StoryADay presents: I, WRITER - A Writing Podcast about Building a Successful Writing Practice

A four-week momentum/rescue plan to help keep your writing life progressing outside the bounds of a challenge like StoryADay May.

How can you be successful as a writer if you don't define success? But how do you define success? In this episode I suggest a definition of seven different writing 'modes' you can build into your success framework.

A reminder to mark the end of the StoryADay May challenge, and not to simply keep sprinting.

What does success really look like for a writer? In this episode, I share a surprisingly encouraging reminder from a 1951 editorial in Galaxy Science Fiction: even at the highest magazine rates of the day, it took "a stupendous amount of writing" to support a writer. That may not sound comforting at first — but it is. Because it means writing was never easy. False starts, abandoned drafts, stories that don't quite work, and the sheer volume of practice required are not signs that you're doing it wrong. They are part of the work. A gentle but honest episode about ambition, effort, StoryADay May, avoiding burnout, and building a writing life that makes room for a stupendous amount of writing. This Week's Question What will you write this week? How many times will you show up for your writing? Don't go from zero to sixty. Increase your commitment a little. Give yourself the chance to discover what happens when writing becomes something you return to, again and again. LINKS:  StoryADay Handbook 2026 StoryADay Handbook 2024 (the one that's really a writing course disguised as a challenge): Prompts from Week 3 of the StoryADay May 2026 challenge:  Day 17 - A Critical Day, from Mary Robinette Kowal Day 18 - Expanded Idioms, from Julie Duffy Day 19 - Inspired by Artemis II, from Julie Duffy Day 20 - Making a Grocery List, from Brenda Rech Day 21 - The Nitty Gritty, from Ruby G. Dubois Day 22 - The Hero of their Own Story, from Julie Duffy Day 23 - Beyond Sound and Vision, from Elizabeth Twist  

StoryADay 2026 Handbook: https://stada.me/2026handbook Inspiration Corner Here are some prompts that you might have missed, this month, to get your creative wheels turning. Days 1-9 Day 10 - Darkness to Light, from Renan Bernardo Day 11 - Inhumanity, from Julie Duffy Day 12 - The Visitor, from Debbie Ohi Ridpath Day 13 - Here's a Quarter…, from Michele Reisinger Day 14 - Mine your Emotions, from Jluie Duffy Day 15 - Anarchic Archetype, from Julie Duffy Day 16 - I Think I Can, from Somto Ihueze Keep writing, Julie  

In the light of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America organization's statement on AI and eligibility for the Nebula Awards, I recorded this bonus episode of the podcast to give you my perspective on where we are and where we're headed, regarding AI and the creative arts and, well, civilization as a whole. For more like this, subscribe and follow along at StoryADay.org And please share this with a friend.

A story got accepted… and another came back not accepted — and I'm weirdly thrilled. Here's why embracing rejection can strengthen your consistent writing habits, PLUS: a holiday writing prompt to keep you writing in December. Links: StoryADay Podcast episode 109: https://storyaday.org/episode109 The 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc  

Hi writers! This week I'm sharing a surprising example of how writing (and writers) can help people in the real world, inspired by a project announced by Brandon Sanderson. It leads to one clear lesson about what it actually takes to build a sustainable writing life — especially if you want to write consistently, keep your momentum, and grow beyond the "solitary writer" myth. Plus: a quick writing prompt about conflict you can use right away.

A short meditation on why sustainable writing comes from small, repeatable choices. We touch on Coetzee, Tom Stoppard, and the quiet ways stories ripple outward—then land on the core: build the habit, revise bravely, and let the work be enough.

We all have that voice that whispers, "Who are you to think you can write?" In this gentle, thoughtful episode, Julie Duffy shares why those inner critics feel so convincing—and how to move past them. From celebrating small wins to journaling the negative voices into submission, she offers calm, practical ways to rebuild confidence and keep writing. A soothing reflection on self-doubt, creative courage, and what it really takes to keep showing up for your stories.

Writing is hard — but it's even harder alone. In this episode, Julie shares why connecting with other writers is the key to overcoming blocks, staying consistent, and building a joyful writing life. Discover how community keeps you motivated, accountable, and growing as a writer. Join the Superstars group: storyaday.org/superstars

On Day 14 of the StoryADay Challenge, how's it going? Perfectly? Oh, you magical unicorn you. For the rest of us, I have some thoughts... 00:00 StoryADay Update - Limit Your Choice, Do Hard Things 04:51 Creating artificial limits for freedom 05:43 Recommit 05:46 Make It Public 06:44 Make It Smaller and More Specific 08:37 Have A Theme 09:24 Commit To The Prompts 10:13 Be There For Yourself Even When Its Uncomfortable 14:05 Quantity vs Quality

Join Julie from Story A Day on Day 10 of Story A Day May as she discusses using strong emotions like rage as fuel for your writing. Julie shares personal insights on transforming negative emotions into positive creative energy and how it can lead to problem-solving and positive thinking. She also highlights today's writing prompt from Patricia A. Jackson, which encourages writers to pen a story from the perspective of a banned book. Embrace your irritation, channel it into your writing, and elevate your mood through creativity! https://storyaday.org 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 00:08 Harnessing Rage for Creativity 00:48 Positive Problem-Solving Frameworks 01:26 Life Lessons from a Former Boss 01:58 Turning Frustration into Creative Fuel 02:07 Today's Writing Prompt: Banned Books 03:11 Mission for Today: Write with Passion 03:39 Final Encouragement

Creativity brings its own rewards - how writing more helps you write more... join us: https://storyaday.org

I wasn't feeling great, on Day 7 of the StoryADay Challenge, so here's what I dd to get my inspriation back....   Join us: https://storyaday.org

(and yes, episode four comes from Day 5. You didn't miss anything. I just don't do these every day) This update from the StoryADay challenge comes on Day 5, but works for you any time you're trying to write.  Join the challenge: https://storyaday.org 00:00 Introduction to StoryADay Challenge 00:15 Taking a Break: The Importance of Rest 01:07 Dealing with Prompts: Inspiration and Flexibility  02:14 Community Insights: Diverse Perspectives on Prompts 05:10 Personal Reflections: Knitting and Writing 06:57 The Value of Persistence and Experimentation 08:02 dig deep into the ideas that come from the writing prompts 10:07 Encouragement and Community Engagement

Maybe you're tired, sad, or otherwise struggling emotions when you're trying to write. What do you do, to keep going?  I have two suggestions, today. Find more at https//storyaday.org

On writing flash fiction to a writing prompt by F. E. Choe, the art of Flash Fiction, and the benefits of brainstorming. Get a sneak preview of my Flash Fiction Workshop here (first 3 lessons, free!): https://stada.me/flash-preview

These mini episodes bring you in-the-moment updates from my StoryADay May challenge, in the hope that what I'm learning will also be helpful to you!   Episode 1 - In which I talk about confidence and humility as a creative person join the challenge: https://storyaday.org/

Warm up for the StoryADay May Challenge (or any writing) with these character exercises. Create your raw materials this month; write like the wind, next month! LINKS All the warm up tasks: https://stada.me/april-warm-ups  

Get ready for StoryADay May with these warm-up tasks in April PLUS: hear about the wonderful writers who have sent us prompts for this year's challenge sign up at: https://storyaday.org

During StoryADay I like to give you meaty writing exercises disguised as prompts. This week I'm giving you seven mini-prompts that you can use to juice up an existing work-in-progress or to spark a new one. You can find all these prompts here: https://storyaday.org/sftw101 Playlist of YouTube Short writing prompts Sign up for the StoryADay May Challenge here: https://storyaday.org/signup

What's life really like as a writer? Well, the answer is as varied as the number of writers you ask, but for me, this is how things are going: Listen in, you might be inspired! LINKS Join Superstars + I, WRITER Course at a discount before Dec 15, 2024 https://storyaday.org/superstars Writing Prompts: https://storyaday.org/writing-prompt-archive/ Flash Fiction Primer: https://storyaday.org/flash-fiction-essentials/ The StoryADay blog: https://storyaday.org/blog CHAPTERS  00:27 Bluesky/BSKY 05:16 Flash Fiction Notes 11:49 The Power Of Others 20:32 Recap

It's that time of year again, when we look back at what happened last year in our lives and what we hope to make happen next year in our writing lives.  1-6 projects Planning Pie: LINKS: Register for the Annual Planning Workshop Join the StoryADay Superstars

This week I rant about the Best American Short Story Collection...and more 00:00 20241018Podcast 06:00 Read literary fiction if you like it 07:29 Read in your chosen genre 10:38 Using Your Knowledge In Your Writing - How I Wrote A Story 14:28 Read widely 18:55 Reading from Critique Week 21:40 Book Club

How to write realistic, fascinating characters that readers adore...and what it can teach you about BEING a writer...   LINKS One Story Challenge: https://storyaday.org/one-story-signup

This week's StoryADay podcast is about loving your writing and sharing the love! Yes, there is stuff about marketing your writing in here, but don't let that put you off.  CHAPTERS 00:00 StADa321 - Being You 01:09 The One-Story Challenge: Show, Don't Tell Edition 08:07 Marketing LINKS The One-Story Challenge - Show Don't Tell Edition: https://storyaday.org/one-story-signup Elizabeth Wheatley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisabethwheatley Elizabeth Wheatley's Books: https://elisabethwheatley.com/collections/books-ebooks

Sometimes it seems like success comes easily to other people when it feels so elusive to us. But there are secrets to making it more likely you'll be one of those success stories, and that's what I'm talking about this week on the StoryADay Podcast. Whether you're a writer or not, I think you'll like this one! LINKS: Tell me what you're celebrating: https://storyaday.org/the-secret-to-sticking-with-it/ The StoryADay Handbook: https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Engine Of Success for Writers 01:13 Things I Learned About Motivation, from My Kids 03:49 Our Inner Writer Is Just A Kid 07:36 The Characteristics of Resilient People 10:46 Steal the Strategies of Resilient People   Follow along https://storyaday.org Instagram: https://instagram.com/storyadaymay  

In which I share revelations from my recent travels to Scotland, and talk about the importance of seeing the wonder in everyday life.  0:00 Find Wonder Everywhere 10:14 This Week's Assignment 17:49 Your gift to the world LINKS Leave a comment: https://storyaday.org/find-wonder-everywhere Handbook: https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook  

This week I share what worked from StoryADay May this year, including our secret weapon, the warm up and brainstorming exercises. 00:09: Inspiration from Unlikely Sources 04:31 Encouragement from Writing Friends 07:12 Building a Supportive Writing Community 10:28 Back to Fundamentals: Improving Your Writing Practice 11:58 Warm-Up and Brainstorming Exercises 20:40 Resources and Programs for Writers 24:43 Upcoming Topics and Conclusion LINKS The StoryADay Challenge Handbook: https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook

Characters need to need something. They need to want something. Otherwise, it's just a series of things happening to a character...and readers won't care. In this episode I share a writing prompt and lesson from my year-long email series, StoryAWeek, which you can start today,all about creating a story in which a character needs something.  I also talk about creating suspense in creative and marketing writing, and about why it's so important to build a writing practice. LINKS Mary Robinette Kowal interview StoryAWeek StoryADay Challenge Handbook

In a week when a(nother) rockstar writer is falling from their pedestal, I made a case for the rest of us being brave enough to complete and release our work into the world; to flood the reading public with good options, and not worry about what might happen if we accidentally become successful.   LINKS: Contact: https://storyaday.org/contact The StoryADay Challenge Handbook: https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook

Want more joy and less angst, in your writing life?  I have some suggestions, that will helo you create and stick to a writing practice that works for you, right now. LINKS StoryADay Handbook: https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits: https://amzn.to/4chLUmd (affiliate link)

Why can you write so well during challenges like StoryADay May but struggle to motivate yourself outside challenges? In this episode I dig into why challenges work AND how you can create and refine your own processes for replicating that success in your writing life.   LINKS: StoryADay Challenge Handbook: https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook

Do you have a system for consistently seeking out feedback on your completed pieces? Could that system use a few tweaks? What is this word, 'system' I keep using (and how dare I)? All this and more, in this week's episode... LINKS Critique Week: https://storyaday.org/critique StoryADay Challenge Handbook: https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook

In which I talk about how StoryADay May 2024 is going (spoiler: it's going great!) and how much fun everyone is having, and the best ways to participate, even if you don't want to write a story every day. CHAPTERS: hapters [00:01:08] How Is StoryADay May 2024 going? [00:01:30] Join The Discussion [00:02:24] The Challenge Handbook Benefits [00:04:51] The Experience of StoryADay May in 2024 [00:05:10] Week 1 - Come To Your Desk [00:05:48] Week 2 - The Elements of Craft [00:08:03] Week 3 - The Art of the Short Story [00:09:10] Wish I'd Known Then...Podcast Appearance (Short stories for novelists) [00:11:15] Fun With Short Stories [00:12:45] The Benefits of Community & How to be A Good Literary Citizen [00:17:29] Wish I'd Known Then...podcast - other topics we covered [00:19:08] Indie vs Traditional Publishing [00:20:39] If You're Having Difficulty Writing or Staying Motivated to Write... LINKS StoryADay Challenge: https://storyaday.org StoryADay Challenge Handbook: https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook Wish I'd Known Then...Podcast: https://stada.me/wishidknown

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  In this revist of my interview with writer Windy Lynn Harris, we talk about Seven Ways to Write Flash Fiction, a skill that is extremely handy during the upcoming StoryADay challenge Sign up for the challenge at StoryADay.org CHAPTERS: 1:16 Flash art comes organically when being open. 6:58 Flash fiction: creative, short, under 500 words. 12:28 Be specific in short flash fiction writing. 13:05 Editing is essential for shorter pieces. 17:37 Essential aspect of storytelling, representing a moment. 19:32 Woman faces fear, mystery, and self-discovery. 23:27 Enjoy working on soliloquies and rants in writing. 26:56 Background, training influence the form of writing. 29:13 Accessing your authentic voice is essential. 33:08 Writers adapting to shorter work during pandemic. 36:51 Creativity can flourish without lofty goals. 41:05 Distraction in the world, set timer, create. 43:12 First book on writing short stories. 46:12 Strategic shorts can boost writing career prospects. 49:43 Writing needs community for support, progress, success. 54:27 Exciting prompts for daily creative writing in May.

Intrigued by the StoryADay Challenge but intimidated? Don't be! In this episode I explain all the rules including the most important rule: Make Your Own Rules! Sign up at https://storyaday.org/signup 00:00 History of the StoryADay Challenge 01:30 4. Give Yourself Permission To Have Fun 06:14 StoryADay May Rules 06:31 1. Make Your Own Rules 11:20 2. Don't Try To Catch Up 12:12 3. Don't Post Your Stories Online (Or Do) 13:30 4. Give Yourself Permission To Have Fun 14:47 5. Seek Out The Right Support At The Right Time 17:11 6. Dance Your Victory Dance, Every Day 19:56 7. Use the Prompts (Or Don't) 21:43 Summary of the "Rules" 22:52 How To Sign Up 23:03 What To Expect from This Year's Prompts 28:22 The importance of Community

Sign up for the I, WRITER Course today and build a writing practice you can love today, not 'some day'. LEAP DAY SPECIAL $229 (regularly $497) or 54% off! https://stada.me/leapday Listening after Leap Day? It's still incredible value and you can get started today: https://stada.me/iwriternow

  "In a digital world saturated with technicolor brilliance and filtered, unobtainable beauty, modern humans seem unmoored and at sea. We crave stories to tell us who we are." – Min Jin Lee, Best American Short Stories 2023   LINKS: StoryADay.org/what-we-crave

In this on-the-road episode, I come to you fresh from a conference, full of new energy and ideas, and I encourage you to find ways to shake up YOUR practice. LINKS Critique Week https://stada.me/critique

What do Groundhogs have to do with getting better at skills? Oh, so much. Trust me. LINKS Friday Freebie: https://storyaday.org/friday  

In which I talk about Mary Oliver and the power of words to lift us out of the everyday. I also invite you to take part in the January Challenge, a five-day exercise that will make you more decisive around your fiction and every aspect of your writing life. Sign up here:https://storyaday.org/jan-challenge

In this episode I discuss the concept of discomfort in the journey of pursuing creative endeavors and explore the different types of discomfort, such as striving to reach one's ambitions versus worrying about not having what it takes. I encourage you to embrace discomfort as a sign of growth and progress, and suggest a solid-gold way to make that less grim. I also invite you to join the Story A Day Superstars, a supportive community for writers, and announce upcoming writing challenges and courses. Plus: a writing tip about making characters sound more realistic. 0:00 StADa133 When Writing Feels Hard 00:31 On Discomfort 13:02 StoryADay Support 14:37 My Annual Theme 16:11 Writing Tip on Character Voice Links: StoryADay Superstars: https://storyaday.org/superstars Get on the mailing list: https://storyaday.org

Are you setting goals for outcomes or simply turning towards your writing more? Here are some ways I can help: Download the Short Story Framework: https://storyaday.org/ssf Take the 3-Day Challenge https://storyaday.org/3dc Sign up for the StoryAWeek Newsletter https://storyaday.org/storyaweek Take the I, WRITER Course https://stada.me/iwriternow Join the Superstars Group https://storyaday.org/superstars Coaching with Julie https://storyaday.org/writing-coaching-with-julie   Chapters [00:00:00] Intro [00:00:32] Where Are You Headed? [00:03:16] Turning Towards Your Writing, Consistently [00:05:12] Goals or GPS? [00:06:26] More Successes [00:12:02] No More Negative Voices [00:13:54] Ways To Get Support from StoryADaym [00:14:25] Short Story Framework [00:14:35] The 3-Day Challenge [00:15:51] StoryAWeek Newsletter [00:18:50] I, WRITER Course [00:19:39] January 5-Day Challenge [00:20:18] StoryADay Superstars [00:21:51] Coaching [00:23:19] Wrap up

in this week's episode I'm celebrating the successes of writers from the StoryADay Community, and our Superstars Group. Some of those successes are publication-related and others are more about the progress of the writers' practice. Join us. I also extend an invitation to join our Superstar group in the coming year. LINKS Join Superstars: https://members.storyaday.org/join-superstars Never Give Up (Brenda's Post) https://storyaday.org/brenda-persists This episode:  https://storyaday.org/epsiode301

In this episode I explain where the podcast has been for the past few week, talk about the workshops I've been running and talk about what's coming next for StoryADay, AND encourage you to understand the value of the work you're doing. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Updates 00:10 Creating Content and Workshops 02:08 Exploring the Use of AI in Writing 04:56 AI for Organizational Structures and Marketing 11:21 Reflections on Recent Events and Future Plans 11:40 StoryADay Superstars Group and Annual Planning Bundle 15:48 The Pressure of Milestones and Overcoming Blocks 20:19 The Importance of Writing and Encouragement 24:15 Conclusion and Future Podcast Plans LINKS: Holiday Stories Workshop  (50% discount) Annual Planning Bundle  Would you like the AI workshop - Leave a comment What do you love/like/want in the podcast - Leave a comment  StoryADay Superstars waitlist  Share your stories from 15 years of StoryADay 

I could give you a million and one tactics for fitting writing into your life...and none of them will matter a jot until you do this one simple (not easy) thing... LINKS NaNoWriMo Support Pack: https://storyaday.org/nanowrimo-essentials The Keep Writing Workbook https://stada.me/kww    

Welcome to The StoryADay Podcast, where we explore the power of storytelling and the importance of writing every day. In today's episode, titled "How Good Is Good Enough?" I encourage you to think about the significance of our narratives and the impact they have on the world around us. Drawing inspiration from a talk by former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, I reflect on imposter syndrome, internal motivation, and the responsibility writers have to capture the essence of human experience. Join me as we explore the value of our stories, regardless of accolades or recognition, and the role they play in helping others make sense of the world. It's time to embrace our unique perspectives and share our narratives with the world. So grab your pen and paper, and let's get started on this storytelling journey together. Stay tuned!   Links:  The Short Story Framework: https://storyaday.org/framework The 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc