Writing Coach Podcast 178 Archives, Vol. XIV: Sources who want to review your draft
WCP178 Archives, Vol. XIV: Sources who want to review your draft Have you interviewed somebody who wanted to review your copy before publication? This is a surprisingly high-tension issue for many journalists, even thought it seems like it could be nipped in the bud with a simple, “Sorry, that’s against the publication’s policy.” Subscribe to The […]
Writing Coach Podcast 177: A new answer to “Why now?”
WCP177 A new answer to “Why now?” Usually when I’ve left a news hook out of a pitch, it was because I couldn’t come up with one easily, and hoped for the best. After all, there are evergreen stories out there. I’ve read and sold a few myself. Maybe you have too. Subscribe to The Writing […]
Writing Coach Podcast 176: Bombing vs brilliance
WCP176 Bombing vs brilliant Showing up to do your work regardless of your mood is distinct from ignoring your emotions and telling yourself things are ok when you don’t think they are. Today I share with you one of my client’s stories about how she was trying to push away the feelings that emerged when […]
Writing Coach Podcast 175: Writing in Community
WCP175 Writing in Community Writing together can be a powerful experience in terms of connection, camaraderie, and support in the creative process. This week we look at ways to make the most of writing with others IRL and virtually. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Writers’ Hour SHARE THE WRITING COACH PODCAST #WRITINGCOMMUNITY Subscribe and […]
Writing Coach Podcast 174 Archives, Vol. XIII: 100 reasons not to pitch today
WCP174 Archives, Vol. XIII: 100 reasons not to pitch today Running out of reasons to avoid pitching? I’ve got you covered with 100 reasons why you shouldn’t pitch today. Many of these can be adapted to be reasons why you should not write anything else today, like the article you were assigned last week, or […]
Writing Coach Podcast 173: One night stand mindset
WCP173 One night stand mindset Dating/relationship analogies come up a lot when we talk about our editors and publications. It’s common for freelancers to have a mix of short and long term relationships, which tend to reflect different mindsets, emotions, strategies, decisions, processes, and company policies. Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Audible | Android | RSS […]
Writing Coach Podcast 172 Reason why chsbgdx (aka consistency)
WCP172 Reason why chsbgdx (aka consistency) In the middle of the night I emailed myself an idea I didn’t want to forget. I sat down with my freelance journal and phone in the morning to use the message as a prompt. Here’s what I typed: Reason why chsbgdx So helpful, right? Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on Apple […]
Writing Coach Podcast 171 Seasons and cycles
WCP171 Seasons and cycles The equinox is the transition to autumn/spring, and it’s also the end of Q1. Seasonal and financial cycles impact us, as do many other cycles in our writing life. Some cycle frameworks aren’t that helpful, while others help us recognize that we’re not in the same energetic or growth phase at […]
Writing Coach Podcast 170 Archives, Vol. XII: Bridge thoughts
WCP170 Archives, Vol. XII: Bridge thoughts “How do I get myself to do this thing I know I should do?” The short answer is to change the thinking that’s blocking you from taking action. When you think differently, you’ll feel and act differently too. I don’t mean go through the motions and pretend to believe […]
Writing Coach Podcast 169: Do you need an X?
WCP169 Do you need an X? Do you need a blog? A subscription newsletter? A podcast? A TikTok account? A fill-in-the-blank thing that somebody (maybe you) is telling you is necessary to create and then continually update? Let’s examine your reasons why you may want to invest your time, energy, and money into creating content […]
Writing Coach Podcast 168: Wordle wisdom
WCP168 Wordle wisdom This is NOT an episode about how to improve your Wordle scores. Instead, let’s look at what Wordle can teach us about freelance writing success. Download my free guide on how to pitch. WCP 167 Organic tomatoes vs. Twinkies WCP 1: What’s your problem? Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Audible […]
Writing Coach Podcast 167 Organic tomatoes vs. Twinkies
WCP167 Organic tomatoes vs. Twinkies When you’ve developed an evergreen story idea, it may be accurate to say that there’s no reason why the story needs to be told now. But that’s only true when we look at your existing pitch. Your angle, your slant, your point of view doesn’t include a perspective that makes […]
Writing Coach Podcast 164: Putting yourself out there
WCP164 Putting yourself out there When we put ourselves out there, we take a risk. We risk not getting validation, assignments, contracts, money, Likes, comments, safety, etc. We risk approval internally and externally. The idea of putting yourself out there probably pushes buttons that you had even before you became a professional, published writer. Subscribe […]
Writing Coach Podcast 163: The late paying client
WCP163 The late paying client Two months ago I invited you to take a 90-day challenge to get paid on time. That episode includes the logistics of what to do to get paid promptly … and also addresses the resistance so many freelancers have about actually doing these things. Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google […]
Writing Coach Podcast 139: Topsy turvy
WCP139 Topsy turvy When a person tells you Yes, do you think it means No? Or vice versa? Some freelance writers receive emails from editors that literally say “Please pitch me again” and choose to interpret it as “Never pitch me again.” When a person tells you Yes, do you think it means No? Or […]
Writing Coach Podcast 138: Listener Q&A, Vol. VIII
WCP138 Listener Q&A, Vol. VIII Hello podcast listeners! Here are the questions I’ll be answering today: + How do you stop thinking about where your sources would like to see a story published? + Do I need to list prices on my website? I keep getting asked for a rates card. Hello podcast listeners! Here […]
Writing Coach Podcast 128: Archives Vol. I Managing overwhelm
WCP128 Archives Vol. I Managing overwhelm Over the next few months, I’m going to be periodically re-releasing some of the best and most popular episodes from the Writing Coach Podcast archives. If you’ve been a subscriber from day one, you’re ready to deepen your understanding of these concepts. I’ll give you a few additional thoughts […]
Writing Coach Podcast 127: Favorite freelance writer resources
WCP127 Favorite freelance writer resources To support ourselves, it’s nice to have a reliable go-to selection of tools, apps, programs, books, and other stuff. In today’s episode, I talk through a few of my own favorites, and why and how I use them. To support ourselves, it’s nice to have a reliable go-to selection of […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 126: Listener Q&A, Vol. VII
WCP126 Listener Q&A, Vol. VII Time for another edition of Listener Q&A! Here are today’s questions: + I’m getting charged a lot of fees because I’m working with an international client. How can I avoid these? + Can I write about toileting toddlers one day, and mental health issues in returned military men and women […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 125: Flexible Deadlines
WCP125 Flexible deadlines When an editor wants you to do a piece but leaves the deadline up to you, your initial reaction may be: Great. I’ve got work lined up and I don’t have to work on it yet. It can be quite liberating if you’re used to working under tight deadlines and a lot […]
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