Welcome to episode 97 - How Cat Rambo Writes Welcome to a fun interview with science fiction writer, Cat Rambo. In this interview, we get into the ins and outs and self-publishing, a topic I am super interested in. I know so many of you out there also self-publish. Cat also shares her method for writing fiction, and of course, we chat about what makes for good science fiction. This interview is a blast, and I want to take a quick moment to say thank you to Cat for her time. And now, here is the ...
Nov 18, 2021•34 min•Ep. 97
Welcome to Episode 96 - How Jenn McKinlay Writes Jenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance novels. In 2020 she published a stand-alone romantic comedy, titled PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA. In this interview, Jenn and I dive into her creative process and unpack how she writes novels. I love this interview because it shows the pig-headed determinism it takes to write books. Jenn is a perfect example of the what comes of focus and...
Nov 11, 2021•41 min•Ep. 96
Welcome to Episode 95 - How JD Barker Writes I continue my deep dive with horror writers with this week's guest, JD Barker. JD is such a master of storytelling, and in this episode, we dive into the horror genre, how he has collaborated with James Patterson, and his path to becoming a storyteller. I have to say, I've found a new appreciation and interest in reading horror. In fact, I picked up Dracula as a response to this interview, I'm loving it, and I cannot wait to read JD Barker's "Dracul" ...
Nov 04, 2021•42 min•Ep. 95
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Oct 28, 2021•46 min
Welcome to Episode 94 - How Jeffrey Archer Writes I think Jeffrey Archer takes the cake for the author I’ve interviewed with the most books in print. Jeffrey is a storyteller to his core, and a wildly entertaining person to interview. In this interview, Jeffrey and I dive into his amazing backstory, his journey to storytelling, and how he structures his day to write. I want to take a quick minute to thank Jeffrey for his time. And now, here is the interview with Jeffrey Archer. Support the show...
Oct 21, 2021•44 min•Ep. 94
Welcome to Episode 93 - How Josh Malerman writes Josh is a novelist and author of the breakout hit, "Bird Box." He is also one of two singer/songwriters for the rock band The High Strung. It was a blast to dive into horror writing with yet another amazing author. Josh and I do a deep dive on horror writing and again my perspective is growing on horror as a genre. We also discuss how learning music has informed his novel writing, how he writes on the road as a traveling musician, and much more. I...
Oct 14, 2021•46 min•Ep. 93
Welcome to Episode 92 - How Paul Tremblay Writes Welcome, my friends, to episode 92 with Paul Tremblay. For the first time in a long time, in this episode, I interview a horror writer. For whatever reason, I've just not had a ton of horror writers on the show, so I was pumped to dive into what makes for good horror. Paul and I dive into his process for creating horror and some of his inspirations. I learned a ton in this episode, and in fact, like, reevaluated my beliefs about horror. I've gener...
Oct 07, 2021•45 min•Ep. 92
Welcome to episode 91 - How Lindsay Ellis Writes In this episode, I get to interview a bonafide Youtube star and wonderful fiction writer. Lindsay is full of spunk and wisdom and this "get down into it and work your butt off" attitude that I just love. In this episode, Lindsey and I discuss how fiction overlaps with film, her journey to becoming a storyteller, and that age-old question: why is making YouTube videos so hard. This is a fun interview with one of my favorite quotes from a guest when...
Sep 30, 2021•50 min•Ep. 91
Welcome to episode 90 - How Scott Turow Writes Welcome my friends to episode 90 with another author who has solid tens of millions of books. Scott Turow is an author and lawyer. In this discussion, Scott and I dive into the guts of storytelling. More than just about any other interview, this one with Scott is special because we really tackle these big ideas in the storytelling life. It is philosophical and practical. Just the mix I love. Scott is so thoughtful in his responses and each time I've...
Sep 23, 2021•45 min•Ep. 90
Welcome to Episode 89 - How Omar el Akkad writes I am so excited to welcome Omar back for a second time to the show. Omar was my first real interview for the podcast and he was last seen here on Episode 3. Unreal. I love Omar's work, and when I saw he had a novel out in the world — What Strange Paradise—I knew I wanted him back on the show. Omar is always so wise and insightful. I feel as if every time I speak with him, I go through a kind of storytelling masterclass. This interview is a deep di...
Sep 16, 2021•49 min•Ep. 89
Welcome to episode 88 - How Yasmin Angoe Writes I am so excited to air this interview with Yasmin Angoe. Yasmin’s debut novel, Her Name is Knight, will be released on November 1st, 2021, and chatting with her as she surfs with her debut coming out was such a pleasure. Yasmin and I dive into what is has been like to publish her first novel, her entire writing journey, and some of the lessons she has learned along the way. More than anything, I loved just chatting with Yasmin. Her spirit and openn...
Sep 09, 2021•46 min•Ep. 88
Welcome to Episode 87 - How Margaret Mizushima Writes Welcome my friends to episode 87. This episode with Margaret Mizushima is overdue, because we open up a brand-new topic that I know is important to many writers. How to write non-human characters. So, for those of you who write animal or alien or monster characters, this is a great episode to learn from a master storyteller how to bring these characters to life. I want to take a moment to thank Margaret for her time. And now, without any furt...
Sep 02, 2021•41 min•Ep. 87
Welcome to episode 86 - How Steve Berry Writes After a nice long summer break, we are back! I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer and some warm weather. I am recording this intro from Cape Cod. We've been across half the country, from Colorado all the way to the east coast. It's been fun and crazy and crazy and crazy. But boy oh boy does it feel good to be back-producing episodes. So, we're kicking it off with a big one. Steve Berry is a #1 bestselling author with over 25 million books in pri...
Aug 26, 2021•39 min•Ep. 86
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Aug 19, 2021•47 min
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Aug 12, 2021•51 min
We are on "summer break." Enjoy this replay from James Wade. ---------- Support the show
Aug 05, 2021•1 hr 3 min
This week we are on "summer break." Enjoy this replay from Amy Harmon. ---------- Today’s interview is with Amy Harmon. I was introduced to her work when I picked up her book What the Wind Knows. I loved the book and her style, especially for someone who loves historical fiction. What I did not know is how Amy is a complete baller. I’m not going to give anything away in this interview, but Amy’s writing journey, her grit, and spirit are incredibly inspiring. In fact, when we ended recording for ...
Jul 29, 2021•58 min
This week we are on "summer break." Enjoy this replay from the one-and-only Sofia Segovia. Support the show
Jul 22, 2021•54 min
Welcome to Episode 85 - How Taylor Moore Writes Taylor is a former CIA intelligence officer, he received a Degree in Journalism, followed by a Master's in Public Policy. His debut novel Down Range will be published on August 3rd, 2021 Support the show
Jul 15, 2021•38 min•Ep. 85
Welcome to Episode 84 - How Jennifer Estep Writes Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than 40 books. This episode is great for those writers who are into writing fantasy series and wants to hear how an absolute pro goes about her business. I want to take a minute to thank Jennifer for her time. Support the show
Jul 08, 2021•40 min•Ep. 84
Welcome to Episode 83 - Hw Gayle Forman Writes Gayle Forman is a #1 New York Times best-selling novelist. This episode is a "pinch me" episode because I get to dive into and hopefully unpack the way a storied novelist creates. The entire idea of this podcast is that we learn from those who are further down the road in their writing journey. But, if you would have told me that I'd have the opportunity to interview a novelist as kind, wise, and prolific as Gayle I'd have said you were crazy. But, ...
Jul 01, 2021•45 min•Ep. 83
Welcome to Episode 82 - How Darin Strauss Writes, Part Two I'm so excited to welcome Darin Strauss back to the show. The first time I've ever had a guest on the show for a second time. Darin is an award-winning novelist, facility at New York University's creative writing program, and just a wonderful human. Darin is humble and open and honest about the writing life. This episode is a deep dive on nuance of storytelling. I want to say a special thank you to Darin. I'm grateful to have him a secon...
Jun 24, 2021•51 min•Ep. 82
Welcome to Episode 81 - How Tess Gerritsen Writes Welcome welcome my friends. This is another episode with a master storyteller, Tess Gerritsen. Tess has written 29 novels, including an adaptation of her series Rizzoli and Isles. Tess is just so knowledgeable about storytelling. I am so grateful to Tess for sharing her process for writing and how to become a writer from the inside out. And now, my friends, without any further ado, here is the interview with Tess Gerritsen. Support the show...
Jun 17, 2021•42 min•Ep. 81
Welcome to Episode 80 - How Gina LaManna Writes Soooo… as I record this intro I am sitting on the banks of the Arkansas River in Salida, Colorado. Now, it is stunning and beautiful, but I also don’t have good access to the internet, so this intro is being recorded on my iPad. Just wanted to clear up any weird sound issue. Okay, so, Episode 80 is with Gina LaManna. Gina has published over 30 novels and in this interview, we do a deep dive into her writing process. One thing I really love is that ...
Jun 10, 2021•37 min•Ep. 80
For today's Monday Motivation, I want to read the entirety of Dr Suess Oh the Places You'll Go. This book has had a tremendous impact on me, and I was reading it this week to my children and I thought it'd be really fun to read it all. I've done a few episodes on different parts of this book, but here it is in its entirety. Listen, I know this is a children's book, but it holds more wisdom than just about any book I've ever read. Okay... The Places You'll Go Congratulations! Today is your day. Y...
Jun 03, 2021•8 min
Welcome to Episode 79 - How Kaira Rouda Writers This week's episode is with bestselling author, Kaira Rouda. Kaira is a powerhouse. She is a wonderful author of both fiction and nonfiction, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. I love interviewing authors with such broad experience. In this episode, Kaira and I discuss the role of focus in the writing life, marketing, and her process for creating novels. I've been on a real kick discussing the business side of writing and publishing, and in th...
May 27, 2021•38 min•Ep. 79
Welcome to Episode 78 - How Namina Forna Writes Welcome welcome to a wonderful episode with Namina Forna. Namina is the best-selling author of "The Gilded Ones," an absolutely fantastic debut novel. In this novel we tackle the story of writing The Gilded Ones, and Namina's story as a writer. This is a powerful interview, and I cannot wait to share it with you. I want to say a quick thank you to Namina for her time. And now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Namina Forna. Suppor...
May 20, 2021•37 min•Ep. 78
Welcome to Episode 77 - How Linwood Barclay Writes Hello, my friends and welcome to another episode of the How Writers Write podcast. This week's episode is with the bestselling author of over twenty novels, Linwood Barclay. In this episode, Linwood and I discuss how his decades in the newspaper business has informed his fiction, his thoughts on plot and character, and so much more. Linwood is generous and funny and was just such a pleasure to interview. I want to take a quick moment to thank Li...
May 13, 2021•36 min•Ep. 77
Welcome to Episode 76 - How Peter James Writes This episode with Peter James is fantastically fun. This is another opportunity to into the writing practice of an author who has sold over 20 million books. What is really run about this interview is Peter's secret to how he cracked the crime writing code. The back story is just so much fun to listen to. I want to say thank you to Peter for his time and for this interview. And now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Peter James. Su...
May 06, 2021•39 min•Ep. 76
Welcome to Episode 75 - How Lisa Scottoline Writes I distinctly remember when I said, "Welcome to Episode 10." And then I episode 25, and then 50. Now, here we are at episode 75. It has been such a wonderful ride. Seventy-five episodes with so many special guests. Thank you so much for sharing this journey with me, and for giving me a reason to do this podcast and serve you. The good news is that I still feel as if we are just getting started. And so here we get to celebrate episode 75 with an a...
Apr 29, 2021•57 min•Ep. 75
