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.
Episodes
Jun 24, 2026
Jun 24, 2026
20 min
What happens when you can't believe what a character is telling you? Answer: listen to this episode.
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.
Jun 19, 2026
Jun 19, 2026
33 min
Feeling tropey? Check out this episode of "Why you should watch Leverage"—I mean Words Are Hard—to find out what tropes are and how to use them without falling into the cliche trap.
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.
Jun 11, 2026
Jun 11, 2026
35 min
I've been sitting on this episode for 2 months, waiting for time to edit it. With Ramsay and I both starting new jobs, it's been a crazy spring! But we're back from our unexpected haitus and ready to go with more writing and editing talk, starting with a discussion on beta readers! What are they? Why do you need them? How do you find them? All answered here, just for you <3
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.
Mar 12, 2026
Mar 12, 2026
23 min
We may have recorded this over a month ago, but it's still relevant! While active voice is strongly preferred in writing, there are times when passive voice is an effective tool. We'll discuss those specific uses, as well as Wisconsin winters and vintage historical fiction, in today's episode.
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.
Jan 28, 2026
Jan 28, 2026
19 min
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.
Jan 20, 2026
Jan 20, 2026
59 min
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.
Dec 16, 2025
Dec 16, 2025
30 min
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.
Dec 12, 2025
Dec 12, 2025
26 min
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.