What if your novel isn’t broken—just still becoming?

I’m joined by debut author Kristin Offiler, whose psychological suspense novel The Housewarming is the result of years of slow, steady work—and a whole lot of revision. But the thing is? She almost gave up on it.

Kristin talks openly about her journey from MFA grad to published novelist, including:

• How her story shifted genres mid-process
  
  
  
• What finally clicked after years of rewriting
  
  
  
• The moment she nearly walked away—and what kept her going
  
  
  
• Why stories (and processes) are more malleable than we think
  
  
  
• How to keep writing when self-doubt creeps in
  
  
  

This is one of those episodes that will make you feel less alone if you’re staring at a messy draft, wondering if it’s ever going to work. Kristin’s journey is a beautiful reminder that a long revision process is not a sign of failure—it’s the path forward. And persistence? That’s the real secret.

📚 The Housewarming is out August 1, 2025, from Thomas & Mercer. Preorder wherever you get your books!

For more information, visit www.kristinoffiler.com.

00:40 – Meet debut author Kristin Offiler

01:33 – Kristin’s writing journey: from MFA to motherhood to first drafts

07:36 – Where The Housewarming began—and how it grew into something more

14:04 – The pivot: transforming a character-driven novel into psychological suspense

20:07 – How genre feedback changed Kristin’s revision process

21:08 – Stories are malleable: a lesson in letting go of “the way it’s supposed to be”

22:22 – Self-doubt, slow writing, and the comparison trap

23:37 – What experience can teach you (that no craft book can)

26:17 – Kristin’s evolving writing process (and how it saved her time)

32:06 – Balancing writing with life, parenting, and limited time

37:15 – Advice for writers: trust your idea, stay in the bubble, and don’t quit too soon

40:58 – Where to find Kristin + preorder info for The Housewarming

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

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To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

If perfectionism has ever kept you stuck or made you question whether you’re cut out for this whole writing thing, this episode is for you.

Gloria Huang, author of the stunning middle grade fantasy Kaya and the Ocean, joins me to talk about:

• Letting go of perfectionism
  
  
• Writing through self-doubt
  
  
• Revisiting your work with compassion
  
  

We dive into how she approached themes like childhood anxiety, identity, and the immigrant experience with honesty and heart.

Gloria also shares her path to publication—including the emotional stamina it takes to navigate rejection, impostor syndrome, and everything in between.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that writing is brave, messy, and deeply human.

In this episode, we cover:
00:29 Welcome back to Write It Scared
01:39 Meet our guest: Gloria Huang
02:57 Gloria’s debut novel Kaya and the Ocean
04:38 Exploring themes of anxiety and identity
06:15 The inspiration behind Kaya and the Ocean
08:06 Cultural influences and mental health in storytelling
15:13 The power of stories to heal and connect
17:21 Gloria’s path to publication
19:57 Writer’s block, burnout, and the creative process
21:43 What happens after the book deal
24:22 Writing process + giving yourself grace
27:10 Reframing rejection as part of the journey
29:03 Gloria’s hopes for fellow writers
30:32 What she’s working on next
31:17 Final thoughts and where to find Gloria

To connect with Gloria and find her books, please visit her at:

https://www.glorialaihuang.com/

Instagram

Threads

Order Kaya of the Ocean here

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Details on Group Book Coaching with Write It Scared

Today, I’m getting personal about one of the biggest game-changers in my writing life: finding the right writing community.

We’re talking about why community matters so much (especially when the writing gets hard), how to figure out what kind of group actually supports your goals, and why patience is essential, especially if you’re newer and not quite ready for critique.

I’m sharing what I’ve learned about navigating group dynamics, feedback, and the sometimes messy yet beautiful process of connecting with fellow writers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What kind of writing support do you really need (accountability, critique, or both)?
  
  
  
• Why encouragement matters just as much as craft feedback
  
  
  
• How to choose between large vs. small groups
  
  
  
• Where to look for writing communities online and in real life
  
  
  
• How to protect your energy, trust your voice, and find your people
  
  

Plus, I’m giving you a heads-up about my small group coaching program starting September 2025—perfect if you’re in the story development or drafting phase and want a safe, supported space to grow.

This one’s for every writer who’s ever felt a little too alone in the work. You don’t have to do this by yourself.

Timestamps:
01:34 – Why writing doesn’t have to be lonely
02:51 – The benefits of having a writing community
04:01 – What kind of group is right for you?
04:32 – A gentle warning about early critique
07:01 – Group size, structure, and expectations
09:07 – Where to actually find these magical writer folks
12:33 – Common challenges and how to navigate them
13:53 – Wrap up + Fall 2025 group coaching details

Links to Online Writing Communities that may interest you. I’m not an affiliate of any of these.

• She Writes
• Scribophile
• The Next Big Writer
• The Insecure Writer

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

In this episode, I’m joined by Brooke Adams Law—award-winning author, book coach, and founder of the Writing Brave Movement—for a heartfelt conversation on writing with emotional honesty and trusting your inner voice. Brooke gets real about her own writing journey, from rejection to publication, and offers encouragement for navigating perfectionism, procrastination, and the creative wounds that keep us stuck.

What You’ll Learn:

• What it really means to “write brave”
  
  
  
• How to listen to your inner wisdom as a writer
  
  
  
• The root causes of writer’s block and how to move through it
  
  
  
• Simple exercises to start healing your creative wounds
  
  
  
• Why persistence and self-trust matter more than perfection
  
  
  

Timestamps:
01:21 – Meet Brooke and the Writing Brave Movement
04:25 – Defining “writing brave”
13:09 – Writing from intuition and inner wisdom
23:51 – Signs and symptoms of writer’s block
27:00 – Creative wound healing practices
35:29 – Brooke’s story of doubt, grit, and getting published

This one’s packed with heart and hope. Tune in when you need a boost.

You can visit Brooke’s website at www.wearewritingbrave.com to take her quiz, Discover YOUR Writing Routine Personality.

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Enter the WIS Podcast Anniversary Giveaway!

Point of view is one of the most important craft decisions you’ll make as a writer—and one of the easiest to get tangled up in. In this episode, we’re breaking down what POV actually is, why it matters, and how to use it with intention.

You’ll learn:

• The pros and cons of first, second, and third person POV
  
  
  
• What terms like “third person limited” and “close” really mean
  
  
  
• How to avoid head-hopping and other common pitfalls
  
  
  
• When it’s okay to blend POVs—and how to do it well
  
  
  
• How to choose the right narrative lens for your story
  
  

Whether you’re just starting out or revising a draft, this episode will help you make smarter POV choices and tell your story with more clarity and confidence.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Point of View

00:16 – Welcome to Write It Scared

01:26 – Craft Chat: POV

01:50 – Giveaway Announcement

02:23 – What POV is and why it matters

05:59 – First Person POV: Strengths and limitations

09:05 – Second Person POV: Rare but powerful

11:02 – Third Person POV: Limited, close, omniscient, and more

17:46 – Blending POVs intentionally

19:13 – How to choose the right POV for your story

21:50 – Final thoughts and encouragement

22:02 – Next week’s guest and closing

Other links and resources

[Episode 50: How to Plan and Outline Your Novel]

[Episode 42: Understanding Story Structure and Character Arcs]

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Enter the WIS Podcast Anniversary Giveaway!

Win Book Coaching Sessions + More Prizes!

This week is all about writing fantasy and building magic systems!

We cover:

• What a magic system is designed to do
• The difference between soft vs. hard and low vs. high magic systems (and why knowing the difference matters)
• Practical ways to ground readers in the familiar, even when your world is totally new
• Strategies for overcoming those tricky mental blocks we all hit while building fantasy worlds (you're definitely not alone!)
• Gina’s powerful tips from brain science to help you connect with your readers on a deeper level

If you’ve ever struggled to craft magic systems or fantasy worlds readers can’t get enough of, this episode is for you. Gina and I will leave you feeling inspired, capable, and excited to dive into your own magical creations

Links mentioned:

Four Core Types of Magic Systems

inkybookwyrm.com

Word Wizard's Journey: Turn Your Story Idea into a Marketable Book https://www.inkybookwyrm.com/f/bookmap

YouTube: Gina Kammer, The Inky Bookwyrm

https://www.youtube.com/@ginakammer

Enchant Your Readers program

https://www.inkybookwyrm.com/courses/enchantyourreaders

Plus, fantasy and sci-fi writers can join her Critique Partner Program (50% off through this link!)

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Grab Your Free Ticket to The 2025 Spark To Story Summit (MAY 27-29)

Struggling to figure out where your story is going?

In this episode, we break down how understanding your content genre can give you a built-in structure for your novel, shaping your plot, character arc, and emotional payoff.

We’ll explore the difference between marketing and content genres, explain why genre is more than just a shelf label, and dive into how frameworks like Save the Cat Writes a Novel and The Story Grid can help you choose your content genre and write with more intention.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Introduction to Genre and Storytelling
00:22 – Welcome to The Write It Scared Podcast
01:31 – Understanding Your Story Genre
02:27 – Marketing vs. Content Genre
05:39 – Frameworks for Identifying Content Genre
06:50 – External vs. Internal Content Genres
08:33 – Blending Genres and Finding Your Story’s Spine
10:12 – Conclusion and Next Steps

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

• [Episode 50: How to Plan and Outline Your Novel]
  
  
  
• [Episode 42: Understanding Story Structure and Character Arcs]
  
  
  
• Companion blog post with examples and resources

• 2025 Spark to Story Summit–FREE TICKET! (Please note, this is an affiliate link. If you upgrade to a paid all-access SPARK pass, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Have you ever felt like self-doubt was holding your writing dreams hostage? Oh friend, you’re definitely not alone. In this episode of The Write It Scared Podcast, I had an incredible chat with the wonderful Amy Bernstein, author of Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears and Finding Inspiration.

We got real about the ways self-doubt creeps into our creative lives, and how—even though it's uncomfortable—it's also totally normal. Amy opened up about her own journey with doubt, what inspired her to write her book, and shared practical (and gentle!) strategies to navigate that nagging voice inside your head.

Here's what you'll find in our conversation:

• Why doubt isn't always the enemy (spoiler: sometimes it's a powerful creative ally)
  
  
  
• How to use the improv-inspired mindset of "Yes, and..." to navigate creative uncertainty and fear
  
  
  
• Real talk about handling rejection, building persistence, and finding your creative path despite doubt
  
  
  
• Personal insights and relatable experiences from Amy’s own writing journey (and a few from mine, too!)
  
  
  

If you're wrestling with doubt—and let's be honest, who isn't?—you'll walk away from this episode feeling seen, inspired, and ready to embrace your creative path, self-doubt included.

Episode Breakdown

• 00:00 – Facing doubt head-on (you've got this!)
  
  
  
• 00:28 – Welcome back to Write It Scared!
  
  
  
• 01:33 – Diving deep: self-doubt and creativity
  
  
  
• 01:55 – Meet the amazing Amy Bernstein
  
  
  
• 03:52 – Amy’s personal journey with writing and doubt
  
  
  
• 07:09 – Why doubt can be powerful (yes, really!)
  
  
  
• 20:32 – How to navigate creative risks when doubt creeps in
  
  
  
• 22:17 – Using the “Yes, and…” approach to keep going
  
  
  
• 23:19 – Embracing rejection, persistence, and growth
  
  
  
• 25:46 – Understanding doubt’s role in the creative process
  
  
  
• 27:59 – Personal stories of battling doubt (we've all been there!)
  
  
  
• 30:15 – Finding your true creative path
  
  
  
• 35:41 – Building your inner resources for writing
  
  
  
• 37:45 – Wrapping up with encouragement and final thoughts
  
  

Keep going, keep writing, and keep believing in yourself. You've absolutely got this.

Amy L. Bernstein is the author, most recently, of Wrangling the Doubt Monste

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears