The Confident Fiction Author
Hey there my fellow author, I’m Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer, an old soul kind of writer living my dream as a full-time author and authorprenuer.
But I didn’t start out living a confident creative lifestyle. I struggled with the fears and the mental and emotional barriers that so often plague writers at all stages of their author career.
But the truth is that, with the right knowledge, tools, and training, you can overcome those barriers. I’m here to teach you how I’ve developed a lifestyle that’s allowed me to publish 19 books (and counting).
Each week as you tune into the Confident Fiction Author podcast, you’ll get clarity on the steps you need to take to advance your writing career. Whether it’s developing your ideal writing routine, tackling new skills like dictating your fiction, or overcoming the obstacles life throws your way, this podcast will help you live a more confident, creative lifestyle.
Free resources for you:
The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: https://www.fictioncourses.com/toolkit
Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo: https://www.fictioncourses.com/dictation
Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: https://www.fictioncourses.com/dictation
5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: https://www.fictioncourses.com/stereotypes
Episodes
56 episodes
#56 [Encore Episode] Exploring Another Culture — Research Tips to Get Started and to Avoid Pitfalls
As fiction authors, we’re natural explorers—we chase stories into new eras, new worlds, and yes, new cultures. But when you’re researching a culture that isn’t your own, it can feel like you’re holding a map written in a foreign language.
#55: [ENCORE EPISODE] Writing Beyond Your Own Experience — Respectfully Portraying the “Other”
If you've ever had a story idea that included a character or culture outside of your own — and then hesitated — this episode is for you. Especially if you've asked questions like,"What if I get it wrong? What if readers call me out?"
#54: Are Limiting Beliefs Holding You Back as an Author?
If you've ever told yourself, "I'm just not techy enough to dictate my fiction," this episode is for you.I'm digging into the limiting beliefs that keep fiction authors from even getting started with dictation. We're talking about the o...
#53: 500 Words at 30,000 Feet: How to Dictate Fiction on an Airplane
Have you ever wondered if you could actually write fiction on an airplane?In this episode of The Confident Fiction Author Podcast, I’m sharing my real-life experiment with dictating fiction mid-flight—from my very first attempt where I ...
#52: Do It Scared: The Secret to Growing as a Fiction Author
For me, courage rarely feels bold in the moment—it usually feels terrifying.Butterflies in my stomach. Second-guessing. The temptation to wait until I “feel ready.”But here’s what I’ve learned: I almost never feel ready.In ...
#51: Author Maturity: The Art of Letting Go
Let’s face it: growth doesn’t always feel exciting—it often feels like letting go.Maybe it’s a tool you once loved, a routine that used to work, or even a dream version of your author career that no longer fits. I’ve been walking through...
#50: [ENCORE EPISODE] Never Give Up
This week, I’m bringing back an encore episode of one of the most practical and encouraging topics we’ve covered: Never Give Up—Why Your Writing is Worth Holding On.As a new year begins, it’s natural to reflect on your drea...
#49: Managing Your Energy: A New Year Habit for Authors
We hear a lot about time management… but for fiction writers especially, the real game-changer is energy management. If you’ve ever had the time to write but zero gas in the tank, this episode is for you.In this week...
#48: How to Outline Your Fiction Writing Year Like a Week
If you’re anything like me, you may be coming out of the holiday fog still asking, “Wait, what day is it again?” January can feel like a groggy Monday morning. And just like Mondays, it may take a little time to warm up before we hit o...
#47: Writing Through the Holidays: Low-Stress Strategies
The holidays are here—twinkling lights, Christmas cookies, shopping lists, and parties galore.“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” right? Who wants to be productive, churning out thousands of words?And yet…what if you still...
#46: Permission to Pause: How to enjoy the holidays without writing guilt
I love this time of year—Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve; all the lights and cozy gatherings. But, being honest: for many of us, the holidays can also feel rushed and heavy with shoulds—including the one that whispe...
#45: Exploring Another Culture — Research Tips to Get Started and to Avoid Pitfalls
As fiction authors, we’re natural explorers—we chase stories into new eras, new worlds, and yes, new cultures. But when you’re researching a culture that isn’t your own, it can feel like you’re holding a map written in a foreign language.
#44: Writing Beyond Your Own Experience — Respectfully Portraying the “Other”
Have you ever had a story idea that included a character or culture outside of your own—and then hesitated?You wondered, What if I get it wrong? What if readers call me out?In this week’s episode of The Confident Fict...
#43: How to Win Arguments with Your Writing Brain
Have you ever wanted to do something simple—like leave a book review, reply to a reader email, or edit a single chapter—yet it suddenly felt impossible?Instead of tackling the task, you’d rather scroll Instagram or take out the trash. So...
#42: Why You Should Stop Fearing the Dictation Mess
Let’s be honest: dictated drafts can look messy.I still remember the first full scene I dictated—nearly 1,500 words while doing dishes. When I had it transcribed, it looked like it had been chewed up and spit out by autocorrect:...
#41: How to Start Dictating Your Novel Today (No Fancy Gear Required)
Does the thought of dictating your novel bring up images of expensive microphones, digital recorders, and pricey software?That’s exactly what kept me from dictating my fiction for years. Back when the Dragon Dictation software cost hundr...
#40: From Epic Failure to Fiction Freedom: My Journey With Dictation
When you hear the word dictation, you might picture speed—writers rattling off 10,000 words a day and hitting sky-high word counts.But here’s the truth I share in this episode of The Confident Fiction Author po...
#39: [ENCORE EPISODE] Rethink Your Mornings
This week, I’m bringing back an encore episode of one of the most practical and encouraging topics we’ve covered: my morning routine.Now, let me start by acknowledging—you might not be a morning person. And that’s perfe...
#38: Never Give Up: Why Your Writing Dream Is Worth Holding On
Have you ever felt like maybe it’s just not working?Like you’ve been trying, learning, starting over… and still haven’t “arrived” where you thought you’d be by now?I get it. I’ve lived it.But here’s the truth I’ve learned o...
#37: Too young? Too old? What is the ideal age to become a fiction author?
Is there such a thing as the ideal age to become a fiction author?You might think it’s in your twenties or thirties when energy is high and dreams are fresh. Or maybe after retirement, when you finally have time to chase that creative pa...
#36: Writing Seasons: How to Balance the Page and the Pile-Up
Have you ever hit a stretch where the to-do list takes over, and your writing feels like a distant dream?Or maybe you’ve been deep in a fiction writing groove, but everything else—laundry, emails, life—starts to pile up behind you?
#35: Why Doing “Nothing” is Productive for Your Fiction Writing
When was the last time you did nothing?I’m not talking about scrolling your phone or checking emails while waiting in line. I mean really doing nothing—just letting your mind wander.Some years ago, I came across a quote from an en...
#34: How to Build Self-Trust as a Fiction Author
Ever feel like your writing goals slip through your fingers—not because you're not capable, but because deep down, you didn’t trust yourself to follow through? In this episode of The Confident Fiction Author, I’m sharing a personal...
#33: From the Vault - The 5-Minute Fiction Habit
In 2024, I developed a habit I'm still using called "5-minute fiction." I did a podcast episode on this powerful writing hack, and I'm bringing it back for you this week.My "5-Minute Fiction: New Habit for the New Year" (episode #10) is ...
#32: The Broken Emoji: Writing Through the Mess of Being Human
You know that weird thing your phone does—when you write a word and it offers you an emoji instead? That happened once when I wrote the word broken. It offered to change it to a sad or angry face which caught me off guard.But it’s a true re...