What is the Perfectionist's Half-Assed Writing Spree? Find out in todays episode! I go through all the details of my brand new program and talk about why dealing with perfectionism helps you really write. Want to write more, worry less, and tell that “it’s not GOOD ENOUGH” voice to F off for a while? Come to the Perfectionist’s Half-Assed Writing Spree. Half-assed effort. 100% more writing. The 4-Week Live program that gives you accountability, tools to tone down perfectionism, and easy goals to...
Jan 20, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 58
New Years Eve is not my favorite holiday. It's just too easy to get sad and look back at the year thinking of all the things I haven't done. Well, that's not true. So, today we're going to do an exercise to focus on all the things we have done this year and go into 2023 giving ourselves a lot more credit for our work. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free...
Dec 30, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Today the word is: Tired. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me @ambernpetty on Instagram! Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Dec 26, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 56
From the Don't Wait to Write Vault, comes Amber Petty's 1950 Christmas special. It's a charming variety show with Evelyn St. Clair (famous movie star and advice columnist), the Treesap Trio (with harmonies to spare!), and... KISS! What does this have to do with writing? Nothing! I just felt like making this old timey radio special, so I hope you enjoy. Oh and if you want that guide to 250 Places That Pay for Your Writing, go to AmberPetty.com/250 Special thanks to Jon Gutierrez for his lovely an...
Dec 23, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Your prompt for today's 5-Minute Exercise: We Won't Go Until We Get Some. In today's episode, get the prompt, soothing ocean sounds, and brief talk about very rude party guests. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me @ambernpetty on Instagram!...
Dec 19, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Another part of the perfectionism series, today we're talking about Kmart videos, the effect of your work on others, and why sending more work out in the world will always make a bigger difference (even if that work isn't life changing material). See the Kmart In-Store Music: Christmas 1974 video , read the comments and get ready to be sad. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? S...
Dec 16, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Your 5-minute exercise prompt of the day: Then we got upsot. Whatever that brings to mind, just keep writing for 5 minutes. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me @ambernpetty on Instagram! Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing...
Dec 12, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Welcome to the start of my new Perfectionist series! A few following Fridays will be focused on things to help break through perfectionism (and motivate you to put out more writing). Today, you'll find out how to motivate yourself from your why...or your spite. Hear the tale of a crazily cocky college actor and how to use unusual sources to get you to the keyboard. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even...
Dec 09, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Your prompt for today is "snow pants." It sounds silly yes, but see where these winter trousers get you for the next 5 minutes. Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me @ambernpetty on Instagram! Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Dec 05, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Will this very simple marketing tip bring you thousands of fans or subscribers? No. But it can get you past 0 (and sometimes lead to jobs, referrals, and all kinds of other cool stuff). Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Dec 02, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 49
We're just past Thanksgiving and going into the winter holidays, so it's certainly a time of too much. So, that's the prompt: too much. Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me @ambernpetty on Instagram! Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Nov 28, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Are there a ton of newsletters out there? Yes. But there's still room for yours. In today's episode, I'll give you a few tips to make your newsletter stand out from the growing crowd. Also, it's Black Friday time! The 2-Hour Live Workshop Start Your Newsletter & Get People to Read It is normally $149, but if you sign up by November 28th, get it for only $99! To sign up and save $50, go to amberpetty.com/newsletter Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com...
Nov 25, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 47
For today's Thanksgiving themed prompt, you'll writing about when you're supposed to be grateful. Whatever that means to you. Also, we're coming up on Black Friday time! If you want my new workshop: Start A Newsletter & Get People to Read It, normally $149, it'll be on sale for only $99 November 25th-28th. To get this deal, go to AmberPetty.com/newsletter and you'll be the first to hear when the discount goes live! Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Nov 21, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 46
I got a few emails recently asking, "how do you make money?" Not that they wanted my bank account info, but they were curious how I had a working business when I was doing so many free workshops. In today's episode, I'll tell you exactly how I do it, why, and how it's a great way to bring in cash. Plus, you'll be able to borrow this sales structure (that I absolutely did not invent) to sell your own classes. Also, we're coming up on Black Friday time! If you want my new workshop: Start A Newslet...
Nov 18, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 45
It's a writing prompt about writing! How meta. For today's exercise, you'll be inspired by any piece of writing you've recently loved. Sometimes focusing on the writing we enjoy the most helps us remember that our writing will charm someone too. If you want to hear about another way to keep writing, come to my free workshop Your Substack Won't Make Money...And Why You Should Start One Anyway. You'll learn even more about building your audience and it's free! The workshop is Tuesday November 15th...
Nov 14, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Twitter's officially worse than ever and could implode at any moment. If you have a big following there, WTF are you supposed to do? In this episode, I talk about how to start a newsletter (to keep in touch with your audience, even if Twitter Fs off for good), plus a few way to get your Twitter followers to sign up. If you want to hear more on starting your own newsletter, come to my free workshop Your Substack Won't Make Money...And Why You Should Start One Anyway. You'll learn even more about ...
Nov 12, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Today, we're going to take a trip back in time to when writing probably felt a lot easier. You'll get a chance to relive your 12 year old writing style and see how that helps you in your adult life. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me @ambe...
Nov 07, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Last week, I talked about how to take notes from editors in a way that doesn't fill you with rage. Today, I'm talking about the notes you can throw right in the garbage. Though it's often good to get feedback, I think too much feedback can be confusing and detrimental to your work. Sometimes, even professionals give super terrible notes and this podcast gives you full permission to ignore those critiques completely. Here's the article by Audrey Dundee Hannah that I mentioned in the episode: When...
Nov 04, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 41
It's Halloween! In honor of the holiday, we've got a spooky prompt: best or worst Halloween. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me @ambernpetty on Instagram! Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing...
Oct 31, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Getting notes might feel like a flashback to High School English, with the gleefully mean teacher covering your work in red ink. But really, editors are just trying to make the story better (and not trying to make you feel like crap). Today, I give you some helpful tips to make notes easier. They come from life experience, high school drama class, and Bob Ross, so you know they must be good. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find 250 Places Th...
Oct 28, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Our brains love to tell us how much we suck, so to balance the scales a little, I'm giving you some relaxing writing affirmations. These aren't your typical, grandiose, cheesy affirmations. These are things you can actually believe, even if it's as low key as "my writing isn't trash today!" Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.co...
Oct 26, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In today's 5-minute writing exercise, you're going to explore your least favorite movie. Remember, I'm not quizzing you on this, so if you write about something that's not actually your least favorite movie, I'll never know. Just write about whatever comes to mind and keep the pen moving (literally or figuratively) for five minutes. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up f...
Oct 24, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Angela Lansbury's career and freelance writing may seem to have nothing in common. But in today's episode, I show how her wild life on stage and screen is surprisingly similar to what to expect as a freelance writer. Plus, you'll hear about the bizarro roller coaster of writing life and why its non-predictable nature isn't always bad. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find places to pitch? Sign up for Amber’s free guide to 250 Places That Pay ...
Oct 21, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 36
There are so many times we sit down to write and think "uh, how about I do anything else right now?" But how do you know when you're just procrastinating and when you really need a break? In this exercise, I'll help you tune into your feelings (that sounds sort of miserable, but I promise it's helpful) and find out when you should push through and write and when it's time to walk away from the laptop and take a break. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com...
Oct 19, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Today we're using a quote from the late, great Angela Lansbury to inspire this 5-Minute Exercise: Victims of our own talent. What does that mean? Listen to the episode to find out (and most importantly, give yourself 5 minutes to write on this fascinating phrase). Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exe...
Oct 17, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Rejection is bad enough, but sometimes radio silence is even worse. In this episode, I'll give you tips to get through the times when editors don't respond (and how silence doesn't hold the meaning you think). Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing...
Oct 14, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Instead of a relaxing meditation, today you're going to get a glimpse of things from an editor's point of view. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find places to pitch? Sign up for Amber’s free guide to 250 Places That Pay Writers at Amberpetty.com/250 Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Oct 12, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Today, we're getting a prompt from Stephen Sondheim for this 5-minute writing exercise. We'll use a lyric from "Sunday in the Park with George" to inspire your writing (and help you out when you're feeling unoriginal). Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and get even more freelance advice? Sign up for Amber’s free newsletter at Amberpetty.com/signup Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writ...
Oct 10, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In a previous episode, I talked about not using the word "ghosting" when it comes to editors. But today, I have a spooky story of a time and editor really did ghost a writer. Okay, it's not spooky at all, but it's a good lesson on how to take ghosting, what to do about it, and why it's not your fault. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to pitch ideas to non-ghosty editors? Sign up for Amber’s free guide to 250 Places That Pay Writers at Amberpetty...
Oct 07, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 30
It's October, prime autumn time, but I'm in too-hot LA and I get none of the turning leaves goodness. So, this is a relaxing meditation to bring you all things autumn, even if your current climate isn't cooperating with your fall dreams. Is this super related to writing? No. But it's a lovely way to add a little coziness to your day and that can only help your work. Right? Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find out about open writing jobs and ...
Oct 05, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 29
