✨ A writing community podcast.
🪄 Where writers brew better stories.
🎧 New episodes every Wednesday!
📧 1-10 pages and a synopsis to witchesofworkshop@gmail.com (mailto:witchesofworkshop@gmail.com) to receive critique!
How to Write the Kind of Book You Believe In (Even When Feedback Hurts) | Author BJ Sloan
Get 10% off the Brick with code WOW10: https://www.getbrick.com/WOW10 (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUlxb01IYU9fd2szTmZmaHdkTHVjVHVWZC1MVXxBSTVJdTVza1YySkQ4TjZTSTFBckZSQ3Z1UlFuWXRlUHIwbnhuRUtRMEl6M3ZWTmxjYnhWbC1lLWg5VXAzRHBMTENjUTMzZHVITzJCbW5NeDhFVG5xdnFrRURpY1NVd0pNajNB&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.getbrick.com%2FWOW10&v=FmeDs__CmFU)
Also, we'd love to critique your pages! We review genres of all kinds. Please send 1-10 pages and a synopsis of what the chapter/read is about to witchesofworkshop@gmail.com (mailto:witchesofworkshop@gmail.com)
You can’t become a better writer by yourself but learning how to let other people into your writing process is easier said than done.
In this episode, we're joined by Author BJ Sloan, whose gritty backdrops and larger than life characters have created award-winning books. Joined by BJ, we get into the messy reality of becoming a better fiction writer, including receiving criticism without spiraling, pushing through writer’s block and self-doubt, and finding a writing community that helps you grow. We explore why critique groups and writing workshops matter, how personal experiences shape the characters we create, and what the unpredictable path to publication can teach us about perseverance.
Whether you’re writing your first novel, revising a manuscript, querying agents, or trying to figure out if your writing is actually getting better, this conversation explores the balance between trusting your instincts and being willing to change your work.
Chapters
00:00 Sponsorship
03:12 What's Brewing
19:25 Welcoming BJ Sloan: A Writer's Journey
20:45 Growing Up on a Dairy Farm: Influences on Writing
23:53 Transitioning from Journalism to Fiction Writing
25:49 The Evolution of a Writer's Craft
28:26 Finding the Right Writing Community
28:55 The Importance of Receptiveness
32:25 Learning from Critique
35:54 Crafting Engaging Dialogue
39:36 The Journey to Publication
44:51 Exploring Unique Story Concepts
49:04 Challenging Writer's Block
14 Oct 2026
How to Write a Book Between Your Busy Life | w Author & Competitive Weightlifter Hayley Bell Parker
Get 10% off the Brick with code WOW10: https://www.getbrick.com/WOW10 (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUZZTVljRTVRUEUxb2EydG5nRU16NFJKcXN6V3xBSTVJdTV0eWFMZXEzZlNHRjY0U3dhaXNvdVhfamduNEJCcTB2emUyR29QbWVXQ0NxaE5qTkNkZW1LZWcxQzl5akRfSkdfc0IzbTJzckdZazk1MV92cU95Vk43MVFoM2pNdE1K&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.getbrick.com%2FWOW10&v=FmeDs__CmFU)
Also, we'd love to critique your pages! We review genres of all kinds. Please send 1-10 pages and a synopsis of what the chapter/read is about to witchesofworkshop@gmail.com (mailto:witchesofworkshop@gmail.com)
What does it take to become a better writer while balancing the rest of your life? In this episode of Witches of Workshop, hosts Karoline and Lauren welcome guest Hayley Bell Parker to talk about the realities of building a writing life, from finding inspiration for fiction from real life, to navigating workshops, feedback, and the challenges of motherhood.
They discuss how reading shapes your writing, why short stories are worth exploring, and how writing workshops can transform your craft and confidence.
Plus, they explore how motherhood changes the creative process, how writers can connect with their audiences, and why making time to read is just as important as making time to write.
Whether you're an aspiring novelist, a short story writer, or simply trying to make room for creativity in a busy life, this episode explores what it really means to grow as a writer.
In this episode:
How reading makes you a better writer
Why writing short stories can strengthen your fiction
How workshops and constructive criticism build writing confidence
Finding inspiration in real life and transforming it into stories
Balancing motherhood, a writing career, and everyday responsibilities
How to engage readers through storytelling
Why writers need to make time for reading and keep writing fun
Tune in for an honest conversation about the creative process, the realities of being a writer, and how to keep growing both on and off the page.
30 Sept 2026
Why Every Story Must Feel Human (& Why Adverbs Aren't the Problem)
In this episode of Witches of Workshop, we sit down with Blair to talk about the realities of writing fiction—from finding a writing routine that works to developing stronger characters, dialogue, humor, tone, and setting. Blair shares how their writing process has evolved over time, what they’ve learned about storytelling, and why flexibility and persistence matter so much when writing a novel.
We also dig into the craft of fiction writing, including how personal experiences shape stories, how setting can influence the plot, how film can affect the way writers approach storytelling, and the ongoing debate over adverbs and other writing “rules.” Along the way, we talk about character-driven narratives, finding the right tone, and learning to embrace your own unique writing process.
Whether you're a new writer, working on your first novel, or looking to improve your fiction, this conversation offers practical writing advice and an honest look at the creative process behind storytelling.
In this episode:
Developing a writing routine and creative rituals
How your writing process evolves over time
Improving storytelling and character development
Writing character-driven fiction
Using humor and tone effectively
Making setting an important part of your story
Writing stronger dialogue
How film influences fiction writing
The truth about adverbs and writing rules
Staying flexible when a story changes direction
Learning from challenges and becoming a better writer
Why persistence matters in the writing process
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
13 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
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