Inspired Writer Collective Podcast
Welcome to The Inspired Writer Collective, your memoir-focused writing podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful, and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We’re your hosts Elizabeth Wilson & Stephanie Oswald, Ph.D., writers, coaches & entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.
We believe your voice holds power. Telling your story isn't just a personal act of healing or reflection, it's a gift to the world. Pulling the skeletons out of the closet is challenging - unless you’re writing a memoir. Then it’s called “chapter one”.
Each week, we explore the art, heart, and craft of connecting personal narrative to your writing, memoir or fiction. Whether you're drafting your first chapter, wrestling with the messy middle, or searching for the courage to hit “publish,” we are honored to be your companions on the journey.
The world needs your voice. Memoir is the art of pulling out old skeletons and realizing they were just unspoken chapters of your story.
Episodes
94 episodes
Episode 94: Celebrating with Grace and Gratitude
There's so much to be grateful for at this time of the year! It's our annual reflection of what we've accomplished that's beyond what we could've ever imagined. We're reminded of how much we grow and embrace our authenticity with each episode.&...
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31:38
Audio of Episode 93: [Jacci Prior] Why Your Audiobook Narrator Choice is Important For Marketing Your Book
Join our Embodied Writing Experience for a writer's retreat in your inbox each week: https://inspired-writer-collective.kit.com/e2cab66781In this episode, Elizabeth Wilson chats with Jacci Prior about being an audiobook narrator. Jacci ...
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40:09
Episode 92: [Karolina Wudniak] Nonfiction Authors, Meet Your Book Designer for Self-Publishing
Are you ready to find a book designer?Or, save the name of our guest, Karolina Wudniak, for later.Karolina works with self-published authors, mostly nonfiction, on the design of their book covers and the interior design of their b...
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36:36
Episode 91: Understanding Memoir Structure to Tell Your Story
Elizabeth Wilson & Stephanie Oswald discuss the challenges that come with condensing your lived experience into a narrative form. It’s most common to find if you’re starting to write your first memoir that you’ll begin by choosing a chronol...
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30:05
Episode 90: [Kim Mosiman] What You Don't Know You Need to Know About Publishing Your Book
This week, Elizabeth chats with our guest, Kim Mosiman, about her book Reflections of Joy and how what she didn't know she needed to know led her to a new career path.You'll find these topics and more in this wee...
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42:28
Episode 89: Fiction Writers, What's Your Core Message?
Stephanie Oswald and Elizabeth Wilson talk about the benefit of learning from other genres and what Stephanie Oswald has discovered for her writing while participating in the Memoir Master Plan Cohort. You’ll have to tune in to find...
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25:54
Episode 88: [Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter] How Two Authors Write One Love Story
In this episode, Stephanie Oswald chats with Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter about their co-writing, pantser style approach to writing romance. You won’t want to miss listening to how they collaborate to bring their stories an...
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30:12
Episode 87: Caretaking and Your Creative Bucket
Elizabeth Wilson and Stephanie Oswald get real about what can happen with your writing process when caretaking roles take over. The solution is remembering to find community. Inspired Writer Collective offers quarterly virtual writing retreats ...
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25:50
Episode 86: [Jared Glenn] Writers, Here's Why It's Important to Get Curious About Your Process
This week we welcome author Jared Glenn. Jared’s second novel, Lost in the Sun, just released and he’s currently working on his third novel. It was so much fun doing the production work on this episode that was recorded in June. Discuss...
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37:34
Episode 85: Writers, Here's Your Permission to Write A Messy First Draft
Write the messy first draft. Write, write, and write some more. Let your ideas flow and don't look back until you get to the end. The first draft is about getting your ideas on paper and then you'll have something to work with. It's not the tim...
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28:33
Episode 84: [Ananya Mody] Finding a Sense of Belonging Through Writing
Elizabeth chats with Ananya Mody, a screenwriter for Netflix, about how she came to be a screenwriter and her insight for writers about holding onto their voice in the process. Finding her way to herself and where she feels she belo...
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41:38
Episode 83: How to Tap Into A Deeper Writing Practice with our Embodied Writing Experience
The answer to your worries about showing up to a blank page and not knowing what to write. Elizabeth Wilson and Stephanie Oswald talk about their newsletter offering of the Embodied Writing Experience. A writing retreat in your inbox every Mond...
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30:53
Episode 82: [Sharissa Bradley] How To Get Your Book Published Without Breaking the Bank
This week Elizabeth chats with Sharissa Bradley, owner of @projectseedmoney and 5Two Press, about resources available to writers who are ready to publish. If you wa...
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43:45
Episode 81: [Rhonda Linn] Why You Need to Write Your Story
It's time to write your story. Whatever you're holding on your heart that's meant to be shared. In this episode, Stephanie talks with guest, Rhonda Linn, about what inspired her to publish her first book of poems: Chapel of Small Breath in Fall...
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36:30
Episode 80: The Key Element Missing From Your Memoir
Does your memoir have the structure it needs to effectively connect with readers? In this episode, Elizabeth shares with you one of the key details you need to make sure your memoir hits the mark. This gives you insight into what you'll dive in...
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30:21
Episode 79: [Jillian Forsberg] Writing Historical Fiction to Tell Important Stories
Memoir Master Plan Cohort is open. Get info and sign up hereElizabeth chats with author, Jillian Forsberg, about her writing life, what inspired her to write her recent novel...
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43:41
Episode 78: 3 Things That Stop You From Writing Your Memoir
It’s memoir season here at the Inspired Writer Collective! Enrollment for our Memoir Master Plan Cohort led by Elizabeth Wilson is now open!The 6-week memoir program for women runs from September 5 through October 17 and come...
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29:44
Episode 77: [Summer Short] Why Your Writing is Better Than You Think
In this episode, Elizabeth and Stephanie chat about how quickly self-doubt can creep up on you when it comes to your writing, but the truth is your writing is better than you think. When you join critique groups and read within your genre, you'...
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11:58
Episode 76: [Summer Short] Do Chapter Titles Matter?
Memoir Master Plan Cohort starting soon. Save your seat here.Elizabeth & Stephanie talk about whether chapter titles matter. Do you need chapter titles? Is there a differ...
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14:11
Episode 75: [Summer Short] Why Your Email List Should Be Top of Mind
In this summer short episode, Elizabeth and Stephanie sit down together to discuss various perspectives on their social media strategy. They cover Instagram, Threads, and Substack. The general consensus is the benefit of having an email list.
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23:22
Episode 74: [Summer Short] Finding Beta Readers
Elizabeth introduces our Memoir Master Plan cohort We're talking about finding beta readers and what we've learned from reaching out into the world of writers. It's curious to us there are editors offering beta reading and writers a...
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14:41
Episode 73: [End of Season] Getting Ready for Summer & Writing Plans
In this episode, Elizabeth and Stephanie talk about:* writing goals for their works in progress* books they'll be reading this Summer* Love is Brewing Substack &
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29:23
Episode 72: Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction?
If something happened to you in real life, how much of it can go into a work of fiction for your character?Would your readers believe the scene?This is what we dive into in this week's episode. In romance, there are of...
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24:39
Episode 71: [Donatella Taker] Fantasy World Building & Critique
This week, Elizabeth chats with fantasy author, Donatella Taker, about her writing process. Even if you're not a fantasy writer, there is so much that's relatable in this episode about being a writer. You'll discover you...
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47:35
Episode 70: [Wendy Alexander] Reclaiming Your Voice Through Menopause
On this week's episode, Elizabeth talks with Wendy Alexander about her writing journey through menopause and how she helps women find their authentic voices and career paths. Wendy's perspective is where you'll find inspiration, esp...
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45:27