Aligned Author Podcast
Welcome to the Aligned Author Podcast, a show about living inside out, aligning your passions and your purpose with your voice -- and then writing books about all of it. Join me for solo shows, guest appearances, and interviews, plus craft talks with Erick Mertz. I'm your host, Valerie Ihsan, story analyst, memoir maven, and witchy book doula -- helping you through this weird and wonderful author life -- an ALIGNED AUTHOR LIFE. Let's get started.
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Finding Your Voice Within Your Writing Process, with David Barnett (Ep224)
10/20/2026
Finding Your Voice Within Your Writing Process, with David Barnett (Ep224)
Hello aligned authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and this is Episode 224 of the podcast and it's October 15, 2026 as I record this. Main Topic: Finding Your Voice Within Your Writing Process, with David Barnett PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements/Author Updates: What are you reading? by Amanda Frances Just finished: : The Language of Fanaticism (Amanda Montell) (Rick Rubin) Fiction: (Annie Hartnett) (Main Topic): , a former lead singer in a mediocre rock band, is releasing his award-winning debut memoir, “Foxtail” (November 9, 2026). It chronicles the story of a young man troubled by the world around him and his desperate search for peace. Intermixed with musings on music and pop culture, Barnett explores whether the selves we create to survive the fire are the very ones destined to burn us down. At age 16, with his home life shattered following his mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, David Barnett’s lust for the limelight took over, and he set out to create his own rock band. As he escaped into the underground music scene – with substances and temptations awaiting him – he underwent a fundamental shift in perspective, ultimately fracturing his relationship with his childhood best friend, the quintessential “golden boy” who possessed a latent rebellious streak. In a high-intensity, coming-of-age memoir rooted in 90s counterculture that defined the turn of the 21st century, Barnett traverses treacherous terrain as he conducts an honest autopsy of his failed ambitions and the collateral damage he's caused. He subverts the traditional “addiction memoir” genre by playing with timelines and exploring concepts through an atemporal lens. Ranging from his transformative first experience with drugs to the disruptive nature of ego, "Foxtail" takes readers on a journey through the pains of adolescence and the heavy music that became his salvation. Featuring lyrics from bands and artists like Slayer, Static-X and Lil’ Keke, music serves not just as a background soundtrack, but as a holy text throughout, making this sonically-saturated story perfect for those who find sanctuary in music of any genre. 1. You talked of a synergy and co-creation during concerts (crowds); How do you get that from writing? Flow state of performing on stage. Catch the current of creativity. Just singing without the guitar gives me an altered state of consciousness. Writing completely different: riding white-water rapids. ADHD worked for this type of writing. Version of outlining: bullet points in head. During a "boat jam" (metaphor), write a tangent. Ends up using the "interludes" in different points of the book. 2. What was the inception of this book? Music always a big part of my life. Goldies 103.5 in Austin. Stumbled into writing. 27 Club (musicians that have died at the age of 27). Turned 28 and knew done with music. Went to school. Writing became life-affirming and exploration. Reflection, excavation, exploration. Heal. Notion to write the book came four years later. October 2018 lost a friendship and used writing as an exercise to exorcise the anger demons. Heard the arrogance in the rough draft. (Written in a year during FT course load.) Finished by 2020. Refined my skills and became more humble until I could make it good. Crafting skills along the way. Loving the process made the revision process not demoralizing. Healthy way to channel neurodivergence into something productive and fun. College helped him with processing trauma. Alters the way in which reality is perceived. 3. Say more about Finding Voice: Hit a plateau, finding voice and locked in to the authentic, (it's a process. Rewrite five times. Excavation. Seeking with pure intentions. Voice = who you are but cultivating vocabulary. What is the exact word? Synonyns. TIP for finding your voice. There are no exact synonyms. Subtle nuances. Find the right word that is TRUE. Nurture your voice by expanding your vocabulary, better equipped to explain your circumstances. 4. Say more about "whether the selves we create to survive the fire are the very ones destined to burn us down." Gave up purpose for living. Irony not lost of me. Blamed the universe for failures. Anger/arrogant/entitled "fatal flaw" ... profound darkness and sadness. Struggle with ego. Archetype of Rock Star (ego) (front man job divorced from the creative process.) Became a parody of myself. Burned out. Release party Nov 7; heavy metal spoken word show; ; $25 includes the book and the show in Austin, TX. Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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Childhood POV in Memoir, with Anthony Aleman (Ep223)
10/15/2026
Childhood POV in Memoir, with Anthony Aleman (Ep223)
(Main Topic): was born in 1988 and raised on the fourteenth floor of a South Bronx housing project at the height of the crack wars. He spent much of his childhood in foster care and group homes. He wrote BARLESS because the truth needs telling no matter how ugly it gets, and because no one is broken - every warrior carries scars. It is his first book, told in the voice of the boy who lived it. He founded Barless Press, and lives in Rockland County. My guiding principle became: I wanted readers to feel what I felt, not read what I went through. (How did that work for you in reality? Did you use it as a writing prompt, or as an editing tool?) Write chapter at a time and edit: If I'm rushing past something, I stop and look inside. It becomes a therapeutic session. No one was a villain, even if as an adult, I can maybe see there was. I tell the truth at that time, new emotions not allowed in the book. Betraying the child if I did that. Disconnected from the story as an adult. Trauma was most solidified memories, but the mundane days are a blur; disassociate Support people checking in with you as you were writing. Trust the reader, they understand the immersion, I started questioning whether things I had always considered parts of my personality might actually have begun as ways of surviving childhood. Shrinking and hiding is surviving, a bad situation is okay. As an adult, introvert? No. Maybe I'm not. Response was shocking. Horrified (them) vs. normal (me). Comes in different forms. Anxiety, Mom story (FB analytics, mom viewed new story, paranoid that she'll come kill me); relax, It opened old wound. Dove deeper "I'm going in there!" Followed curiosity, and be delicate, why am I feeling this way? Is it logical? Sometimes that leads you to the best writing. Connect the dots between the childhood and the adult; somebody else wrote it. Who wrote this? My inner me. Out of body experience. After leaving the Bronx, to wild nomad, the next memoir installment. How to be human? Don't overthink it. Just say it, you can delete it later. IG @barlessamemoir Valerie's Linktree:
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Aligned Author Life Update (Ep222)
09/29/2026
Aligned Author Life Update (Ep222)
What are you reading? Just finished: (Jane Rosen) Nonfiction : The Language of Fanaticism (Amanda Montell) (Rick Rubin) Fiction: (Annie Hartnett) (Main Topic): Residency: Home: original plan architect water concession little rental while building various reasons added up to can't start building until the water concession is final (6 months - 3 years) August: need to move to different rental (no answer at Village, but yes from landlord, no again from village); started looking off the mountain and discussed pricing; a neighbor had an idea; it's a go! moved last week of August; house guests arrived Sept 4th car Buddy miracle on the Monday before our friends arrived still repairs happening now. (Time moves differently here. Pura Vida and "mañana" are real.) had a pre-party; another gathering happening on Nov 5, but waiting until the fence is built and we have bookshelves up and all the art up before having the housewarming party. Anytime I start thinking about the date for that party ... I remind myself that I have no idea when the work will be done. Much like setting a launch date for a new book can't be set until you know when the editing and revision will happen and the cover is finished, I can't set the party date until I know when the work will be done here. And one never knows. Too many variables. Business: Taxes. !!! Bane of my existence. Can I file another extension? AI conversations and concerns in our house (husband unemployed tech writer currently) and where I can pivot: international retreats. In person events. Telegram Broadcast Channel: drop a voice note (mini podcast episode), open for coaching questions, and I'll answer them in the Telegram channel. Not live. But for 24-48 hours after the initial audio drop, I'll be glued to the app and answer in as real time as my schedule and time zone allow. If you're in Europe, .... ;-) Retreat: have been doing my retreats wrong (even though I loved them) know what I need to change on the back end (more realistic) Blueprint program and getting coached find a venue "much like setting a date for a book launch..." Taking a card from the Pura Vida mindset and will set a date once I get most of those variables solidified. Patreon: memberships added value (quarterly full moon micro writing retreats) monthly reflections, happy hours, book clubs, oracle spreads (Story Arcana) two live calls each month for Witchy Book Doula (book) coaching and Focus and Finish (life) coaching plus any content I create (videos, essays, books, etc.) Travel: (2026: Jan/Feb: Epic Road Trip took us through 7 countries; August: Spain/Mallorca; September: Massachusetts; 2027: March: Florida; Later: Oregon? Washington? Mexico or Nicaragua?; 2028: India and Turkey) solar eclipse chaser (Oregon, canceled Texas one (Fatma died), and Mallorca) New Moon, Solar Eclipse ritual during Lion's Gate and I'm a Leo Rising in my astrology chart. (journaling)(crossing the threshold: who am I? What am I claiming? What am I releasing?) Lion's Gate Declaration: "I am a witchy book doula, helping writers find their voices, sitting with them until they feel real, channeling both sacred and mundane--without plan or performance. I ground easily on a yoga mat, praying to my guides and ancestors, finding answers within and listening deeply. I dance on the earth that smells of sandalwood and roses." Spirituality: (see above) + more oracle cards! (Magic Manifestation Diary -- Tatyana Gosh) Fitness: gym at the house; yoga class at the center? Back and forth here? Walking with Ali and Usha; swimming. Meditation. Two days now. It really works. Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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Being Creative When You Don't Think of Yourself as an Artist, with Jane Ward (Ep221)
09/22/2026
Being Creative When You Don't Think of Yourself as an Artist, with Jane Ward (Ep221)
Hello aligned authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and this is Episode 221 of the podcast and it's September 22, 2026 as I record this. Main Topic: Jane Ward (creativity, baking, travel, and how to do anything creative when you don't consider yourself an artist) PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements/Author Updates: mini-writing retreat was a lot of fun; it felt special; I spent a couple of hours with two lovely ladies; and I got a lot of writing done. I'm thinking I'll do that maybe quarterly. Setting up a Telegram Broadcast channel for a monthly chat and Q&A; I want to call it something more fun than that. I'm a writer, but copywriting is a different skill. ;-) Spain (plus trying to find a place to live!) + Eclipse; Structure and Spark (writing process and book planning) more editing What are you reading? Just finished: • (Amie McNee) and (Ashly Poston) and Cochran (Rick Rubin) Fiction: (Jane Rosen) (Main Topic): "Being Creative When You Don't Think of Yourself as an Artist" with Jane Ward Also, "Bread Baking and Writing Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Jelly" Jane Ward is the author of Hunger (Forge 2001), The Mosaic Artist (2011), and In The Aftermath (She Writes Press 2021). After graduating from Simmons College, Jane began working almost immediately in the food and hospitality industry, doing everything from planning private events to working as a weekend baker in a neighborhood bakery. Later, she became a contributing writer to an online regional and seasonal food magazine, and a blogger and occasional host of cooking videos for an internet recipe resource affiliated with several regional newspapers. Most recently she has contributed book reviews to Story Circle and Mom Egg Review. She loves to travel and often documents her trips through travel photography. Jane lives in Ipswich, Massachusetts. 1. Let's talk about artists. As an author, do you consider yourself an artist? Yes. The craft of writing is artistry. Paint pictures with words. In what other ways do you consider yourself an artist? Photography helps to process what I see visually. Cooking is an art form. Look at things in a diff ways and we all have commonalities. Living an aligned author life to me means living from the inside out. Showing up on the outside as who you are on the inside. That your behaviors and actions mirror your internal values and the codes you say you want to live your life by. I don't see being an artist differently. I think we are all artists. And that our art, our self-expression, can be cooking, gardening, painting, singing, or even teaching. 2. For beginning writers, who barely dare to call themselves writers (let alone authors), how would you coax them into accepting the moniker of Artist for themselves? Step up and call yourself an artists. Don't have a body of work yet. Claim your space. I can be part of this. Confidence that you have intention. 2.5. Why do you think a person wouldn't consider themselves artistic or creative? Where do those stories get started? From our youth we hear, don't rock the boat, stay in line. Don't put yourself out there. Don't speak up too loudly. Be humble. Be grateful. Might never even considered art for self-expression.But assertive isn't a bad word. Stand up for yourself. 3. Why baking bread for you? And how does it marry up with writing so well in your mind (and your life)? Soothing ritual (baking bread). Struggling with a manuscript? Do something with my hands and turn my mind off. Stop the noise in my head. Meditation on waiting. Working with the time you have. Sometimes it takes longer than you think. (Anthony St.Clair from said that he was taught that if you were a writer, you also had to do something with your hands. To get into your body and out of your head to balance it out. He chose cooking and baking. ... I remember when in massage school, I had to take an art class of some sort (didn't matter what) to balance out all the intellectual science and book-learning I was doing.) 4. Tell us about your travels and how they've affected your writing life. Walking holidays. Just become a body in time and space. Just moving. Anti - sitting in a chair and churn out stuff from my mind. Art museums, talk with people who've been there. Understand the different people and cultures. Informs the writing: interactions between people. Knowing the way other people act makes us more aware of how diff characters would react. Expand your mind with what you don't know. Not just write about myself. Does the reader come on the journey with me? Is this making sense? Is this furthering what I'm trying to say? (For the editing process) Always start with an idea of what I want to say (that you hope they will take away). 5. Tell us about your latest book. About a woman in her 50s, goes on a journey of reexamining her past and living with the consequences of her actions. 6. What are you most excited about these days? Weighed down these days, but feel lucky I can use my imagination! Author friends get together and lift each other up. Coffee dates, dinners, walks. sign up for newsletter (recipes, photography, articles); on IG and Threads. "No Lessons Yet"- a great title for a memoir; Who wants it? :-) 7. What are you reading? (Virginia Evans) While editing, Jane reads mysteries (British police procedurals), like from , and Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link:
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Why Romance Novels are More Serious Than You Think with Francesca Frost (Ep220)
08/25/2026
Why Romance Novels are More Serious Than You Think with Francesca Frost (Ep220)
Why Romance Novels Are More Serious Than People Think, with Francesca Frost PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements/Author Updates: I'm talking to a woman today about doing the breath work, sound healing, and yoga for the retreat. waitlist. Free Mini writing retreat for patron members (paid and unpaid) is Thursday, August 27th at 5:00 p.m. MT. 2 hours long (cozy, candle; oracle card pull to set intention; check-in: 1 struggle, 1 win, what you are working on tonight; guided meditation; writing words; share word count (optional)); The link is in the last post in Patreon. finished a client project retreat in Uvita for the day. Sound healing was amazing. Structure and Spark (writing process and book planning) more editing What are you reading? Just finished: • (Rick Rubin) Fiction: (Stella Gibbons) (Main Topic): Why Romance Novels Are More Serious Than People Think, with 1. You said that love stories are doing some of the most interesting intellectual and emotional work in contemporary literature. Say more about that. When did literary fiction get less dirty? The Atlantic Sally Rooney "Intermezzo" Colleen hoover, sold 35 million copies; 5 on best seller list at the same time. Successful because of her Current themes of polyamory, and gender fluidity. 2. You like to talk about how Fiction can be used as a Way to Rewrite our Real Lives. Say more about that. Atonement (Ian McEwan) rewrites their story. That's her atonement. Write the stories we deserve. Rewrite our ones. Give them the story they didn't have. What if it didn't happen that way? What if xxx was run by a moral person? Effective Altruism. Make money for the purposes of giving it away. 3. Why do you think romance novels are more serious than you think? More deep than I thought. Fiction is rehearsal room for life. Simulate social experience. Collecting first chapters and premise and plots of romance novels to use as study guides. 4. Heard it said that romance is the hardest to write because the formula is one of the strongest of genres and the ending is already preset with that HEA. Do you agree? And how have you managed to combat those constrictions? HEAs are Moral structures, despite all bad, two people can do the work and there is always hope. Read craft books, writing retreat, master class courses, webinars, immerse self in how stories work. Wired for Story was favorite. And Bird by Bird. (For two years.) Then studied romance, read 500 novels. About five years to write first books. Constraints force creativity. Learning to write a hopeful ending emotional journey for her. Natural inclination thrillers, kill off the characters. 50 Shades of Gray approach. Introduced the reader to the world through a love story. Introduce cryptocurrency world through a love story, need more women in cryptocurrency. 5. Strong views of story is strong, stand up to the editors. Wish stronger when talking to editors, pick your battles, Use Spotify playlists to match the novels. Playlist Crypto King's Muse Writing a book is a strange experience. Years alone with imaginary people and hope that Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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Balance and Flow with Steven Puri (Ep219)
07/29/2026
Balance and Flow with Steven Puri (Ep219)
Main Topic: Balance and Flow with Steven Puri PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements/Author Updates: I've started looking into specific venues for the retreat here in Costa Rica, and I'm working on the sales page. If you are interested in the updates on the retreat, you can subscribe to the waitlist at https://valerieihsan.com/retreat. And if you are retreat alumni, look for an email coming very soon. UPDATE: Date for Free Mini writing retreat for patron members (paid and unpaid) is Thursday, August 27th at 5:00 p.m. MT. 2 hours long (cozy, candle; oracle card pull to set intention; check-in: 1 struggle, 1 win, what you are working on tonight; guided meditation; writing words; share word count (optional)); The link is in the last post in Patreon. Client work Structure and Spark (writing process and book planning) What are you reading? Just finished: • (Rick Rubin) Fiction: (Stella Gibbons) (Main Topic): Steven Puri is one of the few people on Earth who has been a senior executive at two motion picture studios and also raised over $20MM in venture capital. He’s produced the digital effects for Independence Day which won the Oscar for Visual Effects and in addition to his film work, he’s founded 3 start-ups - one successful exit and two failures. He lectures now on the lessons in sustainable high-performance he learned working alongside some of the world’s more productive people. Flow states can help writers do better work with less friction. Concentrated state, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi; Being “In the Zone”, muses, river to paddle, but align my boat with the current. How to drop into flow: , look at brains of jazz musicians, prefrontal cortex stops when they drop in to the music. Music, 60-90 beats per minutes, d minor, non vocal, lulling, long melodical passages, (not love or hate it) Film composers in headphones stimulates the brain to pay attention in a different way. Rain triggers it too. What kind of sound works for you the best to reach that flow state? Are you going to get that book out of you in this lifetime? Have to have the skills, but not phone it in, challenged, believe it’s meaningful. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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The Ten of Swords Business Plan: Pivots and Tweaks After One Year of Full-Time Writing with JP Rindfleisch IX (Ep218)
07/22/2026
The Ten of Swords Business Plan: Pivots and Tweaks After One Year of Full-Time Writing with JP Rindfleisch IX (Ep218)
Main Topic: Pockets of Pivots: Pivoting and Tweaking Your Way Through the First Year as a Full-Time Writer with repeat guest PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements/Author Updates: I've started looking into specific venues for the retreat here in Costa Rica, and I'm going to start working on the sales page today. If you are interested in the updates on the retreat, you can subscribe to the waitlist at https://valerieihsan.com/retreat. And if you are retreat alumni, look for an email coming very soon. UPDATE: Date for Free Mini writing retreat for patron members (paid and unpaid) is Thursday, August 27th at 5:00 p.m. MT. 2 hours long (cozy, candle; oracle card pull to set intention; check-in: 1 struggle, 1 win, what you are working on tonight; guided meditation; writing words; share word count (optional)); The link is in the last post in Patreon. There's a new essay up in Patreon, What are you reading? Just finished: (JP Rindfleisch IX) (Grace Sammon) (Rick Rubin) Fiction: (Stella Gibbons) by Kate Northrup (Main Topic): JP Rindfleisch IX (he/they) writes stories where whimsy meets the weird — cozy queer fantasy and strange fiction about grief, transformation, and unapologetic queer joy. Their first solo novel, Mandrake Manor, won the 2025 IPPY Silver Medal in LGBTQ+ Fiction, the 2024 Reader Ready Award TOP PICK, and a 2023 American Writing Awards Finalist nod. Since then, the catalog has kept growing: Mosswood Apothecary (Tales of Valdaes), (Valdayus) a complete six-book dark paranormal academy series co-written with A.B. Cohen, the paranormal comedy NRDS: National Recently Deceased Services with Jeff Elkins, and more still coming. Away from fiction, JP is a Three Story Method Certified Editor and Dialogue Doctor, the author of the craft guide Story Hypothesis: The Missing Piece of Your Fiction Puzzle, and current co-host of Write Wrong Repeat. They also founded Rockford Area Writers — because someone told them writing was a solitary practice, and they disagreed. The community is now 80+ members strong. JP lives in Rockford, Illinois, with a very chatty African grey parrot and a husky with strong feelings about the walk schedule. When they're not writing, you'll find them cooking something vegan or somewhere on a trail. Represented by Elaine Spencer of The Knight Agency, who has placed five audiobook deals with Tantor Media and Simon Maverick. "The Post Glam of Full-Time Authoring, One year out" Good progress with ads, and then paid ads started dropping off, so doubled down on having more presence. TikTok Lives, talking events, book fairs, draining but what I enjoy, revenue vs what am I enjoying. Rediscovered joys Values shifted, Tarot reminds you monthly; want to vs have to; Body doubles help with accountability. Sunday Social Media, schedule it out, ability to play is most important Wake up, walk dog, desk work all morning with pomodoro 30/5, body double on Zoom or TwitchStreams; what can I get done or what's loudest. Morning is creative time; afternoons are for TikTok lives, pack orders, talk to people about books. Lives are "in-person" events. TwitchLives are Virtual Book Events. Input: JP is reading right now: (sapphic romance by Casey McQuiston); (Blake Crouch) Want to get used to local events. Rule: it's still worth my time if there are authors at the book event that I can network with. What are the good events in the area? Go to more and more selective ones. Look at their past attendance; refine your book pitch (say them fast)(TikTok hook); practice with fast form short videos, do multiple times to see what works. (learn to say No if not well attended) Knowing your why. Goal is to sell. But know the area writers, what works in the area. Friendship with bookstores, ways the city can uplift, arts councils. Slump, persistence to correct the dip, checks and balances: recognize patterns, being more honest about what's working, not working, overworking, making sure the various things I spend time on will move the needle forward. How can I have more community - Writer's Ink Podcast sometimes, The Dialogue Doctor sometimes, Pre-orders: , ; new audiobook: Family time and vacation time. Schedule in the free time. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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Creating a Writing Wheel: Using the Wheel of Life to Analyze Your Writing Life (Ep217)
07/14/2026
Creating a Writing Wheel: Using the Wheel of Life to Analyze Your Writing Life (Ep217)
(Main Topic): Wheel of Life overview: health, friends/family, significant other, personal growth, fun and leisure, home environment, career, money What is your satisfaction in these areas? Goal: level them out for a smoother ride. It's not to increase all the levels to 10. Ask instead: What # do you want this section to be at? What needs to happen for you to get that # where you want it to be? Wheel of Writing Life: Health (Are you fit enough to sit at a desk and write?); Family/friends (found family/tribe) Are they supportive?; Admin/Promotion/Meta Data (awards, contests, book events, pitching podcasts, website updates); Money Flow (basic needs met through a combo of income streams); Author Career (how many books published, platform? What's your definition of success?); Production (includes writing schedule and publishing schedule, goals); Environment (office, coffee shop, quiet work space?); Industry Resources/Development (classes, retreat, conferences) Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link:
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Writing, Traveling, and Trauma Healing: A Last Ditch Effort to Be Heard, with David Deane Haskell (Ep216)
07/02/2026
Writing, Traveling, and Trauma Healing: A Last Ditch Effort to Be Heard, with David Deane Haskell (Ep216)
Main Topic: Writing, Traveling, and Trauma Healing: A Last Ditch Effort to Be Heard, with David Dean Haskell PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements/Author Updates: I'm getting really happy with my retreat planning. I just finished working on the list of benefits a writer will receive from attending the retreat and they are so good, you guys. If you are interested in the updates on the retreat, you can subscribe to the waitlist at https://valerieihsan.com/retreat. UPDATE: Date for Free Mini writing retreat for patron members (paid and unpaid) is Thursday, August 27th at 5:00 p.m. MT. 2 hours long (cozy, candle; oracle card pull to set intention; check-in: 1 struggle, 1 win, what you are working on tonight; guided meditation; writing words; share word count (optional)); There's a new essay up in Patreon, What are you reading? Just finished: (JP Rindfleisch IX) (Rick Rubin) (Grace Sammon) by Kate Northrup (Main Topic): David Deane Haskell, speculative fiction writer and author of Notes: His work explores that reckoning—through failure, obsession, and the slow reconstruction of the fractured self. Across speculative fiction, memoir-driven essays, and recovery-centered writing, he returns to outsiders, seekers, and wounded people trying to become whole without abandoning the parts of themselves that helped them survive. 0. David, you reached out to me after the publication of (a speculative science fiction novel built around an alien ocean). You're mostly a sci/fi writer but you've also written memoir. I write both too, and I've always thought that fiction and truth are often -- if not always -- side by side in both novels and memoir. Can you speak to how a story (whether it is fiction or non) carries emotional truth without turning it into explaining/telling/info-dumping? I am who I am. The inner-child is the past, present day travels essays, future. It's a continuum. What's going on the world in space, or in a novel. Deepens as I write it. There are no rules. 1. David, you wrote sci-fi for several years before writing your memoir (and I feel like I'm doing it in reverse order). What had you turn your attention inward when it's been in other realms for so long? Writing came late (college). Kindle revolution. Went for it. Published first four books, five year writer's block. Got sober, spiritual and emotional healing. Floodgates open 2024. Fiction first, and then chronicled healing 6 weeks for every morning. 2. You've been traveling around Asia for a year, right? What lead you to that decision, and how do you (or did you) think it would affect your writing process? Has it been a distraction or have you settled into a traveling writing routine? (You brought up discipline in your email. What do you want to say about that?)(A lot of times I feel like I don't have any discipline, but there is plenty of evidence that states otherwise.) Two years of traveling. Was supposed to be in the Philippines right now, but wanted to stay in Japan. Vertigo and got a concussion. Not leaving now. Stay in places for a month or two in order to write. Every location is difference. Discipline in the business side, but writing is more on and off (in the flow). Using Voice to Text to write. 2.5. How has travel changed your writing? Deepened the inner child work (healing work), travel gives me new triggers and stressors, deepened sense of self, experiences inform the fiction writing. Thought about fictionalizing The Planner Boy part of him. Fun project. 2.75. You said on a previous interview that "writing is the healing." I know that journaling is a life-saver, and my goal in publishing memoir has mostly been a connection-based intention -- wanting to make a difference in someone's life and feeling that resonance of connecting with like-minded people. What do you think is a more powerful healing tool -- the journaling or the letting go of the work and releasing to whomever needs to find it? Fiction is about sharing, nonfiction writing is the service. The inner work happens in seclusion. Publishing is for inspiring other to heal. Is of service. 3. I heard that you had a follow-up memoir coming this year. I'm also a multiple memoir writer. I thought I'd be writing more during the process of moving and getting settled into Costa Rica, but I'm seeing that both my previous memoirs had years and years of distance from the events to the time of writing, and now I'm worried that I'll have "nothing to write" (isn't that every writer's worst worry?) while I'm waiting for the current memoir to marinate. What is the second memoir about and did your writing process between the two memoirs change? Kept writing after Wounded Angels, got divorced, Inner Child Unleashed's first line, "I got divorced today." Left Japan, started traveling. Book ended without my consent. "Oh. I wrote the last chapter." 4. How does the drumming fit in to it all? What influence has music had on your writing? Professional drummer in DisneyLand for years. In The Blue Devils band. National Indonesian Marching Band. Music informs the writing. Peer to peer friendships didn't work when a child/teen; but I could get on stage and drum and play piano; able to be heard. Drumming had fallen away because of the drugs and alcohol. And that was how I expressed. Writing became last desperate effort to be heard. Find David on and get free fiction on his Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link:
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How Trusting Your Inner Wisdom and Power Helps Your Writing with Tatyana Gosh (Ep215)
06/25/2026
How Trusting Your Inner Wisdom and Power Helps Your Writing with Tatyana Gosh (Ep215)
(Main Topic): Tatyana Gosh is a holistic life and business coach, empowerment mentor, and yoga practitioner born in Bulgaria and based globally. She focuses on helping women overcome personal limitations, heal from trauma, and align their lives through conscious entrepreneurship, relationships, and spirituality. Notes: Our work is similar. Yours is based on empowering women to understand and trust themselves, connect with their soul journey and reject the conditioning of seeking advice from outward authorities, but instead trusting and honoring their intuition and connecting with their inner divinity. And my work, it's become clear to me, is to teach people (writers) how to FIND that inner authority (soul), how to HEAR our SoulSpeak, and marry the ego and the soul so they dance together, and then write from THAT place, our words more vibrant, alive, and honest. So the reader can see themselves represented on the page. Witnessed. The ultimate connection. 1. Tell us how you got started in this work and why it's meaningful to you. Important to guide person if we've made it through. More educated the better. Constantly striving for promotion. Break up, discovered spiritual side after heartbreak and through yoga. Quit corporate. Eat, Pray, Love for ten years. Studying too much. Makes less confident! But wait. I'm already confident. Self-love. Full presence! Before guiding, self-hypnosis and "prayer" intention. Take time for ourselves. 2. Daily IG Lives for a trust exercise. Channel in the moment (learning how), wasn't able to hold the floor before and now my throat opened. "Impressing" and the channel will close. Performing to impress. Be honest in front of the audience. 30-day challenge. What's coming through in the moment. Pitching is "convincing" but from connection place. Pitching is performing. Connection is planting a seed. 3. What do you think about re-parenting and nurturing the inner child that was hurt and started pulling back from sight? Does it work? How do you go about doing that? Used to see value in it when relying on therapy, now it's about what unlock the power now. Stop carrying the stories and looking bad. Look forward now. Power is in the now, in action. Reject the story that is old instead of holding the little girl, poor me. We are so powerful, we don't have time to be a victim. Sway your dragon tail. Surround with people you are equal with. Humans, not companions. We are all here to learn. 4. I'm still on this journey and find that I need daily reminders of my personal power and magic and that it's safe to seek my inner wisdom. What tips do you have for a person to remind themselves lovingly and often what a divine badass goddess (god) we are? It's a practice. It becomes more simple. The mental process is a struggle. Feminine led business about honest, vulnerable, channel. FOMO is strong. Selling the "framework" for performance. Remember: this isn't authentic for you. Being in nature, solo walks, be in the room with our same Truth-seeking. Our bodies are attuned to truth. Train your inner knowing every day. Daily listening. Trust. Jacqueline shaw stop listening to social media if you want to write your own message. Just practice. And block the people that you'd feel "cringe" if you don't want to be fully seen. The work is to share and connect, in whatever medium. Discover our top three values in life. Connection, truth, growth. The content we create, and our decisions in life even are based on our values. Jumping off spot. Emotional energy "should" be free, but Intellectual energy can charge. Give people their power. Coaching 1:1, next month will launch group Empowerment Circle 4 months to start ($166/mo), activate fiery courage. If people can't see my magic, our throat is closes, energetic protection. Mission is And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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Writing a Bridge Between the Physical and Spiritual Worlds with Rondalyn Whitney (Ep214)
06/15/2026
Writing a Bridge Between the Physical and Spiritual Worlds with Rondalyn Whitney (Ep214)
Main Topic: Writing a Bridge Between the Physical and Spiritual Worlds with guest Rondalyn Whitney Rondalyn Whitney is a writer and mental health occupational therapist whose work thrives at the intersection of storytelling and real-life healing. After losing her husband in an automobile accident and becoming a solo parent, Rondalyn has made it her mission to show that mourning is an occupation just as vital as any job or role. She brings that same realness to her writing, exploring how narrative and journal writing can help others process grief, especially widows struggling to find meaning and resilience. With her background in narrative medicine, mental health, and family-centered care, Rondalyn translates complex ideas into human language, guiding others to see how writing can transform pain into growth. She would bring not only expertise but genuine heart to your audience, sharing personal experience and practical ideas that resonate with writers facing life’s hardest moments. PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements/Author Updates: designing my next writing retreat in Costa Rica. My first international retreat (even though I live here) so there are a lot more moving pieces than I first imagined. Taking a four-month course to get me through all the legalities and best practices. If you are interested in the updates on the retreat, you can go to . request to bring back a regular patron gathering for all members (paid and unpaid) Mini writing retreat (cozy, candle; oracle card pull to set intention; check-in: 1 struggle, 1 win, what you are working on tonight; guided meditation; writing words; share word count (optional)); PLEASE send me a DM or a comment where you heard this podcast, or in the Patreon community. Let me know if this is something you crave. It's not just shared writing space. It's a retreat from regular life (dishes, dogs, kids, day job) and a safe and sacred space to connect and to write. husband's birthday yesterday saying goodbye to Radar Saturday email day isn't working for me -- need to go through it every day lots of input/education, trying to fit in homework around client work What are you reading? Just finished: (Rick Rubin) (JP Rindfleisch IX) (Grace Sammon) (Main Topic): Rondalyn Whitney is a writer and mental health occupational therapist whose work thrives at the intersection of storytelling and real-life healing. After losing her husband in an automobile accident and becoming a solo parent, Rondalyn has made it her mission to show that mourning is an occupation just as vital as any job or role. She brings that same realness to her writing, exploring how narrative and journal writing can help others process grief, especially widows struggling to find meaning and resilience. With her background in narrative medicine, mental health, and family-centered care, Rondalyn translates complex ideas into human language, guiding others to see how writing can transform pain into growth. As a Narrative Medicine Practitioner, she takes pride in using her expertise on Stress Reduction through Journal Writing to bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual parts of people’s lives, including her own. Her writings explore multi-faceted and complex topics such as grief, loss, motherhood, and the spiritual world with depth and humor. Notes: handwriting connects a loop in the brain. Journal writing work said emotional laden words on the page, healing response, increasing immune system; creates wonderful outcome. (Manifesting, RAS.) Reduce sense of fear, anxiety, loss (stress) creates an opening to what is present. first create nothing (sitting with emptiness and finding comfort with that) afraid of emptiness dev with emptiness in a story. W/o understanding it. Or that you"know the answer" before you even talk to the patient/client/character Ask our character's what's up? What's going on today? (Author) intersubjectivity (artist, art, third piece of the puzzle) (author, character, story) What's happening in that triangle? Take a nap while you write the professional chapter. inner artist child-like playful, curious sees things differently. Make up own language. (Boyaful, deer dog), open to magical moments how would a child describe this? What does this taste/smell/sound/feel like? Is it heavy? actually is no gap between physical and spiritual world, but writing is physical: muscles, brain, holding a physical object, in a physical space on a physical object. So, what is coming to you?spirit (own or universal source; spirit is always talking to us) Writing is active listening. the more in tuned (attuned) you are Creating a clear environment, practice sitting in emptiness, "Look! This one is empty over here" creativity/spirit flows the least resistance. Artists listen to something different. <3 creative/meaningful get better faster. OT - artistic endeavor to apply; "Huh, that counts." (Poetry) (journaling); (creative nonfiction, funny book about death); Unpublished: Current Title: Nothing for the Devil. (No man has a voice in the book) McCoys feud with Hatfield. Retelling of feud with female voices; Dating in the Afterlife (Fictionalize it into several women's stories). (Parts of self: Pig Tail Girl; Yesterday Me, Today Me, Tomorrow Me) Three ways to talk about death: short and simple, medium-length version, graphic detail (used only for the purpose of making someone else feel bad when they've been mean to you). Ways to be invisible by choice: hat, shields up, wonder women bracelet. TRIANGLE: bring self to page, page is waiting, source comes. if spirit is a flow, make space, we are the path of least resistance. how find the voice of a character practice the emptiness Nothing was something, it was an opening for something to come in. linkedin, , /TikTok And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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Growing Your Writing Community (Ep213)
06/03/2026
Growing Your Writing Community (Ep213)
PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements/Author Updates: designing my next writing retreat in Costa Rica. My first international retreat (even though I live here) so there are a lot more moving pieces than I first imagined. Taking a four-month course to get me through all the legalities and best practices. If you are interested in the updates on the retreat, you can go to . request to bring back a regular patron gathering for all members (paid and unpaid) Mini writing retreat (cozy, candle; oracle card pull to set intention; check-in: 1 struggle, 1 win, what you are working on tonight; guided meditation; writing words; share word count (optional)); PLEASE send me a DM or a comment where you heard this podcast, or in the Patreon community. Let me know if this is something you crave. It's not just shared writing space. It's a retreat from regular life (dishes, dogs, kids, day job) and a safe and sacred space to connect and to write. talking with the architect, nailing down our must-haves, and waiting to approve the latest layout design, then there will be an initial payment and we'll then get a 3D rendering of the house. half to drive north to sign a document (complications with names and lawyers) What are you reading? Just finished: (Christine Kane) and Rain Delay (Erick Mertz - beta read) (Rick Rubin) (JP Rindfleisch IX) (Grace Sammon) (Main Topic): Notes: Google Search and ChatGPT search for English-speaking writing groups, critique groups, organizations, retreats, workshops, and conferences. CR colleagues in the writing world, ask them how they stay connected and keep writing ask my personal community/neighbors if there are any writers check online to find a good fit (perhaps ones already peripherally a part of), and re-engage accountability buddy (check-in via text/email, meet in person, chat through video calls, write together via video call) paid accountability (Rachael Herron's Write With Me), (micro-writing retreats for my patrons), book coaching online conferences, online summits, online masterclasses and workshops writing organizations often have online components. in this globalized world we live in now, we are never alone. And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link:
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Truth-Telling in Fiction and Memoir with Grace Sammon (Ep212)
05/28/2026
Truth-Telling in Fiction and Memoir with Grace Sammon (Ep212)
Main Topic: Truth-Telling in Fiction and Memoir with But our conversation spans The Difference Between Telling Your Truth and Owning Your Truth; The Ghostwriter as a Literary Device; and Why Fiction Holds What Memoir Sometimes Can't; Who Owns the Truth and what Silence costs us; invisibility, and relevance. (Really interesting conversation.) PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements/Author Updates: designing my next writing retreat in Costa Rica. My first international retreat (even though I live here) so there are a lot more moving pieces than I first imagined. Taking a four-month course to get me through all the legalities and best practices. If you are interested in the updates on the retreat, you can go to . request to bring back a regular patron gathering for all members (paid and unpaid) Mini writing retreat (cozy, candle; oracle card pull to set intention; check-in: 1 struggle, 1 win, what you are working on tonight; guided meditation; writing words; share word count (optional)); PLEASE send me a DM or a comment where you heard this podcast, or in the Patreon community. Let me know if this is something you crave. It's not just shared writing space. It's a retreat from regular life (dishes, dogs, kids, day job) and a safe and sacred space to connect and to write. talking with the architect, nailing down our must-haves half to drive north to sign a document (complications with names and lawyers) What are you reading? Just finished: (Christine Kane) (JP Rindfleisch IX) (Grace Sammon) Back-burner Books: (Still on the stack but haven't finished reading them yet...) (Rick Rubin) by Oliver Burkeman; (Main Topic): Notes: 1. As a novelist, a memoirist, and an author looking into offering ghostwriting services, I was super intrigued by many of your talking points in your media kit. I hope we get to talk about all my favorites. Let's start with Why Fiction Holds What Memoir Sometimes Can't. That's a juicy statement! A place for both; memoir is huge right now; tell our story to ourselves first, and then to others next. Hear a story better as fiction sometimes. Why you are writing the book? 2. I'm a sucker for books about authors, and the last novel that had that hook was also about a ghostwriter, what can you say about using the ghostwriter as a literary device? Fascinated by the job and wanted to dive into that; For instance, what is it like to see your book hit the NYT Bestseller List without your name on it? We see her through the stories she's writing. 3. Difference Between Telling the Truth and Owning Your Truth. Experienced childhood abuse, can you hide behind your own story, what are these effects on me, Invisibility starts when you lose your roles and don't have anything to talk about it. Relevance, meaning, purpose. 4. Who Owns the Truth? And What does silence cost us as women and as authors? (, And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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Visibility for Your Book and Your Brand with Kae Wagner (Ep211)
05/09/2026
Visibility for Your Book and Your Brand with Kae Wagner (Ep211)
PATREON: Thanks so much to new patron Faye Whyte. Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements/Author Updates: hole in my roof (Feng shui story) seen the dentist Sunday Summit (weekly reflection from Soul-Sourced Entrepreneur) request to bring back a regular patron gathering for all members (paid and unpaid) Mini writing retreat (cozy, candle; oracle card pull to set intention; check-in: 1 struggle, 1 win, what you are working on tonight; guided meditation; writing words; share word count (optional)); PLEASE send me a DM or a comment where you heard this podcast, or in the Patreon community. Let me know if this is something you crave. It's not just shared writing space. It's a retreat from regular life (dishes, dogs, kids, day job) and a safe and sacred space to connect and to write. met with an architect What are you reading? Just finished: (J.L. Kwak) (Christine Kane) Back-burner Books: (Still on the stack but haven't finished reading them yet...) (Charlotte McConaghy) (Amie McNee) (resource tip)*** (Rick Rubin) by Oliver Burkeman; (Main Topic): Notes: What top two tips for new authors (clear on vision: why now, why you; make commitment so you don't stop when it's hard) (what is your voice? Physicality of voice, talk all the time, style/tone, brand personality)(go forth with a plan, use Amazon, use AI for marketing copy, learn what works best for your genre and your lane, then add more)(do it with intention) For authors with an old back list: (branding) look at covers and the book, major trends change every 5 or 6 years, change the covers unless doing well, check manuscript for relevancy (check your reviews: rush the ending? Took too long to get started), make minor changes. with a cold email list? (Manage: consistency and congruency. Write more books.) Learn the rules of email, tell stories in email, make offers (book is a product, series, themed package (events, retreats, talks, coaching, products, merchandise -- what can I create? Experiences, clothing, conferences.) Promotion skills: mindset needs to be BOLD; carry books with you, leave them in airports, talk about your books all the time, get help for marketing plan Build marketing into the book: 1. Have a layer of marketing understanding. Write as series, or a themed standalone. 2. Know and understand the genre and what the market expects from the genre, knowing where your story fits on the bookshelf. Visibility: creative and production energy. Creative spirit is regenerative at the cellular level. Live longer. Moving into production energy, don't be careless, but care less. How to move into production energy: marketing plan/to do (spinning wheels and squirrel), patience, show up, stand up ( by Jessica Pan), be distinctive (find your uniqueness is and plan on that) part of your brand (tagline, footer, tell the story in speech, work it in appropriately) What about those writers that don't want to write to market, writing first then market afterwards Fiction: idea/story --> How do I monetize? Series marketing: amazon loves a series, book 1 watch, if does well, when book 2 comes out, amazon algorithm helps you. Promo Hour, Monday, 4-5 p.m. ET zoom link via email. Fill out a form once. Strong community. Books by Kae Wagner: (Building Dreams series), only on Amazon And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: Erick's Linktree link:
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Developing a Book Coaching Program to Fund Your Author Life with Jessie Kwak (Ep210)
04/29/2026
Developing a Book Coaching Program to Fund Your Author Life with Jessie Kwak (Ep210)
In this conversation, we talk about: developing a book coaching program membership sites ghostwriting vs writing for self marketing in 90 day increments PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. I've just revamped my Patreon Page. I'm so so so pleased with it and proud of my work in simplifying it. Too many pay walls and exclusions. Now it is fresh and easy. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Resident Ghostwriter and Friend of the Podcast author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. He's a really great writer. Announcements/Author Updates: finally have a mailing address, had our second dinner guest to wild success, our lot was burned today (need to move the trailer back), in conferences all this week, Signed up for Relaxed Money (Solstice story)
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There's No Brain Hack for This?! with Erick Mertz (Ep209)
04/21/2026
There's No Brain Hack for This?! with Erick Mertz (Ep209)
PATREON: Thanks to new patron Heidi Walker! Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. I've just revamped my Patreon Page. I'm so so so pleased with it and proud of my work in simplifying it. Too many pay walls and exclusions. Now it is fresh and easy. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Resident Ghostwriter and Friend of the Podcast author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. He's a really great writer. Announcements/Author Updates: finally have a mailing address, had our second dinner guest to wild success, our lot was burned today (need to move the trailer back), in conferences all this week, Signed up for Relaxed Money (Solstice story) What are you reading? Just finished: (J.L. Kwak) (Christine Kane) (Erick) Back-burner Books: (Still on the stack but haven't finished reading them yet...) (Charlotte McConaghy) (Amie McNee) (resource tip)*** (Rick Rubin) by Oliver Burkeman; (Main Topic): Notes: Writing is an escape. And is a place where we can somewhat control the events around us. Writing nonfiction is a little harder to write when you are seeking escape from your worldly challenges. And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.
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Infusing Self into a Resurrected "Trunk" Book with guest Jessie Kwak (Ep208)
04/09/2026
Infusing Self into a Resurrected "Trunk" Book with guest Jessie Kwak (Ep208)
Hello Writers! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and this is Episode 208 of the podcast and it's April 8, 2026 as I record this. Main Topic: Infusing Self into Your Work When You Come Back to the Page (with ) (Part of the series on "Starting Over Again, or Coming Back to Yourself and Your Writing") Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Resident Ghostwriter and Friend of the Podcast author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. He's a really great writer. Announcements/Author Updates: doctors appointments, vet appts, try again for Starlink in another month What are you reading? Just finished: Smoke Screen (J.L. Kwak) Soul Sourced Entrepreneur (Christine Kane) : On Life, Death, and Little Women by Kate Bolick, Jenny Zhang, Carmen Maria Machado, and Jane Smiley The Haunting of Payne's Hollow (Erick) Back-burner Books: (Still on the stack but haven't finished reading them yet...) (Charlotte McConaghy) (Amie McNee) (resource tip)*** (Rick Rubin) by Oliver Burkeman; (Main Topic): Notes: And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.
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Changing the Way You Put Words on the Page with guest Crys Cain (Ep207)
04/01/2026
Changing the Way You Put Words on the Page with guest Crys Cain (Ep207)
Hello Writers! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and this is Episode 207 of the podcast and it's March 31, 2026 as I record this. Main Topic: Changing the Way You Put Words on the Page: A conversation between two writers recovering from burnout and trying to get back to the page (Part of the series on "Starting Over Again, or Coming Back to Yourself and Your Writing") In this conversation, we talk about: burnout and then fear of burnout learning in public podcasting/building business/creating content journaling is still writing doing things gives us energy and structure/managing energy levels test the boundaries starting libraries (reminds me of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek) paying attention to your body building structure to hold the growth content time vs creative time (I can do both.) What's the (mentally) lowest risk way of doing things for me? changing the way we put words on the page tricking self to do things (even writing) "back door" way in to writing in different patterns to avoid the emotional weight/responsibility ID list or the butter of the book. What will make me want to go back to the page and spend time with the characters. outlining reinventing self as a writer what gives us satisfaction while writing a book identity connections with other writers accountability writing sprints (Rachael Says Write) writing times/routines brainstorming Costa Rican writing workshop ideas PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. I've just revamped my Patreon Page. I'm so so so pleased with it and proud of my work in simplifying it. Too many pay walls and exclusions. Now it is fresh and easy. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Resident Ghostwriter and Friend of the Podcast author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. He's a really great writer. Announcements/Author Updates: doctors appointments, vet appts, try again for Starlink in another month What are you reading? Just finished: : On Life, Death, and Little Women by Kate Bolick, Jenny Zhang, Carmen Maria Machado, and Jane Smiley Back-burner Books: (Still on the stack but haven't finished reading them yet...) (Charlotte McConaghy) (Amie McNee) (resource tip)*** (Rick Rubin) by Oliver Burkeman; (Main Topic): Changing the Way We Put Words on the Page with guest Crys Cain Notes: Relationship/divorce "I don't believe in romance" ; dropped the series, Nov 22/23: shoulder freeze chronic pain plus emotional burnout, moved to small town, coasting on income from royalties, volunteering language conversation, exchange ... Reading craft books a way to get back in, podcasts don't work so well anymore. Identity: on the edge of burnout, scheduled 5-7 new things since February (don't add more for a month), routine, more energy for doing things.; worry about always being on the edge of burnout for my whole life. Resentment is a sign that it's not feeding me. Just awareness, not limiting. Consistent, emotional costs, pacing, checks and balances, Introvert, autism, person hangover, recovery day, test the boundaries ("Do I have space for this?") Library Book Trailer mobile Lowest risk: notebook Trick self into washing dishes, write one sentence, put one sock away. Just get started. Back door way in that doesn't have the emotional weight/ responsibility. Be creative in different patterns. What's the 'butter' in your story? Reinventing Self as Writer. Being around other writers really helps to feel connection and fulfillment and accountability. And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link:
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5 Take Home Tips for Getting Started Anywhere Along Your Journey "Home" (Ep206)
03/21/2026
5 Take Home Tips for Getting Started Anywhere Along Your Journey "Home" (Ep206)
5 TAKE HOME TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED ANYWHERE ON YOUR JOURNEY HOME Starting a series on "Starting Over Again, or Coming Back to Yourself and Your Writing" (Next several episodes will have this flavor because I think we all get lost sometimes and struggle to get back to the page, get back to ourselves. I'm been struggling with this for a couple of years (I'm not going to lie and Instagram filter for you) and with my long journey to Costa Rica via car and my one-month anniversary of living in Costa Rica, I thought today would be a great day to talk about AND to revisit this struggle. I want to use my new location, my hero's journey road trip, and the new moon to ritualize this Starting Over Again, With Purpose. And so it is. PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. I've just revamped my Patreon Page. I'm so so so pleased with it and proud of my work in simplifying it. Too many pay walls and exclusions. Now it is fresh and easy. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at . And you can support my friend and colleague and Resident Ghostwriter and Friend of the Podcast author Erick Mertz at for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. He's a really great writer. Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): settling in to rental home with a view thinking about lifestyle vlogging about Costa Rican life fired up with new content ideas written a couple of essays (published one on my Patreon page) (can access it for free using the free trial option on Patreon page.) What are you reading? Valerie: a cozy fantasy called by Stacy sivinski (Charlotte McConaghy) (Amie McNee) (resource tip)*** (Rick Rubin) Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: let yourself be imperfect let yourself be uncomfortable (bored, annoyed, fearful) let there not be rules (write for the one, write for you) Let yourself feel inspired (explore what that is for you: nature walk, fresh air, meditation, feeling good in your body) start small (short timed blocks, write one phrase) #puravidabound And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Linktree: Erick's Linktree link: Patreons: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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What's Coming in February to the Writer Craft Podcast? ANNOUNCEMENT Episode (Ep205)
12/11/2025
What's Coming in February to the Writer Craft Podcast? ANNOUNCEMENT Episode (Ep205)
Erick is stepping away for some time. His mom just got diagnosed with cancer, so he wants to spend more time and bandwidth on her. And I'm moving to Costa Rica this month! In 2 1/2 weeks, so it is cray-cray over here. Fresh new episodes will arrive in February (with a little bit of a revamp) and a special series on getting back to your writing or creative practice after grief, loss, addiction, or big life stress, but do look for some bonus episodes from the road. Went to Breitenbush, Portland (Powell's), Seattle, Write in the Harbor writing conference in Gig Harbor, WA (*heart*), sold a car, rented the house, cancelling services, buying foreign auto insurance, washing ten years of dirt off of all the things we stored outside, tricking out the FJ Cruiser for the drive, buying special dog beds and storage for the vehicle, inspection and minor repairs today. Movers on Monday. Cleaners on Thursday. Walk on bark and blinds for upstairs, too. Saying Goodbyes. crossing the border at Tijuana, driving thru Baja California, taking ferry to Mazatlan; spending some time in Oaxaca with a friend What are you reading? (Charlotte McConaghy) (Amie McNee) (resource tip)*** (Rick Rubin) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: Follow my drive to Costa Rica on Instagram! #puravidabound And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.
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Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass (Ep204)
11/11/2025
Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass (Ep204)
Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: *** Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): launching my four-month book coaching container Aligned Author TODAY. The price is drastically cut this week (it's $667 off the regular price.) Go to for all the details. Write in the Harbor conference is coming up (2 presentations to prep for) feeling some feelings lately about the finality of the move and the recognition of Last Times I Will See/Do ... (Erick): running google ads and qualifying potential clients polishing stories up for omnibus edition What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: (Lisa Jewell) (Charlotte McConaghy) (Amie McNee) (Rick Rubin) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; Erick: (Dan Simmons) (gn) (gn) Heather: Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: Hi! My name is Heather Snodgrass. I have always had a love for novels, movies, and the creative arts. I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2007 as an actor and have pursued different avenues to bring stories to life. I currently live with my husband, JD, and dogs, in Colorado, but I have lived in many places and I enjoy traveling. I also enjoy playing video games and gardening. Like Ariana, I have a playlist for everything I do and I love to have people make me a playlist about themselves when they meet. I am more than happy to share mine with anyone interested. Unapologetic female leads: In a time when we're drawn to flawed characters; the Real is coming through. Personal growth journey Tips for writing strong women without bashing men: Draw from personal experience, and talk to men and women Is a women punished more than a man for doing things? Ask a societal question and asking the character What makes a human strong? A Love Letter to Reading And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: Patreons: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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How Point of View Affects Your Story (Ep203)
10/22/2025
How Point of View Affects Your Story (Ep203)
How POV Affects Your Story PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: *** Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): launching my four-month book coaching container Aligned Author TODAY. The price is drastically cut this week (it's $667 off the regular price.) Go to for all the details. Write in the Harbor conference is coming up (2 presentations to prep for) feeling some feelings lately about the finality of the move and the recognition of Last Times I Will See/Do ... Also having some "Get over it" feelings about not showing up online. I used to show up more in pictures and words on social media and blogged (wrote a lot of personal essays), and since I've become a published author (Erick): running google ads and qualifying potential clients polishing stories up for omnibus edition Ghost Story Weekend (Newport) What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: (Charlotte McConaghy) (Rick Rubin) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; Erick: (Dan Simmons) (gn) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: POV = promise: what intimacy, information, and bias will the reader get? • 1st = interiority + voice; close 3rd = balance of interior/exterior; omniscient = scope + theme. The camera test: what can the narrator see/know/believe in this scene? • Ban anything they couldn’t realistically perceive; use misbeliefs to create tension. Distance is a dial, not a switch: • Zoom in (sensory, thought-beat, micro-movements) for emotion; zoom out (summary, context) for pace/theme. POV shifts = scene breaks + reason: • Change only to add net new conflict, clue, or consequence. Track continuity of diction and metaphor. Try this: rewrite a 200-word scene in 1st, close 3rd, and omniscient. • Ask: which version delivers the most tension, clarity, and theme resonance? And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: Patreons: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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Finding Voice and Author Identity with Anne Abel (Ep202)
10/15/2025
Finding Voice and Author Identity with Anne Abel (Ep202)
Main Topic: Finding Voice and Author Identity Through Social Media, PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: *** Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): launching my four-month book coaching container Aligned Author TODAY. The price is drastically cut this week (it's $667 off the regular price.) Go to for all the details. Write in the Harbor conference is coming up (Erick): running google ads and qualifying potential clients polishing stories up for omnibus edition Anne: book launch What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: (Rick Rubin) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; Erick: (Walter Moseley) (Dan Simmons) Anne's Read: , (Aman) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: Anne's IG page: Memoir and social media are the same to me in terms of what I'm posting; openly share about mental health (that how I began); by sharing stories and share hope Shorter the better (video on IG and TikTok). 3 minutes max. Innovation and Hope TED Talk, social media opened up my world (origin story, transformation, be proud of); ideas: say YES; do your best Reels, hook, social media isn't writing -- talk about what excites you instead of focusing on writer's block. Just do your best. And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: Patreons: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Ep201)
10/09/2025
Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Ep201)
(Valerie): launching my four-month book coaching container Aligned Author TODAY. The price is drastically cut this week (it's $667 off the regular price, and for 24 hours only starting now, the paid in full price -- with an extra whole month of coaching for free and ANOTHER LIVE discount on top-- is $1333 for FIVE months of coaching. The price will never be this low again. There is also a monthly payment option. Go to for all the details. The replay to last night's masterclass The Alchemy of Memory is up for another 24 hours, and then it goes away, along with the LIVE Launch price. Aligned Author officially starts on Wednesday, October 22nd, so the special Launch price will be in affect only until then. Secret podcast is in the works (it's actually a secret memoir). Working on two at the same time (in true Generator, Aries, Futurist fashion): Pura Vida Bound project chronicling our move to Costa Rica (never written a live memoir before), and this secret one that I'm not ready to talk about. getting rid of furniture and starting to paint inside this week; Ali's been working on touching up the paint outside and painting the fascia boards for under the new gutters. Hired the shipping company, our shipping pickup date is December 15 (a Monday), and then we'll leave after that. Getting ready for our going away party, doubling as Rental Ready date. Write in the Harbor conference is coming up (still need to rental a place for that!) (Erick): What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: (Ashley Poston) (Rick Rubin) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; Erick: (Alan Moore) (Brad Weismann) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: Patreons: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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Onboarding Ghostwriting Clients: How to Identify Needs, Set Scope, and Build Trust (Ep200)
10/01/2025
Onboarding Ghostwriting Clients: How to Identify Needs, Set Scope, and Build Trust (Ep200)
Free masterclass: The Alchemy of Memory — Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Wed, Oct 8, 2025). Learn to braid personal narrative with research, family history, and big ideas—plus structures, privacy choices, and momentum tools. Includes a short meditation + oracle card pull. Save your seat → *** Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): planning my free masterclass on hybrid memoir writing for October 8th. (Erick): booked all the conferences for the rest of the year; new ghostwriting ads; working on new series of stories; What are you reading? Valerie: (need recommendations for audio books) Just finished: (Rachael Herron) (Ashley Poston) (Rick Rubin) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; Erick: (Alan Moore) (Brad Weismann) gaming books (DnD campaign) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: Mindset as a customer vs the provider: Customer: 1. Know what you need 2. Know where you are in process 3. Know how you are talking to 4. Have willingness to learn what I don't know; Provider: 1. Identify what client needs 2. Can I provide that 3. Build rapport 4. Where does the job fit in the calendar? 5. Signing the contract Hiring and Firing (+ screening process): start with identifying what the client needs. (Receiving 5 or 6 emails a week.) Screen out those that don't have an idea of what they want, unrealistic expectations (always unhappy with results); build relationships/collaborations; sub-contractor contracts because too many anchor projects; referral service/hub -- writer running a writing business; Know what you are willing to do Red Flags: need too much education around industry (pie in the sky expectations); respect and value for the work/time/energy; wants something that you don't know how to do or don't want to offer (do you need the $, try it and see if you like it); Forecasting Jobs: anchor jobs and satellite jobs Ideal Client: temperament, communication, adaptability, rapport (educated about writing a plus), open to suggestions, know what they want And don't forget: Free masterclass: The Alchemy of Memory — Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Wed, Oct 8, 2025). Learn to braid personal narrative with research, family history, and big ideas—plus structures, privacy choices, and momentum tools. Includes a short meditation + oracle card pull. Save your seat → Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: Patreons: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link
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Intentionality in Writing: Hendrika de Vries on Resistance, Feminism, and Telling the Truth (Ep199)
09/25/2025
Intentionality in Writing: Hendrika de Vries on Resistance, Feminism, and Telling the Truth (Ep199)
Main Topic: “Intentionality in Writing: Hendrika de Vries on Resistance, Feminism, and Telling the Truth” PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: *** Free masterclass: The Alchemy of Memory — Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Wed, Oct 8, 2025). Learn to braid personal narrative with research, family history, and big ideas—plus structures, privacy choices, and momentum tools. Includes a short meditation + oracle card pull. Save your seat → *** Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): prepping for yard sale; planning my free masterclass on hybrid memoir writing for October 8th. (Erick): Southwest Writers Conference speaking gig last weekend, working on new conference pitches; (What can I create new for them?); new Google ads running right now for ghostwriting and editing (Henrika): Santa Barbara writing community; Chicago Lit Festival (met with other She Writes Press writers) What are you reading? Valerie: (Rachael Herron) (need recommendations for audio books) Just finished: (Rick Rubin) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; Erick: (Alan Moore) (Brad Weismann) (Hendrika): (history of aquatic swimming by Vicki Valosik); (Bonnie Tsui) (how we lose our differences); (Charmaine Wilkerson)(protagonist is a swimmer) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: Hendrika is a retired family therapist, a teacher, and a writer, chronicling her life experiences with oppression and resistance in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, migration, competitive swimming, and misogyny in 1950s Australia. A fierce feminist and activist, de Vries infuses her writing with historical depth and personal perspective on challenges facing women and anyone deemed other. She is the author of When a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew, award-winning memoir of her WWII childhood. Her writing has also appeared in The New York Times and the LA Times. She lives in Santa Barbara, CA. Find out more about her at www.agirlfromamsterdam.com. 2019 Mary Sarton Women’s Book Award winner 2019 Nautilus Award for Memoir and Personal Journey winner Non-fiction Author Association Gold 2020 Eric Hoffer First Horizon and Culture award winner 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist - Memoirs 2021 NYC Big Book Awards winner - Memoir and Young Adult Non-fiction Intentionality in Writing: Hendrika de Vries on Resistance, Feminism, and Telling the Truth Valerie's notes: They aren't just our stories. How have other people done this? How our story relates to the human story. Allowed the little girl to have a voice. How to structure to allow the reader relate to inner experience. intuitive writer, start with notes, jot down memories, voice arrives (I was walking; I was unhappy, how does this relate); authentic voice is how it starts, gradually themes show up. Layers. Differences between essay and memoir (angry vs what is the story here) learn life-saving: look at the risks, sometimes when you try to save someone, they'll try to drown you. face life as an athlete, commitment and dedication, couldn't translate to writing process (haha), grab time, 11-2 magic time to write, set aside time a few times a week to write (let the story come); think about it while swimming and walking; risk life to follow values but measuring the risk; "truth-telling is activist resistance" (Bruce Lipton); (Donna Cameron) my childhood experiences were psychological examples of resistance: how do we move through difficult times; is memoir self-indulgent? 2017 saw Neo-nazis walking in Virginia then knew others needed to hear about my story because I didn't think this could ever happen again; themes/resistance/loss/what sustains us? How do we create these turning points? How do these define us? Focus on the human resistance (victimhood wasn't allowed); find the good moments; pacing in the story (and our lives) mixing the trauma with tenderness and humor. Find the light in the moments. Don't do it alone. Writers conferences and being with other writers. Share stories and being in community, stimulates our writing, not being afraid to share. Find your community. Robert Jay Lifton: Henrik's first memoir: (also available in now) Hendrika de Vries | September 2, 2025 | She Writes Press | Memoir Paperback | 978-1647429508 | $17.99 Ebook | 978-1647429515 | $12.99 And don't forget: Free masterclass: The Alchemy of Memory — Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Wed, Oct 8, 2025). Learn to braid personal narrative with research, family history, and big ideas—plus structures, privacy choices, and momentum tools. Includes a short meditation + oracle card pull. Save your seat → Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: Patreons: Tools: ProWriting Aid: (affiliate link)
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The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow (Ep198)
09/03/2025
The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow (Ep198)
✨ Writer Craft Podcast | Episode 198 🎙️ The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow 📅 Recorded on September 3, 2025 🎧 Hosted by & 💬 Episode Summary Welcome back, Writers and Crafters! In this soul-nourishing episode, Valerie and Erick explore what it really takes to return to your writing routine after a break. Whether you've been away for weeks or months, we offer compassionate strategies, creative rituals, and mindset shifts to help you gently restart your writing life—without falling into guilt, shame, or perfectionism. ✨ Main Topic: “The Art of Starting Over: Getting Back Into Your Writing Flow” 🔥 Key themes: creative rhythm, return rituals, reframing productivity, embodied discipline, and more. 💡 In This Episode: Segment 1: Author Updates & Announcements Valerie shares updates from the road: memory-making, travel, and rental-ready logistics Plans for a free masterclass on hybrid memoirs coming in October 🎉 Erick's gearing up for speaking at a writing conference and Ghost Story Weekend in Newport with Wordcrafters Running ads, finishing client work, and preparing for a busy season 📚 What We're Reading: Valerie: (Rick Rubin) s by Anne Abel (coming to the podcast in October!) In progress: Four Thousand Weeks (Oliver Burkeman), The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz), The Teller of Small Fortunes (Julie Leong) Erick: Segment 2: Resources, Tips & Tidbits 🔍 Tidbit of the week: Umarell — an Italian word for retired men who watch construction sites 👀 Bonus tips for mindset shifts and productivity hacks Segment 3: Main Topic - The Art of Starting Over Restate your writing goal: has it changed or evolved? Rebuild with rhythm, not rigidity Try a "return ritual": a gentle Artist's Way-style reentry (oracle cards, candles, morning pages, or altar time) Give it time: 3 days to wrap your mind around restarting 3 weeks to settle into a new rhythm Replace guilt with grace. You're not behind—you're beginning again. 🧰 Resources & Recommendations 💚 Get 48% off your first subscription of Magic Mind (mental performance + sleep shot) Claim it here → Use code VALERIE20 at checkout #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance 🧠 Writing Tools We Love: 👉 (affiliate link) Perfect for editing and polishing your writing with AI-backed insights. 🌱 Join Our Communities 🎉 Support the podcast and get writing resources, books, and exclusive coaching content: 🖋️ Valerie's Patreon → 📖 Erick's Patreon → 💬 Want to work with Valerie 1:1? Schedule a free consultation: 🔗 Stay Connected 📲 Valerie’s Linktree: 📲 Erick’s Linktree:
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How to Write a Book That Grows Your Business and Honors Your Spirit (Ep197)
08/28/2025
How to Write a Book That Grows Your Business and Honors Your Spirit (Ep197)
Main Topic: How to Write a Book That Grows Your Business and Honors Your Spirit (Help soul-led entrepreneurs see how writing a book can amplify their work without losing authenticity or feeling salesy.) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): I've been getting a lot of hits from the universe in the form of repeated messaging that I need to triple down on the the learning in public. I just can't wait until my life and mission statement is perfect before I show up online with a lesson neatly tied with a bow. First, that just prevents me from posting anything. Second, I'm hearing a lot lately that people aren't looking for gurus anymore. They don't want perfection. They can't relate to that. They want to watch the messy middle, and when I heard that (again), the realization hit. I write memoirs about how I got through something and what I learned along the way. I read memoirs so that I can see how they got through something. I want to be inspired by watching (reading) them pull themselves out of the mire and accomplish something difficult, because I want to do that too. "We just want to see real women figuring it out." (Tatyana Gosh) So, I'm going to start really showing up online with the messiness of humanity, and without the lessons already learned. My goal is everyday on IG. A reel, post, or story. Preferably multiples. • I met with colleague yesterday, another coach, and she said something that I immediately wrote down: If I show up imperfect, that doesn't mean bad. I've been so focused on trying to rewrite my limiting belief around perfection = professional, that I didn't take it a step further. Why do I think that if I'm imperfect, I'm bad? Side note: "Who doesn't like a badass woman?" (Tatyana Gosh) (Erick): What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: : A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About (Mel Robbins) (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book s (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October). (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; (Alexandra Horowitz) ; Julie Leong Erick: (Walter Mosely); (stories) (Joe Lansdale) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: The problem with traditional “business book” advice Focused on funnels, not fulfillment Often strips the soul from the message Too rigid for creative, intuitive entrepreneurs “If the book reads like a sales page, it’s probably not honoring the deeper mission.” What it really means to write a soul-aligned book that supports your business The book becomes a bridge between your inner truth and outer impact Writing from your why positions you as an authority with depth—not just expertise “People buy from those they connect with. Your book is a bridge, not a billboard.” Ways your book can grow your business authentically Builds credibility + trust with aligned clients Deepens your brand story and your core message Expands your reach without burnout (your book travels when you can't) “You’re not marketing. You’re storytelling. And that’s magnetic.” Let your business offer inform your book—not dictate it Use client patterns and questions to uncover themes Let your unique framework or transformation process shape the content (not just regurgitate) Bonus: You may create your next offer through writing the book (Three Story Method series) Avoiding the trap of performance Write with your audience in mind, not for their approval Let go of “shoulds” and write from soul-led service • Examples of what alignment looks like in practice Including rituals, reflections, or creative practices in your book Speaking directly to your dream client as if you’re in sacred conversation Closing encouragement: You don’t have to choose between success and soul. Your book can hold both. The more you write from your essence, the more magnetic your business becomes “When you write to be liked, you dilute your magic.” Project Runway fails are usually because they didn't stay "true to themselves as a designer" and it show. 🌀 Listener Reflection Prompt: “What message lives at the heart of your work—and how could your book become an offering of that message?” 🎯 Closing Thought: “Your book can be a calling card and a calling. When you write from truth, your audience finds you.” And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: Patreons:
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From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes that Feel True to You, with guest HR Cole (EP196)
08/20/2025
From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes that Feel True to You, with guest HR Cole (EP196)
Main Topic: From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes That Still Feel True to You (with guest HR Cole) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): no go on a workshop I pitched; working to get quotes for shipping companies (it's not as straight forward as I thought); thinking about content and documenting our trip and the prep of it (memoir) (Erick): What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book s (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October). : A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About (Mel Robbins) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; (Alexandra Horowitz) ; Julie Leong Erick: (Walter Mosely); (stories) (Joe Lansdale) Hope (H.R. Cole): (John Krakauer) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: H.R. Cole is a Pennsylvania native who completed her first (handwritten) fantasy novel at the age of twelve. She’s remained an avid writer and has one published middle grade novel and a successful health journalism career. Cole lives with her husband, dogs, and cats in mountainous Upstate New York. Plot where it goes, and the choreography of the scene, what are my non-negotiables? Use it showcase character traits that show up in intimate times. What do I want to portray in this scene? 1. Goal (character development) (ex: kindness? Make a list of how to showcase kindness.) 2. True to self 3. True to character (make a list of words that are appropriate)(Are they seasoned lovers or innocent?) Fight scenes and sex scenes have some similarities. Common mistakes: Boring, gloss over, not relevant What makes a good sex scene? Humanize the character Describe details without words that shock you or take you out of the story. Natural. Aligned with personal experience. Don't feel the speed bump going into the scene. Follow the Golden Rules of writing just as you would in any other scene. Use the same language in the spicy scenes as the rest of the book. Shorter sentences in action scenes. Sure. But use the same type of language. Go through the process of char dev for a reason. Know your character. It pays off when you get to the more complicated scenes (fight, action, sex). Inherent traits. Did I stay true to this character? Did I learn something about a character? Nice place to set up the psychology of a character. Vulnerable scenes are where we learn about the character. Character insight no where else. What about flashbacks in the scene? (Sentence of thought, convey emotions/doubt) Getting feedback on spicy scenes: assess the comfort levels of critique partners, warn ahead of time, what's the best way to send this to you. Make it part of your group culture. Romantasy (fantasy with a strong romantic plot); The Chalice and the Blade series (romantic fantasy)(instead of fantastical romance); tough marketing term because romantasy doesn't necessarily have an HEA. Spice levels up front in marketing copy. Keywords: romantic fantasy Be proud of your sex scenes. It's okay to explore it. And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link:
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The Book You Were Born to Write: Legacy Crafting, Part 3 of 3 (Ep195)
08/13/2025
The Book You Were Born to Write: Legacy Crafting, Part 3 of 3 (Ep195)
Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): hard stuff at home (sharing that with my patrons, and a little on social media) (Erick): What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: Austin Kleon's (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book s (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October). (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; (Alexandra Horowitz) ; Julie Leong Erick: Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: Today’s episode is about legacy. Not the legacy of awards or bestseller lists. But the kind of legacy that changes hearts. That shifts the field. That ripples out long after you’re gone. When you write your book — the real one — you’re not just capturing information. You’re encoding energy. You’re creating a guide. A lighthouse. An invitation. Your book becomes a place someone can go to feel less alone. It becomes a spell, a balm, a declaration. It says, "I’ve been there too. And here’s what I learned." You’re not just writing a book. You’re writing your book. And that distinction changes everything. Sometimes people come to me and say, “I just want to get it out of my head.” “I want to use it as a business card.” “I want to boost my visibility.” And all of those reasons are valid. In fact, your book can help grow your reach. It can become a doorway to speaking, teaching, building a body of work. But here’s the thing: When you write from alignment… from soul… from truth… You don’t just get visibility. You get peace. You get clarity. You get momentum, energy, fulfillment. You become more you. Because you’re not performing. You’re not proving. You’re remembering. And that’s when your book becomes a legacy. Not because of how many copies it sells — But because of how many lives it touches. Aligned Author isn’t a writing bootcamp. It’s a sacred, strategic container for birthing the book you were born to write. This is where structure meets intuition. Where craft meets soul. Where resistance meets ritual. Inside Aligned Author, you receive: A sacred 60–90 minute strategy session to clarify your soul’s vision A custom action plan that honors your unique creative rhythm Weekly 1:1 coaching sessions (recorded for your reflection) Story structure guidance + intuitive insight + business strategy Meditations, writing exercises, and oracle-based support Ongoing mentorship and accountability — weekly, monthly, and via direct messaging Access to group calls for reflection and celebration And most importantly… You’ll walk away with a book that feels like truth. Not just something you wrote… but something you became. So if you’re ready — If you’re done circling the dream… If you’re ready to stop doubting and start devoting... I’d be honored to walk beside you. You can book your Soul Strategy Session today at , or DM me @valerieihsan on Instagram. Your story is sacred. Your voice is needed. And your book is waiting to be written — not someday, but now. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Whether you choose to write with me, or on your own, I hope you remember this: You are not here to write like everyone else. You are here to write like you. Because the book you were born to write… Was born for someone who’s waiting to read it. Until we meet again — Be brave. Be true. Be writing. Next Episode: From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes That Still Feel True to You (with guest HR Cole) And don't forget: Go to to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link:
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