As we close out 2025, this episode is your gentle invitation to pause and look back on your writing year with honesty, compassion, and celebration. So many writers skip the part where they acknowledge what did go well, but that reflection is essential. Today, I’m guiding you through simple questions to help you notice your progress, understand what supported your creativity, and set grounded intentions for the year ahead.
You’ll hear why even the smallest wins matter, how to evaluate what worked (and what didn’t), and why your next step for 2026 doesn’t need to be a giant goal—it just needs to be doable. I’m also sharing how focusing on consistent action, not perfect plans, helped me publish my seventh novel this year. No matter how your 2025 unfolded, there’s something here to celebrate… and so much possibility waiting for you in 2026.
Want accountability and a clear plan to finish your book next year? Book a free consultation: calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Check out my new novel! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2L9XCS6
This week’s episode is a short, cozy reminder that you’re allowed to slow down. The holidays are full and emotional—especially for moms—and if your writing has taken a back seat, you haven’t failed. In this episode, I’m offering you a permission slip: it’s okay to rest, it’s okay to prioritize family and celebration, and it’s okay if your creativity looks quieter this season.
You’ll hear encouragement for navigating guilt, tiny ways to stay connected to your book if you want to, and why stepping away for a week (or even a month) won’t undo your momentum. Your writing will be there in January—and you’re still a writer, no matter how much you did or didn’t get done this month.
If you want 2026 to be the year you finally finish your novel, let’s talk. Book a free consultation: calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Check out my new novel! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2L9XCS6
This week I’m giving you a peek behind the curtain of my brand-new cozy mystery — not just what the book is about, but what it meant to write a novel across early motherhood, step away from it for years, and finally return to finish it.
I’m sharing how this story began, why becoming a mom shifted my creative direction, how I rediscovered the pull of these characters, and what it was really like to refine a book I drafted before my son was born. You’ll hear about letting go of deadlines, trusting slow progress, and following your creativity even when it takes unexpected detours.
If you’re a mom who worries that stepping away means you’ll never finish your book, I hope this episode shows you what’s possible when you listen to your creative instincts — and come back when you’re ready.
Ready for support finishing your novel? Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Check out my new book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2L9XCS6
Publishing my seventh book this week felt completely different from every book before it—and in the best way. In this episode, I’m sharing what I learned about creativity, persistence, and identity after writing and publishing my first book as a mom.
We’ll talk about following your true creative pull (even when it means taking a big detour), why letting go of deadlines actually helped me finish, and how publishing feels steadier and more joyful now that I trust myself and the long game of indie publishing.
If you’re writing through a full, messy, beautiful season of life—or trying to find your way back to your book—you’ll hear why your creative dreams are still very much possible, even if your timeline looks different than it used to.
Ready for support as you work toward your next finished book? Book a free consultation: www.calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Check out my new book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2L9XCS6
Every writer goes through identity shifts: the quiet dreaming stage, the moment you finally call yourself a writer, and the leap to sharing your words as an author. In this episode, I’m breaking down what each stage looks like, why the transitions can feel so uncomfortable, and how to know which one you’re in right now.
I’ll share how fear and doubt kept me stuck in the “wannabe” stage for years, what changed when I started writing my cozy mystery series, and how publishing my first book transformed the way I saw myself. Whether you’re still writing in secret or ready to own your voice publicly, this conversation will help you see that every stage counts, and that you’re closer than you think to stepping into your next one.
Ready to step into your writer identity with confidence? Book a free consultation to get support: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Perfect writing routines look great on paper, but they rarely survive real life. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to create a "good enough" writing routine that actually lasts: one that bends with you through busy seasons, shifting nap schedules, and energy slumps. I’ll share how my own routine evolved from pre-mom life to now, why flexibility is the secret to consistency, and what makes a routine sustainable long-term.
You’ll learn how to anchor your writing to everyday rhythms, reset after a break without shame, and design a process that keeps you coming back to the page. Because a “good enough” routine isn’t settling—it’s what makes writing possible.
Ready to build a routine that feels doable (and doesn’t collapse when life gets busy)? Book a free consultation to design yours: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Finishing six cozy mysteries didn’t happen because I had endless time or perfect motivation; it happened because writing a series forced me to build real, steady persistence. In this episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes truth about what it took to keep going from Book 1 all the way to Book 6: navigating new challenges with each story, moving through the murky middle when doubt crept in, and learning to trust myself even when a draft felt messy or confusing.
You’ll hear what helped me push through the hard parts, why persistence is a skill (not a personality trait), and how finishing even one book can change your confidence as a writer. If you’ve ever wondered whether you have what it takes to stick with your novel, this episode will help you see what’s possible for you too.
If you want persistence but keep stalling out, let’s talk. Book a free consultation to create your writing momentum: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book
And if you like cozy mysteries, check out the series on Amazon!
That pang of guilt when you sit down to write? You’re not alone.
In this episode, I’m sharing how to handle the guilt that can show up when you make time for your writing: why it’s normal, what it really means, and how to reframe it so it doesn’t stop you from writing your novel. You’ll learn simple strategies for quieting guilt in the moment, longer-term mindset shifts to keep you aligned with your “why,” and real examples from my life and clients who’ve learned to write without the guilt winning.
Because writing isn’t taking away from your family -- it’s helping you show up as your full self.
If guilt is stealing your joy in writing, let’s talk. Book a free consultation to find your rhythm again: calendly.com/joseesmith/book
You don’t need a book deal, an agent, or a bestseller list to call yourself a writer.
In this episode, we’re talking about what really makes you a writer, and why waiting for external validation keeps you stuck. I’ll share how self-publishing helped me stop waiting for permission, why perfectionism is just another form of fear, and how claiming your writer identity right now changes everything about how you show up for your creative work.
Because writers don’t become writers when they’re published—they become writers when they write.
Ready to stop waiting for “someday”? Join my November 8 workshop: Finally Write Your Novel: Build a Creative Practice That Sticks (Even as a Busy Mom!)
And if you’re ready for personalized support, book your free consultation here: calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Think you don’t have time to write? You’re probably falling into one of these traps.
In this episode, I’m sharing the three biggest time traps that keep moms from writing, and what to do instead.
You’ll hear real examples from my own writing life and learn how to create consistent time for your novel (even with kids, chores, and chaos).
Don’t miss my November 8 workshop: Finally Write Your Novel: Build a Creative Practice That Sticks (Even as a Busy Mom!)
And if you’re tired of feeling “too busy” to write, coaching can help you find your flow again. Book a free consultation at https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book.
I’ve written and published six cozy mysteries... but I didn’t get everything right the first time.
In this episode, I share the biggest mistakes I made while writing my first series (and what I’d do differently now). From not planning the series arc clearly enough, to doubting my messy drafts, to relying too much on other people’s advice -- I’m breaking down what I learned and how you can avoid the same pitfalls.
If you’re scared of “messing up” your novel, this one will help you see mistakes as experiments, not failures.
Join my November 8 workshop: Finally Write Your Novel: Build a Creative Practice That Sticks (Even as a Busy Mom!)
And if you want guidance and accountability to finish your book with more confidence, then book a free consultation at https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book.
If you’ve ever felt guilty for taking time to write, this episode is for you.
We’re unpacking why writing can feel “selfish” for moms, and why it’s actually one of the most generous things you can do -- for yourself & your family. I’ll share what happened when I felt mom guilt during a writing retreat, how I reframed writing as care instead of indulgence, and simple ways to start writing again without the guilt overpowering you.
Your stories matter, and making time for them isn’t taking away from your family. It’s showing up more fully for them.
Join my November 8 workshop: Finally Write Your Novel: Build a Creative Practice That Sticks (Even as a Busy Mom!)
And if you want help building a writing practice that fits your life, book a free consultation at https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book.
Why is it so hard to say the words, “I’m a writer”? Because labels shape identity - and once you say it out loud, you’re accountable to it.
In this episode, I dig into why claiming the title feels so vulnerable, especially for moms. From cultural narratives that minimize creative work to the risk of judgment when you’re unpublished, fear is normal. But fear also means you care.
I’ll share the story of my own hesitation to call myself a writer, and how finally saying it out loud shifted everything. Plus, you’ll hear encouragement to practice claiming the identity in low-stakes ways so you can start believing it for yourself.
Join my upcoming workshop: Finally Write Your Novel: Build a Creative Practice That Sticks (Even as a Busy Mom!). Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SQB7g75-Sa2TYHgEAo5IJg
If calling yourself a writer feels scary but you know it’s the truth, coaching can help you step into that identity with confidence. Book a free consultation at https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book.
Most moms are writing tired. If you wait until you’re well-rested, your novel will never get written.
In this episode, I share practical ways to keep writing even when your energy is low. From micro-commitments (like one sentence or five minutes) to reframing what progress really looks like, you’ll hear how small, messy steps still build momentum. I’ll also talk about how I drafted a novel in three months by starting with short, doable sessions and slowly building up consistency.
If you’ve ever thought, “My brain doesn’t work when I’m tired,” I’ll help you see that tired writing still counts, and that it’s proof of resilience, not failure.
If you’re exhausted but still want to see your novel take shape, coaching can help you find the simplest path forward. Book a free consultation at https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book.
The words you use to describe yourself matter. Saying “I’m trying to write” feels very different from saying, “I’m a writer.”
In this episode, I dive into why claiming your writer identity changes how you show up for your work, and for yourself. I’ll share the moment I finally said the words “I’m a writer,” how finishing my cozy mystery series helped solidify that belief, and why identity builds resilience through doubt, distractions, and breaks.
You’ll also hear encouragement if you feel like calling yourself a writer would be fake because you haven’t finished anything yet. (Spoiler: being a writer isn’t about what you’ve already produced—it’s about what you’re committed to.)
Ready to start calling yourself a writer and acting like one? Let’s build that identity together. Book a free consultation at calendly.com/joseesmith/book.
Waiting for the perfect time to write your novel? Here’s the truth: it’s not coming. Life will always be full, and if not now, when?
In this episode, I share why starting now matters more than waiting for the stars to align. From my own pandemic writing journey to the power of small, consistent steps (like 10 minutes a day), you’ll hear how action builds confidence faster than any pep talk ever could.
We’ll also talk about what to do if you’re in a hard season, because starting doesn’t have to mean sprinting. Sometimes it’s as simple as writing for 5 minutes a day.
If you’re tired of waiting for the “right time” to write, I’d love to help you take that first step. Book a free consultation at calendly.com/joseesmith/book.
Ever feel like you’re doing it wrong because your writing process doesn’t look like someone else’s? You’re not.
In this episode, I’m breaking down why there’s no single “right” way to write a novel, and how comparison can actually kill your momentum. I’ll share what happened when I tried to force myself into someone else’s method (spoiler: it backfired), and how I eventually learned to trust my own rhythm.
You’ll learn:
Why following someone else’s process can stall your progress
How my writing approach shifted between my first and sixth book
Why experimenting with your own rhythm is the only way to find what works
If you’re feeling stuck because you’re not writing the “right” way, let’s find the path that actually fits you. Book a free consultation and we’ll map out your best next step—no rigid rules required:
https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Come say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joseesmithbookcoach/
Subscribe to my Substack: https://joseesmith.substack.com/
Your voice, your perspective, and your lived experience matter—especially in your writing.
In this episode, I’m sharing why moms have powerful stories the world needs, how to stop worrying about being “too similar” to other writers, and why your exact voice is what will connect with readers.
You’ll learn:
Why your perspective as a mom is valuable in storytelling
How to embrace your unique lens—even in a crowded genre
How writing can be an act of reclaiming your voice and identity
If you’ve been telling yourself your story doesn’t matter or now’s not the time, I’d love to talk. Book a free consultation and let’s build a plan for getting your story onto the page, without guilt or perfectionism:
https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Come say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joseesmithbookcoach/
Subscribe to my Substack: https://joseesmith.substack.com/
Every writer starts with excitement, but what happens when that motivation fades?
In this episode, I’m talking about why it’s normal to lose steam, what the “murky middle” really means, and how to reconnect with your story when doubt creeps in.
You’ll learn:
Why motivation fades after the initial spark
The difference between losing motivation and losing connection
Practical ways to stay on track when the middle gets messy
If your motivation is fading and you don’t want to lose steam, book a free consultation with me. We’ll figure out exactly what’s making it hard to keep going, and how to get you writing again with confidence and clarity:
https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Come say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joseesmithbookcoach/
Subscribe to my Substack: https://joseesmith.substack.com/
Your writing process will evolve with each season of life—and that’s not a bad thing.
In this episode, I’m sharing how my process has shifted from pre-motherhood to now, the “shoulds” I had to let go of, and why flexibility has made my writing sustainable.
You’ll learn:
Why your process can (and should) adapt over time
How to make writing work with the time and energy you actually have
Why breaks don’t mean you’ve failed—and how to restart with confidence
If your writing process needs a reset, or you’re feeling stuck in a season of change, let’s talk. Book a free consultation and we’ll create a plan that works with your life, not against it:
https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book
Come say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joseesmithbookcoach/
Subscribe to my Substack: https://joseesmith.substack.com/