Episode 53: Very Stable Geniuses Fart Out Perfect First Drafts!

Sep 1

2 min read

Nobody’s perfect. (Or are they?) In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy, aka #hotmessauthors, sit down to discuss the myth of the perfect first draft in a one-hit wonder episode about writing craft.

Nobody’s perfect. (Or are they?) In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy sit down to discuss the myth of the perfect first draft in a one-hit wonder episode about writing craft.

This week’s episode was recorded a million years (give or take almost a million years) ago in late 2025 but never saw the light of day. UNTIL NOW.

Now, while I did consider NOT editing this episode to really share what the first draft of a podcast looks like, I decided against it.

Please let us know about both your moral outrage AND any resources you use when creating your first drafts!

A Spell for Releasing Your Inner Critic

Materials

2 candles (either one black and one orange or both white)

A bay leaf (or piece of paper) and pen,

An affirmation

A crystal (optional) to boost confidence/self-empowerment such as citrine, tigers eye, or carnelian.

Instructions

Write your fear on the bay leaf or paper.
Light the first candle (either black or white).
Say, “As fire dissolves fear and doubt, I release all that holds me back.”
Hold the bay leaf or paper in your hands and visualize releasing fear and doubt from your heart.
Burn the bay leaf or paper as you visualize the flame burning up your fear and doubt until it drifts away on the smoke.
Shift your focus and light the second candle (orange or white).
Say aloud your affirmation. (Example: “I welcome ease and success. I trust myself.”)
Feel the warmth of the flame filling you, imbuing you with confidence. Focus on that confidence.
If you wish to add crystal magic, hold your selected crystal between your palms and repeat your affirmation. Visualize yourself blasting through that first draft with ease.
Let both candles burn down and discard ashes however you like. (Shéa usually blows them away on the wind for extra pizazz and emphasis.)

Note: If you’re using large candles, Shéa believes it’s perfectly fine to blow them out and save them to use again. After all, witchcraft is about living with the Earth and nature.