How Writers Write by HappyWriter

Latest Episodes:

Episode 114 - How Jennifer Probst Writes Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to episode 114 - How Jennifer Probst Writes

Jennifer is the NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. Her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the NY Times best sellers list. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus Reviews.

Jenn's newest novel, Meant to Be, which is the first novel in the "Twist of Fate" series, is out now, with a second coming later this year.

On top of that, Jenn is someone I look up to, someone who has taught classes in HappyWriter, and someone who I always love chatting with and learning from. She has a contagiously joyful spirit, and I am so happy to Jenn a friend.

Support the show

Episode 113 - How Austin Kleon Writes Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

Support the show

Episode 112 - How Janet Burroway Writes Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

We're back with Episode 112 - How Janet Burroway Writes
Janet Burroway is the author of eight novels as well as short fiction, plays, poetry, essays, texts for dance, and children's books.

She is also the author of "Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (tenth edition)," which is the one of the most widely used creative writing text in America, as well as her multi-genre Imaginative Writing is out in a fourth edition.

Support the show

Quick Podcast Update Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

Support the show

Episode 111 - How Deborah Halverson Writes May 26, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 111, How Deborah Halverson Writes

After 110 episodes, I finally got to interview an author of one of the "For Dummies books." Mission. Accomplish.

Among many other craft books and novels, Deborah wrote the "Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies" guide, and in this episode, you can guess the topic we dove into. This is a fun interview with an absolute expert of writing and teaching fiction.

Thank you again to Deborah for her time. I'm always floored at how many authors share so freely much of their insight and knowledge. It speaks to how much we all love this writing thing. One big happy family.

And now, my friends here is the interview with Deborah Halverson.

Support the show

Episode 110 - How Jordan Rosenfeld Writes May 19, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 110 - How Jordan Rosenfeld Writes

Welcome, my friends, to a wonderful episode with Jordan Rosenfeld. Jordan is a writer, teacher, and coach, as well as the author of many craft writing books. I'm on a deep dive with authors who have also written craft books, and this episode will not disappoint. I'm just so interested in the people who are writing craft, practicing craft... just putting it all together.

I want to say thank you to Jordan for her time.

And now, my friends here is episode 110 with Jordan Rosenfeld.

Support the show

Episode 109 - How Carole Lawrence Writes May 12, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to episode 109, how Carole Lawrence Writes

I am so incredibly excited to be back! I took a few months off to rest, get moved, and let my life calm down a bit. And, for the most part, we've settled down into our new town of Charleston. I've laughed to myself that over the course of this podcast, I've lived in Brooklyn, Denver, an RV, and now Charleston. Here's to hoping for a long season in our new home.

I also want to take a quick second to thank all ya'll for the insane number of kind notes I received. To my HappyWriter fam, thank you. To my podcast listeners, thank you. This has been a really challenging season for myself and my family, and it was eased by your support.

But now, my friends, it's time for a brand-spanking-new interview with Carole Lawrence.

I've recorded the next month or so of episodes, and I'm recognizing I'm really digging into the metaphysical side of creation. I can say that Carole and I go into it. I'm finding myself so much more contemplative not just about the process of creation, but why I need to do this writing thing at all. It feels more elemental, more raw.

I want to say thank you to Carole for her time and just diving in with me. Carole shares so much about her journey, process, and soul.

And now, my friends here is episode 109 with Carole Lawrence

Support the show

Episode 108 - How J. A. Jance Writes Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to episode 108 - How J. A. Jance Writes.
Today's returning guest from episode 63 is JA Jance.
J.A. Jance is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 60 novels, including the Ali Reynolds series, the J.P. Beaumont series, and the Joanna Brady series, as well as five interrelated Southwestern thrillers featuring the Walker family.

I want to take a moment to thank Judith for her time and for sharing so much with me.

And now, my friends here is episode 108 with J. A. Jance.

Support the show

Episode 107 - How Maurice Ruffin Writes Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to episode 107 - How Maurice Ruffin Writes

Maurice is the author of The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You, which was published in August 2021. His first book, We Cast a Shadow, was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the PEN America Open Book Prize.

Ruffin is the winner of several literary prizes, including the Iowa Review Award in fiction. A New Orleans native, Ruffin is a professor of Creative Writing at Louisiana State University, and the 2020-2021 John and Renee Grisham Writer-in-Residence at the University of Mississippi.
I want to take a moment to thank Maurice for his time and for sharing so much with me.

And now, my friends here is episode 107 with Maurice Ruffin.

Support the show

Episode 106 - How Rebecca Ross Writes Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 106 - How Rebecca Ross Writes

Welcome welcome to a special episode with fantasy author Rebecca Ross. Rebecca and I dive into the difference between writing for teens and adults and her journey to becoming a storyteller. I'm also so excited to release this episode right as her novel, A River Enchanted, published this week. Congrats to Rebecca for a big week.

And now, my friends here is the interview with Rebecca Ross.

Support the show