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Writer Craft Podcast

Writer Craft Podcast

Written by: Valerie Ihsan
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About this listen

 Welcome to the Writer Craft Podcast, a show about creativity and craft. Remember when you told your sister stories in the night, snuggled under the covers of your waterbed? Or read books from the public library that delighted you? And now you've written your own novel. But will it change someone's life? Is it a good enough book? Does it even work on the story level? On the Writer Craft Podcast, we help authors stay motivated and inspired, finish their books, and show them how to analyze and diagnose areas of challenge in their manuscripts once it's written. Art Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Infusing Self into a Resurrected "Trunk" Book with guest Jessie Kwak (Ep208)

    Infusing Self into a Resurrected "Trunk" Book with guest Jessie Kwak (Ep208)
    Apr 9 2026

    Hello Writers!

    I'm Valerie Ihsan, and this is Episode 208 of the podcast and it's April 8, 2026 as I record this.

    Main Topic: Infusing Self into Your Work When You Come Back to the Page (with Jessie Kwak)

    (Part of the series on "Starting Over Again, or Coming Back to Yourself and Your Writing")

    Become a patron of the arts and of me at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. And you can support my friend and colleague and Resident Ghostwriter and Friend of the Podcast author Erick Mertz at Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. He's a really great writer.

    Announcements/Author Updates:

    • doctors appointments, vet appts, try again for Starlink in another month
    • What are you reading?
    • Just finished: Smoke Screen (J.L. Kwak)
    • Soul Sourced Entrepreneur (Christine Kane)
    • March Sisters : On Life, Death, and Little Women by Kate Bolick, Jenny Zhang, Carmen Maria Machado, and Jane Smiley

    The Haunting of Payne's Hollow (Erick)

    Back-burner Books: (Still on the stack but haven't finished reading them yet...)

    • Wild Dark Shore (Charlotte McConaghy)
    • We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something (Amie McNee) (resource tip)***
    • Creative Act (Rick Rubin)
    • Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman;

    (Main Topic): Notes:

    And don't forget:

    Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.
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    37 mins
  • Changing the Way You Put Words on the Page with guest Crys Cain (Ep207)

    Changing the Way You Put Words on the Page with guest Crys Cain (Ep207)
    Apr 1 2026
    Hello Writers! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and this is Episode 207 of the podcast and it's March 31, 2026 as I record this. Main Topic: Changing the Way You Put Words on the Page: A conversation between two writers recovering from burnout and trying to get back to the page (Part of the series on "Starting Over Again, or Coming Back to Yourself and Your Writing") In this conversation, we talk about: burnout and then fear of burnoutlearning in publicpodcasting/building business/creating contentjournaling is still writingdoing things gives us energy and structure/managing energy levelstest the boundariesstarting libraries (reminds me of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek) paying attention to your bodybuilding structure to hold the growthcontent time vs creative time (I can do both.)What's the (mentally) lowest risk way of doing things for me?changing the way we put words on the pagetricking self to do things (even writing)"back door" way in to writing in different patterns to avoid the emotional weight/responsibilityID list or the butter of the book. What will make me want to go back to the page and spend time with the characters.outlining reinventing self as a writerwhat gives us satisfaction while writing a bookidentity connections with other writersaccountability writing sprints (Rachael Says Write)writing times/routinesbrainstorming Costa Rican writing workshop ideas PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. I've just revamped my Patreon Page. I'm so so so pleased with it and proud of my work in simplifying it. Too many pay walls and exclusions. Now it is fresh and easy. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it. Become a patron of the arts and of me at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. And you can support my friend and colleague and Resident Ghostwriter and Friend of the Podcast author Erick Mertz at Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. He's a really great writer. Announcements/Author Updates: doctors appointments, vet appts, try again for Starlink in another month What are you reading? Just finished: March Sisters : On Life, Death, and Little Women by Kate Bolick, Jenny Zhang, Carmen Maria Machado, and Jane Smiley Back-burner Books: (Still on the stack but haven't finished reading them yet...) Wild Dark Shore (Charlotte McConaghy)We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something (Amie McNee) (resource tip)***Creative Act (Rick Rubin) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; (Main Topic): Changing the Way We Put Words on the Page with guest Crys Cain @itscryscain Notes: Relationship/divorce "I don't believe in romance" ; dropped the series, Nov 22/23: shoulder freeze chronic pain plus emotional burnout, moved to small town, coasting on income from royalties, volunteering language conversation, exchange ... Reading craft books a way to get back in, podcasts don't work so well anymore. Identity: on the edge of burnout, scheduled 5-7 new things since February (don't add more for a month), routine, more energy for doing things.; worry about always being on the edge of burnout for my whole life. Resentment is a sign that it's not feeding me. Just awareness, not limiting. Consistent, emotional costs, pacing, checks and balances, Introvert, autism, person hangover, recovery day, test the boundaries ("Do I have space for this?") Library Book Trailer mobile Lowest risk: notebook Trick self into washing dishes, write one sentence, put one sock away. Just get started. Back door way in that doesn't have the emotional weight/ responsibility. Be creative in different patterns. What's the 'butter' in your story? Reinventing Self as Writer. Being around other writers really helps to feel connection and fulfillment and accountability. And don't forget: Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • 5 Take Home Tips for Getting Started Anywhere Along Your Journey "Home" (Ep206)

    5 Take Home Tips for Getting Started Anywhere Along Your Journey "Home" (Ep206)
    Mar 21 2026

    5 TAKE HOME TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED ANYWHERE ON YOUR JOURNEY HOME

    Starting a series on "Starting Over Again, or Coming Back to Yourself and Your Writing"

    (Next several episodes will have this flavor because I think we all get lost sometimes and struggle to get back to the page, get back to ourselves. I'm been struggling with this for a couple of years (I'm not going to lie and Instagram filter for you) and with my long journey to Costa Rica via car and my one-month anniversary of living in Costa Rica, I thought today would be a great day to talk about AND to revisit this struggle. I want to use my new location, my hero's journey road trip, and the new moon to ritualize this Starting Over Again, With Purpose. And so it is.

    PATREON:

    Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. I've just revamped my Patreon Page. I'm so so so pleased with it and proud of my work in simplifying it. Too many pay walls and exclusions. Now it is fresh and easy.

    If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts.

    If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it.

    Become a patron of the arts and of me at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. And you can support my friend and colleague and Resident Ghostwriter and Friend of the Podcast author Erick Mertz at Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. He's a really great writer.

    Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

    • settling in to rental home with a view
    • thinking about lifestyle vlogging about Costa Rican life
    • fired up with new content ideas
    • written a couple of essays (published one on my Patreon page) (can access it for free using the free trial option on Patreon page.)
    • What are you reading?
    • Valerie: a cozy fantasy called the crescent moon tearoom by Stacy sivinski
    • Wild Dark Shore (Charlotte McConaghy)
    • We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something (Amie McNee) (resource tip)***
    • Creative Act (Rick Rubin)

    Segment 3 (Main Topic):

    Notes:

    • let yourself be imperfect
    • let yourself be uncomfortable (bored, annoyed, fearful)
    • let there not be rules (write for the one, write for you)
    • Let yourself feel inspired (explore what that is for you: nature walk, fresh air, meditation, feeling good in your body)
    • start small (short timed blocks, write one phrase)

    #puravidabound

    And don't forget:

    Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

    Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

    Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

    Patreons:

    https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

    Tools:

    ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
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