What exactly makes a healthy relationship, and why does it matter that fiction has them? Erin sits down for a conversation with Amy, a sensitivity reader and therapist, to discuss the ins and outs of relationship writing. Have you ever noticed that the couples in fiction have the same problems over and over again? The woman magically changes the man, the man rescues the woman, the couple magically solves all of their problems by just communicating. They discuss the benefits of escapist fiction and how there is a lot of room in the world to do both fiction and deep-dives into healthy relationships. Amy points out that, in real-life relationships, that sort of repeated pattern is coming from a deeper place, and that it’s worth exploring in fiction as well. They discuss drama triangles, victimization, love-bombing, and other relational red flags that often show up in fiction. The conversation ends with a discussion about how to actually approach healthy relationships, and if it’s possible to have plot-moving conflict without a struggling relationship (spoiler: it is!). They discus the series Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal. You can book a sensitivity read with Amy to look over your fictional relationship at www.saltandsagebooks.com! If you need help with a real relationship, we recommend finding a therapist. 

Join Erin in a solo episode today for a discussion about dark romance, mafia romance, and problematic/villainous heroes. Erin is a latecomer to the romance genre and has some thoughts about the way that patriarchal conditioning has infiltrated the romance genre. We start with a conversation about what makes a dark romance, what Erin's research revealed, and her theories about why dark romance, and especially problematic heroes, are so popular. She also gives you a breakdown of how she learns about a genre on a marketing level, specifically when it comes to Amazon's Kindle unlimited program. Content warning that Erin does discuss abuse, including emotional abuse, financial abuse, and assault in general terms, patriarchy and patriarchal conditioning, Christianity, with a small nod to modesty culture. Learn more about Salt and Sage Books -- and book a sensitivity read for your dark romance book to double check its impact -- at www.saltandsagebooks.com

Join us today to as Erin interviews the absolutely incredible Lydia! Lydia is a highly intelligent, highly decorated, highly accomplished editor, author, and game developer. She's an incredible TTRPG developer, GM, and author -- and her editing skills match. Her know-how as a sensitivity reader and author has taken her to some really cool places, and we are so excited to introduce you to her today. Lydia loves working with anyone writing Chinese-American characters, people who are working to make TTRPGs and gaming more inclusive, and writers who are writing vulnerable work. You can work with Lydia through the Salt and Sage Books website! Book her today at www.saltandsagebooks.com

Welcome back to the conversation between our incredible editor, Amy Bowen, and our host, Erin. This is part two of a continued conversation about the intersection of creativity, mental wellness, prescriptions, medication, privilege, and power structures. If you missed part one, check out the episode just before this one. In part two, the conversation turns to specific actions that all creatives can take to help accommodate for and support their own mental health. We'd love to hear your thoughts about this one below! To learn more about Salt and Sage Books and the work we do, please visit our website at www.saltandsagebooks.com.

We're lucky enough to be joined again by Amy for part one of this conversation about mental health and creativity. As a skilled therapist and editor, and a gifted artist in her own right, Amy's perspective on creativity is an intriguing one. Tune in as we discuss the way creativity has become associated with mental illness, the harmful impacts of being anti-medication, and the deep intersectionality between systems of oppression and the act of creation. Join us for part 2 next week! Learn more about Salt and Sage Books on our website, www.saltandsagebooks.com, and hire Amy to work on your manuscript!

So you want to find a critique group. You know they’re important for your growth as a writer. Maybe you’re hungry for some writing friends! Maybe you really need a reliable set of eyes on your work. Maybe you need some external pressure for getting your own writing done. Whatever your reason, it’s time to find a critique group, and we’re here to help! Sachiko and Erin have a wide variety of experiences with critique groups, and they both approach finding (and attending) critique groups in very different ways. Tune in to get an insider’s view on what it’s like to be in a critique group, how to find a good critique group, and good critique group manners. Plus, we also talk about how to politely leave a critique group — we know that can be really tricky! If you like what you hear, we’d love a five-star review. Thank you for your support! If you’d like to work with us or learn more about Salt and Sage Books, check out our website at www.saltandsagebooks.com. 

Join Erin for this solo episode where she talks about the dos--and don'ts--of setting writing goals for the new year. Whether you're a newbie writer and want to write every day or you're an established author, the pressure to set new writing goals can be really intense! Erin's got a lot of ideas about how to make those writing goals feel more attainable and how to be kinder to yourself while you're working towards them. Don't worry, we're not going to talk about SMART goals or insinuate that you just need more discipline! We're here with real-life tips for how to fit writing into your busy schedule, how to set your goals low enough that they feel good and achievable, and how to balance the drive for creativity with the demands of real life. If you like what you hear, we'd love to know it! Please leave us a five-star review. Learn more about Salt and Sage Books at www.saltandsagebooks.com.

Erin & Sachiko discuss the benefits and drawbacks of monetizing your hobbies, including writing, quilting, art, etc., and the importance of having space in your life for additional emotionally fulfilling things. Because we all have things we love, but hey, we also live in capitalism, and we also need groceries. Do you want to be a full-time writer? A well-loved author? A famous quilter? This is the conversation for you. You can book edits with the entire Salt and Sage Books team at www.saltandsagebooks.com and help us keep our other hobbies funded.

🎙️ Welcome back to another heartfelt episode of Rough Drafts Welcome! 📝 Erin sits down with one of Salt and Sage Books' editors, Amy, who a licensed clinical therapist. They dive into the realm of mental health representation in fiction. They focus on the profound impact that authentic representation can have on real-life attitudes towards mental health and therapy. Amy shares insights on the importance of weaving mental health narratives into fiction and explores how accurate portrayals can positively influence people's willingness to engage in self-care and seek therapy. Amy believes that writers play a powerful role in shaping societal perspectives around mental health! Tune in for an enlightening discussion & plenty of suggestions for where to start on your own journey mental health rep. Visit www.saltandsagebooks.com to connect, collaborate, and discover more about 'The Rough Drafts Welcome' podcast!

🎙️ Join us for another episode of 'The Rough Drafts Welcome' podcast with your host, Erin! 📝 In this solo episode, Erin shares valuable insights on sparking your creativity and achieving that elusive flow state. Discover the power of Pavlovian conditioning for writers and an intriguing 'eyeball trick' to boost your creative output. We'll explore the nuances of routines and habits, especially for neurodivergent individuals. Erin offers practical advice on using visual cues, like the 'Focus Toast' method and visual timers, to enhance your productivity. She discusses creating unique soundtracks for each story and the magic of selecting a theme song to immerse yourself in while writing. Erin also loves headphones, especially noise-canceling ones, for a helpful writing companion. Explore external support systems, including sprint groups, body doubling, and the Pomodoro method to keep your writing journey on track and motivating. We'll also dive into taste cues and somatic tricks, like using specific treats as rewards for achieving word count goals and understanding the role of your body's state in creativity, including the vagus nerve and the weird ear-pulling trick that Erin swears by. Don't miss this episode filled with creative hacks and tips to enhance your writing experience and boost your productivity. Tune in and connect with us as we explore 'The Rough Drafts Welcome' podcast! 🚀📚✨ Ready to embark on your creative journey with us? Visit www.saltandsagebooks.com to connect, collaborate, and discover more about 'The Rough Drafts Welcome' podcast! 🖋️🎶📢