What If? For Authors

Special announcement - Liberati registration

Claire announces open registration for her author community, the Liberati. Members gain access to monthly special topic calls, Q&As, socials, a private Slack group, and discounted one-on-one coaching. Read more and register by May 22nd at www.liberatedwriter.com/liberati [http://www.liberatedwriter.com/liberati]. Happy Writing!

What if I struggle with community?

Episode Description In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire explores why building and maintaining community can feel so uncomfortable—and why it’s quickly becoming a non-negotiable skill for authors who want a sustainable career. From the push-pull tension between individual needs and group dynamics to the deeply ingrained patterns that make connection difficult, Claire breaks down what’s really happening beneath the surface when we “struggle with community.” Using the Enneagram, she highlights the unconscious behaviors that can quietly sabotage relationships—and how to begin shifting them. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider, avoided author groups, or only reached out when you needed something… this episode offers a compassionate but honest look at what it takes to build real, mutually supportive connections. In This Episode, You’ll Learn * Why community is becoming an essential skill for authors (not just a “nice to have”) * The hidden cost of trying to “go it alone” in your writing career * Why community must be built before you urgently need it * The difference between connection and extraction in author relationships * How the tension between self vs. others shows up in every community * Why avoiding conflict actually weakens connection * How ego (your protective armor) interferes with meaningful relationships * Why accountability is an act of care—not punishment Practical Reflection Questions * Do I tend to prioritize my needs or others’ needs in community? * Where do I avoid conflict instead of engaging with it? * Do I only seek connection when I need something? * What patterns might I be bringing into relationships unconsciously? Resources Mentioned * Write Iconic Characters Claire’s guide to using the Enneagram for character development → books2read.com/WIC [https://books2read.com/WIC] * Liberated Writer (Website) Coaching, courses, and resources for authors → liberatedwriter.com [https://liberatedwriter.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 a writer who’s navigating community challenges Subscribe to Claire’s Substack for deeper insights on writing, the industry, and the author life Your support helps keep these conversations going—and supports a more connected, sustainable writing community. Happy writing!

A special announcement: The Liberati

Claire announces her upcoming author community, the Liberati. Members gain access to monthly special topic calls, Q&As, socials, a private Slack group, and discounted one-on-one coaching. Read more and join the waitlist at www.liberatedwriter.com/liberati [http://www.liberatedwriter.com/liberati].

What if I'm stuck on the ending?

Episode Description In this craft-focused episode of What If For Authors, Claire breaks down one of the most common storytelling anxieties writers face: getting stuck on the ending. A satisfying resolution isn’t just nice to have; it’s the moment where readers discover whether all the promises your story made actually pay off. Claire shares a practical troubleshooting framework she uses with authors to diagnose why an ending isn’t landing and how to fix it. Using the Enneagram as a tool for understanding character motivation and conflict, she walks through four key questions that can help you reconnect your plot, theme, and character arcs, so your ending lands with the impact your story deserves. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * How the Enneagram can clarify character motivations and story dynamics * Why understanding both the protagonist and antagonist is crucial to resolving your plot * How identifying your story’s central theme can guide the resolution * The three layers of conflict every powerful ending resolves: * Philosophical (beliefs and worldview) * Emotional (feelings and internal struggle) * Physical (actions and external obstacles) * Why the most satisfying endings resolve all three layers at once * The importance of letting your protagonist make an active choice in the final moment Resources Mentioned * Iconic Five-Star Endings Course Learn Claire’s full framework for crafting powerful endings. Visit: liberatedwriter.com/courses [http://liberatedwriter.com/courses] * Write Iconic Relationships (Upcoming Book) Explore Enneagram relationship dynamics between every pairing of types. Search “Write Iconic Relationships” on Kickstarter and click Notify Me on Launch. * Write Iconic Characters Claire’s guide to building unforgettable characters using the Enneagram. Available at major retailers or: books2read.com/WIC [http://books2read.com/WIC] * Story Alignment Sessions One-on-one troubleshooting for your manuscript. Book a session at liberatedwriter.com [http://liberatedwriter.com] * Liberated Writer on Substack Weekly essays on storytelling, the writing life, and the publishing industry. Support the Show If this episode helped you solve a storytelling problem or gave you new ideas for your manuscript, here are a few ways you can support the podcast: * Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Reviews help other authors discover the show. * Share the episode with a friend who might be wrestling with their ending. * Subscribe to Claire’s Substack (free or paid) at Liberated Writer to receive deeper essays on craft, the author life, and the industry. Happy writing!

What if my book isn't important?

Episode Description In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire explores the question many writers whisper (or shout) during overwhelm: What if my book isn’t important? She breaks down why this feeling often has less to do with your talent or discipline and more to do with nervous system overload, attention hijacking, and the way “importance” becomes relative when everything feels urgent. Claire explains how to tell the difference between a book that truly isn’t important to you anymore… and a book that is important, but has been drowned out by noise, fear, and impossible expectations. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * Why overwhelm can make your creative brain “close up shop” * How hyperarousal (anxiety, rage, panic) and hypoarousal (freeze, fog, dissociation) sabotage focus * Why “my story doesn’t matter” is often a nervous-system message, not a truth * Three paths forward when your book feels unimportant: 1. Reduce threatening noise 2. Create a writing warm-up ritual to re-enter the story 3. Consider whether the book truly isn’t important right now (and what freedom that offers) * How to make a story feel more important by increasing relevance and emotional resonance * The difference between “important,” “special,” “useful,” “successful,” and “safe” * How each Enneagram type can misread “this isn’t important” as a coping mechanism Resources & Links * Claire’s offerings: liberatedwriter.com [https://liberatedwriter.com] * Write Iconic Characters: books2read.com/WIC [https://books2read.com/WIC] * Claire on Substack: liberatedwriter.substack.com [https://liberatedwriter.substack.com] Support the Show If this episode helped you reconnect with meaning (or at least stop beating yourself up), please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with an author friend who’s feeling overwhelmed. Happy writing!