The Whole Writer

I'm joined by creativity coach Charlotte Donlon for a conversation I think has been missing from most craft circles: what it actually means to write from a compassionate place. We talk about her forthcoming book Spiritual Direction for Writers, and why she believes all of life is the writing life, not just the days we sit down to draft.Charlotte opens up about coming to writing later in life, healing through a daily writing practice after a manic episode and major depression, living with bipolar disorder, and the identity crisis she faced as a writer when her father died just months before her first book released. We dig into nourishing rhythms, solo retreat practices, writer identity, loneliness and belonging in the creative life, and how to be curious with yourself instead of chastising yourself when the writing isn't happening.If you've ever felt like you weren't a real writer during a season when you weren't writing, or you're looking for a gentler, more sustainable approach to your creative practice, this episode is for you.We cover:Charlotte's path from classical ballet to an MFA in creative writingWriting as healing while living with bipolar disorder and mental illnessGrief, identity, and what it means to be a writer during hard seasonsHer belong, become, behold, bestow framework from Spiritual Direction for WritersNourishing rhythms, solo writing retreats, and self-compassion for writersBeing a good literary citizen and finding belonging through art and communityFind Charlotte at spiritualdirectionforwriters.comIf this episode resonated with you, I'd love a rating and review, it helps more writers find the show. And if you want support with your own manuscript or writing life, come find me at nicolemeier.com.

Struggling with how to revise a novel or memoir once the first draft is done? In this episode, I reframe revision as the real heart of writing a book, not just fixing typos and tightening scenes. Learn why the self-editing process is emotional as much as technical, how to find the story underneath your story, and why writers lose themselves when they revise to please feedback instead of revising toward the book they meant to write.If you're deep in your own novel revision process or memoir revision and wondering whether you're doing it right, this conversation will help you trust your instincts and your craft again, together instead of at odds.Want to join my fall revision cohort? Become a paid Substack subscriber at Dear Whole Writer and you're in!Want to learn more about my editing services? Visit nicolemeier.com

A quick note before the new season starts: revision has no roadmap, and that's exactly the problem. Introducing Whole Revision, a ten-week cohort for my paid Substack subscribers, opening September 8th. I'd love to see you inside!To join, visit this link here.Email: [email protected]

What if the secret to writing a compelling novel—and querying it successfully—starts with understanding what's deeply meaningful to you? In this episode, I sit down with author Karin Gillespie to explore how to identify the personal connection in your writing and translate it into a pitch that agents and editors can't ignore.Karin, author of nine novels and creator of the popular Substack "Pitch Your Novel," shares her 20+ year publishing journey—from traditional publishing with the Big Five to indie publishing and back again. She's seen the industry from every angle, and she's here to help you navigate today's competitive landscape with wisdom, warmth, and practical guidance.In this episode, we discuss:Why your personal connection to your story matters more than you thinkHow to write a novel with a clear desire line that drives your narrative forwardThe essential elements every query letter needs (including the one-sentence pitch most writers forget)How to identify and pitch your book's genre in today's marketWhat "comps" are and why they're crucial to your query successThe reality of submission in 2025—and why it's so different from even five years agoHow to create your pitch before you write your novel (and why this can save you heartbreak)Finding joy in the writing process, even when the business side feels overwhelmingWhether you're drafting your first manuscript or querying your fifth novel, this conversation offers both tactical advice on how to query a literary agent and gentle encouragement to stay connected to what makes your writing meaningful.Connect with Karin Gillespie: Substack: Pitch Your NovelMentioned Resources:Publisher's MarketplaceQuery TrackerAmazon for comp researchIf you're ready to learn how to write a novel that matters to you and stands out in the marketplace, this episode is your roadmap.The Whole Writer is a podcast for fiction writers who want to nurture both their craft and their creative well-being. Hosted by Nicole Meier, multi-published author and book coach.Want more support on your writing journey? Visit nicolemeier.com to explore coaching programs for fiction writers.If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other writers discover the show!🎙️Find Karin Gillespie here.🎙️Find Nicole Meier here.

Jane Friedman discusses the major shifts she's witnessed in publishing over the past ten years. Inside this episode, we explore:the explosive growth of audiobooksthe new tools and platforms available to writers today the rise of the creator economy and its impact on authorsthe emergence of AI in writing and publishingJane brings her signature practical wisdom and market intelligence to help writers understand and navigate this transformed landscape. Tune in for more.🎙️Find more on Jane Friedman here.🎙️Find more on Nicole Meier here.

Bestselling author J.T. Ellison shares what it really takes to build a creative life that stands the test of time. From honoring the seasons of your writing career to navigating burnout and rediscovering joy, J.T. offers candid insights into the mindset shifts, boundaries, and community connections that keep creativity sustainable. Whether you're in the trenches of a first draft or navigating the ups and downs of publishing, her wisdom is a reminder that longevity in the creative world isn't about hustle—it's about alignment, intention, and protecting what matters most.Find more on J.T. Ellison here and here.Find more in Nicole Meier here.

I'm sharing an interview I originally recorded for the Cracking Open podcast because the conversation feels just as relevant for our Whole Writer community.We talk about something I believe deeply: creativity isn't reserved for people with endless time, perfect circumstances, or extraordinary talent. It's a practice of returning to yourself—again and again.In our conversation, we explore:• How I found my way back to writing after years of raising three children and caring for family.• Why resistance so often disguises itself as "not enough time," perfectionism, or fear of being judged.• The small, consistent habits that helped me build a sustainable writing life.• Why confidence doesn't come before we begin—it grows because we begin.• How creativity supports not only our writing, but our sense of wholeness.Whether you're drafting a novel, revising a memoir, or simply trying to reconnect with the creative part of yourself, I hope this conversation encourages you to keep showing up for your work—and for yourself.If this episode resonates, I'd love to hear from you. You can find more encouragement, craft essays, and thoughtful reflections for novelists and memoirists in my Dear Whole Writer newsletter.To find Molly Carroll's podcast, Cracking Open, visit here.

Is AI quietly eroding your creative confidence? I’m sharing what I’m seeing in manuscripts as an editor, discussing the concept of “agency decay,” and making a case for why the messy, uncertain work of drafting is exactly where your writer’s voice gets made.In this episode:Why AI-generated pages are recognizable to agents, editors, and book coachesWhat “agency decay” is and how it chips away at your creative confidence over timeThe difference between using AI as a tool vs. letting it replace your creative work3 practical strategies to reclaim your voice and trust yourself on the pageFor fiction writers, memoir writers, and anyone who’s been tempted to outsource the blank page, this one’s for you.To find more on Nicole, visit nicolemeier.com

What happens when traditional publishing stalls your career — and you decide to take matters into your own hands?In this episode, Nicole sits down with award-winning novelist Annie Cathryn (The Friendship Breakup, Eat the Cake) to talk candidly about her journey from querying 125 literary agents, landing a traditional publishing deal, and ultimately making the leap to self-publishing her latest novel.Whether you're a fiction writer wondering how to self-publish your first novel, or a traditionally published author weighing a move to indie publishing, Annie's story is full of hard-won wisdom and practical insight.They cover:What it really takes to query literary agents — and why 125 rejections isn't failureWhy traditional publishing didn't work for Annie's sophomore novel (and why it had nothing to do with her writing)How she launched an indie publishing business in a single day — LLC, website, pub date and allThe honest learning curve of self-publishing: book formatting, cover design, IngramSpark vs. Amazon, and what she'd do differentlyThe real benefits of being an indie author: creative control, real-time sales data, and choosing your own pub dateHow to decide whether traditional or self-publishing is the right fit for your author careerAnnie's debut novel Eat the Cake — a story of grief, unexpected hope, and a scavenger hunt through Florence — releases July 21st. Find her on Instagram @msanniecathryn and pre-order at bookstoread.com/anniecatherine.For more on Nicole Meier, visit nicolemeier.com

That quiet, nagging feeling about your manuscript? It might be trying to tell you something important.In this episode, novelist and writing mentor Nicole Meier gets honest about one of the hardest decisions a writer can face: knowing when it's time to set a manuscript aside, pivot your publishing path, or start something new — and how to make that call from a place of clarity rather than fear or desperation.Nicole shares the personal story of shelving her own early novel after receiving rare, detailed agent feedback — a decision she credits as one of the most aligned choices of her writing career. Four published books later, she's here to help you ask the same honest questions she asked herself.In this episode, you'll learn:How to tell the difference between normal creative resistance and a deeper signal that something isn't workingThe 5 questions to ask yourself when your manuscript feels misalignedWhat to do if you've been querying literary agents for months (or years) without successWhy "switching it up" is not the same as quitting — and when it's actually the wisest creative moveHow to define your authorial identity before starting your next projectWhat alignment really means for novel writers and memoirists — and why it changes everythingThis episode is for you if:You're a novelist or memoir writer sitting with a manuscript that feels "off"You're deep in the query trenches and wondering whether to keep goingYou're considering alternative publishing paths like small press, hybrid, or self-publishingYou want to write books that feel true to who you are as a storytellerWhether you're working on your debut novel, revising a memoir, or deciding whether to keep querying — this conversation will help you move forward with intention.For more on Nicole Meier, visit here.

Feeling stuck, discouraged, or lost somewhere between your first draft and your publishing dreams? In this episode of The Whole Writer, I sit down with New York Times bestselling novelist Miranda Beverly-Whittemore (Bittersweet, Fierce Little Thing) for an honest, inspiring conversation about the realities of a long writing career — and how to keep going anyway.Miranda shares the full arc of her publishing journey: from selling her debut novel at 25 in a six-figure deal, to having a second book sell fewer than 2,000 copies, to eventually landing on the New York Times bestseller list — and what she learned at every painful, pivotal turn.In this episode, you'll discover:How to strategically study the books you love to write more compelling, commercially resonant fictionWhy outlining doesn't have to be at odds with literary writing — and how Miranda thinks about plot like a piece of gossipWhat it really means to shelve a manuscript, and how to emotionally move forwardHow shame silences writers in publishing — and why breaking that silence mattersMiranda's plot coaching work and how she helps stuck writers rediscover their story's potentialA simple, powerful practice for reigniting hope when writing feels impossibleWhether you're querying your first novel, navigating submission with your agent, or wondering if your shelved manuscript means you've failed — this conversation will remind you why you started and how to keep going.🎙️Connect with Miranda: Website | The Plot Solution on Substack 🎙️Connect with Nicole: Website | Dear Whole Writer on Substack

If you're writing a novel or memoir and you can't shake the feeling that you're somehow running out of time — this episode is for you.In today's episode, I'm talking about one of the most common and most painful stories writers carry: the belief that the book should already be done, that you're behind, that everyone else is further along. And I want to challenge that story directly.Because here's what I've come to believe after years of writing and working with writers: writing a book is not a single event. It's a practice. And when you start treating it like one — when you bring long-game thinking to your creative life — something genuinely shifts.In this episode, I share:Why treating your book like a finish line is keeping you stuckThe one question that changes how you approach your manuscript every dayWhat it actually means to build a sustainable writing practiceHow to get unstuck when your draft isn't working the way you hopedWhy the writers who finish books they're proud of are the ones who stopped rushing and started tendingWhether you're working on your first novel, somewhere in the middle of a memoir, or trying to restart a writing practice that's gone quiet — this one's for you.🎙️ Find more at NicoleMeier.com🎙️ Connect with Nicole on Substack