What If? For Authors

Episode Description In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire tackles a common question for writers: what if I know what to do but just can’t get myself to do it? Whether you're struggling to finish a book series, start a new project, or make a business decision, the problem might not be a lack of discipline or motivation. Claire explores the deeper reasons we resist taking action, from following advice that doesn't actually align with our needs to holding onto projects we've outgrown, lacking essential resources, or confronting fears that make moving forward feel unsafe. In This Episode, You’ll Learn Why the thing you think you should do might not actually be right for you How holding onto old projects and expectations can prevent new opportunities Why letting go of a creative dream sometimes requires a period of grief How limited time, energy, money, or emotional support can create legitimate barriers to action What the window of tolerance is and how it affects your ability to handle discomfort The difference between healthy discomfort, hyperarousal, and hypoarousal How each Enneagram type can identify its particular patterns of avoidance, resistance, and fear When support from a friend, coach, or therapist might help you move forward Resources Mentioned Sustain Your Author Careerhttps://books2read.com/SYAC Liberated Writer (Coaching & Courses)liberatedwriter.com Liberated Writer Substackliberatedwriter.substack.com Support the Show If this episode gave you something to reflect on, here are a few ways to support the podcast: Leave a review on your favorite platform - it helps other authors find the show. Share this episode with an author who’s navigating similar challenges. Subscribe to Claire’s Substack for deeper insights on writing, the industry, and the author life. Happy writing!

Episode Description In times of economic uncertainty, industry upheaval, and personal burnout, it can feel impossible to imagine a hopeful future—especially as an author whose dreams are often tied to outcomes beyond their control. In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire tackles one of the hardest questions writers face: What if there’s no hope? Drawing on the Enneagram, existential psychology, and real-world author experience, Claire reframes hope not as an emotion or a promised outcome—but as a courageous choice we make, even (and especially) when things feel bleak. This episode is an invitation to loosen cynicism’s grip, detach hope from specific results, and rediscover the kind of hope that sustains creativity, value-based decisions, and long-term resilience—regardless of what the market, algorithms, or economy are doing. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why outcome-dependent hope inevitably collapses—and what to replace it with How losing hope shows up differently for each Enneagram type Why cynicism feels protective but quietly drains your creative life How privilege shapes our relationship to hope and “proof” What sustainable, outcome-independent hope actually looks like in practice Why you don’t need to feel hopeful to choose hope Small, concrete ways authors choose hope every day (often without realizing it) How writing itself can be an act of hope—for yourself and for others Key Takeaways: Hope is not a reward for good outcomes—it’s a prerequisite for meaningful action You can choose hope even when you’re tired, burned out, or unsure Small choices (rest, water, boundaries, honesty) are legitimate acts of hope Stories matter precisely because they imagine possibilities beyond present conditions Resources & Links: Learn more about Claire’s coaching, courses, and books: liberatedwriter.com Write Iconic Characters: books2read.com/WIC Happy writing!

Episode Description: In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire unpacks the hidden dynamics behind creative inertia. She explores why we freeze at the starting line, how to tell if it’s a sign of fear, exhaustion, or wisdom, and what to do when you can’t seem to move forward—no matter how hard you try. You’ll learn how to distinguish between procrastination and protection, why shame and “tough love” don’t actually help, and how to use curiosity and compassion to get yourself unstuck. With insight from the Enneagram, Claire also explores how each type experiences this resistance differently—and how you can build gentle, practical structures to help yourself begin again. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why struggling to start isn’t laziness—it’s information How to tell if your resistance is a pattern or a novelty, and why that matters What “body doubling” is, and how it can help Enneagram Nines build momentum How each Enneagram type tends to resist getting started (and what to do about it) Why friction can be a good sign for naturally fast starters How to check whether your resistance is fear, intuition, or simply exhaustion A powerful exercise to check in with your head, heart, and body centers before beginning What it really means to act courageously—even when the fear doesn’t go away Takeaway Challenge:Next time you can’t seem to get started, pause the shame spiral and turn to curiosity. Ask: Is this fear? Fatigue? A sign to pause? Then, listen to what your head, heart, and body have to say. If it’s still something worth doing, plan for courage—don’t wait for the fear to disappear first. Support the Show: If this episode helped you see your resistance in a new light, please share it with another author who might need to hear it too. You can also support What If For Authors by leaving a review wherever you listen—it helps more writers find the show. Want to explore these ideas more deeply? Visit liberatedwriter.com for Claire’s courses, coaching, and books on building a sustainable author career in uncertain times. Access the transcript here. Happy writing!

Episode Description: In this episode of What If For Authors, Claire asks the question: What if I’m a perfectionist? She breaks down the myth of “perfect,” explores how each Enneagram type approaches perfectionism differently, and offers practical ways to challenge the illusion of control that perfectionism creates. If you’ve ever stalled out because your draft “wasn’t good enough,” obsessed over tiny details at the expense of joy, or secretly feared that one mistake could ruin everything—you’ll find both relief and encouragement in this conversation. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the concept of “perfection” is made up—and how that realization can set you free How idealism (a beautiful quality) can twist into painful perfectionism The hidden childhood lessons that might have taught you mistakes weren’t safe Why perfectionism doesn’t produce perfect books—it produces stuck authors How each Enneagram type disguises perfectionism in its own way Why publishing a book will always feel vulnerable (and why that’s good news) A simple practice to start loosening perfectionism’s grip today Takeaway Challenge:Make one mistake on purpose this week—and leave it there. Whether it’s leaving a typo in a draft, breaking one of your own “rules,” or letting something slide without fixing it, notice what happens. Is it really the catastrophe your perfectionism promised? Or is it… nothing at all? Support the Show: If this episode gave you permission to breathe a little deeper, please share it with another author who could use the same relief. You can also support the show by leaving a review wherever you listen—it helps more perfectionist authors find their way here. Want to go deeper? Visit liberatedwriter.com to explore Claire’s coaching, courses, and books designed to help authors thrive without perfectionism weighing them down. Access the transcript here. Happy writing!

Episode Description: In this special bonus episode, Claire shares practical, story-focused advice for one of the most common (and frustrating) issues writers face: not knowing their protagonist. Whether your main character feels flat, unmotivated, or like a stranger you just can’t crack, this episode offers a clear path forward—with help from the Enneagram, of course. Claire explains how understanding your protagonist’s core fear and desire can unlock their behavior, clarify their voice, and get your story moving again. She also walks you through the process of choosing the right Enneagram type for your character, using concrete examples to show how motivation drives everything from plot to emotional depth. Plus, she shares an exciting update about her new book, Write Iconic Characters, and its currently-running Kickstarter campaign! In this episode, you'll learn: Why some protagonists “refuse” to follow the plot—and how to fix it How to use Enneagram types to shape character motivation What to do when you’ve blended multiple Enneagram types by accident The simplest way to start creating a protagonist who feels authentic Why writing your own Enneagram type can actually be a storytelling superpower How to reverse-engineer your protagonist based on your story world or theme What to do if your usual character-building methods aren’t working Back the Write Iconic Characters Kickstarter (ends Aug 8): https://liberatedwriter.com/kickstarter Support the Show: If you found this episode thought-provoking and helpful, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover this resource. Access the transcript here. Happy Writing!

Episode Description: In this episode, Claire dives into a pattern she knows all too well — the belief that she has to solve everything on her own. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever curled up in bed overwhelmed by the weight of being a one-person problem-solving machine, this episode is for you. Claire explores the roots of this pattern, tracing it back to childhood perceptions and our culture’s celebration of rugged individualism. She talks through the moment she realized that not only could she ask for help, but she might actually want to — even if it feels wildly uncomfortable at first. Using her signature blend of coaching insight, author empathy, and a bit of humor, Claire breaks down: What gets in the way of asking for help How fear narrows our options Why it’s so hard for authors (and humans) to even imagine what help might look like The different types of help we might need — physical, emotional, intellectual The critical difference between interdependence and codependence Whether you're burning out from doing it all yourself, feeling emotionally isolated, or simply wondering if there’s an easier way, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a gentle nudge toward a more sustainable, connected writing life. Key Takeaways: Naming your self-reliance pattern is the first step toward choosing something different. Help can be practical or emotional — both are valid, needed, and deeply human. Interdependence is healthy and necessary; it’s not a weakness, it’s a strength. You don’t have to wait until you can’t to say I won’t. Support the Show: If you found this episode thought-provoking and helpful, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover this resource. What’s Next?: If this episode hit home, take a few minutes to sit with the question: “What kind of help would I want, even if I don’t technically need it?” Then, try something wild… ask for it. Access the transcript here. Happy Writing!

Episode Description: In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire tackles one of the most quietly powerful questions lurking beneath so many of our writing blocks: What if I don’t feel safe? Safety isn’t just about locked doors and quiet neighborhoods. It shows up in four key forms: Physical safety (Is your body secure — and does it know it’s secure?) Emotional safety (Can you express your true feelings with yourself and others without fear of rejection or judgment?) Intellectual safety (Do you feel free to say “I don’t know,” stay curious, and risk being wrong?) Spiritual safety (Are you able to explore beliefs, questions, and doubts without being cast out or silenced — by others or by yourself?) Claire explores how lacking safety in any of these areas can quietly suffocate creativity, lead to writer’s block, and keep us from fully connecting to the stories we want to tell. She also shares: Why your nervous system sometimes can't tell the difference between being safe and feeling safe. How trauma, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and even the relationships around you can subtly limit your creative freedom. The difference between real danger and perceived danger, and why naming the fear can shrink it. Why discomfort isn’t always a sign to stop — and why it’s essential to learn how to move forward even when you’re uncomfortable. Why becoming a “safe person” for yourself and others will make you a stronger and more fearless creator. Why You Should Listen: This episode offers a thoughtful, compassionate look at why the modern world can feel increasingly unsafe, how to sort through those feelings, and how building practices for emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual safety can liberate both your writing and your life. Support the Show: If you found this episode thought-provoking and helpful, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover this resource. Join the Conversation: Share your insights with Claire by emailing [email protected] or connecting on social media. Access the transcript here. Happy Writing!

Episode Description: In this episode of What If for Authors, Claire explores the challenges and benefits of being an action-oriented writer. Drawing on her Enneagram expertise, Claire delves into what it means to lead with action in your writing process—balancing the need to move forward with moments of pause for reflection and emotional connection. She shares personal insights on managing overwhelming schedules, the importance of intentional pauses, and how to leverage your innate action-oriented strengths without burning out. Key Takeaways: Understanding Action Orientation: Discover what it means to be an action-oriented writer and how it may manifest differently based on your Enneagram type and subtype. Recognize that being action oriented doesn’t preclude using planning or intuition—it's about finding your unique balance. The Power of Pausing: Learn why even action oriented writers benefit from occasional pauses to check in with their emotions and thoughts. Explore strategies to avoid unproductive action that arises from trying to outrun negative feelings. Balancing Productivity with Self-Care: Understand the pitfalls of overloading your schedule with responsibilities as a misguided attempt to maintain control. Embrace the idea that taking time to pause, reflect, and even connect with loved ones can ultimately enhance your writing. Practical Strategies: Consider setting up realistic, sustainable work habits and allowing room for flexibility in your creative process. Use techniques like mindfulness to refocus and reclaim your energy when your schedule feels overwhelming. Why You Should Listen: If you’re an author who thrives on action but finds yourself occasionally overwhelmed by your own pace or the pressure to always be moving forward, this episode is for you. Claire offers a refreshing perspective on how to harness your action-oriented strengths while incorporating essential pauses for growth and self-reflection. Whether you're struggling to maintain balance or looking for ways to optimize your creative process, you'll gain valuable insights to empower your author journey. Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform and sharing the show with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover these insights and join our community. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts! How do you balance action and reflection in your writing process? What strategies have helped you avoid burnout while staying productive? Share your insights with Claire by emailing [email protected] or connect on social media. Transition Announcement: As a quick update, Claire announces that the podcast will be transitioning from a weekly to a monthly schedule. This change will help ensure the quality and sustainability of the show and protect Claire’s sanity, so be sure to stay tuned for the next episode! Happy Writing!