The Soul and Science of Great Writing with Mara Eller

How do you build a successful career as a self-published fiction author?For our first (but not last) episode on fiction, I’m joined by J.A. Merkel, a sci-fi/fantasy author with two series underway, one with a whopping 27 books planned. He shares the strategy that turned a string of rejection letters into a strategic indie launch that actually worked plus the framework that helped him finally finish the novel he’d been working on for 10 years.We dive into:why plotting is the key to writing complex novelshow structure can actually free your creativityhis step-by-step process for starting a new novel from scratchwriting with ADHD: time blindness, guardrails, and morning routines for the winwhy the best fiction reveals truth without forcing itthe role of curiosity, emotion, and reader connection in great storytellingFrom Story Grid to ADHD, this conversation explores what it really takes to finish a novel—and why sometimes the most creative thing you can do is give your brain exactly the structure it's been craving.Mentioned in this episode:Story Grid resourcesSave the Cat plotting methodDune by Frank HerbertHyperion by Dan SimmonsChange Your Brain, Change Your Life by Daniel G. Amen, M.D.Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn MuirJA Merkel is the author of The Fourth Portal and The Fall Gauntlet series, known for immersive world building, sustained emotional tension, and the way his stories pull readers into expansive fictional worlds while leaving lasting emotional and thematic impact.Learn more and connect at www.jamerkel.com.Send me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

You're putting in the work—rereading sentences, second-guessing word choices, trying to get it just right. But each fix creates new problems, and something always feels . . . off.It's not a lack of effort or talent. You just don't know what to prioritize.This episode will help you close that gap between effort and impact—so you can stop feeling overwhelmed and start writing with clarity and confidence.I break down the five essentials that matter most for great writing—true across genres, but especially for nonfiction—so you know exactly what to prioritize and how to achieve each on the page.These five are at the heart of strong writing, and addressing them creates a cascade of improvement. It’s kind of like treating the underlying cause vs a symptom: only one leads to a cure. Focus on these, and everything else starts to fall into place.If trying to improve your writing sometimes feels like a game of whack-a-mole, this episode is for you!For more specific techniques to level up your writing craft today, grab my FREE download “From Good to Great: Ten Tips to Write Like a Pro,” along with an accompanying video training, at www.maraeller.com/tentips.Send me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

You poured your heart into your piece, found the courage to share it, and now . . . crickets. What gives?In this episode, I’m joined by my business coach, Steph Crowder, to unpack a truth many writers resist: if you want readers, you have to learn how to sell your work—but not in the way you think.We explore why authors need to think of themselves as entrepreneurs—and why selling your work isn’t separate from writing, but an extension of it.Plus, we reframe sales as something deeply aligned with what writers already do best: tell stories, understand people, and create connection.We cover:Why your fear of self-promotion is actually keeping your work from helping peopleA simple way to think about sales that doesn’t feel grossWhat it really means to “know your reader”How to build a platform without feeling performativeWhy imperfect, consistent posting beats perfection every timeAt its core, this episode is about a mindset shift: seeing sales not as self-promotion, but as storytelling, connection, and service.If you’ve ever thought, “I just want to write, not sell,” you need to hear this conversation!Mentioned in this episode:A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MassFourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros“Confessions of a Broke Millionaire” by Danielle LeslieStrangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle BurdenThe 15 Minute Planner MethodConnect with Steph on Instagram @heystephcrowderSend me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

What if the person you’ve always wanted to be… is already inside you?In this episode, I share a personal essay (a mini-memoir) about a weekend in New York City that changed how I see myself—and how we become who we’re meant to be.I explore:The tension between who we’ve been and who we’re becomingWhy transformation is less about dramatic events and more about daily choicesHow the way we live and the way we write are deeply connectedPlus, I offer a writing prompt to help you explore (or imagine) a moment when you felt most like yourself—and use it to catalyze your own metamorphosis.If you're ready to step more fully into your truest, boldest self—both on and off the page—this episode is for you!Mentioned in this episode:Read the original essay on SubstackJoin my email listSend me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

Most people think great memoirs begin with a great story: something dramatic or unusual that happens to the author.In reality, the difference between a mediocre memoir and an unforgettable one has almost nothing to do with what happened.In this episode, I’m joined by acquisitions editor Ariel Curry to break down what actually makes a memoir work and how even the most ordinary life can become extraordinary on the page.Using What We Carry as a case study, we explore:The mistakes that make even dramatic stories fall flatHow to turn small, everyday moments into compelling scenesThe incremental journey of internal transformation—and how to actually show it on the pageWhy voice, detail, and agency matter more than plotHow to navigate writing a memoir about your relationship with another personPlus, I share my reflections on the most powerful parts of What We Carry: the author’s honest portrayal of her postpartum experience and the book’s invitation to examine the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.If you’ve ever felt like your story is too small, too ordinary, or too “boring” to make for a great memoir, this episode will change the way you see your writing—and your life.Ariel Curry is a senior editor for nonfiction at Sourcebooks. She lives in Chattanooga, TN, with her husband and three beautiful children. You can find her at hungryauthors.com or on Substack.Mentioned in this episode:What We Carry by Maya Shanbhag LangLove Warrior by Glennan DoyleStrangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle BurdenThe Power of Writing It Down and Write Your Story by Allison FallonThe Artist’s Way by Julia CameronUnearthing Beauty Memoir Writing ProgramJoin my email listSend me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

Why do so many writers fall off track when writing their memoir? It’s rarely a lack of passion. It’s usually a cloud of confusion. Somewhere in the "messy middle," the lights go out. You get pulled in 17 different directions, the words blur, and you realize you don’t actually know where the story is headed. When you can’t see the path forward—aren’t even sure there IS a path—it’s far easier to just . . . stop. If you want to finish, you have to outsmart the confusion. You need a way to light the path forward when the sky grows dark. That is exactly why I created the ARC Framework. It’s a three-step system that addresses both the soul and the science of finishing your memoir—strategies to master the self-doubt that derails your storytelling + techniques to find your way back to the page when you feel lost. Plus, those same strategies are the key to making your memoir jump off the page and into your reader’s hearts.In today’s episode, I’m sharing the replay of Tuesday’s free training, Finish Your Life-Changing Memoir, where I teach my brand-new ARC Framework.You’ll learn: Why fear is actually a green light, a sign that your story needs to be writtenWhat your memoir is REALLY about—and why knowing that will unleash your best writing The key to deciding what goes in, what gets cut, and how it all connects so you know exactly what to write next How to tell if what you’ve written is actually landing so you can stop tweaking endlessly and start revising with intentionBy the end, you’ll know what to do any time doubt or confusion tempts you to abandon your story—whether you’re on page 1 or page 301.Send me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

What if the most powerful memoirs come not from telling your story—but transforming it?In this episode, I’m joined by trauma-informed writing coach Lisa Cooper Ellison for a powerful conversation about the alchemy of memoir—the process of transforming lived experience into meaning—and why great memoirs always reveal a truth about the human condition.Lisa shares how to uncover the deeper “aboutness” of your story, how to reveal that “aboutness” on the page, and why rushing the process often keeps writers from telling their most powerful story.We also discuss how to write about difficult or traumatic experiences without overwhelming yourself—or your reader—including practical tools you can put to use right away. We dive into:Lisa’s concept of the essential question—and how it guides your entire bookHow to identify what actually belongs in your memoir (and what doesn’t)A powerful lens for choosing details, imagery, and metaphorHow to read like a writer and learn from great memoirsWhy giving feedback on other writers’ work can accelerate your own growth (and how to do it well)Common mistakes that slow writers down during drafting and revisionHow to know if you’re ready to write a particularly hard sceneWhether you’re just starting your memoir or deep in revision, this conversation will challenge you to think more deeply about your story and invite you into a writing process will produce both a better book and a changed writer.Mentioned in this episodeAllison K Williams’ “In a world where . . .” test Jeannine Ouellette’s tool for finding Your Story's Core Aboutness”“What Is a Memoir’s Essential Question and Why Do You Need One?” by Lisa Cooper EllisonCarmen Maria Machado’s In the Dream HouseMy Name Means Fire by Atash YaghmaianWhat My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo by Jeannette Walls Heavy by Kiese LaymonHow I Escaped Iran & Wrote My Way to Freedom with Atash Yaghmaian MEMOIR WRITING PROGRAM — Unearthing Beauty FREE WORKSHOP — Finish Your Life-Changing MemoirLisa's Substack and WebsiteSend me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

Should I still write a memoir if I don’t think I want to publish it?My answer is a resounding “yes!” And I have 7 reasons why you should, regardless of whether you ever want to share a word with another living soul (plus a bonus reason if you do!). In fact, I think we should always write first and foremost for ourselves, because of the person the process will help us become.In this episode, I explore the transformational power of personal writing, including:the health benefits of expressive writingwhy storytelling helps the brain process traumahow writing reveals who you really are and what your life meanshow writing your story can change your realitywhy personal writing is a deeply spiritual practicehow writing cultivates agency, empathy, and deeper connectionWhether you dream of publishing a memoir someday or you simply want to make sense of your experiences, this episode will show you why writing your story is well worth your time—even if no one else ever reads it.Mentioned in this episode:FREE WORKSHOP on March 24 (replay included) — Finish Your Life-Changing Memoir: 3 Steps to Stop Stalling and Start Writing so Your Story Doesn’t Die with You MEMOIR WRITING PROGRAM — Unearthing Beauty (doors open late March, 2026)Allison Fallon’s wonderful book Write Your Story, where all my quotations of hers in this episode can be foundSend me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

“You can't hide from your own calling.”Megan always knew she would write a book — someday.But when she finally committed to writing a memoir, she found herself wandering in “no-man’s land” — pages of stories, no through line, and no idea how to go from there to a finished book. That led her to reach out for book coaching, and her growth over the last five months has been so inspiring.We talk about:The challenge — and reward — of becoming the hero of your own storyWhat to do when your transformation isn’t finished yetHow to stop censoring yourself on the pageAnd why you might need to “choose your hard” if you want to write something that truly mattersIf you’ve been circling a memoir but feel overwhelmed, lost, or unsure whether you’re ready, this episode will show you what the middle of the process really looks like — and why it is so very worth it.Get to know Megan:Hi, I’m Megan! I live in a little corner of Southwest Georgia where sidewalks are lined with moss-draped, hundred-year-old oak trees and there’s a Southern Baptist church on nearly every corner. I became a writer when I was seven years old and received my first journal (complete with a lock, of course) and wrote (utterly scandalized), "my dad said pissed at the dinner table tonight."Since then, I've written about many a-thing, from parenting to faith to grief to sex. I believe leading a full life (worth writing about) means paying attention, being fully invested---which often leads to big big hurts and big big joys. You can follow along with me on Instagram @megfyoung or on Substack, also @megfyoung. Thanks for being here!Mentioned in this episode:Bread and Wine by Shawna NiequistSimple & Free (formerly Seven) and Awake by Jen Hatmaker The Glass Castle and Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls Register for my free workshop — Finish Your Life-Changing MemoirGet on the waitlist for Unearthing Beauty (doors open late March, 2026)Set up a book-coaching consult callSend me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

You’ve found the courage to write your memoir, and you’re pouring your heart onto the page. But it’s not landing the way you hoped. Something feels . . . off. Flat. And each page of progress feels like pulling teeth.It’s not because your life isn’t interesting. And it’s not a lack of talent.You’ve got the soul for a great memoir. Now you just need the science.In this episode, I break down the five most common mistakes aspiring memoirists make that sabotage both the writing process and the reading experience—and how to avoid them so your story feels cohesive, compelling, and deeply meaningful.You’ll learn:Why including too much of your life makes your story weakerThe subtle shift that turns you from victim into hero on the pageThe simple 3-part structure that creates momentum (for you and for the reader)How both too much telling and too much showing can derail your memoirAnd how to identify the central question that gives your story focus and powerIf you want your story to feel magnetic—not meandering—this episode is your roadmap.Mentioned in this episode:FREE WORKSHOP — Finish Your Life-Changing Memoir: 3 Steps to Stop Stalling and Start Writing so Your Story Doesn’t Die with You MEMOIR WRITING PROGRAM — Unearthing Beauty (doors open late March, 2026)FREE DOWNLOAD — How to Find the Heart of Your Story What We Carry by Maya Shanbhag Lang (there’s also a link to download the discussion guide, but careful—it contains spoilers!)“What Is a Memoir’s Essential Question and Why Do You Need One?” by Lisa Cooper EllisonUnmoored: How An Adoptee Found Her True Identity by Ann C. Averill Send me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

You feel called to share your story. Yet the moment you sit down to write, you find yourself suddenly possessed by the need to deep-clean your baseboards. It’s maddening. (Ask me how I know.)But here’s the secret: procrastination is just the mask that fear wears to keep you safe. Today, we’re peeling back that mask to look at the real reasons most memoirs never get written—and how to make sure yours isn't one of them.In this episode, we step back from the technical "how-tos" of memoir writing to explore the internal resistance that keeps life-changing stories locked away in memory. I unpack the six “veils of resistance” we writers subconsciously hide behind—powerful distortions our brains use to keep us safe from the vulnerability of the page.We discuss:Why "I don't have time" is rarely about your calendar.How your brain misidentifies the risk of writing.How to stop fixing the wrong problem so you can finally make progress.If you want to write a life-changing memoir but can’t seem to actually do it, this episode is your invitation to pull back the veil and find the courage you need to move forward.Mentioned in this episode:FREE WORKSHOP — Finish Your Life-Changing Memoir: 3 Steps to Stop Stalling and Start Writing so Your Story Doesn’t Die with You MEMOIR WRITING PROGRAM — Unearthing Beauty (doors open late March, 2026)CLOSE READING — What We Carry  by Maya Shanbhag Lang (there’s also a link to download the discussion guide, but careful—it contains spoilers!)Send me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

What makes for a truly great memoir?In this episode, we sit down with Ariel, co-author of Hungry Authors and a veteran editor specializing in nonfiction. While many writers approach their life stories with pure "soul," Ariel argues that a great memoir requires a rigorous "science"—a structural logic that delivers a powerful transformation.In this episode, we discuss:The Architecture of a Great Book: Why the "underlying logic" of your book is just as important as your prose itself.Memoir vs. Autobiography: The critical distinction that most first-time authors miss.Transformation as the Core: How to map the internal and external shifts that keep a reader turning pages.Polarity Shifts: Using "micro-transformations" to build momentum in every chapter.Ariel Curry is a senior editor for nonfiction at Sourcebooks. She lives in Chattanooga, TN, with her husband and three beautiful children. You can find her at hungryauthors.com or on Substack.Mentioned in this episode:Hungry Authors by Liz Morrow and Ariel CurryEat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth GilbertEverything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved) by Kate BowlerCrime and Punishment by Fyodor DostoyevskyStory Grid by Shawn CoyneGrayson by Lynn CoxIn Love by Amy BloomI Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy by Kate StricklerWhat We Carry (there’s also a link to download a discussion guide, but careful—it contains spoilers!)The Hero’s JourneyAll the Colors of the Dark by Chris WhitakerSend me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

Do you ever feel like your writing is a muffled version of the brilliant ideas in your head? This week, we’re demystifying the science of writing—the rules, techniques, and structures that bridge the gap between raw creativity and powerful prose. I explore why science isn't a cage for your creativity but the very thing that frees it. Plus, I share my favorite way to think about the role rules play in the writing process and the crucial distinction that keeps soul and science working together in harmony to produce the beautiful, life-changing writing we love.Mentioned in this episode:I found the quote by choreographer La Meri in Merideth Hite Estevez’s powerful essay on the true purpose of technique, “Music of the Logos.”What We Carry (there’s also a link to download a discussion guide, but careful—it contains spoilers!)Send me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

What makes some writing feel alive? And how can we bring that quality into our own work?In this episode, I explore the “soul” of great writing, both descriptively—what that looks like on the page—and prescriptively—what writers can do to cultivate it.We talk about the role of vulnerability, where writers go wrong in pursuit of authenticity, and how words can become a bridge to connection.Plus, I share practical tips for tending to your writer soul and a sneak peek of what’s coming up next month!Mentioned in this episode:Goodgoodgood.co and on InstagramRebel RidgeWhat We Carry (there’s also a link to download a discussion guide, but careful—it contains spoilers!)Send me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

In this first full episode, I ask a deceptively simple question: what is great writing? If you’re like me, great writing is something you recognize on an intuitive level, but when you try to articulate what makes that writing great, things get . . . complicated. In this episode, I offer a way of thinking about great writing that cuts across genre and style—a simple framework, both descriptive and prescriptive, for naming what sits at the heart of every truly great work of literature.Mentioned in this episode:“Introduction to Poetry” by Billy CollinsThe Writing Life by Annie Dillard (paraphrase from Chapter 7)Thomas Merton’s discussion of “the false self” in Chapter 2 of New Seeds of ContemplationSend me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.

What makes writing great? Is it the spark of inspiration, unique voice, and intangible soul that breathes life into the words? Or is it the careful structure, repeatable strategies, and attention to detail that shape an idea into something readers can’t put down? In truth, it’s both. The Soul and Science of Great Writing brings creativity and craft together, both dissecting and reveling in the power of language.We'll explore the qualities that set great writing apart, the challenges every writer faces, and the habits, strategies, and mindsets that help writers grow their creative craft. With a blend of solo deep-dives and conversations with authors, editors, and publishing professionals, each episode will offer both inspiration and practical tools to support your writing life—plus the occasional dip into literary and pop culture analysis to spark fresh inspiration.Weekly episodes will begin dropping in January 2026!Send me a text message with your questions or comments!___________________________________Come join the discussion!InstagramTikTokThreadsSubstackAnd visit my website to learn more about my editing services, book coaching, and upcoming courses.