The Write It Scared Podcast

Stacy Frazer
  • 5.0 (20)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. 4D AGO

    Writing Sex Scenes Without Cringe: What Actually Works in Fiction

    How do you write a sex scene that readers actually read and not just skim?  That’s what today’s episode is all about!  Author Accelerator certified book coaches Stacy Frazer and Jennifer Larkin team up for an honest conversation about writing sex in fiction—without cringe. Stacy and Jen discuss when sex scenes belong in a story, how explicit they need to be, and how to write intimacy that deepens character and advances the plot.  You’ll learn how genre expectations (including YA vs. adult), consent, and emotional intent shape effective intimate scenes—and how to make intentional choices that serve your story. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction  01:50 Guest: Jennifer Larkin  03:20 Do you need a sex scene in your novel?  10:04 Sex scenes in YA vs. adult  21:16 Purpose of sex scene and level of explicitness  26:20 Common mistakes  29:09 Consent on the page  35:05 When to include a sex scene  Jennifer Larkin helps romance writers turn good ideas into epic stories and jagged drafts into lovable novels.  Grab her free guide to writing better romance scenes at https://jenniferlarkin.kit.com/scenes. Connect on Social Media: Instagram: @jenniferlarkinbookcoach Substack: @jenniferlarkinbookcoach  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

    40 min

  2. FEB 1

    Should You Self-Publish Your Novel? A Conversation with Libby Waterford

    Self-publishing isn’t a shortcut nor a consolation prize. It’s a publishing model that works well for some writers and not at all for others. Today, I’m joined by Libby Waterford, a prolific romance author and self-publishing educator with more than twenty books published across pen names. We break down what self-publishing actually involves: the costs writers don’t always anticipate, the level of control and responsibility it requires, and how marketing, timelines, and long-term goals factor into whether it’s a good fit for you. This episode is about education and understanding your options, asking questions, and making intentional decisions about your writing career based on your long-term goals Timestamps 01:43 Meet Libby Waterford 05:28 Why Libby chose self-publishing after being with a traditional publisher 08:47 Pros and cons of self-publishing 16:38 The advantages of being your own publisher 23:09 Budgeting and essential costs 27:09 Marketing, ROI, and sustainability 38:53 Advice for new authors 41:07 What Libby’s working on next and education resources Guest Bio: Libby Waterford is the author of Sawyer's Cove, the Reboot, and The Never A Bride Contemporary Romance Series, and under her other pen name, Elle Waters, writes steamy Small Town Gay Romance. A former president of the Connecticut Chapter of Romance Writers of America, Libby is also a self-publishing coach and instructor at the Westport Writers Workshop in Westport, Connecticut, where she teaches classes on genre fiction and self-publishing. Links https://libbywaterford.com/,  https://www.instagram.com/libbywritesromance/,  https://ellewatersbooks.substack.com/ https://westportwriters.org/   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. JAN 25

    How to Figure Out What the Hell Your Character Wants

    “What does my character want?” Sounds like a simple question—until it isn’t.  If you’ve ever struggled to figure out the difference between your character's wants and needs, been confused by the language of conscious goals and unconscious goals or desires, this episode is for you!  Today, we simplify things so you never get confused again!   We look at how goals create momentum on the page to inform the plot, while desires drive the character's internal change.   You’ll also get practical ways to diagnose what’s missing when a character feels stuck—and how to fix it. Timestamps:  01:32 Why “what does my character want?” is a loaded question  03:14 Goals vs. desires: what’s the difference?  04:53 Examples of clear external goals  06:11 The messier truth of character desire  11:08 Using goals and desires to drive transformation  13:37 Practical tools for revision  15:29 Closing thoughts + book coaching note  16:37 Wrap-up 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

    20 min

  4. JAN 18

    Embracing the Struggle: A Conversation with Author Charlene Wang

    There’s a persistent myth that if writing feels hard, you’re doing it wrong.  This conversation with debut novelist Charlene Wang gently dismantles that idea. We talk honestly about messy drafts, perfectionism, long revision timelines, and the quiet persistence it takes to keep going when doubt creeps in. Charlene shares her path to publishing I'll Follow You, including years of revision, mindset shifts, and learning to trust the process even when progress felt slow. If you’ve ever wondered whether struggle means failure, this episode offers reassurance that struggle is often part of becoming the writer you’re meant to be. Timestamps:  01:27 Welcome + meet Charlene Wang  02:47 Charlene’s path to becoming a writer  05:11 Talking about I’ll Follow You  08:22 The realities of drafting and revision  14:43 Research and character development  20:29 Plotting, pantsing, and everything in between  21:38 Navigating self-doubt  24:33 Tools for sticking with the work  26:12 Productivity, perspective, and patience  29:18 Becoming a writer over time  36:26 Advice for writers in the thick of it  38:03 What Charlene is working on now Links mentioned Leigh Bardugo’s Ted Talk: The Art of Discomfort Ira Glass The Gap Charlene’s debut novel, I’ll Follow You, is out now. You can learn more and connect with her at charlenewangauthor.com or on Instagram @charleneshiyi 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

  5. JAN 11

    Writing Dystopian Stories with Hope and Representation with Ivette Diaz

    What happens when you stop trying to make your story palatable—and start making it true? Today, I'm joined by author Ivette Diaz for a powerful conversation about writing hopeful dystopian stories, the importance of representation on the page, and choosing integrity over marketability. We talk about writing through hard seasons, navigating self-doubt, and why community—not competition—is what sustains a writing life. If you’ve ever wondered whether your story belongs, felt pressure to soften your voice, or needed a reminder that you are doing enough, this episode is for you. Guest Bio: Ivette N Diaz is an author of dystopian sci-fi/fantasy novels, an entrepreneur, and a daydreamer who, through the gift of storytelling, strives to provide an element of hope in each story and help each person realize the unique purpose for their life. She has published Rise of Power, Choices of Power, and Struggles of Power, all part of the I Am Chronicles series. Her short story, Taino: An Untold Story, is featured in the Flame Tree Publishing Anthology Beyond & Within: Latin American Shared Stories, edited by V. Castro. To connect with Ivette and read her work: Website: ivettendiaz.com Instagram & Threads: @ivettendiazauthor 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

    41 min

  6. JAN 4

    Facing the Fear of Being Judged for What You Write + Setting 2026 Writing Intentions

    Draft It Scared Group Coaching Real Talk: Writer to Writer Are you afraid of being judged for what you write?  You’re not alone. Me too. And in this episode, I get personal by sharing my writing updates, how publishing a short story felt exposing, and how I’m learning to navigate the fear of being seen for what I write. We also talk about changes to the podcast and setting writing intentions for 2026 that align with your life, not work against it.  Timestamps:  00:00 Personal reflection  01:23 Easing into the new year  02:02 The fear of being seen  03:53 Writing update  07:55 Writing intentions for 2026  10:48 Reflection + next steps  11:33 Closing Links Mentioned: Draft It Scared Group Coaching The Leave Still Fallow: An Anthology of Queer Love Big Thinking Publishing  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

  7. 12/28/2025

    Critique Partners & Traditional Publishing: What You Need to Know with Gabrielle K. Byrne

    Draft It Scared Group Coaching Open For Enrollment–Apply Here! If you’ve ever questioned how to find the right critique partner—or survive traditional publishing—this episode will feel like a deep breath. Fantasy author and book coach Gabrielle K. Byrne joins me to talk about building healthy critique relationships, navigating the realities of publishing, and learning to let go so you can fall back in love with your writing process.  It’s honest, grounding, and full of the writer-to-writer wisdom we all need. Timestamps  01:23 Meet Gabrielle K. Byrne  03:54 Gabby’s winding path to publishing  09:42 Evolving your writing process  21:11 Imposter syndrome + comparison  29:21 The truth about traditional publishing  32:12 What really happens in revisions  35:23 The Three Ps: practice, persistence, patience  40:23 How to work with critique partners  46:50 Finding your writing community  51:08 Gabby’s wish for writers Links:  Julie Artz CP Match Gabrielle Byrnes Books and Book Coaching  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

    56 min

  8. 12/21/2025

    A 3-Day Book, a 30-Year Book, and Everything In Between with Author Susan Sloate

    What if you wrote one book in three days… and another in thirty years? That’s the creative range of today’s guest, Susan Sloate, and trust me—this conversation will make you breathe a little easier about your own writing timeline. In this episode, Susan and I get real about the messy, magical parts of the writing life: panic, procrastination, emotional landmines, unexpected breakthroughs, and the quiet confidence that your story is already finished in your head—you just have to mine for it. She also shares how music threads through her process, how she handles fear and imposter syndrome, and what keeps her coming back to the page after decades in the industry. If you need a dose of perspective, permission, or hope… this one’s for you. Episode Breakdown 01:11 — Meet Susan Sloate  05:21 — From screenwriting to novels  09:18 — The spark behind Scenes from a Song  15:02 — Panic, process, and creative problem-solving  24:03 — A book 30 years in the making  30:17 — Emotions + writing  32:22 — Doubt, fear, imposter syndrome  37:02 — Susan’s final wisdom for writers LINKS Website: www.susansloate.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanSloateAuthor X.com: @Susan_Sloate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan_sloate/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/233349.Susan_Sloate 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
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5
out of 5
20 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
    92
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Write It Scared Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Write It Scared Podcast

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