Writing success comes to those who stick with it, and Diana Raab has stuck with writing for more than sixty years. Over that time she published fourteen books, ranging from poetry to self-help to memoir. How does she do it? Simple: She finds bliss in the act of writing!

In fact, 'Writing From Bliss' is the name of one of her most beloved books. In today's episode, Diana shares wisdom from the book to help all writers lean more deeply into bliss. She also tells the fascinating story of her long and prolific writing life, which began in her early childhood, sparked by a family tragedy.

Tune in for inspiration and encouragement to go the distance, creatively and emotionally.

Diana's latest book is Hummingbird: Messages from My Ancestors: A Memoir with Reflection and Writing Prompts, published by Modern History Press.

For more, visit:
dianaraab.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press

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@dianaraab

Two books published in one season? That's the kind of summer writer and illustrator Swan Huntley is having. Her novel I Want You More is a sapphic thriller and a rip-roaring beach read that I could not put down. Her other new release, You're Grounded: An Anti Self-Help Book to Calm You the Fuck Down, features her whimsical illustrations and some simple yet sagely guidance to help you cultivate mindfulness.

Different as they may seem from each other, Swan explained to me that the books are both "really just me talking to myself". In this fascinating interview, Swan opens up about her writing process, self-revelation and the unconscious, and the differences—and similarities—between writing fiction and nonfiction.

The memoir Swan is currently working on will be her seventh published work, but her path to success as a writer was not always smooth. Tune in to hear why her early manuscripts got rejected, the one simple tool that taught her how to write a well-paced book, and how quickly she writes her books now. (Spoiler: it's a matter of weeks, not months.)

We covered a lot more in this one-hour conversation, from dysfunctional relationships to the slipperiness of addiction to the question of what to do with that Instagram square.

For more, check out:
www.swanhuntley.com
www.selfishgiftpodcast.com
www.maggielangrick.com

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Every writer experiences doubt—in our abilities, in the worthiness of our creativity, and more. But it doesn't have to stop us in our tracks, according to Amy L. Bernstein, a novelist, award-winning journalist, blogger, and certified book coach. Her forthcoming book Wrangling the Doubt Monster is set to publish in January 2025, and she explores the topic of creative self-doubt in her Substack Doubt Monster.

This deep, inspiring conversation delves into the causes of creative doubt and how Amy says we can prevent it from derailing our writing practice.

We talked about so much great stuff:
• making a late-in-life career pivot into writing
• finding the freedom to work with many forms of writing
• the emotional sources of self-doubt
• the role that culture plays in keeping us creatively stuck
• why the hard work of revising can be a rewarding investment in yourself
• finding motivation to go the distance with your writing

Listen in for a confidence injection!

For more, check out:
https://amywrites.live
https://wonderwell.press/
https://maggielangrick.com/

And follow:
instagram.com/amylbernstein
instagram.com/maggielangrick
instagram.com/wonderwellpress
instagram.com/selfishgiftpodcast

Timestamps:
00:00: Introduction to Amy Bernstein and the Topic of Doubt
02:47: The Prevalence of Doubt in Writing and Creativity
08:48: The Role of an Accountability Partner in Overcoming Doubt
11:54: Challenges Faced by Professionals Transitioning into Writing
24:30: Creating the Right Conditions for Creativity
29:25: Embracing the Joy of the Creative Process
33:31: Giving Yourself Permission to Create
34:52: Understanding Your Creative Appetite
37:02: Exploring Openly Without Limits
38:39: Alleviating Doubt
41:28: The Importance of Rewriting and Revision
46:31: How to Persevere with a difficult piece of work
49:15: Authenticity in Building Your Platform
01:02:21: Choosing Joy and Purpose in Your Creative Journey