Slow Writing: Create at Your Own Pace

Nicole Gulotta
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Hosted by author Nicole Gulotta, Slow Writing helps you embrace the season you’re in, create at your own pace, and care for your mind and body along the way. No urgency. No keeping up. Just a sustainable writing life that honors your unique rhythms and inner wisdom. When we’re not taking a breather, new episodes arrive on the full and new moons.

  1. 2 days ago

    67. Fiction Has Nowhere to Hide with Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay

    Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay “put away the call of her soul” to become a scientist, earning a PhD. in biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology. But after two decades as a science writer, feeling grateful for her career wasn’t enough. Her debut novel, Chitra Demands to Go Home, was drafted in the car during her youngest kid’s tennis practice, and Raj proceeded to encounter the sheer vulnerability of fiction where you can’t hide behind rules, facts, or data.  Episode Highlights Unique ways science storytelling prepared Raj for fiction Moments of generosity that led to writing (and finishing) her novel What happened when she accidentally showed up to an open mic night with nothing to read First draft strategies: writing in the car and using a distraction-free typewriter Navigating a story through ambiguity How an ordinary conversation with her mom planted the seed of her novel idea Writing the realistic yet mythological mother/son relationship in Bengali culture The surprising reaction from her LinkedIn community after announcing her book The vulnerability of publication after a lifetime of meeting external expectations Links + Mentions ⁠Chitra Demands to Go Home⁠, out from Modern Artist Press ⁠Freewrite travel typewriter⁠ Let’s Connect Sign up for my encouraging newsletterCurl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

    53 min

  2. 14 May

    66. Creative Flow in Menopause with Vanessa Novissimo Wright

    For Part 3 of our cycle series, I’m in conversation with Vanessa Novissimo Wright, a creative communications strategist, writer, and certified life coach for midlife creatives. Before she was fully tapped into her midlife joy and authenticity, Vanessa had a pretty rough perimenopause experience. She generously shares the low points in her journey, which led her to develop a self-care method that keeps her connected to herself and her creative well. If you’re struggling to make sense of this life stage and in need of some wisdom from someone who’s been through it, you don’t want to miss this one. Episode Highlights How her perimenopause symptoms forced her into deep relationship with herself The daily practice of surrender  The FLOW method that keeps her grounded Vanessa’s “self-care-bag” and how she made her car a creative cocoon when her kids were young How a “planting seeds” approach to pave the way for embracing creativity in menopause Essential practices when you’re experiencing fatigue, brain fog, and can’t string sentences together The creative permission slips she’s giving to midlife folks she coaches Releasing perfectionism around journaling The necessity of fun, whimsy, and joy on the journey Meet Vanessa Vanessa Novissimo Wright is a creative communications strategist, writer, and certified life coach for midlife creatives. She helps them navigate menopause with creativity and joy so they can show up vibrantly for their community. Using her FLOW self-care method, Vanessa guides clients to embrace this age and stage of life with clarity, creativity, and curiosity. Follow her on Instagram and Substack. + Go to the show notes for links and resources mentioned in the episode + Sign up for my encouraging newsletter + Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

    47 min

  3. 1 May

    65. Perimenopause Will Change Your Writing Life

    Perimenopause, over a period of many years, is a radical recalibration of brain and body. As Lisa Mosconi writes in her book THE MENOPAUSE BRAIN, “it’s not just brain energy that changes during menopause but that the brain’s structure, regional connectivity, and overall chemistry are also impacted.” We feel these changes physically, mentally, spiritually, and also creatively. This episode explores the tangible ways perimenopause symptoms require us to reimagine our writing life, and practical suggestions for navigating the sometimes choppy waters.  Episode Highlights Physical, mental, and spiritual symptoms of perimenopause Reframing this transition as a creative rebirth The moment Roxane Gay understood writer’s block as a menopause symptom and not a moral failure.  Honest reflections from my own perimenopause journey Learning to move at the pace of fluctuating energy levels  3 perimenopause and menopause books to read + Go to the show notes for links and resources mentioned in the episode + Sign up for my encouraging newsletter + Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

    31 min

  4. 17 Apr

    64. The Wise Cycles of Nature & Our Bodies

    Welcome to Part 1 of a new 3-part series on cycles. (👀Coming up next? Perimenopause and menopause.) Even though the linear, Gregorian calendar has us celebrating the new year in the darkness of winter, nature and our bodies know the truth: cycles and seasons flow in their own time. But how can we embrace cyclical rhythms in a world designed to suppress or ignore them? It starts with noticing what’s available to us, and making subtle shifts in the direction of our inner knowing. Think of this episode like a buffet—there are myriad ways to engage with the cycles and seasons in our lives and creative practices. Episode Highlights A grounding ritual to try anytime you drink coffee or tea The main difference between cycles and seasons The history of the Gregorian calendar and understanding “clock time” Why “New Year, New You” energy doesn’t always feel aligned with our bodies 6 types of cycles available to us How to choose which cycles and seasons to engage with  More Ways to Connect + Go to the show notes for links and resources mentioned in the episode + Sign up for my encouraging newsletter + Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

    31 min

  5. 1 Apr

    63. Refining Our Raw Material with Allison Mei-Li

    Every piece of writing starts the same way—as raw material. Fragmented lines in a notebook, messy, typed pages, and printed drafts that need the swipe of a colored pen. And once we have our start, there are so many craft choices to make along the way. Today’s guest, Allison Mei-Li, breaks down how to do it with intention, how to consider your reader’s experience, and above all, ways to care for yourself while working through difficult material. Episode Highlights How the process of oysters creating pearls mirrors the writer’s life Why becoming a mother motivated Allison to finally share her writing  The family emergency that caused her to question her path to publication, and how Allison wrote her way through a dark season of liminal space Creating ceremony around writing sessions, and how the yogic principle of saucha supports her practice Utilizing hermit crab essay principles in poetry (or anytime you need another way in) Sequencing choices that orient the reader, especially when you’re not writing chronologically  The value of including cultural commentary and levity alongside difficult personal moments Editing and arranging philosophies, including the value of giving it time and the necessity of getting to know your own work Publication fatigue and how adrenaline masks the exhaustion underneath The visceral reaction Allison had when her poem was torn apart on Reddit, our negativity bias, and how she didn’t let it stop her from publishing Meet Allison Allison Mei-Li is an author, poet, and mother based in Ventura County, CA. Known for her tender and honest writing style, Allison views poetry as a way to “go first,” offering language for the universal experiences we often carry quietly. She is a poetry reader at The Turning Leaf Journal and hosts creative gatherings for women both on and offline. Her work has been featured in Rust & Moth, Coffee + Crumbs, MER Literary, and others. Allison’s debut collection, A History of Holding, is now available. More Ways to Connect + Go to the show notes for links and resources mentioned in the episode + Sign up for my encouraging newsletter + Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

    1 hr

  6. 19 Mar

    62. How to Plan a Writing Retreat (Rerun)

    In honor of spring break, we're revisiting a popular episode from 2024. If you’re ready to give yourself the gift of space, time, and rest, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the highs and lows of writing retreat I took with a friend, plus lots of takeaways to help you plan your own DIY getaway. Episode Highlights Why even one night away is always worth it (and how to make the most of a short trip) Thinking through the when, where, and how—logistics are covered The pros and cons of solo vs. group retreats The value of meal planning (including my favorite sparkling water and a tip for when you return home) Seeing the momentum before and after a retreat as adding the overall experience How to capture retreat magic at home More Ways to Connect Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

    40 min

  7. 3 Mar

    61. Reading for Pleasure

    In the words of Anna Quindlen, “books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” I can’t imagine a life without reading, but reading for pleasure can sometimes be harder than it sounds. Myriad responsibilities, relentless news cycles, and other factors can impact our desire and ability to read the way we’d like to. Consider this episode a gentle refresh. If you have a habit of checking out too many library books at once, struggle to get through the stack of books on your nightstand, or feel like your reading life is in a rut, today’s episode has some ideas to get curious about what you need in this particular season. Episode Highlights 4 questions to ask when evaluating your reading habitsUnderstanding your relationship with the libraryBalancing research and pleasure readingFor a more fulfilling reading life, get specific (like, really specific)Discover your book tracking style (with both app and analog options)How to start a commonplace journalMore ways to connect + Go to the ⁠⁠show notes⁠⁠ for links and resources mentioned in the episode + Sign up for my ⁠⁠encouraging newsletter⁠⁠ + Curl up with one of my books: ⁠⁠WILD WORDS⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ EAT THIS POEM

    33 min

  8. 17 Feb

    60. Fun & Flexibility with Heidi Fiedler

    Mary Oliver wrote that “joy is not made to be a crumb,” yet it’s often the first thing to go when we’re prioritizing survival as parents, employees, partners, and human beings witnessing the rupture of the world. But joy, delight, and creativity aren't frivolous. They're essential. Today I’m joined by writer and creative coach Heidi Fiedler to talk about daily delights, parenthood, self-publishing, and permission to walk away from our own work. Episode Highlights The frustrating (and clarifying) constraints of parenthood Heidi’s notecard strategy for finding a book's structure The power of expanding our identities as writers Rethinking the need to maximize every second of every hour Trusting our creative process and being flexible might be the secret to getting anything done Why we can’t future-forecast the breaks we need to take when writing a book How Heidi decided to self-publish (and the disappointments and benefits along the way)  Self-publishing as a sustainable alternative to traditional publishing Reframing play for adults, especially if you don’t love the word Meet Heidi Heidi Fiedler is a writer, editor, and creative coach. She writes books for kids and essays for grown ups. She’s the author of the new book Quickening: The Art of Being a Creative Mother, which is available at helloheidifiedler.com. You can find her on Instagram and on Substack @heidifiedler. More ways to connect + Go to the ⁠show notes⁠ for links and resources mentioned in the episode + Sign up for my ⁠encouraging newsletter⁠ + Curl up with one of my books: ⁠WILD WORDS⁠ and⁠ EAT THIS POEM

    56 min
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Hosted by author Nicole Gulotta, Slow Writing helps you embrace the season you’re in, create at your own pace, and care for your mind and body along the way. No urgency. No keeping up. Just a sustainable writing life that honors your unique rhythms and inner wisdom. When we’re not taking a breather, new episodes arrive on the full and new moons.

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