The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

Part 2 of 2 Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Adam Skolnick returns to chat with us about the mystery of the creative process, why timing is everything in crafting a story, and his much-anticipated debut novel, AMERICAN TIGER. I am joined by my co-host Milena Gonzalez. Adam Skolnick is an author and award-winning journalist who covers travel, adventure and endurance sports, and the environment. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Wired, Lonely Planet, and Men's Health. He's the author of One Breath: Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits, and the ghostwriter and audiobook narrator of the bestselling David Goggins memoirs, Can't Hurt Me and Never Finished. A frequent contributor on The Rich Roll Podcast, he lives in Southern California where he was born and raised. His debut novel, American Tiger (available for preorder now, out  December 2, 2025), “Based on true events, rooted in the stunning Southern California landscape, and populated with vivid characters, [the book] is more than a frantic tiger hunt. It's about a child's quest for self-discovery, her stoic father's struggle to come to terms with their past, and the innate wildness of every living thing.” New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert said of the author, "Adam Skolnick is a tireless investigator of the human experience, writes like a dream, and American Tiger is a gorgeous, subtly subversive yarn ringing with truth." [This episode is sponsored by Ulysses. Go to ⁠ulys.app/writeabook⁠ to download Ulysses, and use the code FILES at checkout to get 25% off the first year of your yearly subscription."] [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In Part Two of this file Adam Skolnick, Milena Gonzalez and I discussed: Why the journey of becoming a dad changed the scope and tenor of his novel The only way to write something great Telling his moving story from a unique point of view  The many paths to publication Receiving signs from the universe And a lot more! Show Notes: americantigerbook.com American Tiger by Adam Skolnick (Amazon) adamskolnick.substack.com Adam Skolnick on Instagram AdamSkolnick.com Adam Skolnick on Twitter Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 1 of 2 Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Adam Skolnick spoke with us about earning his 10,000 hours, living with yours truly in a trailer in the mountains, and his much-anticipated debut novel, AMERICAN TIGER. I am joined by my co-host Milena Gonzalez. Adam Skolnick is an author and award-winning journalist who covers travel, adventure and endurance sports, and the environment. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Wired, Lonely Planet, and Men's Health. He's the author of One Breath: Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits, and the ghostwriter and audiobook narrator of the bestselling David Goggins memoirs, Can't Hurt Me and Never Finished. A frequent contributor on The Rich Roll Podcast, he lives in Southern California where he was born and raised. His debut novel, American Tiger (available for preorder now, out  December 2, 2025), “Based on true events, rooted in the stunning Southern California landscape, and populated with vivid characters, [the book] is more than a frantic tiger hunt. It's about a child's quest for self-discovery, her stoic father's struggle to come to terms with their past, and the innate wildness of every living thing.” Ann Napolitano, New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful, wrote that the book,  “Gripped me from the first page. Rarely have I read a novel with such an exquisite sense of place.” [This episode is sponsored by Ulysses. Go to ulys.app/writeabook to download Ulysses, and use the code FILES at checkout to get 25% off the first year of your yearly subscription."] [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In Part One of this file Adam Skolnick, Milena Gonzalez and I discussed: His latest adventures and his next non-fiction book What it was like to go through a horrible dry spell as a writer The evolution of his process from non-fiction to fiction Our superhero origin story How he wrote and published a true labor of love And a lot more! Show Notes: americantigerbook.com American Tiger by Adam Skolnick – December 2, 2025 (Amazon) adamskolnick.substack.com Adam Skolnick on Instagram AdamSkolnick.com Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mitch Albom, the #1 New York Times bestselling author and philanthropist, shares his journey from musician to acclaimed writer. He discusses his breakthrough with "Tuesdays with Morrie" and how family storytelling influenced his narrative style. Mitch reveals that he starts his writing process with themes rather than characters, exploring concepts of faith and regret in his latest novel, "Twice." He candidly reflects on how personal loss has shaped his writing and encourages aspiring writers to immerse themselves in diverse forms of creativity.

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, a bestselling author and award-winning podcaster, shares insights from her extensive career and her new short story collection, Pool Fishing. She discusses her journey into noir fiction, revealing its moral complexities and character depth. Barbara also reflects on maintaining a vibrant teaching career, emphasizing the importance of community and self-promotion for authors. Plus, she shares the story behind her vintage typewriter collection and imagines a dinner with literary giants Edward Abbey and Raymond Chandler.

E. Lockhart, a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her gripping YA novels, shares insights into her journey from academia to fiction. She discusses the impact of her PhD on her beachy gothic storytelling and addresses the resurgence of her hit We Were Liars thanks to TikTok. Lockhart delves into the importance of YA literature, connecting with fans through deluxe editions and emotional themes, and hints at upcoming adaptations. She emphasizes daily writing as a vital practice for aspiring authors.

In this engaging conversation, Jami Attenberg, a New York Times bestselling author and the brains behind the #1000WordsofSummer project, shares the origins of her global writing movement and how it blossomed from a two-week challenge into a supportive community. She discusses her latest book, 1000 Words, emphasizing creativity and productivity, while revealing the motivational anchors she believes every writer needs. Jami also teases her upcoming novel and offers insights into her writing process, making this a must-listen for aspiring authors!

Milena Gonzalez, bookstagram influencer and writer known as Diary of a Book Babe, shares her insights on the literary world. She dives into the differences of interviewing established versus debut authors like Geneva Rose and Penny Zhang. Milena highlights her top five-star book pick, 'Wild Dark Shore,' and discusses the immersive experiences in writing, alongside the importance of a supportive writing community. They also touch on adaptations of popular books and how fiction can inspire environmental awareness.

National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride spoke with me about finding her authentic voice, getting yelled at by kids, near-death experiences and the story behind her latest novel-in-verse THE LEAVING ROOM. Amber McBride is an award-winning author, poet, and former assistant professor of poetry, writing, and protest literature. Her debut young adult novel, Me (Moth) was a finalist for the National Book Award, 2021 and won the 2022 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent, among many other accolades. Her latest YA novel-in-verse is The Leaving Room, also a 2025 National Book Awards Finalist. “Told from the perspective of a girl hovering between life and death, The Leaving Room is a poignant story about connection, grief, love, and the power of memories.” Amber McBride’s middle-grade debut, Gone Wolf, won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She holds an MFA in poetry from Emerson College, and her poetry has been published in Ploughshares, The Rumpus, DecomP Magazine, Provincetown Arts, and more. [Discover ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Writer Files Extra⁠⁠⁠⁠: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at ⁠⁠⁠⁠writerfiles.fm⁠⁠⁠⁠] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please ⁠⁠⁠⁠click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews⁠⁠⁠⁠. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Amber McBride and I discussed: Overcoming hundreds of rejections early on Finally quitting her assistant professorship to write full time How the loss of her grandfather changed her writing Why anything beyond publishing is icing on the cake How she creates an entire world with a quarter of the words Writing while the world sleeps And a lot more! Show Notes: amber-mcbride.com  76th National Book Awards - Young People's Literature - Finalists The Leaving Room by Amber McBride (Amazon) Amber McBride Amazon Author Page Amber McBride on Threads Amber McBride on TikTok Amber McBride on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penny Zang, an English professor and debut novelist of "Doll Parts," dives into the emotional depths of friendship and grief in her writing. She shares her journey of processing loss through morning pages and discusses the influence of Sylvia Plath on her work. Listeners learn about her unique characters and the autobiographical elements woven into her thriller. Penny also emphasizes the importance of community for writers and reveals that her next novel is an 80s Edgar Allan Poe mashup. A captivating discussion on creativity and resilience!

Ted Braun, a WGA-nominated writer and USC professor, and Melissa Rosenberg, renowned for her work on Twilight and Jessica Jones, discuss the new MFA in Screenwriting at Bennington College. They share insights on how diverse experiences shape storytelling and the unique curriculum focusing on mentorship and collaboration. With only 12 students per cohort, the program aims to cultivate original voices in screenwriting. Both guests emphasize the importance of imagination, dedication, and the integration of film studies into crafting compelling narratives.