Ep 49: The Hidden Cost of Writing Your Novel Alone

Ep 49: The Hidden Cost of Writing Your Novel Alone

From The Writing Mom Podcast by Josee Smith

May 13, 2026 · 16 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the hidden costs of writing a novel alone and emphasizes the importance of seeking support.

So many moms trying to write a novel believe they should be able to figure it out on their own. That needing support means they’re not disciplined enough, serious enough, or capable enough. But in this episode, I want to challenge that belief and talk about what actually happens when you try to write your novel completely alone. We’re diving into the hidden emotional and practical costs of doing everything solo: overthinking, second-guessing, endlessly rewriting, losing momentum, and staying stuck for years without realizing it. I’m also sharing some of the common patterns I see with my coaching clients, from writers sitting on 30k words for years to moms who desperately want to write but feel too overwhelmed to even begin. Most importantly, this episode is about reframing support. Getting help doesn’t mean you’re incapable, it means you’re no longer willing to make this harder than it needs to be. If you’ve been spinning in circles with your novel and wondering why it still feels so heavy, this episode will help you understand what might actually be going on underneath the surface. Book a free consultation call: https://calendly.com/joseesmith/book

People in this episode

Host: Josee Smith

Topics covered

  • writing support
  • emotional costs of writing
  • overcoming isolation
  • coaching for writers
  • mom writers
  • novel writing challenges

Keywords

  • writing alone
  • support for writers
  • novel writing
  • emotional costs
  • coaching
  • mom writers
  • overthinking

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