Writing While Caregiving—and Grieving—with Eirinie Carson

Sue Campbell talks with Dr. Rachel Meredith, a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist, about practical ways writers can improve their physical energy to enhance creative output. With over 25 years of practice experience, Dr. Meredith shares actionable advice for writers struggling with fatigue, particularly those over 40.Key Topics Covered:Understanding energy management using the "healthcare dollars" analogyThe importance of proper hydration for energy levelsSleep optimization and common sleep disruptorsCaffeine dependency and strategies for reducing intakeEssential supplements for energy: B-vitamins and magnesiumNutrition guidance for sustained energySpecial considerations for perimenopause and menopauseKey Takeaways:Daily water intake should be your weight divided by 2 in ouncesOptimal sleep duration is 7.5-8.25 hoursB-vitamins and magnesium are safe supplements for most peopleInflammatory foods like gluten and sugar can impact energy levelsProtein-rich breakfasts help stabilize blood sugar throughout the dayResources Mentioned:Dr. Meredith's practice: Receptive Medicine in Portland, OregonRecommended supplements: B-complex and magnesium glycinateSuggested medical tests: ferritin, iron, TSH, free T3, and free T4Guest Bio: Dr. Rachel Meredith is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist with over 25 years of experience. She practices at Receptive Medicine in Portland, Oregon, where she takes a holistic approach to helping patients optimize their health and energy levels.The Write Anyway podcast is produced by Pages and Platforms and the Happily Ever Author Club.

In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, host Anne Hawley interviews certified EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) tapping practitioner Helen McConnell about using tapping to overcome writer's block and creative barriers.Episode Highlights:Introduction to EFT tapping and its benefits for writersLive demonstration of tapping techniques for writer's blockDiscussion of how fear and safety mechanisms can block creativityPractical tips for accessing creative inspirationReal results: Anne's positive outcome following the tapping sessionGuest: Helen McConnellCertified EFT tapping practitioner with 14 years of experienceSpecializes in helping people resolve trauma, relieve pain, and clear mental blocksReturning host of "What's Bugging You" podcastResources Mentioned:Helen's website: purposeprosperityhappiness.comContact Helen: [email protected] Anyway newsletter: pagesandplatforms.com/subscribeSpecial Opportunity:Helen is seeking three writers to participate in writing-related tapping sessions for her podcast "What's Bugging You." Interested writers can contact her at [email protected].

In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, book coach and author Anne Janzer discusses how writers can stop beating themselves up about productivity. She shares insights from her experience coaching writers and authoring books like The Writer's Process and The Writer's Voice.Key Discussion Points:Why writers struggle with productivity expectationsThe difference between process issues and personal barriersHow to maintain a sustainable writing practiceDealing with perfectionism and fear in writingWhen to persist with or let go of a projectThe importance of focusing on process over outputNotable Quotes:"Every writer knocks themselves around about their productivity." - Anne Janzer"Perfectionism is often fear in disguise looking really productive and important." - Anne Janzer"Nothing is wasted in writing." - Anne JanzerResources Mentioned:Anne Janzer's website: annejanzer.comBooks: "The Writer's Process" and "The Writer's Voice"John Steinbeck's "Working Days: The Journals of The Grapes of Wrath"Connect With Pages & Platforms:Subscribe to the Write Anyway newsletter at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe

In this episode , hosts Sue Campbell and Rochelle Ramirez explore the pervasive fear of criticism that many writers face, offering practical strategies to overcome it. They discuss how fear can paralyze writers, especially in memoir and fiction, and the impact of social media criticism. The episode addresses the psychological aspect of fear, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between real threats and exaggerated fears. The hosts provide methods to fortify resilience, like shadow work and approaching writing with a playful mindset. They also suggest practical steps like writing under a pen name or practicing in low-stakes environments to build confidence. The discussion aims to empower writers to push through fears, allowing their stories to reach and impact others.00:00 Welcome to the Write Anyway Podcast00:39 Understanding the Fear of Criticism03:06 Strategies to Overcome Criticism07:42 Building Resilience and Self-Trust13:58 Practical Tips for Writers22:07 Embracing Rejection and Criticism24:20 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWant more help maintaining a creative practice despite life's obstacles? Subscribe to the ⁠Write Anyway newsletter ⁠from Pages & Platforms.* Some links are affiliate links, we get a small commission when you purchase, but you don't pay more.

Guest: Eirinie CarsonIn this episode, Sue Campbell speaks with writer Eirinie Carson about balancing writing with caregiving and processing grief through writing. Carson is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir https://bookshop.org/a/113574/9781685890469 (Melville House, 2023) and the upcoming novel Blood Fire Baby (February 2026).Key Discussion Points:Writing while parenting two young childrenProcessing grief through writing after the loss of a close friendThe importance of creating space for creative work as a caregiverExperience at writers' residencies, particularly HedgebrookThe role of supportive partners in maintaining a writing practiceHow motherhood inspired Carson to pursue writing seriouslyWriting both memoir and fiction about grief and family historyNotable Quotes:"Writing looks like nothing... It's not like I am toiling in a field. But writing also looks like reading. It also looks like taking a walk. It also looks like thinking about things." —Eirinie CarsonBooks Mentioned:The Dead Are Gods by Eirinie CarsonLong Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira MaddenBlood Fire Baby by Eirinie Carson (forthcoming in 2026)Resources:Hedgebrook Writers ResidencyThe Writers' Grotto in San FranciscoWant more help maintaining a creative practice despite life's obstacles? Subscribe to the Write Anyway newsletter from Pages & Platforms.* Some links are affiliate links, we get a small commission when you purchase, but you don't pay more.

This week on the podcast, we're talking setting—and getting—goals with novelist Neroli Lacey. Get some gems about reaching your own goals by listening to Neroli's share her biggest takeaways from the program. Applications for Goal Getter School are now open. Learn more at: https://www.pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter Neroli writies delicious fiction for clever women. Trained as a journalist, she wrote for all the great British newspapers: The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Evening Standard and for Vogue, Tatler, and New Statesman.  She's also been an investment banker and commodity futures trader. She's traveled all through Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. She's the proud mother of two wildly spirited daughters and an adventurous stepson. She divides her time between New York and a medieval village in the South of France.               On a perfect day, she writes until 2.00 p.m and hikes up, or skis down a mountain in the afternoon.

This week on the podcast, we're talking setting—and getting—goals with novelist Kristina Bak. Get some gems about reaching your own goals by listening to Kristina share her biggest takeaways from the program, including how she went from barely know what a podcast was to landing four guest spots on podcasts with just five pitches! Applications for Goal Getter School are now open. Learn more at: https://www.pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter Visit Kristina's website kristinabak.com for a free e-edition of Nowever, Book 1 in her YA series starring Stevie, a teen girl who discovers she can heal pain with a touch of her hand.Kristina lives in an Oregon mountain town where she is currently writing the third novel in her series described as Near-future, Non-dystopian Realism with supernatural elements. Though nominally YA, this series is intended to inspire, entertain, and empower readers from age 12 to 120.Her latest adult novel, From Here to Argentina: A Tango Love Story, and books 1 and 2 in her YA series, Nowever and Cold Mirage, are available through independent bookstores, as well as Amazon and other usual online sources. Check your library for digital copies.

This week on the podcast, we're talking setting—and getting—goals with author Dr. Laurel Standley, an environmental chemist and author of self-help books on reducing exposure to toxic chemicals, as well as fiction focused on eco-fiction and cozy mysteries, the latter under the pen name June Lucas. She's working on three separate projects and Goal Getter School helped her make headway and set a proper pace for the work. Get some gems about reaching your own goals by listening to Laurel share her biggest takeaways from the program, including how she learned to take small steps forward and take beach days when needed! Applications for Goal Getter School are now open. Learn more at: https://www.pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter

Lots of writers have goals but many writers don't have the healthiest relationship with their goals. Goal Getter School is a place where I teach writers to meet their goals without being an asshole to themselves and without burning out. Listen to students share their key takeaways from the program and get some gems for yourself. Visit pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter. To learn more about Goal Getter School and apply. Today's guest is author Gretchen Cherington (gretchencherington.com). Her first memoir, Poetic License, won multiple awards. Her second memoir, The Butcher, The Embezzler and The Fall Guy, was published in June. Her essays have appeared in the Huffington Post, Culture Club, The Millions, Crack the Spine, Bloodroot Literary magazine and more. Her essay "Maine Roustabout" was nominated for a 2012 pushcart prize. Now let's hear Gretchen share some of her goal getting advice for writers.

The new year is coming and I want you to be well prepared to set goals in a new and more effective way, so I’m bringing you interviews with students from my Goal Getter School for Writers. In this episode, we look at how one writer met her goal to finish her first (aka zero) draft. Lori Howard is a fantasy writer currently working on her first full-length novel. A bookkeeper by trade, she also teaches Scottish Country Dancing. She lives with her husband, daughter and cat in the San Francisco Bay Area. In Goal Getter School, you will set a big goal for your writing career and learn a framework to manage your mind to achieve it. The goal of the program is to teach you to manage your mind so you can better realize your creative potential for the rest of your life. If you’re interested in learning more about Goal Getter School and maybe even applying for the January 2023 cohort, visit http://pagesandplatforms.com/goalgetter