You've finished the book—now what? In Part 2 of our Emotional Arc of a Writer series, we dive into the often-overlooked emotional challenges that come after typing "The End." From sharing your work and facing rejection, to navigating publication, marketing, and the realities of building a long-term writing career, every milestone brings new opportunities and unexpected emotions. We'll discuss the surprises, setbacks, and successes that shape writers beyond the page and offer practical advice for approaching each stage with confidence and resilience.

Part II: Beyond Writing a Novel (continued from Episode 78)

Show Notes:

Stages 6-10:

Sharing Your Work

Querying or Publishing

Publication

Marketing Your Work and Yourself

The Long-term Writing Life

Personal Emotional Surprises

SOURCES & LINKS:

“Caring for your mental health as a writer,” The JED Foundation. PDF https://assets.ctfassets.net/

“Writers and Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma,” Atmosphere Press.

Fearless Writing, William Kenower, Writer’s Digest Books

Before and After the Book Deal, Courtney Maum, Catapult

DO NOW: Identify where you are in your post-writing journey & choose one or more of the actionable solutions that resonate most with you.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

Writing a novel isn't just a craft journey, it's an emotional one. From the excitement of a new idea to the vulnerability of sharing your work and the uncertainty of publication, every milestone brings both triumphs and challenges. In this episode, the first of a two-part series, we'll explore the emotional benchmarks most writers encounter during the stages of writing a novel and offer practical strategies for navigating them with resilience and confidence.

Part I: Stages of Writing

Show Notes:

Personal Assumptions

Stages 1-5:

The Spark

The First Draft

The Mid-draft Slump

Finishing the Draft

Revision

Personal Application

SOURCES & LINKS

“Caring for your mental health as a writer,” The JED Foundation. PDF https://assets.ctfassets.net/

“Writers and Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma,” Atmosphere Press.

Fearless Writing, William Kenower, Writer’s Digest Books

Before and After the Book Deal, Courtney Maum, Catapult

DO NOW: Identify where you are in your writing & choose one or more of the actionable solutions that resonate most with your own journey.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

What if one of the biggest obstacles to writing compelling fiction became your greatest creative strength? In this episode, we sit down with thriller author Maggie Giles to explore her unconventional path to becoming a suspense writer, why thrillers came more naturally than romance, and how years of experimenting across genres helped her discover her unique voice. Maggie also shares how she balances a full-time career with writing—and offers a fascinating look at creating immersive stories while living with aphantasia, a condition that prevents her from forming mental images. Whether you're searching for your writing voice, struggling to make time for your craft, or curious about the many ways creativity works, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical insights you won't want to miss.

SHOW NOTES:

Bio

Writing Process

Books

Writing Life

Rapid-Fire Questions

SOURCES & LINKS

Website: https://maggiegiles.com/

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you