The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

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How Academy Award-Nominated Screenwriter & Novelist Iris Yamashita Writes Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and debut novelist, Iris Yamashita, spoke to me about working with Clint Eastwood, her journey from Hollywood to publishing, and falling down the rabbit hole with her first mystery “City Under One Roof.”

Iris Yamashita has been working in Hollywood for over 15 years and was nominated for a “Best Original Screenplay” Oscar for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima (directed by Clint Eastwood).

Her debut novel is City Under One Roof, described as “Alice in Wonderland meets Fargo,” and, “The ultimate locked room mystery, [the novel] drops readers into an isolated, snowy town and is perfect for fans of Twin Peaks, Mare of Easttown, and Broadchurch.”

A Publishers Weekly starred review noted, “Unusual topography plays a major role in screenwriter Yamashita’s atmospherically charged debut….This distinctively original perspective on a ‘community of stragglers, oddballs, and recluses’ heralds the arrival of a major new talent.”

#1 New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box called the book, “A compulsive page-turner that’s both atmospheric and claustrophobic at the same time.”

Iris continues to work in Hollywood, developing for both film and streaming media. She has taught screenwriting at UCLA and the American Film Institute.

Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita, read by Aspen Vincent, Shannon Tyo, and Anna Caputo.

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In this file Iris Yamashita and I discussed:

How she kept her dream of becoming a novelist alive
The reverse path from TV pilot to novel
What her transition from the movie world to the book world was like
Why nothing is precious
Vomit drafting
Finding flow state versus slow state
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita (Amazon)
www.irisyamashita.com
Iris Yamashita on Facebook
Iris Yamashita on Instagram
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Kai Thomas Writes Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

Acclaimed debut novelist, Kai Thomas, spoke to me about writing historical fiction that interweaves Black and Indigenous cultures, the power of storytelling, keeping grounded in his work, and his novel “In the Upper Country.”

Kai Thomas is a writer, carpenter, and land steward of Soul Fire Farm a community-centered “… farm committed to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system.”

His debut novel is In the Upper Country and described as “... an unforgettable story that unearths the tangled fates of two resilient women from different generations with different pasts …. as they reveal the deeply connected histories of Black and Indigenous peoples of North America and their relationship to the land around them.”

A Publishers Weekly starred review called it, “... [a] mesmerizing debut [that] explores freedom, family, and the interconnections between white, Black, and Indigenous communities in 1859 Canada….”

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Kai Thomas and I discussed:

How an MFA program helped him find his confidence as a writer
The importance of mentorship, peer evaluation, and fiction workshops for honing his debut
Gleaning inspiration from his own cultural heritage and an old photograph
Exploring lesser-known chapters of history
Finding a balance between research and writing
Trusting the process
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

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How NY Times Bestselling Author Jayne Ann Krentz Writes: Part One Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

Award-winning and NY Times bestselling author, Jayne Ann Krentz, spoke to me about how persistence has defined her career, why you need to describe your core story in three words, and her latest thriller, “Sleep No More.”

Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers with over 40 million copies of her books in print. She currently writes under three pseudonyms and her award-winning books have earned her the title of “Queen of Romantic Suspense.”

Her latest is Sleep No More, the first novel of the Lost Night Files series, described as a “... new romantic suspense trilogy about a night that changed three women forever—but that none of them can remember.”

Kirkus Reviews called the book, “A richly layered mystery full of pleasing paranormal elements from a master of the genre,” and Booklist wrote, in a starred review, “[Krentz] skillfully [taps] into the current vogue for true-crime podcasts with her heroine’s side hustle while at the same giving a clever nod to the eternal appeal of the Gothic …”

Jayne Ann earned a BA in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and went on to obtain a Master’s degree in library science from San Jose State University in California.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Jayne Ann Krentz and I discussed:

Her warnings against using multiple pseudonyms
How she invented the Futuristic Romance subgenre
Finding her niche and why each writer has a unique universe
Why she doesn't love police procedurals
Leaning into dreams and the paranormal
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

JayneAnnKrentz.com
Sleep No More by Jayne Ann Krentz (Amazon)
Jayne Ann Krentz Amazon Author Page
Jayne Ann Krentz on Instagram
Jayne Ann Krentz on Facebook
Jayne Ann Krentz Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part Three Dec 23, 2022

Show notes

Award-winning indie journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, returns to discuss the “virus of dissatisfaction,” writing for modern-day samurai David Goggins, and their latest journey to bestseller with “Never Finished,” the sequel to a bestselling memoir.

Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within is the follow-up to Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins’ smash hit memoir. It’s been described as a tour of David’s “... Mental Lab, where he developed the philosophy, psychology, and strategies that enabled him to learn that what he thought was his limit was only his beginning and that the quest for greatness is unending.”

Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others.

Adam is also the author of One Breath, has narrated David Goggins’ bestselling audiobooks, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.

This is the last episode of the year but we’ll be back soon with more inspiration from your favorite authors. Happy Holidays!

Stay calm and write on ...

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In Part Three of this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:

How the sequel to a memoir hit #1 on Amazon and Audible in its week
Battling Michelle Obama (once again)
The pressure of publishing a follow-up to a longtime bestseller
“Goggins Grad School” and the pursuit of greatness
Why ghostwriters need to stay out of the way, be a servant to the story…
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

AdamSkolnick.com
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Adam Skolnick on Instagram
Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part Two - Redux Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

In Part Two of this file, we return with an exclusive look into the process behind not only how a writer gets paid to ghostwrite a title for a celebrity, but also the writing, research, and indie publishing of a book that has sat on top of the Amazon charts for over a year!

We had to get special permission from the incredible human and author, David Goggins, to share this story, but it’s no secret that the book was co-written by my good friend Adam Skolnick.

He is also the author of One Breath, was the narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling audiobook for Can’t Hurt Me, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.

Adam returns later this month for the next installment of How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller: Part Three to talk about his journey with David to his latest bestseller Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In Part Two of this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:

The importance of a large social following for non-fiction authors
How timing plays such a big role in self-publishing success
Why an audiobook/podcast hybrid might be the next big thing for authors
The Golden Age for ghostwriting opportunities
How David Goggins's inspiring message goes beyond cookie-cutter self-help
And why "there is no finish line" for writers

Show Notes:

AdamSkolnick.com
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Adam Skolnick on Instagram
Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part One - Redux Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

We are rebroadcasting this incredible look into the process behind not only how a writer gets paid to ghostwrite a title for a celebrity, but also the writing, research, and indie publishing of a book that sat on top of the Amazon charts for over a year! Did it finally beat Michelle Obama’s competing bestseller? Stay tuned to find out.

We had to get special permission from the incredible human and author, David Goggins, to share this story, but it’s no secret that the book was co-written by my good friend Adam Skolnick.

He is also the author of One Breath, was the narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling audiobook for Can’t Hurt Me, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.

Adam returns later this month for the next installment of How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller to talk about his journey with David to his latest bestseller Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within. A huge thank you to Mr. Goggins.

Stay calm and write on ...

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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]

In this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:

A definition of ghostwriting
How Adam got tapped to ghostwrite for author and endurance athlete David Goggins
Why Goggins turned down a major book publishing deal and decided to self-publish (with Adam still attached)
The Joe Rogan effect for authors
How Adam made the decision to help write David's story
And the unique research and drafting process that went into a bestseller ...

Show Notes:

AdamSkolnick.com
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Adam Skolnick on Instagram
Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
Kelton Reid on Twitter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Brendan Slocumb Writes Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

Violinist and lauded debut novelist, Brendan Slocumb, spoke to me about how both music and writing saved his life, the darker side of the classical music world, and his debut "The Violin Conspiracy."

Brendan Slocumb is an accomplished violinist and concertmaster who has performed with major symphonies, has a degree in music education, and has over twenty-five years of teaching in the classroom and in his private studio.

His critically acclaimed debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy, has been described as, "Part mystery thriller, part character study of a young Black man trying to make his way in the world of classical music..." It was a GMA Book Club Pick and named a Publishers Weekly Top Ten Mystery/Thriller, NPR’s Books We Love 2022, Audible’s 13 Best Debuts of 2022, and earned two Goodreads Choice Award nominations for Best Debut Novel and Best Mystery Thriller.

Publishers Weekly called the book "[A] gripping debut. . . . Slocumb sensitively portrays Ray’s resilience in the face of extreme racism. The author is off to a promising start.”

Brendan hosts the podcast How Music Can Save Your Life, is a Nobel Teacher of distinction, and serves as an educational consultant for the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Brendan Slocumb and I discussed:

How he finds time to tour, write, practice for his string quartet, and teach students for an upcoming recital
Why the Pandemic forced him to become a prolific novelist
What it's like to sign your first paperback for a fan
The importance of practice, routine, and banging out 3000 words a day
Why writers need to walk, stretch, and hit the gym
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

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How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Jeffery Deaver Writes: Part Two Nov 25, 2022

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

#1 international bestselling author of over 40 novels, Jeffery Deaver, returns to rap about his prolific output, an award-winning handbook for mystery writers, and the latest Colter Shaw novel, "Hunting Time."

Jeffery Deaver is a former journalist, musician, and attorney best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series – now a hit NBC TV show – and the novel, The Bone Collector, adapted for the big screen starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.

The "master of suspense" has been nominated for eight Edgar Awards and served two terms as president of Mystery Writers of America, and was recently named a Grand Master of MWA, whose ranks include Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, and Walter Mosely.

His latest is Hunting Time (A Colter Shaw Novel), described as "... a riveting thriller, as reward seeker Colter Shaw plunges into the woods and races the clock in a case where nothing is quite what it seems." Kirkus Reviews described the book as "A fleet, irresistible tale."

Jeffery has sold over 50 million books worldwide in 150 countries, and been translated into 35 languages. He has also published three collections of short stories.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Jeffery Deaver and I discussed:

Pandemic survival
How he finds the solitude of the writing life
What it's like to be mentioned in the same breath as Agatha Christie
How he keeps his Edgar Award nomination streak alive
Why books are better than Netflix
How the author structures his novels with questions and conflicts
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

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How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Jeffery Deaver Writes: Part One - Redux Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

A quick note that this week we're resurfacing Part One of an enlightening chat I had with #1 internationally bestselling author Jeffery Deaver about his process for writing “ticking-time bomb suspense,” near the start of the Pandemic. Next week we are going to catch up with the author for the second part of that interview series with Jeff to talk about his latest novel and a lot more about the writing life. Until then …

The #1 internationally bestselling author of over 40 novels, Jeffery Deaver, took a few minutes to discuss his advice on how to write emotionally engaging fiction, the merits of plotters vs. pantsers, and a 5-step process for writing your novel.

"Rejection is just a speed bump ... it's not a brick wall. Keep at it." – Jeffery Deaver

Jeffery is a former journalist, musician, and attorney best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series – now a hit NBC TV show – and the novel, The Bone Collector, adapted for the big screen starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.

The "master of suspense" has been nominated for seven Edgar Awards and has gone on to sell 50 million books worldwide, translated into 35 languages.

His thriller featured here is a sequel to The Never Game – The Goodbye Man (A Colter Shaw Novel Book 2) – and once again features Colter Shaw, a rugged survivalist and "reward-seeker."

One of Bookpage's "Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers" of 2020, Publishers Weekly said of the book, “Deaver balances suspense and plausibility perfectly ... This is a perfect jumping-on point for readers new to one of today’s top contemporary thriller writers.”

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Jeffery Deaver and I discussed:

Why suspense writers are like airline pilots
Wisdom from Joyce Carol Oates and the importance of outlining
How having your novel read aloud to you can improve your prose
A simple formula for writing "roller-coaster" fiction
And much more!

Show Notes:

JefferyDeaver.com
The Goodbye Man (A Colter Shaw Novel) by Jeffery Deaver [Amazon]
Jeffery Deaver Amazon author page
NaturalReader app
Jeffery Deaver on Instagram
Jeffery Deaver on Facebook
Jeffery Deaver on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How Award-Winning Author & Filmmaker Priyanka Kumar Writes Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

Award-winning author and filmmaker, Priyanka Kumar, spoke to me about the language of cinema, her Zen leanings, returning to the solace of nature, and her latest, "Conversations with Birds."

Priyanka Kumar is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts and an alumna of the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She is also the award-winning writer, director, and producer of the feature documentary The Song of the Little Road, starring Martin Scorsese and Ravi Shankar.

Her latest is Conversations with Birds, a Publishers Weekly “Top Ten Nonfiction Book for Fall 2022,” a Bookshop.org “Read Outside the Big Five” selection, and Apple, November Best Books of the Month, and been described in a Kirkus, starred review as, “An eloquent depiction of how birding engenders a deep love of our ecosystems and a more profound understanding of ourselves."

Priyanka's debut novel, Take Wing and Fly Here, was published in 2013 to critical acclaim, and her essays and criticism have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and many others.

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In this file Priyanka Kumar and I discussed: