How Women Write

Jacqueline Fisch

Hosted by Jacqueline Fisch, a nonfiction author, writing coach, and former corporate professional. This show blends authenticity, practicality, and intuition. Jacqueline shares holistic writing strategies designed for female entrepreneurs with a story to tell. Here, integrity, personal growth, and wellness meet actionable tips and guidance. Whether you're working on books, blogs, website copy, or social media, you'll learn how to hit your writing goals while creating a nourishing, sustainable writing life. Expect honest, in-depth interviews with real women writers, entrepreneurs, and leaders, alongside candid solo episodes and behind-the-desk stories that offer simple, inspiring lessons for your writing journey. In a world of AI and shortcuts, your authentic voice is your superpower. Subscribe and discover how to stop struggling with writing—and start embracing your gifts.

  1. 70: Kelsey Murphy on How to Write Emails That Don't Feel Like Noise

    3D AGO

    70: Kelsey Murphy on How to Write Emails That Don't Feel Like Noise

    Write Emails That People Actually Want to Open with Business & Life Coach Kelsey Murphy I am so excited to finally have Kelsey Murphy on the How Women Write podcast! We've been on each other's shows, and I've been a huge fan of her work for years. She's a business and life coach for Fortune 500 companies and has worked alongside some big-name female entrepreneurs. What I love most about Kelsey is her radically honest, down-to-earth approach to writing and business — especially in her emails. They are never noisy — they're always refreshing. Even when she's selling something.  In this conversation, Kelsey and I dive into: How she shifted from a high-pressure advertising role to coaching, recognizing her own resistance to reclaiming her creative voice. How she learned to embrace writing as a lifelong journey. The importance of separating different buckets of writing — sales, personal, and business so that she could protect the therapeutic joy she has for writing. The powerful, simple formula she uses for her storytelling in her emails: What happened? What did I learn? What do I urge you to do?. How to apply the "One-Person Rule" by writing every email to one specific, ideal client (like her client Ally), which is key to making readers feel seen and heard. Kelsey's stance on building a seven-figure business without relying on social media for sales. How "writer's block" can often be solved with journaling, like writing a letter from your 80-year-old self, to check your beliefs and direction. Kelsey's energy, honesty, and wisdom are contagious. You'll be inspired to check in with your own writing practice and discover what's truly lighting you up. Links From Today's Episode: Kelsey Murphy's Website Whiskey & Work Podcast Jacq's appearances on the Whiskey & Work podcast:  How To Write & Find Flow Quitting Her 9-5, Starting A Failed Blog & Succeeding In A Copywriting Business She Loves Book: On Writing by Stephen King This is an affiliate link. If you click and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission. Timestamps 00:00 Meet Kelsey Murphy 02:29 Early Life and Creativity 06:36 Advertising Career 08:13 Leaving the Advertising World for Coaching 13:38 Writing as a Business Skill 16:29 Journaling and Confidence 20:27 No Social Media Needed 22:11 Email Magic Begins 22:33 Learning to Write Well 24:47 Storytelling That Connects 25:22 Writing To One Person 29:57 No Schedule Just Seasons 33:27 Full Body Yes Momentum 36:25 Book Ideas Without Pressure 37:43 The Why Behind her Podcast 39:32 A Retreat That Changed Everything 41:21 Coffee Ritual And Email Vibe 43:17 Thanks And Wrap Up Meet Kelsey Murphy: Kelsey Murphy is a Business & Life Coach for Fortune 500 companies like Facebook and Twitter, working with entrepreneurs like Marie Forleo, Cathy Heller, & Celebrity Nutritionist Kelly Leveque. Kelsey is a master at helping coaches create highly successful businesses. She takes the big-hearted humans & builds lucrative businesses for them that end up impacting millions.  Previously, Kelsey was the Advertising Director for Nintendo, GoPro, and Elizabeth Arden, and she's been featured in outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, and the Huffington Post. She's a firm believer that each person holds a passion and a viewpoint uniquely their own, and through her coaching and workshops, she equips people with a toolbox of actionable strategies to create the life they envision. Additionally, she hosts a top-ranked podcast called Whiskey & Work, where she shares refreshingly honest insights on navigating the waters of work, life, and family. Kelsey addresses issues like relationships, dreams, motivation, starting a business, morning routines, and living a life you're proud of. She's a champion for acting brave, embracing your imperfections, and not taking life too seriously.   Connect with Jacqueline Fisch:  The Intuitive Writing Studio Private Coaching & Writing Support Substack: Energy-First Writing LinkedIn Instagram

    44 min
  2. 69: The Era of the Regulated Writer: Why Grounding is the New Productivity

    APR 30

    69: The Era of the Regulated Writer: Why Grounding is the New Productivity

    Why Traditional Writing Advice Fails in the Age of Information Overload I'm so happy to be back talking with you after missing a week. My voice decided to take a break right as Uranus moved into Gemini for the next seven years — a transit that rules communication. And instead of fighting it, I saw it as an energetic upgrade. Now my voice is back and stronger than ever. With all this fast-moving energy, AI-generated content everywhere, and the media cycle is getting louder, faster, and more confusing, traditional writing advice is dying.  The old way of writing …  working within a linear train of thought, long stretches of focus, a meticulous outline, and the ability to write for hours, isn't going to cut it.  The challenge is no longer about writing faster or harder — it's about staying connected to your body and soul while you think. The writers who will thrive in this next era are not the most productive or the best at AI prompting — they're the most anchored.  When your nervous system is overwhelmed, everything feels urgent and fuzzy, and your voice gets buried. We're writing differently over here. Discover: Why the biggest challenge right now isn't writing, but staying connected to yourself, your body, and your soul while you think Why forcing yourself to write more, faster, or using AI to write in your voice won't help Five ways to write and think differently in the age of Uranus in Gemini How to recognize the difference between regulated writing (intentional, calm, flowing) and reactive writing (rushing, restlessness, urgent, shallow breathing) Why making time for quiet and stillness when nothing seems to be happening on the page is your edge right now   Timestamps 00:00 Welcome Back (and my voice energetic upgrade) 00:39 Uranus Entering Gemini — a 7-Year Shift 01:38 GenAI and Writing Speed 03:38 Why Grounding Matters Now 05:36 Anchored Writers Thrive 08:11 Write Differently in This Era 09:21 Five Simple Practices for Clarity 13:22 Regulated vs Reactive Writing 15:03 Next Episode and Book Release Links from today's episode: Join the Intuitive Writing Studio (to access the full "Writing at the Speed of Thought" workshop recording) Sign up for Substack to be the first to know when my new book, Writing With the Moon is available and to get all the book release goodies and details about a free workshop I'm hosting Connect with Jacqueline Fisch:  The Intuitive Writing Studio Private Coaching & Writing Support Substack: Energy-First Writing LinkedIn Instagram

    16 min
  3. 68: The Savage Story: Robyn Tanner on How to Write the Naked Truth that Frees You

    APR 22

    68: The Savage Story: Robyn Tanner on How to Write the Naked Truth that Frees You

    Stop Settling for Mediocrity and Start Writing Your Savage Story I met Robyn a few years ago, and her story — as she calls it — is one of hurricanes and tornadoes that you have to hear. After building a 30-year career in the fitness industry, coaching, and mindset transformation, Robyn realized that her entire life of adversity and survival was meant to be written. Like, non-negotiable, no other choice. Robyn is a writer, speaker, developmental editor, and story architect. We dive into the key moment that launched her writing career — a coach's simple advice to "write A book, not THE book." This was the spark that led Robyn to draft The Machete Mentality in a single week. You'll hear about how Robyn rarely writes sitting down, how she's busted the myths of daily writing routines, and hear her super smart trick to never ignore your drafts again. Most of all, you'll appreciate Robyn's ultimate piece of advice for writers: you must write the savage story. The part that's between you and God — you know, the parts you don't want to say out loud. That's exactly what she did, so it could stop owning her. Key Takeaways: Write a Book, Not THE Book — this simple reframe helps writers sink into the honest, imperfect writing that needs to be done.  "Obey the Obsession" Inside — when you've got multiple writing projects going on, the one you should work on has to do with the idea that won't leave you alone. Acknowledge ALL the Work — Everything you do as a writer takes energy — brainstorming, research, creative downloads are all work, so give yourself credit for these mental efforts. Writing Changes You — writing a book can be the catalyst that allows you to leave an old identity behind and fully step into a new role as an author, speaker, or whatever you choose. The Savage Story is Freedom — to free yourself from your past, you MUST write the part of your story that scares you most. Timestamps 00:00 Meet Robyn Tanner 09:54 Machete Mentality Origin 13:01 Write a Book, Not The Book 16:17 Managing Multiple Book Projects 22:35 Choosing the Next Book 24:08 AI and Authentic Voice 26:59 Writing While Moving 31:54 Writing Without Deadlines 35:18 Balancing Pushing And Resting 38:32 All the Creative Work Counts 40:38 Machete Mentality Drive 46:03 Write The Savage Truth 50:45 Closing And Call To Action Links from today's episode: Robyn on Instagram: @writer_robynlynn THE EDIT, with Robyn Robyn's book, The Machete Mentality Connect with Jacqueline Fisch:  The Intuitive Writing Studio Private Coaching & Writing Support Substack: Energy-First Writing LinkedIn Instagram

    51 min
  4. 67: Dear Writer, Your Draft is Not Crap

    APR 12

    67: Dear Writer, Your Draft is Not Crap

    The Myth of the "S****y First Draft" and How It's Damaging Your Writing I'm sharing why the common advice to expect your writing to be "crap" is doing serious damage to new writers. I get the sentiment behind the phrase "s****y first draft" (SFD) — a term Anne Lamott coined in her book Bird by Bird. I was a fan of the SFD for years, even referring to it in my own book, Intuitive Writing. I used to think the negative label gave me permission to write without pressure. But here's the truth: calling your work "s****y" is training you to distrust your own writing. We need to stop normalizing language that tells writers they suck before they've even started. For me, writing is about clarity, truth, impact, and storytelling, not perfection or worrying about every tiny detail of grammar. A draft is simply an unfinished piece of writing, not a bad one — it's something that hasn't been shaped yet. I share this advice constantly: writing and editing are two completely different things. Writing is about letting the words fall out quickly and from the heart. A draft is simply a starting place. Key Takeaways: Avoid using negative labels (like "crap," "terrible," or "s****y") for your writing drafts — do you want your writing to live up to those labels? A draft, plain and simple, is an unfinished piece of writing, not "bad writing" The only things that truly matter in a first draft: Is it true? Did it land? Separate writing and editing: focus on quickly getting ideas from the heart out during the drafting phase, without stopping to correct as you go "Surrendered writing" means writing without controlling, judging, or forcing; the words fall out easily because you're fully present, calm, and grounded   Timestamps 00:00 Stop Calling Your Writing "Crap" 01:21 Why the SFD Actually Hurts Writers 02:31 Clarity Over Perfection 04:37 Drafts Are Unfinished 06:03 Writing Versus Editing 06:59 Cheer the First Attempts 07:47 My 5-Step Blogging Workflow 08:25 Labels Shape Outcomes 08:58 Surrendered Writing 10:02 How to Work With Me Links from today's episode: Some of these are affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I might earn a commission Anne Lamott's book, Bird by Bird My third book, Intuitive Writing My writing community, The Intuitive Writing Studio Ways to partner with me one-on-one on books, blogs, or online writing Contact me for a professional editor referral Connect with Jacqueline Fisch:  Substack: Energy-First Writing LinkedIn Instagram

    11 min
  5. 66: Medicine Woman Writer: The Words Are Ready

    APR 5

    66: Medicine Woman Writer: The Words Are Ready

    Stepping Into My 'Medicine Woman Writer' Identity and Sharing the Deeper Work I'm so happy to share what's been unfolding in my writing life lately. None of this was planned by the way. This is the work of staying present and allowing what wants to unfold, to unfold.  I had planned to write a simple intro post about turning paid subscriptions on for my Substack. Well, that was my plan, but the words took a completely different path. Instead of stopping the flow and forcing myself to stick to the topic I had planned, I let the words flow.  What came through surprised me. Immediately, I remembered the text I received from a new book coaching client after just one call. Her words sparked a cascade of memories from the past three years.  You'll hear how the writing unfolded, but the real heart of the episode is the shift I'm making: embracing a calling to share the deeper, more spiritual writing I've held back. This is the writing that used to feel like "too much." The writing (so far) reflects on faith, cycles, and the parts of entrepreneurship most people stay quiet about.  After the phrase "Medicine Woman Writer" came up in a conversation with my teacher, and I received a confirmation text from a client, I knew I had to go all in. A dragonfly, symbolizing transformation and authenticity, appeared while I was editing the essay, giving me the final "yes" to publish the work that (still) felt a little scary. After writing online for 14 years, I know without a doubt that the stories I almost didn't publish are the ones that resonated most.  My writing space is now becoming a home for this work beneath the work.  I've opened up just 40 founding member spots in my Substack until tonight (Sunday night).  These spots are for 💎 The Originals who are ready to write from their own medicine, not someone else's formula, and are done using AI to write for them. They get exclusive bonuses like the Energy First Writing Initiation and a Writing Authority Audit. If you're listening after Sunday, monthly and annual subscriptions are still open Key Takeaways (the practical bits): The platform for your writing doesn't matter — focus on making it easy to serve your readers When the words are flowing, don't turn them off — even if it means publishing more, or something different than you had planned The "Medicine Woman Writer" is about helping people who feel they have nothing to say, or who have blocked throat chakras, find their voice The stories that feel scary to share, where you don't have all the answers yet, are the ones that are the most impactful and become your "medicine" at work   Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:36 Substack Update 02:28 Writing In The Moment 04:26 Deeper Essays 08:15 Medicine Woman Writer 10:38 Dragonfly Confirmation 11:48 Sharing Truth 14:04 Founding Members Offer & Perks 18:27 Final Thanks Links from today's episode: Substack Essay: Something is changing here. Substack Essay: The doors are open. Connect with Jacqueline Fisch:  Substack: Energy-First Writing Jacqueline Fisch book coaching LinkedIn Instagram

    19 min
  6. 65: From IT Manager to 15 Books in Her 60s: Neera Mahajan's Unstoppable Writing Journey

    APR 1

    65: From IT Manager to 15 Books in Her 60s: Neera Mahajan's Unstoppable Writing Journey

    Silence Your Inner Critic: How to Write and Publish a Book Fast I was so excited to welcome Neera Mahajan, author, book coach, and founder of The Author Circle, to the podcast. We connected on Substack, and I was immediately drawn to her story. Neera shared how a critical comment about her written English from her IT manager during a performance review became the catalyst for her incredible writing journey. That one comment prompted her to sign up for a writing course and stayed with her for years, eventually leading her to publish her first book at age 60.  Neera's writing journey is similar to learning to ride a bike—you keep going until one day, it just clicks, and all of a sudden, you're writing (or riding).  We talk about the importance of writing quickly to silence the inner critic, which she discovered after challenging herself to write and publish her first book in just seven days. These days, though, she gives herself 30 days to write the first draft of any book.  Neera also shared her highly effective writing routine: working in 15-minute increments to consistently hit her word count, and chronicling her day in a daily diary.  Her biggest message for you: Write books. A blog post lives for a day, a newsletter for a week, but a book lives forever. Key Takeaways: Your biggest challenge can be your catalyst to life-changing work. Practice over talent: Neera persisted with life-story writing for years, proving that persistence is essential to developing a strong writing voice. Writing the first draft quickly, often within 30 days, prevents the inner critic from having time to derail the process. The power of a timer: Neera uses 15-minute intervals to make the most out of her focused writing time. If you've been writing online, you probably have more than enough content to repurpose into a book. One of my favorite parts of this interview was learning about her daily writing habits. She starts her day by writing one page in her daily diary to chronicle the previous day, a habit that helps her stay on track, followed by focused blocks of writing, editing, and business-related work. Timestamps 00:00 Meet Neera 01:56 "I sucked at writing" 02:34 How Feedback From a Boss Sparked a Writing Journey 07:42 Bicycle Lesson Mindset 13:41 Owning Her Writing 17:32 Writing and Publishing The First Book in 7 Days 23:44 15-Minute Timer Method 28:29 C++ Crash Study 31:03 Book A Month Plan 32:37 Turning Blog Posts Into Books 34:37 Favorite Productivity Book 35:21 Travel And Memoir Experiments 39:57 Daily Writing Routine 44:01 Parting Advice for Writers Meet Neera Mahajan Neera Mahajan is an author, book coach, and founder of the Author Circle community. She helps creators, professionals, and experts write authority-building books and turn them into meaningful businesses. She has written multiple books (15 so far) and teaches professionals how a strategically written book can position them as an authority and attract clients for years. Connect with Neera: Author Circle, Substack publication and community Neera on LinkedIn  Her most recent book, One Book To $100K    Additional Links from this episode: These links are affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. How to Write and Publish an eBook in One Week (Neera's first book) Become a Productive Writer (Neera's favorite book) My Life in a Hundred Objects (Neera's memoir) Connect with Jacqueline Fisch:  Substack: Energy-First Writing The Intuitive Writing School LinkedIn Instagram

    45 min
  7. 64: Stripping Away the Sludge to Find Your True Voice

    MAR 16

    64: Stripping Away the Sludge to Find Your True Voice

    The Power of Subtraction I recently joined a professional networking group. Which you might find cringey. I find many of them cringey, too, so I get it.  Sure, there are "those people" in every room, handing you a business card even when you didn't ask. But for every pushy person, there are people there who are waiting for you — and your clear, authentic signal.  Which proved itself when one lady made a beeline for me right after my first meeting. It was evidence that shows when your signal is clear, the people who need to hear it will resonate. They'll come and find you. I talk about the noise that weakens your signal: Speaking before truly listening Changing who you are to be liked and accepted Devouring low-vibration media To boost your signal, there's really nothing to add — only some things to subtract. It's a relentless, consistent act of removing all the gunk, like cleaning the build-up you can't see inside your stainless steel straw. You'll hear about a conversation I had with a neurosomatic therapist about my business name. A conversation that sent chills up the right side of my neck. A signature signal I feel.  Through our conversation, we realized that our work is very similar — to help remove blocks so that the client's own clear signal — their intuition — can come through strong.  In this episode, I share: The exact things I've subtracted to keep my own signal strong. Why "The Intuitive Writing School" is not about me, but about empowering you. Simple ways I strengthen my signal   Timestamps 00:00 Authentic Networking 01:26 Evidence of a Clear Signal 03:29 What Dulls Your Signal 05:45 Subtract To Attract 07:23 Resonance 07:49 Intuition And Removing Blocks 10:38 How I Keep a Clear & Strong Signal 12:27 Final Takeaway Links: Blog: The 11 questions to ask yourself if you're not sure which book to write Jacqueline's Substack The Intuitive Writing School Blog Connect with Jacqueline Fisch:  Substack: Energy-First Writing LinkedIn Instagram

    14 min
  8. 63: What Pisces Season Is Really Asking of Your Writing

    MAR 9

    63: What Pisces Season Is Really Asking of Your Writing

    Stop Forcing the Words and Flow With Pisces Season Energy Does writing feel "hard" for you lately? I know the feeling, but I've reframed this story in my mind — it's not hard, it's different.  In this episode, I'm sharing how the current energy of Pisces season — the final season of the Zodiac, could be influencing our writing flow. With Mercury in retrograde and the mutable water sign of Pisces encouraging us to dissolve structure, forcing words or finishing projects could feel like an uphill climb. I've been there, starting a dozen things but finishing none. And … it's OKAY. There's no judgment.  I'm walking you through how to use this intuitive, watery energy to your advantage, whether that means going back to old drafts, following recurring ideas, or writing in fragments. You'll also hear about three practical Virgo shifts (because Virgo is opposite Pisces) to help you balance the energy you write with and move forward in a way that honors your body and makes for great writing. Listen in to discover: Why Pisces season makes you want to tinker instead of create. The difference between writing that's "hard" and "not as expected." How to uncover the writing your soul is calling you to do. Key Takeaways Writing is "different," not "hard": Reframe the story by recognizing that your writing flow changes day-to-day, month-to-month, and throughout the year. How to work with the dissolving nature of Pisces — a time to give space for your intuition to speak without forcing boundaries or outcomes. The goal of capturing, not  necessarily completing all the writing ideas swirling in your mind Consider writing in small bursts this season and connecting the dots later. Three practical, Virgo-inspired shifts to help your writing flow:  Write in fragments: Don't try for a polished, finished draft on your first go. Let the words fall out quickly, set them aside, and come back later. Follow your curiosity and write about recurring patterns and ideas that spark your interest, without the goal of finishing or monetizing. Carve out quiet time to create mental space for journaling and reflection to hear yourself think and allow insights to drop in.   Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:29 Why Writing Feels Hard 00:51 Moon Cycles Explained 01:31 Editing Not Creating 05:05 Reframe Hardness 05:50 Pisces Season Vibes 08:43 Virgo Balance Plan 09:19 Shift One Fragments 10:22 Shift Two Curiosity 11:37 Slow Down Reflect 13:37 Care For Your Mind 14:26 Closing Encouragement Links: Blog: 52 Writing Tasks To Tackle During Mercury Retrograde: A 2026 Guide Jacqueline's Substack The Intuitive Writing School Blog Connect with Jacqueline Fisch:  Substack: Energy-First Writing LinkedIn Instagram Pisces season is the perfect time to experiment with your writing habits. Sign up below and look for my popular free guide: The 7-Day Writing Experiment

    15 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hosted by Jacqueline Fisch, a nonfiction author, writing coach, and former corporate professional. This show blends authenticity, practicality, and intuition. Jacqueline shares holistic writing strategies designed for female entrepreneurs with a story to tell. Here, integrity, personal growth, and wellness meet actionable tips and guidance. Whether you're working on books, blogs, website copy, or social media, you'll learn how to hit your writing goals while creating a nourishing, sustainable writing life. Expect honest, in-depth interviews with real women writers, entrepreneurs, and leaders, alongside candid solo episodes and behind-the-desk stories that offer simple, inspiring lessons for your writing journey. In a world of AI and shortcuts, your authentic voice is your superpower. Subscribe and discover how to stop struggling with writing—and start embracing your gifts.