What does it take to tell the truth about where you come from, even when that truth is wrapped in silence? Dawn and Ruth sat down with North Dakota native Melanie Hoffert to discuss her memoir, Prairie Silence, a profound exploration of life, identity, and the kind of quiet that shapes you whether you want it to or not. And she's getting real about her decade-long writing journey, because good work takes time. She's sharing the whole messy process: finding an agent, navigating rejections, balancing major life changes (like having a baby), and somehow keeping her creative practice alive through all of it.Here's what matters: They're diving into the unique pressures authors face, why you have to keep writing even when it feels impossible, and what advice actually helps when you're trying to birth something meaningful into the world. Melanie's creative process has evolved through marriage, motherhood, and all the significant life changes that could've derailed her—but didn't. This episode is for anyone who's in the long haul of a creative project and wondering if it'll ever be done. Spoiler: It will. You just gotta keep showing up.LINKS: Learn more about Dawn's Discern by Doing for Business Groups: https://bigpicturebigpurpose.lpages.co/discern-by-doing-for-business/Check out Ruth's ConseCrateBox shop: consecratebox.com00:00 Introduction to Prairie Silence00:19 Meet the Hosts: Dawn and Ruth00:21 A Chilly Welcome00:26 Tree Lighting and Sing-Along02:04 Preparing for New Zealand02:48 Introducing Melanie Hoffert04:13 Melanie's Background and Prairie Silence05:37 Writing and Promoting Prairie Silence10:14 Impact of Prairie Silence11:47 Current Creative Projects15:22 Writing Practices and Routines16:45 Navigating Parenthood and Creativity17:05 Daily Writing Practice and Efficiency17:33 Balancing Work and Writing18:24 Inspiration from Other Creators19:44 Creativity and Spirituality20:56 Coaching on Overcoming Insecurities25:49 Finding a Publisher29:13 Advice for Aspiring Authors

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