He got up and sat on the edge of the bedstead with his back to the window. “It’s better not to sleep at all,” he decided. There was a cold damp draught from the window, however; without getting up he drew the blanket over him and wrapped himself in it. He was not thinking of anything and did not want to think. But one image rose after another, incoherent scraps of thought without beginning or end passed through his mind. He sank into drowsiness. Perhaps the cold, or the dampness, or the dark, or the wind that howled under the window and tossed the trees roused a sort of persistent craving for the fantastic. He kept dwelling on images of flowers, he fancied a charming flower garden, a bright, warm, almost hot day, a holiday—Trinity day. A fine, sumptuous country cottage in the English taste overgrown with fragrant flowers, with flower beds going round the house; the porch, wreathed in climbers, was surrounded with beds of roses. A light, cool staircase, carpeted with rich rugs, was decorated with rare plants in china pots. He noticed particularly in the windows nosegays of tender, white, heavily fragrant narcissus bending over their bright, green, thick long stalks. He was reluctant to move away from them, but he went up the stairs and came into a large, high drawing-room and again everywhere—at the windows, the doors on to the balcony, and on the balcony itself—were flowers. The floors were strewn with freshly-cut fragrant hay, the windows were open, a fresh, cool, light air came into the room. The birds were chirruping under the window, and in the middle of the room, on a table covered with a white satin shroud, stood a coffin. The coffin was covered with white silk and edged with a thick white frill; wreaths of flowers surrounded it on all sides. Among the flowers lay a girl in a white muslin dress, with her arms crossed and pressed on her bosom, as though carved out of marble. But her loose fair hair was wet; there was a wreath of roses on her head. The stern and already rigid profile of her face looked as though chiselled of marble too, and the smile on her pale lips was full of an immense unchildish misery and sorrowful appeal. Svidrigaïlov knew that girl; there was no holy image, no burning candle beside the coffin; no sound of prayers: the girl had drowned herself. She was only fourteen, but her heart was broken. And she had destroyed herself, crushed by an insult that had appalled and amazed that childish soul, had smirched that angel purity with unmerited disgrace and torn from her a last scream of despair, unheeded and brutally disregarded, on a dark night in the cold and wet while the wind howled

5 Amazing Podcasts to Help a Writer’s Mindset

‹ Back to blog
‹ Back to blog

You might need to ask yourself, What writer’s mindset podcasts should I listen to? if you feel like this:

Is this regular? Is this happiness? Should I have a nagging sense I’m not doing what I’m meant to be doing?

The catch is you thought you found your purpose in life. After decades doing what other people told you was responsible, your life felt empty and adrift.

So, you took a risk, followed your passion, started writing, took it seriously, published a few stories, and started to feel something. You felt connected, purposeful.

But after a time that old sense of gray monotony returned. You were busier than ever, juggling work and writing. The novel you started stalled, and no one was asking how you were doing anymore.

If you couldn’t find motivation—and soon—you were finished. You decide to schedule a night for yourself to think. Over a cool refreshing beverage and a plate of hummus and carrot sticks, you journal, boiling your struggles to these four words:

  • Support
  • Accountability
  • Inspiration
  • Emotion

This isn’t far off from how I felt Christmastime 2021, and while I took the most drastic of actions, quitting my job without promise of income while responsible for three sons and a wife who miraculously trusted my plan, you might relate to the sense of lostness I was battling.

I decided writing was my purpose, and I owed it to myself to risk everything to see my dream through.

You might feel the same, albeit in a more responsible way. And if you’re like me, you’ve already binged the top 40 podcasts on writing and need to refresh the cache.

My journey led me to create my podcast, cre8 collabor8, to empower novelists like me with tips on mindset and marketing.

I serve a unique listener, someone who’s on the verge of publishing their first novel, who needs that last push and the insight to market when they take the plunge.

But because you’ve got a bottomless appetite for podcasts you need more than I alone can give. Below is a list of five podcasts you haven’t found yet that dive into the writer’s mindset.

5 Amazing Podcasts for a Writer’s Mindset

Woman listening to writer's mindset podcasts
Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom

Writer’s Mindset Podcasts #1: Creative Ops

Christopher Tallon, author of the forthcoming SWITCHERS, a novel about time travel and the collapse of society, launched his first episode of Creative Ops in March of 2020.

His is a unique take, featuring a wide range of guests of many backgrounds from Teachers and Travel Guides to Novelists and Wine Makers.

You’ll love this podcast because no matter the subject there’s a tight focus on stoking and expanding the creative mindset. It’s one of the most well-produced podcasts out there, with humorous sound effects to gripping music.

Chris might be most gifted at the monologue, where his humor and insight shine, and you’ll never be disappointed by the interviews that unravel with pleasant creative-minded tangents.

I recommend starting with Episode 32 “Creativity 101 w/ Professor Tallon”

Writer’s Mindset Podcasts #2: The Eric Norcross Podcast

Eric interviews writers who find unique ways to produce content and share their ideas with the world. In addition to many authors, his guests also include filmmakers, screenwriters, gallery artists, and scientists.

His philosophy is that creativity is universal and interconnected, so the mindsets, approaches, and struggles are equally universal and interconnected.

I recommend starting with Episode 81. “The Power of Asking Questions – with George Styles”.  Before listening to this episode, I thought I was the only person on Twitter asking exclusively questions.

Writer’s Mindset Podcasts #3: Writer Unleashed

Nanci Panuccio is a writer, editor, and story coach. Her podcast leans into the coaching aspect of her work pulling from her insights as a writer and editor to help writers write with an unstoppable momentum. It’s a great monologue show that wastes no time getting to the meat.

With episodes clocking in at thirty minutes or less, Nanci explores how to write after rejection, how to refocus after a long writing break, what professional dance can teach a writer about writing, and so much more.

One of my favorite episodes was the February 1st, 2022, show “Common Writing Advice That’s Holding You Back”. It’s a fun, unexpected look at clichéd advice you might want to rethink.

Writer’s Mindset Podcasts #4: The Writer’s Mindset

With a name like The Writer’s Mindset, this one’s a shoo-in for a great show on, you guessed it, writer’s mindset. Kristina Adams, a bestselling author, and Ellie Betts record a variety of episode styles from interviews to monologues.

Kristina and Ellie really dig into tough subjects like writing through depression, confronting self-limiting beliefs and perfectionism, as they offer insights on what it means to be a professional writer.

I recommend going a little meta with this show and starting in Season 3 on September 16, 2021, to hear guest Matty Dalrymple discuss “Podcasting For Authors”.

Writer’s Mindset Podcasts #5: WriterDojo

The largest and most well-established on this list, WriterDojo brings a different look to the others. Hosts Steve Diamond and Larry Correia may be abrasive to listen to for some writers.

They aren’t afraid to tackle issues they feel passionate about from censoring an author’s voice to pushing back against cancel culture. Each episode runs around thirty-five minutes.

Steve and Larry cover topics ranging from Collaboration as writers, to writing for audio, to the finances of an author, but every episode has a heavy focus on the mindset an author needs to bring to the varied responsibilities of the work.

I recommend starting at the beginning with the first full episode released on August 25th of 2021, titled “Hobby vs Business (Round 1)”.

Writing is Mentally and Emotionally Taxing

If you’re often on the go, find yourself in need of writing inspiration and insight, and love to hear from authors who are just a few steps ahead of you on the journey to professional publication? You’ll find everything you need with these shows.

A few honorable mentions that didn’t make the list include:

The Write Mindset by Thomas J Bellezza

Daring To Tell by Michelle Redo

Unleash Your Creative Magic by Helen Phifer

Before you go, check out other popular posts like 10 Career Mistakes Writers Must Avoid and/or How to Be a Happy Writer.

Jody J. Sperling lives and works In Oakland, Nebraska with Ashley, Silas, Edmund and Tobias. He is the founder of cre8 collabor8 a podcast for first-time novelists who care about marketing.

Follow me on Social Media:

Related posts:

No related posts.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Every writer NEEDS this book.

It’s a guide to writing the pivotal moments of your novel.

Whether writing your book or revising it, this will be the most helpful book you’ll ever buy.

Learn More