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Book Therapy: Navigating the Emotional Journey of Writing
Manage episode 493555329 series 3307457
What if becoming a parent actually made you MORE creative, not less?
Writer and "book therapist" Heidi Fiedler discovered something surprising: when life became more demanding after she became a mom, her creative drive didn't disappear. It intensified.
"I had less time, less energy when I became a mom, and yet I wanted to keep writing. It felt more important to me than ever."
In this deeply personal conversation, Heidi reveals why the pressure to write fast is killing our creativity and how embracing the "messy, dreamy early stage" is where the real magic happens.
As someone who coaches writers through the emotional rollercoaster of creating, she knows that your biggest writing challenge isn't finding the perfect plot twist—it's surviving the mental game.
You'll discover:
- Why "slow progress is still progress" (and how to stop comparing yourself to Stephen King)
- Practical techniques for staying connected to your writing when life is chaotic
- The surprising truth about writer's block and what's really happening in your brain
- How to navigate the agent-finding maze without losing your soul
- Whether self-publishing might be your secret weapon
- Why one genuinely moved reader matters more than a thousand followers
Heidi takes us on an unexpected journey through Substack communities, the universal plague of creative doubt, and her game-changing philosophy: focus on the joy of creation, not the outcome of publication.
The most powerful moment? When Heidi shares why sometimes all you need is one reader who truly connects with your work. That single connection can sustain your creative flame through the darkest moments of doubt.
Perfect for writers at any stage, parents juggling creativity with family life, and anyone who's ever wondered if their creative dreams are worth pursuing.
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➡️ P.S.: 📬 If you love the conversations on this podcast, you’ll love my Substack newsletter. I share personal stories, publishing advice, and tools to help you grow as a writer. Subscribe for free or become a paid supporter to access it all.
Chapters
1. Motherhood and Creative Ambition (00:00:00)
2. Creative Coaching for Writers (00:07:00)
3. Finding Literary Agents and Publishing Paths (00:12:45)
4. Building an Audience as a Writer (00:20:00)
5. The Creative Process and Writer's Block (00:30:00)
6. Substack for Writers and Community Building (00:35:00)
89 episodes
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