Most people believe that books are created in cabins all alone, where authors pound away on some manner of keyboard. Then they hand this masterpiece off to a publisher and it feels very much like it goes down a tube and comes out the other side as a book. By speaking to authors and other book lovers, I’m diving into the mystery that is the book world today.
#137: The Curse of Ambition (+Tarot!) | Theresa Reed
Feb 07, 2019
Show notesSometimes the siren call of ambition is just too seductive to resist. When Theresa Reed's publisher pitched TWO books for her to write last year, she thought "Sure- I can do that." What followed was a year of early mornings, a schedule that eliminated her social life AND a near meltdown when a draft got eaten by the cruel technology gods. Learn how Theresa calibrated her schedule to get all the work done on deadline and use her tips to get your writing done in a much less stressful manner. Plus, we dive into how Theresa uses tarot in her writing including a live card pull she does right on the show. So much fun!
#136: Writing When Life Happens | Caroline Wright
Jan 31, 2019
Show notesWhen you don't sweat the small stuff and just write I was lucky enough to get connected to Caroline Wright and immediately wanted her to come on the show. She has that groovy job so many of us have dreamed of, food stylist, recipe creator and big glossy cookbook author. Swoon! However, there's much more than meets the eye to Caroline. Several years ago, she was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and given a very short prognosis by her doctors. Miraculously, she's surpassed their expectations and is currently healthy. But what changes about your career when you've just spent more than a year setting everything aside and trying to get well. How does your work change when every day feels like bonus time? I am so grateful to have had this conversation with Caroline and I feel even more excited about it because I get to share it with all of you. Caroline really is a gift.
#135 :: Writer as Company of One | Paul Jarvis
Jan 24, 2019
Show notes
Bigger isn't always better for writing. Of course, we'd all love a movie deal for our books or a huge advance, but the actual process of writing isn't about making everything bigger and better. Paul Jarvis lives in the woods in Canada and has managed to make a successful living centered around writing for nearly twenty years. In this conversation, we explore what it means to be a Company of One as a writer, why staying small lets you write more, and what caused him to go with traditional publishing this time around- it's not what you'd think! Happy listening, writers. Here's hoping this episode has you sighing in relief.
#134 :: Writing Intimidating Characters | David Gillham
Jan 17, 2019
Show notesI honestly think of a more intimidating character to write than Anne Frank Not only is she an actual historical figure, she's also known and beloved by generations who've begun writing diaries -as I did- after reading hers. David Gillham had an idea for a book based on Anne Frank but taking an alternative historical approach, one in which Anne survived the Holocaust along with her father. he set the project aside numerous times, worried it was just too difficult to complete, but the story wouldn't leave him alone. So after six years of research and immersion in Anne's life, Annelies, his novel is now out. David spoke with me about the challenge of taking on a fictional Anne Frank, how he tried to find her voice and write a version of her story that worked on the page. If you have shied away from a big challenge in your writing, or have ever been drawn in by writing historical characters but were afraid to start, you must hear this conversation. Happy listening!
#133 :: Writing Confessions | Caroline Donahue
Jan 10, 2019
Show notesI thought I'd never do a solo episode But after nearly 3 years of the show, it was time. Through the process of interviewing nearly 150 writers, I've learned a lot about the process of writing and publishing books, but I've never talked about the process of writing my own novel. Moving into a new year, here are the goals and plans I'm putting in place for a successful writing year, as well as a bunch of ways you can join in the challenge. Let's crush this year and get all those words floating in our heads down on the page.
#132 :: Bullet Journaling for Writers | Ryder Carroll
Jan 03, 2019
Show notesTalking to Ryder Carroll was a particularly meta experience As both the creator of the Bullet Journal Method and author of a book with the same title, we not only got to talk about the process of writing a book about Bullet journaling, we also got to talk about using the Bullet Journal method in the process of writing a book about, you guessed it... The Bullet Journal Method. It almost hurts my brain to think about it too much. It won't hurt your brain at all to listen to this episode, however. Ryder gives straightforward and actionable advice to support you as you plan your writing goals for 2019 and beyond. The difference between an unachieved goal and one that you celebrate at the end of the year is often just making the steps in between manageable. I can't say enough about how this method has helped me keep track of my life and my writing. You're in for a treat, and a big blast of inspiration. Have your fresh clean notebooks ready to go when you listen to this one – it's a powerhouse.
#131 :: Intentions for the Year Ahead | Susannah Conway
Dec 27, 2018
Show notes
As writers, we spend a lot of time thinking about how we can take care of our words.
On the other side, we don't spend nearly as much time thinking about how words can take care of us as well.
For the past 4 or 5 years, I've been picking a word for the year to guide me along in both my living and my writing. Since we work with language after all, why not use language for a supportive purpose as well as a creative one?
One of my favorite guides in this process has been my friend Susannah Conway, creator of Find Your Word course and who has also been creating a workbook to Unravel the Year ahead for nearly a decade. Barry and I have made it our New Years ritual to hide out somewhere quiet and remote and work through this brilliant workbook and set intentions and get clear on our hopes for the coming year.
In fact, it was in this very workbook that living abroad first appeared as a hope for us. Since we spend so much time writing for readers, I wanted to wrap up 2018 by spending some time with writing that is for our eyes alone. By taking this time to reflect on what you hope to gain in the coming year, I know your writing will stand to gain so much.
Enjoy this chat Susannah and I had as we wrap up 2018 and start dreaming for the coming year. Happy listening, and happy dreaming.
#130 :: How to Write Science Fiction | Mary Robinette Kowal
Dec 20, 2018
Show notesWhat if you didn't have to be a scientist to write science fiction? Guess what people, Mary Robinette Kowal is about to blow your mind. She has the most incredible background I have heard on the show so far: Jim Henson Puppeteer, Voiceover actor, and Hugo-award-winning Science Fiction author. YES. There is nothing I love more than writers who are multi-passionate and unafraid to pursue everything they love. So when Mary Robinette wrote a short story that started to stray into the history of space exploration, she wasn't afraid to follow its lead. Instead, she asked for help. She worked with consultants to make the story believable and accurate while not giving up on the book she wanted to write. Have a story that feels over your head in terms of knowledge and technical information? Look no further than this episode. It can be written, promise.
#129 :: I Miss You When I Blink | Mary Laura Philpott
Dec 13, 2018
Show notesIt's obvious: I love having Mary Laura Philpott on the show. I just couldn't wait to talk about her essay collection, I Miss You When I Blink, coming in spring 2019, so we dive into the experience she's having now: the book is finished and in the pipeline for publication, and the Messy Middle is in full effect. We talk about the feelings having the book out in the world with early readers brings up, and why you should always bring a copy of your book in your carry-on when traveling. And, of course, because we are obsessed with books, Mary Laura and I do what we love most: geek out about all the amazing books that are just waiting for you to snatch them up as holiday gifts this year. There's something for everyone on your list in this episode, from non-fiction to novels to short stories. Happy listening!
#128 :: It Takes a Village | A.J. Jacobs
Dec 06, 2018
Show notesA.J. Jacobs has been on my wishlist of guests for ages. From The Know-It-All to The Year of Living Biblically, I have loved reading along through his lifestyle experiments that took on challenges I wish I was dedicated enough to undertake: reading the entire encyclopedia? Following all the rules in the Bible for a year even as a non-religious person? He has incredible guts to both start and finish these projects. So when I heard about Thanks A Thousand, his latest book and a project that sought to thank everyone who was involved with the production of his morning cup of coffee, I was determined to have him on. I had myself set up for my own quest to convince him, but it turns out he was delighted to come on as soon as I asked. This conversation was a great joy, as we looked at all the small design masterpieces there are in the world around us, just how many people collaborate on the creation of a book, and how much better it makes your life to thank the people you meet every day. I couldn't be happier to share this with you.
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