The Mindset to Write a Book: Gratitude, Risk, and the Courage to Try

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“Self-consciousness is the enemy of all art, be it acting, writing, painting, or living itself, which is the greatest art of all.” – Ray Bradbury

Writing is hard. But that’s not news on WordPress because you all are the ones that are doing to the work to write and post content on a regular basis. But sometimes we forget to pat ourselves on the back for actually doing the work – especially when we are part of a community like this of like-minded others who are doing the same.

So I love this Life of Try podcast conversation when I talk with professor, author, and my friend, Vicki Atkinson about the mindset, support, and creative courage it took to turn a long-held idea into a finished, soon-to-be-published novel.

Vicki’s new novel, Slivers, is set during a single week in the summer of 1973, when a quiet suburban neighborhood begins to crack under the weight of generational secrets—and an otherworldly presence that refuses to be ignored. Along the way, Vicki shares how unexpected family history research helped fuel the story, and why community feedback can be the difference between starting a draft and finishing a book.

  • How gratitude and loss can become creative fuel
  • What helps writers move from intention to action—and from draft to done
  • Why writing fiction requires a different “writer brain” than memoir or academic work
  • How genealogy and family stories can deepen your characters and plot
  • The role of community, readers, and a publisher in staying the course

Here’s a short clip of our conversation that highlights the stats of how hard it is to get a book to the finish line – and Vicki’s great answer:

Pre-order Slivers (link below), and if this episode resonates, share it with a friend who’s been carrying a book idea for far too long.

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this motivating episode:

Pre-order Slivers (link below), and if this episode resonates, share it with a friend who’s been carrying a book idea for far too long.

50: How to Write the Book You've Been Meaning to Write | Dr. Victoria Atkinson (Slivers) – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

If you’ve been saying “someday I’ll write a book” for years,this episode is your push to begin—and your roadmap to keep going. Host Wynne Leon talks with Dr. Victoria Atkinson about the mindset, support, and creative courage it took to turn a long-held idea into a finished, soon-to-be-publishednovel.Vicki’s new novel, Slivers, is set during a single week in the summer of 1973, when a quiet suburban neighborhood begins to crack under the weight of generational secrets—and an otherworldly presence that refuses to be ignored. Along the way, Vicki shares how unexpected family history research helped fuel the story, and why community feedback can be the difference between starting a draft and finishing a book.How gratitude and loss can become creative fuelWhat helps writers move from intention to action—and from draft to doneWhy writing fiction requires a different “writer brain” than memoir or academic workHow genealogy and family stories can deepen your characters and plotThe role of community, readers, and a publisher in staying the courseThe Life of Try is a personal growth and self‑helppodcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not your idea.Hosted by Wynne Leon, the show explores how real growth, reinvention, and discovery often begin not with confidence orclarity—but with a single attempt. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real‑world case studies, each episode examines what it looks like to keep going when doubt shows up, plans fall apart, or life forces achange you didn’t ask for.This podcast is for anyone who:Feels stuck or uncertain about what’s nextIs navigating change, burnout, or reinventionWants to live more intentionally without pretending growth is easyBelieves progress starts by trying—again and againThe Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go, surfacing what matters, and sharing what you discover along the way.If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty, outlast the doubts, and step into your own try‑cycle, you’re in the right place.Links for this episode:Slivers on Eckhartz Press – Order Now!Vicki's blog: Victoria PondersTranscript for How to Finally Write the Book You've Been Meaning to Write with Dr. Victoria Atkinson
  1. 50: How to Write the Book You've Been Meaning to Write | Dr. Victoria Atkinson (Slivers)
  2. 49: Personal Growth Pivot Points: Pause, Quit or Keep Going?
  3. 48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive
  4. 47-From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison’s Method for Progress (Try, Learn, Improve, Repeat)
  5. 46: The Quiet Transformation That Changes Everything

Links for this episode:

Slivers on Eckhartz Press – Order Now!

Vicki’s blog: Victoria Ponders

Transcript for How to Finally Write the Book You’ve Been Meaning to Write with Dr. Victoria Atkinson

5 thoughts on “The Mindset to Write a Book: Gratitude, Risk, and the Courage to Try”

  1. Interesting stats. You both have demonstrated enough about effort and will to write a book about that alone. You are both able and heroic women who don’t give up. I am lucky to know you, Vicki and Wynne. Thanks

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  3. Wynne…thank you so much for the opportunity to talk about “Slivers” with you…and for your thoughtful questions! I am so, so grateful to you for your insights, support and enthusiasm.
    Big hugs! ❤️😘❤️

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  4. I think my mind prefers to write nonfiction rather than fiction, and I find fiction writers so creative! Congratulations to Vicki, and all the best. Cheers!

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