Writing While Distracted
Writing While Distracted is a podcast for writers who struggle with distraction and mental health issues. It offers positive advice, author interviews, and writing tips to help transform scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. The show aims to help writers find their story's beginning and use their strengths to complete their novels.
Episodes
“No” Isn’t the End: Building Creative Resilience After Rejection
In this episode Brenda Murphy—your NeuroSpicy writing coach—walks through how to handle manuscript rejection, especially for neurodivergent creators with rejection sensitivity. She explains why publishing decisions are business choices, how to learn from feedback, and why self-publishing is a powerful option.
Brenda offers concrete coping strategies: feel your feelings, limit reaction time, never
Accepted — Now What? A Guide for Neurospicy Writers
Congratulations — your work was accepted! This episode walks neurodiverse writers through the emotional and practical next steps: celebrate, list your questions, understand your contract, and protect your professional relationship with editors and agents.
Learn how to manage imposter syndrome and rejection sensitivity, keep writing to avoid writer's block, start a newsletter, plan marketing, and h
Beyond 10,000 Hours: How Writers Really Get Better
Brenda Murphy explains the 10,000-hour theory and explains that mastery requires three things: a clear, controllable goal, deliberate practice focused on challenging skills, and targeted feedback. Time alone won’t improve your writing without intention.
She gives practical steps for writers, pick one craft area to improve (structure, dialogue, pacing, or character), study examples, apply technique
Unplug, Boundaries, Write: Five Ways to Carve out Creative Space
Brenda Murphy offers five practical, compassionate strategies for writers—especially neurodivergent and burnt-out creators—to protect their focus and revive their creativity amid constant chaos.
Learn how to create before you consume, set boundaries, unplug for sensory rest, use morning pages to clear mental clutter, and give yourself grace so you can keep writing, even in hard times.
Books Mentio
How to Keep Writing When You Want to Burn It All Down
Welcome to "Writing While Distracted," a podcast dedicated to helping writers navigate the often chaotic world of creativity and distraction. I'm your host, Brenda Murphy, a NeuroSpicy writing coach, here to transform scattered thoughts into literary brilliance.
This episode focuses on those overwhelming moments when the urge to give up and "burn it all down" becomes too strong. Whether it's the d
Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Manuscript Submission
Welcome to another engaging episode of "Writing While Distracted" with your Neuro Spicy writing coach, Brenda Murphy. In this episode, we delve into the emotional journey involved in submitting your creative work for evaluation. Explore the four stages of submission: elation, anxiety, anger, and relief. Brenda shares her personal experiences and strategies for managing the emotional upheavals that
Mastering Editing with 25 Tips for Neurodiverse Writers
Welcome to Writing While Distracted, where scattered thoughts transform into literary brilliance. Join Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach, as she dives into challenges neurodiverse writers face, particularly in editing. Discover invaluable tips to conquer distractions and utilize your strengths for a compelling narrative. From reading aloud to tackle punctuation issues to ensuring pronou
Plays Well with Others: Working with Beta Readers, Editors, and More
Welcome back to "Writing While Distracted" with your NeuroSpicy writing coach, Brenda Murphy. In this episode, we dive deep into the revision process, exploring how to effectively collaborate with beta readers, developmental editors, and copy editors to refine your manuscript.
We begin by addressing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), a common challenge for neurodivergent writers, and discuss s
Crafting Authentic Dialogue: Unleash Your Characters' Voices
Welcome to "Writing While Distracted," the podcast that transforms scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. I'm Brenda Murphy, your neuro-spicy writing coach, and today, we're diving into the art of dialogue in your writing.
Dialogue can make or break a novel, and for many, it’s the most challenging part of storytelling. Whether you're neurodivergent or neurotypical, our unique perspectives c
Mastering Revision: Genre, Continuity, and Research
Welcome to another episode of Writing While Distracted, the podcast that guides you from scattered thoughts to literary brilliance. Hosted by Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach, this episode delves into the intertwined elements of genre conventions, continuity, and research in the revision process.
Brenda begins by demystifying genre conventions, explaining how they serve as helpful guid
Character Arcs: The Key to Relatable Stories
Welcome to "Writing While Distracted," the podcast dedicated to helping writers harness their creative energy amidst distractions. I'm Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach, and in today's episode, we delve into a topic that often confounds new writers: the difference between character arcs and story arcs.
Join us as we unravel the complexities of character development, exploring how charac
Mastering Novel Pacing: Keep Your Readers Hooked!
Are you a writer whose mind is a whirlwind of creativity and distraction? Hello and welcome back to Writing While Distracted, the podcast that helps you transform your scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. I'm your NeuroSpicy writing coach, Brenda Murphy.
In this episode, we delve into the magic of novel pacing—a crucial element that keeps your readers engaged and eager for more. Discover h
Mastering the Revision Process: Transforming Your First Draft into a Masterpiece
Welcome to Writing While Distracted, the podcast that helps you transform your scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. I'm your host, Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach. In this episode, we dive deep into the first part of the revision and editing process after completing your rough draft.
We'll discuss the importance of creating a reverse outline to get a clear view of your story's
Mastering Revisions: Turning Rough Drafts into Polished Gems
Welcome to Writing While Distracted, the podcast that transforms scattered thoughts into literary brilliance! I'm Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach. In this episode, we'll delve into the exhilarating world of revisions and editing, the 'fun part' of writing.
Discover how to organize your revision process, from structuring your story and refining your prose to the final proofing stages.
Embrace the Chaos: Your First Draft
Join Brenda Murphy, your neuro-spicy writing coach, on an inspiring journey to transform your scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. In this episode of "Writing While Distracted," Brenda delves into the essence of the first draft—what it is, what it isn’t, and how to navigate through the chaos to complete your manuscript.
Discover practical tips to stay focused, learn the importance of embra
Mastering Character Creation: A Guide for Distracted Writers
Welcome to "Writing While Distracted," the podcast designed to help writers harness their creativity amidst life's chaos. I'm Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach. This episode delves into the fascinating and sometimes daunting task of character creation. Learn how to develop authentic, relatable characters that drive your story and keep readers engaged.
We'll explore various methods for c
Transforming Chaos into Creativity: The Art of Pre-Writing
Are you a writer struggling to harness your creativity amidst distractions? Welcome to "Writing While Distracted," the podcast that turns your scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. Hosted by Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach, this episode offers invaluable advice for staying focused and using your unique strengths to craft your story.
In this episode, Brenda delves into the impor
Mastering Your Novel: Evaluating Fiction Premises
Are you a writer whose mind is a whirlwind of creativity and distraction? Welcome to Writing While Distracted, the podcast that helps you transform your scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. I'm your host, Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach. Join us as we kick off the first episode in the "Steps to Writing a Novel" series, focusing on how to evaluate a fiction premise.
In this epi
Novel Writing: 11 Steps for Writers
Are you a writer whose mind is a whirlwind of creativity and distraction? Welcome to Writing While Distracted, the podcast designed to help you transform your scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. I'm your host, Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach. In this episode, we dive into the 11 essential steps to writing your novel, offering practical advice tailored for neurodivergent write
Finding Your Way Back: Restarting Your Writing Project After a Break
Are you a writer whose mind is a whirlwind of creativity and distraction? Welcome to Writing While Distracted, the podcast that transforms your scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. Hosted by Brenda Murphy, a best-selling, award-winning author and NeuroSpicy writing coach, this episode focuses on how to restart a writing project after a long break.
Brenda shares her personal experiences of
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