Episodes

Sept. 5, 2025

S3 E10: Reality-Based Goals

Expanding on the first episode of this season, we ask what does "reality-based" mean when it comes to goals? The Writers Circle Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music! Learn more about me, my books, and my other projects a...

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Aug. 29, 2025

S3 E9: Filmmaker Thomas Torrey

Finally, another interview episode! This conversation with Thomas Torrey is exactly what I've been craving, and maybe you have, too. We talk about artistic despair and the freeing realization that we're not special. Also the ...

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Aug. 22, 2025

S3 E8: Introducing the Writers Circle!

The Writers Circle is a community for support, connection, and education for writers at all levels, across genres and categories. Check it out: The Writers Circle Coupons! EARLYBIRD10 for 10% off any membership (expires 9/2) ...

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Aug. 15, 2025

S3 E7: Dealing with Middles

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Aug. 1, 2025

S3 E6: What Counts as Writing

When your word count is down but you've got lots of dishes to do. Thanks to for the theme music! Learn more about me, my books, and my other projects at:

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July 25, 2025

S3 E5: Five Craft Tips I Give the Most

This week I go over five of the most common pieces of feedback I give on student and client manuscripts. Got a writing question for a future episode? Email me ! Podcast home page The Writers Circle Thanks to Dave Connis for t...

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July 18, 2025

S3 E4: When to Invite Feedback

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July 11, 2025

S3 E3: "This Is Stupid" with Author Andrew DeYoung

In the first interview episode of TCL 3.0, we bring back an old friend with a new book. Andrew DeYoung's new domestic thriller, Stay Away From Him , is out this week. We talk about Andrew's path from YA to speculative to thri...

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July 4, 2025

S3 E2: Why You're Not Writing

In this episode, I go over five common reasons we're not writing even though we want to, and offer some ways to change our thinking. Share it with a friend who needs to hear it! Podcast home page The Writers Circle On Becomin...

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June 27, 2025

S3 E1: The Reality-Based Writing Life

Subscribe to this podcast wherever you like to listen, including Apple, Overcast, Spotify, Podbean, and more. Help for Writers and Community Waitlist Podcast Home Page Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music! www.sarazarr.c...

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Nov. 8, 2023

87. Ashley C. Ford and the Ultimate Pivot - TCL Finale (?)

I know you’ve been waiting a long time on a wish and a promise for this final episode in the Pivots, Comebacks, and Reinventions series. I appreciate your patience while I went and figured out myself and my own potential pivo...

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March 22, 2023

TCL Mini: The Writing Life Audit

This is the audio version of the most recent newsletter PLUS some thoughts about what's next for the pod. Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book Get The Inbox Variations www.sarazarr.com

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March 8, 2023

86. Melissa Walker Takes Action

In late 2016, Melissa Walker was working on her 10th novel when she went to a holiday party and heard then Senator Daniel Squadron talk about the importance of state-level politics—even for the national landscape. She was ins...

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Jan. 4, 2023

TCL Mini: No Sure Things

The audio version of this week's newsletter on living with the uncertainty of writing. Get of this post Get !

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Dec. 21, 2022

85. The Publishing Year in Review with Agent Michael Bourret

From the supply chain issues that started the year, to the conversation about AI that's ending it, I talk through the year in publishing with Michael Bourret of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret . Also, we answer listener questions!...

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Dec. 7, 2022

84. Bennett Madison's Permission to Let Go

What do you do when you've established a writing career and then it's not giving you what you came for? What does it look like to be a person who writes but whose entire identity isn't wrapped up in Being a Writer? Is there l...

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Nov. 30, 2022

TCL Mini: Year In Review

New full episode next week! Until then, here's the audio version of this week's newsletter, with a question for YOU about your dream writing podcast. Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book www.sarazarr.com

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Oct. 26, 2022

TCL Mini: Creative Rest

The audio version of this week's newsletter on resting before making the next creative decision. Find the text version here!

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Oct. 19, 2022

83. Tara Altebrando Is Solving the Puzzle

In the third episode in the Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions series, my longtime friend and one-time (?) collaborator Tara Altebrando talks to me about her multiple pivots over a couple of decades as a working writer, and ...

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Oct. 5, 2022

82. Malinda Lo Never Went Away

In the second episode in the Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions series, Malinda Lo and I talk about her huge year with Last Night at the Telegraph Club and what it has meant for her writing and life. But is it really a “come...

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Sept. 20, 2022

81. Faith Gardner Takes Control (Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions)

When author Faith Gardner grew frustrated with the slowly grinding gears of traditional publishing and wanted to spread her wings a bit, she took matters into her own hands. This is the first episode of this fall's Comebacks,...

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Sept. 2, 2022

Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions - Coming Fall 2022

What's coming this fall from This Creative Life! Show links: the newsletter the audiobook www.sarazarr.com

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June 29, 2022

TCL Mini: Writing When It Doesn't Feel Like It Matters

When it feels like the world is burning down, is writing something you want to save from the fire? Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music www.sarazarr.com

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June 15, 2022

TCL Mini: Becoming a Good Self-Editor

Get of this post Get Thanks to for the theme music.

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