Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for No Mess, No Magic
ArtsEducationSelf-ImprovementExplicit

No Mess, No Magic

Monica Hay

No Mess, No Magic is a podcast for writers who want to embrace the messy, imperfect process of writing.

Hosted by writing coach Monica Hay, this show is for writers who want to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start building a writing practice in the middle of busy lives, rough drafts, and creative resistance.

You won’t find rigid writing rules or productivity perfectionism here. Instead, we talk about the real work of being a writer: showing up when you feel uninspired, writing through doubt, and learning how to keep going when the process gets uncomfortable.

Because books aren’t written by people who feel magically inspired every day.

They’re written by people who keep showing up in the mess.

If you’re a writer who wants to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start building a writing practice that works in real life…

You’re in the right place.

Messy drafts welcome.

Play
Open in
  • 25 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 50 min
  • English

Episodes 25

NewestOldestLongest
All5Unplayed5In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • #5
    April 14 · 1 hr 5 min

    What My Mom Taught Me About Creativity (and Sacrifice)

    Join this conversation with my mommyyy, Stacy Blum-Hay. What happens to creativity over a lifetime? Visit my mom's website here. The conversation explores the therapeutic nature of art, the influence of family on artistic pursuits, the challenge of overcoming critical self-perception, the balance between art and family responsibilities, and the impact of education on creativity. The conversation delves into the importance of education and its impact on creativity, the influence of society on creative pursuits, the challenges of pursuing creative writing, the role of art in society, raising creative children, the impact of stability on creativity, the need for support and recognition of the arts, and encouraging creativity and artistic expression. The discussion emphasizes the significance of education in fostering creativity and the societal impact on artistic pursuits. Takeaways Art as Therapy The Impact of Family on Art Overcoming Critical Self-Perception Supporting creativity The impact of education on creativity Chapters 00:00 Art as Therapy 09:35 Overcoming Critical Self-Perception 17:39 Balancing Art and Family 26:16 Creativity and Education 31:39 The Importance of Education and Creativity 40:19 The Role of Art in Society 45:31 The Need for Support and Recognition of the Arts 52:16 Encouraging Creativity and Artistic Expression

    • Transcript
  • #4
    April 4 · 1 hr 2 min

    Making Peace With Your Writing Pace with Gala Russ

    Join Monica and Gala for a low-key chaotic discussion about the writing life. Gala Russ helps creatives understand how they work and build sustainable creative lives and businesses that fit them. After writing and publishing nine romance novels under the pen name Willa Drew, she developed a practical path to help writers start their novels and bring them into the world. Through workshops, small groups, and one-on-one coaching, she teaches writing craft, storytelling fundamentals, and creative systems so creativity becomes part of everyday life—not something squeezed into the margins. The conversation covers the journey of a writer and the impact of life transitions on the writing process. It explores the concept of making peace with one's writing practice and the influence of emotional bandwidth on writing pace. The conversation covers the themes of self-compassion, creativity, writing process, and originality in writing. It delves into the importance of self-compassion in creative pursuits, the challenges of finding time for creativity, and the process of discovering one's unique writing voice and niche in the market. Takeaways Writing pace varies based on individual factors such as writing speed, book length, and writing frequency. Life transitions and emotional bandwidth can significantly impact a writer's pace and writing process. Self-compassion is essential for making space for creativity in times of uncertainty. Discovering and embracing one's unique writing voice and niche is crucial for successful and fulfilling writing endeavors. Chapters 00:00 Journey as a Writer and Writing Practice 08:31 Making Peace with Writing Practice 24:41 Impact of Life Transitions on Writing Pace 32:07 Self-Compassion and Creativity Get Gala's Write Your Novel Check In Follow Monica on Instagram Monica's Website Want to explore working with Monica? Click here to book a curiosity call!

    • Transcript
  • #3
    March 25 · 44 min

    What If Writing Is Actually Channeling?

    Today we have guest Dani Fankhauser! Dani is a writer and energy healer. Her fiction has been published by NonBinary Review, HAD, Sheepshead Review, and Nightshade Publishing, and long listed by Uncharted Magazine. Sister Earth is her first novel. Learn about Dani and find her book here. Want to learn about working with Dani? Click here. The conversation explores the spiritual side of writing and channeling, discussing the impact of social media on writers' ability to connect with themselves and their intuition. It delves into the struggle to write, the path to channeling, energy healing, meditation, and the process of channeling in writing. Additionally, it addresses the learning process of channeling and overcoming the inner critic, as well as creating inner and outer changes for channeling. The conversation delves into the healing process of creativity, the distinction between intuition and fear, the recognition of channeling in writing, and the spiritual practice of writing. It explores the frustration and clearing of the subconscious in creativity, as well as the surprise and recognition of channeling in the writing process. The discussion also highlights the role of writing as a spiritual practice and the importance of honesty as a high vibration in creativity. Takeaways Channeling and writing are interconnected The impact of social media on writers' ability to connect with themselves and their intuition Honesty as High Vibration Channeling and Writing as a Healing Process Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Writing 06:30 Social Media and Distraction 13:01 Understanding Channeling in Writing 19:00 Learning to Channel and Overcoming Inner Critic 24:30 The Healing Process of Creativity 30:25 Distinguishing Intuition from Fear and Anxiety 35:29 Recognizing Channeling in Writing Monica's Links: Website Instagram Subscribe to the Literary Lantern

    • Transcript
  • #2
    March 14 · 20 min

    The Case for Half-Assing It

    We talk about why lowering the bar sets you up for success in your writing life! Subscribe to my newsletter Check out my Instagram! Website New here? Hi, I'm Monica! I'm a writing coach who specializes in helping writers overcome resistance. I help writers finish drafts even when their brains are screaming “maybe reorganizing the spice cabinet would be better right now.” Because here's my take: Writing isn’t hard because you don’t know enough craft or because you're not skilled yet. Writing is hard because: it’s vulnerable it’s uncertain your brain wants to protect you from failure So I help writers build systems, friendships, and practices that let them keep writing anyway. Mess and all.

    • Transcript
  • #1
    March 8 · 28 min

    Nine Unsexy Truths About Being a Writer

    Today, we’re covering the 9 unsexy truths I’ve learned from being a writer the last 10+ years. And I introduce myself and what this podcast is all about!

    • Transcript
Showing 21–25 of 25 episodes