Episode 5: Talent Stacking

How being kind-of-good at two things can take you further than being the best at one.

Welcome back to Pep Talks for Writers—a 5-part audio series for writers who love writing but occasionally wonder why they bother.

In this episode, we explore:

• What it means to 'want the ball” in your creative life
• The surprisingly powerful strategy of talent stacking
• How being okay at two things can make you stand out more than being great at one
• Why quantity beats perfection
• The importance of letting your quirks, curiosities, and odd combinations lead the way

Plus, I’ll tell you about Make Like You Mean It—a course designed to help you build a creative life that’s joyful, sustainable, and full of side projects that actually go somewhere. The next round kicks off soon.

Got questions or want to say hi? DM me on Instagram @katherinecollettewriter

🎧 Episode 4: You Want a Bigger Creative Life? Start Small

It's not about being everywhere, it's about being somewhere.

Welcome back to Pep Talks for Writers—a 5-part audio series for writers who want to build a life around writing… not just wait for a single big break.

In this episode, we’re talking about what it really means to grow your creative life.

Whether you’re unpublished and waiting for your moment, or already published and wondering, 'Was that it?'—this one’s for you.

We’ll explore:

• Why 'publish → disappear → repeat' is a recipe for burnout

• The very normal (but rarely voiced) desire to feel seen, even before you’re published

• How small, repeatable creative actions help readers find you

• And why building a profile doesn’t have to be cringe—it can be fun, honest, and deeply yours

Resources & links:

• My mini course on thinking for writers: The Inner Game of Writing
• Want to build creative momentum? The next round of Make Like You Mean It launches soon
• Free download: What if I'm not good enough (and other questions to ignore) – grab the PDF

Got questions or want to share a win? DM me on Instagram: @katherinecollettewriter

🎧 Episode 3: Your Brain Is Filtering Everything (Here’s How to Hack It)

Shift what you’re noticing—and change what you create.

Welcome back to Pep Talks for Writers—a 5-part audio series for writers who love writing but occasionally feel like their brain is tuned to the wrong frequency.

In this episode, we’re talking about brain filtering—the way your mind scans the world for 'evidence'… and usually finds exactly what it’s expecting.

The catch? You can change what it’s looking for.

We’ll explore:

• How to consciously shift your mental filter

• The golden retriever metaphor (trust me) that changes everything

• Affirmations and how choosing a new focus can quietly rewire your creative reality

Resources & links:

• My mini course on thinking for writers: The Inner Game of Writing
• Want to build creative momentum? The next round of Make Like You Mean It launches soon
• Free download: What if I'm not good enough (and other questions to ignore) – grab the PDF

Got questions or want to share a win? DM me on Instagram: @katherinecollettewriter

🎧 Episode 2: How to Keep Going When Nothing’s Happening

When you’re doing the work… but nothing seems to be moving

Welcome back to Pep Talks for Writers—a 5-part audio series for writers who love writing but occasionally wonder if they’re just yelling into the void.

In this episode, we’re talking about the weirdest kind of slump:

In this episode, we’re talking about the slow season—the one where you’re doing all the right things, but progress feels invisible.

We’ll explore:

• The myth of linear progress (spoiler: it’s a lie)

• Why your work is moving forward, even when you can’t see it

• How to keep going without the gold stars

• And why the writers who stick around the longest… often win

Resources & links:

• Try my mini-course on thinking for writers: The Inner Game of Writing
• Want to build momentum and share your work? The next round of Make Like You Mean It launches soon
• Free mindset download: Grab the PDF

Got questions or want to say hi? DM me on Instagram: @katherinecollettewriter

🎧 Episode 1: What’s the Point of writing?

When the world’s on fire, is writing still worth it?

Welcome to the very first episode of Pep Talks for Writers—a 5-part audio series for writers who love writing but occasionally wonder why they bother.

In this episode, we tackle the existential question every writer eventually asks:

'What’s the point of writing when the world is falling apart?'

Whether you’re stuck in a slump, doubting your impact, or wondering if a poem about a pigeon is enough—this one’s for you.

Resources & links:

• Try my mindset mini-course: The Inner Game of Writing
• Want to build a profile and share your work? The next round of Make Like You Mean It Course starts soon
• Free mindset download: Get the PDF

Got questions or want to say hi? DM me on Instagram @katherinecollettewriter

Rejection Isn’t Proof You’re Not Good Enough

This episode is for the days when the silence from agents feels personal, or when one quiet 'no' feels defeating.

We unpack one of the most persistent (and painful) writer thoughts: “If I were any good, it would have happened by now.'

But what if rejection isn’t a red flag? What if it’s just... part of the process?

In this pep talk, you’ll get a reframe that’s more helpful than 'just keep going,' and a reminder that your job isn’t to please everyone, it’s to outlast the part where they say no.

Links & Resources:

– The Inner Game of Writing - Check out the full course

– Sign up to my newsletter (again, this will feel low tech)

– Follow me on Instagram @katherinecollettewriter

Stop assuming every setback is a cosmic sign to quit

This one’s for the days when writing feels like yelling into the void... or when you’re pretty sure you’ve wasted three years on a book no one will ever read.

In this episode, we talk about neutral thinking—a brain shift that helps you stop catastrophising and start making quiet, doable progress again.

You don't have to pretend you're fine when you’re not but you can make small, steady mindset tweaks that will help you write when things feel hard.

You don’t have to love every minute! You just have to keep going

✨ Links & Resources:

– The Inner Game of Writing - Check out the full course

– Sign up to my newsletter (again, this will feel low tech)

– Follow me on Instagram @katherinecollettewriter