Write Now with Sarah Werner

If you're sailing on stormy seas (literally, writerly, mentally, or otherwise), you're going to want Jarod K. Anderson as your guide. Author, poet, and creator of The Cryptonaturalist podcast, Jarod shares his insights with us this week on his writing process, the impact of mental health on creativity, and his unconventional path to publishing success. Thank you for listening! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/creepy-cozy-wonderfully-weird-an-interview-with-jarod-k-anderson-wn-171/ Watch this episode as a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVE_VRuMDCM Find Jarod online: https://www.jarodkanderson.com/ Pre-order Strange Animals: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/798888/strange-animals-by-jarod-k-anderson/ 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. :) Thank you! Thanks again for listening, and happy writing! — Sarah

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in an endless loop of edits, rewrites, and revisions, this episode is for you. We’ll explore how fear can sneak into our writing process via perfectionism, the difference between necessary and compulsive rewrites, and how to build gentle systems to finish your work and move forward with confidence. Thank you for listening! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/the-rewriting-cycle-wn-170/ 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

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

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: https://patreon.com/sarahrheawernerhttps://ko-fi.com/sarahwernerhttps://www.paypal.me/sarahwerner Or just share this episode with someone who might find it useful. :) Happy writing! — Sarah

Sometimes, when things get tough, when the haters hate and the doubters doubt, it can be difficult to summon the motivation, courage, energy, or inspiration you need to write. And sometimes, when that happens, the only thing we have left to turn to is SPITE. Find out why — and why it's not necessarily a bad thing! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/ 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

Sometimes, when things get tough, when the haters hate and the doubters doubt, it can be difficult to summon the motivation, courage, energy, or inspiration you need to write. And sometimes, when that happens, the only thing we have left to turn to is SPITE. Find out why — and why it's not necessarily a bad thing! For show notes and a full transcript of this episode, please visit: https://www.sarahwerner.com/ 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