Advertise on podcast: StoryADay presents: I, WRITER - A Writing Podcast about Building a Successful Writing Practice

What if the thing you think is supporting your writing is actually stealing your writing time? Online writing communities can be encouraging, funny, useful, and genuinely connecting. They can also become a very convincing substitute for writing. In this episode, I'm talking about why StoryADay has never had the kind of always-on free community that so many writing sites now offer, what I mean by the power of inconvenience, and the question I think every writer should ask about the spaces they spend time in: Does this community send me back to my writing — or keep me scrolling?

If you're the kind of writer who has trouble staying motivated or completing things, the upheaval and uncertainty in the world (around AI and politics and climate change and economic instability) probably aren't helping. Here's my answer to whether you should bother (spoiler: yes) and the fundamental step you can't skip if you want to stay motivated and keep going on the greatest adventure you could choose: life as a writer. LINKS Watch the video edition: https://youtu.be/RAvJexG1i4I StoryADay Challenge archive: https://storyaday.org/writing-prompt-archive/ SWAGr monthly accountability posts: https://storyaday.org/category/swagr/ 'Define Success' article: https://storyaday.org/how-to-become-a-highly-successful-writer/ The Dream of being a Writer, article: https://storyaday.org/the-dream/ Permission to Write article (and certificate): https://storyaday.org/write-more-permission-to-write/ The I, WRITER Framework for a Successful Productive Writing Life, article: https://storyaday.org/i-writer-framework/ Planning & Tracking Worksheets Bundle: https://storyaday.kit.com/products/story-a-day-planning-tracking-worksheets StoryADay Superstars group: https://storyaday.org/superstars Book a 1:1 Writing Strategy Session with Julie: https://members.storyaday.org/creative-coaching       SWAGr monthly accountability posts

A four-week momentum/rescue plan to help keep your writing life progressing outside the bounds of a challenge like StoryADay May.

How can you be successful as a writer if you don't define success? But how do you define success? In this episode I suggest a definition of seven different writing 'modes' you can build into your success framework.

A reminder to mark the end of the StoryADay May challenge, and not to simply keep sprinting.

What does success really look like for a writer? In this episode, I share a surprisingly encouraging reminder from a 1951 editorial in Galaxy Science Fiction: even at the highest magazine rates of the day, it took "a stupendous amount of writing" to support a writer. That may not sound comforting at first — but it is. Because it means writing was never easy. False starts, abandoned drafts, stories that don't quite work, and the sheer volume of practice required are not signs that you're doing it wrong. They are part of the work. A gentle but honest episode about ambition, effort, StoryADay May, avoiding burnout, and building a writing life that makes room for a stupendous amount of writing. This Week's Question What will you write this week? How many times will you show up for your writing? Don't go from zero to sixty. Increase your commitment a little. Give yourself the chance to discover what happens when writing becomes something you return to, again and again. LINKS:  StoryADay Handbook 2026 StoryADay Handbook 2024 (the one that's really a writing course disguised as a challenge): Prompts from Week 3 of the StoryADay May 2026 challenge:  Day 17 - A Critical Day, from Mary Robinette Kowal Day 18 - Expanded Idioms, from Julie Duffy Day 19 - Inspired by Artemis II, from Julie Duffy Day 20 - Making a Grocery List, from Brenda Rech Day 21 - The Nitty Gritty, from Ruby G. Dubois Day 22 - The Hero of their Own Story, from Julie Duffy Day 23 - Beyond Sound and Vision, from Elizabeth Twist

StoryADay 2026 Handbook: https://stada.me/2026handbook Inspiration Corner Here are some prompts that you might have missed, this month, to get your creative wheels turning. Days 1-9 Day 10 - Darkness to Light, from Renan Bernardo Day 11 - Inhumanity, from Julie Duffy Day 12 - The Visitor, from Debbie Ohi Ridpath Day 13 - Here's a Quarter…, from Michele Reisinger Day 14 - Mine your Emotions, from Jluie Duffy Day 15 - Anarchic Archetype, from Julie Duffy Day 16 - I Think I Can, from Somto Ihueze Keep writing, Julie

In the light of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America organization's statement on AI and eligibility for the Nebula Awards, I recorded this bonus episode of the podcast to give you my perspective on where we are and where we're headed, regarding AI and the creative arts and, well, civilization as a whole. For more like this, subscribe and follow along at StoryADay.org And please share this with a friend.

A story got accepted… and another came back not accepted — and I'm weirdly thrilled. Here's why embracing rejection can strengthen your consistent writing habits, PLUS: a holiday writing prompt to keep you writing in December. Links: StoryADay Podcast episode 109: https://storyaday.org/episode109 The 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc

Hi writers! This week I'm sharing a surprising example of how writing (and writers) can help people in the real world, inspired by a project announced by Brandon Sanderson. It leads to one clear lesson about what it actually takes to build a sustainable writing life — especially if you want to write consistently, keep your momentum, and grow beyond the "solitary writer" myth. Plus: a quick writing prompt about conflict you can use right away.

A short meditation on why sustainable writing comes from small, repeatable choices. We touch on Coetzee, Tom Stoppard, and the quiet ways stories ripple outward—then land on the core: build the habit, revise bravely, and let the work be enough.

We all have that voice that whispers, "Who are you to think you can write?" In this gentle, thoughtful episode, Julie Duffy shares why those inner critics feel so convincing—and how to move past them. From celebrating small wins to journaling the negative voices into submission, she offers calm, practical ways to rebuild confidence and keep writing. A soothing reflection on self-doubt, creative courage, and what it really takes to keep showing up for your stories.

Writing is hard — but it's even harder alone. In this episode, Julie shares why connecting with other writers is the key to overcoming blocks, staying consistent, and building a joyful writing life. Discover how community keeps you motivated, accountable, and growing as a writer. Join the Superstars group: storyaday.org/superstars

On Day 14 of the StoryADay Challenge, how's it going? Perfectly? Oh, you magical unicorn you. For the rest of us, I have some thoughts... 00:00 StoryADay Update - Limit Your Choice, Do Hard Things 04:51 Creating artificial limits for freedom 05:43 Recommit 05:46 Make It Public 06:44 Make It Smaller and More Specific 08:37 Have A Theme 09:24 Commit To The Prompts 10:13 Be There For Yourself Even When Its Uncomfortable 14:05 Quantity vs Quality

Join Julie from Story A Day on Day 10 of Story A Day May as she discusses using strong emotions like rage as fuel for your writing. Julie shares personal insights on transforming negative emotions into positive creative energy and how it can lead to problem-solving and positive thinking. She also highlights today's writing prompt from Patricia A. Jackson, which encourages writers to pen a story from the perspective of a banned book. Embrace your irritation, channel it into your writing, and elevate your mood through creativity! https://storyaday.org 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 00:08 Harnessing Rage for Creativity 00:48 Positive Problem-Solving Frameworks 01:26 Life Lessons from a Former Boss 01:58 Turning Frustration into Creative Fuel 02:07 Today's Writing Prompt: Banned Books 03:11 Mission for Today: Write with Passion 03:39 Final Encouragement