How Writers Write by HappyWriter

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**How Writers Write by HappyWriter**

How Writers Write is a podcast for creative writers to learn how their favorite writers tell their stories. The podcast’s host, Brian Murphy, interviews world-class writers to decode their tips, routines, and motivations for producing best-sellers.

Latest Episodes:

Monday Motivation - Just Don't Give Up Sep 14, 2020

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Episode 43 - How Brad Parks Writes Sep 10, 2020

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Welcome to Episode 43 - How Brad Parks Writes

Do you enjoy listening to all of the amazing answers guests give when I ask about their one piece of writing advice? If so, I've compiled the first 35 responses in a FREE eBook. The answers are all sorts of awesome, with some inspirational and others a kick in the pants. To download your free eBook go to howwriterswrite.com/ebook and I hope you enjoy!

This week's episode with Brad Parks is a wild ride. Brad is full of energy, stories, and passion for writers. We cover so much ground on how to build a routine, how to keep away the temptations of the internet, and how to focus on what you can control in the writing life. I loved recording this episode, and I am SURE you will love listening. I was literally laughing the entire time.

I want to say a special thank you to Brad for his time and sharing so much.

And now... without any further ado, here is the episode with Brad Parks!

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Special Episode... Introducing HappyWriter! Sep 09, 2020

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I am so excited to finally give you a sneak peek into HappyWriter!
To save your spot as a Founding Member, visit howwriterswrite.com/happywriter

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Monday Motivation - Creative, Resourceful, and Whole Sep 07, 2020

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Welcome to Monday Motivation - Creative, Resourceful, and Whole

Before we kick off this episode, my friends, I have just completed a project that was a total blast. So, you know how I ask each guest for their one piece of writing advice? I went through the first 35 episodes, transcribed the answers, and dropped them into a FREE eBook for you to download. Did I say free? Why, yes, I did. Free. To get your copy and also get a sneak sneak sneak peek into our new writing community- HappyWriter, head over to howwriterswrite.com/ebook. Again... howwriterswrite.com/ebook ENJOY!

One of the fundamental beliefs of the institute where I did my coaching training is that people are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. It is one of the first things you learn during your first weekend of live training. I remember sitting in the conference room in an enormous hotel in New York with just twenty or so other first-time coaches, hearing those words, and almost feeling like an exhale. My entire life I bucked against anyone who said people are born bad or sinful, and yet I also acknowledge our capacity for tremendous evil. My truth is that we all contain the raw materials for anything—evil, genius, creativity, and goodness. And so when I heard the phrase in coaching, it connected dots in my head in a profound way.

The writer in me loves the phrase because each word does so much work. If you take out a single word in the statement it all falls apart. Ahhh... good crisp writing.

So what does it mean as a writer to be naturally creative, resourceful, and whole? It means you naturally have just about all you need to tell stories. Now, that doesn't mean you're going to need to work your tail off. It certainly doesn't mean you have all the skills and experience you need. But, how I read it is that you have the raw materials.

The statement is hugely empowering because of the word naturally.

It means that if you have a big plot problem, that's okay, you can tackle it because you are naturally creative.

If you don't have enough time, that's okay, you can find the blocks of time you need because you are naturally resourceful.

If you get some tough feedback and want to quit, that's okay, because you are naturally whole.

You are naturally what you need to be a storyteller.

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Episode 42 - How Ben Marcus Writes Sep 03, 2020

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Welcome to Episode 42 - How Ben Marcus Writes

This interview with Ben was a real blast. Ben is a literary treasure-trove. Ben is humble and gracious and shares so much for fiction writers. I think you'll find because Ben is an educator, he really knows how to communicate these huge writing concepts in ways that anyone can understand.

I want to say a special thank you to Ben for his time and graciousness.

And now, without any futher ado, here is the interview with Ben Marcus!

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Monday Motivation - The Antidote to Boredom Aug 31, 2020

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Welcome to Monday Motivation- The Antidote to Boredom

So let me start this week's episode with a little backstory. In the past six months, we've had the move to Denver. And, here at How Writers Write I have been working nonstop for about six months on a huge project, I've really struggled to get into a creative rhythm. I'm often working very late, up very early, and, like generally stressing about getting this project at How Writers Write off the ground.

I know so many of you have experienced the same feeling of creative and energy drain that makes the idea of writing a book completely and totally unrealistic.

So a few weeks ago, I did an episode on how I was getting back on the horse to start writing again. As I've started to write again, one thing I've noticed is that I've definitely been unjustly blaming my work schedule on the reason why I've been struggling to get into a writing rhythm. The truth is I also have these enormous problems with my book that have killed my interest in the project, and I've been confusing being super busy with narrative problems...

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Episode 41 - How Miranda Popkey Writes Aug 27, 2020

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Welcome to Episode 41 - How Miranda Popkey Writes

Hello and I hope you are having a wonderful week. This episode with Miranda Popkey is a welcome change of pace. Miranda and I discuss a topic that is so relevant in our crazy world - how is it writers decide when to be producing work and when to take a break?

Miranda and I discuss her writing process, but what is really special is Miranda's openness on how she has come to the decision to take a pause in her writing. I'm happy to provide her perspective and I'm sure there are lots of you who will pull so much out of this episode.

And so now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Miranda Popkey.

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Monday Motivation - A Perspective on Failure Aug 24, 2020

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I was chatting with a writing friend about writing. This person wanted to write a really out-there book that was both technically challenging and outside of the norm of what is being published. My friend said, "I'd write it if I wasn't so afraid of f-ing it up."

I probably wouldn't have really thought about what my friend had said, but something about it really stuck with me. I chewed on it for a week. Do you know that feeling? When you just know there is some insight if you can just dig deep enough? The thought is like a thorn you need pull out.

So I was on one of my morning runs where I let my mind just totally slip into that hyper-creative and abstract place, and then bam! Like a bolt of lightning, I had to stop and scribble down in my notes a bunch of thoughts. I realized the thing that stood out to me was how afraid my friend was of failure.

When we realize we are afraid of something, we reach for the obvious, immediate question which often feels belittling, "what are you afraid of?" There's a belief that if we can voice our fear, somehow the voicing of it will make it magically disappear. But, I don't know. I've often only felt worse—more afraid—when I spend an hour digging into what I am so afraid of. And why wouldn't that happen? Why would we believe that if we just voice our fear, that somehow it won't be that scary all a sudden?

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Episode 40 - How Laura Lippman Writes Aug 20, 2020

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Welcome to Episode 40, How Laura Lippman Writes

This was a super fun interview to record. I've had a fun time ping-ponging between guests who have been writing for decades and brand new debut authors. Laura is an absolute pro, having written over a dozen crime and standalone novels.

I want to say a special thank you to Laura for sharing so much writing wisdom with me.

And now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Laura Lippman.

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Monday Motivation - Connecting with Your Humanity Aug 17, 2020

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Welcome to Monday Motivation - Connecting with Your Humanity

Last week I took a walk with my dog Lulu, who has grown into truly the sweetest, cutest dog I have ever seen. And yes, I know I have a lot of listeners who have dogs who they also believe are the cutest and sweetest dogs, and so we're just going to have to agree to disagree on who has the cutest dog.

Anyways, I now live right on Sloan's Lake Park in Denver, which is this massive lake just west of downtown. The park is stunning. There are all sorts of gardens and mature old trees. As you walk on the East side of the park, you have stunning views of the mountains to the west. The energy in is amazing with smiling people walking their dogs... I mean I love it. I don't think I'll ever move ever again. I know, those are always the famous last words.

Okay so I was walking along the lake this week with Lulu right as the sun was setting, and a beautiful song —Godspeed by Frank Ocean—came on through my headphones. I sat down on a bench and played the song on repeat about a million times. I just it all come together: the warm sun, beautiful music, and the stunning surroundings.

I had one of those moments, and I know you know what I'm talking about, when I just felt so alive. I felt creative and happy. I felt as if I was exactly where I was supposed to be. And even know though my life isn't perfect and the world is crazy, I felt deep hope. I went home and wrote my little heart out.

I'm reminded how important it is—especially in a world where we are socially isolated, when there is so much tension, so much change, to stay connected to our essential humanity. It is just too easy to build walls, when as artists, as writers, one of our missions is to connect with our humanity so that we can peek over someone else's wall and into their life. To connect with our humanity is to connect with the part of ourselves from where we create. It is incredibly powerful, incredibly balancing.

What is your version of a walk around the lake? What are the things you do that just make you feel alive. I challenge you do that thing this week. Don't think about it. Don't plan on it and then skip out. Really do it. Connect with that space, and then go create.

Thank you so much for listening, and I hope you have a wonderful week of writing.

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