The Stinging Fly Podcast Staying Up All Night To Write A Story, Part 2 – Jon McGregor
23 snips
Dec 17, 2021 
In this conversation, Jon McGregor, a celebrated author and creative writing professor, dives into his short story 'Dwell,' crafted in just one night. He shares the emotional weight of writing under pressure and the thrill of creativity fueled by constraints. McGregor discusses the significance of impactful endings and how they shape narrative satisfaction, particularly in post-apocalyptic genres. Additionally, he reflects on the unique challenges of writing engaging short stories for radio while highlighting the balance between inspiration and the realities of editing.
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Initial Reaction to Challenge
- Jon McGregor initially deemed the one-night story challenge "stupid."
- However, he recognized its potential to disrupt his writing routine and accepted.
The Importance of Real Deadlines
- Create real deadlines to maintain writing momentum.
- External pressure, like imminent publication, can be motivating.
Clarice Lispector's "A Chicken"
- Clarice Lispector wrote "A Chicken" in 30 minutes for a newspaper column.
- Thomas Morris was inspired by this rapid creation story.
