Sick Days
I haven’t been feeling great lately, and some kind of Sickness (hopefully not Covid) has descended onto me and completely wiped out my energy. I told a friend earlier that if I had a traditional job, I would be calling off sick. I almost said “if I had a...
Hooks & Characters with Kate Brauning – WNP 129
This week, I had the honor to sit down with Kate Brauning, one of the developmental editors at Dovetail Fiction, the creator of the Breakthrough Writers’ Boot Camp, and the author of several YA novels with an unusual twist. If you’re an author or writer of any capacity, then you need to listen to this interview!
Who Are You?
I had a great Zoom call with my friend Kate Brauning last week, during which she asked me to consider who I am outside of my identity as a creator and entrepreneur. Hilariously/sadly/insert your own adjective here, I did not have an answer. The tunnel has been...
Structure, Genre, & The Craft with Jamieson Ridenhour – WNP 128
This week, I get to visit with my good friend (and acclaimed author) Jamieson Ridenhour! Join us as we discuss Jamie’s work on acclaimed audio drama “Palimpsest”, as well as his upcoming play, “Bloodbath: Victoria’s Secret.” We’ll also explore what it’s like to have a Ph.D. in 19th Century Gothic Literature, writing for different narrative forms, and more! Don’t miss it!
My Lawn Is Dead And I Don’t Care
Originally, I was going to title this “My Neighbors Hate Me,” but that felt clickbait-y, so I went with something more explanatory. My grandfather always had the nicest lawn. Lush, green, well-watered, and tender, with no pine needles or burgeoning thistles to stab...
Honoring the Dreamer with Marguerite Croft- WNP 127
Join us this week as we sit down with author and fellow audio-dramatist Marguerite Croft to talk about honoring the Dreamer in our lives and stories. We’ll also talk about her work with Point Mystic, as well as what it means to figure out what you want from your life, and to be surrounded by people who support you. Tune in today!
The Dark Side Of Productivity
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I spend my time. Our society is obsessed with productivity — there are entire books, podcasts, courses, and lifestyles devoted to the topic. But while we think a lot about how much stuff we can do in a day (or a week or...
Fun Is Better Than Perfect with Jimmie Bise, Jr. – WNP 126
This week, I get to interview my good friend, author Jimmie Bise, Jr.! We talk about the uncertainty and fear involved in claiming the title of “Writer”, starting and giving up on projects, and the necessary but often overlooked element of fun in our craft. It’s an interview you won’t want to miss!
What’s My Motivation?
I have a really weird relationship with motivation — and perhaps you do, too. Every once in a while, my eyelids fly open at 6am and I bounce out of bed, eager and excited to tackle the day’s work. I love these days and am incredibly grateful for them. The other 360...
Procrastination – WNP 125
Procrastination and laziness often go hand-in-hand, but those labels do not define you or the work you do. Today, we’re exploring the various ways we procrastinate, where our procrastination comes from, and how we can take time to own our “laziness” and put it to work!
Figuring Out Life
I feel like life has been tough for a lot of us lately. I’ve been attempting to balance priorities and obligations and it hasn’t been going very well. I hope this doesn’t sound too complain-y, or like a big ol’ pile of first-world problems,...
Sneaky Procrastination
It was Saturday afternoon. I had taken care of everything on my to-do list. It was too hot and humid to go outside, and I had just brewed a fresh cup of my favorite tea. I was wearing cozy sweatpants and a hoodie, and I had seated myself at my desk, prepared to write....
Episode 124: Beautifully Broken with Sean Howard
I’m going to be honest — I have not been okay lately. And maybe you haven’t either. So I sat down with my good friend Sean Howard to talk about mental health among creators, why it’s okay to ask for help, and how we’re all “Beautifully Broken.”
Starting Ugly with David duChemin – WNP 123
David duChemin, the best-selling author of such titles as Start Ugly and The Problem With Muses, is joining us today to talk about his creative process, why creativity isn’t about making masterpieces, and the wisdom of letting yourself “start ugly” and seeing where it goes. It’s an interview you won’t want to miss!
The Leap Is A Lie
Searching for validation takes a lot of time and energy, but we all do it because we want to feel like our work is good and that people enjoy it. However, are we receiving validation from people we respect, or are we relying on the standards of others to determine our worth?
Seeking Validation – WNP 122
Searching for validation takes a lot of time and energy, but we all do it because we want to feel like our work is good and that people enjoy it. However, are we receiving validation from people we respect, or are we relying on the standards of others to determine our worth?
You’re Not Doing It Wrong
I did a lot of research into various writing practices for Episode 121 of Write Now with Sarah Werner, which came out last Wednesday. I read about writers who wake up at 4:00 a.m. and writers who sleep in until noon. I read about writers who write every day and...
A Writing Practice That Works For YOU – WNP 121
There’s a lot to be said about writers with dedicated writing practices, and they make it seem so easy to “just sit down and write!” However, you don’t need a dedicated writing practice to become successful. Here’s why…
My Biggest Writing Fear Right Now
Have you ever had someone else articulate something that you weren’t able to — and the second they did, your eyes opened up wide, you hopped up and down in your chair, and you started yelling, “Oooh! Oh, that’s ME!”? This past week, I finally opened up my copy of...
Rejection and Resilience with Sherrilyn Kenyon – WNP 120
This week, we’re sitting down with the famous Sherrilyn Kenyon, author of the Dark-Hunters book series, to talk about life as a writer with a capital W. It’s an interview you don’t want to miss!
You’re Invited!
I’m so excited to announce that I’ve been invited to interview New York Times bestselling author Anne Lamott for her upcoming virtual event on May 24, 2021! We’ll be talking about resilience, courage, and her new book, Dusk Night Dawn. Oh, and best of all, the event...
Trusting Yourself – WNP 119
Do you trust yourself? Or have you ever been at a point where the sage phrase, “All I know is that I know nothing” has turned into, “I am wrong, and everyone else is right”? Today we’re talking about why — and how — writers can learn to trust themselves.
Searching For Answers
I spend a lot of my time searching for answers — in books, in podcasts, in webinars and talks, in formal lessons, in quiz results, in music, and in many of the everyday conversations I have. The answers are responses to questions that I may have explicitly asked —...
Podcast Storytelling – WNP 118
We talk a lot about writing for the reader, stage, and screen — but how about for the ear? Whether it’s for a nonfiction or fiction (audio drama) podcast, today we’re talking about what makes audio-only storytelling really come to life.
We’ve Lost… That Valid Feeling…
In last Wednesday’s create-along, we ended up having a fantastic conversation about our need for external validation. I’m talking about constantly refreshing your download statistics after posting a new podcast episode to your RSS feed, compulsively checking your...
It’s Not Too Late – WNP 117
Have you ever felt like you’re too old to start, too late, or that you’ve missed your chance? Do you have regrets about not writing, publishing, or creating sooner or earlier in life? This week’s episode will help you take the pressure off as Sarah explains why it’s NOT too late for you as a creator.
Beating Myself Up For Not Being Mary Oliver
Back in 2015, I went on a wilderness writing retreat in the northern woods of Minnesota. I recorded a Write Now podcast episode about it (including some of it from the three-seasons porch of the little hermitage where I stayed), but today, I realize that the episode...
Bulletproof
I was texting with my lovely friend and fellow creator Jordan earlier this week, and we ended up discussing how we’ve both been feeling weighed down by creative pressure lately, and how the threat of burnout also seems to loom closer than usual. As we enter our...
A Writer’s True Work – WNP 116
What is our True Work? And how do we discern between our True Work and the busy work which fills our days? Today, I’m going to ask you a series of questions to help you deep dive and discover if you are doing your True Work— the work that fills your heart — or if you are simply filling your time with busy work.
Do You Take Your Own Advice?
I’m one of those people who has lots of advice for other writers, podcasters, and creators. It’s the entire basis of my podcast Write Now with Sarah Werner, as well as the vast majority of interviews and public speaking gigs I’ve done over the past several years....
Is Writing Hard Work? – WNP 115
Most writers will admit that writing is work, enjoyable work though it may be. But how do we respond to people who insist that it’s “just a hobby”, “not a real job”, or “not real work”? Is it possible for something to be a mix of work and play — and what does that mean for us as creators?
You Can Do This
Hey. I know it’s Monday. I know that things have been tough lately. I’ve talked with so many creators who are tired, hurt, worn out, burned out, and full of fear that I’m wondering if this is the “new normal” I keep hearing about. But it doesn’t have to be. And if...
Is Ambition Bad? – WNP 114
What does it mean to be ambitious? By definition, “ambition is a strong desire to do or achieve something, usually requiring determination and hard work”. Today I’m going to talk about what it means to be ambitious, especially as writers, and why ambition has such a bad reputation, and finally, whether or not you might be ambitious, too.
Be The Author
I have a short, simple reflection for you this week. I was taking a social media webinar last week with Amie McNee, and she said something really surprising — and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. She said, “I had to BE the author I wanted to be in...
The Writing Plateau – WNP 113
Have you ever experienced a writing plateau? The point in your writing journey where your growth and progress taper off, and you get comfortable resting on your laurels? Today we’re taking a look at whether this is a good or a bad thing, and how to re-ignite your ambition and your upward trajectory — if that’s the right move for you.
Creativity Is In The Here & Now
I think a lot about the future. So much so that I feel like I live there most of the time. For me, everything is about future plans, future goals, and what’s next, from my next project all the way to my next meal. It’s one reason I love speculative and science...
Writer’s Guilt – WNP 112
Do you ever feel guilty, as a writer? It’s more common than you think. Writers feel guilty for writing too much, not enough, “selfishly” taking time away from their families, making money, not making money… the list goes on. Today let’s talk about writer’s guilt and how to begin to alleviate it.
Who Do You Think You Are?
Do you ever doubt your creative abilities? Because I do! … My own creative abilities, I mean. Not yours. It can be really hard to believe in ourselves constantly, even if deep down, we know we’re good at what we do. Because those doubts can creep in about not only our...
From Surviving to Thriving – WNP 111
Some, if not most of us, have been in survival mode at one point or another. Survival mode means that you’re barely hanging on by your fingernails, doing what you need to in order to get through the day in one piece. But it’s not the most pleasant way to live, and it’s possible to not just survive but thrive. Here’s how..
Girl In Space Is One Of The Top 10 Best Fiction Podcasts
I am INCREDIBLY honored and grateful to find Girl In Space in the top 10 of Podyssey’s “15 Best Fiction Podcasts Of All Time” list. Just… wow. Thank you! Now, several weeks ago on Twitter, I talked about how my show has won awards and gained...
Social Media For Creators in 2021
I don’t know if this is how it is for you, but for me… social media is an absolute roller coaster. I’m either feverishly posting multiple times a day on multiple platforms, or I’m completely burned out, overwhelmed, and radio silent. It’s rarely anywhere in between. ...
Being “Productive Enough” – WNP 110
Do you consider yourself a “productive” creator? Productivity seems to be everywhere these days, and we spend a ton of time planning our days to ensure we get the most done we can in the time we have. In this week’s episode, we’re going to look at productivity in a different way. So if you have been struggling and feeling like you aren’t getting enough done, this episode is for you!
The Plateau
If (like me) you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know the horror that lies in the word “plateau.” A plateau is a point that you reach in your progress… and sometimes don’t progress beyond. In geological terms, a plateau is “an area of relatively high level ground”....
The Blank Page – WNP 109
Do you ever feel like when you sit down to write, there’s just nothing there? Many writers will say that the blank page is their biggest fear — and it can represent many different obstacles. In this week’s episode, I am going to share some reasons you may be experiencing writer’s block and a few things you can do to work past it.
From Surviving To Thriving
Have you ever felt like you were in “survival mode”? Or… are you perhaps even feeling that way today? Survival mode happens when we give over to our most basic survival instincts — driven by extreme fear or stress, we’re living minute-to-minute, in constant...
Outrunning The Avalanche – WNP 108
What happens when we fall behind? It might feel like you’re running down a snowy mountain as a giant avalanche barrels down behind you. If you feel constantly stressed, behind, and that you can’t produce content fast enough in order to keep up, then this week’s episode is for you! I am going to give you some tips on how to outrun and avoid being buried by the avalanche of creating content.
I Don’t Know What To Write!
Do you ever just sit down and… you have no idea what to write, or create, or even do? Well, you’re not alone. I sat down to write this week’s newsletter, opened up my little idea folder, and… realized I hadn’t prepped for this week with an idea. “I have no idea what...
Strong Female Characters – WNP 107
When you think of a strong female character, what comes to mind? Maybe you think of physical strength, or the size of the gun they might be holding. Today, I am going to break down the different traits and ways you can build and incorporate strong female characters into your work.
