The Way You Write

Episodes

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  Reclaiming Your Attention For Your Life and Art (with Josh Czuba) 22.10.2026 1h 2m

  In an attention economy where we’re rewarded for numbing out, creating art is an act of resistance. Guest Josh Czuba joins this episode to share practical tips to reset the mind, reconnect with writing, and ultimately reclaim our humanity.Connect with Josh and get his books here:joshczuba.comTake the free Authentic Writer Archetypes assessment here:https://www.cynthiamerrillediting.com/assessmentJoin The Studio here:https://offers.cynthiamerrillediting.com/the-studio
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  The Power of a Purple Pen 15.10.2026 12m

  There are many different kinds of writing mentors—and not all of them will be a good fit for you. On this episode, we explore the difference between a mentor that doesn’t get you and one who makes your work even more YOU.Check out The Studio here: https://offers.cynthiamerrillediting.com/the-studioExplore working with Cynthia here:https://www.cynthiamerrillediting.com/services
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  Tuning Pianos and Tuning Writers 08.10.2026 10m

  When our old piano was recently tuned, the piano tuner said something that I felt applied beautifully to writers too. Take the free assessment here: https://www.cynthiamerrillediting.com/assessmentCheck out The Writing Reset:https://vk6bbgakxgwdquq4tsak.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/72b6853b-5ce5-4697-90c6-92e24521543fCheck out The Studio:https://offers.cynthiamerrillediting.com/the-studio
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  The Path of the Authentic Writer 01.10.2026 39m

  Writing is challenging, but it doesn't have to feel impossible. This episode explores what you may have tried, why it hasn't worked for you, and will show you a different path—one that is authentic, sustainable, and joyful.Join The Studio here: https://offers.cynthiamerrillediting.com/thestudioContact me on IG @cynthiamerrilleditingOr send me an email at cynthia@cynthiamerrillediting.com
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  A Challenge to Dig Deeper 03.09.2026 13m

  This solo episode comes to you in a rare, late-night appearance. I share two poems that I wrote years ago: the first one was written from a desire to impress, and the second from the desire to experience.
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  Someone Worth Cheering For (with guest Victoria Jane) 27.08.2026 56m

  Developmental editor Victoria Jane joins this episode to discuss how to develop a character that readers want to cheer on, even those that aren’t necessarily “good.” We also chat about what it means to be a writer worth cheering for, and how sensitivity is a strength in storytelling.Connect with Victoria:https://www.instagram.com/editsbyvictoriajane/https://www.victoriajaneeditorial.com/
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  Welcome Back! Thoughts on Success and Growth 20.08.2026 17m

  Coming back after a summer break with some thoughts about the importance of setting yourself up for success instead of chasing or running after it. Take the assessment here: https://www.cynthiamerrillediting.com/assessmentFind me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/cynthiamerrillediting/Send me an email:cynthia@cynthiamerrillediting.com
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  Breaking Mountain-Sized Goals Into the Next Right Step (with guest Emily Reuschel) 21.05.2026 56m

  Emily Reuschel joins this episode to talk about how to take imperfect, unglamorous action to build momentum towards your goals, and how to make space for big dreams even in a small town.Emily Reuschel is a speaker, facilitator, and mentor to women who are done performing and who are ready to become. Through her immersive retreats, deep-rooted masterminds, private mentorship, and the Wild & Waking podcast —she guides wild & waking women back to the voice of their own knowing.https://www.instagram.com/emilyreuschel/https://open.spotify.com/show/4kQ6k3C6YmKp6EY58URPH6?si=397aebab13cf43fe
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  Rethinking Productivity and Embracing Aliveness 14.05.2026 52m

  Maria Bowler joins this episode to discuss her book Making Time and explore how reframing our relationship with time, productivity, and creative work—from output-focused to aliveness-focused—fundamentally changes how we create and live.Maria Bowler is an author, creative coach, and retreat leader. She holds a masters in religion and the arts from Yale University, is a former magazine editor, and has taught creative writing at the university level. Canadian by birth, she now lives in the Driftless region of the US with her family. Her first book, Making Time, is out now.Connect with Maria here:Website: www.mariabowler.comIG: instagram.com/mariaevbowlerGet her book: https://www.mariabowler.com/makingtimeTake the assessment: https://mariabowler.myflodesk.com/alivenessaudit
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  On Entitlement, Visibility, and Being the Fool (with guest Eliza Day) 07.05.2026 1h 27m

  Eliza Day joins this episode to unpack visibility and entitlement wounds and how to move through fear and shame to create and relate more honestly.Eliza Day is a writer, speaker, and intuitive coach who works with people at the edge of change, helping them move through fear, shame, and internal conflict so they can create and relate more honestly. She leads group programs and private sessions centered on self-trust and expression.Follow Eliza here:IG: https://www.instagram.com/elizadaylight/Website: https://www.elizaday.love/
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  Creating an Irresistibly Relatable Story (with guest Kimberly Lauren) 30.04.2026 57m

  Kimberly Lauren joins this episode to discuss developing characters and setting in a way that allows readers to connect with both deeply. We discuss cohesion, connecting with the senses, and how no writing you do is ever wasted.Kimberly grew up in a blended family of 15 kids, so she turned to writing to get a word in. She graduated from Lesley University with a master’s degree in fiction and runs Talk Wordy to Me, an online community of 15,000 book enthusiasts. She nurtures writers through her mentorship program, Storyheart Studio. As a former magazine editor, audiobook narrator, and small-press publicist, she's worked behind the scenes in publishing and has been recognized with Society of Professional Journalists awards. Her non-fiction has been published in The Elephant Journal, No Sidebar, Utah Valley Magazine, and Scary Mommy. When she's not writing, you can find her wrangling her three kids (and bunnies and chickens) or curled up in bed with a good book or BBC drama.To connect with Kimberly:IG: https://www.instagram.com/talkwordytome_/
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  How to Advocate for Yourself and Your Writing (with guest Alina Wells) 23.04.2026 1h 15m

  In this episode, guest Alina Wells joins to discuss what it means to advocate for yourself and your writing. We cover knowing what you want from your career, protecting your creative voice, and trusting your intuition to help you set boundaries.Alina Wells is a dark fantasy author and the founder of Writing It Wells, a platform dedicated to helping writers craft emotionally powerful stories while building sustainable writing lives. Through her educational content and resources, she supports authors in strengthening both the foundations of their storytelling and their relationship with the creative process.Known for translating complex writing concepts into clear, practical guidance, Alina shares insights on craft, storytelling psychology, sustainability, and the realities of the writing life—helping writers move from uncertainty to clarity and create stories that genuinely connect with readers.Drawing on her background as a developmental editor, she brings a deep understanding of story structure, character arcs, and narrative momentum to the conversations she leads within the writing community.When she isn’t creating resources for writers, Alina is developing her dark fantasy novel, Star-Crossed, the first book in an upcoming series where magic, fate, and tragic romance collide.Connect with Alina here:https://www.instagram.com/writingitwells/
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  Making the Most of In-Person Events (with guest Jennia D'Lima) 09.04.2026 49m

  In this episode, author and editor Jennia D'Lima shares her expert advice on how to make the most of in-person writing events and conferences. We discuss strategies for preparing before the event, engaging during the event, and following up afterwards. Jennia also provides practical tips on setting up an appealing table display, connecting with other attendees, and measuring success beyond just book sales. Whether you're a seasoned author or attending your first event, this episode is full of actionable insights to help you make the most of your in-person networking and marketing opportunities.Jennia D'Lima is passionate about everything related to the publishing industry and has written or edited for academic work, newspapers, university presses, and everything in between. She loves connecting with her authors and sees each project as a unique and exciting collaboration. In addition to editing, she is a book awards judge, an author, the creative nonfiction expert at NAIWE, and the host of the Writing and Editing podcast. Connect with Jennia:Website: jenniaedits.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniaahava
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  Writing to Heal a Story That Hurts (with guest Jaime Fleres) 26.03.2026 1h 21m

  Writing is not just a product that we create. It is a tool for transformation—an alchemical process of self-discovery and healing. Jaime Fleres joins this episode to share her journey with writing—from using it as a lifeline in her early years to ultimately helping others use it as a tool for healing and self-discovery. She shares tools from narrative therapy, somatic work, and nonviolent communication to encourage and guide writers through self-discovery and healing.Connect with Jaime here:Website: JaimeFleres.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimefleres1/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimefleres/Get her books: https://www.whalesongcreative.com/jaime-fleres-booksJaime Fleres is a former college professor of writing, author, transformational depth guide, and the founder of Whale Song Creative, where she and her team have supported hundreds of authors in writing, editing, and publishing books that meaningfully impact lives. Jaime’s approach is shaped by more than two decades at the intersection of writing, psycho-spiritual healing, and soul-based initiatory work. She is a trained Shamanic Astrologer, certified Integrative Somatic Healing Therapist, initiated Shamanic Priestess, sound healer, embodied movement practitioner, and intuitive guide, weaving these in service of helping others reclaim their voice, agency, and creative essence.She is the author of Birth Your Story, Honoring the Whole, and The Author Adventure, and serves as a threshold companion for highly sensitive, soulful, and intelligent creatives navigating moments of deep transition.
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  How to Make Writing Inevitable (w/ guest Hélène Caniac) 26.02.2026 1h 29m

  Hélène Caniac joins this episode to discuss how to set up sustainable systems of support and capacity that will serve you throughout your life. She challenges listeners to lean into pleasure, communicate needs in co-creation, and act from a space of devotion—not discipline.Find more Hélène here:IG: https://www.instagram.com/helenecanhelp/Website: www.helenecanhelp.comPodcast: What the Hélène?!
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  For the Love of Romance 05.02.2026 1h 35m

  Editor Brittany Ortega joins this episode to discuss common struggles and misconceptions in the romance genre. She shares insights for writers on timing moments of intimacy, orchestrating tension and release, and her passionate defense of the third act breakup.Get in touch with Brittany here: www.eaediting.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/eandaediting/
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  Embrace the Wrestling 15.01.2026 10m

  What do you do when a character does something completely unexpected, or that entirely derails the plot? In this quick solo episode, we reframe how to think about this experience to allow for more exploration and less frustration. Follow on IG:https://www.instagram.com/cynthiamerrillediting/
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  Representation, Raising the Stakes, and the Joy of Middle Grade Fiction (with guest Tracy Badua) 08.01.2026 48m

  Author Tracy Badua joins this episode to discuss the importance of diverse representation, how to raise the stakes (even in kidlit), and some of the joys and challenges of writing for young readers.Connect with Tracy here:https://www.instagram.com/tracybaduawrites/See her books here:https://tracybadua.com/books/
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  Playing the Long Game in Traditional Publishing (with guest Sabrina Nilsson) 16.12.2025 47m

  What does it take to actually get an agent? Sabrina Nilsson joins this episode to share insights on how to persist in the querying process, have patience, and adjust when necessary.Follow Sabrina here:https://www.instagram.com/sabrinanilssonauthor/
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  It's Probably Not Writer's Block 11.12.2025 17m

  Writer's block...the mysterious ailment that descends out of the blue and keeps writers from getting words on the page. In this episode, Cynthia shares 3 things that actually might be happening when writers experience "writer's block." When we can properly identify the source of the stuck experience, we can more effectively create solutions that get us out of it.Take the Authentic Writer Archetype assessment here:https://www.cynthiamerrillediting.com/assessment