Confessions of a Working Writer
by Matt Hampton
Matt’s a working writer just trying to live the dream. But how do you live this writing life in a world full of regurgitated writing advice, endless grifts, hustle porn, and a double dose of daily despair? Every week Matt sits down to talk about trying to do just that. No advice. Nothing to sell. Just the confessions of a working writer trying to make it.
Episodes
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Greatest Hits - I'm Tired of Writers Who Don't Read
Full disclosure - I am in the middle of an existential crisis and I need some time to figure things out. So we're putting a pause on the previous story and diving into the notebooks, file boxes, and Internet archives to bring you some of my greatest hits on writing, life, and figuring stuff...
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Prologue - Framing the Question
I’ve been a writer for the better part of my 43 years on this planet. Writing has been my dream for as long as I can remember and I have chased it down almost every avenue imaginable. But lately, I haven’t felt terrific about my writing life. Something seems…well…off, and that has me wondering if...
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How I Became a Worse Writer - Season 7 of Confessions of a Working Writer
Announcing the newest Season of Confessions of a Working Writer... This time we're telling the story of how Matt became a worse writer and asking the question...is there any coming back? Or is it finally time to quit. Support the show Join us for another Confession of a Working Writer Intro and...
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The Promises and Realities of Online Writing Platforms
How do you get your voice out there as a writer? Not so long ago this question had a single simple answer. You needed to be published. Sounds easy, right? But it wasn’t. Submission guidelines, contest deadlines, and an endless mountain of rejection letters, if you were lucky enough to receive…
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A Few Announcements
Hey, everyone! I hope you're doing well in these crazy days. There are a couple of announcements to go over so, rather than sneak them into a regular episode, we did a standalone to just go ahead and knock them out. Enjoy! Support the show Join us for another Confession of a Working Writer Intro...
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What is the Cure for the Common Creative Hangover?
What do you do after you finish a big project? Maybe you celebrate for a moment. Or maybe you check it off on one giant to-do list. The standing advice is to jump right into your next project. Get going on the next thing so you can keep producing your best work consistently. Sounds simple. Write…
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Writers Lift, Toxic Reciprocity, and Do We Even Have Writing Communities Anymore?
Everyone loves their writing community! At least that’s what they say online…endlesssly. Hop onto social media for even a moment and you will be bombarded with praise for writing communities. Twitter is a seemingly endless barrage of writers lifts and questions to the community at large.…
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Natural Talent, Alphabet Soup, and Can Anyone Really Be a Writer?
Just what does it take to be a writer? Is it something you’re born with? An incredible talent passed down through the genes or gifted from the divine? Or is it something you can learn? And if you can learn it, then are there better places to learn and better qualifications you can attain to…
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Challenging Our Writing Beliefs - A New Confessions of a Working Writer Series
When was the last time you sat down and thought about your writing beliefs? Do you believe writer's block is real or an excuse? Is there such a thing as natural talent? Can anyone be a writer? Is the content economy the path to fame and fortune? Does the audience really come first? I've been...
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AI, Creative Writing, and Imagination Atrophy
This week Matt talks about AI's impact on writers. Can AI really be a transformational technology for writers? Is it really the boogeyman coming to take our jobs? Is it just another fad? And just what is the danger to your imagination of leaning on AI as a creative crutch? Support the show Join…
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One Step
Struggle is real...and it's a daily affair for so many of us. The endless stream of empty positivity pumped out to us daily doesn't help. So what do we do? How do we move on in times of struggle and find the ability to move forward? This week Matt talks about his recent struggles with mental...
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We Spend Too Much Time Doing the Wrong Things
Social media, obsessing about productivity, extraneous business planning, personal branding, and so many other wrong things are what seem to fill this writing life. We dream of writing a book, or maybe something else, but instead, we fill our day with Tweets. This week, Matt talks about why we...
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Let's Do a Birthday Confession!!!
Matt's about to turn 43 and he had a special episode planned...which then went on to implode. But, from the ashes of about a dozen takes, Matt discovers a confession that really helps alter his perspective for this new year. All with a little help from a friend... Join us for another Confession…
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To Grit or Quit...That Is the Question
We love grit! We worship toughness and resilience! Resilient people are successful people we admire and want to emulate. We love grit...and we hate quitters. Quitters never win and winners look down on quitters with an appropriate amount of scorn. But is that logic right? Does it really make…
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Wrestling the Angel - Creativity and Where It Really Happens
Where does creativity happen? Does it happen sitting at our desks to push through the work? Does it happen as we walk down the street with perfectly open spirits to receive the magic of the universe? Is it something that controls us? Or something we control? Maybe we're overthinking it. This…
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On Fear, Abundance, and Why I'm Embracing Scarcity
This week Matt talks about living a couple of years driven by fear. Explorations include the damage that an "abundance" mindset can cause, the duality of an infinite universe filled with finite things, and why he's chosen to embrace scarcity this year as a writer in order to defeat fear. Join us...
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New Year - New Season, New Book, and Setting New Boundaries
Matt talks about starting this new year of finding his way as a writer, starting a new book, and learning how to set boundaries. Because let's be honest, we can all do a better job setting those. Join us for another Confession of a Working Writer Intro and Outro music courtesy of Georgia Moon...
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One More Confession (And An Announcement)
From the newly frosty lands of Charleston, SC, Matt gives his last confession of 2022 and an update on what's happening with the show in 2023. Join us for another Confession of a Working Writer Intro and Outro music courtesy of Georgia Moon (https://www.thegeorgiamoon.com/) Logo courtesy of Bear...
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IT'S THE 2022 HOLIDAY SPECIAL!!!
It's time for the Confessions of a Working Writer Holiday Special! And what do we have for you this year? Well, it's Matt reading his very own holiday story...A Retail Carol! Dale is an unremarkable guy. Just another face working another overnight job during Christmas for some overtime. But this...
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Finishing. Shipping, and Confronting the Fears of Being a Writer
Well, here we are. Over the past couple of months, we've done a crash course on writing a piece and now we're looking at a finished product. So, what do we do with it? First, we need to confront some more fear. And Matt's here to talk about those fears, finishing our work, and just what the hell…
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Bringing Down the Hatchet - On Editing Your Story
You've done it! You've written the first draft and conquered the blank page! You've taken time away to get some distance and resisted just tinkering with the newborn story until you kill it. And now...it's time to actually edit it. Yes, every writer's least favorite part of the process. But…
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Get Some Distance
We're Back!!! After a weeklong mountain getaway, Matt returns to talk about the most important thing to do before diving into editing that story...getting some distance. Join us for another Confession of a Working Writer Intro and Outro music courtesy of Georgia Moon...
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Thankful
A special Thanksgiving message from Matt! Join us for another Confession of a Working Writer Intro and Outro music courtesy of Georgia Moon (https://www.thegeorgiamoon.com/) Logo courtesy of Bear Paw Creative (https://bearpawcreative.com/) You can find more from Matt at...
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Throw Some Ninjas In It - Secrets of the First Draft
It's time! We've formed an idea. We've crafted characters, picked a setting, and set up a road map for our story. Now it's time to sit down for the single most terrifying part of creating a story...the first draft. But don't worry, Matt's here with some insights and a handful of ninjas to help....
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Not Your English Teacher's Outline
One of the biggest problems writers deal with when taking an idea from their head and putting it on the page is writing themselves into a corner. You know the feeling. You're working on a story, the characters are interesting, the setting is on point, and every word seems to just be working....
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Setting - The Too Often Forgotten Character
Matt's back! After a week of battling the flu, we continue our series on how to take an idea and work it into a piece of writing. This week Matt explores developing your setting as a character instead of just a couple of data points. What is the history of the place your story is happening in? Is...
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It's The Halloween Special!!!
Matt's been sick with the flu so we didn't know if this was going to happen. But somehow he managed to rise from the grave long enough to record a fun treat for Halloween - a reading of his most recent short story for the season! Enjoy! Intro and Outro music courtesy of Georgia Moon...
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Characters - Who They Are, What They Want, and How to Craft Them
How do you develop a character? Do you create a "trading card" bio for them including all of those physical details, their favorite foods, and turn ons? Do you define them by important events in their lives? Is it about what they want and need? Or do we define them by the space around them? This...
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Let's Talk About the Brain Dump
Now that you have an idea you want to write about what do you do with it? Do you sit down and bang out that first draft? Or spend some time setting up an outline? Nope. You should probably sit down and do a brain dump first. Don't know what that is...here let's talk about it. Join us for another...
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So You Want to Write a Thing
"Everyone has one story in them" But where do you start writing it? How do you take an idea and turn it into a fully formed piece of writing? It's not actually as hard as it seems. That's why Matt's taking the next few episodes to help you write that thing you've been thinking about. So, let's...
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Things We Need to Stop Saying to Other Writers/Peaple
What do we say to writers when they express doubts or fear? Sometimes we say really helpful profound bits of advice from our lives. Occasionally we ask them to tell us more in the hopes that talking about it might help them a bit. More often than not some writer says one of those empty platitudes...
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Fear, Priorities, and Writers
Why is it so hard to set our priorities? Why do we spend so much more time trying to study algorithms and metrics than actually putting words on the page? Why does being a writer, or just living life, feel like a shadow of what it's supposed to be? The answer is simple...fear. But what can we do...
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Congratulations! You've Got Writer's Block!
Challenges are typically seen as an obstacle. Something we need to bash through and conquer. But what if there is something else we can learn from challenges like writer's block? What if they're really a little inspiring? Join us for another Confession of a Working Writer Intro and Outro music...
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I Had A Breakdown
This week Matt talks about his recent breakdown, where it came from, how it happened, and what he learned in the process. Why? Because it's important for writers and people, in general, to know they are not alone. Join us for another Confession of a Working Writer. Intro and Outro music courtesy…
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Is Money the End Goal or the Facilitator?
Money is a common topic for writers. We dream of making it. We often obsess over getting it. And we stress about not making enough of it. Why? Well, part of it is to pay the bills. But the other part may surprise you. This week, Matt talks about shifting our mindset about money as writers and...
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How Do Writers Keep Score?
Just when you think you've answered all the writing questions...they pull you back in. Recently, someone posed the question "how do writers keep score?" This week, Matt tries to answer that question. Is there really a good metric for success as a writer? If so, what is it? If not, what do we do?...
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Losing Faith, Handling Change, and Hanging On to What's Important
We all struggle sometimes. Writers are no different, but sometimes we don't talk about it as much as we should. Let's change that. This week Matt talks about his recent loss of faith in writing, how to handle change in the world around you, and why it's important to hold onto what's important.…
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Listener Q&A Extravaganza Part 2 - Working as a Writer
This week Matt begins wraps up a two-part episode answering questions from listeners and social media. For this episode, we focus on the business side of writing including types of writing jobs, how to find businesses to write for, and the big barrier writers have to marketing. Well, at least we...
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Listener Q&A Extravaganza Part 1 - Creativity
This week Matt begins the first of a two-part episode answering questions from listeners and social media. For this episode, we focus on creativity and process questions related to inspiration, editing, and just what to do when a piece isn't working. (Bonus Note - Next week we're talking about…
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Writing Isn't a Solo Sport
One of the biggest myths writers tell themselves is that writing is some sort of solo sport. The writer acts alone with no one helping them in any way, or so some say. But Matt disagrees. Of course, he does. This week Matt takes on the idea of writing as a solo sport and talks about how important...
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The Big Hairy Money Question
How much money can you make as a writer? Is writing the best way to become a billionaire? If so, just how the Hell do you do it? These are all the little bits of the Big Hairy Money Question all writers wrestle with. This week, Matt wrestles with it too. Topics include making money as a creative...
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Demystifying Inspiration
This week Matt's taking a look at inspiration, our false beliefs around it, and just how demystifying inspiration can help us enjoy this writing life a whole lot more. For those struggling with inspiration and anyone else who just wants to know more or challenge what they think they already know....
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Beware the Dark Side
We're back after a month of absence and much behind-the-scenes stuff. But that time has also put a lot on our minds about this writing life. This week Matt dives into the darker side of writing and what we can do to move past it. Join us for another Confession of a Working Writer. Intro and Outro...
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Finding Your Path with Georgie Hertz
What is the right path for a writer? Do you go to school, get the degrees, and win? Do you spend your weekends writing in a closet? Do you decide where you will go early in life? Or do you become a writer later? Maybe you run off to war? Or you could be a journalist? Just what is your writing…
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Defining "Writing"
What is writing? We talk a lot about writing every day, building a writing process, or being a writer, but we don't ever really define what we mean by "writing." Oh, you can find definitions online that will tell you, but most of them are cookie-cutter ideas that won't work for most people. So,...
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Allowing Yourself Room to Create with Evelyn Berry
Evelyn Berry is a trans author, editor, and museum educator living in South Carolina. She's the author of the novel "Heathens & Liars of Lickskillet County" (PRA, 2016) and the poetry chapbook "Buggery," winner of the 2020 BOOM Chapbook Prize from Bateau Press. Evelyn is also the recipient of the...
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Let's Talk About All Things Writing
Over the past year, I've seen a lot of bad information out there about writing. Bad information about SEO, topic selection, and the assorted magic beans promised by success gurus and productivity mavens. It's enough to make many writers throw their hands up and decide this isn't as much fun as…
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Rough Times, a New Vision, and a Call to Action
It's been a really rough few weeks for me. In fact, the podcast almost became a casualty of those tough times. Why? Because I didn't really know where to take it or what I wanted to do with it anymore. But don't worry. Taking time to think often makes way for a new vision and that's just what's...
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A Rough Week, Sciatica, and a Call to Resist
This week has been one of the worst in recent memories. A series of circumstances conspired to set every plan I had on fire and blow the ashes into a windstorm while I watched. It was terrible, and it felt terrible. But then I got a message from a young writer struggling with failing by following...
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30 Seconds
Let me ask you a question...what kind of difference could 30 seconds make in your life? Do you think you could learn a life lesson, discover a part of your soul, or save a life in 30 seconds? Well, this week on Confessions of a Working Writer I'm talking about how 30 seconds taught me a life…
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About this show
Matt’s a working writer just trying to live the dream. But how do you live this writing life in a world full of regurgitated writing advice, endless grifts, hustle porn, and a double dose of daily despair? Every week Matt sits down to talk about trying to do just that. No advice. Nothing to sell. Just the confessions of a working writer trying to make it.
Hosted by
Matt Hampton