Pros Talking Prose

About Pros Talking Prose

Writing a book is hard. Publishing it is even harder. Succeeding as an author? That’s practically wizardry. Good thing you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Pros Talking Prose is your backstage pass to the writing and publishing world, hosted by seasoned pros Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert. We’ll help you skip the mistakes, laugh through the chaos, and build the writing career you actually want without the smoke and mirrors. New episodes every week. Therapy not included — but highly encouraged.

Publisher

Stacey Smekofske

Category

arts · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Apr 2025

Latest episode

24 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

99 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Oct 2026

   Why You Lose Motivation Halfway Through Writing a Book

   You started writing your book with ALL the enthusiasm in the world. The characters were talking to you, the plot was practically writing itself, and you were convinced this was going to be your best book ever. And then... somewhere around chapter twelve, the honeymoon ended. Now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering where all that excitement went. Sound familiar? Losing motivation doesn't necessarily mean you've lost your passion for writing. Sometimes the excitement simply wears off. Sometimes you're getting in your own way. And sometimes that shiny new book idea is just distracting you from finishing the one you've already started. This week on Pros Talking Prose, we're tackling a fantastic question from one of our viewers about the ups and downs of creative enthusiasm. Troy and Stacey explore why writing motivation fades, what separates enthusiasm from discipline, and how professional authors keep writing even when the magic seems to have disappeared. We're talking about writer's block, creative routines, perfectionism, distractions, finding your WHY, and some practical ways to get yourself back into your manuscript without making writing feel like a punishment. We also get into something authors don't always want to hear: Sometimes you need to push through. Sometimes you need a break. And sometimes you need to quit doing something that isn't working for you. Writing a book is one thing. Building a sustainable writing career? That's a whole different adventure. And no, you don't have to be wildly enthusiastic about every single part of it. We certainly aren't! Chapters 00:00 – Why Writers Lose Motivation: The Writing Honeymoon07:20 – Why Writing Gets Harder in the Middle of a Book12:13 – Motivation vs. Discipline: How Professional Writers Keep Going27:24 – How to Get Your Writing Motivation Back40:25 – Overcoming Writer's Block and Finding Your Writing Process50:31 – Creative Breaks, Burnout, and Knowing When to Quit01:03:05 – How to Restart Your Manuscript and Overcome Writing Fears Resources & Links Books mentioned: The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubinhttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717356/the-creative-act-by-rick-rubin/9780593652886/ Dear Writer, You (Still) Need to Quit by Becca Symehttps://betterfasteracademy.com/ Writing, Publishing & Author Business Resources Print to Pro — Publishing strategy, education, and professional publishing support:https://printtopro.com/ The Plot Abides — Troy Lambert's writing craft resources, courses, and coaching:https://theplotabides.com/ The Plot Dude's Guide to Story:https://theplotabides.com/courses/plot-dudes-guide-to-story/ Join our author community! Want to connect with other authors who are figuring out this whole writing and publishing business right alongside you? Join us in the P2P Author Business Harbor, where we talk writing craft, publishing, marketing, and building an author business that actually works for YOU. https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about Now we want to hear from YOU! Have you ever fallen out of love with a book you were writing? Did you push through, take a break, chase a shiny new idea, or leave that poor manuscript sitting in a folder somewhere collecting digital dust? Tell us in the comments! We want to know what helped you get your writing motivation back—or what's keeping you stuck right now. And if you enjoy candid conversations about writing, self-publishing, book marketing, and the occasionally ridiculous realities of being an author, subscribe to Pros Talking Prose! Troy and Stacey are here to help you navigate the writing life and build a sustainable author career, one conversation at a time. Keep writing. Be weird. Stay kind. #WritingMotivation #WritingTips #Authors #ProsTalkingProse #WritingCommunity

2. 

   17 Oct 2026

   Novel November: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Truth About Writing Challenges

   Can writing 50,000 words in 30 days actually make you a better writer? Or are we just getting really good at chasing word counts?November is coming, and writers everywhere are preparing to do what writers do best: set wildly ambitious goals, stock up on caffeine, and convince themselves that this will finally be the month they finish that novel.However, are writing challenges like Novel November, NaNoWriMo, and organized write-ins really helping authors build better writing habits? Or are they creating unnecessary pressure, burnout, and some spectacularly messy first drafts?This week on Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske dig into the good, the bad, and the occasionally ridiculous side of 30-day writing challenges.We're talking about writing productivity, accountability, the comparison trap, and why hitting a word count isn't necessarily the same thing as making progress on your book.Plus, Troy shares what he's learned from years of participating in writing challenges, and Stacey brings the editor's perspective on what happens when those 50,000 words eventually land on an editor's desk. (Spoiler: There's usually some work left to do.)Whether you're preparing for Novel November 2026, looking for a NaNoWriMo alternative, trying to establish a consistent writing routine, or just hoping to finish your manuscript without losing your sanity, this conversation is for you.Because writing more words is great. But knowing what you're trying to accomplish with those words? That's where things get interesting. Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Pros Talking Prose03:43 – What Happened to NaNoWriMo? The Rise of Novel November10:30 – The Benefits of 30-Day Writing Challenges and Daily Word Goals20:04 – Writing Accountability, Community, and the Power of Write-Ins28:00 – Finding Your Best Writing Schedule and Productivity Habits38:32 – The Downsides of Writing Challenges: Comparison, AI, and Word Counts45:10 – Why 50,000 Words Doesn't Mean Your Novel Is Finished53:10 – Writing Burnout and Why Good Habits Don't Always Stick59:24 – Are Writing Communities Distracting You From Actually Writing?1:03:48 – How to Make Novel November Work for Your Writing Goals1:09:23 – Preparing Your Life, Schedule, and Workspace for a Writing Challenge1:13:59 – Writing Goals, Self-Compassion, and Progress Over Perfection Connect With UsPrint to Pro – Publishing education, professional services, and author business strategyhttps://printtopro.com/P2P Author Business Harbor – Join our author community for writing and publishing discussions, resources, and support.https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about

3. 

   10 Oct 2026

   Why Readers Feel Cheated by AI-Written Books

   What happens when readers discover that the book they loved was written by AI? Does the story suddenly become less valuable—or does the author lose something far more important: the reader's trust?AI-generated books are becoming part of the publishing conversation, but authors and readers aren't necessarily seeing eye to eye. And while some writers are embracing artificial intelligence as a shortcut to publishing faster, readers may be questioning what they're actually paying for.This week on Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy tackle a slightly uncomfortable question: Is AI turning authorship into the creative equivalent of wearing a fake Rolex? Yes, we're talking counterfeit luxury watches, Burberry, AI-generated music, influencer culture, and what any of those things have to do with writing books. Trust us, there's a connection.We're not anti-AI. In fact, we both recognize how useful it can be in an author business. But there's a big difference between using AI to support your creativity and allowing it to replace the very thing readers come to you for. When readers start questioning whether the creativity they're buying is genuine, authors have a much bigger problem than a few awkward sentences.We're digging into reader perception, AI writing, author credibility, authenticity, and why the choices you make today could influence your relationship with readers for years to come. A book isn't just a product. There's a human being behind the story, or at least readers expect there to be.Whether you're an indie author, traditionally published author, aspiring writer, or publishing professional, this is a conversation worth having.What do you think?Does knowing a book was written by AI change how you feel about it? And where do you draw the line between AI-assisted writing and AI-generated books? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Even if you disagree with us. Especially if you disagree with us! 00:00 – Fake Rolexes, Luxury Brands, and a Strange Connection to Writing08:20 – Why Readers Are Rejecting AI-Written Books11:52 – Is AI Writing the Counterfeit Rolex of Publishing?15:12 – Why Knowing Something Is AI-Generated Changes Its Value20:34 – AI Writing, Imposter Syndrome, and Author Credibility31:57 – What Burberry Can Teach Authors About Authenticity37:56 – What Makes a Story Genuinely Human?44:28 – Why Authenticity Matters to Readers52:47 – When AI Becomes a Shortcut Instead of a Tool1:01:20 – Can Editors and Readers Recognize AI Writing?1:04:12 – Protecting Your Manuscript and Your Creative Voice1:09:50 – Why Every Author Should Have an AI Policy Join Us at Wayfinder Summit!October 15–17, 2026 | Virtual Author RetreatLess Distraction. More Direction.Three days dedicated to helping authors find clarity, build sustainable writing and publishing practices, and make real progress toward their goals. Join Stacey, Troy, Becca Syme, Roland Denzel, and other industry professionals for a retreat built around doing the work, not just talking about it. https://wayfinder-summit.heysummit.com/ Resources MentionedBecca Syme — Better-Faster Academyhttps://betterfasteracademy.com/Dear Writer, You Need to Quit — Becca Symehttps://betterfasteracademy.com/books-by-becca-syme/dear-writer-you-need-to-quit/Story Genius — Lisa Cronhttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/252747/story-genius-by-lisa-cron/ Connect With UsPrint to Pro — Publishing Strategy, Education & Author Serviceshttps://printtopro.com/P2P Author Business Harbor — Our Author Communityhttps://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor Join us for more candid conversations, publishing guidance, author-business resources, and opportunities to connect with other writers.If you're enjoying Pros Talking Prose, please like, subscribe, and share the episode with another author. It helps us reach more writers and keep these conversations going. Music CreditsMusic: Suppermassive Black HoleArtist/Composer: Muse About Pros Talking ProseJoin publishing professionals

Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100

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