Write Now with Sarah Werner

What is a writer's most important asset? A good teacher? A quiet room? An infinite book budget? An expensive pen? While all of these are nice, today I'm focusing on the one asset that everyone can access, freely and easily: their sense of curiosity. Even if you believe your curiosity has been stomped out long ago, we'll talk about how to rekindle and cultivate this amazing ability. Thank you for listening! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/the-ultimate-asset-for-writers-wn-169/ You can support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast on: Patreon: https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/sarahwerner PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/sarahwerner Or just share this episode with someone who might find it useful. :) Happy writing! — Sarah

How do we cope as writers when life hits us with illness, injury, grief, or overwhelm? This week, we’re exploring what helps, what hurts, and what’s at stake when we find ourselves "not-okay," and how we can navigate those challenges with care and creativity. Thank you for listening! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/writing-when-youre-not-okay You can support the show here: * Patreon: https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner * Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/sarahwerner * PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/sarahwerner Happy writing! — Sarah

I tend to get weird looks when I say I'm in a Mastermind group, but my writing career wouldn't be where it is today without them. In this week’s episode, we'll talk about what these are, what they do for you as a writer, and how to start and structure your own Mastermind group. For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/ Thank you for listening! You can support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast on: https://patreon.com/sarahrheawernerhttps://ko-fi.com/sarahwernerhttps://www.paypal.me/sarahwerner Happy writing! — Sarah

Whether you're a seasoned novelist or a newcomer to the craft, we all come to the page and need to BEGIN. It's easy to say "Just start," but it's often not that simple. This week, I have some fresh encouragement and practical tips to help you start writing with confidence. Links mentioned: Write Now Episode 102: Journaling & YouWrite Now Episode 142: No Rules, Just WriteWrite Now Episode 014: Creating A Space For WritingWrite Now Episode 001: What's Keeping You From Writing? For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/how-to-start-writing-wn-165 Thank you for listening! To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, you can become a patron on Patreon at https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner, or send me a tip on Ko-Fi at https://ko-fi.com/sarahwerner. Happy writing! — Sarah

How do you decide when to publish your creative work? Is there a point at which you say it's "good enough"? Or do you have a tendency to polish and play around with those "last final tweaks" indefinitely? This week, we're talking about what it means to do your best in a world where "best" is subjective and perfect doesn't exist. Get ready! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/is-good-enough-good-enough/ Thank you for listening! To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, you can become a patron on Patreon at https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner, or send me a tip on Ko-Fi at https://ko-fi.com/sarahwerner. Happy writing! — Sarah

Have you ever felt hopeless, helpless, or disillusioned about goal-setting, or found yourself asking, "Why bother?" This week, we're looking at what happens to make us feel that way, and how to set our writing lives on the path to success going forward. For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/cynicism-about-goals-wn-163/ Thank you for listening! To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, you can become a patron on Patreon at https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner, or send me a tip on Ko-Fi at https://ko-fi.com/sarahwerner. Happy writing! — Sarah ©2025 by Write Now, LLC. All rights reserved.

Have you ever wondered if you should self-publish your book, or go through a traditional publisher? This week, we're weighing the pros and cons of each to figure out which method is best for you. Links mentioned: Talking Scared PodcastSpotifyApple PodcastsGirl In SpaceWrite Now PodcastDiscord Community Thank you for listening! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/should-i-self-publish-wn-162/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon at https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner, or send me a tip on Ko-Fi at https://ko-fi.com/sarahwerner. Happy writing! — Sarah

Do you ever struggle to focus on your writing — even on a project you actually enjoy? Whether due to internal or external factors, distraction comes to us in many different forms, for many different reasons. This week, we’re talking about tools, strategies, and habits we writers can use to find our focus again. Thank you for listening! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/focus-amp-distraction-wn-161 To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon at https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner, or send me a tip on Ko-Fi at https://ko-fi.com/sarahwerner. Happy writing! — Sarah

Have you ever noticed a disconnect in what you say you want to do, and what you actually end up doing? Because I have! This week, I'm talking about some of the reasons we might experience a gulf between our desires and our actions — and what to do about it. Thank you for listening! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/saying-vs-doing-wn-160/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon at https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner, or send me a tip on Ko-Fi at https://ko-fi.com/sarahwerner. Happy writing! — Sarah

This week, we're talking about expectations and how they tint our reality and shape our experiences... and what we can REALLY expect if we want to write full-time. Thank you for listening! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/expectation-vs-reality-wn-159/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon at https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner, or send me a tip on Ko-Fi at https://ko-fi.com/sarahwerner. Happy writing! — Sarah

No matter how much coffee I drink, I’m never able to write as quickly as I want to. This week, we’re taking a look at what it means to be a "slow writer" — and all of the baggage that comes along with it. Thank you for listening! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon at https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner, or send me a tip on Ko-Fi at https://ko-fi.com/sarahwerner. Happy writing! — Sarah

Creating consistently strengthens your command of the craft and builds trust with your audience. But if you're anything like me, creating on a consistent basis feels impossible. Why are we like this? What do we do when we fail to live up to our own — and others' — standards? Thank you for listening! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/consistency-for-writers-wn-157/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon! https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner Happy writing! — Sarah

What happens when your childhood dream feels like it's no longer achievable? What does it mean if (and when) your five-year plan goes off the rails? Today we're talking about what happens when our writing dreams change — and what it means for us as creators. For show notes and a full episode transcription, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/when-your-writing-dreams-change-wn-156/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon! https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner Thank you as always for listening, and happy writing! — Sarah

What is writing to you — a hobby, a second job, a meditative practice? Something else? All of the above? This week, we’re talking about the role of writing in our lives and how we can feel more satisfied and fulfilled in doing what we love. For show notes and a full episode transcription, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/its-good-to-have-a-hobby-wn-155/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon! https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner Thank you as always for listening, and happy writing! — Sarah

How should we navigate selling our creative work? I speak with Asa Merritt about pitching a project, which hill(s) to die on, and the pros and cons of telling a personal story on a commercial platform. TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast episode contains mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please talk to someone you trust, contact your local crisis center, or (if you're in the United States) call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For show notes and a full episode transcription, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon! https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner Thank you as always for listening, and happy writing! — Sarah

Sometimes it feels like everyone wants to tells us who we are — our friends, our enemies, and even random strangers on the internet. But what do we do when the identity we've chosen for ourself, such as "writer" or "creator", is challenged? For show notes and a full episode transcription, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/no-one-gets-to-tell-you-who-you-are-wn-153/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon! https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner Thank you as always for listening, and happy writing! — Sarah

Why are endings so darn hard to write? Is it just because it's difficult to wrap up all of the loose ends... or is there something more going on? What makes for a truly satisfying ending, and how do we create one? For show notes and a full episode transcription, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon! https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner Thank you as always for listening, and happy writing! — Sarah

Why did I ditch my laptop and start writing everything by hand? (It's not even clickbait — I actually did this!) What are the benefits to writing by hand, and what have I learned from it about the craft of writing? For show notes and a full episode transcription, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon! https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner Thank you as always for listening, and happy writing! — Sarah

If you've ever been curious about how live-action roleplaying game podcasts are planned, created, recorded, and produced, or if you have any interest in RPGs like D&D, Pathfinder, or improv in general, give this episode a listen. Cat is an expert in plucking meaningful narrative from a scattered story and provides tons of great advice on how to clarify your own creative work. For show notes and a full episode transcription, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon! https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner Thank you as always for listening, and happy writing! — Sarah

No matter who you are, Kate Wallinga's story of wielding creativity to take back agency in her life will inspire and astound you. And if you're neurodivergent or have experienced life with disability in some regard, her story may hit home in a profound way. Kate is the host of Ignorance Was Bliss, an interview podcast about how we become who we are. It's a show rooted in transformation - created as a an outlet as Kate, a psychologist and crisis clinician, survived a series of life-altering, disabling events. Her lived experience and her perception of self changed, and as she developed tools to live in this new paradigm, the work of creation helped her see herself and carry on. In this interview, Kate graciously shares her story with me as we explore creative power - both what the act of creation do for ourselves and for others. For a full episode transcription, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/ To support the work I do here at the Write Now podcast, become a patron on Patreon! https://patreon.com/sarahrheawerner Thank you as always for listening, and happy writing! — Sarah ©2022 by Write Now, LLC.