Your Big Creative Life

Welcome to Your Big Creative Life, a podcast for writers and creatives that helps you live your best big creative life, whatever that means for you. I'm Katie Wolf, a writer, book editor, and creator. Join me every week for tips and discussion on writing, mindset, upleveling your life, and anything and everything that will help you achieve your big creative dreams.

183: Editing My Book: What I Learned 06/03/2025

183: Editing My Book: What I Learned ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/36640980

182: May 2025 Q&A 05/27/2025

182: May 2025 Q&A Welcome to the May Q&A episode! Topics discussed include: suggestions for improving romantic tension 1:44 how to handle your book being on submission 4:20 interpreting responses/rejections from publishers 6:28 what I've noticed about the current state of trad pub 9:30 advice for approaching a revise and resubmit request from a publisher 16:20 how I think about my writing career and how my agent factors into that 18:25 what to do next if you have 100 pages written 20:10 suggestions for levelling up as a writer 21:07 my dreams for my career 21:41 how to create interesting characters and character relationships 26:18 how to know when your book is done and ready for the next step 28:03 ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/36645555

181: What You Need To Consider about AI + Writing 05/20/2025

181: What You Need To Consider about AI + Writing AI is a big topic in the writing world. In this episode, I share my thoughts as an editor, reader, and writer on using generative AI in the writing process--whether that's brainstorming, character development, getting feedback, or having AI actually write for you. If you plan to query or submit your work anywhere, if you want to work with an editor, if you want to own the copyright to your creative work, you NEED to be aware of the risks of using generative AI. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/36388755

180: The Tough Love Episode - Querying 05/13/2025

180: The Tough Love Episode - Querying Sometimes you just need a kick in the pants when it comes to querying. If that's what you need, this episode is for you! ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/36388680

179: 6 Ways You're Sabotaging Your Creativity 05/06/2025

179: 6 Ways You're Sabotaging Your Creativity In this episode, learn the sneaky (or not so sneaky!) ways you might be sabotaging your creativity. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/36264650

178: April 2025 Q&A 04/29/2025

178: April 2025 Q&A Welcome to the April Q&A episode! Topics discussed include: if indie authors need to hire an editor 2:18 authors using AI art 6:41 page count vs. word count of your book 13:58 what it means when a book dies on submission 15:51 ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/36264615

177: 4 Common Worldbuilding Mistakes 04/22/2025

177: 4 Common Worldbuilding Mistakes If you're writing fantasy or science fiction or any genre that requires worldbuilding, this episode is for you! Learn what to avoid when it comes to worldbuilding and your magic system. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/36129030

176: Social Media 101 - Mindset 04/15/2025

176: Social Media 101 - Mindset This week's episode is part two of our Social Media 101 series. Self-doubt, fear of being seen, and fear of being cringey stops many of us from creating content, but it shouldn't! Learn how to reframe your fears to help you get more comfortable with posting on social media. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/35875565

175: Social Media 101 - Strategy 04/08/2025

175: Social Media 101 - Strategy Welcome to part one of our Social Media 101 series! This week's episode covers the strategy of social media. If you're new to creating content and feel overwhelmed, learn why content is an important part of your author brand, how to feel more confident posting, and what kinds of content to create. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/35876260

174: The Creative Power Hour 04/01/2025

174: The Creative Power Hour If you're always putting your creative projects on the back burner—whether it's writing, creating content, or some other creative hobby—this practice can help! Learn what a creative power hour is, how to customize it, and why it's so beneficial for writers and creatives. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/35750725

173: March 2025 Q&A 03/25/2025

173: March 2025 Q&A Novel Jumpstart, a program to help you write the first chapter of your novel in four weeks, is now open for enrollment! Get more information . Welcome to the March Q&A episode! Topics discussed include: whether you need to outline/plot your book before you start writing 3:11 how to pick a book idea when you have more than one 4:57 what to do after finishing a 2nd draft 7:39 my content creation process 10:04 posting on IG after not posting for a while 17:33 ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/35750610

172: Sensitivity Reading, Diverse Characters, and Content Creation with Marines Alvarez 03/18/2025

172: Sensitivity Reading, Diverse Characters, and Content Creation with Marines Alvarez Novel Jumpstart, a program to help you write the first chapter of your novel, kicks off in April! Get more information and join now to get a discount on enrollment. We have a guest on the podcast this week! Marines Alvarez is a book content creator, reviewer, and sensitivity reader. We chat about what sensitivity reading really is, what kinds of feedback she regularly gives clients, and her advice for writing diverse characters outside your lived experience or identity. Marines has been creating bookish content online for years, so we also discuss her approach to content creation and her involvement with Bindery Books - a new publisher that has a really exciting business model. Enjoy! Find Marines online: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram @mynameismarines ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/35533105

171: Making Your Book Shorter 03/11/2025

171: Making Your Book Shorter If your book is just too long, or if you suspect it's weighed down by unnecessary sentences or scenes, this episode is for you. Learn tips and tricks to cut the length of your book. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/35528850

170: Self-Care for Creatives 03/04/2025

170: Self-Care for Creatives Self-care goes beyond bubble baths and candles and massages. It's a crucial practice for creatives to help us create our best work. The Creating Strong Characters Workshop is happening March 6 at 1pm EST! Register . ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/35257225

169: February 2025 Q&A 02/25/2025

169: February 2025 Q&A Welcome to the February Q&A episode! Topics discussed include: if characters should always be wildly distinctive 2:16 getting into book editing as a new college grad 6:18 updates on my book 13:26 The Creating Strong Characters Workshop is happening March 6 at 1pm EST! Register . ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/35340145

168: The Querying FAQ Episode 02/18/2025

168: The Querying FAQ Episode If you want to get traditionally published, you'll need a literary agent first. This episode contains answers to my most commonly asked questions about querying, the process of trying to find an agent to represent you. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: Mentioned in this episode: Janet Reid's blog Query Shark (the article on querying after self-publishing is from 2015, so take it with a grain of salt): Jane Friedman: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/35065445

167: How Do You Choose a Point of View for Your Novel? 02/11/2025

167: How Do You Choose a Point of View for Your Novel? If you've ever felt confused or unsure about what point of view your novel should be in, this episode is for you! And for more information on point of view plus everything you need to know to write and edit your novel, check out the Idea to Book course: ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/35052830

166: All About the Midpoint: Mindset Edition 02/04/2025

166: All About the Midpoint: Mindset Edition We did an episode back in November about the structure and strategy of the midpoint of your novel. And in this episode, we're discussing the mindset piece of the halfway mark of your novel. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/34773660

165: January Q&A 01/28/2025

165: January Q&A Welcome to the January Q&A episode! Topics discussed include: choosing point of view for your novel 2:39 traditional publishing + marketing budgets 8:14 what to do when you know your character but not the plot 13:01 whether to hire an editor before you query 17:51 ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/34949680

164: Creating an Effective Love Triangle 01/21/2025

164: Creating an Effective Love Triangle Whether you're writing a romance novel or some other genre with a romantic subplot, love triangles can be a great way to add tension, force your characters to grow, etc. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/34773525

163: Can You Write a Book Based on Vibes Only? 01/14/2025

163: Can You Write a Book Based on Vibes Only? There's been some discussion lately about low stakes, no drama, vibes-only fiction. In this episode, I share my thoughts on if this is possible, plus how to approach writing this type of novel. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/34679355

162: Ins and Outs for 2025 - Writer Edition 01/07/2025

162: Ins and Outs for 2025 - Writer Edition In this episode, we cover a list of "ins" for 2025 - things I want more of - as well as the "outs" for 2025 - things I want to leave behind. Happy new year! ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/34679335

161: RERELEASE: Mindset Shifts for Editing Your Book 12/31/2024

161: RERELEASE: Mindset Shifts for Editing Your Book Episode 113, 3 Mindset Shifts Required to Edit Your Work, was the most downloaded episode of 2024. Enjoy! ----- - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/34630285

160: How I Wrote a Book in 30 Days 12/24/2024

160: How I Wrote a Book in 30 Days I wrote a rough draft of a new novel in 30 days, and I want to break down how I did it, what helped me be successful, and the big takeaways for all new writers. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/34350440

159: The TikTok Ban + Its Impact on Writers 12/17/2024

159: The TikTok Ban + Its Impact on Writers Unless something big happens, TikTok is set to be banned in the US on January 19, 2025. This will have a massive impact on writers and the writing community, which we discuss in this episode. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/34350355

158: Write Your Book in 2025 12/10/2024

158: Write Your Book in 2025 It's almost 2025, which means it's time to think about your resolutions for next year! If you want to write a book in 2025, learn how to do so in this episode. And don't forget to sign up for the How to Write Your Novel in 2025 workshop happening Friday, December 13 at 1pm EST . ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/34005252

157: A Message for Struggling Writers 12/03/2024

157: A Message for Struggling Writers If you've been struggling to write lately, you're not alone! This episode is a message from me to you. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/33856837

156: November Q&A 11/26/2024

156: November Q&A Welcome to the November Q&A episode! Topics discussed include: formatting a quote 2:27 foreign rights 4:30 how to know when your manuscript is ready to query 6:35 how I decided to become a freelance editor 9:30 writing something else when querying 15:30 my process for dictating a scene 20:42 Mentioned in this episode: https://camosun.libguides.com/Chicago-17thEd/quotations ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/34004727

155: All About the Midpoint 11/19/2024

155: All About the Midpoint The midpoint of your novel is a pivotal moment in the story. Learn why the midpoint is so important, what purpose it serves, and how to make sure the middle of your book doesn't stall. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/33856777

154: Tips for SAD Writers 11/12/2024

154: Tips for SAD Writers SAD (seasonal affective disorder) used to make this time of year so difficult for my writing, creative output, and life overall. In this episode, I share things that have helped me navigate that feeling of dread that sets in every fall/winter. ------ - Click here for ways to work with me + a free character profile template: - The last Tuesday of the month is a Q&A episode! Submit your questions for me and I'll answer them on the podcast. - TikTok: - Instagram: /episode/index/show/blankpagetobook/id/33573352

Your Big Creative Life

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