Episode Description: In this episode, Claire dives headfirst into a topic that feels especially timely in a chaotic world and unpredictable industry: the craving for certainty. What if you need to know how something will turn out before you take the risk? What if uncertainty keeps you frozen, anxious, or constantly second-guessing your choices? With equal parts humor and wisdom (and a little sleep deprivation), Claire explores how our brains seek certainty for safety, how this impulse shows up d...
Aug 04, 2025•25 min•Ep. 47
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...
Jul 28, 2025•15 min•Ep. 46
Episode Description: In this episode, Claire explores why so many authors hate networking (hint: it’s not because you’re antisocial), how the Enneagram can reveal the hidden gifts you bring to any professional community, and why deep, meaningful connections—not surface-level ones—are the real magic behind sustainable author careers. Whether you’re a conference avoider, an online lurker, or someone who thinks they’re just bad at making friends, this episode is packed with practical advice, gentle...
Jul 07, 2025•29 min•Ep. 45
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 a...
Jun 09, 2025•31 min•Ep. 44
Episode Description: In this episode of What If? For Authors , Claire completes her exploration of writer orientations by diving into the world of emotion-oriented authors. If you lead with the heart when writing, this episode is for you. Claire explores how the emotional orientation manifests in different Enneagram types (especially 2s, 3s, and 4s), the unique strengths and challenges this style brings, and how emotion-driven writing can both elevate your work and stall your process if you’re n...
May 12, 2025•22 min•Ep. 43
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 ...
Apr 14, 2025•25 min•Ep. 42
Episode Description: In this episode of What If? For Authors , Claire dives into a deeply personal question: What if I'm a private person? If you feel more comfortable keeping parts of your life under wraps and struggle with the pressure to overshare, this conversation is for you. Claire explores the right to privacy as a basic human need and examines how personal boundaries can be both a shield and a source of strength in your writing career. Drawing on her own experiences and insights from the...
Mar 17, 2025•26 min•Ep. 41
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-orien...
Feb 17, 2025•19 min•Ep. 40
Episode Description: In this episode of What If? For Authors , Claire tackles a provocative and timely topic: the potential loss of free speech. Drawing on the historical significance of the First Amendment, Claire explores how these protections have empowered authors—especially satire writers—to express themselves without fear. She delves into the evolving political landscape and the implications for authors in the United States and beyond. Expect a mix of humor, snark, and deep insight as Clai...
Feb 10, 2025•27 min•Ep. 39
Episode Description: Welcome back to What If? For Authors ! In this episode, Claire tackles the often-preached but rarely questioned idea of consistency in the writing world. If you've ever felt stressed about not maintaining a perfect daily writing habit or worried that inconsistency might ruin your career, this episode is for you. Key Highlights: Why Consistency Gets Overhyped: Many authors are told that success depends on consistent daily output, but is that really true? Claire shares her fru...
Feb 03, 2025•27 min•Ep. 38
Episode Description: Welcome to another episode of What If? For Authors ! This week, Claire dives into the topic of thinking-oriented writers and explores how leading from the head center can shape your writing process. Key Takeaways: Understanding the Centers of Intelligence: The Enneagram divides personality patterns into three centers—thinking (head), feeling (heart), and action (body/gut). Learn what it means to lead from the head center as a writer. How Thinking-Oriented Writers Approach Wr...
Jan 27, 2025•15 min•Ep. 37
Episode Description: Welcome back to What If? For Authors ! In this thought-provoking episode, Claire dives into a topic that resonates deeply with many authors: the fear of losing control when juggling life's many responsibilities. Fresh off a much-needed vacation, Claire reflects on the importance of stepping back, questioning the pressures we put on ourselves, and identifying patterns that lead to unnecessary stress. She explores why we take on so much responsibility, how our desire for contr...
Jan 20, 2025•23 min•Ep. 36
Episode Description: In this episode of What If? For Authors , Claire dives into a common fear among authors: what to do when your ads stop working. Whether you're an indie author relying on ads to sell your books or just starting to explore ad platforms like Amazon or Facebook, Claire offers practical advice and mindset strategies to help you navigate this challenge. With insights from her own experience running ads since 2015, Claire breaks down why ads can stop performing, how to analyze thei...
Jan 13, 2025•27 min•Ep. 35
Episode Description: In this episode of What If for Authors , Claire dives into the deeply ingrained habit of comparing ourselves to others—why we do it, how it affects us, and how we can learn to shift from harmful patterns of comparison toward curiosity and growth. Whether you're a writer struggling with self-doubt or simply a human navigating the complexities of social dynamics, this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice. Key Takeaways Why We Compare Ourselves to Others Evolut...
Jan 06, 2025•19 min•Ep. 34
Episode Description: In this candid and thought-provoking episode of What If? For Authors , Claire tackles one of the most polarizing topics in the writing world today: artificial intelligence. As authors grapple with the rise of AI, Claire delves into the underlying fears, anger, and ethical dilemmas shaping the debate. Claire begins by addressing the elephant in the room: the pervasive fear of AI and its potential to replace or harm authors. From the "original sin" of AI training on copyrighte...
Dec 30, 2024•37 min•Ep. 33
Episode Description: In this thought-provoking episode of What If for Authors , Claire explores the topic of career pivots and how they relate to the ever-evolving world of writing and publishing. Drawing from her personal experience, Enneagram insights, and industry knowledge, Claire helps authors reflect on when it might be time to make a change and how to approach that transition with clarity and courage. Claire also shares candid updates about her own journey, including navigating energy shi...
Dec 23, 2024•17 min•Ep. 32
Episode Description: Welcome back to another episode of What If? For Authors . In this episode, Claire dives into the question, "What if I hate working alone?" and explores the struggles, solutions, and Enneagram insights that can help authors navigate their loneliness while pursuing their writing careers. If you’ve ever wrestled with the isolation that comes with the writing life, this episode is for you! Key Takeaways: Your Social Needs Aren’t a Problem: They’re just part of being human. Embra...
Dec 16, 2024•23 min•Ep. 31
Episode Description: In this episode of What If? For Authors , Claire tackles the question: What if I don’t know the next step? Whether you're stuck in your author career because of a lack of information, poor timing, fear-based decisions, or discomfort in the present, Claire offers insights and actionable ideas to help you move forward. She also explains how the virtues of your Enneagram type can guide you when you're feeling stuck. If you're unsure of what comes next in your author journey, th...
Dec 09, 2024•20 min•Ep. 30
Episode Description: In this episode of What If? For Authors , Claire dives into a fear familiar to many writers and humans: the unsettling question, What if I'm shouting into the void? Publishing, marketing, and building an audience can feel isolating, like waving at a motion-sensor sink that refuses to acknowledge you. Claire explores the deeper human fears behind this feeling—questions of meaning, agency, and connection—and provides practical insights to reframe your mindset and regain motiva...
Dec 02, 2024•25 min•Ep. 29
Episode Description: In this episode of What If? For Authors , Claire takes a deeply personal and urgent approach to addressing a fear many are grappling with in the wake of political turmoil: "What if my country collapses?" Drawing from her experience as an Enneagram-certified coach, Claire provides a framework for navigating the overwhelming emotions that often accompany these moments of uncertainty. She explores the power of grounded nervous system work, community connection, and the unique r...
Nov 25, 2024•33 min•Ep. 28
Episode Description: In this episode of What If for Authors , Claire Taylor takes a practical and analytical deep dive into the concept of read-through—how to measure it, understand it, and improve it. Whether you’re a seasoned author or just starting out, Claire helps you cut through the emotional and technical hurdles of identifying whether readers are progressing through your books and how to troubleshoot if they’re not. This episode offers actionable insights while encouraging a healthy, com...
Nov 18, 2024•21 min•Ep. 27
Episode Description: In this episode of What If For Authors , Claire dives into the deeply personal question: What if I’m not a great writer? With candor and compassion, Claire explores what the idea of “greatness” even means in the world of writing, reminding us how subjective and vague that term can be. She examines how societal expectations and personal insecurities can distort our self-perception as writers and offers practical, grounded strategies for dealing with the anxiety this question ...
Nov 11, 2024•17 min•Ep. 26
Episode Description: In this insightful episode of What If For Authors , Claire tackles one of the most pervasive issues facing authors (and anyone) today—burnout. With her characteristic blend of empathy, humor, and hard truths, Claire dives into the complex topic of burnout, explaining how it’s often a signal to release old ego-driven patterns and a chance to truly liberate ourselves from self-imposed limitations. Drawing from Enneagram insights and her own experiences, Claire offers practical...
Nov 04, 2024•41 min•Ep. 25
Episode Description: In this episode of What If For Authors , Claire dives into a dilemma nearly every author—and person—faces: having too much to do. Drawing from her own experience of hitting a breaking point with an overpacked schedule, Claire reflects on the deeper reasons behind our tendencies to take on too much. She explains how our Enneagram type, cultural overlays, and fears contribute to the overwhelming cycle of busyness, and offers insights into how we can reclaim control by embracin...
Oct 28, 2024•31 min•Ep. 24
Episode Description: In this episode of What If for Authors , Claire Taylor tackles a difficult and often painful reality for many authors: the feeling of being scammed or taken advantage of. Whether it's an outright scam or a subtler instance where you’ve overpaid for a service, many authors will experience some version of this during their careers. Claire explores how these situations arise, what it feels like when you realize you’ve been scammed, and how authors can manage their responses to ...
Oct 21, 2024•29 min•Ep. 23
Episode Description: In this episode of What If for Authors , Claire Taylor tackles a unique fear that many authors face: being review bombed. When a coordinated effort to flood your book with negative reviews threatens to undermine all your hard work, how do you bounce back? Claire dives deep into the psychological and emotional impact of being review bombed, offering practical tools and advice to help you get through the experience if it ever happens. She explores the nature of anxiety, the im...
Oct 14, 2024•34 min•Ep. 22
Episode Description: In this week’s episode of What If for Authors , Claire tackles one of the most common and frustrating challenges for writers: getting stuck on your manuscript. Drawing on her experience as a former in-house editor, English teacher, and story consultant, Claire provides a structured approach to understanding why you might be hitting a wall in your work and how to move past it. She offers insight into the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns that might be interfering ...
Oct 07, 2024•25 min•Ep. 21
Episode Description: In this week’s episode of What If For Authors , we tackle a difficult topic—public shaming. Claire dives into what happens when authors, as public figures, find themselves the target of online attacks or social media pile-ons. She shares practical steps for managing a shame campaign, from getting offline and regulating your emotions to deciding whether you need to bring in a crisis manager. But beyond the tactical approach, this episode digs deep into what shame really is, h...
Sep 30, 2024•25 min•Ep. 20
Episode Description: In this episode of What If For Authors , Claire Taylor tackles one of the biggest challenges many indie authors face: working with a tight budget. Claire shares insights from her own experience of starting out on a shoestring budget and provides practical strategies for authors who want to make their writing career work without breaking the bank. Whether you're an author with no extra funds or someone who’s being mindful of their spending, this episode dives deep into how to...
Sep 23, 2024•42 min•Ep. 19
Episode Description: In this episode of What If For Authors , Claire Taylor dives deep into a hidden anxiety many authors face—disappointing their parents. Whether your parents were loving and supportive, critical, or absent, the relationship you developed with them still influences how you approach your writing career. Claire addresses how these childhood patterns show up in adult life and impact your creative decisions, even when you think you’ve moved past them. By understanding the role your...
Sep 16, 2024•26 min•Ep. 18
