From Corporate to Full-Time Creative with Paulette Perhach

In this episode, we’re joined by the Paulette Perhach—writer, creative writing coach, and founder of The Finishing School for Writers.

Paulette shares her journey from dreaming of being a writer as a kid to surviving the corporate grind, navigating the Peace Corps, and finally building a thriving freelance writing career on her own terms.

She opens up about what it really takes to make a living with words and why community, courage, and even AI can be part of your creative toolkit.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

✨How to pitch story ideas editors actually want

✨Practical tips to overcome impostor syndrome

✨How AI can be a surprisingly great writing partner

✨ The power of writing communities (and how to find yours)

✨ The emotional rollercoaster of writing a novel

✨ Why making art anyway matters—even when no one’s watching

✨ How to balance passion projects with paid writing gigs

✨ The moment Paulette walked away from corporate life for good

Whether you're scribbling in a journal or pitching national publications, this episode is packed with honest advice and a creative nudge when you need it most.