Best Probably Poly Podcasts (2025)

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Writing Brave with Brooke Adams Law 46:54

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4d ago46:54

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…

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How to Choose the Right Point of View For Your Novel 22:41

12d ago22:41

22:41

Enter the WIS Podcast Anniversary Giveaway! 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 PO…

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How to Build a Magic System That Serves Your Story with Gina Kammer 38:22

19d ago38:22

38:22

Enter the WIS Podcast Anniversary Giveaway! Win Book Coaching Sessions + More Prizes! 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 …

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How to Use Genre to Structure Your Novel 13:29

26d ago13:29

13:29

Grab Your Free Ticket to The 2025 Spark To Story Summit (MAY 27-29) 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 conte…

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Learning to Dance with Self-Doubt as a Writer with Amy L. Bernstein 38:49

1M ago38:49

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 int…

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One Year Anniversary + Writing, Perimenopause, Procrastination, and Giving Yourself Grace 17:24

1M ago17:24

17:24

ENTER THE 1 YEAR Anniversary Celebration to WIN a FREE 90-MIN PLOT STRATEGY SESSION! DOWNLOAD "THE WRITE MINDSET" FREE WORKBOOK from Write It Scared! Writing is challenging enough without beating ourselves up along the way, right? In this episode of The Write It Scared Podcast, I’m getting personal—celebrating the podcast’s one-year milestone (wooh…

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Building Your Author Platform Without the Overwhelm with Nicole Meier & Gretchen Schaffer of Bookworks.co 26:56

2M ago26:56

26:56

Download Your Free Novel Planning Guide Let’s talk about author platforms—and before you groan, I promise this isn’t scary or overwhelming! In this episode of The Write It Scared Podcast, I’m chatting with two industry experts, Nicole Meier (multi-published author and book coach) and Gretchen Schaffer (marketing and PR strategist), the brilliant te…

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3 Revision Mistakes You're Probably Making (And How to Avoid Them!) 14:21

2M ago14:21

14:21

Download your step-by-step self-editing guide with checklist here! Revision can feel like staring into an abyss. Where do you even start? What if you mess up your story? I get it—the revision stage can feel pretty overwhelming. But in this solo episode of Write It Scared, I'm here to help you tackle it head-on. I'll walk you through three big revis…

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Dual POV’s and Writing Despite Rejection with Author Alexandria Faulkenbury 32:19

2M ago32:19

32:19

Writing your first novel is a rollercoaster—exciting, overwhelming, and, let's be honest, a little terrifying. But when you finally reach that finish line? It’s incredible. In this episode of Write It Scared, I’m joined by debut author Alexandria Faulkenbury. Her debut novel, Somewhere Past the End, will be released in May 2025. Alexandria generous…

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Understanding the Flat Character Arc: A Case Study with Katniss Everdeen 23:15

2M ago23:15

23:15

Not every compelling character needs a massive transformation. Sometimes the most powerful stories come from characters who don’t change—but instead, they change the world around them. That’s what we call a flat character arc, and on this episode of The Write It Scared Podcast, I’m breaking down exactly what that means. I know—a “flat” arc might so…

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How Writing Short Stories Can Make You a Stronger Novelist with Demi Michelle Schwartz 41:35

3M ago41:35

41:35

If you're a novelist, you might think short stories aren’t “your thing,” but let me tell you—they can be an incredible tool. In this conversation, Demi Michelle Schwartz—author, editor, podcaster, and all-around creative powerhouse— and I dive into how writing short stories can help you: Stay creatively engaged between big projects Sharpen your sto…

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How to Craft a Compelling Corruption Arc with Case Study: Walter White From Breaking Bad 17:06

3M ago17:06

17:06

Not every character arc leads to redemption—some lead to ruin. And that’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode. This week we’re talking about the corruption arc—the dark, compelling journey where a character doesn’t just make mistakes... they choose the wrong path and double down on it. These arcs are all about moral compromise, self-dece…

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Live Pitching vs. Cold Querying: Insights from Author and Agent Amy Nielsen 41:09

3M ago41:09

41:09

Querying is hard. Sending email after email, waiting for months (or forever) for a response—it’s enough to make any writer scream. But what if you could skip the inbox slush pile and pitch your book directly to an agent? That’s precisely what Amy Neilsen—author, literary agent, and freelance editor—joins me to talk about in this episode. Amy has be…

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Planning Your Novel: From Idea to Outline 46:55

3M ago46:55

46:55

Download Your Free Novel Planning Guide! In this episode of Write It Scared, I’m sharing my interview from the Be a Bestseller 6.0 Back to Basics Summit hosted by Emma Dhesi and we discuss practical strategies for planning and outlining your novel in a way that works for you. The highlights: 📌 The fundamentals of storytelling—character, conflict, p…

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Poli-Fi Author, Michael Fedor on Writing, Rewriting, and Never Giving Up 35:31

3M ago35:31

35:31

Writing a novel is never a straight path. But what happens when that journey takes 20 years? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Fedor, an award-winning independent author, to talk about the long, winding road to publishing his debut novel, What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose, a political science fiction thriller with deep themes and sharp comm…

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Crafting the Tragic Falling Character Arc 24:14

4M ago24:14

24:14

The Falling Arc isn’t about a villain—it’s about a character who could have chosen differently but instead becomes consumed by their worst impulses. Their story isn’t just dark—it’s unsettling, raw, and real. This character starts with potential, but instead of rising to the occasion, they spiral downward—deeper into moral corruption, delusion, or …

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Tips on Writing Historical Fiction with Author Susanne Dunlap 38:27

4M ago38:27

38:27

What does it take to bring history to life on the page? In this episode of Write it Scared, I’m sitting down with Susanne Dunlap—acclaimed historical fiction author, writing mentor, and all-around storytelling powerhouse. Susanne’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. She went from earning a PhD in music history to publishing her first novel at 5…

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Essentials of Crafting Negative Character Arcs + Deep Dive into the Disillusionment Arc 24:00

4M ago24:00

24:00

Not every character’s journey leads to triumph—some lead to harsh truths and shattered illusions. In this episode we do an overview the negative character arcs and then focus on the specifics of the Disillusionment Arc. Unlike positive arcs where characters grow and overcome their flaws, disillusionment arcs are about painful realizations. These ch…

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Valentine’s Special! Crafting Authentic Romance with Trisha Jenn Loehr 45:17

4M ago45:17

45:17

FREE Romance Story Structure & Beat Guide From Write It Scared Love is in the air! In this special Valentine’s Day episode of the Write it Scared podcast, I’m thrilled to be joined by the amazing Trisha Jenn Loehr, a romance expert and Author Accelerator Certified Fiction Book Coach. Together, we’re diving headfirst into the art (and heart) of writ…

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On Wise Productivity and Building Positive Character Arcs 25:26

5M ago25:26

25:26

Download the Understanding Story Structure and Character Arcs PDF GUIDE. Learn the art of crafting positive character arcs and tackling the realities of time management. I kick things off by sharing some eye-opening insights inspired by Oliver Burkman’s 4,000 Weeks, Time Management for Mortals, a must-read for anyone rethinking how to make the most…

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Learning to Say No to "Mom Guilt" with Author MK Pagano. 32:16

5M ago32:16

32:16

In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I discuss overcoming guilt as a parent pursuing creative passions and introduce M.K. Pagano, the author of 'Girls Who Burn,' who shares her journey to becoming a published writer. Our conversation highlights the challenges of balancing writing with parenting, dealing with setbacks such as losing an ag…

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Understanding Story Structure and Character Arcs 21:33

5M ago21:33

21:33

Free Download: Understand Story Structure and Character Arcs Today, we’re diving deep into the magic of character arcs and how they intertwine with story structure and plot. I'll share insights on developing authentic characters so readers will empathize with them and want to know more. We'll chat about different character arcs—positive, negative, …

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Unlocking Your Characters with Michele Regenold 29:09

5M ago29:09

29:09

In this episode, I sit down with Michele Regenold, an author and certified book coach, to delve into the intricacies of character development. We explore the importance of knowing what drives your characters, distinguishing between their wants and needs, and identifying their fears. Michele introduces her character development tool 'Interview for I…

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Easing Into 2025 and Setting Smarter Writing Goals 14:35

6M ago14:35

14:35

If you feel unprepared for the new year, this episode is for you! Today, we discuss the importance of easing into the new year, reflecting on past achievements, and setting attainable writing goals. But at some point, we need to get after it, and for that, I have a detailed goal-setting exercise to help you map out your 2025 writing goals! Remember…

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Overcoming Creative Burnout, Embracing Rest, and Season One Wrap Up 24:22

6M ago24:22

24:22

Learn more about small group book coaching with Stacy Frazer and Write It Scared. Season one wraps up with a chat about the importance of learning how to rest, and I share my messy journey through creative burnout and how I recovered. Thank you to all the guests and listeners! So much good stuff to come in 2025! 00:00 Introduction: The Struggle of …

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Dear Writer, You're NOT Screwing This Up with Author Rachael Herron 36:42

7M ago36:42

36:42

Learn more about Group Coaching with Write It Scared. Ready for a dive-deep conversation about the emotional rollercoaster of writing? In this episode, I’m chatting with Rachael Herron—a trad and indie author who knows her way around multiple genres and isn’t shy about sharing less-than-stellar moments of her writing journey. We dig into story stru…

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Encouragement for the Frustrated Writer 10:07

7M ago10:07

10:07

Are you feeling frustrated with your writing? Do you struggle with setting up unrealistic expectations of yourself and your words? You’re not alone, and today, I will offer up a mindset shift. Join me as we unpack the importance of embracing gratitude for every part of the writing process—ESPECIALLY the words that don’t make it into your manuscript…

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Writing With and About Chronic Illness and Disability with Sandra Postma 38:35

7M ago38:35

38:35

Are you a writer who struggles to write because of a chronic illness or a writer who desires to write a disabled character with integrity and authenticity? If so, this episode is for you. Certified Book Coach Sandra Postma and I discuss how chronic conditions can shape the creative process, tackling issues like fatigue and brain fog. Sandra, a chro…

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How to Deal with Shiny Object Syndrome 15:51

7M ago15:51

15:51

Feeling stuck at a creative crossroads? You’re not alone! In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I dive into that all-too-familiar struggle every writer faces when contemplating whether to push through or step back from a project. Drawing from insights in Seth Godin’s The Dip, I unpack the tricky phase where doubt creeps in, and we’re temp…

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Finding Your Writing Process Using CliftonStrengths with Becca Syme 48:24

8M ago48:24

48:24

Do you want to be more efficient when it comes to your writing? Wish there was a way to understand what type of writing process would work well for you instead of trying and failing at a method that works well for others? Guess what? There is. It still takes work but makes a massive difference in my writing life. In this episode, I’m joined by Becc…

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Recognize Your Growth to Build a Happier and More Resilient Writing Life 9:54

8M ago9:54

9:54

Are you good at acknowledging your efforts and celebrating your creative milestones? Like most of us, probably not. Does this make you a better, healthier, or happier writer? NOPE. Today, we discuss the damaging effects of not acknowledging our efforts and achievements (no matter how big or small) and break down some actionable steps and relevant s…

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On Writing, Motherhood, Gross First Drafts, and Dealing with Rejection with Author Julia Walton 37:53

8M ago37:53

37:53

This one is for all the writers who have turned into parents or parents who’ve turned into writers. Becoming a parent changes you. Irrevocably. Sometimes it's amazing, sometimes (often) it's terrifying. Some days you look up and realize your actual boss is a tiny human that you created. It's a mind trip. Ad when those precious people grow into the …

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Mastering the Query Writing Process with Julie Artz 45:49

8M ago45:49

45:49

Today, I talk with Julie Arts, an experienced book coach and 'query wizard,' to offer expert advice on how to write effective query letters. Julie shares her journey in the writing world, insights on crafting a compelling pitch, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips on querying agents. The episode is packed with valuable information designed…

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Writing Through Fear and Uncertainty Part of The Novel Kickoff Event with Sara Gentry 24:30

9M ago24:30

24:30

In this episode, I'm interviewed by Certified Book Coach Sara Gentry of Story Solutions for Writers. We chat about the challenge of managing fear and uncertainty in writing. I break down my philosophy on 'writing it scared' and highlight the importance of aligning intentions with actions. We discuss common fears writers face, the role of mentorship…

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Setting Realistic Year-End Writing Goals 13:11

9M ago13:11

13:11

It's the final quarter of 2024! These are the last 90 days to make good on writing goals, so let's make sure they are reasonable and attainable and not shoot ourselves in the foot and wind up feeling disappointed come January! In this episode, you'll learn how to "Do the Math" while applying the "Lens of Your Reality" and how to add a buffer for wh…

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Author Roni Loren on Writing Romance and Questioning "The SHOULDS" 29:48

9M ago29:48

29:48

Today, I chat with romance author Roni Loren, a two-time Rita Award winner and Gallup® Certified Strengths Coach with the Better Faster Academy. The discussion dives into the controversial advice about editing as you go and how each writer's process is unique. Roni shares her journey, her struggles with self-doubt, and how she overcame burnout. Wit…

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How to Write Suspense and Tension in Your Fiction Novel 13:45

9M ago13:45

13:45

In this episode, we dive deep into the concepts of suspense and tension in storytelling. We clarify the differences between these often-confused terms and explain how both are essential for a compelling narrative. Learn through examining popular works of fiction how long-term and short-term suspense work together to keep readers engaged. This episo…

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Mastering the Craft of Writing with Author and Story Grid C.E.O. Tim Grahl 32:33

10M ago32:33

32:33

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, I chat with author and Story Grid CEO Tim Grahl. We discuss Tim's challenging yet rewarding journey from struggling writer to accomplished author, highlighting the importance of mastering scene writing and the rigorous learning process that led to his new novel, "The Shithead," dubbed as Faust meets F…

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Tips to Write Despite the Fear and Anxiety of "It's Not Good Enough." 10:39

10M ago10:39

10:39

Today, we celebrate a podcasting milestone and discuss how knowing who you're writing for can help calm your inner critic so you can push past the fear and anxiety of the work not being good enough. In this episode, we delve into the story of E.B. White, a celebrated American author who also struggled with fear and anxiety, to draw inspiration and …

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Honoring Your Creative Rhythm and Writing Dual Timelines with Author Cynthia Platt 32:46

10M ago32:46

32:46

In this episode, I’m joined by the delightful Kid-Lit author Cynthia Platt. We talk about the process of writing her debut intergenerational, dual-timeline YA novel, Postcards For Summer, which I adored reading. Cynthia shares what she’s learned about finding a rhythm as a writer, granting herself permission to explore varied interests, and giving …

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How to Write a Seamless Flashback for Your Fiction Novel 28:28

10M ago28:28

28:28

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, we explore the art of crafting seamless flashbacks in fiction writing. I break down how and when to use a flashback effectively and the seven key elements every flashback needs to feel seamless and move the story forward. We talk about the pros and cons of flashbacks and how to place them for maximum …

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Breaking Down the Self-Editing Process with Savannah Gilbo 39:56

10M ago39:56

39:56

This week, we're tackling the daunting task of editing your manuscript. Savannah Gilbo, a certified developmental editor and book coach, and I walk you through how to break down the self-editing process into manageable phases. From taking essential breaks to detailed step-by-step strategies, we cover how to transform your messy first draft into a p…

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Techniques to Convey Backstory Without Bogging Down the Narrative: Context & Memory 16:54

11M ago16:54

16:54

Techniques to Convey Backstory Without Bogging Down the Narrative: Context & Memory Today, we dig into the topic of backstory, specifically focusing on how to effectively deliver it without bogging down your narrative by using context and memory to weave backstory seamlessly into your story. Using examples from Rebecca Yarrow's Fourth Wing and VE S…

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The Nitty-Gritty Of Book Cover Design with Miblart's Expert Katia Balabaieva 25:50

11M ago25:50

25:50

Today, we're diving into the world of book cover design. I'm thrilled to be joined by Katia from Miblart, a team of professional book cover designers who create marketable book covers for indie authors and publishers. We explore the importance of having a finalized manuscript before commissioning a cover, the types of book covers available, and whe…

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How to Craft Relevant Backstory for Complex Characters, Conflicts, Plots, and Worlds 17:24

11M ago17:24

17:24

How to Craft Relevant Backstory for Complex Characters, Conflicts, Plots, and Worlds If you’ve ever been stuck while drafting your manuscript and don’t know what comes next, consider looking at your backstory for the answers! Tune in to Episode 19 of The Write It Scared Podcast with host book coach and writer Stacy Frazer to learn how to craft a re…

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The Truth About Book Coaching with Author Accelerator CEO Jennie Nash 31:37

11M ago31:37

31:37

In this episode of the Write It Scared Podcast, it’s my pleasure to welcome the inspiring Jennie Nash, CEO of Author Accelerator, to discuss her journey from writing instructor and author to successful book coach and business leader. Jennie illuminates the transformative power of book coaching, emphasizing the importance of individual attention and…

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Three Unhelpful Writing Assumptions to Release Right Now! 14:50

12M ago14:50

14:50

In Episode 17 of the Write it Scared podcast, book coach Stacy Frazer explores three common unhelpful writing assumptions that could be holding you back from crafting your best book. Stacy shares insights into why the belief that writing should be easy is not only false but dangerous, discusses the unrealistic expectation that first drafts should b…

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The Art of Crafting Middle-Grade Fiction with Author Janet Fox 41:12

12M ago41:12

41:12

Delve into the intricacies of writing for middle-grade readers with award-winning author and book coach Janet Fox and host Stacy Frazer. Janet shares her journey from writing for her dyslexic son to becoming a mentor for aspiring writers, offering invaluable insights into the importance of understanding your audience and creating resonant character…

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Unlock Your Character's Inner World with Interiority 20:26

12M ago20:26

20:26

Welcome to episode 15 of the Write it Scared podcast! Today, we're doing a deep dive into writing character interiority. Discover what interiority is, how to use it effectively in your writing, and when to use it to convey your character's true emotions, motivations, and inner states. I'll share examples to illustrate how offering readers glimpses …

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Writing Spooky Novels for Kids with Author Wendy Parris 33:49

1y ago33:49

33:49

On this episode of the Write It Scared Podcast, I talk with Middle-Grade Horror Novelist Wendy Parris about her writing journey–from zero background in writing to learning all the things to publishing a novel that now sits in over 300 libraries, with another due out in September of 2024! It's hard to believe she almost gave up, and the thing that s…