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.
#147 : Trusting Your Editor | Martine Fournier Watson
Apr 18, 2019
Show notesWhat happens when your editor asks you to change a major plot point? Martine Fournier Watson was faced with a curveball late in the publishing process with her first novel, The Dream Peddler. Even after selling the manuscript to a major publishing house, her editor had notes that involved changing an important part of the plot. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to pull off what they were asking, but decided to trust their instincts and go for it. In this conversation, we go behind the scenes and review the impact that the rewriting had on Martine, and on her book. Thankfully, she was up to the challenge and realized that undertaking it has made her a stronger writer. Most of us believe that a book is virtually set in stone once it's sold, but that's not the case. I hope this conversation sheds light on one way things can unfold inside the publishing process and how the collaboration between writer and editor can open up entirely new possibilities. Fans of L.M. Montgomery will be particular fans of this episode- Martine has a real soft spot for her writing, which was a central source of inspiration for the Dream Peddler.
#146 : Why We Need Writers Over 40 | Kusi Okamura
Apr 11, 2019
Show notesAt about 40, there is a new level of clarity about the urgency of being creative. I was delighted to speak with Kusi Okamura, Editor of The Wild Word magazine and the publisher of Mike Hembury's novel New Clone City, which we discussed a few episodes back. We get into detail about how Kusi created the press, the process of publishing Mike's book from her vantage point, as well as the beauty of taking writing and creativity seriously in our 40s. There is so much attention given to bright young things and 30 Under 30 lists of writers, so it was refreshing and validating to have an open conversation about how we have each thought about our creative process and the urgency we feel about getting work on the page at this point in life. Writing in my 40s feels more real than it ever has, and it was empowering to find a kindred spirit on this topic. If you're writing over 40 (or even over 30) you will feel reassured that you are in the right place. We need to hear more from women in mid-life and especially to see a representation of characters at a wider range of ages in books and all media. If you're craving this, this episode is for you. I promise it will fire you up just like it did for me.
#145 : How to Disappear | Akiko Busch
Apr 04, 2019
Show notesAkiko Busch wanted to look at how invisibility could be a superpower. These days, so much of our time is spent worrying about how to be more visible as writers. Do we have enough presence on social media? Will a publisher accept our book if we send it to them, or will enough readers find our books if we publish them ourselves? In the midst of this intense quest for visibility and transparency in a world that is increasingly connected, Akiko Busch sought to look at how invisibility is a power as well when it is employed by choice. In her beautiful book, she explores examples of invisibility in nature, her own home, and family, and as far away as Iceland, where their legends include invisible people who live alongside the visible ones, and who are just a bit better than the rest of us. This book opens us up to the magic of not being seen when we want to hide, and was a total sigh of relief to read and discuss since we writers love to be hermits, don't we? I can't wait for you to listen to this conversation and find permission to disappear for a while.
#144 : Staying Motivated through Dark Places | Jacqueline Winspear
Mar 28, 2019
Show notesMaisie Dobbs has been a favorite character of mine for years. So when I found out that Jacqueline Winspear had TWO books coming out this March, I knew we had to have her on the show. I have been a dedicated reader of this brilliant series since the beginning, as this unconventional detective navigates life after WWI and now well into WWII. Jacqueline spoke very eloquently about the impact her family history has had on her writing this series and how this went from a single story and one book she wanted to write very quickly into a hit series. We dive into character development over the course of a series, and most importantly how to take care of yourself as an author while writing about difficult topics. I know you'll be motivated and uplifted as I was after speaking with Jacqueline, yet another author I've adored even more after the interview. Happy listening!
#143: Writing the Salt Path | Raynor Winn
Mar 21, 2019
Show notesMost people don't have to face all their worst fears in a single week. Raynor Winn and her husband were left homeless when an investment went bad. Within days, her husband Moth received a terrifying medical diagnosis that predicted a dramatic decline. What did they do? They decided to wild camp (that's camping without campgrounds or rules, for those outside the UK) and walk the over 600 miles of the coast path in England. In this episode, we not only discuss Raynor's incredible life experience, but she also tells to story of how she wrote and got the book published, which is almost as dramatic a tale as her memoir! If you worry that you need more qualifications, or think that your story won't make a difference, listening to Raynor Winn describe going from homeless to the bestselling author will brighten your day and your outlook as much as it did for me. This episode promises to be a fast favorite and I know you'll want to keep it around for inspiration long into the future. Happy listening!
#142: The Trial of Lizzie Borden | Cara Robertson
Mar 14, 2019
Show notesMost people have heard the rhyme about Lizzie Borden and forty whacks of anaxe. But most don't know the case behind the rhyme and the trial that enthralled the nation in the late 1800s. Well before there was OJ, there was Lizzie Borden. Cara Robertson first wrote about the trial in undergraduate school at Harvard and the story stayed with her. Over the past decades, the idea of documenting the trial persisted, becoming the book out this month. Cara went through many stages of research, spent time in the maze of facts that were available in order to write this book, having to return an advance and resell the book several years later to be certain she could get it right. If you have thought about true crime, nitty-gritty historical research, or trying to get to the bottom of a mystery over a century old, this is your episode. Enjoy!
#141: Fiction Revolution & New Clone City | Mike Hembury
Mar 07, 2019
Show notesMike Hembury has a permission slip for you In speaking with Mike about his novel New Clone city and the wild ride of a story that it is, he mentioned that when he writes, he likes to cut out all the boring bits. This struck me as a piece of true freedom: as writers, some scenes feel like taking vitamins, thinks that have to be included, but what if that wasn't true? If you are not having fun writing a scene, it's quite likely that your reader won't have fun reading it either. Instead, let Mike be your guide this week as you connect with your characters and let them lead you through their adventures. Mike's book is a steampunk alternate reality romp that carries a full cast along through interconnected discoveries and mishaps. Our conversation was a wide series of discoveries as well as we covered character, plot, politics and writing about place in a way that isn't reductionistic but captures the spirit of the setting. Happy listening and happy writing this week!
#140 : Breaking Through Writer's Block | Jasper Fforde
Feb 28, 2019
Show notesI've loved Jasper Fforde for years and years. Ever since Lost in Austen, I was hooked on his witty book-nerd stories. A little bit sci-fi, a little bit fantasy, and a whole lot wacky dry British wit, it was an easy sell to see him speak at the Edinburgh Book Festival. But when he spoke about the devastating experience of writer's block he endured through the process of writing his latest novel, Early Riser, I knew we had to have him on the show. His honesty about how fragile the writing routine actually is – and what got him through to writing again as well as ever – felt like essential information for all of you. In addition, we get into one of my favorite writing tricks ever- the narrative dare. This one is required listening, promise!
#139: Point of View | Christopher Castellani
Feb 21, 2019
Show notesPoint of View is Everything Christopher Castellani told me this as we discussed the ins and outs of writing his latest novel, Leading Men. Not only does he believe that POV is everything, he went so far as to write a book on the topic in order to get it right for his novel. With so many books out these days with shifting POV and the tricky question of which one to use and how it impacts your book, this was a topic that I knew we needed to discuss on the show. In addition, we dive into language and how you can get it right in your book. Happy listening!
#138: The Truth in Fiction | Lauren Wilkinson
Feb 14, 2019
Show notesI love getting meta on the show. Lauren Wilkinson was so much fun to talk to, not only because American Spy is such a satisfying read, but also because she was more than willing to dive into deep topics like figuring out what it means to tell the truth when writing fiction. I adore talking about craft on this show, but sometimes even more than craft it's important to go further into what it means to be a writer, what we're striving to achieve by writing books, and how we know when we've gotten it right. After trudging through six (SIX!) drafts of American Spy to reach the book that has just been released, Lauren has tons of experience in this area. I know you'll love hearing from her as much as I did.
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