Some people, cord, designer bags, designer shoes, some people, hoard, really expensive, art, and knickknacks, and all those sorts of things and what I’ve discovered is that I apparently poured book covers, which is a shame because they they need to be put out into the world with the stories that I conceived when I either saw the cover or the stories that I have in my to be finished file that those covers go to, and I just did not realize how much of over the course of a year a cover year a cover there can add up on an author and since one of the things I’m definitely focused on for my 2026 Author plan is getting in the black and out of the red as an author. It certainly means having to let go of some of those gorgeous and amazing covers knowing full well that they may just go to some other authors file where they also are going to take forever to put them out into the world. It’s not a rescue and I need to stop rescuing covers and I need to just stay focused on the ones that I have a story that I can put with a cover within you know the next 12 months and that’s it so wish me luck on that and drop you know drop a a comment here. Are you also a cover hoarder? Are you a design hoarder are you? You know an image hoarder like what? What is your Author expense that you’re spending more money on and not getting to return on and that’s just for now right like those covers may earn out when I actually put the books out and that’s another thing that I need to do like while we’re added in truth telling hears I have no less than 17 books that are complete I do mean like finished that I have not uploaded anywhere because I just haven’t taken the time to format them. Do that final passive of edits and format them and then upload them so that is also on my list of things that I am doing is publishing the books that I’ve completed and I’m just not gonna stress everyone’s commentary out there in the world right now because that’s been really bringing me down. It’s really been bumming me out. It’s really been putting a damper on. You know my enthusiasm to release work but at the same time I know that there’s a decent amount of my readers who know me like personally know me see me face-to-face at events. Call me on that you know the phone like text me dropping into my DM‘s like I am, I am definitely that author who is extremely accessible to to people in that field relationships with you know my readership so I know that those people know me and know that they also know if they’ve backed any of my kick starters over the past five years that I’ve written books and sent those books to everyone who are back to them, but I haven’t put them up for public consumption and has been that’s been a five-year glitch in my system and it’s just a matter of stripping out the you know like the special edition stuff or these special things that were kickstart or backer kit exclusives in order to put it up for general consumption, but I definitely need to do that so while I’m just rambling on here using my headset to talk this out tell me what what are your things that you need to do this year? I mean it’s March. It’s the end of March things are moving quickly this year on Sunday DC Jaime and I will be on live for the coffee, tea and novel ideas podcast that we’re doing here on Substack and this Saturday I will be in a Support capacity. I’m going as the AS the assistant cheer cheerleader. Go run run run to get things for Author Whitney Gayle who’s a Marine Corps veteran very close friend of mine @TNC so and I’ll be there also doing running for Author CD Gorri because I believe she will also be there another awesome writer, friend of mine and sometimes I like to just go and be in the Support capacity not behind the table not worried about whether or not I’m making sales certainly not worried about packing up setting up breaking down and all those things I’m just gonna Go have some fun support my people and enjoy that so, what are you doing? What are your plans? how are you closing out March as a writer and yeah, let me know.

Whether you post the answer once a day, once a month, or as a single article like this one, don’t wait for someone to ask to interview you. Use the questions below to provide your readers insight into your author world. These are the questions I’ve used for several years. If you check out my website blog, you will see them along with the responses from several authors through the years. I haven’t posted any interviews there in a while, but if you complete this interview and want me to share it on my website blog along with your book cover and your author pic or logo, let me know. I’d be happy to do that.

1. What was the first story you ever wrote? (Unpublished or published)

2. Why did you want to become an author?

3. What is your favorite treat when you are writing?

4. Do you have any writing rituals you do to get in the mood?

5. Is there any type of scenes you shy away from writing about?

6. What is a genre you don’t currently write but would like to try?

7. Why do you write in the genre you currently write in?

8. What is the most difficult hurdle you’ve had to get over while writing so far?

9. What is your dream for your book? (Ie: movie, in big box stores, etc)

10. Who would you have play your main characters if you could pick anyone in the world (dead or alive)?

11. What is your favorite coffee/or tea?

12. What would you put in a cocktail that represents your latest release?

13. A fire alarm goes off in your home. What are the first 5 things you grab?

14. Do you use a spoon or fork to eat macaroni and cheese?

15. What are you currently binge watching/or listening to?

16. What do you think is the perfect girls night out?

17. When you were little what was your favorite toy that you took everywhere?

18. What is something your readers don’t know about you?

19. Who is your favorite all time author? Do you own any of their books?

20. If you could interview anyone in the world who would you choose? And Why?

No explanation, just books I have read and think you might enjoy.

Ebook:

Valentine for the Lone Wolf by CD Gorri

Audiobook:

Leather and Lark by Brynn Weaver note, I also listened to Butcher and Blackbird, but this is for Feb.

Potent Pleasures by Eloisa James

Physical Books:

Heart Check by Emily Charlotte

I’ll keep adding to the list as the month goes on. What have you been reading this month?

I’m not trying to turn you into a creeper, but this is a very important skill for creative writers. In order for you to create dynamic characters, or even accurately reflect the people in your real life, you have to be able to make the critical observations that matter.

Here are 10 tips to becoming a better people watcher.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, especially in this time of social awkwardness, would be to find a public place, take a seat, and take notes.

10. Visual aids. Begin with the setting. Why? Because if you are in a specific location and someone stands out, there is a reason for that. For example, maybe you are at a coffee shop on a Tuesday afternoon and it is filled with people in suits, work clothes, maybe some work-out attire. Then, here comes someone who stands out visually. Maybe it’s the clothing, the hair, the way the person is carrying themselves. That is probably the person who would be the main character in this story if this scene were in a book. Or, it is the person the main character would notice for the same reason you did.

Tip: Also note the actual scenery and how the layout of the space has an impact on various people as they interact with the space. Are the baristas crowded back there? Are the seats comfy to invite people to stay or utilitarian indicating a need for them to get and go?

9. Dress to Impress? This brings us to attire. There is no limit to fashion. If your book contains characters that wear clothing or accessories, you need to consider that element in your writing. Look at a person and try to describe what they are wearing. Really consider it beyond grey slacks and a white button-down shirt. Is it fitted or loose? Shiny or minimal? Heels or flats? Sneakers or boots? These choices can convey a lot about a person before they even speak. Sometimes clothes bring assumptions about who someone is based on what they are wearing. Sometimes clothes hide a lot of truth about a person. You probably won’t know that about the people you are observing, but you can definitly make those decisions for your characters.

8. Visual attitude. Now, take a look at the face, the body language. We have all seen people stuffed into an expensive gown or suit or outfit and one look at their face or the way they were standing told you...they hate this outfit. Something hurts. Something is not comfortable. This person does not want to be wearing this or does not want to be here. Then there are those who wear it like a second skin and look as natural in a ball gown as they do in a jumpsuit. Body language is a visual language and it speaks, so listen to it and get some of those details.

7. Talk to me! Speaking of language, time to tune in to conversations. Jot down unfamiliar terms or phrases. Consider if this person trying to draw attention to themselves or do they have a hearing problem and may not realize or care how loud they are. A little observation can often help you identify which scenario. What about the couples or groups? What are they talking about? How are they talking? Any accents or colloquialisms? Be aware that every time you write something with slang, you are dating your manuscript. This is really important when you write about any point in history. This is a great article by the Editors of Publications International, Ltd. written in 2024 that has examples as far back as the 1920s. No affiliation, just a great resource if you need slang terms accurate for a timeline.

6. Talk to the barista! If you are in a place where customer service is part of the environment, consider not just how these people are interacting with each other, but how they are talking to the staff. It is amazing what you pick up and sometimes shocking.

5. Smell this. I’m sure the coffee shop is filled with plenty of drink and baked good smells, but people do like to dab on a bit of the scent attractant, so determine if you can smell anything. I’m not advocating you sniff people. I’m just saying if someone walks by and you inhale, is the perfume or cologne to the level you can smell it? If the door swings, does the shampoo scent carry? Maybe the fabric softener or detergent? Maybe you don’t have to smell them, but you can see the people in line can and those reactions are also awesome notes. Maybe you are not in a coffee shop. You might be at any public venue and can still do the same thing. Smell. Write down what you smell. The emotional impact, if any.

Tip: Create a Scent Portfolio. I’ll be doing a post on that next time.

4. Taste that. Again, you can probably see what people order. The cups indicate different beverages. Is it hot or cold? Coffee, tea, something else entirely? Food? What kind? How much? Are they actually drinking and eating or just nursing it while they hang out and write about you...I mean...yeah, someone may also be observing you. It gets easier. Anyway, these details are important because your characters may or may not like the same things YOU like. If you don’t expand your culinary knowledge, your readers will notice.

Tip: This can go two ways. 1. Readers will get annoyed that you feed everyone the same things. 2. You can make an Easter Egg moment (linked an article if that is a new to you term) out of it and they will love that (no affilitation, just a resource). I realized I would feed my characters a lot of alfredo and cannoli. I did not do that intentionally when I first started wrting, but in my Drummond series there is at least one Blink 182 song mentioned in every single book on purpose.

3. Taste this. What are the reactions, if any, of the other people regarding the orders? I know I have friends who want to insist I try something they have. I am not always the yes person in the room to the great dissapointment of many. How do the other people react if you catch this moment? Those observations lead you to more questions and answers that can lead to more complex character relationships. If you are a brave explorer of things you can taste, even if you don’t eat them, grab that journal and put together your Taste Portfolio. If you are writing Sci-fi and Fantasy, this may be helpful if you can relate those creative dishes to some real world dishes your readers can actually find. Think of all the cookbooks made that were inspired by fiction! While I am not a huge fan of a certain romance novel, I will say, 50 Shades of Chicken was hilarious and worth the read and the recipes.

2. Don’t touch that! Consider this was written in 2022. We were three years into a pandemic that had no end in sight. What is the touch situation in this location? Are you outside because indoor seating is closed or reduced? Are people using something to cover their fingers before opening a door? How much distance are they getting? How is that impacting other people? Since we are looking at this from a current lense, what has stayed the same and what went back to less hygenic concerns once the pandemic settled into the new flu?

Touch this! And if what people are not touching can give you pages of description, think about what they are touching. The brush of hair, the holding of hands, proximity, masked or not...I mean...in this day and age it speaks volumes (still applies). In addition to what it reveals today, you may need to consider the setting you propose for your characters. None of the pandemic protocol was in place prior to 2019, so if you are writing a story set before the pandemic, don’t let pandemic rules guide you! If you are writing a story set after the pandemic or not even on this planet, you have to decide if you want to acknowledge this event in real history or ignore it like we tend to do with so much history that interferes with comfort levels.

1. Finally, keep a notebook or a notes page on your phone at the ready when you are ready to people watch. The closer you can get to a setting that your characters might experience, the better. The vibe at a football (US or other nation-soccer), basketball, hockey, baseball, swimming, volleyball, etc. is different. The vibe at a Nascar race and a Monster Truck rally is different. Don’t go get yourself hurt, but if you can be an observer, get close enough, or interview some people who do the things your characters do, it will make for a much more realistic experience for your readers.

Come back next time for some tips on Building a Scent Portfolio.

All advice in this article and on this profile is based on my education, experience, and observation in over 20 years of publishing and teaching and coaching writers in classrooms and one-on-one. You may find other sources that contradict my suggestions. In that case, I am happy I inspired you to do more research! What works for one author may not for another. These are just tools you can use if they will help you build the scene that you want in your story.

Writing Buisness Research

Once we decide we want to write and publish, one of the first things we tend to do is focus on the writing part. Makes sense.

Things writers should research during the writing stages:

What are you writing? From poetry to epic fantasy, there are guidelines you should be aware of. Rules to know and follow for best results and rules to break to set your work apart. You need to know how does your writing fit within the larger scope of the genre? How about the sub-genre? You got tropes? Themes?

Most of this can be sorted with the help of writing groups and multiple books and blog posts on the above topics. Still, you want to know and be confident you are situating your work where it belongs. It sucks when people mis-market their writing as something it is not. Readers don’t come back when they are duped, so think long term and select the correct catagories the first time around. This often takes some time to read in your genre, connecting with organizations and other writers in that genre, etc. See what research has already been done and save yourself some time.

Marketing Trends and Competitor Analysis

There are tons of resources free and paid that help with this.

Health and Wellness

Both physical and mental health of writers is important. From getting your writing space set up so that you have less physical strain to ensuring you don’t get into danger zones regarding stress, you should explore the aspects of health and wellness that pertain to you. Again, tons of resources out there.

Life and Death

Writers have to situate writing in their living days, but also need to consider what happens to their work (published and unpublished) when they die. I know I don’t want my family fighting over copyright and royalties, do you?

Research for Writing

Simple Things Matter

Ever read something and think…wait, what? They didn’t have zippers then.

You don’t need to know everything about everything, but be sure if you are writing something with a specific time period in mind that you either set readers up for an alternate timeline or you make sure your details are accurate. Most things are a search engine ask away. No reason anyone who is not a time traveller should have a zipper if those have not been invented yet.

People Matter Even More

If you are depicting someone, even from your own demographic, you can’t make the assumption that everyone will view that experience the same. Your characters don’t have to experience things the same either.

Still, if you simply ask around about how someone might react, respond, etc. you can develop a richer character profile.

Demographics to consider:

Cultural, financial, gender, religion, location on the globe, foodways, employment, and So. Much. More.

Consider for a moment what you would order at a restaurant if you wanted a fountain beverage. Is it a coke (meaning any version of that), soda, pop, cola, etc. Depending on where you are from, the term is different and that is just here in the US. Every population has their own coloquialism. Much like the rules of grammar and genre writing, you need to know what they are and decide when, which ones, and how to break them. But when you do, you need to know why and so does your reader. Why is a New York City New Yorker using a turn of phrase uncommon to that area? Maybe they picked it up at summer camp out west or overseas.

Is a small town doctor dealing with the same conditions happening in a major metropolitan area? Some, sure, but each will have situations unique to their practice.

It is your responsibility as a writer to do your due dilligence when it comes to creating your characters. Most people are very willing to talk about their backgrounds, skills, etc. Just ask.

People Watching:

In addition to building amazing relationships with a diverse population, you should also consider people watching. Check out the article on People Watching for more info.

All information here is based on my personal and professional experiences. You may not agree, may have other insights, or thoughts on the matter. Totally fine. If this post made you think, gave you one idea, then it has done its job.

Till next time,

Tonya Nagle, PhD

If you start thinking you are not: 1. good enough, 2. experienced enough, 3. successful enough (or any other negative self-talk) to call yourself a writer, then you may be suffering from imposter syndrome.

I often tell people the degree I get the most use out of is my bachelor of science in psychology. It is the foundation for pretty much everything else I earned a degree in. I applied it at work as a supervisor/manager, with my students when I began teaching, and of course myself at least once a year.

This list is based on my opinion, personal, and professional experience.

I’m not diagnosing you or providing a cure for anything. I’m offering up my personal experiences and hoping they can help you connect in some way.

All that necessary disclosure out of the way, here are my top 10 ways to overcome imposter syndrome:

10. Identify as a writer and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. There are few professions where you can claim a title with little to no evidence, but writing is one of them. People are writers before they get published. People who may never publish, may still be writers. Not all writers are Authors, Journalists, and the other professional titles that come with specific designations.

9. Write. Write. Write. I know this sounds easy, but I also know time to write is one of the issues for many writers, including myself. Life likes to get in the way of writing regardless of our writing purpose. Make that time for yourself.

8. Set yourself up for publication if that is your goal. This means using free resources such as social media where you can build your audience and establish your brand or identity as an author. What does your social media and public facing content say about you? Does it indicate you are a writer working on something that will be released in the future? I know there was a time when my socials, when examined, said I was eating fast food too much, not that I was about to release a new book.

7. Research. You have to be able to talk back when people throw jargon and other industry terms at you. Some writers hate research and some love it. Hate or love, it is necessary. If you hate it and you have funds available, outsource it. If you don’t, suck it up and block of time to do a little bit of research every week. If you are not sure what I mean by research for writers, check out the post titled Research for Writers.

6. Membership. There are plenty of ways to become a member of a writing association or organization and some are free or low cost. Professional membership matters on a job application, so it matters to this job, too. If you are a student, take advantage of low-cost student rates.

5. Mantra. Negative talk can become a habit, so every time you think or say something negative about your situation as a writer, counter it with something positive.

Example: No one has accepted the manuscript I submitted.

Counter: Stephen King had so many rejections the nail he slid them on eventually fell out (from On Writing) so I can deal with more than one rejection and if no one accepts it by X date, I’ll share it on my own digital space.

4. Business Plan. Nothing makes a business more manageable, overwhelming, and reality than a business plan. You remember that number 7, right? You’ve done research on the life of authorship and you know you need certain things. What is your plan to get those things? It is ideal for writing to at least cover the cost of writing, but very few writers start out in that position. Like any other business, you need to save for the startup costs.

3. Register. Once you have a business plan, register your “author” as a business. I’m registered as Creative Writing With Dr. Nagle and that includes N2: Nagle-North Publishing whose authors consist of Tonya Nagle, Ph.D., Cara North, September North, and Echo North. All of that is on my registration. Each state is different, but all the ones I have lived in allow me to report my earnings at tax time and I pay my taxes on them then and there. I distribute through Amazon and Draft2Digital or other retail platforms so I do not collect taxes on those sales, those companies do. Again, number 7. Know what you need for your state (or country if you are outside the USA).

2. Walk the Walk. Some people will feel like an imposter because they are not doing the work. If you want to tell people you are a writer, you have to remember number 9 and repeat that! It can be scary saying you are a writer, because people often ask, what did you write? If you don’t have somethign published, you can say what you are working on. This adds a new layer of pressure to you. Same as announcing it and prepping your public social content. When you say it, prep for it, people are going to be looking for the results, so be cautious if you don’t like pressure. Shout it out, if that helps motivate you.

Logic. Here is where the simple truth comes in. If someone volunteers their time twice a week for two hours, are they not a volunteer? If someone works 5 hours on the weekend, are they not employed? The simple fact is. your writing career will not be like someone else’s. It’s yours. You might only have a few hours a week or a month to dedicate to it, but if you dedicated the time and get the work done, well, you are a writer and the only one who needs to be satisfied with your progress on that front is looking back at you in the mirror.

I hope this article reminds you that YOU ARE A WRITER! You are not an imposter. It is normal to feel the strain of professional growth. Stick with it. This is YOUR journey. Set your own compass, measure your own goals, and remember: Every author is a new author to someone! You can quote that.

Until next time,

Tonya Nagle, PhD

Disclaimer:
This book is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before making changes to your health or wellness routine. The author and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this material.

The author and publisher make no representations or warranties about the completeness, accuracy, or applicability of the information contained herein. The experiences and reflections shared are personal and may not apply to every reader. The author and publisher disclaim any liability for any loss or damage resulting from the use or misuse of the material in this book.

All names and identifying details of individuals have been changed to protect privacy, unless otherwise noted.

Introduction: The Fire Within

There comes a moment in every woman’s life when the familiar rhythm of body and mind begins to shift. The heat rises, the nights stretch long, and the mirror reflects a face that feels both known and new. For writers, this transformation can feel especially disorienting. The words that once flowed easily may now arrive in fits and starts. The focus that once anchored every sentence may flicker like a candle in the wind. Yet beneath the surface of this upheaval lies something extraordinary: a creative fire waiting to be rekindled.

It has been 15 months and counting since my primary care doctor confirmed through a blood test (since I haven’t had the uterine lining to shed for many years) that I was menopausal. Leading up to the diagnosis at 49, I just couldn’t understand what was going on. I couldn’t concentrate, sleep, or complete some of the most basic tasks in my life. I don’t know if I ever will again. I have hope now that several of the side effects are subsiding, but to quote Star Wars, “there has been a disturbance in the Force.” Unfortunately, some of those changes are here to stay. Fortunately, some of those changes have provided me with a new self-perspective and have allowed me to see other people throughout my life and currently through a new lens.

Is it possible that I will end up crying without any noticeable cause? Yup.

Does that bother me? You have no idea how much I hate crying. Almost as much as I hate having no control over my outward reactions.

Creative Heat: A Writer’s Guide to Menopause is not a manual for surviving menopause; it is a manifesto for thriving through it. This is a book about rediscovering the voice that has always been there, even when the body feels foreign and the mind uncertain. It’s about turning the physical and emotional turbulence of menopause into a source of creative power.

Menopause is often framed as an ending. Like some quiet fade into invisibility. But for many women, it marks the beginning of a deeper, more authentic and creative life. Freed from the expectations of youth and the demands of others, midlife offers a rare opportunity to write with unfiltered honesty. The stories that emerge from this stage of life are not tentative or polite; they are fierce, funny, raw, and real. To put it bluntly, we are at an age and stage where we just don’t have the f*cks to give about what other people want or expect from us anymore. I’ve never been more aware of how often I have made myself the supporting character in my own story than I have been in the past 15 months.

This book isn’t really what I wanted to write. It’s what I needed to write because I’m a firm believer in doing something about it or stop complaining. I can’t do a lot to change the crazy in this world, but if I can make one writer feel seen, heard, and inspired during this journey, then I’ve done something about it. This book is the way I am exploring the intersection of writing and menopause through four lenses: the changing body and mind, the emotional landscape, the creative toolkit, and the legacy of the page. Each section offers reflections, strategies, and inspiration for navigating this transformative time with courage and curiosity. I’m an educator and that means I have also included assignments, homework, and resources. I don’t know how to write a non-fiction book without those things. At least not yet.

However, the goal is not to “get back” to who I was, or you were before, but to embrace who I am, and you are becoming. Menopause is not a pause. It is an opportunity to edit, maybe even rewrite some chapters of our life stories. It is the moment when the old drafts can be set aside, and a new story can finally begin to take shape.

The fire within may burn differently now, but it burns no less brightly. It is the heat of wisdom, resilience, and reinvention. It is the creative heat that fuels every word yet to be written.

Reflection: The Fire Within

1. What does “creative heat” mean to you at this stage of life?

2. How has your relationship with writing changed as your body and mind have started to enter into, adjust to, or simply survive menopause?

3. Write about a time when change felt like both an ending and a beginning. Does this feel like that to you?

Find more about Yvette at https://yvettehines.com/

Find more about John at

My ACX profile is here: 

 https://www.acx.com/narrator?p=AQ32NMGW0Q82O

My LinkedIn profile is here: 

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbejarano/

And the upcoming Fog City Mysteries homepage is here: 

 https://www.fogcitymysteries.com/

Find more gothic, gaslamp, and more at Leanna's website:

https://www.leannareneehieber.com/

Subscribe now

Learn more at stacysmithrogers.com, strongergirlcoffee.com, on Substack, and social media @strongergirlcoffee. Listen to her digitally narrated non-fiction streaming on Spoken.press via @Stronger_Girl.

Find more information at: https://www.lisaamowitz.com/

Find more at:

https://bywordbooks.com/

Her core values are woven into her work and content. Check out more here: https://ariellamonti.com/about/

When she's not lost in the world of her imagination, you can find her in her small Ohio suburb, playing with her son’s pup. She's also the proud aunt to a several humans and two adorable dogs. The dogs all insist they’re the true muses behind her writing.

As a writer of speculative fiction, Daphne adds just the right amount of romance to make your heart skip a beat.

So if you're looking for a good laugh, a thrilling adventure, or a heartwarming romance, Daphne Moore is the author for you. Just don't distract her from her writing process or you might become a character in her next book!

Caitlin Kindred is a former teacher turned podcast host and marketing pro. She co-hosts "How to Be a Grownup: A Humorous Guide for Moms," a podcast that tackles the messy, hilarious, and sometimes overwhelming world of adulting with a healthy dose of humor and practical advice. Join her and her co-host, Jenny GK, as they navigate everything from parenting to career challenges, offering relatable stories and expert tips along the way.

Podcast Bio: How to Be a Grownup: A Humorous Guide for Moms

Hey there! We’re Caitlin and Jenny (she/her). We host How to Be a Grownup: A Humorous Guide for Moms, with CK & GK, AKA the CK & GK Podcast. Our show is dedicated to any mom who's ever looked around and thought, "I need an adultier-adult than me to handle this."

We aim to create a supportive and entertaining space where listeners can learn, laugh, and connect with other adults who are just trying to figure it all out. By offering relatable stories, expert advice, and a healthy dose of humor, we hope to empower listeners to embrace the ups and downs of adulthood with confidence and a positive attitude.

___

Caitlin and Jenny are based in Austin, Texas. They're both married to cool people and parents to cool kids. Caitlin is a former middle school teacher and Jenny is a middle school assistant principal. They're besties who love to laugh.