Episode 35: The Struggle Bus Episode: Outlining, Coaching, and Scaling as a Writer

Welcome to Story Deep Dive!

In this bonus episode, Dana and Rachel get candid about the messy middle of creative life—balancing writing, coaching, and running a business.

From Rachel’s Academy outlining process to Dana’s new Hello 7 Certification, they unpack the realities of guiding writers through both story craft and the business side of publishing.

Whether you’re a writer, editor, or storyteller, you’ll gain valuable insights on:

How to approach outlining and drafting without crushing creativity.

Why writing is always a business—and how to embrace that truth.

The power of coaching, accountability, and finding joy in the process.

You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!

Estimate Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome Aboard the Struggle Bus

Dana and Rachel kick off the episode with laughs and honesty, admitting they’re both exhausted despite recently taking “freedom weeks.” They set the tone for a freeform, behind-the-scenes conversation about the writer’s life.

03:00 – Outlining, Iteration, and Honest Struggle

Rachel shares how her Academy students tackled novella outlines while she demonstrated her own process—warts and all. She emphasizes the importance of iterative drafting, taking pressure off early stages, and normalizing imperfect writing days.

15:00 – Learning While Doing

Dana reflects on auditing Rachel’s course and the mental tug-of-war between teaching and writing. They compare styles, laugh at their quirks, and talk about how teaching often sharpens their own writing insights.

28:00 – Dana’s Flagship Series & Writing by Hand

Dana reveals she’s chosen to focus on developing her flagship Danja Tales series. On a recent trip, she had a breakthrough sketching ideas by hand—something Rachel champions as a way to spark creativity and reduce screen fatigue.

38:00 – Certification, Scaling, and Creative Ecosystems

Dana shares her journey completing Hello7’s business and mindset coach certification. She explains how the “Growth Scale” framework will help her Inner Circle students scale their author businesses with structure, milestones, and confidence.

53:00 – Writing is a Business

Rachel reminds listeners that all writers—indie or traditional—are running businesses. Dana expands, showing how author-publishers can grow into million-dollar brands by creating supportive ecosystems around their books.

01:12:00 – Rachel’s Coaching Approach

Rachel breaks down her offerings: coaching, diagnostics, and the Academy. She highlights her focus on crime and fantasy authors, tailoring feedback to each writer’s vision while also helping them navigate niche and market positioning.

01:22:00 – Dana’s Coaching Approach

Dana outlines her spectrum of support, from DTW community workshops to long-term one-on-one mentorship. With a focus on romance, she helps clients align story, brand, and reader expectations—sometimes before a book is even written.

01:40:00 – Accountability and Patience

They reflect on the role of coaching as accountability: providing structure, tough honesty, and permission to play creatively. Patience, trust, and showing up consistently are the true keys to growth.

01:55:00 – Rewriting the Narrative

Rachel and Dana discuss disillusionment in the industry and how coaching helps writers reframe their path. They emphasize finding joy in every stage of writing and remind listeners of the intimacy of the reader-writer bond.

02:05:00 – Room at the Table

They close with encouragement: creativity has room for everyone, in every genre and at every level. Whether you’re just starting or scaling a career, there’s space at the table for your voice.

About Beautifully Cruel

King (noun):

1) Having the highest rank in a dominance hierarchy

2) The most powerful man in a group

3) Liam Black

He was a stranger to me, a dark and dangerous presence who materialized from the shadows one rainy night to save me from a vicious attack. I didn’t know his name or where he was from. All I knew was that the only place I’d ever felt safe was in his arms.

But safety is an illusion.

And not every savior is a hero.

And—as I’d soon find out—having a king save your life comes with a price.

Liam Black wanted something from me in return.

Where to Find the Book

Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger is available in several formats. It’s also widely available in libraries and online retailers. Details on the author’s website.

Next Episode:

In the next episode, Dana and Rachel start their new series on Sin and Chocolate by K.F. Breene. Get ready for a shift into fantasy romance with paranormal elements, magic, and more crossover discussion between genres.

Don’t miss the overview episode as they set the stage for what makes Sin and Chocolate such a standout blend of romance and fantasy!

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