Author Ellen Meister's newest book Joyride was in a drawer for years, before she came back to it and finished the novel. In this compelling episode, Meister explains why she couldn't let go of the book, her process for plotting, how she experimented with POV and voice before deciding on her narrator, and why she loves a good writing challenge. Join our Simply Write community for more writing inspiration: https://simplywrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writing can be fun, meaningful, energizing. But it certainly isn't easy and often we make it harder than it needs to be. In this episode, I’m talking about the friction points that get in the way of our writing and our joy and how we can move through them with more ease. Whether it’s scheduling conflicts, self-doubt, or the distractions that drain your focus, identifying what’s not working can help you create a writing practice that actually supports your goals—and feels good, too. For more on the writing craft and crafting a writer's life, join the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For USA Today bestselling author Ann Garvin, the story often starts with the peccadillo—the thing she's been working on her whole life--and then she has her characters confront it too. The result? Relatable, engaging characters and six books. In this insightful and lively episode, Author Ann Garvin shares how she builds compelling characters, writes with ADHD, and why empathy is at the heart of every great story. She also dives into how her writing process has evolved throughout her career. If you’re working on a novel—or just love a good story—this is a must-listen! Find Ann and her books at anngarvin.com. For more on writing and the writer’s life, join the Simply Write community at simplywrite.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do the seasons influence your creativity? In this episode we explore how seasonal changes impact our energy, emotions, and creative flow. From spring’s burst of inspiration to summer’s social buzz, fall’s introspective depth, and winter’s reflective quiet, each season offers unique creative opportunities. Learn how to harness these natural rhythms to fuel your writing and artistic projects. Don’t fight the seasons—flow with them! For more on the writing craft and crafting a writer’s life, join the Simply, Write community at simplywrite.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want to publish your work and build a sustainable writing career, you need to develop not only your writing skills but also your entrepreneurial savvy to thrive in today’s creator economy. That’s the advice of Jane Friedman—publishing expert, sought-after speaker, and author of The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition. In this special show, Friedman discusses the concept of platform and lived platform, emphasizing that writers don’t need to approach social media like a Fortune 500 company to succeed. Instead, she shares practical strategies for choosing the right marketing channels to build a reader funnel and attract the right audience to your work. Friedman also explains why authors should evaluate each project independently to determine the best publishing route. “Nothing is static,” she says. What worked for one book may not be the best fit for the next. She encourages writers to consider all publishing options with an open mind rather than limiting themselves to a single view of publishing. For more wisdom from Jane Friedman, visit janefriedman.com. And for more on the writing craft and crafting a writing life, check out Simply Write. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writers who stay flexible and open to change see more opportunities and create work that resonates. In this episode, we dive into writer agility—why it matters, how to train yourself to notice trends, and ways to adapt your writing to an ever-changing world. Join the Simply Write community for more on the writing craft and crafting a writer's life. Subscribe at SimplyWrite.Substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with award-winning author, poet, and educator Elisabeth Sharp McKetta, PhD to explore the intersection of storytelling, writing, and personal growth. Writing, says Sharp McKetta is an act of discovery, and can help us understand our world and our lives, but just like the changing seasons, our writing and our processes change too. When we pay attention to those shifts, we can grow and find the flow and meaning in our work. For more from teacher, author, storyteller, Elisabeth Sharp McKetta go to https://elisabethsharpmcketta.com/ For more on the writing craft and crafting a writer's life join the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Show Notes: The Power of Consistent Effort in Writing Writing isn’t about waiting for inspiration—it’s about committing to steady practice. Research shows that consistency not only enhances creativity but also strengthens self-efficacy, the belief in your ability to succeed. In this episode, we explore how showing up regularly to write sharpens your craft and builds the confidence needed to push past self-doubt. And, I'll share the unexpected ways that alone helped shape my writing career and offer some ways to keep going when the last thing you feel like is writing. To learn more about the writing craft and crafting and crafting a writer's life join our Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Strawser shares insights on navigating multiple timelines and POVs, something she does in her newest book Catch You Later, and how she uses a synopsis to structure her stories while still leaving room for creative surprises throughout the writing process. Strawser who is also a writer, editor-at-large for Writer's Digest, and a mom talks about the role of time management in shaping her writing career and why writing sometimes requires sacrifices. This is a far-reaching interview that gives you a clear look into how a full-time author gets the work done. Find Jessica Strawser, and more about her books and other work, at https://jessicastrawser.com. For more on the writer's craft and crafting a writer's life join us at Simply Write w/Polly Campbell at https://simplywrite.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's an idea that changed my writing and helped me improve and publish more. What is it? Growth mindset. As writers we regularly face rejection and can be steeped in self-doubt. With a growth mindset, though, we see those rejections and setbacks as nothing more than information we can use to become better. Rejection, critical feedback, and mistakes are not character flaws, they are opportunities to learn and improve. And when we adopt a growth mindset we are more likely to persist --which is huge if you want to publish. With a growth mindset, we don't have to beat ourselves up over a disappointment or setback that leaves us free to be more creative, more relaxed, and more likely to keep on toward our goals. Listen in to learn more about why I think a growth mindset is essential to a writing life and how I use it in mine. For more on the writer's craft and crafting a writer's life join us at Simply Write w/Polly Campbell at https://simplywrite.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices