Ep 136: Writing a Novel While Raising Kids with Jill Beissel
Writers dream of the day they’ll hold their finished book, but few warn you about how intense the editing phase can be. In this episode, debut novelist Jill Beissel gets real about the messy, magical process of turning a rough draft into a polished novel readers will love.
Jill’s upcoming book, Glitter and Gold (out October 7!), went through what she calls “color-coded chaos”—a DIY system using highlighters, sticky notes, and sheer persistence to untangle plot issues and deepen character arcs.
She also shares what it’s like to write while raising two young kids and working full-time. Some nights she wrote 500 words, others just 50, but she kept showing up. Her writing sprints, “progress over perfection” mindset, and decision to celebrate any words written (instead of beating herself up for what she didn’t write) are what more of us need to hear.
We talk about dual timelines, beta readers, and why sometimes, the bravest thing a writer can do is shelve a manuscript after 100+ rejections and start fresh.
And if you’re near Phoenix, join her for the launch of Glitter and Gold at Changing Hands Bookstore on October 17. Come for the celebration and stay for the reminder that persistence and patience really do pay off.
ABOUT JILL
After more than a decade in the corporate world of advertising, Jill Beissel turned her attention to fiction. Her stories explore the complexities of female relationships and women wrestling with what it costs to want deeply and live honestly—set against atmospheric backdrops and infused with emotional suspense. She lives in Phoenix with her husband, two kids, plus a very old dog who insists on curling up at her feet while she writes. Glitter and Gold is her debut novel.
Grab a copy of Glitter and Gold here!
Website: jillbeisselwrites.com
Instagram: @jillbeisselwrites
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