42. Touching creative source w/ Jackie Amsden
04/25/23 • 35 min
Have you had that moment when your words flow effortlessly onto the page and what you write completely surprises and delights you?
Joining today’s conversation is Jackie Amsden, an indie comedy author, podcaster, and mom of two. In today’s episode, you’ll hear about how tapping into creative space helped Jackie reconcile her struggle with becoming a mother and the loneliness she felt throughout that transition.
You’ll learn why a writing habit doesn’t have to be done a certain way and how having kids can make our creativity more efficient. Tune in to also find out how Jackie has began reshaping the identity of mom through her writing.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Feeling alone a new mom who also writes
- How Jackie thought writing had to be done, before having kids
- Tapping into that creative space and feeding the soul
- How passion and motivation change after becoming a parent
- How to not forget your creativity
- Using writing to play with the identity of mom and reshaping it
- Jackie’s desire to connect with more writers
- Using podcasts to connect with specific communities
- Favorite books
- BONUS: Using Fancy Nancy as an example for a strong voice
- BONUS: Advice on digging deeper into why you’re not writing
About Jackie:
Jackie Amsden is an indie comedy author and host of These Mums Write podcast. She is currently working on a MomCom about a stay-at-home mom who needs to pretend to be an ex-con to get a job.
She has children, ages 6 and 13, who provide an endless source of hilarious one-liners and also a great deal of lower back pain. She lives in Vancouver, the Canadian one.
Connect w/ Jackie:
- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jackieamsden
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackieamsden/
Books and resources discussed during the show:
- Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert
- You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero
- Midlife Bites: Anyone Else Falling Apart, Or Is It Just Me?, by Jen Mann
- Welcome to the Neighborhood, by Lisa Roe
- Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up, by Alexandra Potter
- The Wayside School series, by Louis Sachar
- Pinkalicious series, by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann
- Fancy Nancy, by Jane O’Connor
Looking for an editor or book coach?
As an indie author, editor, and book coach, I teach authors how to untangle their jumbled ideas and tackle each writing stage one at a time.
With my 20 years’ experience and my master’s in writing, I have a 4-stage process that takes authors from struggling with overwhelm to finishing their manuscripts with confidence and direction in 6 months.
As such, I love spending time with my clients and watching them grow into strong, knowledgeable authors. Read more here, and schedule a call to see if we're a good fit: https://calendly.com/erinptcanning/30min-meeting.
Have you had that moment when your words flow effortlessly onto the page and what you write completely surprises and delights you?
Joining today’s conversation is Jackie Amsden, an indie comedy author, podcaster, and mom of two. In today’s episode, you’ll hear about how tapping into creative space helped Jackie reconcile her struggle with becoming a mother and the loneliness she felt throughout that transition.
You’ll learn why a writing habit doesn’t have to be done a certain way and how having kids can make our creativity more efficient. Tune in to also find out how Jackie has began reshaping the identity of mom through her writing.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Feeling alone a new mom who also writes
- How Jackie thought writing had to be done, before having kids
- Tapping into that creative space and feeding the soul
- How passion and motivation change after becoming a parent
- How to not forget your creativity
- Using writing to play with the identity of mom and reshaping it
- Jackie’s desire to connect with more writers
- Using podcasts to connect with specific communities
- Favorite books
- BONUS: Using Fancy Nancy as an example for a strong voice
- BONUS: Advice on digging deeper into why you’re not writing
About Jackie:
Jackie Amsden is an indie comedy author and host of These Mums Write podcast. She is currently working on a MomCom about a stay-at-home mom who needs to pretend to be an ex-con to get a job.
She has children, ages 6 and 13, who provide an endless source of hilarious one-liners and also a great deal of lower back pain. She lives in Vancouver, the Canadian one.
Connect w/ Jackie:
- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jackieamsden
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackieamsden/
Books and resources discussed during the show:
- Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert
- You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero
- Midlife Bites: Anyone Else Falling Apart, Or Is It Just Me?, by Jen Mann
- Welcome to the Neighborhood, by Lisa Roe
- Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up, by Alexandra Potter
- The Wayside School series, by Louis Sachar
- Pinkalicious series, by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann
- Fancy Nancy, by Jane O’Connor
Looking for an editor or book coach?
As an indie author, editor, and book coach, I teach authors how to untangle their jumbled ideas and tackle each writing stage one at a time.
With my 20 years’ experience and my master’s in writing, I have a 4-stage process that takes authors from struggling with overwhelm to finishing their manuscripts with confidence and direction in 6 months.
As such, I love spending time with my clients and watching them grow into strong, knowledgeable authors. Read more here, and schedule a call to see if we're a good fit: https://calendly.com/erinptcanning/30min-meeting.
Previous Episode
41. Book talk: Discovering layers w/ Maria Secoy
Can you recall a book that inspired you to become a writer? What about a book that fundamentally changed your view of the world or yourself?
Never underestimate the power of reading books you love—and books you hate.
Joining today’s conversation is Maria Secoy, a romance fiction author, former English teacher, and book coach for those who self-publish literary romance novels.
In this episode, you’ll enjoy a combination of banter and insight into writing techniques as two good friends discuss the books that taught them how to recognize that people (and stories) have layers, what it means to show and not tell, and how people can read the same book but have completely different experiences.
Tune in to enjoy these two good friends bantering while they challenge each other to consider a different point of view.
Whenever Maria and Erin are together, you’re guaranteed to learn something while laughing. A lot.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Books that change the trajectory of our lives
- The book at showed Maria we’re all human
- The book that taught Erin show vs tell
- The trauma of being forced to read the “right” book
- The book that showed Erin the worst in people
- Rosenblatt’s theory of reader response
- The perfect example of satire
About Maria:
Maria Secoy has a BA in English and an MEd in Secondary English. She spent more than a decade in the classroom helping students grow as authentic writers.
She wrote and published her first romance novel in February 2022, which has since reached #4 on the Amazon Best Sellers List.
After hearing stories of editors gone wrong, flopped cover designs, marketing struggles, and anxiety over the entire self-publication process, she launched All Write Well, which has grown to include a team of supportive experts who meet all the self-publishing needs of writers.
Get her books:
- Alongside Lucy: https://www.amazon.com/Alongside-Lucy-Trail-Adventure-Adventures-ebook/dp/B09WKYLVVZ
- Gloria’s Gumption: https://www.amazon.com/Glorias-Gumption-Maria-Secoy/dp/B0BRH2F7WZ/
- Standing by Stephanie: https://www.amazon.com/Standing-Stephanie-Trail-Love-Adventures-ebook/dp/B0BY3SWRW7/
Connect with Maria:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msecoywriter
- Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/awwromance
- All Write Well (self-publishing support services): https://allwritewell.com/
Books dis
Looking for an editor or book coach?
As an indie author, editor, and book coach, I teach authors how to untangle their jumbled ideas and tackle each writing stage one at a time.
With my 20 years’ experience and my master’s in writing, I have a 4-stage process that takes authors from struggling with overwhelm to finishing their manuscripts with confidence and direction in 6 months.
As such, I love spending time with my clients and watching them grow into strong, knowledgeable authors. Read more here, and schedule a call to see if we're a good fit: https://calendly.com/erinptcanning/30min-meeting.
Next Episode
43. Growing your audience organically
Do you struggle with spreading the word about your writing and growing your audience organically? Do you fear people just scroll past your “buy my book” or “read my writing” posts?
In this episode, you’ll learn how to reach your ideal readers and why spamming other groups doesn’t convert users into readers.
Best of all, you’ll walk away knowing how to create content that users actually want to consume AND share.
So, stay tuned to learn the secrets for gaining a following of raving fans who love your posts and voluntarily spread the word about you and your writing.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Conquering the purpose of social media
- Finding your ideal readers
- Knowing what to post and NOT post in other groups
- Creating your own consistency
- Using the three main types of content
- Posting content people want to consume and share
- BONUS: An affordable resource for generating your ideas
About Erin:
Erin P.T. Canning has worked for more than 15 years as a magazine and book editor, encouraging each writer’s individual voice and strengthening their writing goals.
She always planned to write a book. Then she had kids. While she focused on them, she stopped writing—for six years. Something deep inside was missing. Depression, anxiety, and anger forced her to search for herself, both for her sake and her family’s.
Despite fearing her skills had atrophied, Erin started writing again. One journal entry led to one blog post that led to her creating her podcast, Parents Who Write. Erin’s current role as a podcaster and writing coach enables her to help others pursue their writing dreams.
Finally, she finished writing her own shitty first draft and will release her first novel in 2023. She earned her MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins University, and she lives with her husband and their two boys in Maryland.
Connect with Erin:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinptcanning
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/erinptcanning
- Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/parentswhowrite
- Book a free 30-minute consultation call: https://calendly.com/parentswhowrite/30min-meeting
Resources discussed during the show:
- Parents Who Write writing workshops: https://lifebeyondparenting.com/courses/
- Rachel Miller’s Set-and-Forget Social System: https://moolah.life/social-system46939416
Looking for an editor or book coach?
As an indie author, editor, and book coach, I teach authors how to untangle their jumbled ideas and tackle each writing stage one at a time.
With my 20 years’ experience and my master’s in writing, I have a 4-stage process that takes authors from struggling with overwhelm to finishing their manuscripts with confidence and direction in 6 months.
As such, I love spending time with my clients and watching them grow into strong, knowledgeable authors. Read more here, and schedule a call to see if we're a good fit: https://calendly.com/erinptcanning/30min-meeting.
Embracing the Fiction Author Journey - 42. Touching creative source w/ Jackie Amsden
Transcript
Have you had that moment when your words flow effortlessly onto the page and what you write completely surprises and delights you? In today's episode, you'll hear about why people thrive when tapping into that creative space and how doing so restores us. You'll also learn why a writing habit doesn't have to be done a certain way and how having kids can make our creativity more efficient.
/ Welcome to Parents Who Write, the podcast that
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