The Resilient Writers Radio Show

Latest Episodes:

How to Overcome Procrastination Jan 16, 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, host Rhonda Douglas sits down with Mia Botha, a seasoned writing coach and creator of popular writing challenges like "12 Stories in 12 Months" and "30 Days of Flash Fiction." The conversation dives into the common struggles writers face, particularly the ever-present hurdle of procrastination.

Mia shares her unique journey from grappling with unfinished manuscripts to creating community-driven deadlines that transformed her productivity. She explains how procrastination can sneakily disguise itself as "productive" activities—like cleaning grout or taking yet another writing class. Recognizing this, Mia emphasizes the importance of balancing indulgence in these distractions with discipline and accountability. For her, outsourcing discipline through public deadlines and collaborative challenges has been a game-changer.

The episode also explores the concept of "procraftination," where writers spend more time learning about writing than actually writing. While craft development is essential, Mia advises being mindful of when it shifts from helpful to avoidant behavior. For her, it’s crucial to focus on writing more than procrastinating, even if the writing feels imperfect or experimental. In fact, she believes that magic often lies in the brave, "wonky" stories.

This episode is packed with practical advice and a warm reminder that writing is a journey best traveled with intention, community, and a bit of self-compassion. Whether you’re struggling with procrastination or looking for ways to reignite your creative spark, this discussion offers encouragement and actionable takeaways to help you build a resilient and joyful writing life.

How to Write and Sell Your Nonfiction Book Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

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

In this first episode of Season 6 of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, host Rhonda Douglas dives into the world of nonfiction writing with expert Meghan Stevenson.
Meghan, a seasoned professional in crafting nonfiction book proposals, shares her wealth of experience, having helped her clients secure over $5 million in publishing advances and contributing to the success of 16 New York Times bestsellers.

The conversation explores the distinct differences between nonfiction and fiction markets, emphasizing how nonfiction is driven by purpose—whether to educate, solve a problem, or inspire change. Meghan highlights the importance of recognizing books as products, a mindset shift essential for authors looking to navigate the publishing world successfully.

The discussion also demystifies the nonfiction book proposal—a pivotal tool for securing an agent or publisher. Meghan likens it to a “mullet of publishing,” combining business-driven content in the front with creative writing in the back. Proposals typically include an overview, chapter summaries, a sample chapter, and business sections detailing marketing strategies, comparative titles, and a compelling author bio. Meghan strongly advises against writing the full book before selling it, as the publishing process often involves refining and reshaping the idea.

The episode is packed with valuable advice for writers aiming to break into the nonfiction space. Meghan’s blend of candid humor and actionable insights provides a clear roadmap for authors to navigate the challenging but rewarding world of publishing. From recognizing the business side of writing to understanding the importance of collaboration and patience, listeners walk away with a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed as a nonfiction author.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, expert, or simply someone with a great idea, this episode serves as an encouraging guide to bringing your nonfiction book dreams to life. Rhonda and Meghan's warm and engaging conversation reminds writers that with the right tools and mindset, they can overcome the hurdles of publishing and create lasting impact with their work.

How to Supercharge Your Writing Time Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

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

In this last episode of Season 5 of the podcast, I am doing a solo show talking about a step-by-step guide on how to create your own DIY writing retreats.
These DIY retreats, which I’ve organized for myself for over 20 years and now include in my First Book Finish program, have helped me reconnect with my projects and make significant progress on my manuscripts.
Here's a link to where you can find the DIY Writing Retreats resource I mention in the show.
That is it for Season 5 of The Resilient Writers Radio Show. We are going to be kicking off Season 6 in about four weeks time. See you soon!
--Rhonda xo

Re-imagining the Old Stories, with Jeanne Blasberg Nov 14, 2024

Show notes

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

In this week’s episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I interview Jeanne Blasberg. Jeanne is a bestselling author known for her novels Eden and The Nine. Her latest novel, Daughter of a Promise, came out in April 2024.

This latest novel is a contemporary retelling of the Biblical story of David and Bathsheba, set in modern-day New York. Jeanne explains that while she kept the essence of the original plot, she made significant changes to reflect contemporary themes, including giving her heroine more agency than Bathsheba had in the Bible.

Our conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of reimagining classic stories in a modern context. Jeanne was inspired to explore the timelessness of themes like consent, attraction, and power dynamics, especially during the #MeToo movement.

By writing from the perspective of Betsy (her modern Bathsheba), Jeanne gives a voice to a character who, in the original story, is largely voiceless.

Towards the end of the interview, we also get into indie publishing vs. traditional publishing – a topic I know a lot of think about!

Do You Need a Developmental Edit? With Sue Brown-Moore Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

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

This week's episode from The Resilient Writers Radio Show features an interview with Sue Brown-Moore, a book coach and developmental editor. We go deep into the intricacies of developmental editing, particularly for fiction and romance authors. The conversation dives into the purpose, timing, and benefits of developmental editing.

When it comes to self-editing, Sue encourages writers to conduct their own developmental edits by stepping back from their manuscripts before revisiting them with fresh eyes. She offers a free 30-minute webinar teaching authors to pre-edit their manuscripts to ensure foundational storytelling issues are addressed before a formal edit.

The Art of Screenwriting, with Brooks Elms Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

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

Something a little different this week! In this episode, I am speaking with Brooks Elms, a professional screenwriter and coach who shares his insights into screenwriting. Our conversation covers both the technical and creative aspects of the craft, as well as tips for those who are new to screenwriting or looking to transition from other writing forms, such as novel writing.
Brooks offers advice for beginners, emphasizing the importance of just starting and having fun with the process. He suggests beginning with short scripts and experimenting with the unique structure of screenwriting, which relies heavily on what is seen and heard rather than interior thoughts. He breaks down the basics of screenplay formatting, including the use of slug lines and action lines, and encourages writers to focus on the subtext, which conveys a character's emotions and motivations through actions rather than explicit dialogue.

One of the key topics discussed is how screenwriting differs from other forms of writing, particularly novels. While novelists often rely on interiority to express characters' thoughts and feelings, screenwriters must find ways to show this visually. Brooks explains that a character's emotions can be revealed through subtle actions, gestures, or dialogue that suggests deeper meaning. For example, how a character enters a room can indicate their emotional state without them needing to state it outright.
Listen to the full episode to see if screenwriting is for you!

4 Pillars of a Successful Writing Practice, with Emma Dhesi Oct 17, 2024

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 host my friend, author and book coach Emma Dhesi, to explore the psychological and practical challenges that writers face, especially when completing a novel.

Emma shares her personal journey of overcoming sporadic writing, highlighting how a realistic understanding of the difficulty of writing is crucial. She notes that aspiring authors often underestimate the work involved, partly due to idealized portrayals of writers in media. The conversation also covers Emma’s "four pillars" for a successful writing practice. This episode serves as a reminder of why writers started, encouraging enjoyment of small achievements and creative freedom.

How to Plan Your Story, with Kevin T. Johns Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

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

This week I have an interview with Kevin T. Johns, a writing coach and author who is also based in Ottawa, Canada, where I live. Our conversation revolves around the challenges aspiring authors face, particularly in completing their first draft, and how writers can better approach storytelling and the writing process.

Kevin emphasizes that many writers spend too much time perfecting their first few scenes, not realizing that once the manuscript is complete, those scenes often need rewriting or cutting. His key advice is to write the first draft quickly to have something to work with, as the real work begins during the revision process. Kevin also points out that the education system contributes to the misconception that writing is a one-and-done process, as students often submit essays without ever revising them.

Kevin’s approach to helping writers focuses on commercial genres, such as horror, romance, sci-fi, and fantasy, where there are clear expectations for plot structure and genre conventions. He runs a program called "Story Plan," which helps writers plan the fundamental aspects of their story, from genre and structure to character arcs and theme. He encourages writers to know their genre and the expectations readers have, as this forms a contract between the writer and the reader. Planning helps create a coherent story and gives the writer confidence as they move through the drafting process.

Bring Your Body to the Story, with Janelle Hardy Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

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

This week's episode features an interview with Janelle Hardy, a multifaceted creative with expertise in dance, somatic experiences, and memoir writing. We explore how body awareness influences creativity and our writing. Janelle shares her journey from feeling disembodied to becoming more connected through somatic practices and nervous system regulation. She emphasizes the importance of using the body as a resource in creative processes, such as memoir writing, to avoid mental burnout and re-traumatization.

Our discussion concludes with thoughts on how memoirs can be a healing process and a means of making meaning from life experiences, with Janelle advocating for working slowly and intentionally with both mind and body.

How to Write a Faster & More Authentic Draft, with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

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

This week, I interview Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer, an author, speaker, and Choctaw storyteller from Texas who has published 19 books.

Sarah writes historical fiction, primarily focusing on American Indian characters, particularly from her own Choctaw heritage. Her *Choctaw Tribune* series, for example, highlights the Choctaw people, although she also includes characters from other tribes like the Chickasaw and Cherokee.

Sarah shares the importance of writing about American Indian characters authentically. We discuss her frustrations with historical fiction's common stereotypes and how Native characters were often depicted inaccurately.

And then we talk about the use of dictation in writing, a technique she has mastered to write more efficiently and comfortably. Dictation has doubled her writing speed, allowing her to produce up to 4,000 words an hour, making it easier on her body and reducing the exhaustion associated with typing.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Resilient Writers Radio Show

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected