Buildwriting

Onyemechi Nwakonam
  • 0.0 (0)
  • HOW TO
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Buildwriting is a podcast for the intersection of creative writers that are both poets and short fiction writers. While we explore writing craft through a variety of podcast show formats we look at how we can make and find time to write in our busy lives. We look at poetry, short fiction and creativity. This is a podcast from a writer figuring how it works and sharing generously with those that care. Buildwriting releases episodes to educate, entertain and inspire you. Answering your questions,exploring ideas and going deep in tutorials with weekly episodes. Subscribe to join the tribe.

  1. FEB 2

    Poetry as Survival: Writing Through Trauma, Loneliness, and Healing with Patricia Harris | Ep 93

    What happens when writing isn’t just a creative outlet—but a lifeline? In this deeply honest conversation, poet, publisher, and author Patricia Harris opens up about what it means to live with poetry—not as a hobby, but as a way of surviving the world. From writing her first poems as a child to running her own publishing company, Patricia shares how poetry became her language for processing trauma, insomnia, migraines, loneliness, and life itself. If you’ve ever written to cope, read poetry to feel seen, or wondered whether your words matter—this conversation will stay with you.In This Episode, We Explore: How poetry became Patricia’s lifelong coping mechanism The role of poetry marathons in building creative endurance Why discipline and inspiration aren’t opposites The importance of learning poetic forms before breaking them How reading poetry helps writers feel less alone Publishing poetry, running a small press, and supporting other writers Redefining success as showing up and telling the truth Writing through trauma without losing love for the craft Connect with Patricia HarrisExplore Patricia’s poetry, books, and publishing work on her personal blog:https://pattymouseblog.com Learn more about her publishing company and the authors she supports:https://faecorpspublishing.com You can also find her books across major retailers through Books2Read links available on the Faecorps Publishing site. About the Guest Patricia Harris is a poet, children’s author, and publisher. She writes poetry, nonfiction, and children’s books under her own name, and dark fantasy and horror under the pen name Serena Musgraves. She is the founder of Faecorpse Publishing, where she helps indie authors bring their work into the world. Patricia has been writing poetry since childhood and publishing since 2010. Join the BuildWriting Newsletter If today’s conversation inspired you, join my BuildWriting Newsletter — where I send writing prompts, creative reflections, and weekly reminders to return to the page. 👉 Join here: https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/A creative life grows when we grow it together. Chapters 00:00 Poetry as a Lifeline 01:03 What Patricia Writes and Why 02:10 Publishing Poetry and Building a Press 03:52 What a Poetry Marathon Really Demands 06:10 Prompts Pressure and Creative Freedom 07:25 Knowing the Rules Before Breaking Them 09:40 Writing Without Forcing the Work 11:04 Creativity Cooking and Chaos 14:59 Confidence Rejection and Finding Your Reader 17:35 How Poetry Changed Patricia’s Life 20:28 Why Reading Poetry Matters 23:15 The Poems That Stay Close 26:54 What Patricia Hopes Readers Feel 29:06 Defining Success as a Writer 31:49 Writing in Themes 35:11 Cover Design and Creative Control 41:08 Rapid Fire Poetry Rebels and Icons 43:06 If Her Poems Could Speak 43:54 Where to Find Patricia’s Work 45:02 Closing Thoughts Keep Writing

    46 min

  2. 11/28/2025

    Why We Write: Fear, Courage, and the Human Story —Cindy Watson | Ep 92

    In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Cindy Watson—social justice lawyer, award-winning author, founder of Women On Purpose, and someone whose writing journey blends activism, vulnerability, courage, and deep human insight. What starts as a conversation about writing turns into one of the most reflective, honest, and transformative discussions I’ve ever had on this show. We talk about fiction vs. nonfiction, fear, creativity, parenting, mortality, advocacy, poetry, authenticity, and the real reason we write. This episode changed me. I think it might change you too. Chapters 00:00 Introduction & who Cindy is02:00 Why fiction scares her more than nonfiction05:00 Vulnerability, validation, and the fear of being judged09:00 Making time to write vs. waiting for the “right time”14:00 Her daughter’s surgery & how it changed her life and writing18:00 What publishing really feels like23:00 Writing for love vs. writing for validation30:00 Poetry, emotion, and finding your inner voice36:00 The surprising origin of The Art of Feminine Negotiation51:00 My metaphysical questions on writing, success, and poetry56:00 Where to find Cindy + our closing reflections Connect With Cindy Watson Learn more about Cindy’s work and mission: 🔗 Women On Purpose — https://womenonpurpose.ca🎙️ Check out her podcast: The Art of Feminine Negotiation Podcast She’d love to connect with listeners who care about writing, advocacy, and living with intention. Join the BuildWriting Newsletter If today’s conversation inspired you, join my BuildWriting Newsletter — where I send writing prompts, creative reflections, and weekly reminders to return to the page. 👉 Join here: https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/A creative life grows when we grow it together.

    1h 1m

  3. 11/21/2025

    How an Actor Turned Daily Writing Prompts into an Audio Fiction Podcast—James Beaumont | Ep 91

    In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, I sit down for a deeply inspiring conversation with British actor and voice artist James Beaumont. What started as a simple January writing challenge—1,000 words a day using prompts from my website—became 31 Stories, a full audio fiction podcast where James writes, performs, edits, and produces his own short stories. We talk about how prompts can unlock creativity, why performing your own writing brings a story to life in ways the written page alone cannot, and how actors blend creativity with interpretation to create something truly unique. We also discuss the joy (and challenge) of short-form audio fiction, the possibilities of radio plays, and the importance of trying new creative territory—even when you don’t think you’re “a writer.” If you’re a storyteller, poet, fiction lover, or creator exploring new artistic paths, this episode will leave you excited to experiment, write, perform, and build something entirely your own. Connect with James Website : https://linktr.ee/jamesbeaumont Join the Buildwriting Newsletter https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/ Chapters 00:00 Opening & Guest Intro00:41 Who James Is02:38 How the Writing Began03:44 Turning Stories Into a Podcast05:24 New Prompts & New Process06:54 Why Audio Fiction Matters09:37 Radio Plays & Sound Design11:08 Becoming a One-Man Producer12:19 Writing for the Ear14:58 Writing for Yourself First16:04 AI vs Human Performance18:40 Poetry + Music + Drama Ideas22:05 Interpretation as Creativity24:21 Why the Messenger Matters27:26 Acting Range & Character Work32:04 Trying New Creative Territory37:02 Practice Over Perfection45:34 Considering Radio Plays48:03 Audience & Growth51:36 Cross-Platform Creativity51:59 Where to Find James53:46 Closing Thoughts

    55 min

  4. 10/10/2025

    Inside the Poetry Marathon: Writing Poetry Every Hour for a Whole Day—Amanda Potter | Ep 90

    Imagine dedicating 24 hours straight to writing poetry — one poem every hour, guided by unpredictable prompts and fueled by nothing but creativity, snacks, and community. That’s exactly what Amanda Potter, a Jacksonville-based poet and long-time participant in The Poetry Marathon, has done for nearly a decade. In this conversation with Onyemechi Nwakonam, Amanda shares how writing under pressure transforms not just her poetry but her sense of self. She talks about the friendships that have blossomed across continents, the joy of discovering new poetic forms, and the discipline it takes to create meaningful work hour after hour. Together, they explore how creativity thrives in constraint, what makes poetry such a powerful emotional release, and why some art forms—like poetry marathons—reveal who we truly are. Amanda also reads her 2016 poem “Taken Out of Context,” originally written for The Poetry Marathon Anthology. In This Episode What a poetry marathon is and why it’s so addictive The power of prompts and poetic forms (sonnets, sestinas, and nonets) How to stay creative and energized during long writing sessions Why community makes all the difference in artistic endurance The personal transformation that comes from writing without pause Amanda’s reflections on success, spontaneity, and the art of short poems Connect with Amanda Potter 👉 Facebook – search Quarter Crazy Marathon to join her next 12-hour poetry event (September 13 on Facebook) Connect with BuildWriting → Subscribe to the BuildWriting newsletter for behind-the-scenes notes, writing prompts, and creative-process insights: 🌐 https://buildwriting.com/newsletter Chapters 00:00 – The Power of the Poetry Marathon 01:00 – Discovering the Marathon 02:00 – The Challenge of Prompts and Forms 04:30 – Preparing for 24 Hours of Writing 07:00 – Staying Creative Through Fatigue 09:00 – How Marathon Writing Shapes Your Craft 13:00 – The Lessons of Endurance and Community 17:00 – Building Global Friendships Through Poetry 20:00 – Platforms Prompts and the Evolving Community 23:00 – The Art of Short Poems 28:00 – On Editing and Imperfection 33:00 – How Poetry Changes the Poet 36:00 – What Makes a Poem a Poem 40:00 – Advice for First Time Marathon Poets 50:00 – Closing Reflections

    52 min

  5. 07/26/2025

    How to Turn Everyday Life into Poetry—and a Creative Calling—Wendie Donabie | Ep 89

    How to Turn Everyday Life into Poetry—and a Creative Calling | With Wendie Donabie What if poetry wasn’t just for the page—but a path to healing, rediscovery, and purpose? In this episode of Buildwriting, Wendie Donabie shares exactly how she transformed retirement into a thriving creative life through poetry and painting. Whether you're writing your first poem or wondering if your art truly matters, Wendie’s story will show you how to reconnect with inspiration, write from emotion, and embrace the mess and meaning of creativity. You’ll learn: How to use art and nature to spark poetry What poetry marathons can teach you about writing under pressure How to balance structure and spontaneity in your writing routine How poetry helps process grief and deepen self-understanding Why consistency is more important than perfection If you’ve ever doubted your voice, felt too late to start, or wanted to find meaning in your words—this episode is your invitation back to the page. Chapters:00:00 Meet Wendie Donabie: From Corporate Life to Creative Rebirth02:00 How to Use Art and Nature as Poetic Prompts05:00 Inside a Poetry Marathon: What It’s Like and What It Teaches08:00 Sustaining Creative Energy During Long Writing Sessions11:00 Writing Through Grief and Emotional Turning Points14:00 From Poetry to Mystery Novels: Trusting the Evolving Muse17:00 What Makes Poetry Powerful and Why It Still Matters20:00 Advice for Beginner Poets and What Wendie Wishes She Knew23:00 Where to Read More of Wendie’s Work Connect with Wendie Donabie:🌿 Website (Poetry & Blog): https://wendiedonabie.ca🎨 Art Gallery: https://wendiedonabie.com Join the Buildwriting Newsletter:📩 Want behind-the-scenes writing insights, poetry prompts, and creative tools? Subscribe here

    54 min

  6. 07/11/2025

    How to Turn Everyday Moments into Powerful Poetry — Shreya Suraj | Ep 88

    In this episode of BuildWriting, host Onyemechi Nwakonam sits down with mathematician-turned-poet Shreya Suraj to explore how to find inspiration in the ordinary and craft poetry that truly connects. Shreya shares her journey from writing free verse during the pandemic to leading environmental art workshops and beach cleanups—and how all of it fuels her creative process. What You’ll Learn How Shreya blends precision and playfulness to spot poetic moments in everyday life The moment she discovered the freedom of free verse and let go of forced rhymes Behind the scenes of her “Cell Phone or Prison Cell?” poem and why it resonates Practical prep tips for virtual poetry marathons—even when power cuts strike Why simplicity and emotional clarity are the hallmarks of accessible poetry Shreya’s top advice for hosting welcoming, low-pressure open mic events Creative ways she recycles household materials into mandala art Thoughts on the challenges of getting paid for poetry today—and alternative income ideas Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & episode overview01:18 – Meet Shreya Suraj: poet, mom, environmental activist04:19 – From rhymes to free verse: finding your voice06:53 – Reading “Cell Phone or Prison Cell?” poem09:01 – Preparing for a poetry marathon in low-power contexts11:47 – Sharing a kitchen-inspired poem on secret nibbles14:37 – The essence of poetry: touching another soul18:42 – How to run an inclusive, low-stress open mic21:02 – Making money (or not) as a poet and artist24:15 – Recycling art demo: turning question papers into mandalas28:26 – Final thoughts: success & next steps Resources & Links▶ Follow Shreya on Instagram: @shreyasurajabcd▶ Join our newsletter for writing prompts & behind-the-scenes: https://buildwriting.com/newsletter If you enjoyed this conversation, please leave a rating or review and share with a fellow writer. Keep writing, keep building your craft—see you next week!

    55 min

  7. 07/01/2025

    Celebrating 5 Years of Buildwriting | Ep 87

    Hey writers and creators, Mechi here! After a much-needed break, I’m back celebrating five years of the Buildwriting blog and podcast. I’ve realized the key to growth is showing up—even when it’s messy. That’s why I’m committing to weekly episodes, new guest interviews, and building a real community for writers of all backgrounds. We’re launching book clubs, spoken word sessions, and interactive workshops, all shaped by YOUR feedback. So, subscribe, share, and join us every Monday and Friday as we level up our writing journeys together! Stay inspired every week with fresh creative writing prompts, insider tips on crafting poetry and short prose, and personal stories from a fellow writer’s journey—delivered straight to your inbox. Join the BuildWriting newsletter : https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/ Chapters 00:00:00 - Five Years of Buildwriting: Reflections and Gratitude 00:00:42 - The Break: Why I Stepped Away 00:01:12 - Showing Up as a Writer and Building Community 00:02:03 - The Challenge of Consistency and Quality in Writing 00:02:28 - Missing the Podcast and Renewed Commitment 00:03:07 - Community Impact and Listener Stories 00:03:45 - Setting Accountability & Future Podcast Schedule 00:04:43 - Episode Structure Moving Forward 00:05:22 - Inviting Diverse Writing Voices 00:06:32 - Invitations to All Forms of Literary Creators 00:07:15 - Plans for a Book Club 00:08:05 - Building a Spoken Word Community 00:08:59 - Creating a Supportive Writer’s Group 00:09:22 - Workshops and Other Creative Projects 00:09:55 - How to Connect & Support the Podcast 00:10:20 - Share Your Ideas and Stay Tuned 00:10:38 - Closing and What’s Next

    11 min

  8. 05/05/2025

    Join the 2025 Poetry Marathon — 24 Poems in 24 Hours! | Ep 86

    In this episode, I share my incredible experience participating in the Poetry Marathon last year and why you should join the 2025 Poetry Mountain. It’s a 24-hour challenge where you write one poem every hour (or 12 hours for the half marathon). No competition—just you, your creativity, and a supportive global community of poets. Key Takeaways: My Experience: Last year, I almost missed the marathon due to a test, but when it got postponed, I dove in. Writing 24 poems in 24 hours pushed me to explore new forms, themes, and ideas—I surprised myself with what I created! What Is the Poetry Marathon? Full Marathon: 24 poems in 24 hours. Half Marathon: 12 poems in 12 hours. It’s about testing your limits, not competing. Why Join? Challenge yourself and discover hidden creativity. Write more in one day than you might in a year. Be part of a global community of writers. Logistics: Date: May 17, 2025. Deadline to register: May 12, 2025. Completely free! Preparation Tips: Mark the date and check your time zone. Finish chores/tasks beforehand to focus on writing. Invite poet friends to join—it’s more fun together! Ready to push your creative boundaries? Sign up using the link in the description! Share this with fellow writers, and let’s make the 2025 Poetry Marathon unforgettable. Join here - https://thepoetrymarathon.com/blog/the-poetry-marathon-prompts/registration-is-open-2

    5 min
See All (94)

Trailer

About

Buildwriting is a podcast for the intersection of creative writers that are both poets and short fiction writers. While we explore writing craft through a variety of podcast show formats we look at how we can make and find time to write in our busy lives. We look at poetry, short fiction and creativity. This is a podcast from a writer figuring how it works and sharing generously with those that care. Buildwriting releases episodes to educate, entertain and inspire you. Answering your questions,exploring ideas and going deep in tutorials with weekly episodes. Subscribe to join the tribe.

Information

  • Creator
    Onyemechi Nwakonam
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    94
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Onyemechi Nwakonam
  • Show Website
    Buildwriting