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.