Don't Wait to Write - Your Pocket Writing Coach

Amber Petty

A podcast to help you write more, worry less, and share your work with the world.

Hosted by writer Amber Petty (New York Times, Greatist, Bustle, Snooki's blog - jealous?), this show comes in two parts:

Mondays: 5-Minute Writing Exercise (you'll be shocked how much you can do in 5 minutes)
Fridays: Find Out (answers to listener questions, writing advice from years of experience, and ways to actively put your work out there)

Whether you're a freelance writer, a copywriter who wants to do more than figure out new ways to say "Buy Now", or a person who's always wanted to write but never gave it a shot, this show is for you! Each week, you'll write a little, gain a little confidence, and add new tools to your writing tool belt.

A writing tool belt is probably just a pen and a backup charger for your laptop, but you know I mean.

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89 episodes
Updated Jun 19, 2023
Explicit

Episodes89

Newest first

Jun 19, 2023 · 7 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise: A Big No
Today's 5-Minute Writing Exercise - Your Biggest No. Whether you that makes you think of a time you said no in a big way, a no that was a major decision, or even if you're just a huge Dr. No fan, keep the pen moving for 5 minutes on this prompt. 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! Or email me at Amber@Amberpetty.com Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Jun 12, 2023 · 6 min
5-Minute Exercise: Bustin' Out All Over
The prompt for today's writing exercise: Bustin' Out All Over. Whatever that makes you think of, whether it's Rodgers & Hammerstein or something a little saucier, just keep the pen moving for 5 minutes. Have a question you'd like answered on the podcast? Email Amber@Amberpetty.com Want to find places to pitch the ideas that are bustin' out all over? Get my free guide to 250+ Places That Pay Writers. Go to www.amberpetty.com/250 - it's free! Cover art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
May 22, 2023 · 8 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise: Pep Rallies
Today's 5-Minute Exercise prompt: Pep Rallies. Whatever that makes you think of, just keep the pen moving 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
May 19, 2023 · 10 min
Ways to Promote Your Work Without Feeling Gross About It
No writer likes promoting their work. Okay, I'm sure some writer likes promoting their work, but they're an anomaly and perhaps their brain should be studied for science. But for everyone else, promotion and marketing isn't the easiest thing, but it's a necessity. In this podcast, I talk about a few ways to promote yourself that don't make you feel like a huge, annoying jerk. 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
May 15, 2023 · 6 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise: A Tulip in Lonely a Field
Today's 5-Minute Exercise prompt is: a tulip in a lonely field. Whatever that makes you think of, just keep the pen moving 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
May 13, 2023 · 9 min
No, You Don't Need to be on Twitter
Though Twitter is dying a slow death, it's still an active place for editors and lots of writers. Does that mean you need to get on board the Twitter train? No. In this episode, I talk about why you don't need Twitter or really ANY social media as a freelance writer. 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
May 1, 2023 · 8 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise: Too Much Birthday
Today's writing prompt is: too much birthday. If you want more time and accountability for pitching - join my Monthly Pitching Sprint! It's practically guaranteed time to write and the closest thing you'll get to me pitching for you. The next Pitching Sprint starts Tuesday May 2nd. Get more info and sign up at: https://www.amberpetty.com/pitchingsprint Did you do the exercise? Let me know at Amber@AmberPetty.com!
Apr 28, 2023 · 16 min
3 Easy Ways to Come Up With Ideas For Pitches
"What should I write about?" is a hard enough question. But when it comes to "what should I write about that someone will pay me for?" the question gets even trickier. To get through those tricky moments, I give you 3 ways to think of perfectly pitchable story ideas. And, if you want more time and accountability for pitching - join my Monthly Pitching Sprint! It's practically guaranteed time to write and the closest thing you'll get to me pitching for you. The next Pitching Sprint starts Tuesday May 2nd. Get more info and sign up at: https://www.amberpetty.com/pitchingsprint If you have any questions, email me at Amber@AmberPetty.com
Apr 17, 2023 · 7 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise - Pulling Weeds
Today's 5-Minute Exercise prompt is: pulling weeds. Whatever that makes you think of, just keep the pen moving 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
Apr 14, 2023 · 17 min
the Janky Journey to $150,000 a year
Lately, I've heard an influx of dramatic success stories along the lines of "I write down all my goals, worked hard, and accomplished all of them in the exact amount of time I gave myself." Well, hooray for you if that happened, but for most creatives this is an incredibly simplistic look at success. In today's episode, I talk about my janky journey to finally meeting some business, writing, and financial goals. And how about 0% of it went "according to plan." 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
Apr 10, 2023 · 7 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise: The Best Gift You Ever Gave
Today's writing prompt: The best gift you ever gave. Write for 5 minutes, listen to soothing ocean sounds, and hear an oddly melancholy (but comical) story about my poor gift giving skills as a child. 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
Apr 7, 2023 · 8 min
A One-Star Review is a Good Thing
Though getting rejections or bad reviews isn't a normal person's idea of a good time, sometimes a one-star review is a good thing. In this episode, find out why and get a new way to think of rejection (that makes it suck a lot less). 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
Apr 3, 2023 · 7 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise: A Time You Felt Different
Today's prompt is: a time you felt different. Whatever that means or inspires, just keep writing for 5 minutes and see what happens. 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
Mar 31, 2023 · 21 min
A Tale of Two Conferences or the 10-Hour Crying Jag
A few weeks ago, I went to a creative conference. I was nervous about going and wasn't sure why. Until I remembered that the last time I went to a conference...I had a breakdown. Hear why advice about "living your dream" led to a 10 hour crying jag, how my thoughts have changed over the years to avoid such things, and what you can do to get through the dips of creative life and go back to the work you do best. 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
Mar 27, 2023 · 7 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise - Birds
Today, we have a simple writing prompt in honor of spring: birds. Whatever that makes you think of, you'll write for 5 minutes and likely be surprised with all the lovely things you come up with. Also, sorry for the audio. I tried out a different mic setup and it was a bad choice! The better quality will be back next time. 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 or email at Amber@AmberPetty.com Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Mar 13, 2023 · 6 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise: Introduce Yourself
If writing an about page or bio feels tricky, give this 5 minute exercise a try! Did you do the exercise? Take a screenshot or photo of your writing and tag me @ambernpetty on Instagram or write me at Amber@AmberPetty.com! Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Mar 10, 2023 · 10 min
The Easiest Writing Money I Ever Made
Yes, writing is hard. But it's not always a struggle. In this episode, I talk about some of the very easy ways I made money writing. Tune in for taco and champagne talk. Sign up for Freelance Writing for Creatives ends March 10th. For more info, go to AmberPetty.com/Enroll Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Mar 6, 2023 · 6 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise: The First Story
In today's exercise, we'll flash back to the first story you ever wrote. Side note: I would love to hear about the first story you ever wrote, so feel free to share at Amber@Amberpetty.com. Also, sign up for Freelance Writing for Creatives ends March 10th. For more info, go to AmberPetty.com/Enroll Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Mar 3, 2023 · 11 min
The 20 Pitch Money Back Guarantee
Pitching can be a pain, but it leads to so many good things. So, to make it as easy as possible, in my class I offer a 20 Pitch Guarantee. If you don't sell a story in 20 pitches, you get your money back. Hear more about the 20 pitch guarantee for Freelance Writing for Creatives in today's episode. Sign up for Freelance Writing for Creatives ends March 10th. For more info, go to AmberPetty.com/Enroll Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing
Feb 27, 2023 · 6 min
5-Minute Writing Exercise: Learning Late
For today's writing exercise, you'll write about something you learned late. Whatever that brings to mind, just keep the pen moving for 5 minutes. Sign up for Freelance Writing for Creatives ends March 10th. For more info, go to AmberPetty.com/Enroll Cover Art by Jené Hernandez of Mixology Marketing

Don't Wait to Write - Your Pocket Writing Coach

5-Minute Writing Exercise: A Big No

5-Minute Exercise: Bustin' Out All Over

5-Minute Writing Exercise: Pep Rallies

Ways to Promote Your Work Without Feeling Gross About It

5-Minute Writing Exercise: A Tulip in Lonely a Field

No, You Don't Need to be on Twitter

5-Minute Writing Exercise: Too Much Birthday

3 Easy Ways to Come Up With Ideas For Pitches

5-Minute Writing Exercise - Pulling Weeds

the Janky Journey to $150,000 a year

5-Minute Writing Exercise: The Best Gift You Ever Gave

A One-Star Review is a Good Thing

5-Minute Writing Exercise: A Time You Felt Different

A Tale of Two Conferences or the 10-Hour Crying Jag

5-Minute Writing Exercise - Birds

5-Minute Writing Exercise: Introduce Yourself

The Easiest Writing Money I Ever Made

5-Minute Writing Exercise: The First Story

The 20 Pitch Money Back Guarantee

5-Minute Writing Exercise: Learning Late