Hey there, Writer! Welcome back to another episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show.This week, I had an inspiring conversation with <a href='https://laurajevtich.com/'>Laura Jevtich</a>—a writer, author, and social media creator with a fascinating journey that took her from geology to writing memoirs and beyond.Laura’s story is anything but conventional. Originally trained as a geologist, she spent over a decade in the field before jumping ship during the Y2K era to become a computer trainer. This shift led her to start her own business in 2003, helping realtors with website content and blog posts. Little did she know that this early experience in writing would pave the way for her future as an author.In 2005, Laura and her husband Sasha made a bold decision that would change their lives forever—they bought a truck camper and hit the road, embracing a nomadic lifestyle that was nearly unheard of in their Northern Virginia community. As they traveled, Laura began documenting their journey, which led to the creation of her memoir, Unusual Adventures Traveling Through Life: A Memoir of Frugalness to Financial Freedom.Their journey wasn’t just about travel; it was about reclaiming their time and energy. The couple realized that homeownership was holding them back from the adventurous life they craved. So, in 2006, after a six-week sabbatical, they sold their house and nearly all their possessions, choosing instead to live full-time in their RV. Their travels took them to national parks across the U.S., where Laura worked as a park ranger in places like the Grand Canyon and Canyonlands. Along the way, she continued writing, capturing their experiences in long-form articles and blog posts.By 2018, Laura decided to take a break from the road, settling in Pahrump, Nevada, where she and her husband built a home. But the writing never stopped. Encouraged by her father, she pivoted from writing about organization and minimalism to focusing on her memoir. We talked about how she dived into the writing world, reading memoirs, joining online communities, and learning the craft of storytelling. In 2022, she committed to finishing her memoir, winning NaNoWriMo by typing up her handwritten manuscript and completing the draft. After a rigorous self-editing process, she published the book in July 2023.Laura didn&apos;t stop there. She returned to her unfinished book on organizing, completing and publishing it in early 2024. She has since been deeply involved in the writing community, attending conferences like 20 Books to Vegas (now Author Nation) and embracing direct sales and marketing strategies.Now, Laura has once again jumped ship—this time from nonfiction to fiction. She’s currently writing a historical romance, sharing her journey on Ream Stories, and was even featured on their homepage for historical romance.Throughout the episode, Laura shares valuable insights on following your passions, embracing change, and navigating the self-publishing world. She’s a true example of resilience and reinvention, proving that it’s never too late to chase a new dream.Enjoy the episode!

<description>&lt;p&gt;Hey there, Writer! Welcome back to another episode of &lt;em&gt;The Resilient Writers Radio Show.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This week, I had an inspiring conversation with &lt;a href='https://laurajevtich.com/'&gt;Laura Jevtich&lt;/a&gt;—a writer, author, and social media creator with a fascinating journey that took her from geology to writing memoirs and beyond.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Laura’s story is anything but conventional. Originally trained as a geologist, she spent over a decade in the field before jumping ship during the Y2K era to become a computer trainer. This shift led her to start her own business in 2003, helping realtors with website content and blog posts. Little did she know that this early experience in writing would pave the way for her future as an author.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In 2005, Laura and her husband Sasha made a bold decision that would change their lives forever—they bought a truck camper and hit the road, embracing a nomadic lifestyle that was nearly unheard of in their Northern Virginia community. As they traveled, Laura began documenting their journey, which led to the creation of her memoir, &lt;em&gt;Unusual Adventures Traveling Through Life: A Memoir of Frugalness to Financial Freedom.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Their journey wasn’t just about travel; it was about reclaiming their time and energy. The couple realized that homeownership was holding them back from the adventurous life they craved. So, in 2006, after a six-week sabbatical, they sold their house and nearly all their possessions, choosing instead to live full-time in their RV. Their travels took them to national parks across the U.S., where Laura worked as a park ranger in places like the Grand Canyon and Canyonlands. Along the way, she continued writing, capturing their experiences in long-form articles and blog posts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;By 2018, Laura decided to take a break from the road, settling in Pahrump, Nevada, where she and her husband built a home. But the writing never stopped. Encouraged by her father, she pivoted from writing about organization and minimalism to focusing on her memoir. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We talked about how she dived into the writing world, reading memoirs, joining online communities, and learning the craft of storytelling. In 2022, she committed to finishing her memoir, winning NaNoWriMo by typing up her handwritten manuscript and completing the draft. After a rigorous self-editing process, she published the book in July 2023.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Laura didn&amp;apos;t stop there. She returned to her unfinished book on organizing, completing and publishing it in early 2024. She has since been deeply involved in the writing community, attending conferences like 20 Books to Vegas (now Author Nation) and embracing direct sales and marketing strategies.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now, Laura has once again jumped ship—this time from nonfiction to fiction. She’s currently writing a historical romance, sharing her journey on Ream Stories, and was even featured on their homepage for historical romance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Throughout the episode, Laura shares valuable insights on following your passions, embracing change, and navigating the self-publishing world. She’s a true example of resilience and reinvention, proving that it’s never too late to chase a new dream.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Enjoy the episode!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Hey there, Writer! Welcome back to another episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show. This week, I had an inspiring conversation with Laura Jevtich—a writer, author, and social media creator with a fascinating journey that took her from geology to writing memoirs and beyond. Laura’s story is anything but conventional. Originally trained as a geologist, she spent over a decade in the field before jumping ship during the Y2K era to become a computer trainer. This shift led her to start her ow...

From Geologist to Memoirist, with Laura Jevtich

If you’ve ever worried about using tropes in your writing—wondering if they make your story predictable or overdone—this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show is here to change your mind. I’m joined by <a href='https://www.jenniferhilt.com/'>Jennifer Hilt</a>, USA Today bestselling author, story consultant, and the brilliant mind behind The Trope Thesaurus series. She’s an expert in crafting compelling plots and characters using tropes in fresh, exciting ways.We often hear about “tired tropes” or “overused storylines,” but Jennifer breaks down why tropes are actually the essential building blocks of storytelling. She explains how they create familiarity and connection with readers while still allowing for creativity and originality. But tropes are at play everywhere -- the trick is knowing how to twist them in unexpected ways so they feel new.Jennifer shares how she first became fascinated by tropes during the pandemic, diving deep into books, movies, and TV shows to analyze what makes stories work. She also clarifies the difference between tropes and stereotypes—tropes are neutral storytelling tools, while stereotypes often come with negative connotations. By understanding this distinction, writers can use tropes effectively without falling into lazy or problematic storytelling.Understanding how tropes function can be a game-changer, especially if you’re feeling stuck in the middle of your book. Jennifer shares practical ways to use tropes to guide your story forward. Instead of staring at a blank page, ask yourself: What tropes am I already using? Can I flip one on its head? Can I combine multiple tropes to create something fresh? This can help you revitalize your plot and character arcs, keeping both you and your readers engaged.Jennifer also has a <a href='https://dl.bookfunnel.com/tvbb2jpx9x'>free trope list</a> to help spark new ideas in your writing! You can find it in the show notes, along with links to her books, including The Trope Thesaurus, The Horror Trope Thesaurus, and The Trope Thesaurus: Romance.So grab your notebook, tune in, and get ready to embrace the power of tropes in your storytelling!

<description>&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever worried about using tropes in your writing—wondering if they make your story predictable or overdone—this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show is here to change your mind. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I’m joined by &lt;a href='https://www.jenniferhilt.com/'&gt;Jennifer Hilt&lt;/a&gt;, USA Today bestselling author, story consultant, and the brilliant mind behind &lt;em&gt;The Trope Thesaurus&lt;/em&gt; series. She’s an expert in crafting compelling plots and characters using tropes in fresh, exciting ways.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We often hear about “tired tropes” or “overused storylines,” but Jennifer breaks down why tropes are actually the essential building blocks of storytelling. She explains how they create familiarity and connection with readers while still allowing for creativity and originality. But tropes are at play everywhere -- the trick is knowing how to twist them in unexpected ways so they feel new.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jennifer shares how she first became fascinated by tropes during the pandemic, diving deep into books, movies, and TV shows to analyze what makes stories work. She also clarifies the difference between tropes and stereotypes—tropes are neutral storytelling tools, while stereotypes often come with negative connotations. By understanding this distinction, writers can use tropes effectively without falling into lazy or problematic storytelling.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Understanding how tropes function can be a game-changer, especially if you’re feeling stuck in the middle of your book. Jennifer shares practical ways to use tropes to guide your story forward. Instead of staring at a blank page, ask yourself: What tropes am I already using? Can I flip one on its head? Can I combine multiple tropes to create something fresh? This can help you revitalize your plot and character arcs, keeping both you and your readers engaged.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jennifer also has a &lt;a href='https://dl.bookfunnel.com/tvbb2jpx9x'&gt;free trope list&lt;/a&gt; to help spark new ideas in your writing! You can find it in the show notes, along with links to her books, including &lt;em&gt;The Trope Thesaurus&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;The Horror Trope Thesaurus&lt;/em&gt;, and &lt;em&gt;The Trope Thesaurus: Romance&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So grab your notebook, tune in, and get ready to embrace the power of tropes in your storytelling!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

If you’ve ever worried about using tropes in your writing—wondering if they make your story predictable or overdone—this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show is here to change your mind.  I’m joined by Jennifer Hilt, USA Today bestselling author, story consultant, and the brilliant mind behind The Trope Thesaurus series. She’s an expert in crafting compelling plots and characters using tropes in fresh, exciting ways. We often hear about “tired tropes” or “overused storylines,” but...

How to Unlock the Power of Tropes, with Jennifer Hilt

Have you ever sat down to write only to suddenly need to do the dishes, scroll TikTok, or reorganize your bookshelf? You’re not alone! Writing resistance is real, and it can show up as procrastination, perfectionism, self-doubt, or just an overwhelming sense of stuckness.In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I talk with <a href='https://monicahay.com/'>Monica Hay</a>, a writer, coach, and mentor who has spent years studying the brain science of writing resistance. She shares why resistance happens, how it’s completely normal, and—most importantly—how to work with your brain, not against it, to build a sustainable writing practice.For many of us, writing was easy as kids. We wrote stories just for fun, without that nagging inner critic. But as we got older, perfectionism crept in. We started worrying about whether our writing was good enough, if we were real writers, or if our stories would ever get published.Monica shares that resistance isn’t about laziness or lack of talent—it’s just how our brains are wired. It all comes down to a battle between:🧠 The Prefrontal Cortex – The part of the brain that wants to write and accomplish long-term goals. ⚡ The Amygdala – The “dramatic little biatch” (as Monica calls it!) that constantly scans for danger and tries to conserve energy.So, if resistance is always going to show up, how do we move past it? Monica shares practical, brain-friendly strategies that make writing easier and more enjoyable.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Have you ever sat down to write only to suddenly &lt;em&gt;need&lt;/em&gt; to do the dishes, scroll TikTok, or reorganize your bookshelf? You’re not alone! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Writing resistance is real, and it can show up as procrastination, perfectionism, self-doubt, or just an overwhelming sense of &lt;em&gt;stuckness&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;The Resilient Writers Radio Show&lt;/em&gt;, I talk with &lt;a href='https://monicahay.com/'&gt;Monica Hay&lt;/a&gt;, a writer, coach, and mentor who has spent years studying the brain science of writing resistance. She shares why resistance happens, how it’s completely &lt;em&gt;normal&lt;/em&gt;, and—most importantly—how to work with your brain, not against it, to build a sustainable writing practice.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For many of us, writing was easy as kids. We wrote stories just for fun, without that nagging inner critic. But as we got older, perfectionism crept in. We started worrying about whether our writing was &lt;em&gt;good enough&lt;/em&gt;, if we were &lt;em&gt;real writers&lt;/em&gt;, or if our stories would &lt;em&gt;ever&lt;/em&gt; get published.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Monica shares that resistance isn’t about laziness or lack of talent—it’s just how our brains are wired. It all comes down to a battle between:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🧠 The Prefrontal Cortex – The part of the brain that wants to write and accomplish long-term goals.&lt;br/&gt;⚡ The Amygdala – The “dramatic little biatch” (as Monica calls it!) that constantly scans for danger and tries to conserve energy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So, if resistance is &lt;em&gt;always&lt;/em&gt; going to show up, how do we move past it? Monica shares practical, brain-friendly strategies that make writing easier and more enjoyable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Have you ever sat down to write only to suddenly need to do the dishes, scroll TikTok, or reorganize your bookshelf? You’re not alone!  Writing resistance is real, and it can show up as procrastination, perfectionism, self-doubt, or just an overwhelming sense of stuckness. In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I talk with Monica Hay, a writer, coach, and mentor who has spent years studying the brain science of writing resistance. She shares why resistance happens, how it’s...

How to Overcome Writing Resistance, with Monica Hay

In this week&apos;s episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, we’re diving deep into the world of character development with the amazing <a href='https://fuentespens.ink/'>Megan Fuentes!</a> Megan is a writer of flash fiction and historical fiction, specializing in strong female leads and captivating narratives set against the backdrop of real-world events—especially the fascinating history of World’s Fairs.In our conversation, Megan shares her journey as a writer, from her earliest days of storytelling to the moment she realized she had no idea how to create a proper character arc. (Yes, even published authors hit those moments of doubt!) She talks about working with a former Penguin Random House editor who gave her the eye-opening feedback that changed everything, and how she then dove headfirst into mastering character development.If you’ve ever struggled with crafting compelling character arcs, you won’t want to miss this episode! Megan breaks down her process for building deep, meaningful character transformations using a modified version of Dan Harmon’s Plot Embryo and Eva Deverell’s One-Page Novel method. She walks us through an 8-step framework that helps writers ensure their characters grow in believable, emotionally satisfying ways.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to write characters that truly resonate with readers. Whether you’re writing historical fiction, romance, or any other genre, Megan’s insights will help you craft deeper, more compelling protagonists who keep readers hooked.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this week&amp;apos;s episode of &lt;em&gt;The Resilient Writers Radio Show&lt;/em&gt;, we’re diving deep into the world of character development with the amazing &lt;a href='https://fuentespens.ink/'&gt;Megan Fuentes!&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Megan is a writer of flash fiction and historical fiction, specializing in strong female leads and captivating narratives set against the backdrop of real-world events—especially the fascinating history of World’s Fairs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In our conversation, Megan shares her journey as a writer, from her earliest days of storytelling to the moment she realized she had no idea how to create a proper character arc. (Yes, even published authors hit those moments of doubt!) &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She talks about working with a former Penguin Random House editor who gave her the eye-opening feedback that changed everything, and how she then dove headfirst into mastering character development.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever struggled with crafting compelling character arcs, you won’t want to miss this episode! Megan breaks down her process for building deep, meaningful character transformations using a modified version of Dan Harmon’s Plot Embryo and Eva Deverell’s One-Page Novel method. She walks us through an 8-step framework that helps writers ensure their characters grow in believable, emotionally satisfying ways.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to write characters that truly resonate with readers. Whether you’re writing historical fiction, romance, or any other genre, Megan’s insights will help you craft deeper, more compelling protagonists who keep readers hooked.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this week's episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, we’re diving deep into the world of character development with the amazing Megan Fuentes!  Megan is a writer of flash fiction and historical fiction, specializing in strong female leads and captivating narratives set against the backdrop of real-world events—especially the fascinating history of World’s Fairs. In our conversation, Megan shares her journey as a writer, from her earliest days of storytelling to the moment she real...

How to Craft Strong Characters, with Megan Fuentes

This week, we&apos;re diving deep into the art of crafting heroic characters—the ones who overcome obstacles, stand for something greater, and keep readers turning the page. Joining us is <a href='https://www.marydezember.com/'>Mary Dezember</a>, award-winning author of Wild Conviction and a seasoned writer of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.Mary’s novel, Wild Conviction, is a historical, socially conscious epic adventure with a touch of magic. Set in 1858—a tumultuous period just before the U.S. Civil War—the story follows Twilight, a young woman who discovers life-altering secrets on her 16th birthday. Raised in the North by an abolitionist grandmother, Twilight is forced to return to her parents in Memphis, Tennessee—the largest inland trading port for cotton and enslaved people. As she grapples with the burden of truth, she embarks on a dangerous journey, trying to reconcile the world as it is with the world she wants to help create.Mary shares her process of writing heroic characters, exploring what makes them compelling. Heroism, she explains, isn’t just about grand, world-changing acts. Sometimes, it’s about inner transformation, fighting personal battles, and standing by one’s values despite opposition. Whether you’re writing fiction, memoir, or poetry, a heroic character gives your story urgency, emotional depth, and a sense of purpose.We also discuss the challenges of writing historical fiction. Mary shares her meticulous research process to ensure historical accuracy, while also making creative decisions to avoid reinforcing outdated narratives. For example, she chose not to use certain historically accurate but harmful language, opting instead for inventive, respectful alternatives.Mary shares her framework for believing in your story, which includes:<ul><li>Character connection – making characters human through universal emotions and struggles.</li><li>Power of urgency – crafting a compelling story that demands to be heard.</li><li>Magic of the muse – embracing the creative flow and trusting your instincts.</li></ul>If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt about your writing or felt unsure if your story is worth telling, this episode is for you. Your voice, your perspective, and your characters matter.

<description>&lt;p&gt;This week, we&amp;apos;re diving deep into the art of crafting heroic characters—the ones who overcome obstacles, stand for something greater, and keep readers turning the page. Joining us is &lt;a href='https://www.marydezember.com/'&gt;Mary Dezember&lt;/a&gt;, award-winning author of &lt;em&gt;Wild Conviction&lt;/em&gt; and a seasoned writer of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mary’s novel, &lt;em&gt;Wild Conviction&lt;/em&gt;, is a historical, socially conscious epic adventure with a touch of magic. Set in 1858—a tumultuous period just before the U.S. Civil War—the story follows Twilight, a young woman who discovers life-altering secrets on her 16th birthday. Raised in the North by an abolitionist grandmother, Twilight is forced to return to her parents in Memphis, Tennessee—the largest inland trading port for cotton and enslaved people. As she grapples with the burden of truth, she embarks on a dangerous journey, trying to reconcile the world as it is with the world she wants to help create.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mary shares her process of writing heroic characters, exploring what makes them compelling. Heroism, she explains, isn’t just about grand, world-changing acts. Sometimes, it’s about inner transformation, fighting personal battles, and standing by one’s values despite opposition. Whether you’re writing fiction, memoir, or poetry, a heroic character gives your story urgency, emotional depth, and a sense of purpose.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also discuss the challenges of writing historical fiction. Mary shares her meticulous research process to ensure historical accuracy, while also making creative decisions to avoid reinforcing outdated narratives. For example, she chose not to use certain historically accurate but harmful language, opting instead for inventive, respectful alternatives.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mary shares her framework for believing in your story, which includes:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Character connection – making characters human through universal emotions and struggles.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Power of urgency – crafting a compelling story that demands to be heard.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Magic of the muse – embracing the creative flow and trusting your instincts.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt about your writing or felt unsure if your story is worth telling, this episode is for you. Your voice, your perspective, and your characters matter.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

This week, we're diving deep into the art of crafting heroic characters—the ones who overcome obstacles, stand for something greater, and keep readers turning the page. Joining us is Mary Dezember, award-winning author of Wild Conviction and a seasoned writer of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Mary’s novel, Wild Conviction, is a historical, socially conscious epic adventure with a touch of magic. Set in 1858—a tumultuous period just before the U.S. Civil War—the story follows Twilight, a you...

The Challenge of Historical Fiction, with Mary Dezember

Welcome to the Resilient Writers Radio Show! This is the podcast for writers who want to create and sustain a writing life they love. It's for writers who love books, and everything that goes into the making of them. For writers who wanna learn and grow in their craft, and improve their writing skills. Writers who want to finish their books, and get them out into the world so their ideal readers can enjoy them, writers who wanna spend more time in that flow state, writers who want to connect with other writers to celebrate and be in community in this crazy roller coaster ride we call “the writing life.”&nbsp;

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