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

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How Bestselling Novelist & Educator Jennifer Close Writes Apr 08, 2022

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#PodcastersForJustice

The bestselling author and educator, Jennifer Close, spoke with me about writing her first book on unemployment, how to write a novel in 12 weeks, and her latest, "Marrying the Ketchups."

Jennifer is the bestselling author of Girls in White Dresses, The Smart One, and The Hopefuls.

Her latest is Marrying the Ketchups (available from Knopf | April 26, 2022), described as a "comedy of manners about three generations of a Chicago restaurant family," and "... a love letter to shared meals and to the family-owned restaurants we all keep coming back to."

Jennifer has an M.F.A. in Fiction from The New School and currently teaches creative writing at Catapult. She worked in New York in print magazines for many years and has taught creative writing at George Washington University.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Jennifer Close and I discussed:

How writers can use fear as a motivator
Why actually "marrying the ketchups" is a little gross
What workshopping a novel from start to finish can do for you
The difference between scheduling for time vs. word count
Why writing doesn't always look like writing
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

Marrying the Ketchups: A novel by Jennifer Close (Amazon Affiliate)
Jennifer Close Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
Let's Not Do that Again by Grant Ginder (Amazon Affiliate)
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (Amazon Affiliate)
12-Week Novel Draft Generator w/ Instructor Jennifer Close
Jennifer Close on Instagram
Jennifer Close on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

Award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, returned for a mostly uncensored chat about assholes, mind-altering substances, the craft of writing, and the meaning of Jack Kerouac's 100th birthday.

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.

He is also the author of One Breath, was the ghostwriter and narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling memoir and audiobook Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.

Get ready, we cover some ground here and had a lot of fun along the way.

Stay calm and write on ...

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Show Notes:

How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part One
AdamSkolnick.com
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by Author David Goggins (Amazon Affiliate)
Jack Kerouac Amazon Author Page
On the Centenary of Jack Kerouac’s Birth, Rarely Seen Archival Material from His Publisher ‹ Literary Hub
The Wet and the Dry: A Drinker's Journey by Lawrence Osborne (Amazon Affiliate)
Malorie Kerouac on Instagram
Adam Skolnick on Instagram
Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast

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How #1 International Bestselling Crime Writer Sara Blaedel Writes Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

Internationally bestselling and award-winning Danish novelist, Sara Blaedel, spoke to me about overcoming a learning disorder, how to write Nordic Noir, and her latest novel, "A Harmless Lie."

Sara has been dubbed Denmark’s “Queen of Crime,” and is the author of the globally bestselling Detective Louise Rick series. Over 3 million copies of Blaedel’s books have sold in Denmark alone, and the author is published in 38 countries.

Her most recent hit, and 10th in the Louise Rick series, is A Harmless Lie, described as a "...darkly atmospheric, deeply emotional thriller..."

A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author, said of the book, "Sara Blaedel writes novels as twisty as spirals and electric with intelligence. A HARMLESS LIE is a labyrinth of a mystery, dense and dangerous. Come get lost in it."

In 2014 Sara was voted Denmark's most popular novelist for the fifth time. She is also a recipient of the Golden Laurel, Denmark's most prestigious literary award.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Sara Blaedel and I discussed:

Why reading young adult mysteries were her getaway and gateway
How the pressures and deadlines of journalism inform her work
Inviting new readers into a long-running series
Why creativity and eccentricity aren't productive to the writer's life
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

SaraBlaedel.dk
A Harmless Lie: A Novel by Sara Blaedel (Amazon Affiliate)
Sara Blaedel Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
Sara Blaedel on Instagram
Sara Blaedel on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How NY Times Bestselling Author Rosie Walsh Writes: Part One Mar 18, 2022

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New York Times bestselling author, Rosie Walsh, talked with me about finding her voice, transitioning from romcom to "emotional thriller," and her latest, The Love of My Life.

Rosie Walsh has lived and traveled all over the world, working as a documentary producer and writer. Her American debut, Ghosted, was a New York Times bestseller and has sold more than one million copies worldwide.

Her second novel is The Love of My Life, described as a "...stay-up-all-night page-turner. It’s a love story wrapped in a mystery that ... [taps] into our darkest fears about motherhood, family, and trust."

Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push, said of the book, “Walsh’s hugely compelling THE LOVE OF MY LIFE instantly pulls you deep into the interior of a marriage. Part thriller, part mystery, part heart-wrenching love story, this is a treasure...”

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Rosie Walsh and I discussed:

Writing upmarket fiction under a pseudonym
Why she starts all of her books with plot
How to write a "book that breathes"
What it's like to hang out at death cafes
The "bum fight" that is the writer's life
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

RosieWalsh.com

The Love of My Life: A Novel by Rosie Walsh (Amazon Affiliate)

Rosie Walsh on Facebook

Rosie Walsh on Instagram

Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer⁠

⁠diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram⁠

⁠Kelton Reid Instagram⁠

⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How Award-Winning Travel Journo & Author Brandon Presser Writes Mar 11, 2022

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Award-winning journalist and acclaimed author, Brandon Presser, spoke to me about his credo as a globetrotter, the Instagram-ification of travel, and his latest non-fiction novel, "The Far Land."

Brandon has a degree in art history and architecture from Harvard University, has worked in Paris at the Louvre, in Tokyo as an architectural apprentice, and in Thailand as a scuba diving professional.

He has also traveled to over 130 countries, written over 50 travel books, and was awarded a Society of American Travel Writers award for his achievements in guidebook writing.

Brandon's latest is The Far Land: 200 Years of Murder, Mania, and Mutiny in the South Pacific, and has been described as a "... thrilling true tale of power, obsession, and betrayal at the edge of the world. "

Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks said of the book, “The Far Land swells in the cause and effect of actions of passion. Brandon Presser's fascinating narrative of the relentless consequences of the Bounty mutineers asks: were they brave or damned? They lived so very troubled ever after. You can’t make this stuff up!”

Brandon currently contributes to Bloomberg Businessweek and Condé Nast Traveler and could be seen on Bravo's television series, "Tour Group" where he led a group of eclectic travelers around the world.

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In this file Brandon and I discussed:

How the Mutiny on the Bounty became the most notorious maritime event of all time
Why travel journalists are like prostitutes
How to get a blurb from Tom Hanks
His mixed emotions about publication day
Having dinner on Marlon Brando's island
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

BrandonPresser.com

The Far Land: 200 Years of Murder, Mania, and Mutiny in the South Pacific by Brandon Presser (Amazon Affiliate)

Brandon Presser on Instagram

Brandon Presser on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author C.J. Box Writes Mar 04, 2022

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, C.J. Box, spoke to me about his early years as a small-town reporter, how to write a novel in 3-4 months, and his latest Joe Pickett book, Shadows Reel.

C.J. is the author of 30+ novels including 22 Joe Pickett novels, seven stand-alone novels, including The Bitterroots; and the story collection Shots Fired. Over ten million copies of his books have been sold in the U.S. and abroad.

He has won the Edgar, Anthony, a French Prix Calibre.38 and was awarded the 2016 Western Heritage Award for Literature by the National Cowboy Museum, to name only a few.

His latest in the Joe Pickett series is Shadows Reel, and Kirkus said of the book “Joe’s 22nd adventure continues to give good value. Old-school Nazis, newfangled terrorists, Big Sky country—it’s all here.”

His books have been translated into 30 languages and two TV series based on his novels are in production (BIG SKY on ABC and JOE PICKETT on Spectrum Originals). He is an Executive Producer for both series.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file C.J. Box and I discussed:

His 20-year, overnight success

Why Game Wardens in Wyoming meet more bad guys
How to write two books in one
The unique research and meticulous plotting that goes into his novels
Why he takes time to pay it forward for his fellow scribes
Puffing cigars with Mark Twain
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

cjbox.net
Shadows Reel (A Joe Pickett Novel Book 22) by C.J. Box (Amazon Affiliate)
C.J. Box Author Page (Amazon)
C.J. Box on Facebook
C.J. Box on Instagram
C.J. Box on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How International Bestselling Novelist Stephanie Wrobel Writes Feb 25, 2022

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

Critically acclaimed, internationally bestselling novelist, Stephanie Wrobel, spoke to me about her humble beginnings as a copywriter, turning her thesis into a bestseller, and the process of writing This Might Hurt.

Stephanie is the author of Darling Rose Gold, an instant bestseller of 2020 that received rave reviews, and was nominated for multiple awards, including the Edgar Award for Best First Novel.

Her follow-up is This Might Hurt, described as "...a dark, thrilling novel about two sisters—one trapped in the clutches of a cult, the other in a web of her own lies."

New York Times bestselling author of The Push, Ashley Audrain said of the book, "... [a gripping] clever exploration of fear and vulnerability right until the flawless ending—one you’ll most certainly want to talk about.”

Stephanie has an MFA from Emerson College and has had short fiction published in the Bellevue Literary Review.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Stephanie Wrobel and I discussed:

The challenges of writing "the second novel"
Researching real-life cults
How she writes a chapter-a-day instead of using word counts
Why she loathes the idea of standing desks
How to rediscover your love of writing
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

StephanieWrobel.com
This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel (Amazon Affiliate)
An author-curated playlist inspired by Stephanie Wrobel's This Might Hurt - Spotify
Stephanie Wrobel on Twitter (@stephwrobel)
Stephanie Wrobel on Instagram (@stephaniewrobel)
Stephanie Wrobel on Facebook
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How Award-Winning SF Author Kim Fu Writes Feb 18, 2022

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

Award-winning short story writer and novelist, Kim Fu, spoke to me about speculative vs. science fiction, how to critique the future, and her collection Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century.

Kim is the author of two novels and a collection of poetry. Her novel For Today I Am a Boy won the Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award, and a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice.

Her debut story collection, Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century, has been described as "12 unforgettable tales [where] the strange is made familiar and the familiar strange...." It was named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year at LitHub, Electric Lit, Kirkus, The Rumpus and CBC Books, as well as a BuzzFeed and WIRED Pick for a Book You Need to Read This Winter.

Kim’s writing has appeared in Granta, the Atlantic, the New York Times, Hazlitt, and the TLS.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Kim Fu and I discussed:

The challenges of the transition from realism to speculative short stories
A criticism of the Metaverse and her love of video games
How she channeled the fear and dread of our current dystopia
Why she writes in 12-hour sprints
The power of pop-up Zoom accountability groups
And a lot more!

Show Notes:

Kim-Fu.com
Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu (Amazon Affiliate)
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu (Amazon Affiliate)
Review: 'Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century,' by Kim Fu
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Women in Writing and Publishing 2022 Roundtable Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

This week four women with several combined decades of experience in the writing and publishing industries joined me for a roundtable to talk about ...

How the last two years have changed how writers and publishers approach their business/craft
The difficulties of getting an indie book on the New York Times bestsellers list
Self vs. traditional publishing pathways and distribution models
How fast do you need to go, speedboat or yacht?
Hybrid models for writers
Trends for 2022
And resources for aspiring scribes

Guests:

Angela Engel has more than two decades of experience in sales strategy and business development for companies like Chronicle Books, Dwell Studio, and Moleskine. Angela Engel launched The Collective Book Studio a woman-owned publisher transforming content into beautiful books.

Award-winning author Jennifer Irwin’s debut novel, A Dress the Color of the Sky, was published in 2017 and has received rave reviews, won seven book awards, and was optioned for a feature film.

jenniferirwinauthor.com
A Dress the Color of the Sky by Jennifer Irwin [Amazon Affiliate] - https://amzn.to/3GXlBm7
womensfictionwriters.org
nanowrimo.org

Richmond-based publisher Kimberley Wells Eley of KWE Publishing, signed an agreement with Morgan James Publishing as an Imprint, opening new doors and possibilities for all her authors.

Award-winning author & Book Coach Dallas Woodburn is the debut author of the novel The Best Week That Never Happened. A former John Steinbeck Fellow in Creative Writing and a current San Francisco Writers Grotto Fellow, her work has been honored with the Cypress & Pine Short Fiction Award, the international Glass Woman Prize, second place in the American Fiction Prize, and four Pushcart Prize nominations

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Stay calm and write on ...

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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Mystery Writer Elizabeth George Writes Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

New York Times bestselling and award-winning novelist, Elizabeth George, spoke to me about her exacting research, the discipline of psychological suspense, and interweaving cultural issues into her latest, Something to Hide.

Dubbed "an essential writer of popular fiction today” Elizabeth is the recipient of the Anthony Award, the Agatha Award, France’s Grand Prix [graan pree] di Literature, and has been twice nominated for the Edgar Award.

She's best known as the author of the Lynley mystery series that was adapted into the lauded PBS/BBC show – "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" series – currently streaming on Amazon Prime and others.

Her latest, Something to Hide: A Lynley Novel, marks the 21st in that series. The New York Times Book Review called it, "... another intelligent, intricate mystery starring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley of New Scotland Yard.”

Elizabeth is also a philanthropist who, through The Elizabeth George Foundation, "... makes grants to writers and to organizations benefiting disadvantaged youth, particularly in the area of the arts."

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Elizabeth George and I discussed:

Why she approaches the writing craft with the same discipline and perseverance she had as a teacher
How to structure a mystery layer by layer
Understanding the editorial process and learning to be a more efficient writer
The foundation of any great novel, her secret hacks ...
And a lot more!

Show Notes: