional and heart-centered writer in this industry. Tune in to learn more. | |||
| 60. Are You Living the Life of a Whole Writer? | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:08:42 | |
What does it mean to be a whole writer? For me and for so many of the writers I work with, it means expanding our definition of success. It means creating a writing life that includes, yes, the craft of storytelling, but also a creative rhythm that honors your energy and life season. A community of other writers who get it and who share your values. A curiosity about your ideal reader, not from a marketing lens first, but from a connection lens. Tune in to find out more. Links and resource from this episode: | |||
| 59. Writing from the Heart: How Following Her Intuition Landed a Book Deal with Jennifer O'Brien | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:25:38 | |
In this heartfelt episode, we chat with debut novelist Jennifer O'Brien, whose publishing journey took a surprising and inspiring turn. After a real-life dream of buying a fixer-upper didn’t pan out, she turned the experience into fiction—crafting a novel rich with themes of love, self-discovery, and the true meaning of home. We explore how real-life experiences influence story development, the deeper messages she hopes readers will carry with them, and the pivotal moments she leaned on intuition to guide her path—from finding the right literary agent to choosing the best publishing home for her book. If you’re a writer chasing your dream or a reader who loves stories grounded in emotional truth, this episode will leave you inspired. | |||
| 58. Nurture Your Revisions: How to Approach Your Next Draft with special guests | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:27:02 | |
For the next three episodes, I'm doing something special. Recently I had the Joy of gathering with 15 of my book coaching friends, an inspiring group of thoughtful, compassionate coaches and editors who are all deeply invested in helping writers like you bring their stories to life. We spent time setting intentions supporting one another and talking about the many ways we can uplift the writers we work with. And as we talked, I couldn't help but think, what if I could bring their wisdom and encouragement straight to you? So that's exactly what this three part series is all about. Over the next three episodes, in these round table style conversations, you'll hear insights, guidance, and heartfelt advice to help you write forward with clarity and confidence. You'll notice a variety of skill sets and focuses among the group. Some specialize in memoir, some specialize in children's books and others while coaching adult fiction. Bring a unique perspective to the work. I hope you'll grab a notebook, settle in, and soak up the wisdom these writing coaches have to share. Links to guests from this episode: | |||
| 57. Nurture Your Mindset: How to Move Through Roadblocks with special guests | 01 Apr 2025 | 00:27:25 | |
For the next three episodes, I'm doing something special. Recently I had the Joy of gathering with 15 of my book coaching friends, an inspiring group of thoughtful, compassionate coaches and editors who are all deeply invested in helping writers like you bring their stories to life. We spent time setting intentions supporting one another and talking about the many ways we can uplift the writers we work with. And as we talked, I couldn't help but think, what if I could bring their wisdom and encouragement straight to you? So that's exactly what this three part series is all about. Over the next three episodes, in these round table style conversations, you'll hear insights, guidance, and heartfelt advice to help you write forward with clarity and confidence. You'll notice a variety of skill sets and focuses among the group. Some specialize in memoir, some specialize in children's books and others while coaching adult fiction. Bring a unique perspective to the work. I hope you'll grab a notebook, settle in, and soak up the wisdom these writing coaches have to share. Links to guests from this episode: | |||