The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
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How Bestselling Self-Published Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part Two
11 september 2018 · 27 min
In Part Two of this archival file from early 2016, the prolific international bestselling thriller author and self-publishing advocate, Mark Dawson, rapped with me about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the productivity hacks that have helped him publish over 30 books. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Mr. Dawson’s multiple thriller series, self-publishing savvy, and an impressive email list of over 100,000 subscribers, have all helped him to build a large audience of loyal readers and unparalleled success.
In addition to international bestsellers, and stellar ratings from fans, Mark has become an indie author advocate and online marketing authority for writers.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here.
In Part Two of the file Mark Dawson and I discuss:
How an 80s tv show can inspire your writing
Why great writers have to understand story first
How to write page-turning fiction
Why you should leave out the parts that readers skip
And best practices for new writers
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
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How Bestselling Self-Published Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part One
MarkJDawson.com
Amazon Pays $450,000 A Year To This Self-Published Writer
BookFunnel
SelfPublishingFormula.com
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How Bestselling Self-Published Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part One
5 september 2018 · 28 min
Prolific international bestselling thriller author and self-publishing advocate, Mark Dawson, dropped by the show back in early 2016 to talk with me about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the productivity hacks that have helped him publish over 30 books. Lees meer
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today! Mr. Dawson’s multiple thriller series, self-publishing savvy, and an impressive email list of over 100,000 subscribers, have all helped him to build a large audience of loyal readers and unparalleled success.
In addition to international bestsellers, and stellar ratings from fans, Mark has become an indie author advocate and online marketing authority for writers.
Join us for this archival two-part interview.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of the file Mark Dawson and I discussed:
The challenges and rewards of the writer’s life
Why if your process isn’t broken … you don’t need to fix it
How to write (and publish) one million words in one year
And what the bestselling author does to unwind
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes
Writers: Boost your credentials and visibility as a content marketer by becoming Copyblogger Certified. Learn more about the program here.
How Bestselling Self-Published Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part Two
MarkJDawson.com
Amazon Pays $450,000 A Year To This Self-Published Writer
BookFunnel
SelfPublishingFormula.com
Kelton Reid on TwitterLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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5 Things Only Serious Writers Do: Part Two
29 augustus 2018 · 48 min
In Part Two of this special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn” I’ve invited back my old friend, award-winning international journalist, author, pundit, and bad penny, Adam Skolnick, to discuss with me a piece I wrote recently for Copyblogger titled, “5 Things Only Serious Writers Do.”
There are never enough words to thank all of you who reached out last week with your sweet thoughts, virtual hugs, and notes of encouragement following the sadder half of the show.
So on to the matter at hand …
As writers we all have our varied neuroses, methods of madness, well-worn manuals, muses, writer porn, and incantations that we feel grant us the strength to face the blank page.
But there are five fundamental things that set serious writers apart from the crowd, and Adam and I are going to discuss them.
You can find 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do here to follow along.
Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback.
In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file some highlights include:
How all serious writers share a connective tissue
Why work ethic outlasts talent every time
The fallacy of motivation vs the power of habit and small incremental steps
Why sitting down and getting started is often the hardest thing for writers
What to write when you don’t know what to say
On shitty first drafts as grist for the mill
The unglamorous origins of the sentence
Why deadlines are the pressure that make a diamond
The Show Notes Sign up here if y… Lees meer -
5 Things Only Serious Writers Do: Part One
21 augustus 2018 · 45 min
Welcome to a special edition of The Writer Files, we’re back from an extended summer hiatus.
My old friend, the award-winning international journalist, author, pundit, and bad penny, Adam Skolnick, turned up this week to discuss with me a piece I wrote recently for Copyblogger titled, 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do.
But before Adam and I get into it I wanted to explain why I’ve been away from the microphone for so long.
It’s a heartbreaking story, and if you’re not into tragedies, feel free to fast-forward to the good stuff (or simply skip to Part Two). I apologize for the weight of it, but it seemed only right to share the story here for curious listeners.
A tremendous thank you is in order for those of you throughout the many communities who have reached out with your support, love, and thoughts for my family over the last few months. There are not enough words.
Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback.
In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Adam and I discuss:
Why the show has been on hiatus for so long
How human beings crowd source grief and loss in times of tragedy, and the limits of empathy
Adam’s recent globetrotting journalism, including his piece on the Thai soccer team rescue
And what it’s like to be a hired ghost writer
The Show Notes Sign up here if you’d like details about our Copyblogger’s “small but mighty” checklist to help you publish great content every time
More Writer Files in the Archives at Copyblogger Lees meer5 Things Only Serious Writers Do– Kelton Reid for Copyblogger
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What’s Your Writing Productivity Type? (with Bec Evans of Prolifiko): Part Two
31 juli 2018 · 25 min
In Part Two of another special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn,” writer, educator, and co-founder of Prolifiko, Bec Evans, returned to conclude our chat about writer personality types, productivity secrets, and understanding your writing psychology. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Bec is the co-founder of Prolifiko, a new digital coach aimed at helping writers beat writer’s blocks and find writing routines that work best for them. It’s been called the “Fitbit for writers,” by The Times (of London).
Prolifiko, set to launch in April, 2018, is a system based on neuroscience and psychology designed to help writers reflect on and improve their productivity with a “small-steps” methodology.
Ms. Evans has worked with thousands of writers throughout her career and used to run the Ted Hughes Arvon Centre for Writing, an international writing school in the UK (home of the late poet-laureate Ted Hughes).
She writes about productivity, writing habits and routines, and is currently working on a book about innovation.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Bec Evans and I talk about:
Why there’s never been a “one-size-fits-all” productivity track for writers
Tricks and tools for beating procrastination
Why you need to build a practical, manageable system to support your craft
The number one thing that separates good writers from great writers
What a regular writing habit does to your brain
One critical piece of advice writers can’t ignore
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
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What’s Your Writing Productivity Type? (with Bec Evans of Prolifiko): Part One
24 juli 2018 · 23 min
Welcome to another special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn,” and this week the writer, educator, and co-founder of Prolifiko, Bec Evans, stopped by to chat with me about writer personality types, productivity secrets, and understanding your writing psychology. Lees meer
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today! Bec is the co-founder of Prolifiko, a new digital coach aimed at helping writers beat writer’s blocks and find writing routines that work best for them. It’s been called the “Fitbit for writers,” by The Times (of London).
Prolifiko, set to launch in April, 2018, is a system based on neuroscience and psychology designed to help writers reflect on and improve their productivity with a “small-steps” methodology.
Ms. Evans has worked with thousands of writers throughout her career and used to run the Ted Hughes Arvon Centre for Writing, an international writing school in the UK (home of the late poet-laureate Ted Hughes).
She writes about productivity, writing habits and routines, and is currently working on a book about innovation.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Bec Evans and I talk about:
How simple psychology, persuasive technology, and a dash of neuroscience can help writers understand their process
Why small behavior and habit changes can have such a big impact
What your ideal writing routine says about your productivity type
The pros and cons of daily vs binge writing
Why writers can’t wait for inspiration
The psychology of good writing
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
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21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
17 juli 2018 · 50 min
In Part Two of this special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn” I’ve invited back award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, to discuss a piece I wrote for Copyblogger.com last year titled, “21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers.”
Over the last four years, I ve been given the fantastic opportunity to interview a wide range of more than 70 prolific, renowned, and bestselling authors for The Writer Files series.
As you may know, each interview digs into the habits, habitats, and brains of these writers, and I ask them all roughly the same set of questions on how they get words consistently onto the page.
So, I sifted through the extensive series archives (including the written interviews) and cherry-picked 21 highlights on productivity from these writers for you. You’ll definitely notice some themes from their advice on keeping the ink flowing and the cursor moving.
You can go to 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers to follow along. Audio snippets have been excerpted here from the available podcast episodes.
Guest host Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback.
In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of this file some highlights include: Lees meerEmma Donoghue (Oscar nominee and international bestselling author of Room) on outlining and pre-planning
Maria Konnikova (New York Times bestselling author and New Yorker columnist) on standing desks and staying offline
Mark Dawson (international bestselling author and entrepreneur) on findin…
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21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
10 juli 2018 · 50 min
In this special edition of the show I’ve invited back award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, to discuss a piece I wrote for Copyblogger.com last year titled, “21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers.”
Over the last four years, I've been given the fantastic opportunity to interview a wide range of more than 70 prolific, renowned, and bestselling authors for The Writer Files series.
As you may know, each interview digs into the habits, habitats, and brains of these writers, and I ask them all roughly the same set of questions on how they get words consistently onto the page.
So, I sifted through the extensive series archives (including the written interviews) and cherry-picked 21 highlights on productivity from these writers for you. You’ll definitely notice some themes from their advice on keeping the ink flowing and the cursor moving.
You can go to 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers to follow along. Audio snippets have been excerpted here from the available podcast episodes.
Guest host Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback.
In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file some highlights include: Lees meerSeth Godin (bestselling author of 18 books) on the power of deadlines
Elizabeth Gilbert (#1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat Pray Love) on the inefficiency of perfectionism
Joanna Penn (New York Times bestselling indie author and entrepreneur) on scheduling and writing every day
Andy Weir (bestselling author of The Martian) on mot…
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‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Impostor Syndrome: Part Two
26 juni 2018 · 28 min
In Part Two of this special edition of the show we call “The Writer’s Brain,” a guest series with neuroscientist Michael Grybko, we dig into a phenomenon known as “impostor syndrome,” an experience many writers struggle with.
The Experience Known as “Impostor Syndrome”
The experience known as “impostor syndrome” has been recognized in over 70% of the population across a wide range of demographics. Everyone from bestselling authors, to A-list celebrities, and even genius-level scientists, have all admitted to feeling a kind of isolation from not wanting to be outed as a “fraud,” even though they’re far from it.
And it’s not just limited to high-achievers; it’s been found in men and women across a wide variety of groups, including those about to launch a new creative project or career, teachers, students, entrepreneurs, and many others.
Across all demographics, success tends to create an even deeper sense of the impostor experience, and although not considered a clinical psychological syndrome, the effects can be debilitating to writers at any level of experience or professional standing.
These feelings of self-doubt can snowball if not addressed, and leave you with a sinking depression, anxiety, and a sense of dread at taking on new or challenging tasks.
Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers about the origins of anxiety in the human brain, and how to address the impostor experience from both a scientific and layperson’s perspective.
If you missed previous episodes of The Writer’s Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
And if you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
Why the “writer as athlete” trope undervalues the power of the human brain
Small steps y… Lees meer -
‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Impostor Syndrome: Part One
19 juni 2018 · 31 min
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Writer’s Brain,” a guest series with neuroscientist Michael Grybko, and in this episode we dig into a phenomenon known as “impostor syndrome,” an experience many writers struggle with.
The Experience Known as “Impostor Syndrome”
The experience known as “impostor syndrome” has been recognized in over 70% of the population across a wide range of demographics. Everyone from bestselling authors, to A-list celebrities, and even genius-level scientists, have all admitted to feeling a kind of isolation from not wanting to be outed as a “fraud,” even though they’re far from it.
And it’s not just limited to high-achievers; it’s been found in men and women across a wide variety of groups, including those about to launch a new creative project or career, teachers, students, entrepreneurs, and many others.
Across all demographics, success tends to create an even deeper sense of the impostor experience, and although not considered a clinical psychological syndrome, the effects can be debilitating to writers at any level of experience or professional standing.
These feelings of self-doubt can snowball if not addressed, and leave you with a sinking depression, anxiety, and a sense of dread at taking on new or challenging tasks.
Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers about the origins of anxiety in the human brain, and how to address the impostor experience from both a scientific and layperson’s perspective.
If you missed previous episodes of The Writer’s Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
How neuroscience can find a lens to look at the “impostor syndrome”
Why some doubt and anxiety is good for you
The problem with too much … Lees meer -
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News
12 juni 2018 · 44 min
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process.
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Start getting more from your site today! This is Part Five of the series and a rebroadcast of the Fact vs. Fiction edition of “The Writer’s Brain,” in which we discuss fake news, how it works, why it’s damaging, and how to combat it.
As we wrap up our Summer hiatus before the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place …
The Writer Files is a nonpartisan show in its attempt to explore all facets of the writing life, and in the last few months you can’t seem to throw a rock without hitting a social media article about fake news or alternative facts — especially on Twitter and Facebook.
Fake news isn’t new — some form of it has existed since the beginning of printed news, including examples by leaders of the American Revolution concocting stories to stoke the political engine (see: Benjamin Franklin or John Adams, historically) — but it seems to be on everyone’s mind now, especially since November, 2016.
Luckily research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — returned to the podcast to help me find some answers.
If you missed the first four episodes of The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ you can find them on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In this episode Michael Grybko and I discuss:
The problem with the proliferation of biased fake news in our social media feeds
Why people disregard evidence that is contrary to their strongly held beliefs
How your emotional state can change the way you react to information that challenges your beliefs
Why fake news works and… Lees meer -
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
5 juni 2018 · 55 min
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer’s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process.
Q: Have you ever wondered why writer’s block is such a widely disputed malady, if it’s curable, or even real?
As we wrap up our Summer hiatus before the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place …
In Part Four of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — back on the show to help me pinpoint some possible origins and solutions to an ailment known only to writers.
If you missed the first three episodes of The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ you can find them on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
Why writers argue about the definition of writer’s block
What happens when your creativity dries up
Why writers need to unplug to recharge
3 symptoms of writer’s block and how to cure them
How small, attainable goals reward your brain
Why changing work venues boosts productivity
Hemingway’s personal tricks for getting words on the page
The importance of regular rituals for eliminating self-doubt
The Show Notes:
The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
How to Beat Writer’s Block – Maria Konnikova
This Is Your Brain on Writing – New York Times
Famous Writers’ Sleep Habits vs. Literary Productivity, Visualized – Maria Popova
How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind
The End of Reflection – Teddy Wayne
How To Concentrate Automatically Without Even Trying
Seven Tips From Ernest Hemingway on How to Write Fiction
Around the Writer’s Block: Usi… Lees meer -
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
29 mei 2018 · 38 min
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process.
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Start getting more from your site today! Q: Have you ever wondered why storytelling is such an omnipresent theme of human life?
As we take a short Summer hiatus to book new guests for the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place …
In Part Three of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — back on the show to help me define storytelling from a scientific standpoint.
If you missed the first two episodes of The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ you can find them on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
Why storytelling is the default mode of human communication
How empathy makes storytelling such an effective tool
Why Hollywood continually taps into ‘The Hero’s Journey’
How blueprints can help writers connect with their audience
Why reading fiction makes us more empathetic
Writers’ addiction to stories (especially the dark ones)
Where humanity would be without storytelling
The Show Notes:
The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)
Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
“Reading literary fiction improves empathy, study finds” from The Guardian
The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gottschall
Kelton Reid on Twitter Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
22 mei 2018 · 32 min
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process.
Q: Have you ever wondered how great writing creates an emotional response in readers?
As we take a short Summer hiatus to book new guests for the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place …
In Part Two of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — back on the show to help me define empathy from a scientific standpoint and shed light on the darker corners of how writers can tap into the hopes, dreams, and fears of readers.
If you missed The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ Part One: Creativity you can find it on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
How science is changing our definition of empathy
What actors and doctors have in common with writers
How to resist the dark side of empathy
The difference between good storytelling and great storytelling
How marketers tap into well-worn paths in our brains
The key to empathizing with your readers
Why great content starts with the desire to help people
The Show Notes:
The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity
Mirror Neurons
Empathy Maps: A Complete Guide to Crawling Inside Your Customer s Head
Kelton Reid on Twitter Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part One: Creativity
15 mei 2018 · 26 min
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process.
Q: Have you ever wondered how prolific writers summon vast stores of creativity without breaking a sweat?
As we take a short Summer hiatus to book new guests for the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place, starting here …
In Part One of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — to come on the show and help pinpoint where exactly in the brain creativity lives.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
How science is expanding our definition of creativity
Why memory plays such a big part in writing
Where creative ideas come from
Whether or not you can teach an old writer new tricks
Why staying curious is so important to creativity
How prolific writers are like pro athletes
Why the adage “write what you know” is sound advice
The Show Notes:
This Is Your Brain on Writing
8 Strange Rituals of Productive Writers
Kelton Reid on Twitter Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How Bestselling Author Douglas Coupland Writes
8 mei 2018 · 33 min
The iconic, international bestselling author of 14 novels, including the era-defining Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, Douglas Coupland, paid a visit to the show to rap with me about his latest collection, his strange ritual for starting a new book, and the timeless difficulties of getting published.
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Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Coupland started his career in journalism before rising to prominence after his acclaimed, bestselling debut in 1991. Since Generation X he has become an internationally recognized visual artist, designer, and author of 14 novels, two short story collections, a dozen nonfiction books, and scripts for the stage, TV, and film.
In addition to his many contributions to traditional and online publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Vice Doug has written and performed for England’s Royal Shakespeare Company and is a columnist for The Financial Times of London.
His latest, titled Bit Rot, is a collection of more than 65 thought-provoking essays, stories, and meditations “… on the different ways in which twentieth-century notions of the future are being shredded.”
The social critic and cultural observer has been prognosticating on how technology affects our brains since the advent of the internet.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Douglas Coupland and I discuss: Lees meerHow a visual artist became a generation-defining fiction author
The writer’s love of serial journalism
Why listeners of this show have won the biggest lottery in history
How a Canadian professor in the ’60s predicted the influence of the internet we know today
The magic of writing on airplanes
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How Bestselling Author & Investigative Journalist Scott Carney Writes: Part Two
1 mei 2018 · 34 min
In Part Two of this file, the award-winning New York Times bestselling author, investigative journalist, and anthropologist, Scott Carney, returned to talk about the dangers of putting yourself into the story, what he’s learned in his 20+ years in mainstream publishing, and how he juggles his multiple creative adventures. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Throughout his globe-trotting career as a journalist Scott has spent extensive time in South Asia, been a contributing editor at WIRED for over five years, and written for Mother Jones, Men s Journal, Playboy, Foreign Policy, Discover, Outside, Fast Company, and many others.
Mr. Carney is the author of a trio of nonfiction books that combine investigative journalism and anthropology, including The Red Market (where he explored the black market for human body parts), A Death on Diamond Mountain (an examination of the dark side of spiritual seekers), and most recently, the New York Times bestseller What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength.
As part of his research for What Doesn’t Kill Us, Scott spent time with Dutch extreme athlete and fitness guru Wim Hof to try to understand the science behind his now famous method to control his body temperature in extreme conditions and tap into ancient super-human abilities.
In addition to his writing, Scott is a public speaker and educator who has been a senior fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism and a Scripps Fellow at the Center for Environmental Journalism in Boulder, Colorado.
His work has been featured on NPR and National Geographic TV.
His most recent project is a video course for writers, called The Fine Print, aimed at helping freelancers, journalists, and creative entrepreneurs to think of themselves as a sta… -
How Bestselling Author & Investigative Journalist Scott Carney Writes: Part One
24 april 2018 · 32 min
Award-winning New York Times bestselling author, investigative journalist, and anthropologist, Scott Carney, stopped by the show recently to talk about the dangers of putting yourself into the story, what he’s learned in his 20+ years in mainstream publishing, and how he juggles his multiple creative adventures. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Throughout his globe-trotting career as a journalist Scott has spent extensive time in South Asia, been a contributing editor at WIRED for over five years, and written for Mother Jones, Men s Journal, Playboy, Foreign Policy, Discover, Outside, Fast Company, and many others.
Mr. Carney is the author of a trio of nonfiction books that combine investigative journalism and anthropology, including The Red Market (where he explored the black market for human body parts), A Death on Diamond Mountain (an examination of the dark side of spiritual seekers), and most recently, the New York Times bestseller What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength.
As part of his research for What Doesn’t Kill Us, Scott spent time with Dutch extreme athlete and fitness guru Wim Hof to try to understand the science behind his now famous method to control his body temperature in extreme conditions and tap into ancient super-human abilities.
In addition to his writing, Scott is a public speaker and educator who has been a senior fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism and a Scripps Fellow at the Center for Environmental Journalism in Boulder, Colorado.
His work has been featured on NPR and National Geographic TV.
His most recent project is a video course for writers, called The Fine Print, aimed at helping freelancers, journalists, and creative entrepreneurs to think of themselves as a startup busin… -
How New York Times Bestselling Author Maria Konnikova Writes
17 april 2018 · 33 min
The multiple New York Times bestselling non-fiction author and New Yorker columnist, Maria Konnikova, dropped by the show back in early 2016 to chat with me about what it’s like to be a contributing journalist for a storied institution, productivity hacks, and her own creative process. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! This is a fan favorite from the archives that I’m updating because it’s an insightful interview and Maria has also been in the news recently for winning her first premier professional poker title.
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and as the story goes — reported by Poker News — over “… a year ago … Konnikova decided to learn the game of poker and asked the infamous, Erik Seidel [winner of eight World Series of Poker and a World Poker Tour title] to help mentor/coach her. Her goal … was to play poker for a year, to learn the game, and then write a book about it.”
The book was pitched as a chronicle of her “… yearlong journey from poker neophyte to the World Series … an exploration of the balance of luck and skill in our daily lives and how we can become the best decision makers we possibly can.”
Lo and behold, an intensive one-year poker crash-course helped her win her first prestige pro tournament and a cool $85K in early 2018.
It’s a crazy story, and a fantastic reason to revisit our talk here, and to find her book, The Biggest Bluff, when it’s published in Summer 2019.
Her last bestseller — The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time — examined the psychology of the con, and as Forbes described the book, “One of the best science writers of our time examines the minds, motives, and methods of con artists — and the people who fall for their cons.”
Ms. Konnikova has a PhD in Psychology from Columbia University and has contributed countless articles and essays for The Atlantic, The New … -
How Copyblogger’s Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Flaxman Writes: Part Two
10 april 2018 · 46 min
In Part Two of this file the Editor-in-Chief of Copyblogger, my colleague and friend, Stefanie Flaxman, returned to chat with me about her journey from solopreneur to headline honcho, the rules of “ruthless editing,” her philosophy of creativity, and much more. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Stef is a professional writer and editor who manages the editorial team for Copyblogger.com, where she helps publish one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” available, for a very large audience of online writers.
[Incidentally Copyblogger is the reason The Writer Files exists and where the written series was started.]
A long-time contributor to the Copyblogger community, she officially joined the team in 2014 with a mission to help ensure stringent editorial standards, and create content aimed at helping fellow entrepreneurs stand out from the competition.
Ms. Flaxman’s weekly podcast, Editor-in-Chief (2015-2016), delivered her signature “… art of writing, updated for marketing in the digital age, to help you become the Editor-in-Chief of your own digital business.”
Before Copyblogger, Stef ran her own online writing and editing shop, Revision Fairy, which she started in 2008. She has also done stints as the West Coast Office Manager for Mediabistro and an editor for PR Newswire.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Stefanie Flaxman and I discuss:
My very first day as a copywriter at Copyblogger
Why you’re never as nervous as your first guest post for a huge online audience
The inefficiency of perfectionism
Stef’s philosophy of writer’s block, responsibility tangents, and creativity
Why so much of the writing process doesn’t involve actual writing… -
How Copyblogger’s Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Flaxman Writes: Part One
3 april 2018 · 41 min
Welcome to a double-stuffed episode of the show with the Editor-in-Chief of Copyblogger, my colleague and friend, Stefanie Flaxman, who stopped by this week to rap with me about her journey from solopreneur to headline honcho, the rules of “ruthless editing,” her philosophy of creativity, and much more. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Stef is a professional writer and editor who manages the editorial team for Copyblogger.com, where she helps publish one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” available, for a very large audience of online writers.
[Incidentally Copyblogger is the reason The Writer Files exists and where the written series was started.]
A long-time contributor to the Copyblogger community, she officially joined the team in 2014 with a mission to help ensure stringent editorial standards, and create content aimed at helping fellow entrepreneurs stand out from the competition.
Ms. Flaxman’s weekly podcast, Editor-in-Chief (2015-2016), delivered her signature “… art of writing, updated for marketing in the digital age, to help you become the Editor-in-Chief of your own digital business.”
Before Copyblogger, Stef ran her own online writing and editing shop, Revision Fairy, which she started in 2008. She has also done stints as the West Coast Office Manager for Mediabistro and an editor for PR Newswire.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Stefanie Flaxman and I discuss:
Her early exposure to journalism and unique path to a career in writing and editing
How her discovery of Brian Clark’s trailblazing blog helped take her own business to the next level
Why great things happen when you make yourself vulnerable
How Stef became a true “triple threat” in her field
Why you should write ever… -
How the Creator of the ‘Lore’ Podcast (and TV Show) Aaron Mahnke Writes: Part Two
20 februari 2018 · 24 min
In Part Two of this file, the award-winning creator, producer, and host of the megahit Lore podcast, TV show, and book series, Aaron Mahnke, returned to share how he created his scary storytelling universe from scratch, his writing regimen for success, and advice to fellow scribes. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! In less than three years the writer and former graphic designer grew his humble “true life scary story” podcast, Lore, from a small email list and an effort to market his self-published novels, into a critically acclaimed show with more than 100 million downloads.
The podcast won Apple Podcasts’ Best of 2015 & 2016, and picked up a “Best History Podcast 2016” from the Academy of Podcasters. Lore was also recently turned into an Amazon TV series by producers of The Walking Dead and The X-Files (with Aaron as a co-exec. producer), as well as a live tour, and a book series from Penguin Random House.
The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures is the first in a three-book series from the author. The books include both old and new tales from the world of Lore, with their signature blend of history and the macabre, to plumb the depths of our collective nightmares.
Entertainment Weekly noted that Mahnke “… dives deep into the world of folklore and the darker side of history in a quest to root out the fragment of truth at the bottom of our fears.”
The author has been featured in the Huffington Post, The Guardian, Esquire, The Atlantic, USA Today, and others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Aaron Mahnke and I discuss:
The writer’s process and the advantages of a home office for a podcast producer
How to turn a scary, spoken word podcast into a hit TV show
Why the author leans on … -
How the Creator of the ‘Lore’ Podcast (and TV Show) Aaron Mahnke Writes: Part One
13 februari 2018 · 23 min
The award-winning creator, producer, and host of the megahit Lore podcast, TV show, and book series, Aaron Mahnke, joined me this week to share how he created his scary storytelling universe from scratch, his writing regimen for success, and advice to fellow scribes. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! In less than three years the writer and former graphic designer grew his humble “true life scary story” podcast, Lore, from a small email list and an effort to market his self-published novels, into a critically acclaimed show with more than 100 million downloads.
The podcast won Apple Podcasts’ Best of 2015 & 2016, and picked up a “Best History Podcast 2016” from the Academy of Podcasters. Lore was also recently turned into an Amazon TV series by producers of The Walking Dead and The X-Files (with Aaron as a co-exec. producer), as well as a live tour, and a book series from Penguin Random House.
The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures is the first in a three-book series from the author. The books include both old and new tales from the world of Lore, with their signature blend of history and the macabre, to plumb the depths of our collective nightmares.
Entertainment Weekly noted that Mahnke “… dives deep into the world of folklore and the darker side of history in a quest to root out the fragment of truth at the bottom of our fears.”
The author has been featured in the Huffington Post, The Guardian, Esquire, The Atlantic, USA Today, and others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Aaron Mahnke and I discuss:
The writer’s ten year journey (including the lows) to award-winning podcast producer
How an indie novelist turned a crazy idea into a scary storytelling universe
Why you need to get out of your writer’s bubble
The meticulous research an… -
How New York Times Bestselling Author of ‘The Bookseller’ Cynthia Swanson Writes
6 februari 2018 · 40 min
The award-winning literary suspense novelist and New York Times bestselling author of The Bookseller, Cynthia Swanson, took a break before her upcoming book tour to chat with me about her new thriller, The Glass Forest, the writer-slash-designer s process and unique relationship with creativity, and how she finds her ideas. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! The bestselling author started out as a freelance marketing and technical writer before her debut novel, The Bookseller, became an Indie Next pick and winner of the 2016 WILLA Award for Historical Fiction. The book has been translated into over a dozen languages and was optioned for a film adaptation with Julia Roberts attached to star and produce.
Cynthia’s latest psychological thriller The Glass Forest, has been described as “… a gripping literary suspense novel set in the 1960s about a deeply troubled family and three women who will reveal its dark truths.”
The Library Journal said of the book, “… Swanson demonstrates her signature trait: a consistent, superbly executed sense of knife-edge disquiet…” and Publisher’s Weekly called it an “… intoxicating slow burn [that] builds to a conclusion rife with shocking reveals.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Cynthia Swanson and I discuss:
How she targeted the time periods for her historical novels
Why you shouldn’t research while you write
How a professional novelist migrated to Scrivener
Why you need to intentionally goof around to beat procrastination
Great quotes for defeating self-doubt
Why you need to find your own writer’s community
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,34… -
How New York Times Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes
9 januari 2018 · 29 min
The multiple New York Times bestselling author of A Whole New Mind, Drive, and To Sell is Human, Daniel Pink, dropped by the show back in 2015 to chat with me about his experience as a TV producer, his take on writer’s block, and productivity & creativity hacks for non-fiction writers. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! This is a replay of the interview I did with Dan in honor of the publication of his latest book — When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing — a book that aims to unlock “… the scientific secrets to good timing to help you flourish at work, at school, and at home.”
The behavior expert’s sixth book is being hailed by many as one of the must-read business and leadership books of 2018, and The Wall Street Journal wrote, “Daniel H. Pink s deeply researched but never boring study could be a turning point.”
Mr. Pink has also written for The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Sunday Telegraph, Fast Company, and Wired, to name only a few.
In addition to having one of the most viewed TED talks of all time — “The puzzle of motivation” — Dan also hosted and co-executive produced the TV series “Crowd Control” for the National Geographic Channel.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Daniel Pink and I discuss:
Why you should never check email before you write
The effectiveness of word count quotas
Why the adage “butt-in-chair” really works
How to structure your writing schedule to beat “Resistance”
The author’s exhaustive reading recommendations
His fantasy Chipotle table guests
Why you need to get over yourself and just get to work
And if you want to hear Dan talking more in depth about his newest book, check out the Unemployable podcast interview he did with Brian Clark titled “The Power of Perfect Timing,” (available after Jan. 10t… -
How Award-Winning Cartoonist & Bestselling Author Zach Weinersmith Writes: Part Two
19 december 2017 · 28 min
In Part Two of this file, the celebrated cartoonist, writer, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling non-fiction book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Zach Weinersmith, took a break to rap with me about writing a research-intensive book with his wife, the difference between nerds and geeks, and how he draws inspiration for his many creative projects. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Zach is best known for his popular web-comic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (SMBC), a “geek comic” with a vast following. His comics have been featured in The Economist, Glamour, BoingBoing, The Washington Post, Freakonomics, and many more.
His wife is noted research scientist, Kelly Weinersmith (who was also guest on this show), a top 20 podcast host, and co-author of their bestselling book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, a book recently named a Wall Street Journal Best Science Book of the Year.
The book is described as, … a hilariously illustrated investigation into future technologies — from how to fling a ship into deep space on the cheap to 3D organ printing,” and seemed like a natural progression for the couple and the comedic rapport they display on their own podcast,”The Weekly Weinersmith.”
The Cofounder of Reddit said of the book, “Soonish will make you laugh and — without you even realizing it — give you insight into the most ambitious technological feats of our time,” and NPR said, “The Weinersmiths … lay out, clearly and with a wry sense of humor, exactly what it might take to get us there.”
Zach also recently published a tongue-in-cheek sequel to Soonish titled Science: Abridged Beyond the Point of Usefulness, a pocket-sized book that “… neatly summarizes every major field of science … for your favorite science nerd.”
If you’… -
How Award-Winning Cartoonist & Bestselling Author Zach Weinersmith Writes: Part One
12 december 2017 · 25 min
Celebrated cartoonist, writer, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling non-fiction book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Zach Weinersmith, took a break to rap with me about writing a research-intensive book with his wife, the difference between nerds and geeks, and how he draws inspiration for his many creative projects. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Zach is best known for his popular web-comic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (SMBC), a “geek comic” with a vast following. His comics have been featured in The Economist, Glamour, BoingBoing, The Washington Post, Freakonomics, and many more.
His wife is noted research scientist, Kelly Weinersmith (who was also guest on this show), a top 20 podcast host, and co-author of their bestselling book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, a book recently named a Wall Street Journal Best Science Book of the Year.
The book is described as, … a hilariously illustrated investigation into future technologies — from how to fling a ship into deep space on the cheap to 3D organ printing,” and seemed like a natural progression for the couple and the comedic rapport they display on their own podcast,”The Weekly Weinersmith.”
The Cofounder of Reddit said of the book, “Soonish will make you laugh and — without you even realizing it — give you insight into the most ambitious technological feats of our time,” and NPR said, “The Weinersmiths … lay out, clearly and with a wry sense of humor, exactly what it might take to get us there.”
Zach also recently published a tongue-in-cheek sequel to Soonish titled Science: Abridged Beyond the Point of Usefulness, a pocket-sized book that “… neatly summarizes every major field of science … for your favorite science nerd.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, … -
How to Crack the ‘Bestseller Code’ with Jodie Archer & Matt Jockers: Part Two
28 november 2017 · 30 min
In the cliffhanger conclusion to my chat with author and publishing consultant, Jodie Archer, we are joined this week by Dr. Matthew Jockers, English Professor & Dean at the University of Nebraska, and co-author of the internationally acclaimed book The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel. We’ll talk about Matt’s game-changing research at the heart of the book, the two authors’ new consulting service for writers based on the algorithm they developed at Stanford, and the author report from my beta test of the service. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! For 11 years Matt was a Lecturer and “embedded” Academic Technology Specialist (ATS) in the Department of English at Stanford University. There he co-founded and directed the paradigm-shifting Stanford Literary Lab with Franco Moretti.
In 2014 Matt also worked as a Principal Research Scientist for iBooks at Apple. His work on the bleeding edge of text-mining and digital humanities established him as an expert at the crossroads of technology and fiction.
His work helped lead to the award-winning algorithm behind The Bestseller Code, honed over four years text-mining 20,000 contemporary novels, using around 300,000 data points, and able to predict bestsellers 80% of the time.
Matt and Jodie were hounded by writers from all over the world for help with their manuscripts. On the heels of their international success and winning the NUtech Ventures 2017 Breakthrough Innovation of the Year award, Jodie and Matt have founded a unique book consultancy for authors, publishers, and agents, based on the algorithm in The Bestseller Code.
Beginning December 1st, 2017, ArcherJockers.com will offer three tiers of service to authors: single manuscript analysis, series analysis, and a VIP service.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see n… -
How to Crack the ‘Bestseller Code’ with Jodie Archer: Part One
23 november 2017 · 43 min
Writer, literary scholar, publishing consultant, and co-author of the internationally acclaimed book The Bestseller Code, Jodie Archer, returns one year later to chat with me about the book’s runaway success, turning the algorithm into an innovative consulting service for writers, her own writer’s journey, and one very unexpected turn for the host of this show. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Before getting her PhD from Stanford, Ms. Archer studied English at Cambridge, worked in journalism and TV, and was an acquisitions editor for Penguin UK publishing.
At Stanford Jodie taught writing and researched both contemporary fiction and bestsellers. Upon completion of her doctoral work she was recruited by Apple where she was the lead in research on books.
The Bestseller Code is based on Jodie’s doctoral research with professor Matthew Jockers (co-founder of the cutting edge Stanford Literary Lab), an algorithm they honed for four years and refined by text mining over 20,000 contemporary novels using around 300,000 data points.
The Guardian predicted that the book would “… revolutionize the publishing industry,” because the technology could predict bestsellers 80% of the time, based on theme, plot, character, and many other signatures.
The authors were, of course, hounded by writers from all over the world for help with their manuscripts. And finally — following their breakthrough research — Jodie and Matt have founded a unique book consulting service for authors, publishers, and agents, based on the algorithm in The Bestseller Code.
Beginning December 1st, 2017, ArcherJockers.com will offer three tiers of service to authors: single manuscript analysis, series analysis, and VIP service. [This interview was recorded in anticipation of that date in mid-October.]
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to a… -
How the Bestselling Sci-Fi Author of ‘The Martian’ Andy Weir Writes
14 november 2017 · 46 min
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian, Andy Weir, dropped by the show in 2015 to chat with me about his writing process in the days just prior to the release of the Oscar Nominated movie adaptation of his hit book, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! This is a replay of the entire interview I did with Andy in honor of the publication of his latest book — Artemis: A Novel — described as “… a near-future thriller — a heist story set on the moon.”
Blake Crouch, the New York Times bestselling author of Dark Matter, said of the book “Weir has done the impossible he s topped The Martian …,” and Ernest Cline, New York Times bestselling author of Ready Player One, called it “Everything you could hope for in a follow-up … another smart, fun, fast-paced adventure that you won t be able to put down.”
The author’s inspiring journey to #1 on the NY Times Best Sellers list with his first novel began as a humble series of blog posts that grew enough interest to demand self-publishing to Amazon. When The Martian’s popularity sky-rocketed, traditional publisher Random House called, and the rest is history.
From software engineer to sci-fi phenom, Andy is a down-to-earth writer and self-described “space nerd,” who still answers all of his fan mail.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Andy Weir and I discuss:
How a science geek became a bestselling author
One great trick for improving your dialogue
Why your enthusiasm doesn’t determine the quality of your writing
The creative power of a walk and a hot shower
Mr. Weir’s unique relationship with NASA
3 tips and tricks to becoming an “actual” writer
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How Noted Scientist & Bestselling Author of ‘Soonish’ Dr. Kelly Weinersmith Writes
7 november 2017 · 42 min
The noted research scientist, top 20 podcast host, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Dr. Kelly Weinersmith, took a timeout from her book tour to talk with me about the importance of good writing in the sciences, what it’s like to write a book with your husband, and finding time to be a writer and a mom. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Kelly is an adjunct faculty member in the Biosciences department at Rice University, as well as the co-host of two podcasts for the Brachiolope Media Network.
She co-hosts a top 20 natural sciences podcast, “Science … sort of,” as well as “The Weekly Weinersmith,” a podcast she produces with her husband, celebrated cartoonist Zach Weinersmith (creator of the web comic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal) where the two discuss papers and interview scientists.
The natural progression for the couple was their New York Times bestseller Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, described as a “… snapshot of what’s coming next — from robot swarms to nuclear fusion powered-toasters.”
The Cofounder of Reddit said of the book, “Soonish will make you laugh and — without you even realizing it — give you insight into the most ambitious technological feats of our time,” and NPR said, “The Weinersmiths … lay out, clearly and with a wry sense of humor, exactly what it might take to get us there.”
Kelly was a speaker at Smithsonian magazine s The Future Is Here Festival in 2015, and her work has been featured in The Atlantic, National Geographic, BBC World, Science, and Nature.
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In this file Kelly Weinersmith and I discuss:
What it’s like to take a one-year-old on a nerdy book to… -
How WNYC Podcast Host and Author of ‘Bored and Brilliant’ Manoush Zomorodi Writes
31 oktober 2017 · 48 min
Award-winning podcast host, managing editor of WNYC Studios’ “Note to Self,” and author of Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self, Manoush Zomorodi, took a break from her hectic schedule to rap with me about her claim to fame as a podcaster, the neuroscience of boredom, and how to recharge your creative batteries. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Manoush is a former globetrotting journalist and producer for both BBC and Reuters. She has won four New York Press Club awards for her work with New York Public Radio and was named 2017 s Best Tech Podcast by the Academy of Podcasters.
Her podcast is described as a tech show that “…searches for answers to life s digital quandaries through experiments and conversations with listeners and experts.”
Her first book, Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self, is grounded in both neuroscience and cognitive psychology and based on a groundbreaking experiment she conducted with thousands of her podcast listeners to “…help them unplug from their devices, get bored, [and] jump-start their creativity…”
In addition to her popular TED talk “How boredom can lead to your most brilliant ideas,” she has appeared on NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, WNBC, and The Dr. Oz Show and contributes to NPR, Quartz, Inc., and Radiolab.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Manoush Zomorodi and I discuss:
The miracle of technology and its inherent ills
Why our favorite algorithms are programmed to distract us
How the author enlisted thousands of podcast listeners for her one-of-a-kind experiment
Why you need to change your digital habits to be more creative
Why first drafts suck and the power of deadlines
A refreshing definition of creativity
Why you s… -
How Essayist & Author of Debut Novel ‘The Floating World’ C. Morgan Babst Writes
24 oktober 2017 · 38 min
Acclaimed essayist, short fiction writer, and author of the debut novel The Floating World, C. Morgan Babst, took a few minutes to rap with me about the wrath of hurricanes, writing a love letter to the city of New Orleans, and her secrets to staying organized and productive. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Morgan is a New Orleans native who started her journey at NOCCA (New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts), before studying writing at both Yale, and NYU. Her essays and short fiction have appeared in The Oxford American, Guernica, the Harvard Review, the New Orleans Review, among others.
An essay she wrote on New Orleans funeral culture (“Death Is a Way to Be,” Guernica, June 15, 2015) was named a Notable Essay in Best American Essays 2016.
Her ambitious and haunting first novel, The Floating World, was chosen as an Amazon Editor s Pick for Best Books of October 2017, and was called a “… beautiful, relentless portrait of the devastation [Hurricane Katrina] inflicted on a city, and a family…”.
In a Kirkus starred review, the book was called a “Deeply felt and beautifully written; a major addition to the literature of Katrina.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file C. Morgan Babst and I discuss:
Her background in the arts and the long road to publishing her first novel
Why a novel 12 years in the making is so relevant today
How credit card bills can boost your productivity
Why you need to turn off “creativity” while you’re writing
How to keep track of your best ideas
Why you need to get into a “Lynchian” state of mind as you write
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Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website own… -
How New York Times Bestselling Author & Mortician Caitlin Doughty Writes
17 oktober 2017 · 38 min
Alternative mortician, YouTube personality, and New York Times bestselling nonfiction author of From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death, Caitlin Doughty, rang me up this week to chat about changing the West’s relationship to death, the challenges of running a non-profit funeral home, and how to write a bestselling book in your spare time. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Caitlin is the creator of “Ask a Mortician,” a web series that boasts over 300,000 subscribers, and the founder of The Order of the Good Death, a nonprofit that advocates for death acceptance and an alternative to Western funeral industry practices.
Her first bestselling book and memoir, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: and Other Lessons from the Crematory, chronicled her experiences as a young woman working in a crematorium.
Her latest, From Here to Eternity, resumes her exploration of the field to explore “… how other cultures care for the dead,” and “… is an immersive global journey that introduces compelling, powerful rituals almost entirely unknown in America.”
Her mission to reform the death industry has led to features on NPR, BBC, The New Yorker, Vice, The Atlantic, the New York Times, and many others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Caitlin Doughty and I discuss:
Her strong voice for change and how that got her an agent
How a full-time mortician finds time to write bestselling books
The sense of doubt that all writers face
How her greater mission overtook her fear of writing
Why writers need to be less precious about their work
The Muse of Death
Why you need to Tweet an inspirational writing quote to Caitlin @TheGoodDeath – #TheWriterFiles – after you listen to this show
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience … -
How Content Marketing Pioneer & Serial Entrepreneur Brian Clark Writes: Part Two
3 oktober 2017 · 41 min
In Part Two of this file the self-confessed serial entrepreneur, founder of Copyblogger, and CEO of Rainmaker Digital, Brian Clark, stopped by to rap with me about his journey to success, the evolution of blogging and content marketing, and his culpability for the existence of this podcast. Lees meer
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today! The inaugural guest of The Writer Files is a content marketing trailblazer who launched his one-man blog, Copyblogger.com, in 2006. With a modest investment, no audience, and no connections, he slowly and steadily built it into a vital 8-figure business, and one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” for online writers.
He is considered a top marketing influencer on writing, a “Top 10 Online Marketing Expert,” and one of the “100 Most Influential Online Marketers.” Brian has been featured in over 20 books including Linchpin by Seth Godin, and Free Agent Nation by Daniel Pink.
He is now the CEO of Rainmaker Digital, the digital commerce flagship behind Copyblogger, StudioPress, and Rainmaker Digital Services to name only a few. Brian is also the curator of the personal development newsletter Further, and Unemployable, a podcast and resource for freelancers, consultants, coaches, and like-minded entrepreneurs.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Brian Clark and I discuss:
His recent study of writing & technology including automation and personalization
Why all writers are somewhat crazy
Great tricks for jump starting your productivity and beating procrastination
How Brian invented a deliberate writing style for Copyblogger
How Brian defines creativity and why you need to expose yourself to great stories
The most important… -
How Content Marketing Pioneer & Serial Entrepreneur Brian Clark Writes: Part One
27 september 2017 · 32 min
The self-confessed serial entrepreneur, founder of Copyblogger, and CEO of Rainmaker Digital, Brian Clark, stopped by this week to rap with me about his hero’s journey to success, the evolution of blogging and content marketing, and his culpability for the existence of this podcast. Lees meer
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today! The inaugural guest of The Writer Files is a content marketing trail blazer who launched his one-man blog, Copyblogger.com, in 2006. With a modest investment, no audience, and no connections, he slowly and steadily built it into a vital 8-figure business, and one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” for online writers.
He is considered a top marketing influencer on writing, a “Top 10 Online Marketing Expert,” and one of the “100 Most Influential Online Marketers.” Brian has been featured in over 20 books including Linchpin by Seth Godin, and Free Agent Nation by Daniel Pink.
He is now the CEO of Rainmaker Digital, the digital commerce flagship behind Copyblogger, StudioPress, and Rainmaker Digital Services to name only a few. Brian is also the curator of the personal development newsletter Further, and Unemployable, a podcast and resource for freelancers, consultants, coaches, and like-minded entrepreneurs.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Brian Clark and I discuss:
How a reformed lawyer became an influential blogger
The importance of compelling storytelling to successful online content
The moment Brian realized he was an entrepreneur who could write and not a traditional writer
How a near death experience led to an enlightening career change
The birth of content marketing
How Brian helped grow an online empire without any outside investments or advertising
Listen to The Writer … -
How Data Journalist & Author of ‘Nabokov’s Favorite Word is Mauve’ Ben Blatt Writes: Part Two
19 september 2017 · 26 min
In Part Two of this file the former Slate staffer, ultimate data/word nerd, and acclaimed author of Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve, Ben Blatt, dropped in to talk about crunching the numbers of classic and modern literature, debunking famous writerly wisdom, and how prolific writers establish their literary fingerprints. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Ben is a journalist, statistician, and author who takes a “fun” approach to data journalism on pop culture topics as varied as Seinfeld, The Beatles, and baseball (his last book I Don’t Care if We Never Get Back, was about a mathematically optimal baseball road trip).
The author studied applied mathematics at Harvard and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Deadspin, and others.
His most recent book, Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve: What the Numbers Reveal About the Classics, Bestsellers, and Our Own Writing, “… brings big data to the literary canon, exploring the wealth of fun findings that remain hidden in the works of the world s greatest writers.”
NPR called the book, A hell of a lot of fun …”, The Wall Street Journal, “Enlightening,” and The Boston Globe called it, “Brilliant.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Ben Blatt and I discuss:
How to trick yourself out of writer’s block
A data journalist’s book writing hacks, including when to add tables and graphs
Why brevity and simplicity will always stand the test of time
How a great writer sticks out in their own unique way
Great tips to creating a long and rewarding writing career
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How Data Journalist & Author of ‘Nabokov’s Favorite Word is Mauve’ Ben Blatt Writes: Part One
12 september 2017 · 25 min
The former Slate staffer, ultimate data/word nerd, and acclaimed author of Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve, Ben Blatt, dropped in this week to talk about crunching the numbers of classic and modern literature, debunking famous writerly wisdom, and how prolific writers establish their literary fingerprints. Lees meer
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today! Ben is a journalist, statistician, and author who takes a “fun” approach to data journalism on pop culture topics as varied as Seinfeld, The Beatles, and baseball (his last book I Don’t Care if We Never Get Back, was about a mathematically optimal baseball road trip).
The author studied applied mathematics at Harvard and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Deadspin, and others.
His most recent book, Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve: What the Numbers Reveal About the Classics, Bestsellers, and Our Own Writing, “… brings big data to the literary canon, exploring the wealth of fun findings that remain hidden in the works of the world s greatest writers.”
NPR called the book, A hell of a lot of fun …”, The Wall Street Journal, “Enlightening,” and The Boston Globe called it, “Brilliant.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Ben Blatt and I discuss:
How a math nerd became a pop culture data hound
The challenges of turning thousands of books into big data to examine famous writing advice
On Elmore Leonard’s reversal in exclamation point usage
Why Nabokov used so many colors in his writing
How a data journalist concocted experiments to debunk conventional wisdom about bestselling authors
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why m… -
More International ‘Writer Porn’ with Journalist Adam Skolnick
29 augustus 2017 · 56 min
Award-winning journalist, author, and serial guest, Adam Skolnick, is back on the show as our international correspondent to catch us up on the globetrotting life of a travel writer, his journey to self-publishing, and more writer porn. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Adam s first narrative nonfiction book is now available in paperback One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits and is based on his award-winning New York Times sports coverage of the death of the greatest American freediver of all time.
The book has been compared to other classics of extreme sports journalism like Jon Krakauer s Into Thin Air, and National Geographic Traveller called it, “A vicarious thrill that you can enjoy in a little over 300 pages and unless you read it in the bath … ”
Adam has visited 45 countries and authored or coauthored over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks, and has written for publications as varied as ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, The New York Times, and appeared on NPR.
His latest collection of 81 verses of poetry and prose– Indolirium — takes its inspiration from Jack Kerouac’s Mexico City Blues, and is “… an insomnia-addled journey through the cities, villages and way out wilds of Indonesia …” based on what the author thought “… would be a painless three month assignment in a country he knew well, only to find his marriage and life threatened and his mind unravel as he groped for light in the darkness.”
In this file Adam Skolnick and I discuss:
Investigating Elon Musk’s latest technology
How a travel journalist reinvigorated his faith in the “American Dream”
Making a living as an international content writer … in Mongolia
How to carve out a “Man-vs-Water” beat at the New York TimesThe Olympic swimmers who organize in political protest
Why an award-winning journalist chose to… -
Busting the Myth of the Starving Artist with Jeff Goins: Part Two
25 juli 2017 · 28 min
In Part Two of this file the multiple bestselling author of five books, including his latest — Real Artists Don t Starve — Jeff Goins, returned for a special edition of the show to talk with me about “The New Renaissance,” his favorite books on creativity, and busting the commonly held beliefs of artists. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! In addition to being an entrepreneur and speaker, Jeff is a writing and creativity consultant, and his popular blog, Goins, Writer, offers free tips about the writing life.
His podcast, The Portfolio Life, delves into many of the same topics via interviews with entrepreneurs and writers aimed squarely at helping listeners pursue work that matters.
On Jeff’s last visit to the show in 2015, we talked about his bestselling book, The Art of Work, and how to think like a professional writer.
His latest, Real Artists Don’t Starve, “… dismantles the myth that being creative is a hindrance to success …,” and bestselling author Daniel Pink said of the book, “Every entrepreneur, writer, and artist should read this book and take notes.”
Writers, I think you’re going to like this one.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Jeff Goins and I discuss:
The secret life of Ernest Hemingway
Debunking the idea of ‘natural talent’
Why creatives need to either join a scene or create one
How the idea of the “starving artist” has been romanticized through the ages
Why you need to make money to make more and better art
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry sta… -
Busting the Myth of the Starving Artist with Jeff Goins: Part One
18 juli 2017 · 31 min
The multiple bestselling author of five books, including his latest — Real Artists Don t Starve — Jeff Goins, returned for a special edition of the show to talk with me about “The New Renaissance,” his favorite books on creativity, and busting the commonly held beliefs of artists. Lees meer
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today! In addition to being an entrepreneur and speaker, Jeff is a writing and creativity consultant, and his popular blog, Goins, Writer, offers free tips about the writing life.
His podcast, The Portfolio Life, delves into many of the same topics via interviews with entrepreneurs and writers aimed squarely at helping listeners pursue work that matters.
On Jeff’s last visit to the show in 2015, we talked about his bestselling book, The Art of Work, and how to think like a professional writer.
His latest, Real Artists Don’t Starve, “… dismantles the myth that being creative is a hindrance to success …,” and bestselling author Daniel Pink said of the book, “Every entrepreneur, writer, and artist should read this book and take notes.”
Writers, I think you’re going to like this one.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Jeff Goins and I discuss:
How the starving artist mindset is a choice not a condition
Why now is the best time in history to do creative work
How John Grisham overcame the odds and 40 rejections to become a bestselling author
Why you don’t need to “go big or go home”
The psychology of rule-breakers and creativity
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go… -
How Award-Winning Short Story Writer Abigail Ulman Writes: Part Two
11 juli 2017 · 29 min
In Part Two of this file the recent Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and acclaimed author of the award-winning short story collection Hot Little Hands, Abigail Ulman, visited the show this week to talk about having a beer with George Saunders, the life of a traveling freelancer, and the idiosyncrasies of great writers. Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! In addition to being a freelance copywriter and screenwriter, the native Australian author and self-confessed gypsy has followed in the footsteps of other famous itinerant writers.
At Stanford’s two-year creative writing fellowship she got the chance to study with great writers like Tobias Wolff and Colm Toibin. Other notable fellows — to name a few — have included Raymond Carver, Ken Kesey, Scott Turow, Thomas McGuane, and Larry McMurtry.
Abigail’s short stories invited the interest of publishers, and her first book, Hot Little Hands, went on to win a 2016 Best Young Australian Novelist Award and is a collection of “… heartbreakingly tender and often darkly funny fiction.”
Lena Dunham called it a “… highly inventive collection of short fiction which hits virtually all my buttons,” and Publishers Weekly said of the book, “The captivating women in this collection leave a lasting impression.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Abigail Ulman and I discuss:
How she divides her writing day and the rarity of copywriting emergencies
The autobiographical nature of writer’s block
Why you need to be kind to yourself and the power of taking breaks
The neurotic nature of writers
Why the best way to beat anxiety is to eliminate self-doubt
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Down… -
How Award-Winning Short Story Writer Abigail Ulman Writes: Part One
3 juli 2017 · 28 min
The recent Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and acclaimed author of the award-winning short story collection Hot Little Hands, Abigail Ulman, visited the show this week to talk about having a beer with George Saunders, the life of a traveling freelancer, and the idiosyncrasies of great writers. Lees meer
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today! In addition to being a freelance copywriter and screenwriter, the native Australian author and self-confessed gypsy has followed in the footsteps of other famous itinerant writers.
At Stanford’s two-year creative writing fellowship she got the chance to study with great writers like Tobias Wolff and Colm Toibin. Other notable fellows — to name a few — have included Raymond Carver, Ken Kesey, Scott Turow, Thomas McGuane, and Larry McMurtry.
Abigail’s short stories invited the interest of publishers, and her first book, Hot Little Hands, went on to win a 2016 Best Young Australian Novelist Award and is a collection of “… heartbreakingly tender and often darkly funny fiction.”
Lena Dunham called it a “… highly inventive collection of short fiction which hits virtually all my buttons,” and Publishers Weekly said of the book, “The captivating women in this collection leave a lasting impression.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Abigail Ulman and I discuss:
How a love of travel and words led her to Stanford University
The emotional challenges she faced finishing her first book
On the shift from the solitude of writing fiction to the collaborative nature of screenwriting
How she tested out her interview skills on the biggest stage available
Why she nerds out about her coffee ritual
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subs… -
How Merriam-Webster Lexicographer and Author Kory Stamper Writes: Part Two
27 juni 2017 · 25 min
In Part Two of this file the associate editor and lexicographer at Merriam-Webster, and acclaimed author of the book Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, Kory Stamper, paid me a visit to talk about being a celebrity word nerd, how she manages her time between the dictionary and her own writing, and the pending “pencil apocalypse.” Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! In addition to writing and editing for the oldest dictionary in the U.S., Kory gained notoriety when she appeared in Merriam-Webster’s popular “Ask the Editor” video series, short video blogs that tackle topics of “lexical contempt” like irregardless.
Her non-fiction debut is titled Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, and it “… cracks open the complex, obsessive world of lexicography, from the agonizing decisions about what to define and how to do it, to the knotty questions of usage in an ever-changing language.”
Publishers Weekly called it a “… witty, sly, occasionally profane behind-the-scenes tour aimed at deposing the notion of real and proper English.” The New Yorker called it “illuminating,” and “An unlikely page-turner.”
Kory also blogs about language and “defining the words that define us” on her own website, and her writing has appeared in The Guardian and The New York Times, and on Slate.com.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Kory Stamper and I discuss:
The importance of boredom, procrastination, deadlines, and staring into space
Secrets on how lexicographers stays sane
Why you should rethink your definition of creativity
How to counteract the “tyranny of the alphabet”
Her tendency to hoard rare pencils
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below… -
How Merriam-Webster Lexicographer and Author Kory Stamper Writes: Part One
20 juni 2017 · 29 min
The associate editor and lexicographer at Merriam-Webster, and acclaimed author of the book Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, Kory Stamper, paid me a visit to talk about being a celebrity word nerd, how she manages her time between the dictionary and her own writing, and the pending “pencil apocalypse.” Lees meer
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today! In addition to writing and editing for the oldest dictionary in the U.S., Kory gained notoriety when she appeared in Merriam-Webster’s popular “Ask the Editor” video series, short video blogs that tackle topics of “lexical contempt” like irregardless.
Her non-fiction debut is titled Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, and it “… cracks open the complex, obsessive world of lexicography, from the agonizing decisions about what to define and how to do it, to the knotty questions of usage in an ever-changing language.”
Publishers Weekly called it a “… witty, sly, occasionally profane behind-the-scenes tour aimed at deposing the notion of real and proper English.” The New Yorker called it “illuminating,” and “An unlikely page-turner.”
Kory also blogs about language and “defining the words that define us” on her own website, and her writing has appeared in The Guardian and The New York Times, and on Slate.com.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Kory Stamper and I discuss:
How a want ad in a print newspaper led to her writing career
The viral video blog that catapulted her into the spotlight
Why your high school English teacher lied to you
How Kory’s book will make you feel better about your frustrations with usage
Why writing a book is also a full-time job
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
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How Bestselling Author Ryan Holiday Writes
13 juni 2017 · 45 min
Reformed “media manipulator,” proponent of stoic philosophy, expert marketer, and bestselling writer, Ryan Holiday, has accomplished more in ten years than most will in a lifetime. He spoke with Robert Bruce about how he does it … Lees meer
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Start getting more from your site today! Note: This episode contains a few phrases that some may find explicit.
Ryan Holiday has written six bestselling books on topics as diverse as growth hacker marketing, practical stoicism, and the dark arts of the digital media landscape … and his next book — Perennial Seller — will be published in July.
He ran marketing for American Apparel, one of the most notoriously successful brands in modern times, and now runs a thriving marketing shop of his own.
The list of his accomplishments is a lot longer than that, but I think you get the idea.
Oh, and did I mention he’s just 29 years old?
Enjoy.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Ryan Holiday and Robert Bruce discuss:
How Ryan approaches the problem of procrastination
Where he writes his books and essays
How writers can compete against the recorded history of … everything
Media Manipulation in the age of Trump
His next book Perennial Seller, and why the long game is the only game
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
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Ryan Holiday
Trust Me, I’m Lying
Trust Me, I’m Lying Book Trailer
Growth Hacker Marketing
The Daily Stoic
Perennial Seller
Ryan Holiday on Twitter
Robert Bruce on TwitterLearn more about your ad choi…
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How Award-Winning Author & Educator K.M. Weiland Writes: Part Two
6 juni 2017 · 27 min
In Part Two of this file the multiple award-winning, internationally published author, podcaster, and writing coach, K.M. Weiland, stopped by the show to chat with me about Helping Writers Become Authors, balancing creativity and logic, and beating writer’s block. Lees meer
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today! As an award-winning author of acclaimed writing guides — including standouts Outlining Your Novel, Structuring Your Novel, and Creating Character Arcs — Ms. Weiland uses part of her writing day helping mentor authors via her online writer’s community.
Her website Helping Writers Become Authors has collected many accolades, including Writer’s Digest “Best Websites for Writers” multiple years running, and nurtures a community of scribes dedicated to helping “… show you how to write your best story — change your life — and astound the world.”
In addition to developing an app for writers, her weekly podcast, and steady social media presence, Katie also somehow finds time to write and self-publish both historical and speculative fiction.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file K.M. Weiland and I discuss:
Her love of Scrivener for taking notes, organizing, and outlining her books
How writers can combat “internet brain”
Why tapping into your subconscious is vital for writers
How to manage your creative energy
Why writers need tap into their “rascal spirits”
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.comToby Lyles,…
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How Award-Winning Author & Educator K.M. Weiland Writes: Part One
30 mei 2017 · 25 min
The multiple award-winning, internationally published author, podcaster, and writing coach, K.M. Weiland, stopped by the show to chat with me about Helping Writers Become Authors, balancing creativity and logic, and beating writer’s block. Lees meer
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today! As an award-winning author of acclaimed writing guides including standouts Outlining Your Novel, Structuring Your Novel, and Creating Character Arcs Ms. Weiland uses part of her writing day to help mentor authors via her online writer’s community.
Her website Helping Writers Become Authors has collected many accolades, including Writer’s Digest “Best Websites for Writers” multiple years running, and nurtures a community of scribes dedicated to helping “… show you how to write your best story — change your life — and astound the world.”
In addition to developing an app for writers, her weekly podcast, and steady social media presence, Katie also somehow finds time to write and self-publish both historical and speculative fiction.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file K.M. Weiland and I discuss:
How sharing her writing journey launched her career as both an author and educator
What writers need to remember about the intersection of business and art
Why if you’re going to be a writer … you have to read
How her routine helps her easily shift gears from fiction to non-fiction
On Conquering Writer’s Block and Summoning InspirationListen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.comHow Award-Winn…
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How Bestselling Fantasy & Sci-Fi Author Catherynne M. Valente Writes: Part Two
23 mei 2017 · 32 min
In Part Two of this file the prolific, multiple award-winning, New York Times bestselling author, Catherynne M. Valente, took a break at her spooky writer’s island to chat with me about her superhero origin story, earning street cred with readers, and her truly unique process.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Since her first novel — The Labyrinth, published in 2004 — the hybrid author has gone on to pen over 24 volumes of both fiction and poetry across multiple genres (including fantasy, sci-fi, young adult, and horror).
In addition to being published and anthologized in dozens of print and online journals, Catherynne has won or been nominated for every major award in her field, including the Hugo Award (for both a novel and a podcast), and been a finalist for both the Nebula and World Fantasy Awards.
She is perhaps best known for her crowdfunded phenomenon The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making — a book launched by a dedicated online fan community that went on to become a NY Times bestseller.
The series — which recently concluded with book five, The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home — has been lauded by fellow author Neil Gaiman, and Time magazine called it, “One of the most extraordinary works of fantasy, for adults or children, published so far this century.”
The prolific author continues to find innovative ways to connect with her audience, and she recently launched a Patreon project called “The Mad Fiction Laboratory,” where she offers professional and personalized advice on the business and craft of writing, as well as a sneak peek at her multiple works-in-progress.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Catherynne Valente and I discuss: Lees meerHer …
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How Bestselling Fantasy & Sci-Fi Author Catherynne M. Valente Writes: Part One
16 mei 2017 · 30 min
The prolific, multiple award-winning, New York Times bestselling author, Catherynne M. Valente, took a break at her spooky writer’s island to chat with me about her superhero origin story, earning street cred with readers, and her truly unique process.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Since her first novel — The Labyrinth, published in 2004 — the hybrid author has gone on to pen over 24 volumes of both fiction and poetry across multiple genres (including fantasy, sci-fi, young adult, and horror).
In addition to being published and anthologized in dozens of print and online journals, Catherynne has won or been nominated for every major award in her field, including the Hugo Award (for both a novel and a podcast), and been a finalist for both the Nebula and World Fantasy Awards.
She is perhaps best known for her crowdfunded phenomenon The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making — a book launched by a dedicated online fan community that went on to become a NY Times bestseller.
The series — which recently concluded with book five, The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home — has been lauded by fellow author Neil Gaiman, and Time magazine called it, “One of the most extraordinary works of fantasy, for adults or children, published so far this century.”
The prolific author continues to find innovative ways to connect with her audience, and she recently launched a Patreon project called “The Mad Fiction Laboratory,” where she offers professional and personalized advice on the business and craft of writing, as well as a sneak peek at her multiple works-in-progress.
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In Part One of this file Catherynne Valente and I discuss: Lees meerHow to write a novel in three to ten days
The story behind her four-month “circus” bo…