What If? For Authors

Episode Description In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire tackles a common question for writers: what if I know what to do but just can’t get myself to do it? Whether you're struggling to finish a book series, start a new project, or make a business decision, the problem might not be a lack of discipline or motivation. Claire explores the deeper reasons we resist taking action, from following advice that doesn't actually align with our needs to holding onto projects we've outgrown, lacking essential resources, or confronting fears that make moving forward feel unsafe. In This Episode, You’ll Learn Why the thing you think you should do might not actually be right for you How holding onto old projects and expectations can prevent new opportunities Why letting go of a creative dream sometimes requires a period of grief How limited time, energy, money, or emotional support can create legitimate barriers to action What the window of tolerance is and how it affects your ability to handle discomfort The difference between healthy discomfort, hyperarousal, and hypoarousal How each Enneagram type can identify its particular patterns of avoidance, resistance, and fear When support from a friend, coach, or therapist might help you move forward Resources Mentioned Sustain Your Author Career https://books2read.com/SYAC Liberated Writer (Coaching & Courses) liberatedwriter.com Liberated Writer Substack liberatedwriter.substack.com Support the Show If this episode gave you something to reflect on, here are a few ways to support the podcast: Leave a review on your favorite platform - it helps other authors find the show. Share this episode with an author who’s navigating similar challenges. Subscribe to Claire’s Substack for deeper insights on writing, the industry, and the author life. Happy writing!

Episode Description In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire addresses a common problem for writers: what if the central romance just isn't working? Whether you're writing a romance, mystery, fantasy, women's fiction, romantic suspense, or another genre with a romantic subplot, a weak central romance can leave an entire story falling flat. Claire walks us through troubleshooting the relationship using the Enneagram, looking at the characters' personalities, points of connection, and their different approaches to conflict. In This Episode, You’ll Learn Why both characters need to be fully developed, rather than treating one as a stock love interest How assigning Enneagram types can reveal unexpected character inconsistencies How similarities and differences between Enneagram types create connection and conflict What Enneagram "polarity" can teach you about romantic tension The three Enneagram conflict styles: avoidant, methodical, and reactive Why pairing two avoidant characters can make an enemies-to-lovers romance especially difficult Why reactive types can bring explosive chemistry, but potentially too much heat How your characters' conflict styles can help you anticipate breakups, reunions, and apologies How your own conflict style as an author might be influencing the way you're troubleshooting your romance Resources Mentioned Write Iconic Relationships Kickstarter Claire's upcoming book explores the dynamics between different Enneagram types and how those relationships can be used to create compelling enemies, friendships, romances, and more. The Kickstarter launches August 25 and runs through September 10. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ffsmedia/write-iconic-relationships Write Iconic Characters books2read.com/WIC Liberated Writer (Coaching & Courses) liberatedwriter.com Liberated Writer Substack liberatedwriter.substack.com Support the Show If this episode gave you something to reflect on, here are a few ways to support the podcast: Leave a review on your favorite platform - it helps other authors find the show. Share this episode with an author who’s navigating similar challenges. Subscribe to Claire’s Substack for deeper insights on writing, the industry, and the author life. Happy writing!

Episode Description In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire explores one of the main character-development problems writers face: What if I don't know my antagonist? Claire breaks down the true purpose of an antagonist and, using the Enneagram, shows how understanding your protagonist can help you identify the kind of antagonist who will create the most compelling conflict.   In This Episode, You’ll Learn What an antagonist's actual job is in a story Why your antagonist doesn't have to be a villain How the clash between protagonist and antagonist creates narrative energy Why you need to understand your protagonist before choosing an antagonist How the Enneagram can help you identify the right antagonist for your story How a character's core fears can reveal the conflict they most need to face How different Enneagram types interact and trigger one another When using the same Enneagram type for protagonist and antagonist can work Why certain character pairings may struggle to create the conflict required by specific tropes The three possible outcomes of protagonist-antagonist conflict: defeat, overcoming, and integration How to use your antagonist to push your protagonist toward growth Questions to ask when you're stuck trying to figure out who your antagonist should be Resources Mentioned Write Iconic Relationships Kickstarter Claire's upcoming book explores the dynamics between different Enneagram types and how those relationships can be used to create compelling enemies, friendships, romances, and more. The Kickstarter launches August 25 and runs through September 10.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ffsmedia/write-iconic-relationships Write Iconic Characters books2read.com/WIC Liberated Writer (Coaching & Courses) liberatedwriter.com Liberated Writer Substack liberatedwriter.substack.com Support the Show If this episode gave you something to reflect on, here are a few ways to support the podcast: Leave a review on your favorite platform - it helps other authors find the show. Share this episode with an author who’s navigating similar challenges. Subscribe to Claire’s Substack for deeper insights on writing, the industry, and the author life. Happy writing!

Episode Description In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire revisits the question from the podcast’s inaugural episode in 2024 through the lens of 2026: “What if I hate social media?” Nearly a year after leaving social media, Claire shares what actually changed in her business, creative life, and relationships. She explores why many authors stay on platforms they dislike and how to evaluate whether social media is genuinely serving your goals. Rather than encouraging a dramatic exit, Claire offers a thoughtful framework for deciding whether it's time to stay, leave, or build something better.   In This Episode, You’ll Learn How to evaluate whether or not a social media platform is actually helping your author career Why enjoying a platform matters more than just maintaining a presence Why automating endless content isn't necessarily selling books The importance of building community and social connection outside of the internet How leaving social media can create more space for creativity, friendship, and attention Resources Mentioned Write Iconic Characters books2read.com/WIC Liberated Writer (Coaching & Courses) liberatedwriter.com Liberated Writer Substack liberatedwriter.substack.com Support the Show If this episode gave you something to reflect on, here are a few ways to support the podcast: Leave a review on your favorite platform - it helps other authors find the show. Share this episode with an author who’s navigating similar challenges. Subscribe to Claire’s Substack for deeper insights on writing, the industry, and the author life. Happy writing!

Episode Description In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire explores the question, “What if I don’t know how to rest?” Many writers live with a constant sense of being behind. Claire unpacks why this feeling persists even when we work harder, and how fear-based productivity patterns can make genuine rest feel unsafe. Using the Enneagram, Claire examines the beliefs that keep each type pushing past their limits, and offers practical ways to identify what kind of rest you actually need. If you’ve been struggling with chronic exhaustion, this episode provides a framework for building a healthier relationship with rest. In This Episode, You’ll Learn Why feeling perpetually behind is often a mindset problem, not a productivity problem How unrealistic expectations create chronic stress and burnout The fear-based beliefs that keep each Enneagram type overworking How to identify whether your head, heart, body, or soul is exhausted How five-minute breaks can become the foundation for deeper, more sustainable rest Resources Mentioned Write Iconic Characters books2read.com/WIC Liberated Writer (Coaching & Courses) liberatedwriter.com Support the Show If this episode gave you something to reflect on, here are a few ways to support the podcast: Leave a review on your favorite platform - it helps other authors find the show. Share this episode with an author who’s navigating similar challenges. Subscribe to Claire’s Substack for deeper insights on writing, the industry, and the author life. Happy writing!

Episode Description In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire explains the deeper patterns behind chronic overcommitment, and the internal wounds that drive us to take on more than we realistically can. Claire breaks down the distinction between having too much to do (often due to systemic pressures) and taking on too much (a pattern driven by fear and unconscious beliefs). Using the Enneagram, she explores how each type overextends themselves, and why letting go can feel unsafe. In This Episode, You’ll Learn The difference between systemic overload vs. self-driven overcommitment How overworking can be a form of emotional overcompensation The concept of antisocial vs. pro-social effort in your author life How guilt can show up when you start breaking old patterns Why disappointing others can be necessary for growth Resources Mentioned Write Iconic Characters books2read.com/WIC Liberated Writer (Coaching & Courses) liberatedwriter.com Support the Show If this episode gave you something to reflect on, here are a few ways to support the podcast: Leave a review on your favorite platform - it helps other authors find the show. Share this episode with an author who’s navigating similar challenges. Subscribe to Claire’s Substack for deeper insights on writing, the industry, and the author life. Happy writing!

Claire announces open registration for her author community, the Liberati. Members gain access to monthly special topic calls, Q&As, socials, a private Slack group, and discounted one-on-one coaching. Read more and register by May 22nd at www.liberatedwriter.com/liberati. Happy Writing!

Episode Description In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire explores why building and maintaining community can feel so uncomfortable—and why it’s quickly becoming a non-negotiable skill for authors who want a sustainable career. From the push-pull tension between individual needs and group dynamics to the deeply ingrained patterns that make connection difficult, Claire breaks down what’s really happening beneath the surface when we “struggle with community.” Using the Enneagram, she highlights the unconscious behaviors that can quietly sabotage relationships—and how to begin shifting them. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider, avoided author groups, or only reached out when you needed something… this episode offers a compassionate but honest look at what it takes to build real, mutually supportive connections. In This Episode, You’ll Learn Why community is becoming an essential skill for authors (not just a “nice to have”) The hidden cost of trying to “go it alone” in your writing career Why community must be built before you urgently need it The difference between connection and extraction in author relationships How the tension between self vs. others shows up in every community Why avoiding conflict actually weakens connection How ego (your protective armor) interferes with meaningful relationships Why accountability is an act of care—not punishment Practical Reflection Questions Do I tend to prioritize my needs or others’ needs in community? Where do I avoid conflict instead of engaging with it? Do I only seek connection when I need something? What patterns might I be bringing into relationships unconsciously? Resources Mentioned Write Iconic Characters Claire’s guide to using the Enneagram for character development → books2read.com/WIC Liberated Writer (Website) Coaching, courses, and resources for authors → liberatedwriter.com Support the Show If this episode gave you something to reflect on, here are a few ways to support the podcast: Leave a review on your favorite platform—it helps other authors find the show Share this episode with a writer who’s navigating community challenges Subscribe to Claire’s Substack for deeper insights on writing, the industry, and the author life Your support helps keep these conversations going—and supports a more connected, sustainable writing community. Happy writing!

Claire announces her upcoming author community, the Liberati. Members gain access to monthly special topic calls, Q&As, socials, a private Slack group, and discounted one-on-one coaching. Read more and join the waitlist at www.liberatedwriter.com/liberati.

Episode Description In this craft-focused episode of What If For Authors, Claire breaks down one of the most common storytelling anxieties writers face: getting stuck on the ending. A satisfying resolution isn’t just nice to have; it’s the moment where readers discover whether all the promises your story made actually pay off. Claire shares a practical troubleshooting framework she uses with authors to diagnose why an ending isn’t landing and how to fix it. Using the Enneagram as a tool for understanding character motivation and conflict, she walks through four key questions that can help you reconnect your plot, theme, and character arcs, so your ending lands with the impact your story deserves. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How the Enneagram can clarify character motivations and story dynamics Why understanding both the protagonist and antagonist is crucial to resolving your plot How identifying your story’s central theme can guide the resolution The three layers of conflict every powerful ending resolves: Philosophical (beliefs and worldview) Emotional (feelings and internal struggle) Physical (actions and external obstacles) Why the most satisfying endings resolve all three layers at once The importance of letting your protagonist make an active choice in the final moment Resources Mentioned Iconic Five-Star Endings Course Learn Claire’s full framework for crafting powerful endings. Visit: liberatedwriter.com/courses Write Iconic Relationships (Upcoming Book) Explore Enneagram relationship dynamics between every pairing of types. Search “Write Iconic Relationships” on Kickstarter and click Notify Me on Launch. Write Iconic Characters Claire’s guide to building unforgettable characters using the Enneagram. Available at major retailers or: books2read.com/WIC Story Alignment Sessions One-on-one troubleshooting for your manuscript. Book a session at liberatedwriter.com Liberated Writer on Substack Weekly essays on storytelling, the writing life, and the publishing industry. Support the Show If this episode helped you solve a storytelling problem or gave you new ideas for your manuscript, here are a few ways you can support the podcast: Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Reviews help other authors discover the show. Share the episode with a friend who might be wrestling with their ending. Subscribe to Claire’s Substack (free or paid) at Liberated Writer to receive deeper essays on craft, the author life, and the industry. Happy writing!