The Resilient Writers Radio Show

Latest Episodes:

Following Feeling to Find Your Structure, with Hollay Ghadery Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

What if the truest way to write your story is to follow feeling instead of chronology?

In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by award-winning Iranian-Canadian author Hollay Ghadery, whose work fearlessly crosses genres: memoir, poetry, flash fiction, and even a novel narrated by a sock puppet.

Hollay’s debut memoir Fuse won the 2023 Canadian Book Club Award for Nonfiction/Memoir, and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever read. Rather than laying out her life in neat order, she trusted her own non-linear way of experiencing memory.

For Hollay, moments bleed into each other like inkblots on a page, and she honored that in her book. The result? A layered, fragmented form that feels truer than any straight-line telling could.

She also shares how writing changed when she got sober. For years she produced work while living in addiction, but it wasn’t until sobriety that she found the discipline to sit, revise, and shape her words with clarity. Her message is refreshingly down-to-earth: writing isn’t about waiting for a magical state to arrive—it’s about showing up and doing the work, imperfectly but consistently.

Since then, Hollay has released the poetry collection Rebellion Box and the flash-fiction collection Widow Fantasies. And coming in 2026, her debut novel The Unravelling of Ou—a playful, fierce, and absurd meditation on patriarchy, joy, and queer identity, told entirely through the voice of a sock puppet named Ecology Paul.

As Hollay explains, the puppet narrator was no gimmick: it’s the most honest way she knows to tell this story, bypassing shame and revealing truths we might otherwise hide.

Our conversation also explores the realities of publishing. Hollay loves small presses, where collaboration feels intimate and books are treated as art objects. She talks about the highs and lows of awards season, and why it’s essential to celebrate every win—whether it’s a longlist mention or a kind note from a reader. One of her favorite lessons? “It means something to win, but it doesn’t mean anything not to win.”

Hollay practices what she calls “sympathetic joy”: celebrating other writers’ successes without letting envy creep in. She reminds us that another person’s achievement doesn’t take anything away from our own path. If you stay in your lane, there’s no traffic.

If you need a reminder that your quirks, your feelings, and even your sock puppets belong on the page, this episode is for you. Hollay’s wisdom is equal parts candid, funny, and deeply encouraging.

Writing Small Town Romantic Suspense, with Eveline Rose Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I sit down with award-winning indie author Eveline Rose, creator of the Sheppard & Sons Investigations series. If you love page-turning romantic suspense set against the backdrop of a cozy small town, you’ll want to listen in.

Eveline shares how her love of storytelling began back in high school, and how it grew into a nine-book series featuring strong heroines, protective heroes, and the found families that keep us coming back for more. Book Six releases this month, and she’s already planning a Christmas special and even a cookbook with recipes from her novels.

Writing across romance and suspense means balancing swoony moments with high-stakes danger. Eveline admits that sometimes she gets caught up in the suspense and has to remind herself to bring in those cozy small-town touches—family gatherings, coffee shop meetups, and community connections that make her books so beloved.

We also talked about why Eveline chose the indie publishing route. For her, finding the right mentor made the difference. While indie authors wear many hats—writer, editor, marketer, planner—Eveline has leaned into the freedom and speed of publishing her own stories. She shares candidly about the challenges of marketing and why connecting with readers in person lights her up.

Eveline researched the best covers in her genre, then worked with design company GetCovers to create branding that perfectly fits her series, right down to the custom Sheppard & Sons logo. She’s also a pantser who often dictates while driving, using every spare moment to keep her stories moving forward.

Looking ahead, she has a historical romantic suspense series outlined for the Tudor and Plantagenet period—told through the eyes of the servants who witnessed history unfold. Doesn’t that sound incredible?

This was such a fun conversation. If you haven’t yet started the Sheppard & Sons Investigations series, begin with Book One, Taken—and prepare to binge your way through these page-turners.

👉 Start reading Eveline’s books here:

Taken (Book One)
Beaten (Book Two)
Betrayed (Book Four)
Author Website

The Step-by-Step Process to FINISH! Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, we break down the complete roadmap for finishing your book—because contrary to what movies show us, it's not just "type, spell check, publish."

Finishing a book requires a systematic, step-by-step approach that prevents overwhelm and helps you track real progress.

Why You Need a Step-by-Step Process

Our culture perpetuates myths about book writing—think Jo March in Little Women or countless Christmas movies where characters magically go from manuscript to bestselling author tour. The reality? Finishing a book takes everything you've got and requires becoming the writer you need to be to complete your unique project.

Breaking the process into clear phases gives you momentum, prevents paralysis, and allows you to celebrate milestones along the way. Instead of facing an overwhelming 300-400 page project, you work through manageable steps, always knowing exactly where you are in the process.

The 11-Step Process to Finishing Your Book

Step 1: Prepare Your Project Plan Treat your book like any other major project in your life. Calculate how many words you need, determine your weekly writing capacity, and create a realistic timeline. For example: if you need 50,000 more words and typically write 3,000 words per week, you're looking at approximately 16 weeks to complete your draft.

Step 2: Complete the Essential Book Outline Create a basic outline that tracks your protagonist's journey from beginning to end, including their desires, obstacles, and transformation. This serves as your roadmap for brainstorming scenes.

Step 3: Fast Draft Using "Rules for the Draft" Focus on getting the story down without perfectionism. The goal is completion, not perfection.

Step 4: Optional Manuscript Evaluation Consider getting professional feedback on your messy first draft to understand what's working and what needs development before diving into revision.

Step 5: Story Clarity Revision Shape your draft by determining what story you really want to tell and ensuring that vision translates clearly onto the page.

Step 6: Submit to Beta Readers Send your revised manuscript to 3-4 genre readers who can provide supportive critique. Ask specific questions about pacing, character development, and any sections where they found themselves skimming.

Step 7: Integrate Beta Reader Feedback Carefully evaluate feedback and decide what serves your book's vision. This may require additional revision passes.

Step 8: Line Edit Perfect your language, sharpen verbs, and ensure every sentence serves your story. Only do this after incorporating beta feedback to avoid attachment to scenes that might need cutting.

Step 9: Copy Edit Focus on spelling, grammar, and catching typos—especially important if you use dictation software.

Step 10: Prepare to Publish Choose your publishing path (traditional or indie) and complete the specific requirements for that route.

Step 11: Build Your Author Platform Develop a minimalist marketing approach that builds your presence without taking over your life—whether for pitching agents or self-publishing success.

The Power of Process

This step-by-step approach transforms an intimidating project into manageable milestones. You can see your progress, celebrate achievements, and maintain momentum knowing exactly what comes next. Each completed step moves you closer to your goal and proves you're further along than ever before.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Book Finishers Bootcamp, September 11-17
First Book Finish

When Writing Feels Slow Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

In this episode of the Resilient Writers Radio Show, we dive deep into one of the most common struggles writers face: the feeling that their book is taking forever to complete. If you've ever caught yourself thinking "I'm too slow" or "this book will never be finished," this episode is for you.

The Story We Tell Ourselves

About 80% of the time, the feeling that our writing is "too slow" is simply a story we tell ourselves. This unhelpful narrative often stems from comparing ourselves to other writers, particularly indie romance or cozy mystery authors who publish multiple books per year.

But here's the truth: it's not about the most words—it's about the right words for your project.

Why Books Take Time

Writing a book is fundamentally about becoming the writer you need to be to finish that particular book. Sometimes this transformation requires more time for deep thinking and problem-solving.

As Alice Munro famously said, some of her best writing happened while staring out her kitchen window—the thinking process is just as valuable as the actual typing.

The Perfectionism Trap

Many writers slow themselves down by trying to perfect each scene before moving on. This approach ignores a fundamental truth: revision is a necessary part of the creative process.

Your brain literally cannot hold all the elements needed for a perfect scene simultaneously—there are simply too many craft elements to juggle at once.

Attempting to write perfect first drafts is not only impossible but counterproductive. You cannot create work that makes you immune to criticism or judgment.

Art is subjective—just look at the one-star reviews for Ernest Hemingway on Amazon. The goal isn't perfection; it's creating the best work you can right now.

The Two-Brain Problem

Your creative brain (which gets the draft down) and your editorial brain (which scans for mistakes) work differently. Trying to use both simultaneously is the slowest possible way to write a book.

As Sir Terry Pratchett (RIP) said, "The first draft is just you telling yourself the story."

Practical Solutions

When progress genuinely feels slow, the only practical solution is more consistent time with your book. Books are built through consistency—20 minutes here, an hour there, paragraph by paragraph, scene by scene.

Consider these strategies:

Increase your writing frequency from twice to three or four times per week
Schedule writing retreats or long weekend sessions
Use small pockets of time throughout your day
Take temporary breaks from volunteering commitments
Write during lunch breaks or before the household wakes up

Embracing Your Writing Pace

Every writer is different. Some produce 1,200 words in 45 minutes, others write 250 words in the same time—and both are perfectly valid. The key is learning to accept the writer you are rather than suffering because you think you should be different.

Remember: you are an artist whose medium is words, and art takes time. That's not just okay—it's necessary.

Resources mentioned: DIY Writing Retreat Guide

How to Stop "ProCRAFTinating!" Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

Welcome back to The Resilient Writers Radio Show! In this solo episode, Rhonda tackles a sneaky form of procrastination that plagues so many writers—what she calls “procraftination.”

You know the feeling. You sit down to write that tricky third scene in Act Two… and suddenly you need to read just one more writing craft book.

Or register for a new workshop. Or spend two hours researching the Victorian medical tools your character might use—even though that detail doesn’t show up for three more chapters.

Sound familiar?

Rhonda dives into why this kind of procrastination feels productive (because hey, it’s writing-adjacent!), but actually gets in the way of finishing your draft.

She shares her love for craft books, research rabbit holes, and workshops—but also offers a crucial mindset shift: these tools are powerful when used in the right phase of the writing process.

Inside the episode, you'll learn:

Why we often turn to writing education instead of writing the next scene
How to recognize when you're avoiding your draft in disguise
The best times to read craft books or take workshops (hint: not mid-draft!)
Rhonda’s “square bracket method” for handling research without interrupting your creative flow
Why fast-drafting your book—without trying to perfect every line—is so essential to long-term success

Rhonda also unpacks how fear, self-doubt, and “this book might be mediocre” thinking can trick us into busywork that feels safe.

She shares how becoming a conscious observer of your own creative process can help you spot the difference between genuine growth and sneaky procrastination.

💬 One key truth from the episode:
All good books aren’t written—they’re rewritten.

This liberating mindset shift can help you finally give yourself permission to write a messy first draft and save the polish for later. Because you can’t revise what you haven’t finished.

Whether you’re tempted to re-read Save the Cat one more time or you’re lost in 19th-century historical medical texts (true story), this episode is your gentle but firm reminder:
📣 It’s time to finish the damn draft.

🎧 Listen now and get clear on how to make progress that actually moves your book forward:

Resources Mentioned:

Rhonda’s Book Finishers Bootcamp (returning in September!)
Rhonda’s 12-Step Revision Process (taught inside First Book Finish)
Craft books and workshops: when to use them, and when to pause

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

In this solo episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, Rhonda dives into one of the most common struggles writers face—imposter syndrome.

If you’ve ever heard that insidious voice whisper, “Who do you think you are?” or “Your writing isn’t good enough,” this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone—and that voice is lying.

Drawing on thousands of weekly check-ins from writers inside her First Book Finish program, Rhonda unpacks why imposter syndrome shows up (especially for those working on their first book), and how to move through it without letting it derail your progress.

Rhonda shares personal stories and writing truths, including:

Why even published and award-winning writers still struggle with imposter syndrome
How our brains look for “proof” that we can’t do something when we’re learning new skills
The dangerous myth of a “magical moment” when you’ll finally feel good enough to write

She also explores how our culture reinforces the idea that you’re not a “real writer” until you’ve published something big, and how that messaging gets internalized—especially if you haven’t yet finished your first book.

But here’s the heart of the message: Writing is a skill you can learn.

Just like you once learned to cook, lift weights, or drive a car, you can also learn how to write compelling dialogue, structure scenes, or move your story across timelines.

Rhonda encourages writers to trade perfectionism for progress, and comparison for compassion. She offers a powerful mantra that has helped her and many of her students silence that inner critic:

📝 “I’m always learning and growing as a writer.”

It’s a reminder that we don’t become great writers overnight—and even our future selves will look back and see how much we’ve grown. This kind of growth is not only normal, it’s necessary. It's also deeply human.

She shares how even after publishing books and winning awards, she still edits and improves her past work when she reads from it. Why? Because growth is ongoing. And that's a beautiful part of the creative process.

Whether you’re just starting your first draft or revising your fifth, this episode will reassure you that you're not an imposter—you’re a writer in progress, and that’s exactly where you're supposed to be.

🎧 Tune in now to reframe your mindset and take your next step with more confidence.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Rhonda’s upcoming Book Finishers Bootcamp (11-17 September)
Workshops from Jane Friedman and Writer’s Digest
The mantra: “I’m always learning and growing as a writer.”

How to Find More Time to Write Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

Welcome back to The Resilient Writers Radio Show! In this solo episode, Rhonda dives into two of the most common struggles writers face: finding the time and the focus to write consistently—especially during emotionally and politically challenging times.

She shares how global events and personal overwhelm can lead to creative paralysis, making it feel almost impossible to stay on track with writing goals.

But rather than waiting for the perfect time or long, uninterrupted hours, Rhonda encourages a more compassionate and strategic approach to fitting writing into your life as it is right now.

Drawing from her own experience and her work with writers inside her First Book Finish program, Rhonda introduces the concept of scheduling both “long time” (30–45 minute sessions) and “short time” (those unexpected 10–20 minute pockets throughout your day) to make real progress on your book.

She also explains why binge-writing on weekends often leads to long stretches of inactivity—and how consistency, not intensity, is the key to getting your draft done.

You'll learn how to shift your mindset by planning your week as a writer first—before all the other roles and responsibilities take over.

Rhonda walks through her Sunday planning ritual and encourages listeners to do the same using her free resource, The Writer’s Weekly Planner, which helps you carve out writing time with intention.

She also shares how having a “mobile writing kit” (la tote bag stocked with notebooks, prompts, and pens) allows you to take advantage of unexpected downtime. Even just 15–20 minutes can be enough to outline a scene, sketch character backstory, or brainstorm story ideas.

The episode wraps with a powerful reminder: no one is going to hand you leftover time to write—you have to claim it.

Rhonda emphasizes that writing just 2–3 times a week can be enough to finish a book, and that when you put your creative life first, everything else tends to flow more easily.

If you’re struggling to focus, Rhonda also recommends checking out her Focused Writer Workshop, which breaks down the science of focus and helps you create a writing ritual that actually works with your brain, not against it.

📌 Resources Mentioned:

DM Rhonda on Instagram: @resilientwriters

The Memoir Engineering System, with Wendy Dale Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of writing a memoir — or you’re knee-deep in draft pages wondering what now? — you’re going to love this conversation with memoir coach and author Wendy Dale.

Wendy’s the author of Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals and the creator of The Memoir Engineering System, a structured seven-step process for turning your life stories into page-turning memoirs.

She’s also been a memoir coach for 17 years and has read more than a thousand memoirs along the way — so when she says she’s seen it all, she means it.

We kicked off our chat with the age-old memoir question: what stays in and what gets cut? Wendy shares that the biggest mistake new memoirists make is treating their book like an autobiography — including everything — rather than crafting a story with a clear premise.

Whether you’re writing about a time in your life, a specific relationship, or a transformational journey, you need to know what your memoir is about before you start writing.

And then comes the kicker: structure. Wendy opens up about how her first memoir attempt got a big fat “no” from agents because — as one of them told her — she had no idea how structure worked. That rejection became the catalyst for developing her Memoir Engineering System.

According to Wendy, structure is the foundation of a memoir — just like a well-built house. Readers might not notice it when it’s working, but if your structure’s missing? No one’s sticking around to admire your prose.

We also talked about plot, and how “what actually happened” isn’t the same as a compelling story. Memoirists need to shape their real-life events into a sequence that builds tension and invites readers to turn the page.

That includes identifying the conflict at the heart of your book — what Wendy calls the “narrative want” — and writing scenes where something happens, even if it’s just an emotional realization.

Wendy also offers some brilliant insight into the power of subjective writing — how your thoughts, reflections, and unique perspective are what breathe emotion into your scenes and allow readers to truly feel your story.

We even tackled the tricky question of whether you can write part of a memoir in third person. Wendy’s take? It’s risky and rarely works well — unless you’re a phenomenal writer and handle it with nuance and restraint.

If you’re working on a memoir — or have a dusty manuscript sitting in a drawer — you’ll want to check out Wendy’s free video series at freememoirclass.com, and of course, grab a copy of The Memoir Engineering System.

This episode is full of insight, warmth, and practical tools to help you move from messy draft to compelling memoir. Don’t miss it!

The Power of Short Stories, with Pamela Gwyn Kripke Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

Hey there, Writer—welcome back to The Resilient Writers Radio Show!

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of short fiction with the wonderful Pamela Gwyn Kripke. If you’ve ever been curious about writing short stories, how to build a collection, or what publishing with a small press actually looks like—this conversation is for you.

Pamela is an award-winning writer with bylines in The New York Times, Elle, Seventeen, Newsweek and more. Her debut novel At The Seams was published by Open Books in 2023 and her brand-new short story collection And Then You Apply Ice is also out now. (Yes, you can find links to both in the show notes!)

She joined me to chat about how she moved from journalism and essays into short fiction—something she only began exploring about four years ago. She found that many of her essays had a narrative quality to them, and that natural storytelling instinct drew her into writing fiction. She leaned into the short form during the pandemic and quickly found a rhythm that worked for her.

Pamela shares how she pulled together her stories by focusing on recurring themes—especially around the idea of transgression—and how some of the characters appear across stories at different points in their lives.

We also talked about her decision to publish with a small press and what that process actually looked like. (Spoiler: she sent queries to about 25 publishers!) Her approach was smart and strategic—targeting presses that aligned with her voice and genre.

Pamela also pitched both her novel and story collection at the same time and found a supportive home with Open Books. She opens up about the differences between traditional publishing and her long-time experience freelancing for magazines, and the pros and cons of working with a smaller press—including the realities of doing your own book publicity.

You’ll love Pamela’s grounded and generous wisdom about the writing life. She talks about her daily writing routine (dog walks included!), how she transitions between essays, journalism, and fiction, and how being a working writer has taught her not to wait for the muse—but to get in the chair and do the work.

And of course, I had to ask her what it means to be a resilient writer. Her answer was beautiful—it's about maintaining emotional equilibrium and trusting that you’ve done your best, no matter the outcome.

This episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and encouragement—especially if you’re navigating the ups and downs of publishing or wondering where short stories might fit into your own creative path.

How to Draft Faster, with Daphne Gray-Grant Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

Hey there, Writer—this week on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, we’re diving into something so many of us wrestle with: how to get that first draft down… faster. And more importantly—without all the agony.

I’m joined by Daphne Gray-Grant, who brings a lifetime of experience to the writing process. She grew up in her family’s newspaper business, later worked as a senior editor at The Vancouver Sun, and somewhere in the middle of all that, gave birth to triplets! If anyone understands writing under pressure, it’s Daphne.

In this episode, Daphne shares how she went from struggling with writer’s block to developing powerful tools to help writers draft more quickly and confidently. One of the biggest shifts she teaches? Start small. Like, five-minutes-a-day small.

We also talk about the deep psychology behind why writing feels so hard sometimes—especially for those of us who love editing more than drafting (hi, I see you!). Daphne explains why school doesn’t prepare us for the emotional challenges of writing and offers simple, mindset-shifting strategies to help you work with your brain, not against it.

One of her favorite tricks is ending your writing session with a few quick notes for tomorrow—so when you return to the page, you’re not wasting time wondering what comes next. That little shift can make a huge difference.

We also had a great chat about mind mapping, which Daphne has adapted into an incredible tool for writers. Instead of just putting a topic in the center of the page, she suggests starting with a question. This sparks creativity and helps you move past the blocks that outlining often creates. I’ve used this myself in my poetry, and let me tell you—it works wonders.

This conversation is packed with practical advice that’s gentle, doable, and grounded in real-life writing experience. If you’re someone who wants to finish that draft but keeps getting stuck, I think you’ll find a lot of relief—and inspiration—here.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Resilient Writers Radio Show

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected