Shows
Inspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 99: [BOOK CLUB] What Memoir Writers Can Learn from Reading "All the Way to the River"Send us a textIn this episode, Memoir Writing Coach, Elizabeth Wilson, discusses Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir, All the Way to the River: Why All the Way to the River sparked mixed reactions from readers and why those reactions matter for memoir writersHow relying on a linear structure can strain a memoir when multiple themes (addiction, grief, love, death) are competing for attentionSigns a memoir might benefit from a thematic structure instead of heavy backstoryThe difference between showing lived experience and telling the reader how to interpret itWhy withholding emotions and bodily reactions creates d...
2026-01-1241 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 98: Looking Back to Look ForwardSend us a textIt’s something you’re encouraged to do at the end of each year.Do you have to do it?Well, it’s really up to you.And it doesn’t have to look the same as what everyone else is doing.In this week’s episode, we share some of our strategies for reflecting on where we’ve been and where we’re going.You’ll hear about Elizabeth Wilson's annual journal review.Stephanie Oswald shares about the importance of celebrating, eve...
2026-01-0519 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 96: [Julie Sedler] The Recurring Emotionality of Writing MemoirSend us a textElizabeth Wilson chats with Julie Sedler about whether or not it's normal to have so many emotions when you're writing and editing your memoir. Julie Sedler was our guest, about a year ago, for Episode 59, when she talked about the importance of knowing why you're writing your memoir. Elizabeth Wilson has been editing her memoir and experiencing big emotions. Julie Sedler confirms it's normal and walks through her journey to publishing her own memoir emphasizing that you've written your memoir because it is meant to be impactful. Welcome to the Insp...
2025-12-0634 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 94: Celebrating with Grace and GratitudeSend us a textThere's so much to be grateful for at this time of the year! It's our annual reflection of what we've accomplished that's beyond what we could've ever imagined. We're reminded of how much we grow and embrace our authenticity with each episode. Elizabeth Wilson celebrates the success of another round of the Memoir Master Plan Cohort with a group of amazing women. They found clarity with their core message and scene development for their memoirs. Stephanie Oswald shares about her new writing coaching for neurodivergent women. Offering support in the in...
2025-11-2432 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastAudio of Episode 93: [Jacci Prior] Why Your Audiobook Narrator Choice is Important For Marketing Your BookSend us a textJoin our Embodied Writing Experience for a writer's retreat in your inbox each week: https://inspired-writer-collective.kit.com/e2cab66781In this episode, Elizabeth Wilson chats with Jacci Prior about being an audiobook narrator. Jacci encourages authors to leverage their audiobook for marketing purposes. At the end, get a sneak peek of Elizabeth Wilson's memoir being read by our guest, Jacci Prior, an audiobook narrator.Jacci Prior, when talking about being an audiobook narrator says: " it truly is an acting job. If you don't live and breathe t...
2025-11-1740 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 91: Understanding Memoir Structure to Tell Your StorySend us a textElizabeth Wilson & Stephanie Oswald discuss the challenges that come with condensing your lived experience into a narrative form. It’s most common to find if you’re starting to write your first memoir that you’ll begin by choosing a chronological approach to your story. There’s nothing wrong with making this decision, especially if it helps you get your words on the page, but just know you have other optionsIn this episode, Elizabeth leads our conversation about memoir structure with insight into four of the eight possibilities from Jennifer Selig’s...
2025-11-0330 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 90: [Kim Mosiman] What You Don't Know You Need to Know About Publishing Your BookSend us a textThis week, Elizabeth chats with our guest, Kim Mosiman, about her book Reflections of Joy and how what she didn't know she needed to know led her to a new career path.You'll find these topics and more in this week's episode:Kim's inspiration for her bookFinding beta readersGetting reviewsMarketing now, even if your book isn't published Get to know Kim Mosiman:Kim Mosiman is an author, certified nutritionist, and Christian life coach who helps women rediscover joy and purpose in their second act. After c...
2025-10-2743 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 89: Fiction Writers, What's Your Core Message?Send us a textStephanie Oswald and Elizabeth Wilson talk about the benefit of learning from other genres and what Stephanie Oswald has discovered for her writing while participating in the Memoir Master Plan Cohort. You’ll have to tune in to find out about Stephanie Oswald’s recent celebrity author encounter!What’s the common thread in your writing?As Stephanie Oswald has been working on manifesting the future version of herself as a writer on stages and tour, she kept wondering what she’d talk about in those moments. Sure, she...
2025-10-2026 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 88: [Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter] How Two Authors Write One Love StorySend us a textIn this episode, Stephanie Oswald chats with Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter about their co-writing, pantser style approach to writing romance. You won’t want to miss listening to how they collaborate to bring their stories and characters to life.They’re fun.You’ll definitely find yourself connecting with what they have to share.There’s laughter. An example of another way to approach the writing process.Figuring out what works for you.Finding your way and what will bring your story to life.It’s so easy to get caught up in all o...
2025-10-1330 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 87: Caretaking and Your Creative BucketSend us a textElizabeth Wilson and Stephanie Oswald get real about what can happen with your writing process when caretaking roles take over. The solution is remembering to find community. Inspired Writer Collective offers quarterly virtual writing retreats on Zoom. October 11 and 12, 2025 is the next retreat. You can find the form here to let us know you're coming. Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in...
2025-10-0626 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 86: [Jared Glenn] Writers, Here's Why It's Important to Get Curious About Your ProcessSend us a textThis week we welcome author Jared Glenn. Jared’s second novel, Lost in the Sun, just released and he’s currently working on his third novel. It was so much fun doing the production work on this episode that was recorded in June. Discussions around writing are timeless. You’ll find so much packed into this episode. There’s not a specific timeline for when you need to learn something or apply it to your own writing. There are opportunities all the time to find nuggets of wisdom you can apply to your...
2025-09-2938 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 85: Writers, Here's Your Permission to Write A Messy First DraftSend us a textWrite the messy first draft. Write, write, and write some more. Let your ideas flow and don't look back until you get to the end. The first draft is about getting your ideas on paper and then you'll have something to work with. It's not the time to edit or censor yourself. Write the messy first draft. It's normal to have self-doubt creep in and try to distract you from your writing. Keep writing. This episode is your permission to write the messy first draft. It's for your eyes on...
2025-09-2229 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 84: [Ananya Mody] Finding a Sense of Belonging Through WritingSend us a textElizabeth chats with Ananya Mody, a screenwriter for Netflix, about how she came to be a screenwriter and her insight for writers about holding onto their voice in the process. Finding her way to herself and where she feels she belongs after experiences in the writing rooms of the screenwriting industry. It wasn’t very glamorous, but she learned a lot about herself and it led her to build her own business to help creatives find their sense of belonging. Through her own experiences traveling and creating a sense of p...
2025-09-1542 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 83: How to Tap Into A Deeper Writing Practice with our Embodied Writing ExperienceSend us a textThe answer to your worries about showing up to a blank page and not knowing what to write. Elizabeth Wilson and Stephanie Oswald talk about their newsletter offering of the Embodied Writing Experience. A writing retreat in your inbox every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. It’s your opportunity to tap into a deeper writing practice with prompts, exercises and ideas for how you can connect at a deeper level with yourself. When you’re writing a memoir, you’re tapping into experiences and emotions that can rock you at the core. When you have t...
2025-09-0831 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 82: [Sharissa Bradley] How To Get Your Book Published Without Breaking the BankSend us a textThis week Elizabeth chats with Sharissa Bradley, owner of @projectseedmoney and 5Two Press, about resources available to writers who are ready to publish. If you want to put a quality book out into the world, you're going to need to spend some money because when you try to do it for free, you'll find it won't meet your expectations. Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey wit...
2025-09-0144 min
The Motivate Collective Podcast by Melanie Suzanne WilsonElizabeth's journey as a memoirist and advice for writersPodcast conversation with American memoirist Elizabeth Wilson https://www.motivatecollective.com Show Notes Keywords memoir writing, personal growth, trauma, authenticity, self-care, writing community, creative process, vulnerability, life changes, storytelling Summary In this conversation, Melanie Suzanne Wilson and the American memoirist Elizabeth Wilson explore the transformative journey of writing memoirs, discussing the challenges and healing that come with sharing personal stories. Elizabeth shares her experiences with trauma, divorce, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. They emphasize the need for self-care, the value of community, and the significance of consistency...
2025-08-2942 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 81: [Rhonda Linn] Why You Need to Write Your StorySend us a textIt's time to write your story. Whatever you're holding on your heart that's meant to be shared. In this episode, Stephanie talks with guest, Rhonda Linn, about what inspired her to publish her first book of poems: Chapel of Small Breath in Fall 2024. When you share your story, you discover connections with people you never would've imagined as they see themselves reflected in your words. There's honest talk about fears you face as a writer when it comes to sharing your story and how to overcome those feelings because your story is meant...
2025-08-2537 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 80: The Key Element Missing From Your MemoirSend us a textDoes your memoir have the structure it needs to effectively connect with readers? In this episode, Elizabeth shares with you one of the key details you need to make sure your memoir hits the mark. This gives you insight into what you'll dive into when you join the Memoir Master Plan Cohort, a 6-week program designed to help you have the plan you need to write your story. You'll learn how to find the thread that weaves through your story of transformation to bring your story to the world. You're unique and only...
2025-08-1831 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 79: [Jillian Forsberg] Writing Historical Fiction to Tell Important StoriesSend us a textMemoir Master Plan Cohort is open. Get info and sign up hereElizabeth chats with author, Jillian Forsberg, about her writing life, what inspired her to write her recent novel "Rhino Keeper," and the importance of telling stories that matter. You'll learn about what helps Jillian stay focused on her goals and how she approaches her writing life. This episode is packed full of inspiration to remind you about the importance of telling your story or telling a story you feel needs to be told.For listeners of this...
2025-08-1144 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 78: 3 Things That Stop You From Writing Your MemoirSend us a textIt’s memoir season here at the Inspired Writer Collective! Enrollment for our Memoir Master Plan Cohort led by Elizabeth Wilson is now open!The 6-week memoir program for women runs from September 5 through October 17 and comes packed with valuable content and resources to start you off on the right foot or get you back on track with your memoir writing! And new nuggets of wisdom are added every time - this will be Round 3!Click here to learn more.In this week’s episode, we di...
2025-08-0430 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 77: [Summer Short] Why Your Writing is Better Than You ThinkSend us a textIn this episode, Elizabeth and Stephanie chat about how quickly self-doubt can creep up on you when it comes to your writing, but the truth is your writing is better than you think. When you join critique groups and read within your genre, you'll discover you know more than you think. Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We...
2025-07-2812 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 76: [Summer Short] Do Chapter Titles Matter?Send us a textMemoir Master Plan Cohort starting soon. Save your seat here.Elizabeth & Stephanie talk about whether chapter titles matter. Do you need chapter titles? Is there a difference between genres? Do readers have expectations?As part of our Summer Short series, this episode shares our perspectives on whether or not chapter titles are important. As we both make progress with our works in progress, it's something to consider because there are differences, and sometimes it's just a matter of personal preference. Welcome to the Inspired Writer Coll...
2025-07-2114 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 75: [Summer Short] Why Your Email List Should Be Top of MindSend us a textIn this summer short episode, Elizabeth and Stephanie sit down together to discuss various perspectives on their social media strategy. They cover Instagram, Threads, and Substack. The general consensus is the benefit of having an email list.Previous episode with Michael Fedor mentioned : Writing Process with Award-Winning Political Thriller Author Michael Fedor Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the...
2025-07-1424 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 74: [Summer Short] Finding Beta ReadersSend us a textElizabeth introduces our Memoir Master Plan cohort We're talking about finding beta readers and what we've learned from reaching out into the world of writers. It's curious to us there are editors offering beta reading and writers are paying to have people beta read. In our experience, beta reading involves finding your target audience of readers and they'll read without needing to be paid. What are your thoughts? Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of...
2025-07-0715 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 73: [End of Season] Getting Ready for Summer & Writing PlansSend us a textIn this episode, Elizabeth and Stephanie talk about:* writing goals for their works in progress* books they'll be reading this Summer* Love is Brewing Substack & Podcast by Stephanie* what to expect in July with shorter episodes* limited podcast guest interest spots availableGet our Summer Bingo game here Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're i...
2025-05-2630 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 72: Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction?Send us a textIf something happened to you in real life, how much of it can go into a work of fiction for your character?Would your readers believe the scene?This is what we dive into in this week's episode. In romance, there are often outlandish events that bring people together or tear them apart. Readers get drawn into the emotion and tension of a scene, but are they questioning if it's believable?Being part of a critique group often brings up these interesting points to...
2025-05-1925 minInspired Writer Collective PodcastEpisode 71: [Donatella Taker] Fantasy World Building & CritiqueSend us a textThis week, Elizabeth chats with fantasy author, Donatella Taker, about her writing process. Even if you're not a fantasy writer, there is so much that's relatable in this episode about being a writer. You'll discover you're not alone in some of the challenges that present themselves for writers, such as self-doubt, and you'll find inspiration for navigating your way through when you listen to Donatella's journey.There's world building, character development, writing process, and navigating critique packed into this episode.Connect with Donatella Taker on...
2025-05-1248 min