The Write Anyway Podcast

Sue Campbell
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Write Anyway podcast helps you hone your author mindset, overcome self-sabotage and write in the face of life's inevitable obstacles. Hosted by Sue Campbell, Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez of Pages & Platforms. Learn more at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

  1. FEB 17

    Habits Under Pressure, Journaling, and Writing Anyway with Christoph Merrill

    Sue interviews keynote speaker and author Christoph Merrill ("Habit Freak") about building, testing, and maintaining non-negotiable habits, including writing, even through mental health challenges. Christoph shares how the simple habit of leaving handwritten notes for his kids while traveling became "the habit that saved my life." He explains his core idea that habits are "tested, not taught," emphasizing that habits must work under pressure and that writers need to practice writing even when conditions aren’t ideal. They discuss identity-based habits, alternatives to drafting on low-motivation days (like brainstorming or mapping chapters), and the role of gratitude and radical self-awareness. Christoph describes using journaling to track the pressures he experiences and how he responds, as well as improve communication with his wife and repair moments when he’s short with family through acknowledgement rather than shame. You can find Christoph Merrill at christophmerrill.com or Habit Freak.

    42 min

  2. FEB 10

    Marketing, Mindset, and Memoir Inspiration from Eleanor Vincent

    In this episode of the Write Anyway Podcast, host Sue Campbell chats with memoirist Eleanor Vincent about her evolving journey in marketing her work, from initial reluctance to embracing various digital platforms. Eleanor shares insights into the shifts in her mindset since 2022, her strategies for audience engagement, and her experiences with Substack and MailChimp. They discuss her book 'Disconnected: Portrait of a Neurodiverse Marriage' and her passion for writing consistent, impactful content. Eleanor also delves into her challenges around technology and how specific courses and community support have helped her grow as a writer.

    23 min

  3. FEB 3

    Crafting Intrigue: Tips for Nonfiction Writers Transition to Fiction

    Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez dive into the challenges nonfiction writers face when transitioning to fiction writing. They emphasize the critical difference between conveying information and creating intrigue. The discussion covers the importance of revealing character backstory gradually, the pitfalls of over-explaining, and practical advice on how to keep readers turning pages by raising questions rather than answering them outright. The episode provides valuable insights for writers aiming to engage readers more effectively in their fictional narratives. 00:00 Introduction to Fiction Writing for Nonfiction Authors 00:25 Challenges in Transitioning from Nonfiction to Fiction 01:14 The Importance of Intrigue Over Information 01:36 Avoiding Backstory Overload 03:50 Learning from Great Fiction 06:29 What to Leave Out in Fiction Writing 07:50 Engaging the Reader with Intrigue 12:11 Character Motivations and Actions 16:02 Common Obstacles for Nonfiction Writers 17:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    18 min

  4. JAN 27

    Effective Marketing for Authors: From Viral Coefficient to Author Twins

    In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, Sue interviews digital marketing expert Alex Strathdee (https://getshelflife.com/) to delve into effective strategies for growing your readership and ensuring a successful book launch. They discuss the concept of the viral coefficient, emphasizing the importance of finding ideal readers who will actively promote your book. Drawing parallels from startup strategies, Alex offers actionable insights, including leveraging virtual assistants, understanding audience dynamics, and adopting innovative marketing tactics. The episode also highlights mindset shifts necessary for successful marketing and provides practical advice for systematizing marketing efforts. Learn from real-world examples like James Clear’s 'Atomic Habits' and Mike Michalowicz’s 'Profit First', as well as the unique approach of creating a book with built-in virality. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:28 Meet Alex Strathdee: Digital Marketing Expert 02:06 Understanding the Viral Coefficient 04:06 Applying Startup Strategies to Book Marketing 05:39 Real-Life Examples of Successful Book Marketing 11:02 Mindset Shifts for Effective Marketing 13:11 Systematizing Your Marketing Efforts 16:00 Final Tips and Closing Remarks

    18 min

  5. JAN 19

    What to Expect from a Developmental Edit

    Host Anne Hawley speaks with developmental editor Rachelle Ramirez about what writers can expect from a developmental edit. The conversation covers the importance of submitting a clean manuscript, identifying the story type, and ensuring consistency in narrative structure, character development, and stakes. Rachelle also discusses the common challenges authors face with their manuscripts and provides insights into the steps involved in the developmental editing process. This episode is a valuable resource for authors looking to improve their drafts and understand the developmental editing journey. 00:00 Introduction to Developmental Editing 00:32 Understanding the Developmental Edit 02:28 Key Elements of a Developmental Edit 04:10 Addressing Common Writer Concerns 13:04 Steps After Receiving Feedback 20:55 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

    22 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    Why Habits Don’t Work for ADHD Writers

    Effective Writing Strategies for ADHD Writers: Beyond Habits In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, host Rachelle Ramirez, a developmental editor and ADHD coach, explores why traditional habits fail for ADHD writers and presents alternative strategies that better align with the ADHD brain. These include designing flexible systems, using external reminders, emphasizing an interest-based approach incorporating elements like challenge, novelty, and urgency, and finding adaptable methods to move thoughts into action. Learn practical tips such as breaking tasks into manageable steps, using gamification like the 'string of pearls' challenge, and adapting writing routines to energy levels. This episode equips ADHD writers with tools to enhance their productivity and creativity while acknowledging their unique challenges. 00:00 Introduction to ADHD Writing Challenges 01:32 Why Traditional Habits Fail for ADHD Writers 02:49 Understanding ADHD and Dopamine 06:29 Flexible Systems for ADHD Writers 09:32 External Reminders and Environmental Design 14:13 Initiating Writing Tasks with Interest-Based Approaches 16:21 Making Revisions More Engaging 22:37 Conclusion and Final Tips

    24 min

  7. 11/26/2025

    TOOLS, NOT RULES: Debunking the Ironclad Rules of Writing

    In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, hosts Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez tackle seven common writing rules, aiming to debunk and reframe them as flexible tools rather than hard and fast decrees. They discuss how strict adherence to advice such as 'write every day,' 'write what you know,' 'draft first, edit later,' 'show don't tell,' 'kill your darlings,' 'write to the market,' and 'open in the middle of the action' can stymie a writer's creativity. By balancing these traditional guidelines with practical realities and personal preferences, Anne and Rachelle provide insights to help writers maintain their authentic voice and creative flow. The episode concludes with information about the Pages and Platforms Black Ink Friday Sale, which includes significant discounts on masterclasses, coaching sessions, and manuscript evaluations. 00:00 Introduction: Debunking Writing Rules 02:10 Rule 1: Write Every Day 03:57 Rule 2: Write What You Know 05:01 Rule 3: Draft First, Edit Later 06:52 Rule 4: Show, Don't Tell 08:23 Rule 5: Kill Your Darlings 10:03 Rule 6: Open with Action 11:23 Rule 7: Write to Market 13:36 Identifying Bad Writing Advice 14:33 Special Offers and Conclusion

    15 min

  8. 11/04/2025

    Navigating Independent Publishing: DIY, Assisted, and Hybrid Options

    In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, host Sue Campbell chats with Patricia Marshall, founder and CEO of Luminare Press, about the different approaches to self-publishing: DIY publishing, assisted publishing, and hybrid publishing. Learn the pros and cons of each method, and get insights into costs, processes, and what kind of authors and goals each approach is best suited for. Whether you're looking to keep full control and manage all aspects yourself, or prefer to hand over parts or all of the process to professionals, this episode aims to guide writers in making informed decisions about turning their manuscripts into market-ready books. 00:00 Introduction to Self-Publishing Options 00:34 Meet Patricia: Insights from Luminare Press 02:18 DIY Publishing: Pros and Cons 10:52 Self-Publishing Assist: Pros and Cons 14:10 Hybrid Publishing: Pros and Cons 18:23 Choosing the Right Path for Your Book 23:47 Avoiding Scams in Publishing 24:44 Conclusion and Resources

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Write Anyway podcast helps you hone your author mindset, overcome self-sabotage and write in the face of life's inevitable obstacles. Hosted by Sue Campbell, Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez of Pages & Platforms. Learn more at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

Information

  • Creator
    Sue Campbell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sue Campbell
  • Show Website
    The Write Anyway Podcast