Why Mitch starts with theme, not characters

Mitch explains he begins books by choosing a theme and then builds plot and characters around it.

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Mitch Albom spoke with us about his humble beginnings as a sports journalist, the origins of Tuesdays with Morrie, and the universal themes he explores in his latest novel TWICE.

I am joined by a co-host this week, none other than The Book Babe, Milena Gonzalez.

Mitch Albom is the internationally acclaimed author of 12 New York Times bestselling books. He is best known for Tuesdays with Morrie, the best-selling memoir of all time, which tells the story of his college professor, Morrie Schwartz.

His books have collectively sold 42 million copies worldwide; have been published in 51 territories in 48 languages around the world; and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed TV movies.

His latest novel, Twice, is described as “... a stunning love story that dares to explore how our unchecked desires might mean losing what we’ve had all along.”

Time magazine wrote of the author, “Think of Mitch Albom as the Babe Ruth of popular literature, hitting the ball out of the park every time he’s at bat.”

Mitch Albom is also a journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster, musician, and philanthropist.

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In this file Mitch Albom, Milena Gonzalez and I discussed:

Learning the art of storytelling at the dinner table as a kid

His past life as a musician playing nightclubs in Greece, and dive bars in NY

How he didn't write a word until he was 23 years old

Writing Tuesdays with Morrie and the hurricane of notoriety that followed

What it’s like to play in a band with Stephen King and James McBride

The different writers from different eras that have influenced his career

Why you need to swim in the water of creativity as a writer

And a lot more!