Dr. Nicole Janz, author of The Write Habit planner, brings an honest perspective to the psychological barriers that prevent writers from establishing consistent creative practices. Drawing from her own journey from burnt-out academic to thriving authorpreneur, she reveals how the most common writing struggles—procrastination, avoidance, and inconsistency- often mask deeper fears about worthiness and vulnerability.This conversation goes beyond surface-level productivity advice to explore the mindset shifts necessary for sustainable creative success. Dr. Janz shares her evolution from scattered marketing efforts to community-based connection, from overwhelm to intentional business planning, and from perfectionism to self-trust. Her practical wisdom on diversifying income streams while maintaining creative energy offers a roadmap for writers seeking to build sustainable careers without sacrificing wellbeing.Perhaps most valuably, Dr. Janz models the integration of creativity and self-care. Her practices—scheduled recovery days, morning meditation, movement, and firm boundaries—demonstrate how creative productivity stems from wellbeing rather than endless hustle. As she puts it: "I'm watching my health very carefully because I have to, but also because I want to. I want to be able to be creative, and it's not possible when you're bogged down in the hamster wheel."What writing project have you been avoiding, and what might happen if you approached it with radical self-trust?Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N
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From Writing With James Patterson to Paris: A Writer's Journey
When a creative mind trained in Hollywood's competitive structure ventures into the world of novel writing, the results can be illuminating. Shan Serafin's journey from James Patterson collaborator to solo novelist offers fascinating insights into the modern creative landscape, and a passionate warning about the future of human expression.Serafin reveals the unexpected path that led him to co-authoring bestsellers with Patterson, crediting his manager for seeing novel-writing potential he hadn't recognized in himself. "When writing a novel, you create an entire universe," Serafin explains, contrasting this with screenwriting, where directors, designers, and actors share the creative burden. This collaborative foundation provided crucial storytelling skills, particularly Patterson's ability to identify that critical "one percent" that transforms a good story into an exceptional one.Now standing at the threshold of his solo career with The Paris Vendetta Serafin shares the ironic origin story of a book he never intended to write. Having moved to Paris with two clear goals, not to write about the city and not to write about himself, he found himself doing precisely both when COVID isolation and unexpected encounters with European business figures sparked his creative imagination.But it's when addressing artificial intelligence's role in creative work that the conversation takes its most passionate turn. Serafin delivers a warning about AI's homogenizing effect on artistic expression: "If you start using AI as a creative person, it will homogenize everyone slowly because it's just basing everything on what currently gets the most attention in the shortest time." While acknowledging AI's benefits in fields like medicine, he argues that in creative pursuits, it threatens the very diverse human voices that make literature meaningful.For writers struggling to break through, Serafin offers hard-earned wisdom about nurturing your authentic voice despite rejection. Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N
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Oops! He Dropped the Leftovers, So I Wrote a Book
What happens when a child spills leftovers on the kitchen floor and immediately labels himself "stupid"? For author Brenda Do, this heartbreaking moment sparked the creation of It's Okay Not to Know, a children's book challenging our perfection-obsessed culture.Growing up Chinese in 1970s America, Brenda never saw herself represented in children's literature; every book featured white children. This experience shaped her determination to create characters that every child could identify with, regardless of appearance or background. So she created a world of colorful monsters with the gender-neutral protagonist leading readers through lessons of self-compassion and curiosity.Brenda draws fascinating connections between childhood messaging and adult behavior, noting how our early experiences with "failure" shape our willingness to take risks later in life. She references Stanford professor Carol Dweck's groundbreaking research on growth mindset, explaining how praising effort rather than results can dramatically expand children's potential. With just 230 words and playful rhyming text, Brenda describes it as "Dr. Seuss meets Brené Brown" - simple language conveying profound emotional intelligence.Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N
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Write Fast, Publish Often: The Art of Literary Momentum
For Neera Mahajan, a professional critique about her written English didn't derail her career; it sparked an extraordinary second act as an author, book coach, and community builder."The only thing standing between you and the senior management position is your written English," Neera's boss told her years ago. Rather than accepting this limitation, she embraced it as a challenge, eventually publishing eight books and building a thriving community of writers who benefit from her unique approach to making the writing and publishing process accessible to everyone.In this conversation, Neera reveals the surprising method she used to write her first book in just one week, a technique that has since helped countless aspiring authors overcome the paralyzing perfectionism that prevents most books from ever seeing the light of day. "Get the story out," she advises, "it doesn't matter how many pages it is." The beauty of self-publishing, she explains, is that you can continuously improve your book over time.For professionals looking to establish authority in their field, Neera offers a compelling perspective: "The fastest way to develop authority in any area is by writing a book on it." The process itself transforms you as much as it transforms your career prospects. By organizing your knowledge into a book, you clarify your own thinking and create a foundation for all your future content.Neera's practical wisdom and inspiring journey prove that it's never too late to reinvent yourself through words. At 57, she was just getting started on her most fulfilling chapter yet.Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N
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The Tables Turn: Natasha Tynes on 25 Years of Writing Without Burning Out
What does it take to build a sustainable career as a writer? In this special episode, the tables turn as I’m interviewed by author Jean Alfieri about my 25-plus years in the writing world.I talk about how it all began with a letter to the editor challenging gender discrimination in Jordan’s labor laws. Seeing that letter published and realizing my words could spark debate was the moment I knew storytelling would be at the heart of my life’s work.We cover everything from building resilience to facing rejection, and yes, I even share how playing the violin shaped the way I approach writing. I explain why I believe talent is overrated and how discipline and strategy are what really carry writers forward.We also explore how writing tools have evolved. While some writers fear AI, I embrace it fully. I see it as a transformative force that helps me stay accountable, saves time, and reduces the mental blocks that often lead to procrastination.If you’re a writer at any stage, I hope this conversation gives you a grounded and honest view of what it takes to keep going. I share why I don’t believe in writer’s block, how I build community, and how I stay creatively energized even when things get tough.Curious about my books?You can find my novels, including They Called Me Wyatt and Karma Unleashed, on Amazon. You can also visit my website, and subscribe to my newsletter where I share resources, tips, and services for writers.Ask yourself this: What limiting beliefs are standing in your way? And what could shift if you gave yourself permission to write differently? Tune in for a conversation that might just change how you see your writing life.Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N
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