The Wild Words Podcast

Closing out this batch of episodes and heading into summer, I'm re-releasing one of my most popular shows from last year: Searching for White Space. Because we're conditioned to link our productivity to self-worth, we're not always practiced in the art of releasing and slowing down, so I wanted to share my own experience in an effort to help you find your own white space in whatever season you need it. Episode Highlights: White space on the page vs. the white space in our creative lives Nature isn't productive 24/7 and we shouldn't be easier How we can struggle with resistance when taking time to rest A 4-step process you can implement to cultivate white space if you need it Let's Connect Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

Seven years ago this spring, I was in Brooklyn on book tour for my literary cookbook, Eat This Poem. I was there for a live radio spot and a bookstore event, and had time to find the cutest coffee shop where I parked myself for three hours to write the draft of my proposal for Wild Words, which came out a couple of years later. When starting to work on episodes for this season of the podcast, I came across an old draft called “Notes from the Road.” This document was filled with questions I was asked at events—the kinds of questions that were so good I wanted to share them with everyone who wasn't there in person. Questions We Discuss If you have 3 kids and 20 minutes of free time, what should you work on first? How do you get back to writing if you haven't done it in a while? Does your writing process change with each book? What's the secret of balancing writing with everything else? Have you ever been afraid of success? When you do have a margin, how do you avoid just scrolling through Instagram? How do you reconcile wanting to write for yourself, but also the desire to get affirmation for your work?  How do you be content with just being a writer, and not being the next Ann Patchett?  Linkable Mentions Episode 45: Preparing Your Nervous System for Publication with Tiffany Clarke Harrison Let's Connect Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

Today I'm answering a listener question: How do you know when you're done? It seems straightforward on the surface—you're done when the essay is published, when the book comes out, or when the workshop is over. But not every writing project has defined edges. In fact, this episode argues that when we're wondering if we're done with something, we're actually asking the wrong question.  Conversation Starters “When something is finished, it might mean something is true. It could mean someone will read your words. It means you now need to relate to this part of your life differently. You need to tell a new story about what happened to yourself. None of these things are bad, but when we're habituated to the old narratives, change is always hard.” Episode Highlights Understanding completion as a phased experience Questions to ask yourself to gauge where you are in the process Examples of finishing—from blogging to Facebook groups The advice MFK Fisher gave Ruth Reichel that changed the course of her career (and her relationship to finishing) Linkable Mentions Episode 26: Cultivating Trust in the Writer's Life Episode 50: Make Space, Not Time & Other Insights From the Sacred Pause Julia Gets Real With Ruth Reichel Let's Connect Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

Because of social media's shape-shifting nature (hello, algorithms) it's useful to check in a few times a year to see if it's still serving you, and if there's anything you'd like to change about how you're using it. This episode is less about whether or not you should be on these platforms in the first place, and more about how to be in relationship to our visibility and the internet at large in ways that are inspired by nature and our bodies.  Conversation Starters “It might seem strange to give this much thought to how we're using apps like Instagram, but I think it's really important, especially because as Annie Dillard once wrote, “how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”  Episode Highlights A framework for social media use based on your body's inner seasons, the lunar calendar, and nature's shifts Prioritizing our needs within the framework of a larger digital ecosystem 5 suggestions for using social media based on your menstrual cycle 6 ways to play with the cyclical energy of your choosing (and still benefit from Instagram) Linkable Mentions How Embracing the 4 Phases of Your Menstrual Cycle Can Expand Creative Potential Episode 30: A Post-Pandemic Relationship with Social Media Let's Connect Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

If you're ready to give yourself the gift of space, time, and rest, this episode is for you. I'm sharing the highs and lows of a recent writing retreat I took with a friend, plus lots of takeaways to help you plan your own DIY getaway. Episode Highlights Why even one night away is always worth it (and how to make the most of a short trip) Thinking through the when, where, and how—logistics are covered The pros and cons of solo vs. group retreats The value of meal planning (including my favorite sparkling water and a tip for when you return home) Seeing the momentum before and after a retreat as adding to the overall experience How to capture retreat magic at home Linkable Mentions Substack Newsletter: Diary of a Writing Retreat Episode 52: Micro-Shifts to Prioritize Writing What to bring on a writing retreat (Edan Lepucki) Aura Bora sparkling water Vacation Anticipation Can Boost Happiness (Well+Good) Let's Connect Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

Writing in the margins isn't just the actual time captured, it's also the belief that these micro-moments add up to something. In Part 1 of our liminal space series, we discussed the “sacred pause,” Part 2 covered how to approach liminal seasons as a vacation from writing, and today we explore re-entry. What happens after we've moved through a pause, a break, or liminal season but also find the same schedules and demands waiting for us?  Conversation Starters “Big shifts are harder to achieve and make sustainable long-term, so pick one, maybe two things to start with and see what happens when you prioritize your writing again with both your energy AND your time.” Episode Highlights How I moved through creative liminal space in 2023 Experiments to reconnect to your writing practice Why writing magazines can help you feel connected What's happened since making micro-shifts to prioritize writing Let's Connect Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

After spending three weeks away from home this winter (more on why in the episode), it got me thinking about how we spend time off from our writing routines, and how to approach it when we do. This episode is full of real-time insights on preparing for a break, including suggestions for mindfully setting expectations and cultivating curiosity along the way.  Episode Highlights What *not* to do when you're preparing for a break or vacation How to set realistic expectations 6 things to try when you're out of your regular writing routine My biggest takeaways from three weeks away from home Let's Connect Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

In a world driven by doing, pausing can feel lazy, inaccessible, and scary. Most of us know that rest is important, but often find ourselves caught between what our bodies are telling us and the cultural expectations we're pushing up against. It's a lot to navigate, and takes time to soften into. In Part 1 of a 3-part series on liminal space and creative pauses, hear the wisdom from three writers who have approached this in different ways, plus a handful of practical suggestions for embracing this energy in daily life.  Conversation Starters “I had intentionally brought no distractions: no email, no books, no articles to read, no doing-things, no podcasts, no small or big work tasks, no lists, no organizing intentions, nothing. That was it. It sounds easy. It wasn't.” —author Molly Caro May on her recent sabbatical  Episode Highlights 3 authors on how pausing has impacted their creativity Reflections from book burnout, starting a brand new book, and planned sabbaticals The attachment between worth and productivity Practical suggestions for embracing the pause in daily life Linkable Mentions The Pause and Creating Conditions (Molly Caro May) “Body Full of Stars: Female Rage and the Passage Into Motherhood” by Molly Caro May How I Start a New Book (Katherine May) Episode 34: The Necessity of Winter with Rebecca Magee Episode 40: Searching for White Space Episode 41: The Discomfort of White Space Let's Connect Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

Welcome to a new season of Wild Words! I've recently completed my seasonal reflection ritual, and am sharing my process to support your writing practice too. We're covering what came up in winter, the books I'm looking forward to reading, what my writing life looks right now, plus a few podcast updates.  Episode Highlights How a reflection ritual supports your writing practice Why wintering doesn't always mean not writing The books I'm excited to read this spring 8 questions to ask yourself as you head into a new season Linkable Mentions You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World by Ada Limón Rooted Kitchen: Seasonal Recipes, Stories, and Ways to Connect to the Natural World  by Ashley Rodriguez Around our Table: Wholesome Recipes to Feed Your Family and Friends by Sara Forte  Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't by Erin Loechner Let's Connect Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

Learning what makes your brain and body feel supported and safe is an act of self-love. With a spirit of experimentation, this episode offers a variety of ways to soothe your nervous system, tune in to what feels good, and prioritize rest on a daily basis. Episode Highlights Why experimentation is a key to understanding your nervous system The easiest type of breathwork to try Which types of books are the most relaxing to read Why rewatching old sitcoms can help your body integrate A pitch for touching trees The essential oils I can't live without Linkable Mentions The Book of Lymph by Lisa Levitt Gainsley Your Brain on Art by by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross Episode 29: How the Nervous System Impacts Your Writing Life Reading reduces stress by 68 percent Rocky Mountain Oils Counting Sheep blend Can Stimulating the Vagus Nerve Improve Mental Health? Essential oils study Science-backed reasons you like rewatching TV shows Let's Connect Sign up for my encouraging newsletter (including Wild Words podcast updates!)  Website: nicolemgulotta.com Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

Surprise! After a year of consideration, I've officially moved my newsletter to Substack and this episode is the audio version of my first official post. From my brief history in the entrepreneurial world (hello, burnout) to the slow and methodical steps I've taken to simplify how I show up (and where), we're talking about what it means to be a writer online today. Episode Highlights The mistakes I made when pursuing and online business 4 reasons it took me so long to stop doing all the things How Substack supports my decision to embrace ease Why paying for a newsletter service was less about the money and more about keeping my body in survival mode Linkable Mentions Why Your Life Purpose is Bigger Than Capitalist Productivity  Author Edan Lepucki's after school problem The blogging boom is back—and it's happening on Substack Let's Connect Sign up for my encouraging SUBSTACK newsletter (including Wild Words podcast updates!)  Website: nicolemgulotta.com

Every November, writers from around the world commit to writing daily for 30 days, with the goal of generating  50,000 words of a new novel. National Novel Writing Month has enormous potential for helping us make progress, but not everyone feels comfortable with the parameters. If you have a new project you're itching to make progress on, the concept of NaNoWriMo can be useful, but it's not one size fits all. Episode Highlights The benefits of participating in NaNoWriMo Why poets and memoirists (not just novelists) should consider it as a tool How to customize the experience to work for your current season Why writing 1,600 words per day doesn't work for everyone (and what to try instead) Public and private accountability ideas Schedule tweaks that fit into your day Linkable Mentions National Novel Writing Month Let's Connect Get Wild Words podcast updates on Substack Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter Website: nicolemgulotta.com Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

My guest today is Tiffany Clarke Harrison and we're talking about the shadow side of publication—something many writers experience but rarely discuss publicly. While it's normal to experience self-doubt, comparison, anxiety, and feeling like you want to crawl into a hole a couple of weeks before your book comes out, we often meet ourselves with shame, believing that we should simply be grateful for the opportunity. But what we really need is to offer tender compassion, and get in the habit of expanding our capacity for joy long before launch day.  Episode Highlights Why paying attention to how our body feels in different situations is the first step to preparing yourself for publication Recognizing and avoiding the shame spiral of “I should be grateful” in the midst of “this also feels scary” A 7-word mantra we can use during publication (or anytime!) you're heading into a visible season The importance of expanding our capacity for joy long before books are released The play-by-play experience of finding out Obama chose her book for his summer reading list (and why she was ready to experience it) Why choosing presence is a gift to yourself and your nervous system The difference between bragging and celebrating your work Meet Tiffany Tiffany Clarke Harrison is an author, author mentor/book coach, and intuitive introvert whose blood runs thick with feelings and beauty and purpose: writing stories that reflect what it means to be human, and guiding authors of literary fiction to do the same. She writes about feelings: the ones that feel good, the ones that don't, and definitely the ones you don't want anyone to know. She graduated from Queens University of Charlotte with her MFA in fiction, and her novel, Blue Hour, was listed as one of the best books of 2023 by Vulture and made Barack Obama's 2023 summer reading list.  Links: Website Book: Blue Hour Instagram Conversation Starters “When you have wanted something for so long and it's arrived, or it's about to land, your body goes ‘I don't know what to do with this. We know how to *not* have this, but we don't know how to have this.'” “We really don't celebrate enough. I tell this to clients all the time. Even if it's ‘I just wrote a page,' or ‘I just got this sentence out that really scared me,' what are you going to do to celebrate? Because celebrating stretches that nervous system to receive more of it.” “Let's just lean forward. We're just gonna breathe. For a while I just sat there… I don't feel like a real person, but we're gonna try and breathe and be really excited and also, I realized you have been building up to this moment right here.” “People want to feel joy. They want to feel good. Will some people be annoyed? Sure. That's fine. There are so many more people who want to experience joy even when it is through someone else's excitement.” Let's Connect: Website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

Ever since Substack came on the scene, writers have flocked to the platform which claims to be a social media alternative that supports writers getting paid for their work. But is it something all authors should use? If you're Substack curious, trying to decide whether or not to host your newsletter there, or just want some thoughtful ways to think through the decision, don't miss this episode. Episode Highlights: What Substack is (and isn't) Pros and cons of using the platform Deciding when to turn on paid subscriptions Soulful questions to mull over as you decide where to show up online How running a paid Substack is impacting my decision to use it now Linkable Mentions Off the Grid: To Substack or Not to Substack?  Why Substack Is Terrible for Creators (old article) Let's Connect: Get Wild Words podcast updates on Substack Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter Website: nicolemgulotta.com

In her new book, Rest Easy, Ximena Vengoechea describes rest as “a state of being in which nothing is required of us. It's a time where we can just be.” For writers who are typing away in addition to holding down a day job and parenting, rest can feel illusive, but as it turns out, rest is an essential tool of any creative practice. In our modern world, accessing restorative rest requires awareness and intention alongside a healthy spirit of experimentation, which is exactly what we're talking about in this practical and empowering episode. Meet Ximena: Ximena Vengoechea is a user researcher, writer, and illustrator whose work on personal and professional development has been published in Inc., The Washington Post, Newsweek, Forbes, and Huffington Post. She is the author of the new book, Rest Easy: Discover Calm and Abundance through the Radical Power of Rest. Her previous book is Listen Like You Mean it: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection (Penguin Random House). Ximena is a contributor at Fast Company and The Muse, and writes Letters from Ximena, a newsletter about staying curious, getting creative, and living well. She is also the creator of the popular project The Life Audit. Ximena is a keynote speaker on topics such as empathetic and inclusive listening, navigating difficult conversations, and preventing burnout. She previously worked at Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and currently advises select startups and executives on user research, executive communication, and resting well.  Ximena's Website  Instagram Substack: Letters from Ximena Books:  Rest Easy Listen Like You Mean It A few highlights: The 3 types of rest (it's not just napping) Undoing the relationship between productivity and self-worth The unseen work of writing and how it informs our rest practice The false promise of multitasking  What happens to our brain when we take breaks How reading outside your genre can be restful 6 rest tips informed by the writer's life

With a new season upon us, the time is ripe for considering new routines. On this episode we're talking about the transition from summer to fall, including why it can feel more intense (especially for sensitive souls). I'm sharing six categories of routine I'm currently thinking about—including beverages and literary journal submissions—to give you ideas to play with and inspiration to take with you into the cooler days ahead. Episode Highlights Why fall can bring up lots of big feelings An essential question to ask during this transition time 6 ways to embrace the new season The calm that comes from cleaning The one ritual I recommend to everyone (and it only takes 10 minutes a day) Linkable Mentions Sheryl Paul: The Grief and Joy of Autumn  Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin Episode 38: The Highly Sensitive Writer Let's Connect Get Wild Words podcast updates on Substack Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter Website: nicolemgulotta.com Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

As much as we long for time to rest and afternoons to daydream, the reality can sometimes be… uncomfortable. After taking the summer to pause, I'm sharing four lessons I came away with, including why I almost thought this experiment was a bad idea, the project I dusted off and completed in a single weekend, and more. Episode Highlights On creating pauses any time of year What to do when new ideas come rushing through How much work it really takes to create white space Why white space can feel uncomfortable  Linkable Mentions Episode 40: Searching for White Space Wintering by Katherine May Let's Connect: Get Wild Words podcast updates on Substack Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter Website: nicolemgulotta.com Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

Nature expands and contracts, and so do we. It's normal to experience periods of needing more rest, longing for time off after completing a big project, or craving the freedom to write in our journals without worrying about what the words might (or should) become. But because we're conditioned to link our productivity to self-worth, we're not always practiced in the art of releasing.  Join me as we explore what it looks like to offer ourselves more spaciousness, how to take intentional pauses, and why it's essential to honor our personal and creative needs in any season.  Episode Highlights White space on the page vs. white space in our creative lives A personal update on why my life was put on pause this spring Why nature isn't productive 24/7 (and we shouldn't be either) Struggling with resistance when taking time to rest My 4-step process for cultivating white space in any season Linkable Mentions Episode 18: Essentialism for Writers Needy Podcast: What Expands Must Also Contract Let's Connect Website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging newsletter, Over Tea Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

Cheryl Wilder and I met four years ago at a writing conference, and I'm so excited to share our conversation to celebrate National Poetry Month! Cheryl's collection, Anything That Happens, centers around the aftermath of a car crash that she caused in her early twenties. From spending the night in jail to becoming a mother, these poems explore relationships in all their forms—with parents, friends, and ourselves—through the backdrop of shame, self-worth, and forgiveness. We've all had moments in life when we've made a mistake or wish something turned out differently, and this conversation proves it's possible to move from the depths of shame to the redemption of self-forgiveness.  Episode Highlights: How a set of car keys changed the trajectory of her life Why she didn't feel she deserved to write for 7 years (and how she found her way back) How writing a memoir first became another step in the writing and healing process A writing mantra she lives by The both/and of denying herself joy while simultaneously wanting to help others The decision to shift from writing a memoir to crafting a collection of poetry How her body informs her daily writing practice The secret to writing while raising young children Meet Cheryl: Cheryl Wilder's book Anything That Happens, a Tom Lombardo Poetry Selection (Press 53, 2021), received Second Finalist in the 2022 Poetry Society of Virginia North American Poetry Book Award and Honorable Mention in the Brockman-Campbell Book Award. Her chapbook, What Binds Us, was published in 2017 by Finishing Line Press. Co-founder of Waterwheel Review and president of the Burlington Writers Club, Cheryl received a 2023 North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant. Links: Website  Book: Anything That Happens Conversation Starters “I made the decision I wouldn't write because I didn't deserve anything that brought me happiness. At the same time, I held a thought that I wanted to help people, to share my story at some point in some way so that I could help somebody not get in the car in the first place, or help someone who's been in that situation, on either side.” “I'm an optimist. Part of me believed when I read wise writers or philosophers that I did deserve happiness. There was always that beacon of other people's stories that one day you can find peace and you deserve it. But I had to work towards that.” “Desmond Tutu talks about how shame hides. By bringing shame into the room, it resonates with people because people feel shame throughout their lives for one thing or another. The allowance of that emotion is huge.” Linkable Mentions McIntyre's Books (Pittsboro, NC) The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu Let's Connect: Website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter, Over Tea Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

High sensitivity is a term coined by Elaine Aron who wrote The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, and refers to how deeply you perceive and respond to the world, both your physical and emotional environments. The more deeply your brain processes information, the more sensitive you are. Sensitivity is a fundamental human trait (we're all sensitive to some degree), but those with a higher degree of sensitivity experience and process the world differently. As creatives, this can be powerful, but it also means we need extra tending, rest, and recovery time. Tune in to learn more about thriving as an HSP writer, and how to support yourself along the way.  Episode Highlights: The acronym that makes it easier to understand the HSP trait How much of your sensitivity is genetic vs. the environment you were raised in 8 signs you might be an HSP My personal journey to embracing sensitivity 5 ways you might encounter sensitivity in your writing life (and how to work with it) Linkable Mentions: Book: The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine Aron Book: Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World by Jenn Granneman & Andre Sólo 21 Signs You're a Highly Sensitive Person 3 Sets of Genes That Make You Highly Sensitive Sensitive Empowerment Community with Julie Bjelland  Let's Connect: Website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging newsletter, Over Tea Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

Anger. Disgust. Shame. Envy. These are the kinds of shadow emotions that today's guest, Jennifer Arnspiger, loves to explore through the embodied practice of somatic journaling. As she shares in the episode, “so many sensitive people grow up feeling faulty somehow, or like they're broken” when in fact, the opposite is true. This is the kind of journaling practice that helps you write your way back to worthiness, peel back layers of buried feelings, and release them from your body so you can relate to the stories you've told yourself about them in new ways. At its core, somatic journaling is a practice that helps cultivate self-trust and self-love, and break the cycle of self-abandonment that exists when we deny ourselves the truth of our experience. Episode Highlights How a lifelong love affair with words (and ending a narcissistic relationship) led Jennifer to discover the power of somatic journaling The connection between high sensitivity and somatic journaling The difference between somatic writing (that comes from behind your belly button) versus cerebral writing (that comes from the brain) Suggestions for titrating between different types of writing styles when working with trauma, and recommendations for getting the most out of the experience Why you never need to be afraid of what you'll find when you start journaling Metaphors involving lobsters, swimming pools, and onions How somatic journaling helps unravel our shame stories and cultivates self-trust 4 prompts to get you started with somatic journaling today Meet Jennifer: Jennifer Arnspiger is the author of the memoir Dark Pretty, short story collection Pretty Piece of Flesh and @highlysensitivehealing, the thriving Instagram community for the intense and sensitive. She specializes in helping deeply sensitive women resolve old trauma stories so they can find their peace and their power. A somatic journaling coach, shadow worker and writer, she is the creator of Body Story, a self-paced shadow journaling program that helps sensitive women liberate repressed emotions and resolve old trauma energy so they can finally feel peace inside their skin. She dreams of living in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Links: Body Story Journaling Course Instagram: @highlysensitivehealing Conversation Starters “Somatic writing isn't supposed to be polished. It's supposed to come out the way it's living in your body.” “There is something to be said for the thing that you don't want to write about, or the thing that you don't want to say, is actually what's going to serve you to lean in and say at some point.” “If you lean into what feels ugly in you, you will find what is actually beautiful about you in a really embodied way that you don't lose once you have it.” Let's Connect: Website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter, Over Tea Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Join The Nest, a paid newsletter for memoir

It's estimated that we make approximately 226 decisions every day on food alone, and the average adult makes 35,000 decisions daily. So what's a writer to do when she has 30 minutes to herself and fourteen different ideas, or she's too tired to focus on any of it? Today we're exploring a listener question about decision fatigue and how to be responsive to your life and energy without undermining the work you hope to do. Episode Highlights The relationship between decision fatigue, indecisiveness, and burnout 1 simple question to help clarify your writing priorities How larger systems around productivity, time, and urgency influence decision fatigue My favorite exercise for getting to the heart of where to put my time and energy Getting back to basics in our writing life Linkable Mentions Episode 18: Essentialism for Writers Episode 20: The Magic, Mystery, and Business of Children's Publishing with Heidi Fiedler Episode 25: Overcoming Creative Burnout 9 Signs of Decision Fatigue (Real Simple) Internal Family Systems with Dr. Becky (We Can Do Hard Things podcast) Beloved Economies: Transforming How We Work Let's Connect: Website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter, Over Tea Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Join The Nest, a paid newsletter for memoir

Do you use December 31 as a deadline for planning your hopes and dreams in the new year? Me too. But I didn't get to it over the holidays, so instead of being hard on myself, I'm believing that my reflections are right on time. Plus, instead of focusing on what didn't work in 2022, I'm sharing what did. Turns out, New Year's Eve is entirely arbitrary and rituals like this one can happen anytime. Episode Highlights 9 things that worked for me in 2022 Why I made specific choices around my newsletter, my weekly planner, and even my library holds The movement that makes me feel grounded and energized How to do this reflection practice yourself (it only takes 5 minutes) Linkable Mentions My favorite weekly planner from Moleskine Lindywell pilates app and Instagram community HBO's Dishing on Julia podcast and The Official Gilded Age Podcast Episode 34: The Necessity of Winter with Rebecca Magee Episode 2: Trusting the Timing of Your Creativity Let's Connect: Website: nicolemgulotta.com Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter, Over Tea Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Join The Nest, a paid newsletter for memoir

“It's helpful to remember that I can look to the natural world at any moment, on any day, and see that nature doesn't skip any phase, any season, any step of the cycle—and that I have permission to do the same.” Winter is the season we're most likely to resist, yet it's an essential part of the creative process. Whether you're tracking your menstrual cycle, following the earth's seasons, or turning towards the phases of the moon, winter is all about rest, integration, and slowing down. In today's conversation, Sister Seasons founder Rebecca Magee shares how embracing winter can help heal yourself (and the world). Meet Rebecca: Rebecca Magee is a creative entrepreneur, facilitator, and teacher focused on the intersection of gender equity and climate justice. Her background blends the study of women's leadership and health with an extensive career in environmental sustainability, social impact, and philanthropy. As founder of Sister Seasons, Rebecca guides women and menstruators to restore their well-being and our planet's through cycle awareness practices, and partners with organizations seeking to empower menstruators to lead on climate without burning out. Sister Seasons Instagram Conversation Starters “If we want to live in a future that honors people's well-being and that also supports the well-being of our planet, when we practice these rhythms we're actually embodying and creating and laying the foundation for that future to exist. So if people are feeling like it's selfish to do—no!—your joy is actually helping us to feel what that future would be like and to create it now. So say yes to rest, because it's bigger than just your rest.” “We believe that if anything is going to come into existence that's worthy, you have to effort it into being. And the truth is, things can be incubating on your mental back burner and they will let you know when they need to be worked on … When I follow that and trust that, I'm not abandoning myself anymore.” Episode Highlights What's happening in our bodies, with the moon, and the earth's seasons during winter How shifting from setting goals to setting intentions can help you embrace winter more mindfully Why Rebecca doesn't commit to a word for the year on January 1st, and what she does instead How we both navigate winter seasons, including writing projects and cycle rituals The counter-cultural way Rebecca's launching the next iteration of her business Linkable Mentions Today by Mary Oliver WomanCode by Alisa Vitti Wintering by Katherine May Nicole's course: The Writing Cycle Let's Connect Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter, Over Tea Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Join The Nest, a paid newsletter for memoir Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

Welcome to Season 4! We're starting the new year with conversations that embrace rest, winter, and taking it slow. Episode Highlights How I'm producing the podcast differently this season An update on my memoir project (including why I cried and laughed at the same time) How I'm embracing flow even though I resist it Themes we'll be exploring in Season 4 Five words to remember as we start the new year Linkable Mentions Download the *FREE* Winter Rituals Bundle for writers Episode 24: Low Hanging Fruit Let's Connect Website: nicolemgulotta.com Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Sign up for my encouraging monthly newsletter, Over Tea Join The Nest, a paid newsletter for memoir Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

In our very last episode of Season 3, I'm actually combining two seasons: The Season of Beginnings and The Season of Finishing. The reason I mashed these two together is because I've noticed that in the pandemic, beginnings and endings have been a fluid, permeable experience. The lines aren't as defined, and in order to get from the beginning to the end of a project, it requires a lot of time floating in the messy middle, which is mostly what we'll be talking about today. Sign up for my newsletter Over Tea, for creative encouragement sent to your inbox. Follow along on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Show notes: nicolemgulotta.com/podcast/32 Episode Highlights How beginnings and endings invite us to honor transitions Curiosity as a way to manage self-doubt Why you might feel tired after a writing session Finding comfort in the convergence of seasons Linkable Mentions Episode 29: How the Nervous System Impacts Your Writing Life Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer's Path

There's a real difference energetically between what's required to do the work of writing and what's required to share and expand that work. Today we're talking about The Season of Visibility not only in the most obvious ways (like pitching your novel to an agent or spending time on social media) but also more subtle variations. Plus, what it's been like to watch authors promote their books on Zoom for a year and a half. Sign up for my newsletter Over Tea, for creative encouragement sent to your inbox. Follow along on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Show notes: nicolemgulotta.com/podcast/31 Episode Highlights Pros & cons of bookstore Zoom events 2 ways I experimented with visibility energy this spring Why you should take it slow when returning to this season Linkable Mentions Join The Nest, my paid newsletter for memoir Episode 19: 3 Mistakes Writers Make When Starting a Newsletter Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer's Path

We're continuing our exploration of the creative seasons viewed through the lens of the pandemic. The Season of Retreating has been an interesting season one to both observe and experience throughout the last couple of years, in part because there are a variety of permutations and ways to interpret what retreating means. Today, we're chatting (mostly) about social media. Sign up for my newsletter Over Tea, for creative encouragement sent to your inbox. Follow along on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Show notes: nicolemgulotta.com/podcast/30 Episode Highlights My social media pandemic journey Why quick fixes + short breaks don't work 10 questions to ask before or during a social media break On reserving the right to change your mind My 4-step approach to evaluating Instagram use Linkable Mentions Episode 3: Facebook vs. Instagram Episode 4: Creating Healthy Social Media Boundaries Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport PLANN (Instagram scheduler) New York Times: The Horrible Place Between the Apps Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer's Path

At the beginning of the pandemic, many of us bought home gym equipment and doubled down on exercise as a way to minimize stress. The Season of Listening to Your Body showed up in big ways, but beneath the surface, our nervous systems were on overdrive. This episode explores how the nervous system impacts your writing life and how to partner with it in new ways. Sign up for my newsletter Over Tea, for creative encouragement sent to your inbox. Follow along on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Show notes: nicolemgulotta.com/podcast/29 Episode Highlights Benefits of a “body first” approach to creativity Our need to complete stress cycles A new definition of anxiety Nervous System 101: all the scientific basics How writing can help move us into regulation Polyvagal theory and the vagus nerve Linkable Mentions Harvard Health: mental benefits of aerobic exercise Patriarchy Stress Disorder by Valerie Rein Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb Dana Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos Irene Lyon YouTube channel On Being interview with psychologist Christine Runyon Find a therapist on PsychologyToday.com Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer's Path — Relaxing Chill Music | ARNOR by Alex-Productions Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

Today's conversation explores The Season of Liminal Space. It's a vast topic, and in the context of the pandemic, I'm sharing four elements of the season I've noticed most profoundly in the past two years: Recognizing and making space for grief Adopting new schedules and routines Being comfortable with discomfort (or at least trying to be) Re-Entry and considering a post-liminal space experience Sign up for my newsletter Over Tea, for creative encouragement sent to your inbox. Follow along on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author SHOW NOTES: nicolemgulotta.com/podcast/28 Episode Highlights 4 ways to think about liminal space during a pandemic Understanding anticipatory grief The mistake I made when closing my Facebook group How compassion can support our sense of safety A simple way to restore creativity Linkable Mentions Harvard Business Review: That Discomfort You're Feeling is Grief On Grief and Grieving by David Kessler and Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself by Lisa Marchiano It's Ok That You're Not Ok by Megan Devine Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer's Path

If you'd told me I'd be writing a memoir during a global pandemic, I wouldn't have believed you. But that's what happened. I had big plans at the beginning of 2020, and then we all know what happened. Today we're talking about The Season of Going Back in Time, which can take on different shapes depending on where you are in your writing life. Today we're talking about how my original understanding of this season shifted during the pandemic, and how to thoughtfully approach memoir. Sign up for my newsletter, Over Tea, for creative encouragement sent to your inbox. Follow along on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Episode Highlights How the original purpose of this season shifted during the pandemic What my writing process has looked like recently 3 ways to thoughtfully approach a memoir project Making your own #NaNoWriMo rules Linkable Mentions Join The Nest, my paid newsletter for memoir Wild Words: National Novel Writing Month *SHOW NOTES: nicolemgulotta.com/podcast/27

Every writer is intimately acquainted with The Season of Self-Doubt, and one of its biggest triggers is comparison. We're so good at comparing our writing journeys, our book sales, our successes, and turning our own narrative into one of not doing enough. This self-induced shame cycle is perpetuated, in part, by social media, but what if this shadow side has something to teach us? Today I'm sharing my own experience with this season, the benefits of understanding your creative process (plus ideas for how to get started), as well as a favorite exercise for cultivating self-trust. Sign up for my newsletter, Over Tea, for creative encouragement sent to your inbox. Follow along on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author Episode Highlights My (many) self-doubt moments during the pandemic The intimate relationship between doubt and trust How to understand your creative process (and why it matters) A favorite exercise for cultivating self-trust (including prompts) Linkable Mentions Free sensitivity quiz Julie Bjelland's Sensitive Empowerment Community The HSP Podcast The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Dr. Elaine Aron DayLuna Human Design Podcast Free Human Design chart Show Notes: nicolemgulotta.com/podcast/26

Our exploration of seasonal creative living through the lens of the pandemic begins, so it feels appropriate to start with The Season of Discontent. Writers can arrive here anytime, but the covid era is perhaps the most obvious manifestation of how discontent—marked by one defining trait: blaming outside forces for your inability to create—can impact our writing life. Today we're talking about what the season of discontent is, how to move through it, and ways to support yourself when experiencing creative burnout. Sign up for my newsletter, Over Tea, for creative encouragement sent to your inbox. Episode Highlights How to recognize you're in the Season of Discontent My first experience recognizing discontent (and how I got myself out of it) Why haiku helped me process the pandemic The 3 components of creative burnout 5 ways to support yourself when experiencing creative burnout Linkable Mentions Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski Eat This Poem: A Literary Feast of Recipes Inspired by Poetry Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer's Path Show Notes: nicolemgulotta.com/podcast/25

The Wild Words Podcast is back! After a two-year pause, today's episode serves as an introduction to Season 3's theme: seasonal creative living through the lens of the global pandemic. We're discussing how a routine doctor's appointment reminded me why it's important to tell our pandemic stories and what the film Under the Tuscan Sun has to do with reviving the podcast. Plus, I'm sharing four important boundaries I implemented that allowed me to produce the show again. Sign up for my newsletter, Over Tea, for creative encouragement sent to your inbox. Episode Highlights What the film Under the Tuscan Sun has to do with reviving the podcast How a routine doctor's appointment time reminded me of the importance of sharing our pandemic stories 4 essential boundaries that allowed me to produce the show again Show notes: nicolemgulotta.com/podcast/24

Welcome back to the Wild Words podcast! In Season 3, we're exploring the seasons of a writer's life through the lens of the global pandemic. It's not an understatement to say that the past two years have changed everything. Most writers I know, myself included, had to make drastic changes to their routines and expectations, and most of us are still trying to find a way back to ourselves and our work. I'll be sharing insights from my own writing life these past couple of years, as well as observations from the collective, plus encouragement for navigating the ebbs and flows of creativity with plenty of self-compassion along the way. Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite listening app. Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to hear updates: nicolemgulotta.com/newsletter

I wasn't even sure I'd be able to record this episode, but I snuck in some time to share my thoughts about how to navigate creativity during coronavirus. Spoiler (although it'll be no big surprise if you've been around long enough): my suggestions include doing a lot less, releasing expectations, wrapping up projects, and clearing the decks. This is all temporary, but we have to support ourselves in *this moment*. If you're a blogger, can you blog less frequently? Sending a weekly newsletter? Make it every other week (or monthly!). Producing a podcast? Maybe end the season early. Drafting your novel? Keep going, but remove the pressure. Writing 1,000 words per day? Try 250. Basically, it's time for a radical reorganization of our time and energy. Some of this will force our hand in ways that are endlessly frustrating. We won't be able to meet the page as frequently, or give our characters undivided attention. Yet within these daily discomforts, we might have the opportunity to feel out what we truly need, step away from a piece, only to return with fresh eyes, make way for something new we might not have expected. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS An update on what's working for me (and what's not) Three important questions to ask yourself right now Which creative seasons are most present in this period Why I decided to end Season 2 of the podcast early LINKABLE MENTIONS The Wisdom of Anxiety by Sheryl Paul The Season of Liminal Space, The Season of Discontent, The Season of Retreating Episode 18: Essentialism for Writers

What happens when you achieve a dream, then want to change your life? Writer Sonia Ruyts answered this question—and waded through liminal space—when she decided to close her brick-and-mortar yarn shop to pursue writing. On today's episode she shares fresh ideas for establishing consistency in your writing practice, how she navigates self-doubt, the exercise she always starts her writing day with, and the intersection between slow fashion and creativity. MEET SONIA Sonia Ruyts holds a BA in Theatre from the College of Idaho. She is a former pastry chef and yarn shop owner who has returned to her first love: writing. Sonia explores themes of identity, loss, and transformation in her nonfiction writing and is currently at work on her first collection of essays. Sonia lives with her wife and two children—and their ever-expanding collection of pets—in the Pacific Northwest. Connect: SoniaRuyts.com Instagram Poshmark EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS How to navigate a cocktail of grief and shame The foolproof way Sonia starts almost every writing session Why studying English in college intimidated her (and the major she chose instead) How she pivoted from pastry chef to yarn shop owner The moment Sonia realized she wanted to close the store by the time she turned 40, and how she navigated the transition that followed Avoiding and procrastinating vs. needing true rest How choosing certain clothing items can help us connect with others, give us confidence, and help us feel comfortable during uncomfortable situations like readings, workshops, and more LINKABLE MENTIONS Business coach extraordinaire, Megan Flatt Love and Trouble: A Midlife Reckoning by Claire Dedeier Ethical fashion brand Elizabeth Suzann, and its popular Harper tunic “The List of Words” exercise from Sarah Selecky

Did you know what you wanted to do after college? Neither did writer Kate Spring. My guest today took a winding path to becoming a farmer in Vermont, and today she's running a farm, raising a family, and figuring out (through trial and error) the grounding practices that make it possible for her to return to the soil and the page year after year. MEET KATE Kate Spring is a writer and organic farmer at Good Heart Farmstead. She's here to help you grow the organic farm or garden you dream of, and cultivate a flourishing creative practice. Because creativity is as essential as food. Connect: The Good Heart Life Harvesting Words writing course Instagram EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Journaling as a conversation with the world The book that inspired Kate to change her relationship to food How a bad breakup and a summer internship set her on the path to farming What “mud season” in Vermont teaches her about getting out of life's ruts The hardest parts about running a farm, and how burnout led to making some big shifts Why Kate and her husband schedule writing retreats, rock climbing trips, and other self-care practices in advance Reframing what “productive work” means, and why taking care of herself lays the foundation for all the other productive work The power of starting the day with silence, tea, candles, and meditation LINKABLE MENTIONS Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan Kundalini meditation with Sally Hope Harvesting Words: an online writing course for farmers and gardeners

Have you ever wanted to write a children's book? Heidi Fiedler has worked on more than 300 titles, and she's an approachable and insightful resource on both the magical and business elements of writing for children. In our chat, Heidi shares the unique relationship between stories and illustrations that you only find in children's books, the most important practice to build into your writing process that will help you grow (besides writing, of course), and how she quiets her inner editor. MEET HEIDI Heidi Fiedler does the deep thinking that's needed to transform ideas into children's books. She makes picture books, chapter books, and nonfiction for kids with curious minds and kind hearts. She believes books have the power to make us all feel a little less alone, and the best ones leave room for the reader's imagination. Whether it's a poetic picture book, a zippy early reader, or a kid-friendly take on the physics of time travel, her books are philosophical and filled with quirky tidbits, playful language, and lots of heart. It's been her pleasure to work on more than 300 titles for clients ranging from Target to Barnes & Noble. Her credits include 180 nonfiction books in partnership with Time for Kids, 90 picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, plus a wide variety of activity books, and art and craft books. After working in publishing for nearly 15 years, she's so excited to see her own picture books and chapter books making their way into the world. Connect: HelloHeidiFiedler.com Heidi's books Instagram Pinterest Twitter EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Why she hesitated going into publishing (even though everyone around her suggested it) Her trajectory from a book seller to a book buyer to a book editor (and why her brain is wired for children's publishing Heidi's dream for children's books to have more “crazy/strange/weird” stuff… Reading a children's book? You're actually reading two stories. The unique relationship between stories and illustrations that you only find in children's books The tell tale sign you need to narrow down your story idea The book Heidi feels is the holy grail of children's book writing craft The most important practice to build into your writing process that will help you grow (besides writing, of course) All about “The Idea Sanctuary” and a “Nebula Notebook” How the liminal space of waiting to adopt helped make space to build her freelance business Heidi's strategies for navigating being a writer, editor, mom, and business owner How she quiets her inner editor Editing strategies that don't involve a computer The subtle ways she knows it's time to return to a project that's been set asideHow she shifted from being a writer who didn't always enjoy writing, to a writer who takes joy and pleasure in it LINKABLE MENTIONS Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird The Magic Words by Cheryl Klein

How do we build a community around our work? For writers seeking long-term support for their craft, this is an essential question and one I believe can be answered, in part, with newsletters. It's an intimate, direct channel to readers who are eager to hear from you, and one of the best ways I know to build relationships that stand the test of time. I started back in 2013 with no strategy and no plan and really just winged it for a year before I got my act together. In January I surveyed 100 writers about newsletters and most responded with comments like: I don't know where to start. I'm waiting until I finish my book. I don't have anything to share right now. I'm afraid people will unsubscribe. They (81%) also said they'd either written a book or wanted to write a book, which begs the question: Who will read it? People who know you. People who you've invited into your world. People who have followed your journey. The truth is, we need to build trust and nurture relationships long before we have something to sell or promote, and on today's episode, I'm sharing 3 mistakes writers make when starting a newsletter + announcing my free masterclass to help: Nurture Your Newsletter. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS What I would do differently If I started a newsletter today The essential mindset shift to make before you begin Why you should start a newsletter now—even if you don't have a book yet LINKABLE MENTIONS FREE Masterclass: Nurture Your Newsletter

We're conditioned to do more—more blogging, more guest posting, more podcasting, more newsletter writing, more publishing, more speaking—but what if there was another way to get where we want to go? In 2016, a stack of sticky notes and an empty wall helped me decide what to do next creatively. Today I'm walking you through this simple exercise, and sharing how an essentialist mindset (aka “less but better”) can improve your writing life. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS How a stack of sticky notes and an empty wall helped me decide which creative project to pursue next An exercise to get clarity on what to write (and why) Why the popular question “Where do you see yourself in five years?” is the wrong approach for navigating your writing life LINKABLE MENTIONS Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown Do Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management by Kate Northrup

Do you really need an MFA? No, but you do need a framework for making progress. DIY MFA is a book and community created by author, speaker, and entrepreneur Gabriela Pereira. We chat about the key pillars—write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community—and tackle topics like self-doubt, guilt, and how to survive conferences as an introvert. Gabriela Pereira is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur who wants to challenge the status quo of higher education. As the founder and instigator of DIYMFA.com, her mission is to empower writers, artists and other creatives to take an entrepreneurial approach to their education and professional growth. Gabriela earned her MFA in writing from The New School and speaks at college campuses and national conferences. She is also the host of DIY MFA Radio, a popular podcast where she interviews bestselling authors and book industry professionals and author of the book DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community. Connect: Read: DIY MFA Listen: DIY MFA Podcast Instagram Twitter Pinterest Facebook EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Why necessity inspired Gabriela to start DIY MFA How to use an “Angst Jar” to help overcome with The difference between reading for pleasure and reading for purpose How to build a writing community (and why you should) The 10% rule for creating achievable writing goals Why you need a personalized reading plan (and how to create one) How to survive conferences and events as an introvert Why she plans tomorrow today LINKABLE MENTIONS Books mentioned on the show: The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander, The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, Travels With Charlie, On the Road, The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman The 10% rule, inspired by Guy Kawasaki and James Scott Bell The psychological phenomenon of Parkinson's Law North Carolina Writers' Network

Big dreams are popular these days. Write the bestseller! Speak in front of thousands! Get 1 million downloads! How about we take a hard pass and focus on our inner knowing instead? The fear of missing out (aka FOMO) is a powerful force in our creative lives, but when we intentionally choose small (like serving the audience we already have) and focus on staying present, it's a lot easier to weather self-doubt when it arrives. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Two writing dreams of mine that have never materialized (and why I'm OK with it) A quick exercise to figure out what you really want The self-doubt spiral I experienced a few months before Wild Words was published LINKABLE MENTIONS Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo Poets & Writers Magazine

Alisha Sommer and her family recently moved to California from the Midwest, and it was a dream six years in the making. We talk about the challenges (and surprising benefits) of liminal space, learn about a daily writing ritual she's been doing for nearly three years, why she gets up so early, navigating the “both/and” space, and the art of the evening bath. | Pick up a copy of Wild Words wherever books are sold. Alisha Sommer is a Bay Area freelance writer and photographer who has a gift for holding sacred space, for deep listening, and for seeing the ordinary in extraordinary ways. In the past, Alisha founded and edited a print literary journal (Blackberry: a magazine), published personal essays, creative nonfiction, and poetry for a variety of online and print publications, ghostwritten, collaborated with Angela Burke for Black Food & Beverage, and taught at Squam Art Workshops. Currently, she hosts creative gatherings in Sonoma, CA like the Fever Dreams Collective Retreat with Jennette Nielsen, and facilitates the online writing workshop liberated lines with Robin Sandomirsky. Connect: AlishaSommer.com Sommersalt Blog Instagram EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS The daily writing ritual Alisha's been doing for almost 3 years Thoughts on her 4:45 am wake up call The intentional (and practical) steps she and her family took to move from the Midwest to the West Coast The unexpected moment she knew she could actually live in California Upsides to moving through liminal space The challenges making friends as an adult (and an introvert) What it looks like to bring your creativity to the workplace Navigating the “both/and” space when you make a big life change (even if it's something you want) Why creative constraints can actually be helpful The art of the evening bath LINKABLE MENTIONS The OnBeing podcast episode that inspired Alisha to start a daily journaling practice The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Every book, story, or poem has a point of entry. What are yours? Inspired by Jane Hirshfield's poem “The Envoy,”—“there are openings in our lives of which we know nothing”— we're starting Season 2 with an exploration of origin stories. I'm sharing a few of mine, with suggestions for accessing even more awareness in your own writing life. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS How Jane Hirshfield's poem “The Envoy” inspired a trip down memory lane Why we should write down the thoughts we have in the middle of the night A story that didn't make it into the Eat This Poem cookbook after all How to cultivate awareness in our writing life LINKABLE MENTIONS “The Envoy” by Jane Hirshfield Florida Poems by Campbell McGrath 10 surprising surfaces famous writers have written on

Every December there are two things I like to do to support my creativity in the year ahead: conduct a writing annual review, and choose a word for the year. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS How I adapted a corporate ritual for my creative life Why writers need to become their own director of HR The #1 thing I recommend doing when trying to make space for writing How to choose a word for the year (and why you should) LINKABLE MENTIONS How to write 32,000 words without really trying Susannah Conway's Word of the Year course Choosing a word with Claire Diaz Ortiz

Media bombards us every second of every day. With so much noise stimulating our brains, nervous systems, and hearts, how might we return to ourselves? The answer, in part, is rewilding. My guest today is writer Lily Diamond, who shares her take on the essential practice of remembering who we are, and offers suggestions for how to cope with the world around us. MEET LILY Lily Diamond is a writer, photographer, and proponent of rewilding in the kitchen and beyond. In 2012, she created the award-winning, much-beloved blog Kale & Caramel, which turned into a bestselling memoir-cookbook. Lily grew up on Maui and graduated from Yale University. She lives in California, and is the co-host of the podcast What's Your Story?, and co-author of the forthcoming guided journal of the same name. Connect: Instagram Twitter Pinterest Facebook YouTube EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Why Lily starts her day outside (and her favorite beverage of the moment) How she separates communications threads for her various projects Ways to cope with anxiety and stress Imagining a world where we pull ourselves back into ourselves, and know who we are A conversation about social media boundaries and creativity LINKABLE MENTIONS Lily's Instagram post that inspired our conversation The famous green milks See question 24 for how America pronounces caramel If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie The recent extinction of 3 billion birds in North America Nobody Walks In L.A. movie trailer The art of rewilding

A favorite notebook, a delicious tea blend, a piece of software, a trusty pen. These are all standard tools a writer needs in her toolbox. But for the past two years, I've relied on something else to ignite my writing practice, and it's a meditation technique that involves little more than lying down and taking a restorative nap. Learn more about this life-changing and non-negotiable tool in my writing life on today's episode! | Sign up for Write With Intention, a FREE 7-day e-course introducing writers to yoga nidra meditation. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS The experience I had in 2017 that changed everything The difference between yoga nidra and traditional meditation Why you might be approaching rest the wrong way How to use yoga nidra meditation to support your creative life LINKABLE MENTIONS Episode 05: The Physical Toll of Writing feat. Elissa Altman August Uncommon Tea Blog post: Rest vs. Relaxation Daring to Rest: Reclaim Your Power With Yoga Nidra Rest Meditation

Today's guest is Andi Cumbo-Floyd, a writer and editor from Virginia's Blue Ridge mountains. She's written 11 books—10 are self-published—so we talked about the learning curve, self-publishing tips, how to promote your book, what to share in a writing newsletter, and what Andi would do differently if she were just starting out today. Andi also shares a big life decision she recently made that helped her make more space to write. MEET ANDI Andi Cumbo-Floyd is a writer, editor, and writing coach who lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband, turbo tot, three dogs, and three cats. She writes regularly about writing over at andilit.com. Connect: Instagram Twitter Pinterest Books Read: Love Letters to Writers EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Why Andi and her husband decided to sell their farm How writing supported her through a life-changing transition What a writing routine looks like with a 15-month-old at home Why she chose to self-publish 10 books, plus what she'd do differently if she were just starting out Book launch advice An ordinary drive around a farm changed the trajectory of her life (and writing life) Why she doesn't edit the same types of books she writes SELF-PUBLISHING RESOURCES Vellum book software Draft2Digital Kirsten Oliphant's Create If Writing Podcast Jane Friedman BookBub, for book promotions Mark Dawson's classes on Facebook ads Strangers to Superfans by David Gaughran LINKABLE MENTIONS Blog post: The Not-So-Final ROI On My Latest Book Launch Madeleine L'Engle The Slaves Have Names Love Letters to Writers

My work isn't good enough. No one but me cares about what I have to say. People will think the story is true. I'll be judged. I'm not original. These are real fears from real writers, and on today's episode I'm tackling them one by one, offering suggestions for how to reframe our thinking when self-doubt holds us back. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 5 fears voiced by writers in my community What Ruth Reichl can teach us about imposter syndrome How a bookstore in Maine helped me see the bigger picture How to play out your worst case scenarios LINKABLE MENTIONS Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl The Season of Self-Doubt Episode 06: Your Work Is Not a Good Fit at This Time

If you're an introvert with a book to promote (hello, Season of Visibility!), how can you share your message without burning out? That's the question I've been working to answer for the past several months. Learn the three areas I'm focusing on this time around, plus recommendations and reminders for the introverts among us. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS The three areas I'm focusing on for book promotion How I approach book launches so I don't burn out Why I haven't scheduled any out-of-state events … yet Something I used to believe about publishing (that I don't anymore) What finishing a book is really about LINKABLE MENTIONS Episode 02: Trusting the Timing of Your Creativity Sign up for Over Tea, my encouraging writing newsletter