The Write It Scared Podcast

Stacy Frazer
  • 5.0 (22)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast to help fiction writers work through self-doubt and learn the craft of writing a novel. 

  1. 3D AGO

    2 Years of Messy Growth and Trusting Her Process with Returning Guest AK Nevermore

    What if your growth as a writer isn’t supposed to be neat or linear? Who says it can't be chaotic as hell?  AK Nevermore, author of more than 20 titles, returns to talk about messy growth, genre-hopping, indie publishing, and learning craft by doing. We dig into fear, doubt, and even spite as creative fuel, plus why not every piece of feedback deserves your attention. If you’ve ever felt like your process is chaotic or your career path doesn’t look “right,” because it’s different than another author's,  this conversation is a reminder that there’s no one way to build a writing life—just the way that works for you.  Timestamps  00:00 Fear as Fuel  01:31 Meet AK Nevermore  09:19 Why Indie Publishing Works for AK  16:54 Messy Process + Pantsing  21:50 Worldbuilding + Craft  26:13 Fear, Doubt, and Motivation  30:21 Redefining Success  34:32 Choosing the Right Feedback To connect with AK and read her work please go to her website  Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show  To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:  Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide  Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

    42 min

  2. APR 26

    Making Smarter Author Career Decisions with Becca Syme

    Submit to the Courage Files  Are you worried if you’re making the right moves in your author career (ads, audio, direct sales… all of it)?  This episode will help you take a breath and zoom out. I’m joined by returning guest Becca Syme to talk about how publishing has changed—and why so many writers are making decisions from pressure, fear, or misread data. We dig into insights from her new book, Dear Writer, You Still Need to Quit, including why the old “gold rush” advice doesn’t apply anymore, what actually matters at different stages of your publishing career, and how to make smarter, more sustainable decisions. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all the options—or like you’re behind—this conversation will help you reset and then move forward with more clarity. Timestamps  00:00 Why Becca Wrote This New Book  01:36 Meet Becca Syme  07:23 The New QuitBook + Publishing Shift  12:55 Saturation, Curation, and Discoverability  17:22 How Writers Misread Sales Data  20:39 The Five Phases of an Author Business  24:37 Investment vs. Speculation  26:36 Author Archetypes  29:24 Early Career Pressure + Market Awareness  32:22 Scaling Demand (Phase Two)  36:09 Later Career Phases  40:36 Decision Fatigue + Cost  42:06 Fear-Based Decisions  42:56 Where to Learn More   Guest Bio and Links Becca Syme holds a master’s degree in transformational leadership and has been a success coach (primarily utilizing the Gallup Strengthsfinder®) for over fifteen years. She’s coached over 5,000 individual authors and creatives through her Write Better-Faster and Strengths for Writers classes & coaching cohorts: six- and seven-figure authors, major award winners, midlisters, and new authors alike. Becca is the host of QuitCast for Writers, Author of the QUIT BOOKS SERIES FOR WRITERS, and a USA TODAY Best-Selling author of cozy mysteries under the pen name R.L. SYME. Website Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show  To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:  Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide  Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

    44 min

  3. APR 19

    Remember Why You Started: Emy McGuire on Writing Through Doubt

    SHARE YOUR COURAGEOUS WRITING MOMENT to the Courage Files for Season 4 and Win a Free Edit   What happens when the dream you’ve carried for years starts to feel too heavy? Author and performer Emmy McGuire joins me to talk about the long road to her debut thriller, No One Aboard—a chilling mystery about a family and crew vanishing at sea—and what it took to keep going through rejection, burnout, and years away from writing. We dig into the craft behind her dual-timeline, multi-POV structure, as well as the emotional reality of writing: the pressure, the fear of scrutiny, and the quiet work of reconnecting with why you started in the first place. If you’ve been doubting yourself or your story, this is your reminder: your “why” matters more than anything. Timestamps  00:00 – Why We Write  03:19 – Emmy’s Journey to Publication  07:04 – The Story Behind No One Aboard  14:54 – Craft: POV and Structure  20:00 – Navigating Doubt and Pressure  28:01 – Resetting After Burnout  34:43 – Advice for Writers Bio:  Emy McGuire is a full-time actor, author, playwright, and pirate. She has written a queer pirate musical, sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, and toured the United States as a performer in the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy. She has a degree in theatre and creative writing from New College of Florida. No One Aboard is her debut novel, and her second one comes out in late 2026. She hopes to someday return to the sea and embrace being a real-life siren.  Links: Website Instagram   Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show  To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:  Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide  Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

    39 min

  4. APR 12

    Episode 100: Celebrating Writer Wins + Introducing The Courage Files

    SHARE YOUR COURAGEOUS WRITING MOMENT  SUPPORT THE PODCAST We made it to Episode 100!  And we are celebrating with a brand-new segment to the podcast called the Courage Files, which will launch in Season 4 (September 2026)  This new segment is all about your writing wins—big, small, messy, hard-won, or quietly brave—because one of the most powerful antidotes to doubt is hearing that other writers are showing up too.  If you’ve taken a courageous step in your writing life, I invite you to share it. With your permission, some submissions will be featured on the show. Beginning in Season 4, one submission per quarter will also be randomly selected to receive a free editorial assessment (up to 10 pages) plus a 30-minute coaching session with me! Submissions are open NOW. Here’s to the first 100 and many more!  Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show  To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:  Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide  Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

    11 min

  5. APR 5

    How to Reset Your Writing Goals (A Gentle Q1 Check-In for Writers + Personal Writing Update)

    We’ve reached the end of the first quarter of the year, and this is a perfect moment to pause and ask a far more useful question than “What did I accomplish?” Is the way I’m approaching my writing actually working for me right now? In this short solo episode, I share a gentle, guilt-free Q1 reset and reflection questions to help you course-correct, plus a behind-the-scenes look at my own writing progress — including finishing a draft, facing rejection, uncovering major plot issues, and doing the slow revision work that actually moves books forward. If your year hasn’t gone as planned, don’t feel like you're behind. Instead, use your reflections to create a new plan of action that makes how you approach your writing work for you!  Slow and steady still counts. Timestamps 00:00 Gentle Q1 check-in 00:28 Why this checkpoint matters 01:25 Quarter One reality check 02:21 Key reflection questions 04:01 Personal Q1 writing update 05:00 Draft win + rejection whiplash 05:27 Discovering and fixing a major logic flaw 06:37 Slow, steady revision plan 07:39 Your Q1 reset for Q2 08:50 Coaching support & next steps 09:41 Final thoughts Need extra support? If you’d like personalized guidance, structure, or accountability as you move forward, learn more about working with me as a book coach: writeitscared.co You don’t have to figure it out alone. Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show  To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:  Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide  Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

    10 min

  6. MAR 29

    How to Write Horror That Truly Unsettles with Author Nicole M. Wolverton

    Want to write fear that actually gets under a reader’s skin—not just jump scares on the page? Start with what unsettles you. Horror and thriller author Nicole M. Wolverton joins me to discuss why discomfort can be more powerful than terror, how writing from your own fears creates unforgettable stories, and why horror can be deeply empowering during difficult times.  Nicole is also very candid about the process, the realities of publishing, rejection, and the mindset she attributes to her success in publishing and marketing.  Timestamps    01:10 – Meet Nicole Woolverton  03:16 – Nicole’s Writing Origins  04:30 – Why We Crave Horror  05:15 – Fear, Resilience, and Difficult Times  07:15 – Her Novels and Settings  09:33 – Gastro Horror and Disgust on the Page  12:42 – What Makes Horror Truly Work  16:17 – Process: Outlining vs. Drafting  21:16 – Publishing Fears and Limbo  25:26 – “You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get”  28:29 – Rejection and Redefining Success  31:06 – Advice for Writers Guest Bio Nicole M. Wolverton is an unapologetic fear enthusiast who writes horror and thrillers for adults and young adults. She is the author of A Misfortune of Lake Monsters (CamCat Books, 2025), The Trajectory of Dreams (Bitingduck Press, 2013), and the upcoming Meat Sweats (Horrorsmith Publishing, 2026). She also served as Editor of the menopause-themed horror anthology Bodies Full of Burning, published by Sliced Up Press. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, and essays also appear in about 50 anthologies, magazines, and podcasts. Nicole holds a master's degree in horror and storytelling from the University of Pennsylvania; her academic interests center on building resilience through horror media and gastrohorror. Links Website nicole@nicolewolverton.com Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show  To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:  Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide  Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

    36 min

  7. MAR 22

    Bitching About Writing: A Cathartic Necessity

    Writing can be hard, lonely work. Talking about the struggle can release pressure and help you get back to the page—but only if you’re sharing with the right people. I talk about why feelings aren’t facts, how isolation keeps writers stuck, and how to build a small circle of writing trust that you can lean into when you feel stuck. Timestamps  00:00 Writing Struggle + Isolation  01:44 Listener Question About Short Stories  03:44 Why Venting Helps Writers  05:45 Feelings Aren’t Facts  07:57 Choosing Who to Tell  09:48 Building a Circle of Trust  12:27 Final Thoughts Links to Other Episodes Mentioned S2 Ep 53 How Writing Short Stories Can Make You a Stronger Novelist with Demi Michelle Schwartz S3 Ep 78 From “Am I Good Enough?” to “I Believe in My Work” with Book Coach Karmen Špiljak S2 Ep 54 Finding the Right Writing Community For You Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show  To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:  Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide  Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

    14 min

  8. MAR 15

    Writing with ADHD: Practical Strategies to Finish Your Novel with Nicole Bross

    If you’ve ever told yourself you’re lazy, undisciplined, or just “bad at finishing,” this episode might reframe everything. In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I talk with book coach and editor Nicole Bross about how ADHD impacts a writer’s mindset, motivation, and process—especially for those diagnosed later in life. We unpack the shame spiral so many writers fall into, why traditional writing advice doesn’t work for everyone, and how diagnosis can open the door to self-compassion and smarter systems. We also talk about her book A Novel Approach: Strategies for ADHD Writers (co-written with Kirsten Donaghey), including practical tools for overcoming paralysis, managing shiny object syndrome, and using outlines to reduce overwhelm and actually finish. If you’ve struggled with consistency or focus, this one is equal parts strategy and permission to be kinder to yourself. Timestamps  00:00 The Writing Advice Shame Spiral  01:41 Meet Nicole + Her Book  05:46 Late ADHD Diagnosis + Mindset Shift  13:51 Building Better Writing Systems  17:03 ADHD Creative Strengths  27:14 Motivation + Shiny Object Syndrome  32:02 Why Outlines Help  37:35 Paralysis vs. Procrastination  41:12 Final Encouragement You can learn more about Nicole and her work here: 🌐 Writing: https://nicolebross.com 🌐 Book Coaching: https://manuscriptalchemy.com The Novel Approach: Strategies for ADHD Writers is available wherever books are sold.  Links mentioned:   When Your Brain is the Enemy: Life as a Writer with ADHD by Nicole Bross  Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show  To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:  Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide  Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

    39 min
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

A podcast to help fiction writers work through self-doubt and learn the craft of writing a novel. 

Information

  • Creator
    Stacy Frazer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Write It Scared Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Write It Scared Podcast

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