Last week, Chelsea Pippin Mizzi introduced us to the idea of shadow work.

This week, we're getting practical.

If you've ever wondered why sharing your writing feels so vulnerable, why play feels "unproductive," or why perfectionism keeps stealing the joy out of creating...this conversation is for you.

Chelsea shares practical ways to begin exploring your own shadow, why making bad art might be one of the healthiest things you can do as a writer, and how curiosity is what unlocks creativity.

We also talk about why you don't have to become an expert in psychology to understand yourself, why writers need a creative practice that exists outside of publishing, and how some of the parts we most want to hide are often the ones that make our work feel most alive.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The biggest fears people have about trying shadow work
• Why play isn't a distraction from your writing
• How to build a creative practice that isn't tied to productivity
• What happens when you're afraid to share your work publicly
• Why making "bad art" is actually a good thing
• The difference between accepting your shadow versus trying to "fix" yourself
• A simple journaling exercise you can try today to begin exploring your own shadow
• Why curiosity is one of the most powerful creative tools you have

About Chelsey:

Chelsey Pippin Mizzi is an author, tarot reader, and wellbeing practitioner supporting writers, artists and small business owners to unblock and unlock creative magic.

Her books include The Tarot Spreads Yearbook - a #1 Amazon bestseller; Tarot for Creativity - runner-up for Best Tarot Book at the 2024 TABI International Caromancy Awards; and most recently, The Shadow Path. Her writing and tarot work have appeared in New York Magazine, Literary Hub, Craft Magazine and other titles.

She also publishes The Shuffle, a bestselling Substack exploring the intersection of spirituality and creativity through weekly journaling sessions, tarot-led interviews with creatives, and regular insights on creative living.

Her Substack: https://theshuffle.substack.com/p/weekly-tarot-journaling

Chelsey's IG: https://www.instagram.com/pipcardstarot/

When you hear the words shadow work, what comes to mind?

For a lot of people, it's trauma. Darkness. Digging up painful memories.

That's not the whole story.

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Chelsey Pippin Mizzi to talk about the surprising connection between shadow work and creativity. Chelsey explains how our "shadow" isn't just the parts of ourselves we don't like—it's often the parts we've simply hidden away. Our curiosity. Our voice. Our weirdness. Our creativity.

We talk about why perfectionism keeps so many writers stuck, how writer's block might actually be pointing you toward something important, and why your most authentic work often comes from the parts of yourself you've learned to keep quiet.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What shadow work actually is (and why it's probably not what you think)
• The connection between shadow work and the creative process
• Why writers often hide their most original ideas
• How perfectionism and people-pleasing show up on the page
• The relationship between shadow work and writer's block
• Why authenticity creates stronger stories
• The difference between writing what people want versus writing what you need to say

This is Part One of our conversation!

About Chelsey:

Chelsey Pippin Mizzi is an author, tarot reader, and wellbeing practitioner supporting writers, artists and small business owners to unblock and unlock creative magic.

Her books include The Tarot Spreads Yearbook - a #1 Amazon bestseller; Tarot for Creativity - runner-up for Best Tarot Book at the 2024 TABI International Caromancy Awards; and most recently, The Shadow Path. Her writing and tarot work have appeared in New York Magazine, Literary Hub, Craft Magazine and other titles.

She also publishes The Shuffle, a bestselling Substack exploring the intersection of spirituality and creativity through weekly journaling sessions, tarot-led interviews with creatives, and regular insights on creative living.

You can find Chelsey's Substack here: https://theshuffle.substack.com/p/weekly-tarot-journaling

And her Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/pipcardstarot/

And her podcast, The Shuffle, here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ihjj08uB6h1NRSlO6iHiI?si=d65ff24be590473d

In this episode, I'm joined by author Hannah Callan to talk about writing in the margins of life, and building an author platform.

We discuss what it looks like to pursue creative dreams while juggling work, family, social media, overwhelm, and all the other responsibilities that come with being a human being.

We also dive into author platform-building and some of the biggest misconceptions writers have about social media. Hannah shares how she built an audience online, how that audience helped her during the querying process, and why building a platform doesn't have to mean living on Instagram 24/7.

We talk about:

• Why writers often have an all-or-nothing mindset around creativity
• The myth of needing huge blocks of uninterrupted time to write
• Building an author platform without losing yourself in the process
• The difference between an audience and a community
• Writing during busy seasons of life
• Working with fragmented creativity instead of fighting it
• Hannah's querying journey, including agent requests that came through social media

If you've ever found yourself thinking, "I'll write when life calms down," this episode is for you.

About Hannah:

Hannah Callan is a jack of many creative trades—she spent ten years working as a graphic designer, ran her own wedding photography business, and received her bachelor's degree in Editing and Publishing. Now she's an agented author with her first novel out on submission to publishers, and a language nerd with linguistics research up for publication with Cambridge University Press. Above all, she believes stories to be one of the most powerful tools we have in passing on the things we've learned and building stronger communities.

Hannah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahcallanwrites/

Hannah's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hannahcallanwrites

Hannah's Newsletter: https://substack.com/@hannahcallanwrites

Hannah's Website: https://www.hannahcallan.com/

Many writers spend years trying to force themselves into writing routines that simply don't fit how their brains work.

In this episode, Monica sits down with Dr. Bailey Lang—book coach, writing studies scholar, and self-described literary witch—to discuss why traditional writing advice often fails neurodivergent writers and what to do instead.

Together, they explore the overlap between ADHD, autism, and AuDHD, the damage caused by shame-based writing advice, and how writers can build sustainable practices that honor their energy, creativity, and real lives.

Topics discussed include:

• The differences between ADHD, autism, and AuDHD
• Why so many neurodivergent writers feel broken by traditional writing advice
• The problem with "just be more disciplined" messaging
• Discipline vs. devotion in a writing practice
• Creating flexible routines that work with your brain instead of against it
• Red-light, yellow-light, and green-light planning for fluctuating energy levels
• Why fantasy writing routines often fail in real life
• Burnout, overachievement, and recovering from perfectionism
• Permission-giving as a creative practice
• Ritual, magic, and creating meaningful writing habits
• How to stop comparing your process to everyone else's

Connect with Dr. Bailey Lang:

Dr. Bailey Lang is the Literary Witch—a book coach who helps authors build sustainable, magical writing practices that take their books from draft to done. With a focus on mindset, practice, and craft, Bailey combines research with intuitive, client-led wisdom to guide writers as they step into their creative power.

Bailey's website:
https://literary-witch.kit.com/profile

What happens when life forces you to stop writing?

In this episode of No Mess, No Magic, I sit down with developmental editor and story scientist Lori Puma to talk about creativity, rest, uncertainty, and what happens when your plans are completely upended.

After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2018, Lori underwent an eight-hour brain surgery that changed her life overnight.

For years afterward, she could only manage about 30 minutes of activity per day before exhaustion and cognitive symptoms took over. Writing, reading, socializing, and even everyday tasks suddenly looked very different.

Together, we explore what it means to live through seasons of illness, grief, burnout, and uncertainty.

We discuss:

• Why time away from writing isn't wasted
• The difference between rest and "creative death"
• How difficult seasons deepen emotional complexity in your stories
• What brain surgery taught Lori about creativity and identity
• Learning to trust yourself when life doesn't go according to plan
• The surprising ways writers can stay connected to creativity during periods of rest
• Why your most difficult experiences can become your greatest creative assets

Whether you're navigating illness, burnout, caregiving, grief, a demanding season of life, or simply feeling frustrated that you're not writing as much as you'd like, this conversation is a powerful reminder that creativity doesn't disappear when you stop producing.

Connect with Lori:

Lori Puma helps experienced indie authors write novels that make readers skip bathroom breaks and ignore their smartphones. She started her career publishing scientific papers, then spent years helping data tell stories, and now she's a Visual Story Scientist and developmental editor who uses infographics and science to help genre fiction authors write novels that aren't just addictive, they're unforgettable.

Free quiz - Breakout Novel X-Ray: https://loripuma.com/quiz
Infographic Guide to Standout Plots: https://lori-puma.kit.com/products/infographic-guide-to-standout-novels

Writing a first book isn't just about learning craft. There's a lot of mindset work involved, and a lot of it feels invisible.

It's about learning how to keep going when your brain is telling you you're not talented enough, your book isn't good enough, and maybe you should quit altogether.

In this episode, I'm joined by author, writing coach, and founder of First Book Finish, Rhonda Douglas.

We talk about the mindset shifts that help writers move from "I want to write a book someday" to actually finishing one.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Why so many writers wait for permission before taking their creative dreams seriously
• The identity shift from wanting to write a book to calling yourself a writer
• Common fears first-time authors face (and why they're normal)
• How perfectionism keeps writers stuck
• Why your brain tries to convince you to quit
• The emotional roller coaster of drafting and revision
• Fear of failure, fear of success, and fear of being judged
• Why you're not "too late" to write a book
• The truth about writing a book in 30 days
• How to keep going when everything you've written feels like trash

If you've ever wondered whether you're a "real writer," worried your book isn't good enough, or felt tempted to abandon your manuscript for a shiny new idea, this episode is for you.

About Rhonda:

Rhonda is an award-winning author of fiction and poetry. She's the host of The Resilient Writers Radio Show and the founder of the First Book Finish program.

Find Rhonda here: https://offers.resilientwriters.com/diyretreat

If you've ever opened a beat sheet, stared at a plotting template, and immediately wanted to throw your laptop out a window, this episode is for you. (This is how I am lol)

In this conversation, I sit down with book coach and editor Lewis Jorstad to talk about intuitive outlining—a flexible approach to story development that helps writers create stronger stories without sacrificing creativity, curiosity, or the joy of discovery.

We explore why traditional outlining methods work brilliantly for some writers and completely fall flat for others, the difference between developing a story and plotting a story, and how to use story structure as a tool rather than a cage. Lewis also shares his approach to "waypoint scenes," how character motivations shape plot, and why there may be thousands of good versions of your novel!

Along the way, we discuss:

• Why some writers feel stuck by traditional outlining methods
• The difference between plotting, outlining, and story development
• How to use character motivations to create organic plot
• What to do if your ideas only show up while you're actively drafting
• Why perfectionism keeps writers trapped in endless outlining and revision
• The "helicopter vs. forest" analogy for understanding your natural writing process (I was obsessed with this!)
• How to know when you're ready to start drafting
• Why discomfort is a normal part of writing—and how to tell when it's helping you grow

Whether you're a dedicated plotter, a die-hard pantser, or someone who's tried both and hated both, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on finding a writing process that works for you.

About Lewis Jorstad

Lewis Jorstad is the editor and book coach behind The Novel Smithy, where he helps debut fiction writers turn their messy drafts into finished novels they’re proud to publish.

With over eight years of experience, Lewis has edited 250+ manuscripts, written seven bestselling writing guides, and supported over 2,000 writers around the world. These days, he's on a mission to help writers embrace their brain’s intuitive way of telling stories, while also creating page-turning novels readers can’t put down.

Check out Lewis's offers here: https://thenovelsmithy.com/

Find Monica's website here: https://monicahay.com/

Monica's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicahayauthor/

In this episode of No Mess, No Magic, Monica talks with fiction author and educator Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer about dictation, accessibility, and why writing with your voice is still writing.

Sarah shares how she went from struggling with dictation for seven years to using it to draft 14 books, and now teaches other authors how to make the shift from typing to speaking their stories. Together, Monica and Sarah explore dictation as a sustainable writing tool, especially for writers with disabilities, chronic pain, ADHD, autism, screen fatigue, or anyone who feels chained to their desk.

They also talk about oral storytelling traditions, why “shortcuts” aren’t cheating, the learning curve of dictation, Sarah’s DRAFT framework, and how writers can practice dictation without putting pressure on their current work-in-progress.

Want to learn to dictate? Sarah us offering a HUGE discount on her Fictation Course exclusively for listeners of No Mess, No Magic. Check it out here: https://fictioncourses.thrivecart.com/fictation-digital-course-coupon/?coupon=NOMESSNOMAGIC

Find Sarah's freebies here: https://www.fictioncourses.com/dictation

Find Monica at the links below:

Monica's website: https://monicahay.com/

Book a Curiosity Call: https://monicahay.com/curious

Monica's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicahayauthor/

Waitlist to join the Writer's Way Community: https://www.monicahaycoaching.com/communitywaitlist

Takeaways

• Dictation as a writing method
• Overcoming challenges in dictation Practice and repetition are essential for skill development
• Dictation can be a valuable tool for writers

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Friendship
• 07:00 Overcoming Resistance to Dictation
• 13:29 Beginner's Curve in Dictation
• 21:24 The Importance of Practice and Repetition
• 29:02 Tools and Techniques for Dictation
• 35:22 Learning Dictation and Where to Find Resources