Season 2 Wrap-up: Reflections, Encouragement, Permission.
Season 2 · Episode 69
Sunday, July 20, 2025 • Duration 16:05
The final episode of Season 2 is a love letter to all fiction writers.
We’ve covered nearly 30 episodes this season, from character arcs to worldbuilding to the emotional ups and downs of putting your work into the world. Before we break for summer, I wanted to leave you with something real: a mix of reflection, encouragement, and a few favorite moments from this season’s guests.
You’ll hear reminders that it’s okay to:
Take your time
Be frustrated
Celebrate the small wins
Keep going even when it’s hard
If you’ve been feeling stuck, tired, or unsure where you’re headed, I hope this episode gives you permission to rest and reassurance that your story matters.
I’ll be back in the fall with new guests, new topics, and more tools to help you write with clarity, confidence, and heart.
⏱ Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – A Love Letter to Writers 00:19 – Welcome to Write It Scared 01:27 – Reflecting on Season Two 03:10 – Permission to Write 04:15 – Advice from Our Guests 13:48 – Final Thoughts and Future Plans 15:40 – Thank You and Goodbye
Fantasy author A.M. Deese (aka Alexis Marrero Deese) joins me to talk about her immersive Dance of the Elements series, how she builds layered magical worlds, and what it really looks like to write through fear, doubt, and procrastination.
We dive into the challenges of writing a dynamic fantasy series, how to track all your world details without losing your mind, and why your first draft is supposed to be messy. Whether you write fantasy or not, this episode is packed with truth, tools, and encouragement to help you keep going.
✨ You’ll hear about:
Crafting a multi-POV fantasy series with political intrigue and elemental magic
How to approach worldbuilding without getting stuck in the weeds
The power of a “what if” and the value of trusting your process
Tools Alexis uses to stay organized (hello, series bible + style sheet!)
Her new adult fantasy romance project under the pen name Lexi Lopez
Timestamps: 00:00 – Embrace your shitty first draft 00:32 – Welcome to the Write It Scared podcast 01:30 – Meet fantasy author A.M. Deese (Alexis Marrero Deese) 02:23 – Why worldbuilding matters for all writers 03:17 – Alexis’s journey to publication + #PitMad success 07:52 – Inside the Dance of the Elements series 14:23 – Building complex worlds + magic systems 20:00 – Series Bibles, style sheets, and staying consistent 27:06 – Pushing past fear, self-doubt, and rejection 31:15 – Spicy fantasy romance + writing as Lexi Lopez
To connect with Alexis and find her books please visit
How to Trust the Process and Stick with Your Story with Author Kristin Offiler
Season 2 · Episode 67
Sunday, July 6, 2025 • Duration 43:16
What if your novel isn’t broken—just still becoming?
I’m joined by debut author Kristin Offiler, whose psychological suspense novel The Housewarming is the result of years of slow, steady work—and a whole lot of revision. But the thing is? She almost gave up on it.
Kristin talks openly about her journey from MFA grad to published novelist, including:
How her story shifted genres mid-process
What finally clicked after years of rewriting
The moment she nearly walked away—and what kept her going
Why stories (and processes) are more malleable than we think
How to keep writing when self-doubt creeps in
This is one of those episodes that will make you feel less alone if you’re staring at a messy draft, wondering if it’s ever going to work. Kristin’s journey is a beautiful reminder that a long revision process is not a sign of failure—it’s the path forward. And persistence? That’s the real secret.
📚 The Housewarming is out August 1, 2025, from Thomas & Mercer. Preorder wherever you get your books!
01:33 – Kristin’s writing journey: from MFA to motherhood to first drafts
07:36 – Where The Housewarming began—and how it grew into something more
14:04 – The pivot: transforming a character-driven novel into psychological suspense
20:07 – How genre feedback changed Kristin’s revision process
Letting Go of Perfectionism and Portraying Anxiety in Middle Grade Fiction with Gloria Huang
Season 2 · Episode 66
Sunday, June 29, 2025 • Duration 32:51
If perfectionism has ever kept you stuck or made you question whether you’re cut out for this whole writing thing, this episode is for you.
Gloria Huang, author of the stunning middle grade fantasy Kaya and the Ocean, joins me to talk about:
Letting go of perfectionism
Writing through self-doubt
Revisiting your work with compassion
We dive into how she approached themes like childhood anxiety, identity, and the immigrant experience with honesty and heart.
Gloria also shares her path to publication—including the emotional stamina it takes to navigate rejection, impostor syndrome, and everything in between.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that writing is brave, messy, and deeply human.
In this episode, we cover: 00:29 Welcome back to Write It Scared 01:39 Meet our guest: Gloria Huang 02:57 Gloria’s debut novel Kaya and the Ocean 04:38 Exploring themes of anxiety and identity 06:15 The inspiration behind Kaya and the Ocean 08:06 Cultural influences and mental health in storytelling 15:13 The power of stories to heal and connect 17:21 Gloria’s path to publication 19:57 Writer’s block, burnout, and the creative process 21:43 What happens after the book deal 24:22 Writing process + giving yourself grace 27:10 Reframing rejection as part of the journey 29:03 Gloria’s hopes for fellow writers 30:32 What she’s working on next 31:17 Final thoughts and where to find Gloria
To connect with Gloria and find her books, please visit her at:
Today, I’m getting personal about one of the biggest game-changers in my writing life: finding the right writing community.
We’re talking about why community matters so much (especially when the writing gets hard), how to figure out what kind of group actually supports your goals, and why patience is essential, especially if you’re newer and not quite ready for critique.
I’m sharing what I’ve learned about navigating group dynamics, feedback, and the sometimes messy yet beautiful process of connecting with fellow writers.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What kind of writing support do you really need (accountability, critique, or both)?
Why encouragement matters just as much as craft feedback
How to choose between large vs. small groups
Where to look for writing communities online and in real life
How to protect your energy, trust your voice, and find your people
Plus, I’m giving you a heads-up about my small group coaching program starting September 2025—perfect if you’re in the story development or drafting phase and want a safe, supported space to grow.
This one’s for every writer who’s ever felt a little too alone in the work. You don’t have to do this by yourself.
Timestamps: 01:34 – Why writing doesn’t have to be lonely 02:51 – The benefits of having a writing community 04:01 – What kind of group is right for you? 04:32 – A gentle warning about early critique 07:01 – Group size, structure, and expectations 09:07 – Where to actually find these magical writer folks 12:33 – Common challenges and how to navigate them 13:53 – Wrap up + Fall 2025 group coaching details
Writing Brave with Brooke Adams Law
Season 2 · Episode 63
Sunday, June 15, 2025 • Duration 46:54
In this episode, I’m joined by Brooke Adams Law—award-winning author, book coach, and founder of the Writing Brave Movement—for a heartfelt conversation on writing with emotional honesty and trusting your inner voice. Brooke gets real about her own writing journey, from rejection to publication, and offers encouragement for navigating perfectionism, procrastination, and the creative wounds that keep us stuck.
What You’ll Learn:
What it really means to “write brave”
How to listen to your inner wisdom as a writer
The root causes of writer’s block and how to move through it
Simple exercises to start healing your creative wounds
Why persistence and self-trust matter more than perfection
Timestamps: 01:21 – Meet Brooke and the Writing Brave Movement 04:25 – Defining “writing brave” 13:09 – Writing from intuition and inner wisdom 23:51 – Signs and symptoms of writer’s block 27:00 – Creative wound healing practices 35:29 – Brooke’s story of doubt, grit, and getting published
This one’s packed with heart and hope. Tune in when you need a boost.
You can visit Brooke’s website at www.wearewritingbrave.com to take her quiz, Discover YOUR Writing Routine Personality.
Point of view is one of the most important craft decisions you’ll make as a writer—and one of the easiest to get tangled up in. In this episode, we’re breaking down what POV actually is, why it matters, and how to use it with intention.
You’ll learn:
The pros and cons of first, second, and third person POV
What terms like “third person limited” and “close” really mean
How to avoid head-hopping and other common pitfalls
When it’s okay to blend POVs—and how to do it well
How to choose the right narrative lens for your story
Whether you’re just starting out or revising a draft, this episode will help you make smarter POV choices and tell your story with more clarity and confidence.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Point of View
00:16 – Welcome to Write It Scared
01:26 – Craft Chat: POV
01:50 – Giveaway Announcement
02:23 – What POV is and why it matters
05:59 – First Person POV: Strengths and limitations
09:05 – Second Person POV: Rare but powerful
11:02 – Third Person POV: Limited, close, omniscient, and more
17:46 – Blending POVs intentionally
19:13 – How to choose the right POV for your story
21:50 – Final thoughts and encouragement
How to Build a Magic System That Serves Your Story with Gina Kammer
This week is all about writing fantasy and building magic systems!
We cover:
What a magic system is designed to do
The difference between soft vs. hard and low vs. high magic systems (and why knowing the difference matters)
Practical ways to ground readers in the familiar, even when your world is totally new
Strategies for overcoming those tricky mental blocks we all hit while building fantasy worlds (you're definitely not alone!)
Gina’s powerful tips from brain science to help you connect with your readers on a deeper level
If you’ve ever struggled to craft magic systems or fantasy worlds readers can’t get enough of, this episode is for you. Gina and I will leave you feeling inspired, capable, and excited to dive into your own magical creations
Struggling to figure out where your story is going?
In this episode, we break down how understanding your content genre can give you a built-in structure for your novel, shaping your plot, character arc, and emotional payoff.
We’ll explore the difference between marketing and content genres, explain why genre is more than just a shelf label, and dive into how frameworks like Save the Cat Writes a Novel and The Story Grid can help you choose your content genre and write with more intention.
Episode Breakdown
00:00 – Introduction to Genre and Storytelling 00:22 – Welcome to The Write It Scared Podcast 01:31 – Understanding Your Story Genre 02:27 – Marketing vs. Content Genre 05:39 – Frameworks for Identifying Content Genre 06:50 – External vs. Internal Content Genres 08:33 – Blending Genres and Finding Your Story’s Spine 10:12 – Conclusion and Next Steps
Learning to Dance with Self-Doubt as a Writer with Amy L. Bernstein
Season 2 · Episode 59
Sunday, May 18, 2025 • Duration 38:49
Have you ever felt like self-doubt was holding your writing dreams hostage? Oh friend, you’re definitely not alone. In this episode of The Write It Scared Podcast, I had an incredible chat with the wonderful Amy Bernstein, author of Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears and Finding Inspiration.
We got real about the ways self-doubt creeps into our creative lives, and how—even though it's uncomfortable—it's also totally normal. Amy opened up about her own journey with doubt, what inspired her to write her book, and shared practical (and gentle!) strategies to navigate that nagging voice inside your head.
Here's what you'll find in our conversation:
Why doubt isn't always the enemy (spoiler: sometimes it's a powerful creative ally)
How to use the improv-inspired mindset of "Yes, and..." to navigate creative uncertainty and fear
Real talk about handling rejection, building persistence, and finding your creative path despite doubt
Personal insights and relatable experiences from Amy’s own writing journey (and a few from mine, too!)
If you're wrestling with doubt—and let's be honest, who isn't?—you'll walk away from this episode feeling seen, inspired, and ready to embrace your creative path, self-doubt included.
Episode Breakdown
00:00 – Facing doubt head-on (you've got this!)
00:28 – Welcome back to Write It Scared!
01:33 – Diving deep: self-doubt and creativity
01:55 – Meet the amazing Amy Bernstein
03:52 – Amy’s personal journey with writing and doubt
07:09 – Why doubt can be powerful (yes, really!)
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