Tag: creativity

podcast

Latest podcast episode: Cancer and Creativity: Finding Hope in Therapy, Romance Novels and Second Opinions

Elodie
Choose your favorite platform here... or listen to it on YouTube…

Also did you know I have a YouTube channel? Make sure to subscribe 🙂

In this episode, I open up and look back about navigating life with cancer back in 2017—receiving tough PET news, seeking second opinions, and finding support in unexpected places. I talk about how therapy really helped, how romance novels reminded me to escape into stories, and how creativity (not necessarily mine) brought moments of light during some of the hardest times. This episode explores the small yet powerful ways hope can appear, even when it feels out of reach.

http://www.elodienowodazkij.com or http://www.dasdog.net

authorelodienowodazkij AT gmail.com

Questions about writing, self-publishing or those weird stuff in-between? Shoot me an email at ⁠authorelodienowodazkij@gmail.com⁠.

<3

Elodie

Amazon Royalties Down, Kobo Royalties Up & a Spotify Wrapped Surprise – The Raccoon Author's Self-Publishing Diary

Well, I did a very raccoon thing this morning. 🦝Instead of recording the episode I'd planned, I created an entirely new Patreon for The Raccoon Author Diary. Because apparently, I needed another project. So, we're pivoting!This week, I'm sharing the ups and downs of my self-publishing week: an invitation to record a Spotify Wrapped video, September royalties that are down overall but UP on several retailers, a Kickstarter pre-launch page with four followers (including me and my husband), and the absolute joy of discovering that someone borrowed my Sweets For Love audiobook from a library!Plus, some writing updates, social media adventures, and a reminder to actually breathe while working. Apparently, I sometimes forget.What about you? What's one up or one down from your writing week?Happy writing and happy, happy reading!🦝 LINKS MENTIONEDNew Raccoon Author Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/cw/theraccoonauthorCancer Is Not My Brand Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1903722368/cancer-is-not-my-brand-and-yet?ref=aoo2q1Vanessa Vale's Box Method class: Thrifty Tips For Authors | Facebook# Sweets For Love audiobook: https://books2read.com/sweetsforlove/Contact me: hello AT TheRaccoonAuthor.com or Elodie@elodienow.comWebsite: https://www.elodienowodazkij.com
  1. Amazon Royalties Down, Kobo Royalties Up & a Spotify Wrapped Surprise
  2. Numbers episode: My first month with Instagram Trial Reels (not posting consistently)
  3. Raccoon Author Snack: But what if it works?
  4. Writing and Why and Working Through Things
  5. Dear Raccoon Author Diary: The Venice Edition or an author on holidays…
podcast

Latest podcast episode: Goodbye, Kindle Vella. A recap of the highs, the lows and yet another pivot as a self-published author.

Elodie
Choose your favorite platform here... or listen to it on YouTube…

Also did you know I have a YouTube channel? Make sure to subscribe 🙂

Amazon announced on October 28th that it’s closing Kindle Vella. To quote their press release: “We’ve made the difficult decision to gradually wind down Kindle Vella in February 2025 as the program hasn’t caught on as we’d hoped…”

Right when they announced it, I was in the middle of doing this huge analysis on what had been working for me—digging into my Facebook ad data, my reads, my bonus… especially since they’d been slashing that bonus pool for the past few months.

This episode is about: a recap of my reads, monthly bonus and royalties writing romance serials on Kindle Vella, my theories and what’s next for my serials (pivoting, again).

Questions about writing, self-publishing or those weird stuff in-between? Shoot me an email at ⁠authorelodienowodazkij@gmail.com⁠.

<3

Elodie

Amazon Royalties Down, Kobo Royalties Up & a Spotify Wrapped Surprise – The Raccoon Author's Self-Publishing Diary

Well, I did a very raccoon thing this morning. 🦝Instead of recording the episode I'd planned, I created an entirely new Patreon for The Raccoon Author Diary. Because apparently, I needed another project. So, we're pivoting!This week, I'm sharing the ups and downs of my self-publishing week: an invitation to record a Spotify Wrapped video, September royalties that are down overall but UP on several retailers, a Kickstarter pre-launch page with four followers (including me and my husband), and the absolute joy of discovering that someone borrowed my Sweets For Love audiobook from a library!Plus, some writing updates, social media adventures, and a reminder to actually breathe while working. Apparently, I sometimes forget.What about you? What's one up or one down from your writing week?Happy writing and happy, happy reading!🦝 LINKS MENTIONEDNew Raccoon Author Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/cw/theraccoonauthorCancer Is Not My Brand Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1903722368/cancer-is-not-my-brand-and-yet?ref=aoo2q1Vanessa Vale's Box Method class: Thrifty Tips For Authors | Facebook# Sweets For Love audiobook: https://books2read.com/sweetsforlove/Contact me: hello AT TheRaccoonAuthor.com or Elodie@elodienow.comWebsite: https://www.elodienowodazkij.com
  1. Amazon Royalties Down, Kobo Royalties Up & a Spotify Wrapped Surprise
  2. Numbers episode: My first month with Instagram Trial Reels (not posting consistently)
  3. Raccoon Author Snack: But what if it works?
  4. Writing and Why and Working Through Things
  5. Dear Raccoon Author Diary: The Venice Edition or an author on holidays…
podcast

Latest podcast episode: Gasp. Anxiety And Writing Didn’t Prepare Me For Cancer.

Elodie
Choose your favorite platform here... or listen to it on YouTube…

Also did you know I have a YouTube channel? Make sure to subscribe 🙂

Intro: First of all, how dare anxiety and writing not prepare me for this? I thought we had a deal—you’d give me fears, I’d be anxious about them. I’d learn, become a Google MD. Heck, I’d even develop OCD—starting young because why not? And boom, when something happens, I’d know how to handle it. Like. A. Pro.

And maybe sometimes, yes.

But when I got diagnosed, that plan went out the window. My brain didn’t like that plan. Or it skipped that lesson entirely for me. Because things didn’t go the way I thought.

I also share what happened in the past two weeks in my writing/self-publishing world, including my newsletters, Facebook Groups I joined and more.

In this episode: I talk about not having control, my first days after diagnosis, how writing can be cathartic…

To read the full text mentioned: check out my Substack – https://elodienowodazkij.substack.com/

Thank you so much for listening/reading!

And if spicy paranormal or fantasy romance is your thing, check out Elizabeth Briggs’ books to support a fellow author going through treatments for stage IV colon cancer: ⁠https://elizabethbriggs.com⁠.

Questions about writing, self-publishing or those weird stuff in-between? Shoot me an email at ⁠authorelodienowodazkij@gmail.com⁠.

<3

Elodie

Amazon Royalties Down, Kobo Royalties Up & a Spotify Wrapped Surprise – The Raccoon Author's Self-Publishing Diary

Well, I did a very raccoon thing this morning. 🦝Instead of recording the episode I'd planned, I created an entirely new Patreon for The Raccoon Author Diary. Because apparently, I needed another project. So, we're pivoting!This week, I'm sharing the ups and downs of my self-publishing week: an invitation to record a Spotify Wrapped video, September royalties that are down overall but UP on several retailers, a Kickstarter pre-launch page with four followers (including me and my husband), and the absolute joy of discovering that someone borrowed my Sweets For Love audiobook from a library!Plus, some writing updates, social media adventures, and a reminder to actually breathe while working. Apparently, I sometimes forget.What about you? What's one up or one down from your writing week?Happy writing and happy, happy reading!🦝 LINKS MENTIONEDNew Raccoon Author Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/cw/theraccoonauthorCancer Is Not My Brand Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1903722368/cancer-is-not-my-brand-and-yet?ref=aoo2q1Vanessa Vale's Box Method class: Thrifty Tips For Authors | Facebook# Sweets For Love audiobook: https://books2read.com/sweetsforlove/Contact me: hello AT TheRaccoonAuthor.com or Elodie@elodienow.comWebsite: https://www.elodienowodazkij.com
  1. Amazon Royalties Down, Kobo Royalties Up & a Spotify Wrapped Surprise
  2. Numbers episode: My first month with Instagram Trial Reels (not posting consistently)
  3. Raccoon Author Snack: But what if it works?
  4. Writing and Why and Working Through Things
  5. Dear Raccoon Author Diary: The Venice Edition or an author on holidays…
podcast

Latest podcast episode: Organizing Writing/Self-Publishing Goals and tasks and to-do lists : Finding a System That Works for Me…

Elodie
Choose your favorite platform here…or read the article inspired by this podcast here.

Also did you know I have a YouTube channel? Make sure to subscribe 🙂

Intro: I think I finally found a writing/self-publishing goals tracking that works for me. In this one, I talk about my Gallup Strengths and how Becca Syme’s helped me come up with ways to get more organized, my Sarra Cannon’s HB90-inspired adapted board and more.

I also share what happened in the past two weeks in my writing/self-publishing world, including my newsletters, Facebook Groups I joined and more.

To read the actual newsletters mentioned: check out my Substack – https://elodienowodazkij.substack.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you so much for listening/reading!

And if spicy paranormal or fantasy romance is your thing, check out Elizabeth Briggs’ books to support a fellow author going through treatments for stage IV colon cancer: ⁠https://elizabethbriggs.com⁠.

Questions about writing, self-publishing or those weird stuff in-between? Shoot me an email at ⁠authorelodienowodazkij@gmail.com⁠.

<3

Elodie

Amazon Royalties Down, Kobo Royalties Up & a Spotify Wrapped Surprise – The Raccoon Author's Self-Publishing Diary

Well, I did a very raccoon thing this morning. 🦝Instead of recording the episode I'd planned, I created an entirely new Patreon for The Raccoon Author Diary. Because apparently, I needed another project. So, we're pivoting!This week, I'm sharing the ups and downs of my self-publishing week: an invitation to record a Spotify Wrapped video, September royalties that are down overall but UP on several retailers, a Kickstarter pre-launch page with four followers (including me and my husband), and the absolute joy of discovering that someone borrowed my Sweets For Love audiobook from a library!Plus, some writing updates, social media adventures, and a reminder to actually breathe while working. Apparently, I sometimes forget.What about you? What's one up or one down from your writing week?Happy writing and happy, happy reading!🦝 LINKS MENTIONEDNew Raccoon Author Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/cw/theraccoonauthorCancer Is Not My Brand Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1903722368/cancer-is-not-my-brand-and-yet?ref=aoo2q1Vanessa Vale's Box Method class: Thrifty Tips For Authors | Facebook# Sweets For Love audiobook: https://books2read.com/sweetsforlove/Contact me: hello AT TheRaccoonAuthor.com or Elodie@elodienow.comWebsite: https://www.elodienowodazkij.com
  1. Amazon Royalties Down, Kobo Royalties Up & a Spotify Wrapped Surprise
  2. Numbers episode: My first month with Instagram Trial Reels (not posting consistently)
  3. Raccoon Author Snack: But what if it works?
  4. Writing and Why and Working Through Things
  5. Dear Raccoon Author Diary: The Venice Edition or an author on holidays…
podcast

Latest podcast episode: Big, but Not Romance Big: Looking Back at Cancer Treatments, Creativity, and All the Weird Stuff In Between.

Elodie
Choose your favorite platform here…or read the article inspired by this podcast here.

Intro: This isn’t your typical how-to guide, because let’s be real—it’s more about the messy art of balancing (or not balancing) self-publishing, creativity, and cancer treatments. I’m publishing this episode on my fifth second birthday (my second birthday was the day I received my stem cells back during my autologous stem cell transplant). And I’ve been in remission for now five years after three years of treatment for refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and while I won’t shy away from the tough stuff (we’ve all cried in the shower, right?), I’m hoping to fill this series with humor, hope, and maybe a bit of awkward laughter.

Join me on the first Monday of every month for Big, but Not Romance Big: Looking Back at Cancer Treatments, Creativity, and All the Weird Stuff In Between.

And if spicy paranormal or fantasy romance is your thing, check out Elizabeth Briggs’ books to support a fellow author going through treatments for stage IV colon cancer: ⁠https://elizabethbriggs.com⁠.

Questions about writing, self-publishing or those weird stuff in-between? Shoot me an email at ⁠authorelodienowodazkij@gmail.com⁠.

<3

Elodie

Amazon Royalties Down, Kobo Royalties Up & a Spotify Wrapped Surprise – The Raccoon Author's Self-Publishing Diary

Well, I did a very raccoon thing this morning. 🦝Instead of recording the episode I'd planned, I created an entirely new Patreon for The Raccoon Author Diary. Because apparently, I needed another project. So, we're pivoting!This week, I'm sharing the ups and downs of my self-publishing week: an invitation to record a Spotify Wrapped video, September royalties that are down overall but UP on several retailers, a Kickstarter pre-launch page with four followers (including me and my husband), and the absolute joy of discovering that someone borrowed my Sweets For Love audiobook from a library!Plus, some writing updates, social media adventures, and a reminder to actually breathe while working. Apparently, I sometimes forget.What about you? What's one up or one down from your writing week?Happy writing and happy, happy reading!🦝 LINKS MENTIONEDNew Raccoon Author Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/cw/theraccoonauthorCancer Is Not My Brand Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1903722368/cancer-is-not-my-brand-and-yet?ref=aoo2q1Vanessa Vale's Box Method class: Thrifty Tips For Authors | Facebook# Sweets For Love audiobook: https://books2read.com/sweetsforlove/Contact me: hello AT TheRaccoonAuthor.com or Elodie@elodienow.comWebsite: https://www.elodienowodazkij.com
  1. Amazon Royalties Down, Kobo Royalties Up & a Spotify Wrapped Surprise
  2. Numbers episode: My first month with Instagram Trial Reels (not posting consistently)
  3. Raccoon Author Snack: But what if it works?
  4. Writing and Why and Working Through Things
  5. Dear Raccoon Author Diary: The Venice Edition or an author on holidays…
Photography

Photography – my other creative outlet…

Elodie

I love taking pictures…capturing the light, a moment, seeing something through the lens and trying to render it… I also find it relaxing.

My husband, knowing this, got me another lens to play with for my birthday (thank you wonderful hubby!)

Here are a few I took over the weekend…

Hirondelles

Bourdon

Trees

Kitty

Do you enjoy taking pictures? What other creative activities do you enjoy?

writing

Can too much creativity kill…creativity?

Elodie

By the way, as you can see by my drawing, I should stick to writing 🙂

At first, this question may appear a tad silly. After all, don’t we, writers, want all the creativity we can get? Whatever the muse decides to throw our way?

  •  Yes.
  • Definitely.
  • Because we can rely on these little hints of plots, characters whenever we go through a dry spell (and they do happen, don’t they?)
  • Because it may become the next great story.
  • Because we just love those random ideas

However, I am finding myself being distracted by bursts of creativity which have nothing to do with my current WIP and I do not want to start working on something else. My aim is to finish this novel, to finally put the word “end” to a first draft…

I do write these other ideas down briefly to make sure I don’t lose them but it is a bit frustrating to see my inspiration not going the way I want it to be.

I find it more difficult to meet my daily writing goal.  I am going through one of these moments where I believe that everything I write will need to be tossed away once I go through the editing stage because none of the ideas or the scenes are as good as the ones I cannot currently write.

 Now my own little prep talk 🙂

 Luckily, nobody said it would be easy.  I’m up to the challenge because deep down I know that my WIP is worth it…Plus I know now that after this one is done, I will still have inspiration to go on to another project.

In the mean time if you have any advice, feel free to throw them my way…if you want to sympathize, please also feel free to leave a comment (I never say no to some cheering up)