No prizes without practice!
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
A short meditation on why sustainable writing comes from small, repeatable choices. We touch on Coetzee, Tom Stoppard, and the quiet ways stories ripple outward—then land on the core: build the habit, revise bravely, and let the work be enough.
Resources & Next Steps:
Build your writing practice with the Handbook : https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook
Join the Superstars Group: Join the StoryADay Superstars for year-round support
how to build confidence as a writer
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
We all have that voice that whispers, “Who are you to think you can write?” In this episode, I share why those inner critics feel so convincing—and how to move past them. From celebrating small wins to journaling the negative voices into submission, this is your prescribed dose of calm, practical ways to rebuild confidence and keep writing.
Transcript
Resources & Next Steps:
Explore more writing challenges: https://storyaday.org
Join the Superstars Group: Join the StoryADay Superstars for year-round support
In which I read you a short story prompt
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
People dismiss it by saying “there’s no such thing as bricklayer’s block.” But imagine if the bricklayer had to invent the bricks, build the kiln, and mix the mortar before they could even start. That’s the creative work writers face every day.
In this episode of The StoryADay Podcast, I share why writing is hard (and why that’s normal), and why we don’t have to do it alone. From my years of running the StoryADay community, I’ve learned that the real secret to consistency and confidence as a writer isn’t willpower — it’s community.
If you’ve been struggling with writing in isolation, this conversation will give you both perspective and practical next steps.
What You’ll Learn:
Resources & Next Steps:
Explore more writing challenges: https://storyaday.org
Join the Superstars Group: Join the StoryADay Superstars for year-round support
In this conversation with award-winning writer Rachel Swearingen we talk about how to build a writing practice that grows with you, the art of writing short and long fiction the importance of play, her residency in Berlin and about some of her short stories and how they came to be written.
^^^ Watch (captions available)
˅˅˅ listen (mp3)
Next time we’ll talk about her favorite stories of her own and the writers she admires, working in short fiction now. We also talk about the importance of community for writers, and then Rachel turns the tables on me!
Rachel Swearingen is the author of “How to Walk on Water and other short stories” which received the New American Press Fiction Prize.
LINKS
This episode: storyaday.org/episode282
Rachel’s site: rachelswearing.com
Sign up for StoryADay May: http://storyaday.org/signup
Support the podcast: glow.fm/storyaday
Join us as we talk about building a productive writing practice, no matter what…..
It’s an end-of-year episode with a twist (hint: don’t want to set New Year’s Resolutions? Join the rebellious crowd!)
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
Watch video with full transcript here
LINKS:
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode253
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
Download the free Short Story Framework and write today, not ‘some day’. Go from ‘idea’ to ‘the end’ without getting lost along the way!
Weekly writing prompts and lessons in your inbox, every Wednesday with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Take the 3-Day Challenge and write three short stories this weekend!
Join us as we talk about building a productive writing practice, no matter what…..
My conversation continues, with award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal as we discuss her new novel The Spare Man and the art of writing even in the face of challenges. Don’t miss it!
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
Watch video with full transcript here
LINKS:
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode273
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
Download the free Short Story Framework and write today, not ‘some day’. Go from ‘idea’ to ‘the end’ without getting lost along the way!
Weekly writing prompts and lessons in your inbox, every Wednesday with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Take the 3-Day Challenge and write three short stories this weekend!
The only qualification to be a ‘Superstar” is a desire to write and support your fellow writers.
A supportive group of committed writers, who meet virtually, support each other’s efforts, and inspire each other.
Registration for 2024 open now-June 8, 2024
A 6-part journey through the short story.
Starts Jan 3, 2025
