Today is the day! Cue me squealing like a schoolgirl. And just so you know, I'm not a squealer–not at all. Ever.

Except for this moment because 'The Write It Scared Podcast' is here!

The Why behind The Write It Scared Podcast

This podcast has been a dream of mine for a long time and I want to share with you the why behind it.

When I got serious about learning the ins and outs of fiction writing, I relied heavily on writing podcasts. I literally had to buy more data space on my phone because I'd downloaded so many. At the time, I knew no one in the writing world, not even a single soul who wrote for fun.

Back then, I was riddled with doubts and DID NOT believe I belonged here.

I didn't have a writing degree. I thought my writing was a joke, and I didn't think I had anything worth saying or writing that others would want to read. I wasn't used to using my voice in any capacity other than agreeing with someone else or parroting what they said. The stories I was dreaming up felt pretty cliche, and I was 100% embarrassed to tell anyone what I was writing about—scratch that—I was embarrassed to tell anyone that I was writing fiction, PERIOD.

Add to the fact that I didn't have the faintest idea what it took to write a novel, though I did have a lot of assumptions, and you know what we say about those.

Podcasts gave me a way into the writing world with zero personal risk.

I began to understand that there was a lot more to storytelling and writing fiction than I ever imagined. It scared me, but it also lit a fire under my ass because I love a challenge. I enjoy setting goals with steep learning curves.

Those podcasts helped me find my permission slip to start, and equally as important, they led me to discover the mentors I needed to begin to grow as a writer and step into the power of using my voice–as terrifying as it was–sometimes still is.

I will be forever grateful to Mom Writes with Jennie Nash, Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert, Rachel Herron's Ink In Your Veins (formerly How Do You Write), The Writer's Well with Rachel Herron and Jay Thorn, The Creative Penn with Joanna Penn, The Rebel Author Podcast with Sasha Black, First Draft with Sarah Enni and Writing Excuses. There are many more, but at the moment I can't call them to mind.

These podcasts made me laugh and rethink my assumptions about who could be an author.

They also filled my mind with valuable tools that led to a deeper understanding of myself, my writing, and what I ultimately wanted to do with my career.

What hooked me more than anything were the personal journeys.

I would listen on repeat when an author or the host talked about their struggles. When they shared the hard parts. I listened because they were telling my story, or what it could be: from an unknown, who didn't know anyone or anything to the other side—to a writer who held a book in their hands they were proud to have written and shared with the world.

But those moments of true vulnerability and honesty felt rare.

I wanted to hear more, and for other budding writers to hear it too because I'm a 'together we go' type of human.

So, now we're here. The place where I get to be in the seat that helps share voices with the world. I get to help others hear the messages they need to move forward.

I get to help spread H.O.P.E. (hearing other people's experiences).

Fucking pinch me.

It took me a long time to pull this trigger. I baby stepped all the way here.

Will it fly? Will it stick? Will people like it?

I don't know. But I'm gonna give it my all.

I hope it finds the folks it was meant for and helps them. That's you, friend.

I hope it gives writers what they need to keep writing, using their voices, and showing up for themselves and their dreams so they, too, can one day look around and realize, “Hey, I belong here. I'm welcome here, and I, too, can do this.”

If I can give that to just one person, my heart is full.

And all of that is lovely and true but the dark side is…

I'm terrified.

Last week I had to phone a friend so they could remind me to breathe and reaffirm to me that I can be brave and that I'm doing what I dreamed.

I’m putting it together pretty much solo, learning all the things about podcasting and editing I had no clue existed. I'm scared the quality will suck and the questions I ask won't be the right ones. I'm afraid of bad reviews and editing mistakes and that the solo shows won't have merit or resonate with anyone.

But you know what? FEAR is a compass. So, eff it. I'm doing it anyway.

None of those things will kill me and I only truly fail if I don't try.

All right, on to the specifics of the podcast:

The Mission:

Tell the truth about why writing a novel is so hard by acknowledging that most writers grapple with two stories: the one they want to put on the page to the best of their ability and the often subconscious internal story that prevents them from doing it.

The show is dedicated to helping writers identify and rewrite the internal narrative holding them back while they discover and write the story they want to tell, and learn all the tools to do that successfully.

The Method:

Weekly episodes: 15-30 minutes long, alternating between author and industry expert interviews and solo shows focused on craft and mindset.

Here is the guest lineup for the next couple of months!

New Adult Romantasy Author Nicola Tyche
Mystery Thriller Suspense Author and Coach Samantha Skal
Award Winning YA Contemporary Fantasy Author C.M. Newell
Barnes & Noble Monthly Mystery/Thriller Pick, & Amazon Editor's pick, finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ+ Mystery, Author Joshua Moehling
Award-winning Middle-Grade Author Janet Fox
The One and Only Becca Syme, Nonfiction Author of the Quit Books
THE REBEL QUEEN HERSELF: Sacha Black is the author of nonfiction craft books for writers and sapphic fantasy under the pen name Ruby Roe.

And many more!