How to Write a Trilogy - Part 2: Building a Solid Plan
Today we’re circling back to talk a bit more in depth about writing a trilogy, specifically a dynamic trilogy–a single overarching story told in three acts (each act is a book).
I didn’t finish the dynamic trilogy I was writing a few years back and I don’t want that for you if you’ve got an idea you want to span three books. So let me share the lessons I’ve learned.
Lessons on Hope for Writers on Season 2 of the Write It Scared Podcast
As Season 2 of The Write It Scared Podcast comes to a close, I want to leave you with something that feels a bit like a love letter.
Because this season wasn’t just about interviews or craft or even mindset. It was about staying in it. About not giving up when things get hard. About remembering why we write, especially when it’s messy or slow or full of doubt.
Worldbuilding, Fantasy, and Courageous Writing with Author A.M. Deese
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by worldbuilding, intimidated by your messy draft, or unsure how to keep readers engaged in a long-running series—today’s episode is for you.
I sat down with fantasy author A.M. Deese (also known as Alexis Marrero Deese) to talk about how she builds immersive magical worlds, navigates the challenges of writing multi-POV fantasy series, and faces the fears that come with putting your words into the world.
How to Trust the Process and Stick with Your Story with Author Kristin Offiler
What if the story you’re working on right now is the one, not because it’s perfect, but because you refuse to give up on it?
In this week’s episode of The Write It Scared Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with debut author Kristin Offiler to talk about the long, winding, messy, beautiful process of writing her psychological suspense novel The Housewarming — a story she started in 2018 and rewrote many times before it finally sold. And thank goodness she did, because it’s SO GOOD.
Author Gloria Huang on Writing Brave Middle Grade Fiction Stories
Writing is never clean or easy, especially when you're trying to get it just right. In my recent conversation with debut middle-grade author Gloria Huang, we discussed the trap of perfectionism, the emotional courage required to tell the truth on the page, and how to write young characters who wrestle with anxiety in a way that feels honest, nuanced, and hopeful.
How to Write Brave: A Powerful Conversation with Author Brooke Adams Law
Let's be real, writing can be terrifying. It's vulnerable, messy, and incredibly brave. But what if instead of letting fear hold us back, we embraced it and used it to fuel our creativity?
How to Write a Trilogy - Part 1: Learning the First Steps
I don’t know about you, but when I invest in a character, a cast of characters, or a world, I gobble up everything written about them. And if it’s a trilogy, I’m head over heels gone. Today, let’s talk about the big-picture things you need to consider if you’re planning to write a trilogy so your readers don’t drop off halfway through. It all starts with understanding the kind of trilogy you’re writing.
How to Build a Magic System That Serves Your Story (Instead of Distracting from It)
When writing a fantasy novel, it’s easy to get caught up in the cool factor of it all—enchanted objects, secret portals, forbidden spells, talking dragons. And listen, I love all of it. But here’s the thing a lot of writers miss: your magic system isn’t just a shiny layer on top of your story. It should serve the story.
Lessons in Overcoming Writing Doubt with Author Amy L. Bernstein
If you’ve ever stared at your blinking cursor and wondered if you’re even cut out for this whole writing thing, this one’s for you.
Celebrating One Year of Writing Wins: Write It Scared Podcast + Giveaway for Fiction Writers
This spring has been bananas, and I almost let a major milestone pass by unnoticed.
But you know how I always say to celebrate your wins—even the messy, imperfect ones? Well, here I am taking my own advice.
The Write It Scared Podcast turned ONE last month!
How to Build an Author Platform Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Let's face it—building an author platform can feel intimidating. Just the phrase "author platform" makes some of us want to run and hide. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
How to Get Unstuck And All About Revising Your Novel
No matter when or where it happens, the STUCK sucks for writers. Sometimes we feel like we’re doing it wrong, we’ll never come up with the right solution, that all this work is pointless, and on and on with narratives that are totally normal, but equally unhelpful.
Revision can be a beast—especially the first time. Even if it’s not your first time, it can still feel overwhelming, and it’s often hard to know where to begin. One of the first things I ask my writers (and myself) to consider is this: What kind of relationship do you want to have with your creative work?
Tips on Writing Dual Points of View from Author Alexandria Faulkenbury
Writing and publishing a novel isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s exhilarating, terrifying, exhausting, and rewarding—all wrapped up into one wild journey. I recently sat down with Alexandria Faulkenbury, whose debut novel, Somewhere Past the End, hits shelves in May 2025, and let me tell you—her story is as inspiring as it is relatable.
Why Authors Need to Fight Censorship and Tell the Truth with Courage
I know with every fiber in my being that stories have the power to change and shape lives. In fact, they saved mine.
How Writing Short Stories Can Make You A Stronger Novelist
I've always been a little intimidated by short stories. Something about squeezing an entire meaningful journey into just a few thousand words felt daunting—especially when compared to the spacious freedom of an 80,000-word novel. But after chatting with author and editor Demi Michelle Schwartz, I realized I'd underestimated the incredible benefits that writing short stories can offer us as novelists.
Are You Procrastinating or Percolating? How to Stop Beating Yourself Up for Not Writing
We writers (and writing coaches) talk a lot about procrastination—how it creeps in as resistance, keeping us from doing our work. But sometimes, we mislabel what’s actually happening and then beat ourselves up for not making progress. That dawdling, that staring at the screen without typing, the Wordle break, the social media scroll, or the "just one more level" on Royal Match—what if that’s not procrastination at all?
Live Pitching vs. Cold Querying Your Novel Submission—Which Path is Right for You?
If you’ve been in the trenches of traditional publishing, you know the struggle. But what if there was another way? What if instead of waiting endlessly for an agent to open your email, you could pitch your book directly to them—face to face?
That’s exactly what I sat down to talk about with Amy Nielsen—author, freelance editor, and literary agent with the Purcell Agency. She’s been on both sides of the publishing fence, and in this conversation, we unpacked the pros and cons of live pitching vs. cold querying
What’s Luck Got to Do With Your Writing Dream?
Since it’s St. Patrick’s Day, let’s talk about luck—specifically, how much (or how little) it actually matters when it comes to our writing success.
From Draft to Done: How Author Michael Fedor Finished His Novel After 20 Years
Writing a novel is hard. We all know this. Now, writing a novel that takes 20 years to complete? That’s take’s hard and persistence to a whole different level.
Three Revision Mistakes New Writers Make and What to Do Instead
Revision isn’t just about tightening sentences or making the language flow better. That’s part of it, but it’s only a small piece of the bigger picture.