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Available Episodes

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Messy Girls Changing the World with Kid-Lit Author Ali Terese
Today I’m chatting with middle-grade and YA author Ali Terese, author of Free Period and Vote for the G.O.A.T. Ali shares her journey to becoming a published author, the challenges of writing for kids, and the joy of tackling tough topics with humor. We discuss current word count trends in middle-grade literature, working with critique groups, connecting with librarians and educators, and why rewriting is where the real magic happens.If you’re navigating your own kid lit path—or just need encouragement to keep going—this conversation will leave you inspired.Episode Highlights: 01:34 – Meet Ali Terese & her writing journey 04:13 – Writing middle grade fiction 07:09 – Community and critique partners 09:45 – Vote for Goat and Free Period 14:32 – Ali’s writing process & rewriting 17:47 – Middle Grade word count and publishing trends 19:28 – Writing for the “in-between” readers 21:58 – Supporting and connecting with librarians 25:06 – Overcoming doubt & finding your voice 31:47 – The joy and surprises of writing 34:34 – Advice for aspiring kid lit writers 36:14 – Current projects & where to find AliLinks mentioned:Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)Connect with Ali Terese:Event booking: How Now Booking https://www.hownowbooking.com/speakers/terese/Website: www.aliterese.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alitereseauthor/Frequently Asked Questions https://aliterese.com/about/Discussion guide, actions, recipes, crafts, mayhem https://aliterese.com/resources/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: [email protected] 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
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39:09
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39:09
From Quitting All Together to Finishing: How Bruce Buchanan Wrote His Debut Fantasy Novel
Feeling like giving up on your novel?Don’t. In this episode, I talk with fantasy author Bruce Buchanan about how he went from years of false starts to giving up entirely to finally publishing his debut novel, The Blacksmith’s Boy. Bruce shares what finally broke through his mental blocks, how community kept him going, and the role of process in quieting doubt and imposter syndrome. If you’re struggling to finish, this one’s full of encouragement and practical tips!Timestamps 00:00 Overcoming the First Manuscript Hurdle 00:30 Welcome to Write It Scared 01:31 Bruce’s Journey from Journalist to Fantasy Author 03:36 Writing Process + Challenges 09:44 The Blacksmith’s Boy 15:18 What’s Next for Bruce 18:58 Community + Publication Path 27:23 Battling Imposter Syndrome 29:10 Final EncouragementLinkshttps://brucebuchananauthor.com/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: [email protected] 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
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31:54
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31:54
You Don’t Need a Literary Background to Write Your Novel
Today we’re busting one of the sneakiest myths out there: that you need a literary background to write a great novel. Spoiler—you don’t. In this episode, I share a story from a coaching call, plus my own late start as a novelist, to remind you that credentials matter far less than persistence, passion, and the willingness to keep learning by doing. Writing skills can be learned—but the only thing that really counts is that you keep showing up. The takeaway? Don’t let yourself fail before you even start. You are a writer if you choose to be. So choose it—today, tomorrow, and the day after. 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: [email protected] 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
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7:57
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7:57
Mining Everyday Life for Storytelling Gold with Christine Ma-Kellams
Debut author Christine Ma-Kellams talks about her novel The Band, a story that mixes psychology and K-pop. We dig into how real-life experiences can shape your fiction, what it takes to move through self-doubt, and why chasing perfection is the fastest way to stall your draft.Christine shares her perspective on trusting your subconscious, embracing the chaos of the writing process, and staying grounded when social media starts to feel like a trap. This one’s equal parts practical advice and encouragement—with a little humor to keep you going.Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Write It Scared Podcast 00:27 Meet Christine Ma-Kellams 01:47 Christine's Writing Journey 04:17 The Band: Plot and Themes 06:05 Writing Process and Advice 11:27 The Role of Personal Experience in Writing 18:46 Overcoming Self-Doubt 19:22 The Voice of Doubt and How to Push Back 22:51 Why Reading Matters for Writers 25:02 Creative Advice and Encouragement 28:54 Navigating Social Media as an Author 31:33 What’s Next for Christine and Where to Find HerLinks:Novel: THE BAND Atria 2024https://www.christinema-kellams.comhttps://www.instagram.com/choppstixzHave 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: [email protected] 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
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36:07
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36:07
Reframing the Dreaded “How’s Your Book Coming?” Question
Nothing cuts quite like that dreaded question: “So… how’s your book coming?” In this episode of Write It Scared, I dig into why it stings, how to answer without spiraling, and how to reframe it into an empowering moment. Because progress isn’t about speed or polish—it’s about staying true to what you value and what you’re making meaning of in your creative life.Timestamps: 00:00 The Writer’s Spiral 01:27 The Dreaded Question 02:20 Why It Stings 03:27 Reframing the Conversation 06:44 The Truth About Writing 07:48 How to Share about Your Journey 09:53 Keep Going 11:01 Closing Thoughts 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: [email protected] 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
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11:25
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11:25