184: Creative cross training as a tool to navigate creative blocks
Author Diary Entries
What is creative cross training, and how can it help you navigate (and overcome) creative blocks? In this episode, Sagan shares examples of creative cross training and the importance of creative cross training (and how it’s prevented her from having any major creative blocks as a business owner, indie author, and multi-passionate creative)...
...Plus why focusing on one thing can get boring and lead to creative stagnation, and 5 important tips for effective creative cross training.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Sagan’s burlesque persona (Babe Maverick) on Instagram: Instagram.com/babemaverick
- Small Town Stilettos and the Polyamorous Passions series: SaganMorrow.com/books
- Solopreneur Diary Entries weekly newsletter to get behind-the-scenes insights of life as a solo business owner: https://saganmorrow.com/newsletter
- Solopreneur Diary Entries: Premium Edition monthly online trainings on topics of solopreneurship, anti-hustle productivity, and personal fulfillment: https://saganmorrow.com/monthly/
- Personal Fulfillment Coaching with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching/
- Solopreneur & Productivity Coaching with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/solopreneur-coaching/
- Connect with Sagan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saganlives
- Connect with Sagan on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@saganlives
183: Can you write about polyamory if you aren’t actively polyamorous?
Author Diary Entries
In this episode, we explore the difference between polyamorous IDENTITY vs the PRACTICE of that identity, and answer these questions: Can you write about polyamory if you aren’t ACTIVELY polyamorous? Do you ever think being polyamorous is a phase, and that you and your spouse might go back to being monogamous?
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Small Town Stilettos and the Polyamorous Passions series: SaganMorrow.com/books
- Connect with Sagan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saganlives
- Connect with Sagan on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@saganlives
182: Let people ENJOY things! (In defence of Twilight Instagrammers)
Author Diary Entries
Find out why Sagan got outraged at a random person’s Instagram comment when they were dismissive of a 30-something Twilight Instagrammer reading Young Adult novels, the POWER of the YA genre, why you should read what makes you happy, her opinions about referring to romance novels as “fluffy,” and more!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Small Town Stilettos and the Polyamorous Passions series: SaganMorrow.com/books
- Author Diary Entries podcast, ep 180: Labels and gatekeeping in romance novels
- Twilight Instagrammer Corinne: https://www.instagram.com/corinnieeeee/
- Twilight Instagrammer Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahelizabeth_talks/
- Book: Why We Love and Hate Twilight
- Book: The Girl Who Was On Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games Trilogy
- Connect with Sagan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saganlives
- Connect with Sagan on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@saganlives
181: Queerness in my romance novels
Author Diary Entries
“Do you write queer characters?” → Well… Yes and no! In this episode, I explain why this question is a tricky one, what makes a novel “queer enough” (an even more loaded question!), the nuance behind all of this, and the importance of using the words and labels that feel right for you.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Small Town Stilettos and the Polyamorous Passions series: SaganMorrow.com/books
- Episode 180 on the Author Diary Entries Podcast: Labels and gatekeeping in romance novels
- Connect with Sagan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saganlives
- Connect with Sagan on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@saganlives
180: Labels and gatekeeping in romance novels
Author Diary Entries
Is it rude to refer to a romance novel “smut”? Not to me ;) You can call my books whatever you want! …BUT, there’s a lot of nuance to this (and context matters) — so in this episode, we’re exploring important questions we need to ask around the labels we use, our intentions behind our word choices, and the problems with gatekeeping in the romance novel community.
Examples we discuss in this episode include: Smut, enemies to lovers trope, spice levels, smutty vs spicy vs sexy, and “fairy porn” in romantasy.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Small Town Stilettos and the Polyamorous Passions series: SaganMorrow.com/books
- Sagan’s burlesque persona (Babe Maverick) on Instagram: Instagram.com/babemaverick
- Connect with Sagan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saganlives
- Connect with Sagan on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@saganlives
179: Author Update (one year later)
Author Diary Entries
In this episode, your host (and indie author) Sagan Morrow shares an author update about what she's been working on since our previous episode over a year ago, plus why we've rebranded the podcast from "Indie Author Weekly" to "Author Diary Entries!"
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Small Town Stilettos and the Polyamorous Passions series: SaganMorrow.com/books
- Haus of Misfit: https://www.hausofmisfit.ca/
- Life coaching with Sagan: SaganMorrow.com/coaching
- Solopreneur Diary Entries weekly newsletter: SaganMorrow.com/newsletter
- PREMIUM Edition of the Solopreneur Diary Entries (monthly trainings): SaganMorrow.com/premium
- Connect with Sagan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saganlives
- Connect with Sagan on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@saganlives
178: On being a beginner vs intermediate at your practice (and why being a beginner can be a lot easier!)
Author Diary Entries
In this episode, we explore the dynamic of being a beginner vs being intermediate at your practice... and why being a beginner can, in some ways, be a lot easier! Tune in now to find out about the pressure I put on myself in my 2nd solo burlesque dance performance, what I took from that experience compared to my 1st solo burlesque act, how this connects back to my work as a fiction author, and the top 3 takeaways for how you can apply this to your own creative practice or craft (including important questions to ask yourself in order to relieve fear and/or pressure from yourself).
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Babe Maverick burlesuqe Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/babemaverick
- Episode 171 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast — Applying my 2024 Word of the Year (ELEVATE) to Creative Writing: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14272088-171-applying-my-2024-word-of-the-year-to-creative-writing
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
177: Ideation, content creation, and writing process for my Solopreneur Diary Entries weekly newsletter
Author Diary Entries
In our previous episode, Episode 176, we talked about what it means to be a creative and an indie author — and how it can be so much more comprehensive than book writing! That's why, in today’s episode, I want to build on that and share with you the idea creation and writing process around my weekly Saturday email newsletter: the Solopreneur Diary Entries.
Tune in now for the inside scoop on what that weekly newsletter is all about, an exercise to expand your own creativity, why I never worry about coming up with fresh new ideas (even after writing these emails for 8-ish years), the logistics of my writing process, and more...
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Subscribe to the Solopreneur Diary Entries weekly newsletter: https://saganmorrow.com/newsletter
- Indie Author Weekly episode 176: What does it mean to be a creative and an indie author? https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14452324
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
176: What does it mean to be a creative and an indie author?
Author Diary Entries
In our most recent couple of episodes here on the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we’ve been exploring the importance of trust in the creative process — including self trust and trusting others. I want to take it a step back today and ask this question: What does it even mean to be a creative, and, since this is the Indie Author Weekly podcast, what does it mean to be an indie author?
Especially given that recently here on the podcast, I’ve been sharing about my creative process in designing burlesque choreography. What does that have to do with being an indie author? Can we count that as something appropriate for our purposes of being on this podcast?
TUNE IN NOW for my take on the question of “What does it mean to be a creative and an indie author” — plus what you can expect as we move forward with the Indie Author Weekly podcast...
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Episode 174 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast — self trust thought exercise when you experience self doubt as a creative: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14340711-174-self-trust-thought-exercise-when-you-experience-self-doubt-as-a-creative
- Episode 175 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast — creative process as a solo artist and TRUSTING others: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14450389-175-creative-process-as-a-solo-artist-trusting-others
- Episode 17 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast — "Situationals" technique as an exercise to improve character development: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/1434766-017-an-exercise-to-improve-character-development
- Babe Maverick burlesque persona: https://www.instagram.com/babemaverick
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
175: Creative process as a solo artist (trusting OTHERS)
Author Diary Entries
In this episode, we explore the delicate balance of the creative process when you are a solo artist — Because it’s hard to maintain distance and objectivity when you are working on creative pursuits in a silo! Is it good enough? Is it good at all? Are you conveying what you intend to convey? Even if it IS “good enough,” what interesting improvements can be made? And if you don’t have confidence in it being “good enough,” how is that going to affect the way you share your work with the world?
These are all big questions!
In our previous episode here on the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we talked about the value and importance of trusting yourself and building that self trust muscle. Tune into episode 174 to check it out — it’s a great episode and includes a 3-part exercise for improving self trust!
So in this episode, let’s talk about a different element of TRUST — trusting other people and bringing them into the creative process when you're a solo artist...
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Episode 174 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast — self trust thought exercise when you experience self doubt as a creative: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14340711-174-self-trust-thought-exercise-when-you-experience-self-doubt-as-a-creative
- Babe Maverick burlesque persona: https://www.instagram.com/babemaverick
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
174: Self trust thought exercise when you experience self doubt as a creative
Author Diary Entries
In this episode, I talk about the balance between trusting yourself AND not believing that negative voice in your head which might be filled with self doubt.
As long-time listeners of the podcast will already know, I’m a Personal Fulfillment Coach when I’m not writing novels! And many of my clients first come to me because they’re struggling internally: there’s an internal battle going on, where they have a mean voice in their head that sends them into negative thought spirals.
I feel like we can ALL relate to this. Most of us have at the very least experienced this from time to time. And when it comes to ANYTHING in life — including our creative endeavours — we need to be able to differentiate between those parts within us.
TUNE IN to this episode for a 3-question thought exercise to help you navigate self doubt and improve your self trust.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Episode 172 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast — Improving one's relationship with the creative process: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14315351-172-improving-one-s-relationship-with-the-creative-process
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
173: 5 observations while reviewing my current work-in-progress
Author Diary Entries
Last week, I went through the entirety of my current work in progress — Book 8 in the Polyamorous Passions series. So today I want to share with you what happened when I read through it… It had been a few months since I last worked on it, so it was great to review it with fresh eyes!
There were 5 main things that jumped out at me… TUNE IN to this episode to find out what I realized and discovered as a result of reviewing the first full draft of my current work in progress manuscript.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
172: Improving one's relationship with the creative process
Author Diary Entries
This episode is a follow-up to the previous episode, and shares recommendations and thoughts about how to improve your relationship with the creative process (what to do BEFORE you even sit down at the computer and start writing, plus a beautiful question to hold onto and guide you through the creative process).
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
171: Applying my 2024 Word of the Year to creative writing
Author Diary Entries
In this episode, find out how my 2024 Word of the Year — ELEVATE — connects back and translates into my work as a writer... elevating my approach to my work! PLUS, tune in to find out what I am NOT doing this year as an indie author (this decision feels so, so good).
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
170: 3 steps to make time for creative pursuits when "life is life-ing"
Author Diary Entries
How can you prioritize writing (or any creative pursuit, or a solopreneur business, or a passion project, or a hobby, etc) when life “gets in the way”?
In this episode, learn my 3-step strategy for how to DO this — plus a personal example of this in action with my own writing projects.
Want help with unpacking mindset blocks, setting and upholding boundaries, strategizing plans, and keeping accountable to what you want from you life? I’m here to support you! Book a coaching call: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching/
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
169: How a new dance class is affecting my book writing plans
Author Diary Entries
I began a new solo development dance class last month in preparation for my first-ever solo burlesque show... and that's given me a few ideas for incorporating burlesque choreography and culture into my upcoming romcom novel (Book 8 in the Polyamorous Passions series)!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Check out the Babe Maverick Instagram account to follow Sagan's journey as a burleque dancer: https://www.instagram.com/babemaverick
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
168: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 3
Author Diary Entries
This episode provides Q&A inspired by the Weeknight Writers "Writing Alternative Relationships" panel discussion I spoke at this past summer — it's a follow up to our previous two episodes where I answered the first 5 questions:
- Q6: In romances, people usually expect a level of sexual tension that leads to sexual catharsis; how can you create a relationship arc where people have a similar level of emotional catharsis without the sexual aspect?
- Q7: How do you manage a story with multiple love interests and/or romance arcs?
- Q8: What kinds of alternative relationships do you want to see more of? How would you like existing representation of alternative relationship models to change?
- Q9: What do you love MOST about writing the alternative relationships you do?
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
- Weeknight Writers: https://www.businessforauthors.com/weeknight-writers/
- Episode 166 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast: Writing Alternative Relationships (Q&A Part 1)
- Episode 167 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast: Writing Alternative Relationships (Q&A Part 2)
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
167: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 2
Author Diary Entries
This episode provides Q&A inspired by the Weeknight Writers "Writing Alternative Relationships" panel discussion I spoke at this past summer — it's a follow up to our previous episode where I answered the first 3 questions:
- Q4: What level of awareness is it important to have when thinking about writing alternative relationships? (harmful tropes to avoid, poor representation traps, trusted places against which to check info/questions about types of alternative relationships we’re less familiar with?)
- Q5: What advice would you give to a writer who wants to create a world where these alternative relationship models are considered normal or even the norm? What changes would this normalization have?
Stay tuned for Part 3 of this Q&A, coming next week!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
- Weeknight Writers: https://www.businessforauthors.com/weeknight-writers/
- Episode 166 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast: Writing Alternative Relationships (Q&A Part 1)
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
166: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 1
Author Diary Entries
This episode provides Q&A inspired by the Weeknight Writers "Writing Alternative Relationships" panel discussion I spoke at this past summer...
- About the type of alternative relationships I write in my novels.
- Q1: Do you believe it’s inherently radical to write alternative relationship models?
- Q2: How does writing alternative relationships affect the way in which you construct your setting and/or frame the in-story relationship between the level of support (or difficulty) the alternatively romantic characters have with the society they live in?
- Q3: How do you deal with the exploration & creation of boundaries in alternative relationship models?
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this Q&A, coming next week!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
- Weeknight Writers: https://www.businessforauthors.com/weeknight-writers/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
165: Writing childfree women
Author Diary Entries
In this episode, we discuss...
- Why I write childfree women in my Polyamorous Passions novel and Small Town Stilettos (quick examples of my characters).
- My personal reasons for being childfree.
- What it means to be "selfish" (wanting to have children vs not wanting to have children).
- The societal pressures to have children (a masquerade to control women's bodies).
- A trope I cannot STAND in fiction related to childfree women.
- My reaction when I found out that physically I shouldn't/can't have children (years after deciding I didn't want kids).
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Episode 158 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast: On Writing "Selfish" Women
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
164: Book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos (part 2 — marketing expenses, book sales and dollars earned, and mindset struggles)
Author Diary Entries
In this episode of the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we are doing PART TWO of the book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience!
We discuss:
- Breakdown of book marketing expenses and total monetary investment.
- Results of the book launch (actual numbers for book sales and dollars earned).
- Mindset struggles and shifts.
- Next steps moving forward with general book marketing.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
163: Book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos (part 1 — marketing strategies, mistakes made, and what I'd do differently next time)
Author Diary Entries
In this episode of the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we are doing PART ONE of the book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience!
We discuss:
- 5 marketing strategies I used for the book launch.
- 6 mistakes I made with this book launch.
- 7 things I'd do differently with a future book launch.
Stay tuned for PART TWO of the Small Town Stilettos book launch recap on next week's episode of Indie Author Weekly — we'll be diving into the numbers (book expenses, book sales, and dollars earned), as well as the mindset stuff that came up throughout this book launch, plus 3 big experiments I want to try for general book marketing.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
162: How my polyamorous romcoms all fit together
Author Diary Entries
In this episode, we explore how the stand-alone novel Small Town Stilettos fits into the Polyamorous Passions series, and the interconnectedness of the “world” of these polyamorous romantic comedy novels. Learn more about the world of Polyamorous Passions, background on the fictional settings, character overlaps and interactions, and more!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
161: Frivolity, worthiness, and internalized misogyny (from Taylor Swift to romcoms)
Author Diary Entries
In this episode, we explore...
- What makes something "frivolous,” vs worthy or deserving of your attention and enjoyment?
- Internalized misogyny that can come to play with how we perceive Taylor Swift, romantic comedies, and more.
- The perceived validity and worthiness of more "serious" content vs women being allowed to have fun and put themselves first.
- Questions to explore to overcome feelings of embarrassment and shame about your (or other people's) "guilty pleasures," and the freedom and liberation of allowing more frivolity and personal enjoyment, regardless of how "silly" a thing may be perceived.
(This episode contains swearing between 6:45 - 7:02)
Resources & links mentioned on the podcast:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
160: The responsibility, risk, privilege, and choices involved in writing polyamorous romantic comedies
Author Diary Entries
“What made you decide to write polyamorous romcoms?” Today we’re answering THIS question!
In this episode, we address the luxury and privilege of talking about “controversial” topics such as polyamory and burlesque, the responsibility vs risks of being open about this, the concept of sharing your values without explicitly stating them, the reasoning behind my very deliberate decision to use the setting of contemporary romantic comedy to feature polyamory, and more.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Subscribe to the Solopreneur Diary Entries weekly newsletter: https://saganmorrow.com/newsletter
- Episode 50: What made me start writing the Polyamorous Passion series (my polyamory background) — https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/2949481-050-what-made-me-start-writing-the-polyamorous-passions-series-my-polyamory-background
- Episode 51: FAQ about the background to my Polyamorous Passions series: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/3015199-051-faq-about-the-background-to-my-polyamorous-passions-series
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
184: Creative cross training as a tool to navigate creative blocks
18:39
183: Can you write about polyamory if you aren’t actively polyamorous?
9:44
182: Let people ENJOY things! (In defence of Twilight Instagrammers)
14:35
181: Queerness in my romance novels
6:11
180: Labels and gatekeeping in romance novels
11:52
179: Author Update (one year later)
16:27
178: On being a beginner vs intermediate at your practice (and why being a beginner can be a lot easier!)
16:23
177: Ideation, content creation, and writing process for my Solopreneur Diary Entries weekly newsletter
19:49
176: What does it mean to be a creative and an indie author?
14:48
175: Creative process as a solo artist (trusting OTHERS)
22:28
174: Self trust thought exercise when you experience self doubt as a creative
13:29
173: 5 observations while reviewing my current work-in-progress
19:59
172: Improving one's relationship with the creative process
10:45
171: Applying my 2024 Word of the Year to creative writing
9:30
170: 3 steps to make time for creative pursuits when "life is life-ing"
24:50
169: How a new dance class is affecting my book writing plans
11:28
168: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 3
20:24
167: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 2
13:43
166: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 1
16:39
165: Writing childfree women
22:42
164: Book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos (part 2 — marketing expenses, book sales and dollars earned, and mindset struggles)
35:57
163: Book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos (part 1 — marketing strategies, mistakes made, and what I'd do differently next time)
31:42
162: How my polyamorous romcoms all fit together
15:28
161: Frivolity, worthiness, and internalized misogyny (from Taylor Swift to romcoms)
12:03
160: The responsibility, risk, privilege, and choices involved in writing polyamorous romantic comedies
23:58