Words Are Hard
Words are hard. We’re here to help. Join Rachael Waldburger (editor, indie author, and English teacher) and her brother Ramsay Plautz (the extrovert in charge of keeping the conversation going) as they dive into writing and editing techniques. New episode weekly. Tangent-to-topic ratios will vary.
Words are hard. We’re here to help. Join Rachael Waldburger (editor, indie author, and English teacher) and her brother Ramsay Plautz (the extrovert in charge of keeping the conversation going) as they dive into writing and editing techniques. New episode weekly. Tangent-to-topic ratios will vary.
Episodes

Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
55. Common Writing Frustrations
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
If you've ever felt frustrated with your writing, don't worry. It isn't just you. These are some of the most common frustrations I hear from writers, and how to address them.
Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get access to lots of freebies, including a free DIY line editing checklist, my complete story starter kit, and my busy writer's schedule builder. And more. Trust me, it's awesome.

Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
54. The Tea on Ingram
Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
Some big things have been going down in the world of indie publishing, but fear not! We're here to serve you the tea. In today's episode, we'll hear from Nikki of Faeblebooks, an independent bookstore in The Amana Colonies, Iowa. Tune in for news on what happened with Ingram's updates, why everyone is so upset, and what we can do about it.
Follow on Threads and Instagram @faeblebooks, or check out their website here.
You can find Nikki's free Quick Start to Wholesale Guide here!
Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get access to lots of freebies, including a free DIY line editing checklist, my complete story starter kit, and my busy writer's schedule builder. And more. Trust me, it's awesome.

Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
53. Anthologies with Kelly Miller
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
In today's episode, Ramsay and I chat with Kelly Miller with @poetsinthepines about the process of creating an anthology. You can find the anthology she worked on, Made from Midnight: a Requiem, and information about what she and the Poets in the Pines are up to at https://poetsinthepines.com/
Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get access to lots of freebies, including a free DIY line editing checklist, my complete story starter kit, and my busy writer's schedule builder. And more. Trust me, it's awesome.

Friday Dec 12, 2025
52. What To Do When You Hate Your Project
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Happy Thanksgiving, two weeks late! If you've been struggling through a project and are feeling discouraged with your progress, this is the episode for you.
Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get access to lots of freebies, including a free DIY line editing checklist, my complete story starter kit, and my busy writer's schedule builder. And more. Trust me, it's awesome.

Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
51. How to Catch Up on Goals
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
If you're behind on a goal (like NaNoWriMo), here are some ways to help.
Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get access to lots of freebies, including a free DIY line editing checklist, my complete story starter kit, and my busy writer's schedule builder. And more. Trust me, it's awesome.

Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
50. The Murky Middle
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Have you ever gotten stuck in the middle of a project? In today's episode, we'll discuss 3 (plus 2) ways to get out of the murky middle.
Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get access to lots of freebies, including a free DIY line editing checklist, my complete story starter kit, and my busy writer's schedule builder. And more. Trust me, it's awesome.

Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
49. Writing Mentors with Bethany Hensel
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
In today's episode, we welcome back special guest speaker Bethany Hensel to discuss writing mentors, Power Rangers, and geography.
Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get access to lots of freebies, including a free DIY line editing checklist, my complete story starter kit, and my busy writer's schedule builder. And more. Trust me, it's awesome.

Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
48. Mondegreens, Malapropisms, and Folk Etymology
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
What do Jimi Hendrix, Wisconsin, and bears have in common? Today's theme! Join Ramsay and me as we discuss mondegreens, malapropisms, folk etymology, and how to use them in your writing.
Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get access to lots of freebies, including a free DIY line editing checklist, my complete story starter kit, and my busy writer's schedule builder. And more. Trust me, it's awesome.







