Suzanne Alyssa Andrew's Blog: The PROCESS blog
December 6, 2024
Dr. Jennifer Orme On Fairy Tales, Wonder, Hope, And Justice
Why are fairy tales so enduring? In this inspiring and fascinating interview with writer and scholar Dr. Jennifer Orme, Ph.D we look at stories of wonder and transformation. Find out how curiosity and imagination lead to hope and justice, and how disruptive middles give stories special power and insight. Plus we talk about collaborative writing and editing, and Jennifer shares her most wonderful writing prompt.
Why I published this episode
For the last episode of the year I wanted to gift everyone with something thoughtful, meaningful and hopeful, and this conversation is all of that and more. Enjoy and happy holidays!
Listen to the episode now and subscribe to or follow the podcast:
Show notes
Guest info:
Dr. Jennifer Orme, Ph.D is co-editor of:
Just Wonder: Shifting Perspectives in Tradition
Inviting Interruptions: Wonder Tales in the 21st Century
A special holiday gift for our listeners:
Get your copy of Jennifer Orme’s Just Wonder at 40% off with the promo code GREE24!
Customers in the US from the University Press of Colorado: upcolorado.com
Customers in Canada from University of British Columbia Press: ubcpress.ca
Jennifer Orme’s writing prompt:
Take an object from your life. It might be a precious heirloom or a present you or someone else gave you, it might be an everyday object, like your oven or a garden tool.
Now either find the wonder within it or inject some wonder into it.
Explore the ways that wonder adheres to or comes from your object during your writing time this week.
Provide a description, maybe write about the object’s function or meaning to you; or create a whole new life for the object that you never knew about before. If you really get into it, you might even send the object on an adventure.
Added challenge: if you normally write realist fiction or non-fiction, put some magic or the marvelous into the object. Go as wild or as subtle as you want, but try to push out of your comfort zone a little.
Similarly: if you normally write speculative fiction/ or fantasy/sci-fi, look at the wonder inherent to that object and try to find a non-magical source of wonder for or within the object. For example, an oven is a transformation machine – it takes ingredients, adds heat and makes them into yummy goodness (or a terrible mess), no magic needed!
Resources:
Get a glow up for your mind and spirit by taking Suzanne’s course, The Sparkle Technique.
Support the show:
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to or follow the show where you listen.
Follow the show on Instagram: @stardustandcourage
Follow Suzanne on Instagram: @suzannealyssawriting
Credits:
Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew
Music by Chris Andrew
Additional music and sound consulting by Jordan Andrew
Note:
You’re listening to a friend. This podcast is not therapy or medical or financial advice. Please consult a psychotherapist, physician or other qualified professional and take care to do what’s best for you.
#writing #mindfulwriting #mindfulness #stardustandcourage #imagination #personaldevelopment
October 18, 2024
Writing And Exercise Mini Breaks For Tough Times
In this Dear Suzanne episode find out how to lean into the pleasure of writing instead of the pressure when life is hard. We’ll also look at using writing and exercise mini breaks on tough and tedious days to stay present and embodied instead of mentally checking out. Stay tuned to the end for the body scan guided practice I use to stop insomnia, circular thinking and rumination so you can rest easier after a bad day.
Why I published this episode:
This episode is coaching support for a listener struggling to find the time and energy to write. The listener is a caregiver but I think the question and answer apply to any writers facing challenges right now.
Listen to the episode now and subscribe to or follow the podcast:
Show notes
Resources:
Get a glow up for your mind and spirit by taking Suzanne’s course, The Sparkle Technique.
Support the show:
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to or follow the show where you listen.
Follow the show on Instagram: @stardustandcourage
Follow Suzanne on Instagram: @suzannealyssawriting
Credits:
Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew
Music by Chris Andrew
Additional music and sound consulting by Jordan Andrew
Note:
You’re listening to a friend. This podcast is not therapy or medical or financial advice. Please consult a psychotherapist, physician or other qualified professional and take care to do what’s best for you.
#writing #mindfulwriting #mindfulness #stardustandcourage #imagination #personaldevelopment
September 25, 2024
Novelist Heidi Reimer On Tenacity, Visibility, And Depth
What if your writing dreams take time? We go deep into writing patience and determination with New York Times reviewed novelist Heidi Reimer in this beautiful and moving interview. Find out how to keep believing in your work no matter what, what you need to know about author visibility and ways to deepen your characters in editing. Plus, Heidi shares her most effective daily writing practice.
Listen to the episode now and subscribe to or follow the podcast:
Show notes:
Guest info:
Instagram: @heidi.c.reimer
Resources:
Get a glow up for your mind and spirit by taking Suzanne’s course, The Sparkle Technique.
Support the show:
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to or follow the show where you listen.
Follow the show on Instagram: @stardustandcourage
Follow Suzanne on Instagram: @suzannealyssawriting
Credits:
Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew
Music by Chris Andrew
Additional music and sound consulting by Jordan Andrew
Note:
You’re listening to a friend. This podcast is not therapy or medical or financial advice. Please consult a psychotherapist, physician or other qualified professional and take care to do what’s best for you.
#writing #mindfulwriting #mindfulness #stardustandcourage #imagination #personaldevelopment
September 5, 2024
Episode 9: Writing Success On Your Terms
What are you aiming for? Let your heart and soul lead the way in this guided imagination and writing practice on success. We’ll look at how you can move towards what you really want and drop comparisons, expectations and unhelpful pressures. We’ll also dismantle limiting beliefs and negative gatekeeper stories so you can open up to what’s possible. It’s about letting go to move forward!
Why I published this episode:
Autumn energy is motivating, and it's also a good time to declutter our minds, letting go of old ideas to focus on what really matters. It's an effective process I use, and I wanted to share it!
Listen now and subscribe:
Show notes:
Resources:
Get a glow up for your mind and spirit by taking Suzanne’s course, The Sparkle Technique.
Support the show:
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to or follow the show where you listen.
Follow the show on Instagram: @stardustandcourage
Follow Suzanne on Instagram: @suzannealyssawriting
Credits:
Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew
Music by Chris Andrew
Additional music and sound consulting by Jordan Andrew
Note:
You’re listening to a friend. This podcast is not therapy or medical or financial advice. Please consult a psychotherapist, physician or other qualified professional and take care to do what’s best for you.
#writing #mindfulwriting #mindfulness #stardustandcourage #imagination #personaldevelopment
August 8, 2024
Episode 8: What Is Mindful Writing?
This episode is a deep dive into what mindful writing is—and what it isn’t. What happens when we create the way worldwide bestsellers Eckhart Tolle and Elizabeth Gilbert do? Listen to find out why mindful writing is where all the energy and fun is. Plus learn three powerful mind shifts to begin your mindful writing practice.
Why I published this episode:
There are different definitions online for mindful writing, and it's also similar to meditative writing. I wanted to be clear on what I mean when I talk about mindful writing, and also tell you why it matters.
Listen now and subscribe:
Show notes:
Resources:
Get a glow up for your mind and spirit by taking Suzanne’s course, The Sparkle Technique.
Support the show:
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to or follow the show where you listen.
Follow the show on Instagram: @stardustandcourage
Follow Suzanne on Instagram: @suzannealyssawriting
Credits:
Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew
Music by Chris Andrew
Additional music and sound consulting by Jordan Andrew
Note:
You’re listening to a friend. This podcast is not therapy or medical or financial advice. Please consult a psychotherapist, physician or other qualified professional and take care to do what’s best for you.
#writing #mindfulwriting #mindfulness #stardustandcourage #imagination #personaldevelopment
July 17, 2024
Episode 7: Refilling The Creative Well
How do we get back into creative flow when we haven’t been writing or feel stuck or stressed about what we’re working on? In this first Dear Suzanne advice episode find out all about refueling your creative energy with artist dates and the one-minute vacation. Plus go on an ocean adventure in a buoyant and rejuvenating imagination activating guided practice.
Mindful writing begins with caring for your whole being: mind, body and spirit.
Why I published this episode
What I love about podcasting is the opportunity for us all to connect, and I’m loving your glowing feedback on the show. It’s my pleasure to answer your questions about mindful writing!
This week's question is from Chrissy in Seattle. She writes: Dear Suzanne, I loved reading so much as a kid and always wanted to write books. In my forties now I’m finally carving out some time in my jam packed schedule to write, but when I sit down to write the magic is not happening, and one Saturday afternoon I even fell asleep at my desk! It’s so frustrating and disappointing! How do I get back into creative flow when I haven’t been writing and feel so stuck? It’s stressing me out!
In my answer I cover how to refill the creative well with artist dates, the one-minute vacation, making time to daydream and rest, and using Liz Gilbert's writing method.
Listen now and subscribe:
Show notes:
Follow the show on IG: @stardustandcourage
Get a glow up for your mind and spirit by taking my course, The Sparkle Technique
Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew:
IG: @suzannealyssawriting
Music by Chris Andrew
Note: you’re listening to a friend. This podcast is not therapy or medical or financial advice. Please consult a psychotherapist, physician or other qualified professional and take care to do what’s best for you.
#writing #mindfulness #burnout
July 3, 2024
Episode 6: Rewriting Scarcity Stories
If you have scarcity stories in your head around writing and money you’re not alone and it’s not your fault! Scarcity is institutionalized in arts grants and funding systems and winner-takes-all awards. It’s in publishing and our culture, so it’s no wonder it’s in our thinking, too. But what if things could be different, or you could at least see them differently? We ask big questions in this important episode.
Questions to ask yourself and journal about after listening to this episode:
What scarcity stories do I tell myself?
Where do these come from?
What money stories and attitudes did I learn in childhood?
What’s true for me now?
What’s possible for me now?
What’s stopping me now, and is it real?
What support and encouragement do I need to thrive?
What’s one thing I can start doing differently or thinking differently today?
Why I published this episode:
We can all go farther and thrive more when we work together as writers than when we buy into scarcity and lack narratives that are so prevalent in our industry. I wanted to share some of what I've learned about how to rewrite our scarcity stories. Sometimes it's all about perspective!
Listen now and subscribe:
Show notes:
Follow the show on IG: @stardustandcourage
Get a glow up for your mind and spirit by taking my course, The Sparkle Technique
Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew:
IG: @suzannealyssawriting
Music by Chris Andrew
Note: you’re listening to a friend. This podcast is not therapy or medical or financial advice. Please consult a psychotherapist, physician or other qualified professional and take care to do what’s best for you.
June 26, 2024
Episode 5: Imagination Activation: Glamour
Practice the art and power of transformation with this guided visualization on glamour. It’ll activate your imagination! Use it to explore what’s possible for you or your characters, to go deeper, and as a writing prompt to inspire your writing this week. It’s easy, relaxing and fun.
Why I published this episode:
This episode builds on Episode 4: Writing Lessons From RuPaul's Drag Race by going deeper into transformation through the power of imagination. Because imagination helps us know what's possible. I hope you relax and enjoy it!
Listen now and subscribe:
Show notes:
Follow the show on IG: @stardustandcourage
Get a glow up for your mind and spirit by taking my course, The Sparkle Technique
Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew:
IG: @suzannealyssawriting
Music by Chris Andrew
Note: you’re listening to a friend. This podcast is not therapy or medical advice. Please consult a psychotherapist, physician or other qualified professional and take care to do what’s best for you.
June 20, 2024
Episode 4: Writing Lessons From RuPaul's Drag Race
Be the writing queen, king or royalty you really are with fun coaching lessons inspired by RuPaul’s Drag Race. We cover transformation, getting stupid, authenticity, vulnerability, charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. Let’s bring more play, joy and glamour to writing! Because everything is always easier when we’re having fun.
Why I published this episode:
I love the coaching aspect of Drag Race and watch it to see outer AND inner transformations. Good storytelling is all about transformation, so it's fun to draw writing inspiration from such an entertaining resource!
Where to tune in:
Show notes:
Follow the show on IG: @stardustandcourage
Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew:
IG: @suzannealyssawriting
Music by Chris Andrew
Note: you’re listening to a friend. This podcast is not therapy or medical advice. Please consult a psychotherapist, physician or other qualified professional and take care to do what’s best for you.
June 12, 2024
Listen To The Stardust And Courage Podcast
I'm SO EXCITED to launch my podcast and finally get to share it with you! Stardust and Courage is the podcast where we use writing, curiosity and imagination to see beyond challenges and make life more meaningful. It's mindful writing to go deeper, grow and imagine, and I hope it inspires you and fuels your creativity.
The first three episodes are live now!
Episode 1: Optimize Your Writing Brain
Episode 2: Weekend Writing For The Win!
Episode 3: Luxuriate In The Imaginary Mind Spa
Coming up next! (Subscribe so you don't miss these episodes)
Episode 4: Writing Lessons From RuPaul's Drag Race
Episode 5: Overcoming Writing Scarcity Stories
PLUS Interviews with some of your favourite authors starting later this summer (I'll be putting my old journalism skills to good use!)
Where to listen and subscribe
(I'm slowly adding the show to various podcast directories. Search for Stardust and Courage wherever you get your podcasts and see if it's there yet!)
How to support and participate in the show
I need your help to grow the audience for the show, and bring you better and better episodes! I'll be so very grateful when you do one or more of these things:
Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to your podcasts
Listen to episodes
Give the show a five-star review so others can find it
Share the show with your friends
Follow the show on IG @stardustandcourage
Email me with a writing question or dilemma and I might answer it on a special upcoming Dear Suzanne episode
Show credits
Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew
Music by Chris Andrew (my talented brother)
Additional music and sound consulting by Jordan Andrew (my talented nephew)
Enjoy the show! It's made for you with love, stardust and courage.
Suzannexo
The PROCESS blog
- Suzanne Alyssa Andrew's profile
- 21 followers
