What If? For Authors

Episode Description:
Being an author means navigating an endless maze of decisions — creative decisions, business decisions, financial decisions, social decisions — and at some point, all of us hit a wall where everything feels murky. The next step isn’t clear. The “right” answer seems to flicker between yes and no. And the longer we sit in that limbo, the more everything stalls.
In this episode, Claire explores the anatomy of doubt: why we freeze, why uncertainty feels so emotionally loaded, and why some types (hello, Loyalists) live close to doubt every day while others completely unravel the moment they encounter it.
If you’re stuck in doubt about your writing, career, or next steps — this episode gives you tools to reclaim clarity and reconnect with your inner authority.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why doubt is a human condition, not a character flaw
The difference between not having enough information and being afraid to act
How impatience, overthinking, or rushing toward certainty can backfire
What “polarity” conflicts are and why they make some decisions feel impossible
How losing trust in your inner authority derails decision-making
Why burnout makes even simple choices feel overwhelming
How to check in with your head, heart, and body to get clear on your next step
Key questions that help you break out of the doubt spiral and move forward
Key Takeaway:
Doubt isn’t always a stop sign — sometimes it’s a signal to slow down, sometimes a nudge to reevaluate your values, and sometimes a warning that your nervous system is overwhelmed. But no matter the cause, you can learn to disentangle the noise, reconnect with your inner authority, and make decisions that honor who you are now.
Support the Show:
If today’s episode helped you breathe a little easier in the face of uncertainty, share it with another writer who might need it too.
You can explore Claire’s courses, coaching, and books at liberatedwriter.com, including her newest release, Write Iconic Characters, available now through major retailers.
Access the transcript here.
Happy writing!

Episode Description:
In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire unpacks the hidden dynamics behind creative inertia. She explores why we freeze at the starting line, how to tell if it’s a sign of fear, exhaustion, or wisdom, and what to do when you can’t seem to move forward—no matter how hard you try.
You’ll learn how to distinguish between procrastination and protection, why shame and “tough love” don’t actually help, and how to use curiosity and compassion to get yourself unstuck. With insight from the Enneagram, Claire also explores how each type experiences this resistance differently—and how you can build gentle, practical structures to help yourself begin again.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why struggling to start isn’t laziness—it’s information
How to tell if your resistance is a pattern or a novelty, and why that matters
What “body doubling” is, and how it can help Enneagram Nines build momentum
How each Enneagram type tends to resist getting started (and what to do about it)
Why friction can be a good sign for naturally fast starters
How to check whether your resistance is fear, intuition, or simply exhaustion
A powerful exercise to check in with your head, heart, and body centers before beginning
What it really means to act courageously—even when the fear doesn’t go away
Takeaway Challenge:Next time you can’t seem to get started, pause the shame spiral and turn to curiosity. Ask: Is this fear? Fatigue? A sign to pause? Then, listen to what your head, heart, and body have to say. If it’s still something worth doing, plan for courage—don’t wait for the fear to disappear first.
Support the Show:
If this episode helped you see your resistance in a new light, please share it with another author who might need to hear it too. You can also support What If For Authors by leaving a review wherever you listen—it helps more writers find the show.
Want to explore these ideas more deeply? Visit liberatedwriter.com for Claire’s courses, coaching, and books on building a sustainable author career in uncertain times.
Access the transcript here.
Happy writing!

Episode Description:
In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire explores the nuanced relationship between ambition, fear, and contentment. What if your ambition isn’t really gone… but simply changing shape?
With insight, humor, and plenty of hard truths, Claire unpacks how ambition often gets tangled up with fear—fear of worthlessness, fear of missing out, fear of falling behind—and how that mislabeling can make us think we’re “losing” something essential. She offers a reframing that helps authors understand the difference between fear-fueled ambition and hope-fueled ambition, and how to build a healthier, more sustainable drive in your creative career.
If you’ve ever thought, “I used to be so motivated—what happened to me?” this episode is for you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The surprising truth about how ambition and contentment actually support each other
Why ambition doesn’t have to feel like a fire under your ass
How fear disguises itself as ambition (especially for Enneagram Threes and Sevens)
Why tying ambition to outcomes you can’t control leads to burnout
How to distinguish between “fear-driven” and “hope-driven” ambition
A practical way to reframe self-talk so ambition feels energizing, not punishing
Why practicing contentment won’t kill your ambition—it may save it
Takeaway Challenge:Ask yourself: What would I find deeply gratifying to create—even if no one praised me for it? Sit with that answer. Notice how different it feels from fear-driven goals. Then, practice shifting one piece of your ambition toward hope, curiosity, or joy, instead of fear.
Support the Show:
If this episode helped you reimagine ambition in a healthier way, share it with another author who might need it too. You can also support the show by leaving a review wherever you listen—it makes a big difference in helping other writers find this resource.
Want more support? Visit liberatedwriter.com to explore Claire’s coaching, courses, workshops, and books for building a sustainable, liberated writing career.
Access the transcript here.
Happy writing!
 

Episode Description:
In this episode of What If For Authors, Claire asks the question: What if I’m a perfectionist? She breaks down the myth of “perfect,” explores how each Enneagram type approaches perfectionism differently, and offers practical ways to challenge the illusion of control that perfectionism creates.
If you’ve ever stalled out because your draft “wasn’t good enough,” obsessed over tiny details at the expense of joy, or secretly feared that one mistake could ruin everything—you’ll find both relief and encouragement in this conversation.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why the concept of “perfection” is made up—and how that realization can set you free
How idealism (a beautiful quality) can twist into painful perfectionism
The hidden childhood lessons that might have taught you mistakes weren’t safe
Why perfectionism doesn’t produce perfect books—it produces stuck authors
How each Enneagram type disguises perfectionism in its own way
Why publishing a book will always feel vulnerable (and why that’s good news)
A simple practice to start loosening perfectionism’s grip today
Takeaway Challenge:Make one mistake on purpose this week—and leave it there. Whether it’s leaving a typo in a draft, breaking one of your own “rules,” or letting something slide without fixing it, notice what happens. Is it really the catastrophe your perfectionism promised? Or is it… nothing at all?
Support the Show:
If this episode gave you permission to breathe a little deeper, please share it with another author who could use the same relief. You can also support the show by leaving a review wherever you listen—it helps more perfectionist authors find their way here.
Want to go deeper? Visit liberatedwriter.com to explore Claire’s coaching, courses, and books designed to help authors thrive without perfectionism weighing them down.
Access the transcript here.
Happy writing!

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 differently for each Enneagram type, and how clinging to certainty can actually keep us stuck. She offers a powerful mindset shift that helps authors stop grasping for guarantees and start building confidence in their own resilience.
If you've ever thought, “If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what I’ll do,” this episode gives you practical tools to turn that fear into forward momentum.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why certainty is so alluring—and how it tricks us into playing small
How each Enneagram type tends to seek certainty in their creative work
The danger of mistaking plans or perfectionism for actual security
What a “toolbox” of internal resources is, and how to build yours
How to shift your mindset from “I need this to work” to “I’ll figure it out either way”
Why failure hurts—but doesn’t have to stop you
How your rebounding process can become a source of self-respect
Takeaway Challenge:Inventory your “toolbox.” What inner resources, skills, support systems, and past experiences remind you that you’ve handled hard things before? Add to it regularly. Confidence doesn’t come from knowing the future—it comes from trusting that you’ll know what to do when the future arrives.
Support the Show:
If this episode helped you see uncertainty in a new light, please consider leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform and sharing it with your author friends. Want more guidance? Visit liberatedwriter.com to explore Claire’s coaching, courses, and books for authors navigating the wild world of publishing with purpose.
Access the transcript here.
Happy writing—and yes, you can handle the bad parts.

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 your story moving again. She also walks you through the process of choosing the right Enneagram type for your character, using concrete examples to show how motivation drives everything from plot to emotional depth.
Plus, she shares an exciting update about her new book, Write Iconic Characters, and its currently-running Kickstarter campaign!
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why some protagonists “refuse” to follow the plot—and how to fix it
How to use Enneagram types to shape character motivation
What to do when you’ve blended multiple Enneagram types by accident
The simplest way to start creating a protagonist who feels authentic
Why writing your own Enneagram type can actually be a storytelling superpower
How to reverse-engineer your protagonist based on your story world or theme
What to do if your usual character-building methods aren’t working
Back the Write Iconic Characters Kickstarter (ends Aug 8): https://liberatedwriter.com/kickstarter
Support the Show:
If you found this episode thought-provoking and helpful, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover this resource.
Access the transcript here.
Happy Writing!
 

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 encouragement, and some hard-won insights about what it takes to build a network that actually feeds you.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why many authors resist networking—and how to gently shift that mindset
How your Enneagram type may influence your relationship with connection
The difference between transactional vs. transformational networks
Tips for building relationships that don’t feel forced or fake
What to do if you're socially anxious, neurodivergent, or easily overwhelmed
Simple strategies to start (or deepen) meaningful author connections
Takeaway Challenge:Reach out to one person in the writing industry you like but haven’t spoken to in a while. Just say hi. Ask how they’re doing. That’s it. That’s networking.
Support the Show:
If you found this episode thought-provoking and helpful, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover this resource.
Access the transcript here.
Happy Writing!

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 ask for help, but she might actually want to — even if it feels wildly uncomfortable at first.
Using her signature blend of coaching insight, author empathy, and a bit of humor, Claire breaks down:
What gets in the way of asking for help
How fear narrows our options
Why it’s so hard for authors (and humans) to even imagine what help might look like
The different types of help we might need — physical, emotional, intellectual
The critical difference between interdependence and codependence
Whether you're burning out from doing it all yourself, feeling emotionally isolated, or simply wondering if there’s an easier way, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a gentle nudge toward a more sustainable, connected writing life.
Key Takeaways:
Naming your self-reliance pattern is the first step toward choosing something different.
Help can be practical or emotional — both are valid, needed, and deeply human.
Interdependence is healthy and necessary; it’s not a weakness, it’s a strength.
You don’t have to wait until you can’t to say I won’t.
Support the Show:
If you found this episode thought-provoking and helpful, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover this resource.
What’s Next?:
If this episode hit home, take a few minutes to sit with the question: “What kind of help would I want, even if I don’t technically need it?” Then, try something wild… ask for it.
Access the transcript here.
Happy Writing!

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 not careful. Plus, get insights on how to balance emotion with action and logic to bring your stories to life with impact and clarity.
In This Episode:
What makes someone an emotion-oriented writer
How the Enneagram heart types (2, 3, 4) each engage with emotion in the creative process
Why 3s avoid emotion—and what happens when they slow down enough to feel
How 2s' people-pleasing tendencies can derail their writing
The way 4s can get stuck in emotional complexity and how to access universality through others
What to watch out for if your emotion center is strong but action or thinking is underdeveloped
Tips for managing overwhelming emotions that block progress
How to differentiate between emotions that need to be observed vs. acted on
The importance of emotional discernment for creative sustainability
Practical Takeaway:
Emotion-oriented writers don’t need to tone down their feelings—but they do need to balance them with thoughtful structure and forward momentum. Learn to discern which emotions are fuel for your writing and which are simply data to be acknowledged and released.
Support the Show:
If you found this episode thought-provoking and helpful, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover this resource.
Join the Conversation:
Are you an emotion-oriented writer? What challenges or strengths have you noticed in your process? Share your experience by replying to this episode post or tagging Claire on social media.
Access the transcript here.
Happy Writing!

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 you feel free to say “I don’t know,” stay curious, and risk being wrong?)
Spiritual safety (Are you able to explore beliefs, questions, and doubts without being cast out or silenced — by others or by yourself?)
Claire explores how lacking safety in any of these areas can quietly suffocate creativity, lead to writer’s block, and keep us from fully connecting to the stories we want to tell. She also shares:
Why your nervous system sometimes can't tell the difference between being safe and feeling safe.
How trauma, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and even the relationships around you can subtly limit your creative freedom.
The difference between real danger and perceived danger, and why naming the fear can shrink it.
Why discomfort isn’t always a sign to stop — and why it’s essential to learn how to move forward even when you’re uncomfortable.
Why becoming a “safe person” for yourself and others will make you a stronger and more fearless creator.
Why You Should Listen:
This episode offers a thoughtful, compassionate look at why the modern world can feel increasingly unsafe, how to sort through those feelings, and how building practices for emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual safety can liberate both your writing and your life.
Support the Show:
If you found this episode thought-provoking and helpful, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover this resource.
Join the Conversation:
Share your insights with Claire by emailing contact@ffs.media or connecting on social media.
Access the transcript here.
Happy Writing!