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Writer Craft Podcast

Writer Craft Podcast

By: Valerie Ihsan
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 Welcome to the Writer Craft Podcast, a show about creativity and craft. Remember when you told your sister stories in the night, snuggled under the covers of your waterbed? Or read books from the public library that delighted you? And now you’ve written your own novel. But will it change someone’s life? Is it a good enough book? Does it even work on the story level? On the Writer Craft Podcast, we help authors stay motivated and inspired, finish their books, and show them how to analyze and diagnose areas of challenge in their manuscripts once it's written. Art Economics Leadership Literary History & Criticism Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow (Ep198)

    The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow (Ep198)
    Sep 3 2025
    ✨ Writer Craft Podcast | Episode 198 🎙️ The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow 📅 Recorded on September 3, 2025 🎧 Hosted by Valerie Ihsan & Erick Mertz 💬 Episode Summary Welcome back, Writers and Crafters! In this soul-nourishing episode, Valerie and Erick explore what it really takes to return to your writing routine after a break. Whether you've been away for weeks or months, we offer compassionate strategies, creative rituals, and mindset shifts to help you gently restart your writing life—without falling into guilt, shame, or perfectionism. ✨ Main Topic: “The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow” 🔥 Key themes: creative rhythm, return rituals, reframing productivity, embodied discipline, and more. 💡 In This Episode: Segment 1: Author Updates & Announcements Valerie shares updates from the road: memory-making, travel, and rental-ready logistics Plans for a free masterclass on hybrid memoirs coming in October 🎉 Erick's gearing up for speaking at a writing conference and Ghost Story Weekend in Newport with Wordcrafters Running ads, finishing client work, and preparing for a busy season 📚 What We're Reading: Valerie: Creative Act (Rick Rubin)High Hopes by Anne Abel (coming to the podcast in October!) In progress: Four Thousand Weeks (Oliver Burkeman), The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz), The Teller of Small Fortunes (Julie Leong) Erick: About Grace (Anthony Doerr) Segment 2: Resources, Tips & Tidbits 🔍 Tidbit of the week: Umarell — an Italian word for retired men who watch construction sites 👀 Bonus tips for mindset shifts and productivity hacks Segment 3: Main Topic - The Art of Starting Over Restate your writing goal: has it changed or evolved? Rebuild with rhythm, not rigidity Try a "return ritual": a gentle Artist's Way-style reentry (oracle cards, candles, morning pages, or altar time) Give it time: 3 days to wrap your mind around restarting 3 weeks to settle into a new rhythm Replace guilt with grace. You're not behind—you're beginning again. 🧰 Resources & Recommendations 💚 Get 48% off your first subscription of Magic Mind (mental performance + sleep shot) Claim it here → magicmind.com/VALERIE20 Use code VALERIE20 at checkout #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance 🧠 Writing Tools We Love: 👉 ProWriting Aid (affiliate link) Perfect for editing and polishing your writing with AI-backed insights. 🌱 Join Our Communities 🎉 Support the podcast and get writing resources, books, and exclusive coaching content: 🖋️ Valerie's Patreon → patreon.com/valerieihsan 📖 Erick's Patreon → patreon.com/strangeairmysteries 💬 Want to work with Valerie 1:1? Schedule a free consultation: valerieihsan.com 🔗 Stay Connected 📲 Valerie’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan 📲 Erick’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
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    39 mins
  • How to Write a Book That Grows Your Business and Honors Your Spirit (Ep197)

    How to Write a Book That Grows Your Business and Honors Your Spirit (Ep197)
    Aug 28 2025
    Main Topic: How to Write a Book That Grows Your Business and Honors Your Spirit (Help soul-led entrepreneurs see how writing a book can amplify their work without losing authenticity or feeling salesy.) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): I've been getting a lot of hits from the universe in the form of repeated messaging that I need to triple down on the the learning in public. I just can't wait until my life and mission statement is perfect before I show up online with a lesson neatly tied with a bow. First, that just prevents me from posting anything. Second, I'm hearing a lot lately that people aren't looking for gurus anymore. They don't want perfection. They can't relate to that. They want to watch the messy middle, and when I heard that (again), the realization hit. I write memoirs about how I got through something and what I learned along the way. I read memoirs so that I can see how they got through something. I want to be inspired by watching (reading) them pull themselves out of the mire and accomplish something difficult, because I want to do that too. "We just want to see real women figuring it out." (Tatyana Gosh)So, I'm going to start really showing up online with the messiness of humanity, and without the lessons already learned. My goal is everyday on IG. A reel, post, or story. Preferably multiples.• I met with colleague yesterday, another coach, and she said something that I immediately wrote down: If I show up imperfect, that doesn't mean bad. I've been so focused on trying to rewrite my limiting belief around perfection = professional, that I didn't take it a step further. Why do I think that if I'm imperfect, I'm bad? Side note: "Who doesn't like a badass woman?" (Tatyana Gosh)(Erick): What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About (Mel Robbins)Creative Act (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book High Hopes (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October).(Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong Erick: Devil in a Blue Dress (Walter Mosely); Hap and Leonard (stories) (Joe Lansdale) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: The problem with traditional “business book” advice Focused on funnels, not fulfillmentOften strips the soul from the messageToo rigid for creative, intuitive entrepreneurs“If the book reads like a sales page, it’s probably not honoring the deeper mission.” What it really means to write a soul-aligned book that supports your business The book becomes a bridge between your inner truth and outer impactWriting from your why positions you as an authority with depth—not just expertise“People buy from those they connect with. Your book is a bridge, not a billboard.” Ways your book can grow your business authentically Builds credibility + trust with aligned clientsDeepens your brand story and your core messageExpands your reach without burnout (your book travels when you can't)“You’re not marketing. You’re storytelling. And that’s magnetic.” Let your business offer inform your book—not dictate it Use client patterns and questions to uncover themesLet your unique framework or transformation process shape the content (not just regurgitate)Bonus: You may create your next offer through writing the bookWriting How-To Books (Three Story Method series) Avoiding the trap of performance Write with your audience in mind, not for their approvalLet go of “shoulds” and write from soul-led service• Examples of what alignment looks like in practice Including rituals, reflections, or creative practices in your bookSpeaking directly to your dream client as if you’re in sacred conversation Closing encouragement: You don’t have to choose between success and soul. Your book can hold both.The more you write from your essence, the more magnetic your business becomes “When you write to be liked, you dilute your magic.” Project Runway fails are usually because they didn't stay "true to ...
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    28 mins
  • From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes that Feel True to You, with guest HR Cole (EP196)

    From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes that Feel True to You, with guest HR Cole (EP196)
    Aug 20 2025
    Main Topic: From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes That Still Feel True to You (with guest HR Cole) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): no go on a workshop I pitched; working to get quotes for shipping companies (it's not as straight forward as I thought); thinking about content and documenting our trip and the prep of it (memoir)(Erick): What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: Creative Act (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book High Hopes (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October). The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About (Mel Robbins)(Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong Erick: Devil in a Blue Dress (Walter Mosely); Hap and Leonard (stories) (Joe Lansdale)Hope (H.R. Cole): Into Thin Air (John Krakauer)Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: H.R. Cole is a Pennsylvania native who completed her first (handwritten) fantasy novel at the age of twelve. She’s remained an avid writer and has one published middle grade novel and a successful health journalism career. Cole lives with her husband, dogs, and cats in mountainous Upstate New York. www.hrcole.com http://www.instagram.com/hidden.gems.books Plot where it goes, and the choreography of the scene, what are my non-negotiables? Use it showcase character traits that show up in intimate times. What do I want to portray in this scene? 1. Goal (character development) (ex: kindness? Make a list of how to showcase kindness.) 2. True to self 3. True to character (make a list of words that are appropriate)(Are they seasoned lovers or innocent?) Fight scenes and sex scenes have some similarities. Common mistakes: Boring, gloss over, not relevant What makes a good sex scene? Humanize the character Describe details without words that shock you or take you out of the story. Natural. Aligned with personal experience. Don't feel the speed bump going into the scene. Follow the Golden Rules of writing just as you would in any other scene. Use the same language in the spicy scenes as the rest of the book. Shorter sentences in action scenes. Sure. But use the same type of language. Go through the process of char dev for a reason. Know your character. It pays off when you get to the more complicated scenes (fight, action, sex). Inherent traits. Did I stay true to this character? Did I learn something about a character? Nice place to set up the psychology of a character. Vulnerable scenes are where we learn about the character. Character insight no where else. What about flashbacks in the scene? (Sentence of thought, convey emotions/doubt) Getting feedback on spicy scenes: assess the comfort levels of critique partners, warn ahead of time, what's the best way to send this to you. Make it part of your group culture. Romantasy (fantasy with a strong romantic plot); The Chalice and the Blade series (romantic fantasy)(instead of fantastical romance); tough marketing term because romantasy doesn't necessarily have an HEA. Spice levels up front in marketing copy. Keywords: romantic fantasy Be proud of your sex scenes. It's okay to explore it. And don't forget: Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
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    1 hr and 4 mins
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