Episode Summary:

You’ve got a book idea that won’t let go—but it's been pushed to the back burner with client deadlines, work, and real life. This episode is your reset. I’ll walk you through how to finally make progress, without overhauling your life or waiting for the “perfect time.”

What You’ll Learn:

• Start small — Commit to writing just 15 minutes or 100 words a day.
• Schedule your book like client work — Give it time on your calendar, not just your leftover energy.
• Protect your best energy — Write during your sharpest hours, not your tired ones.
• Use passive work to build momentum — Think, plan, and capture ideas while doing other tasks.
• Reconnect with your why — Remember why this story matters and why you are the one to write it.

Free Resource:

Download your free resource - Writer’s Growth Roadmap: a 5-step guide to break through creative paralysis and move forward.

Connect with Me:

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• LinkedIn: Tiffany Colter

If you’ve been quietly writing between client projects, sneaking words into early mornings, or still feeling uncertain about calling yourself a “real writer,” this episode is for you.

Tiffany speaks directly to writers in the in-between: those who are showing up, doing the work, and still wondering if they’re allowed to claim the title. It’s time to stop waiting for external validation. Writing is what makes you a writer, not the deal, not the followers, not even the paycheck.

This episode is your reminder to own what you’ve already built.

• Why doubt is common among experienced writers
• How to recognize and track the work you’ve already done
• What really defines a professional writer
• Why validation doesn’t come before confidence—it follows it
• A mindset shift to help you finally own your writing identity

• Writers who have years of experience but still feel like beginners
• Those who hesitate when someone asks what they do
• Writers balancing client work with personal projects
• Creatives who are tired of waiting for an outside signal that they’ve “made it”

Action Step

Create a "Writer’s Proof File"—a running document where you list everything you’ve written: blog posts, ghostwriting, drafts, outlines, even scrapped ideas. This isn’t for others—it’s for you, to see and celebrate your body of work.

• Substack (for writers): WritingCareerCoach.substack.com
• Substack (for homeschool families): DecisionTreeLearning.substack.com
• Substack (for entrepreneurs/mentors): LearningResourcesOnline.substack.com
• Substack (for small business owners): BuildingTheBalancedLife.substack.com
• TikTok: @tiffanycolter
• Instagram: @tiffanycolter
• Facebook: Tiffany Colter
• X (Twitter): @TiffanyColter
• LinkedIn: Tiffany Colter

In this episode of The Writing Career Coach Podcast, I unpack a challenge that trips up even experienced writers: creating stories that read well and resonate deeply with readers.

After over two decades as a professional writer, I’ve learned that rejection isn’t the real frustration—it’s disconnection. You can craft technically sound sentences, follow all the right rules, and still leave readers cold. That disconnect? It often comes from trying to “sound like a writer” instead of focusing on emotional clarity and connection.

In this conversation, I walk you through the common traps writers fall into, from overcomplicating prose to ignoring the reader’s emotional journey. More importantly, I offer practical strategies to help you write with heart, speak to your audience, and test your work for resonance before publication.

This isn’t about gimmicks. It’s about becoming the kind of writer who moves readers, not just with your words, but with your message.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

• Recognize that struggling to connect with readers is part of the writing process—don’t let it stop you.
• Prioritize emotional connection over perfect prose.
• Simplify your message to keep readers engaged.
• Write like you speak to increase clarity and impact.
• Map out the emotional journey you want your readers to feel.
• Use beta readers strategically to identify where the connection breaks down.
• Invest in coaching and craft resources to sharpen emotional resonance.
• Join a critique group with experienced writers who offer honest feedback.
• Focus your energy on mastering one craft skill at a time.
• Write to move your reader, not just to finish the page.

Chapters

00:00 The Writer's Struggle: Connecting with Readers

02:15 Practical Tips for Emotional Engagement in Writing

04:25 Building Skills for Lasting Connections

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Every episode is here to help you build lasting momentum in your writing career through practical guidance, honest insights, and proven strategies for growth.

Substack Communities

Stay connected through my Substacks:

• Decision Tree Learning — For homeschool families
• Writing Career Coach — For writers building craft and business
• Learning Resources Online — For entrepreneurs and mentors
• Building The Balanced Life — For small business owners managing life and work

Resources Mentioned

• Wisdom from the Writing Career Coach — Learn the lessons I’ve taught dozens of coaching clients about writing with clarity and emotional resonance. Grab the book here
• Coaching & Manuscript Feedback — Ready to make your writing connect? Work with me one-on-one for manuscript evaluations and coaching. Apply for coaching

Thanks for listening. Be sure to subscribe, share, and come back for more conversations about writing that works—on the page and in the marketplace.

#writingcareer #writingcoach #emotionalconnection #betaediting #fictioncraft...