Writing Despite Fear of Criticism—with Sue Campbell and Rachelle Ramirez
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.
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Writing While Caregiving—and Grieving—with Eirinie Carson
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.
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Lessons from Goal Getter School with Neroli Lacey
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.
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Lessons from Goal Getter School with Kristina Bak
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.
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Lessons from Goal Getter School with Laurel Standley
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
The Write Anyway podcast helps you hone your author mindset, overcome self-sabotage and write in the face of life's inevitable obstacles.
Hosted by Sue Campbell, Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez of Pages & Platforms. Learn more at pagesandplatforms.com/subscribe
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