The Soul and Science of Great Writing with Mara Eller

Mara Eller
  • 5.0 (7)
  • BOOKS

What makes writing great? Is it the spark of inspiration, unique voice, and intangible soul that breathes life into the words? Or is it the careful structure, repeatable strategies, and attention to detail that shape an idea into something readers can’t put down?  In truth, it’s both. The Soul and Science of Great Writing brings creativity and craft together, both dissecting and reveling in the power of language. Hosted by Mara Eller, a professional editor, book coach, and writing teacher with over 16 years of experience, this podcast explores the qualities that set great writing apart, the challenges every writer faces, and the habits, strategies, and mindsets that help writers grow their creative craft.  With a blend of solo deep-dives and conversations with authors, editors, and publishing professionals, each episode offers both inspiration and practical tools to support your writing life—plus the occasional dip into literary and pop culture analysis to spark fresh insight. Whether you’re a writer honing your craft or a language lover seeking inspiration, you’re in the right place!

  1. 6D AGO

    Unlock Your Writing Superpower Using the Enneagram with Christa Hardin (Ep. 16)

    What if the key to releasing your best writing isn’t more discipline, time, or expertise—but deeper self-understanding? In this episode, I sit down with Christa Hardin—author, marriage coach, and Enneagram expert—to explore how the Enneagram functions as a powerful tool to help you write with more clarity, confidence, and impact. We dive into the surprising truth that your greatest writing strength is often the very thing that holds you back—and how understanding your patterns can help you connect more powerfully with both your creativity and your reader. Whether you already know your type or are completely new to the Enneagram, this conversation offers practical insights for every kind of writer. We cover: Why your writing struggles are often tied to your strengthsThe 3 core instincts (self-preservation, sexual/creative, and social) and how they impact your writing processHow each Enneagram type approaches writing differently (and what helps them most)Type-specific tips to break through procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubtIt’s time to learn how to work with your personality instead of fighting it—so you can finally write and share your best work. About Christa: As a relationship expert, marriage coach, speaker, and host of the Enneagram & Marriage Podcast, Christa Hardin helps individuals and couples build stronger, more connected lives through personality work, emotional insight, and practical tools rooted in modern psychology. Her new book The Three Desires comes out Spring ‘27 focusing on using the Enneagram instincts as powerful tools in relationship and personal growth. Follow her on Instagram @enneagramandmarriage to join her 40k+ community.  Mentioned in this episode: Enneagram & Marriage’s free resources including a quiz to find your typeTruity.com Enneagram TestThe Enneagram in Marriage bookThe Enneagram & Marriage podcastThinking Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanSend me a text message with your questions or comments! ___________________________________ Come join the discussion! Instagram TikTok Threads Substack And visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

    58 min

  2. APR 29

    Why Plotting Beats Pantsing: How to Actually Finish Your Novel with Indie Author J.A. Merkel (Ep. 15)

    How do you build a successful career as a self-published fiction author? For our first (but not last) episode on fiction, I’m joined by J.A. Merkel, a sci-fi/fantasy author with two series underway, one with a whopping 27 books planned.  He shares the strategy that turned a string of rejection letters into a strategic indie launch that actually worked plus the framework that helped him finally finish the novel he’d been working on for 10 years. We dive into: why plotting is the key to writing complex novelshow structure can actually free your creativityhis step-by-step process for starting a new novel from scratchwriting with ADHD: time blindness, guardrails, and morning routines for the winwhy the best fiction reveals truth without forcing itthe role of curiosity, emotion, and reader connection in great storytellingFrom Story Grid to ADHD, this conversation explores what it really takes to finish a novel—and why sometimes the most creative thing you can do is give your brain exactly the structure it's been craving. Mentioned in this episode: Story Grid resourcesSave the Cat plotting methodDune by Frank HerbertHyperion by Dan SimmonsChange Your Brain, Change Your Life by Daniel G. Amen, M.D.Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir JA Merkel is the author of The Fourth Portal and The Fall Gauntlet series, known for immersive world building, sustained emotional tension, and the way his stories pull readers into expansive fictional worlds while leaving lasting emotional and thematic impact. Learn more and connect at www.jamerkel.com. Send me a text message with your questions or comments! ___________________________________ Come join the discussion! Instagram TikTok Threads Substack And visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

    50 min

  3. APR 22

    What Professional Writers Actually Prioritize: The 5 Essentials for Powerful Nonfiction (Ep. 14)

    You're putting in the work—rereading sentences, second-guessing word choices, trying to get it just right. But each fix creates new problems, and something always feels . . . off. It's not a lack of effort or talent. You just don't know what to prioritize. This episode will help you close that gap between effort and impact—so you can stop feeling overwhelmed and start writing with clarity and confidence. I break down the five essentials that matter most for great writing—true across genres, but especially for nonfiction—so you know exactly what to prioritize and how to achieve each on the page. These five are at the heart of strong writing, and addressing them creates a cascade of improvement. It’s kind of like treating the underlying cause vs a symptom: only one leads to a cure. Focus on these, and everything else starts to fall into place. If trying to improve your writing sometimes feels like a game of whack-a-mole, this episode is for you! For more specific techniques to level up your writing craft today, grab my FREE download “From Good to Great: Ten Tips to Write Like a Pro,” along with an accompanying video training, at www.maraeller.com/tentips. Send me a text message with your questions or comments! ___________________________________ Come join the discussion! Instagram TikTok Threads Substack And visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

    40 min

  4. APR 15

    What Great Writers Understand About Sales with Steph Crowder, Business Coach (Ep. 13)

    You poured your heart into your piece, found the courage to share it, and now . . . crickets. What gives? In this episode, I’m joined by my business coach, Steph Crowder, to unpack a truth many writers resist: if you want readers, you have to learn how to sell your work—but not in the way you think. We explore why authors need to think of themselves as entrepreneurs—and why selling your work isn’t separate from writing, but an extension of it. Plus, we reframe sales as something deeply aligned with what writers already do best: tell stories, understand people, and create connection. We cover: Why your fear of self-promotion is actually keeping your work from helping peopleA simple way to think about sales that doesn’t feel grossWhat it really means to “know your reader”How to build a platform without feeling performativeWhy imperfect, consistent posting beats perfection every timeAt its core, this episode is about a mindset shift: seeing sales not as self-promotion, but as storytelling, connection, and service. If you’ve ever thought, “I just want to write, not sell,” you need to hear this conversation! Mentioned in this episode: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MassFourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros“Confessions of a Broke Millionaire” by Danielle LeslieStrangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle BurdenThe 15 Minute Planner Method Connect with Steph on Instagram @heystephcrowder Send me a text message with your questions or comments! ___________________________________ Come join the discussion! Instagram TikTok Threads Substack And visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

    56 min

  5. APR 8

    I Met the Woman I Always Wanted to Be, and She Was Me: on Living—and Writing—as Our Truest Selves (Ep. 12)

    What if the person you’ve always wanted to be… is already inside you? In this episode, I share a personal essay (a mini-memoir) about a weekend in New York City that changed how I see myself—and how we become who we’re meant to be. I explore: The tension between who we’ve been and who we’re becomingWhy transformation is less about dramatic events and more about daily choicesHow the way we live and the way we write are deeply connectedPlus, I offer a writing prompt to help you explore (or imagine) a moment when you felt most like yourself—and use it to catalyze your own metamorphosis. If you're ready to step more fully into your truest, boldest self—both on and off the page—this episode is for you! Mentioned in this episode: Read the original essay on SubstackJoin my email listSend me a text message with your questions or comments! ___________________________________ Come join the discussion! Instagram TikTok Threads Substack And visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

    13 min

  6. APR 1

    How to Turn an Ordinary Life into an Unforgettable Memoir with Acquisitions Editor Ariel Curry (Ep. 11)

    Most people think great memoirs begin with a great story: something dramatic or unusual that happens to the author. In reality, the difference between a mediocre memoir and an unforgettable one has almost nothing to do with what happened. In this episode, I’m joined by acquisitions editor Ariel Curry to break down what actually makes a memoir work and how even the most ordinary life can become extraordinary on the page. Using What We Carry as a case study, we explore: The mistakes that make even dramatic stories fall flatHow to turn small, everyday moments into compelling scenesThe incremental journey of internal transformation—and how to actually show it on the pageWhy voice, detail, and agency matter more than plotHow to navigate writing a memoir about your relationship with another personPlus, I share my reflections on the most powerful parts of What We Carry: the author’s honest portrayal of her postpartum experience and the book’s invitation to examine the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive. If you’ve ever felt like your story is too small, too ordinary, or too “boring” to make for a great memoir, this episode will change the way you see your writing—and your life. Ariel Curry is a senior editor for nonfiction at Sourcebooks. She lives in Chattanooga, TN, with her husband and three beautiful children. You can find her at hungryauthors.com or on Substack. Mentioned in this episode: What We Carry by Maya Shanbhag LangLove Warrior by Glennan DoyleStrangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle BurdenThe Power of Writing It Down and Write Your Story by Allison FallonThe Artist’s Way by Julia CameronUnearthing Beauty Memoir Writing ProgramJoin my email listSend me a text message with your questions or comments! ___________________________________ Come join the discussion! Instagram TikTok Threads Substack And visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

    54 min

  7. MAR 25

    Finish Your Life-Changing Memoir: a 3-Step System to Cut Through Confusion and Write a Memoir Readers Can’t Put Down (Ep. 10)

    Why do so many writers fall off track when writing their memoir?  It’s rarely a lack of passion. It’s usually a cloud of confusion. Somewhere in the "messy middle," the lights go out.  You get pulled in 17 different directions, the words blur, and you realize you don’t actually know where the story is headed. When you can’t see the path forward—aren’t even sure there IS a path—it’s far easier to just . . . stop.  If you want to finish, you have to outsmart the confusion. You need a way to light the path forward when the sky grows dark.  That is exactly why I created the ARC Framework. It’s a three-step system that addresses both the soul and the science of finishing your memoir—strategies to master the self-doubt that derails your storytelling + techniques to find your way back to the page when you feel lost.  Plus, those same strategies are the key to making your memoir jump off the page and into your reader’s hearts. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the replay of Tuesday’s free training, Finish Your Life-Changing Memoir, where I teach my brand-new ARC Framework. You’ll learn:  Why fear is actually a green light, a sign that your story needs to be writtenWhat your memoir is REALLY about—and why knowing that will unleash your best writing The key to deciding what goes in, what gets cut, and how it all connects so you know exactly what to write next How to tell if what you’ve written is actually landing so you can stop tweaking endlessly and start revising with intentionBy the end, you’ll know what to do any time doubt or confusion tempts you to abandon your story—whether you’re on page 1 or page 301. Send me a text message with your questions or comments! ___________________________________ Come join the discussion! Instagram TikTok Threads Substack And visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

    1h 17m

  8. MAR 19

    How to Write Your Hard Story: the Alchemy of Memoir with Lisa Cooper Ellison, Trauma-Informed Writing Coach (Ep. 9)

    What if the most powerful memoirs come not from telling your story—but transforming it? In this episode, I’m joined by trauma-informed writing coach Lisa Cooper Ellison for a powerful conversation about the alchemy of memoir—the process of transforming lived experience into meaning—and why great memoirs always reveal a truth about the human condition. Lisa shares how to uncover the deeper “aboutness” of your story, how to reveal that “aboutness” on the page, and why rushing the process often keeps writers from telling their most powerful story. We also discuss how to write about difficult or traumatic experiences without overwhelming yourself—or your reader—including practical tools you can put to use right away.  We dive into: Lisa’s concept of the essential question—and how it guides your entire bookHow to identify what actually belongs in your memoir (and what doesn’t)A powerful lens for choosing details, imagery, and metaphorHow to read like a writer and learn from great memoirsWhy giving feedback on other writers’ work can accelerate your own growth (and how to do it well)Common mistakes that slow writers down during drafting and revisionHow to know if you’re ready to write a particularly hard sceneWhether you’re just starting your memoir or deep in revision, this conversation will challenge you to think more deeply about your story and invite you into a writing process will produce both a better book and a changed writer. Mentioned in this episode Allison K Williams’ “In a world where . . .” test Jeannine Ouellette’s tool for finding Your Story's Core Aboutness”“What Is a Memoir’s Essential Question and Why Do You Need One?” by Lisa Cooper EllisonCarmen Maria Machado’s In the Dream HouseMy Name Means Fire by Atash YaghmaianWhat My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo by Jeannette Walls Heavy by Kiese LaymonHow I Escaped Iran & Wrote My Way to Freedom with Atash Yaghmaian MEMOIR WRITING PROGRAM — Unearthing Beauty FREE WORKSHOP — Finish Your Life-Changing Memoir Lisa's Substack and Website Send me a text message with your questions or comments! ___________________________________ Come join the discussion! Instagram TikTok Threads Substack And visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

    59 min
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5
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About

What makes writing great? Is it the spark of inspiration, unique voice, and intangible soul that breathes life into the words? Or is it the careful structure, repeatable strategies, and attention to detail that shape an idea into something readers can’t put down?  In truth, it’s both. The Soul and Science of Great Writing brings creativity and craft together, both dissecting and reveling in the power of language. Hosted by Mara Eller, a professional editor, book coach, and writing teacher with over 16 years of experience, this podcast explores the qualities that set great writing apart, the challenges every writer faces, and the habits, strategies, and mindsets that help writers grow their creative craft.  With a blend of solo deep-dives and conversations with authors, editors, and publishing professionals, each episode offers both inspiration and practical tools to support your writing life—plus the occasional dip into literary and pop culture analysis to spark fresh insight. Whether you’re a writer honing your craft or a language lover seeking inspiration, you’re in the right place!

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