The Literature and Magic of Advanced HeartWriting

This audio recording began as an audio message to my current students, but it’s really for any writer who wants to deepen their craft, expand their worldview, and write work that genuinely changes people.

I start by speaking honestly about being unwell lately — and how that shook my sense of living in my dharma. I share what I’ve learned about rest, safety, and surrender, and how — once I stopped pushing — my energy, ideas, and community momentum began to return.

I invite you to consider a core HeartWriting principle: your writing is not about your ego; it’s about the change your words can make in the world. Whether you’re writing memoir, fiction, or something in between, this episode will help you keep your heart at the centre of your practice while expanding your craft, your perspective, and your responsibility as a storyteller.

If you’re a heart-centered writer drawn to spirit, story, and serious craft — and you want your work to be braver, more inclusive, and more impactful — this episode will give you a grounded, detailed sense of the next chapter of HeartWriting.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why rest, illness, and “pauses” can become part of your writing dharma
• How a writing course container can transform your relationship with structure
• Ways to recognise and challenge white colonial and patriarchal patterns in your work
• How diverse, inclusive texts (including First Nations and global Indigenous authors) can expand your voice
• How to move beyond “I loved it/I hated it” into craft-aware, heart-centered reading and writing.

Let me know what you think by sending me a message on Instagram @heartwriting.com.au!

This is one of the most handy podcasts I've made – and the most real. This is how my life looks every day. One thing I haven't spoken about here is the adjustment to working from home and the loneliness inherent in working from a laptop. I wish I had talked about this more – but The Heart Writing Handbook does cover this.

And these days I LOVE working from home. I LOVE creating my own life every day. I'm SO much better at staying motivated and structured in my routine, because the fact is... I love my work.

My quick tip is this: Yes, you will take some adjustment to organising your own day and staying motivated. Yes, you will feel lonely sometimes so you must find portals of connection with others – be it a yoga class, a writing group, or a part time job which keeps you connected to others and also serves as security as you slowly position yourself as a writer or editor. Building a business is a whole 'nother topic.

Anyway, I hope this podcast is useful for you, and please let me know by giving this podcast a review, or checking out the instagram page! @heartwriting.com.au

My final words for the year, as we wave goodbye to the year of the Wood Snake, and all the hardship and shedding that came with it.

I propose a year of HAPPINESS ahead. In the podcast I talk about the themes of the upcoming retreats, my personal revelations about happiness, and its links to creativity.

Do we want to stay stuck and jaded in grief and anger cycles that continue to fuel hatred...

Or do we want to choose a happier, healthier world? It starts with US.

There's more in my recent Substack: https://substack.com/@heartwriting/note/p-181950926