Don't Wait to Write - Your Pocket Writing Coach
by Amber Petty
A podcast to help you write more, worry less, and share your work with the world. Hosted by writer Amber Petty (New York Times, Greatist, Bustle, Snooki's blog - jealous?), this show comes in three parts:Mondays: 5-Minute Writing Exercise (you'll be shocked how much you can do in 5 minutes)Wednesdays: Reframe & Relax ("meditations" to help you chill out your inner critic and take writing a little less seriously)Fridays: Find Out (answers to listener questions, writing advice from years of experience, and ways to actively put your work out there)Whether you're a freelance writer, a copywriter who wants to do more than figure out new ways to say "Buy Now", or a person who's always wanted to write but never gave it a shot, this show is for you! Each week, you'll write a little, gain a little confidence, and add new tools to your writing tool belt. A writing tool belt is probably just a pen and a backup charger for your laptop, but you know I mean.
Episodes
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: A Big No
Today's 5-Minute Writing Exercise - Your Biggest No. Whether you that makes you think of a time you said no in a big way, a no that was a major decision, or even if you're just a huge Dr. No fan, keep the pen moving for 5 minutes on this prompt. Want to find out about open writing jobs and get…
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5-Minute Exercise: Bustin' Out All Over
The prompt for today's writing exercise: Bustin' Out All Over. Whatever that makes you think of, whether it's Rodgers & Hammerstein or something a little saucier, just keep the pen moving for 5 minutes. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: Pep Rallies
Today's 5-Minute Exercise prompt: Pep Rallies. Whatever that makes you think of, just keep the pen moving for 5 minutes. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s...
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Ways to Promote Your Work Without Feeling Gross About It
No writer likes promoting their work. Okay, I'm sure some writer likes promoting their work, but they're an anomaly and perhaps their brain should be studied for science. But for everyone else, promotion and marketing isn't the easiest thing, but it's a necessity. In this podcast, I talk about a...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: A Tulip in Lonely a Field
Today's 5-Minute Exercise prompt is: a tulip in a lonely field. Whatever that makes you think of, just keep the pen moving for 5 minutes. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice?…
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No, You Don't Need to be on Twitter
Though Twitter is dying a slow death, it's still an active place for editors and lots of writers. Does that mean you need to get on board the Twitter train? No. In this episode, I talk about why you don't need Twitter or really ANY social media as a freelance writer. Have a question you'd like...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: Too Much Birthday
Today's writing prompt is: too much birthday. If you want more time and accountability for pitching - join my Monthly Pitching Sprint! It's practically guaranteed time to write and the closest thing you'll get to me pitching for you. The next Pitching Sprint starts Tuesday May 2nd. Get more info...
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3 Easy Ways to Come Up With Ideas For Pitches
"What should I write about?" is a hard enough question. But when it comes to "what should I write about that someone will pay me for?" the question gets even trickier. To get through those tricky moments, I give you 3 ways to think of perfectly pitchable story ideas. And, if you want more time…
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5-Minute Writing Exercise - Pulling Weeds
Today's 5-Minute Exercise prompt is: pulling weeds. Whatever that makes you think of, just keep the pen moving for 5 minutes. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for...
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the Janky Journey to $150,000 a year
Lately, I've heard an influx of dramatic success stories along the lines of "I write down all my goals, worked hard, and accomplished all of them in the exact amount of time I gave myself." Well, hooray for you if that happened, but for most creatives this is an incredibly simplistic look at...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: The Best Gift You Ever Gave
Today's writing prompt: The best gift you ever gave. Write for 5 minutes, listen to soothing ocean sounds, and hear an oddly melancholy (but comical) story about my poor gift giving skills as a child. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out...
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A One-Star Review is a Good Thing
Though getting rejections or bad reviews isn't a normal person's idea of a good time, sometimes a one-star review is a good thing. In this episode, find out why and get a new way to think of rejection (that makes it suck a lot less). Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: A Time You Felt Different
Today's prompt is: a time you felt different. Whatever that means or inspires, just keep writing for 5 minutes and see what happens. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up...
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A Tale of Two Conferences or the 10-Hour Crying Jag
A few weeks ago, I went to a creative conference. I was nervous about going and wasn't sure why. Until I remembered that the last time I went to a conference...I had a breakdown. Hear why advice about "living your dream" led to a 10 hour crying jag, how my thoughts have changed over the years to...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise - Birds
Today, we have a simple writing prompt in honor of spring: birds. Whatever that makes you think of, you'll write for 5 minutes and likely be surprised with all the lovely things you come up with. Also, sorry for the audio. I tried out a different mic setup and it was a bad choice! The better...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: Introduce Yourself
If writing an about page or bio feels tricky, give this 5 minute exercise a try! Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me @ambernpetty on Instagram or write me at [email protected]! Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
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The Easiest Writing Money I Ever Made
Yes, writing is hard. But it's not always a struggle. In this episode, I talk about some of the very easy ways I made money writing. Tune in for taco and champagne talk. Sign up for Freelance Writing for Creatives ends March 10th. For more info, go to AmberPetty.com/Enroll Cover Art by Jené...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: The First Story
In today's exercise, we'll flash back to the first story you ever wrote. Side note: I would love to hear about the first story you ever wrote, so feel free to share at [email protected]. Also, sign up for Freelance Writing for Creatives ends March 10th. For more info, go to…
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The 20 Pitch Money Back Guarantee
Pitching can be a pain, but it leads to so many good things. So, to make it as easy as possible, in my class I offer a 20 Pitch Guarantee. If you don't sell a story in 20 pitches, you get your money back. Hear more about the 20 pitch guarantee for Freelance Writing for Creatives in today's…
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: Learning Late
For today's writing exercise, you'll write about something you learned late. Whatever that brings to mind, just keep the pen moving for 5 minutes. Sign up for Freelance Writing for Creatives ends March 10th. For more info, go to AmberPetty.com/Enroll Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
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All the Lovely Things That Can Happen with One Pitch
It's easy to think "will anyone care about this" or "will it take too long" or "why bother" when it comes to pitching. But, a lot of lovely things can happen because of just one pitch. Today, I share 3 stories of the cool things pitches can bring. Want a week where I tell you exactly where to...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: Marathon
In today's exercise, you'll write about whatever marathon makes you think of. By the end of the episode, you'll hear why President's Day always makes me think of marathons (and its nothing to do with running). Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me...
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Why You Should Pitch When You Don't Frigging Feel Like It
If you're feeling overwhelmed or negative about pitching, listen to this episode! I talk about why you should pitch, why you aren't bothering editors, and a way to reframe pitching so it doesn't feel so crappy. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want a...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise - Worst Valentine's Day
In honor of the coming holiday, your prompt for today's 5-Minute Exercise is...the worst Valentine's Day. Get 5 minutes to write and hear my worst Valentine's Day story in this quick episode. Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free...
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How to Pitch Profiles, Multi-submissions, and other listener pitching questions
More wonderful listener questions! Today, I cover how (or if you even should) pitch multiple places at the same time, what to do about profile pitches, and how much info you need before pitching a story involving an interview. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email...
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5-Minute Exercise: The Greatest Chocolate in the World
Today's 5-Minute writing prompt: the greatest chocolate in the world. Feel free to use this time for any and all Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Fan Fiction. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even...
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Tone, Voice, and Values - How to Make Them Come to Life in Your Writing (Listener Question edition)
Another listener question! This time I talk about niches, values, and voice and how to let that shine in your writing. Find out which place you couldn't pay me to write for, how to embody your voice without getting too intellectual, and why you-ness is the most important part. Have a question…
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: A Movie That Broke Your Heart
For today's 5-minute exercise, we're using the prompt "a movie that broke your heart." Keep the pen moving and see what comes up! Did you do the 5-minute exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me @ambernpetty on Instagram! Or email me, they're both great! Have a question…
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How to Write Better Headlines - Listener Question Edition
It's a listener question episode! Today, I talk all about headlines. Why you should spend a little time on them (but not get too stressed), how to improve your headlines, and the most important thing to keep in mind when you're writing the subject of your pitch. Have a question you'd like…
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: Overthinking
The writing prompt for today: A time you overthought something. Want to write more, worry less, and tell that “it’s not GOOD ENOUGH” voice to F off for a while? Come to the Perfectionist’s Half-Assed Writing Spree. Half-assed effort. 100% more writing. The 4-Week Live program that gives you...
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What is the Perfectionist's Half-Assed Writing Spree?
What is the Perfectionist's Half-Assed Writing Spree? Find out in todays episode! I go through all the details of my brand new program and talk about why dealing with perfectionism helps you really write. Want to write more, worry less, and tell that “it’s not GOOD ENOUGH” voice to F off for a...
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An Exercise to Make New Years Eve Way Less Crappy
New Years Eve is not my favorite holiday. It's just too easy to get sad and look back at the year thinking of all the things I haven't done. Well, that's not true. So, today we're going to do an exercise to focus on all the things we have done this year and go into 2023 giving ourselves a lot…
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: Tired
Today the word is: Tired. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of...
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The Amber Petty 1950 Christmas Special!
From the Don't Wait to Write Vault, comes Amber Petty's 1950 Christmas special. It's a charming variety show with Evelyn St. Clair (famous movie star and advice columnist), the Treesap Trio (with harmonies to spare!), and... KISS! What does this have to do with writing? Nothing! I just felt like...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: We Won't Go Until We Get Some
Your prompt for today's 5-Minute Exercise: We Won't Go Until We Get Some. In today's episode, get the prompt, soothing ocean sounds, and brief talk about very rude party guests. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out about open writing jobs...
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Perfectionism vs. the Kmart In-Store Music of Christmas 1974
Another part of the perfectionism series, today we're talking about Kmart videos, the effect of your work on others, and why sending more work out in the world will always make a bigger difference (even if that work isn't life changing material). See the Kmart In-Store Music: Christmas 1974…
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: Then We Got Upsot
Your 5-minute exercise prompt of the day: Then we got upsot. Whatever that brings to mind, just keep writing for 5 minutes. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for…
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Writing Motivation - Your Why or Your Spite
Welcome to the start of my new Perfectionist series! A few following Fridays will be focused on things to help break through perfectionism (and motivate you to put out more writing). Today, you'll find out how to motivate yourself from your why...or your spite. Hear the tale of a crazily cocky...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise - Snow Pants
Your prompt for today is "snow pants." It sounds silly yes, but see where these winter trousers get you for the next 5 minutes. Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exercise? Take a...
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Writers, This is the Easiest Marketing Thing
Will this very simple marketing tip bring you thousands of fans or subscribers? No. But it can get you past 0 (and sometimes lead to jobs, referrals, and all kinds of other cool stuff). Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out about open...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise - Too Much
We're just past Thanksgiving and going into the winter holidays, so it's certainly a time of too much. So, that's the prompt: too much. Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the…
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Yes, There Are a Million Newsletters. Yes, Yours Can Still Stand Out
Are there a ton of newsletters out there? Yes. But there's still room for yours. In today's episode, I'll give you a few tips to make your newsletter stand out from the growing crowd. Also, it's Black Friday time! The 2-Hour Live Workshop Start Your Newsletter & Get People to Read It is normally...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise: Supposed to be Grateful
For today's Thanksgiving themed prompt, you'll writing about when you're supposed to be grateful. Whatever that means to you. Also, we're coming up on Black Friday time! If you want my new workshop: Start A Newsletter & Get People to Read It, normally $149, it'll be on sale for only $99 November...
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How I Make Money As a Writing Teacher by Giving Out Things for Free
I got a few emails recently asking, "how do you make money?" Not that they wanted my bank account info, but they were curious how I had a working business when I was doing so many free workshops. In today's episode, I'll tell you exactly how I do it, why, and how it's a great way to bring in…
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5-Minute Writing Exercise - A Piece of Writing You Loved
It's a writing prompt about writing! How meta. For today's exercise, you'll be inspired by any piece of writing you've recently loved. Sometimes focusing on the writing we enjoy the most helps us remember that our writing will charm someone too. If you want to hear about another way to keep...
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Twitter's a Trash Hole, Here's How to Keep Your Following as a Writer
Twitter's officially worse than ever and could implode at any moment. If you have a big following there, WTF are you supposed to do? In this episode, I talk about how to start a newsletter (to keep in touch with your audience, even if Twitter Fs off for good), plus a few way to get your Twitter...
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5-Minute Writing Exercise - Write Like You're 12
Today, we're going to take a trip back in time to when writing probably felt a lot easier. You'll get a chance to relive your 12 year old writing style and see how that helps you in your adult life. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out...
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When to Throw Writing Notes in the Trash
Last week, I talked about how to take notes from editors in a way that doesn't fill you with rage. Today, I'm talking about the notes you can throw right in the garbage. Though it's often good to get feedback, I think too much feedback can be confusing and detrimental to your work. Sometimes…
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5-Minute Writing Exercise - Best or Worst Halloween
It's Halloween! In honor of the holiday, we've got a spooky prompt: best or worst Halloween. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at...
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How to Take Notes From Editors (Without Hating Them or Yourself)
Getting notes might feel like a flashback to High School English, with the gleefully mean teacher covering your work in red ink. But really, editors are just trying to make the story better (and not trying to make you feel like crap). Today, I give you some helpful tips to make notes easier. They...
About this show
A podcast to help you write more, worry less, and share your work with the world. Hosted by writer Amber Petty (New York Times, Greatist, Bustle, Snooki's blog - jealous?), this show comes in three parts:Mondays: 5-Minute Writing Exercise (you'll be shocked how much you can do in 5 minutes)Wednesdays: Reframe & Relax ("meditations" to help you chill out your inner critic and take writing a little less seriously)Fridays: Find Out (answers to listener questions, writing advice from years of experience, and ways to actively put your work out there)Whether you're a freelance writer, a copywriter who wants to do more than figure out new ways to say "Buy Now", or a person who's always wanted to write but never gave it a shot, this show is for you! Each week, you'll write a little, gain a little confidence, and add new tools to your writing tool belt. A writing tool belt is probably just a pen and a backup charger for your laptop, but you know I mean.
Hosted by
Amber Petty