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

#PodcastersForJusticeAward-winning author and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Hernan Diaz, spoke to me about rejection, his unusual path to literary stardom, subverting reader expectations, and his latest novel "Trust."Hernan was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award. His first novel, "In the Distance," won the Saroyan International Prize, the Cabell Award, the Prix Page America, and the New American Voices Award, among other distinctions.His latest novel, Trust, has been named one of 2022’s Most Anticipated Books by The New York Times, OprahDaily, The Today Show, Vogue, Vulture, AV Club, and more.Described as "...an immersive story and a brilliant literary puzzle .... about money, power, intimacy, and perception," The NY Times called Trust, “Intricate, cunning and consistently surprising ..."Hernan holds a Ph.D. from NYU, edits an academic journal at Columbia University, and is also the author of Borges, Between History and Eternity. His stories and essays have appeared in The Paris Review, Granta, Playboy, The Yale Review, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere.In this file Hernan Diaz and I discussed: Why the path to publication is a Catch-22 for authors The lonely road to Pulitzer nominee and disorientation of fame What he learned from Jorge Luis Borges Re-mapping the isthmus of referential reality How he unlearned academic writing  And a lot more! Stay calm and write on ...hernandiaz.netTrust by Hernan Diaz (Amazon Affiliate)Hernan Diaz Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)A Debut Novel. A Tiny Press. A Pulitzer Finalist. – NY TimesKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeAward-winning author and broadcaster, Elizabeth Day, talked to me candidly about How to Fail, hanging out with Gloria Steinem, genre equality, and how she wrote her compeller, "Magpie."Elizabeth is a novelist, lauded journalist, and host of the chart-topping podcast, How To Fail, which has featured guests including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Gloria Steinem, and Brene Brown.Her latest novel, Magpie, was published in the UK in September 2021 and became an instant Sunday Times bestseller. Described as "... a taut, psychological suspense novel about a perfect couple and their seemingly perfect roommate...," bestselling author Matt Haig called it "...a clever, suspenseful read with a brilliant central pivot."Elizabeth was a staff feature writer for the Observer for eight years and her writing has appeared in The Telegraph, The Times, the Guardian, New York Magazine, Vogue, Grazia, Elle, and Vanity Fair. She is also a contributing editor for Harper's Bazaar.Stay calm and write on ...In this file Elizabeth Day and I discussed: How failure makes us human Cooking pasta for Stanley Tucci Why we don't call Jonathan Franzen a "Domestic Thriller" writer Writing about the struggles women go through to become mothers Booking an Airbnb to finish her book And a lot more! Show Notes:elizabethdayonline.co.ukMagpie by Elizabeth Day (Amazon Affiliate)Elizabeth Day Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)Elizabeth Day on FacebookElizabeth Day on InstagramElizabeth Day on TwitterKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeCritically acclaimed and award-winning author, Michelle Huneven, talked to me about her former life as an LA food critic, how to write self-referential fiction, and the spiritual detective work behind her latest novel "Search."Michelle's books have been New York Times Notables and finalists for the LA Times Book Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is the recipient of a Whiting Award for Fiction, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a James Beard Award for feature writing with recipes.Her fifth novel, Search, was named one of the "10 Most Anticipated Fiction Books of 2022" by Kirkus and is described as "... a sharp and funny novel of a congregational search committee, told as a memoir with recipes."Michelle received her MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and teaches creative writing at UCLA.In this file Michelle Huneven and I discussed: How she draws "psychic juice" from her fiction writing What 20 min. a day can do for your writing routine The "ground aversion" writers face to finishing And a lot more! Stay calm and write on ...Show Notes:MichelleHuneven.comSearch: A Novel by Michelle Huneven (Amazon Affiliate)Michelle Huneven Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)My Antonia by Willa Cather (Amazon Affiliate)What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women and the Food That Tells Their Stories by Laura Shapiro (Amazon Affiliate)Michelle Huneven on InstagramMichelle Huneven on TwitterKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeEmmy-nominated screenwriter and author, Sascha Rothchild, spoke to me about her humble beginnings in LA, working with Marc Maron on GLOW, and how to write a "bingeable" thriller like her debut, "Blood Sugar."Sascha has written and produced lauded TV shows including GLOW (2017), The Bold Type (2017), and The Carrie Diaries (2013), and was named Variety's “10 TV Writers to Watch” 2015.Her long-form journalism, "How to Get Divorced by 30," was adapted into both an acclaimed memoir and screenplay for Universal Studios.Her debut novel is Blood Sugar, a psychological, noir thriller, named one of the most anticipated reads of 2022 by PopSugar, BookPage, and Crimereads. It's described as "...the story of the most likable murderess you will ever meet," and bestselling author Samantha Downing called it “...a fascinating story, wicked sharp writing, and an unforgettable narrator .... [that] needs to be on your 2022 reading list.”In this file Sascha Rothchild and I discussed: The feeling of powerlessness that comes with publishing your debut Why she needs to wake up and write something every day How to write a novel in the gaps What writers need to know about the frustration of the craft Taking Jane Austen to high tea And a lot more! Stay calm and write on ...Show Notes:SaschaRothchild.comBlood Sugar by Sascha Rothchild (Amazon Affiliate)Sascha Rothchild on IMDbCirce by Madeline Miller (Amazon Affiliate) Sascha Rothchild on InstagramSascha Rothchild on TwitterKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Lipstein reads excerpts from "Last Resort," backed by an original Storybound remix with sound design and arrangement by Jude Brewer.Andrew Lipstein is a writer based in Brooklyn. His debut novel "Last Resort" is out now from Farrar, Straus & Giroux in the US, and Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the UK. His second novel will be published in 2023, also by FSG and W&N.He also works on the product design team at Kabbage, a fintech startup, and was previously at Meural, an art tech startup and his writing has appeared in Interview, the Los Angeles Review of Books, The Brooklyn Rail, The Millions, VICE, McSweeney's, The Rumpus, Electric Literature & more.Storybound is hosted by Jude Brewer and brought to you by The Podglomerate and Lit Hub Radio. Let us know what you think of the show on Instagram and Twitter @storyboundpod.Stay calm and write on ...[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]Show Notes: Last Resort: A Novel by Andrew Lipstein (Amazon Affiliate) Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeThe bestselling author and educator, Jennifer Close, spoke with me about writing her first book on unemployment, how to write a novel in 12 weeks, and her latest, "Marrying the Ketchups."  Jennifer is the bestselling author of Girls in White Dresses, The Smart One, and The Hopefuls.Her latest is Marrying the Ketchups (available from Knopf | April 26, 2022), described as a "comedy of manners about three generations of a Chicago restaurant family," and "... a love letter to shared meals and to the family-owned restaurants we all keep coming back to."Jennifer has an M.F.A. in Fiction from The New School and currently teaches creative writing at Catapult. She worked in New York in print magazines for many years and has taught creative writing at George Washington University.Stay calm and write on ...[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 Jennifer Close and I discussed: How writers can use fear as a motivator Why actually "marrying the ketchups" is a little gross What workshopping a novel from start to finish can do for you The difference between scheduling for time vs. word count Why writing doesn't always look like writing And a lot more! Show Notes: Marrying the Ketchups: A novel by Jennifer Close (Amazon Affiliate) Jennifer Close Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate) Let's Not Do that Again by Grant Ginder (Amazon Affiliate) Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (Amazon Affiliate) 12-Week Novel Draft Generator w/ Instructor Jennifer Close Jennifer Close on Instagram Jennifer Close on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeAward-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, returned for a mostly uncensored chat about assholes, mind-altering substances, the craft of writing, and the meaning of Jack Kerouac's 100th birthday.  Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others. He is also the author of One Breath, was the ghostwriter and narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling memoir and audiobook Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.Get ready, we cover some ground here and had a lot of fun along the way.Stay calm and write on ...[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]Show Notes: How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part One AdamSkolnick.com Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by Author David Goggins (Amazon Affiliate) Jack Kerouac Amazon Author Page On the Centenary of Jack Kerouac’s Birth, Rarely Seen Archival Material from His Publisher ‹ Literary Hub The Wet and the Dry: A Drinker's Journey by Lawrence Osborne (Amazon Affiliate) Malorie Kerouac on Instagram Adam Skolnick on Instagram Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeInternationally bestselling and award-winning Danish novelist, Sara Blaedel, spoke to me about overcoming a learning disorder, how to write Nordic Noir, and her latest novel, "A Harmless Lie."Sara has been dubbed Denmark’s “Queen of Crime,” and is the author of the globally bestselling Detective Louise Rick series. Over 3 million copies of Blaedel’s books have sold in Denmark alone, and the author is published in 38 countries.Her most recent hit, and 10th in the Louise Rick series, is A Harmless Lie, described as a "...darkly atmospheric, deeply emotional thriller..." A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author, said of the book, "Sara Blaedel writes novels as twisty as spirals and electric with intelligence. A HARMLESS LIE is a labyrinth of a mystery, dense and dangerous. Come get lost in it."In 2014 Sara was voted Denmark's most popular novelist for the fifth time. She is also a recipient of the Golden Laurel, Denmark's most prestigious literary award.Stay calm and write on ...[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 Sara Blaedel and I discussed: Why reading young adult mysteries were her getaway and gateway How the pressures and deadlines of journalism inform her work Inviting new readers into a long-running series Why creativity and eccentricity aren't productive to the writer's life And a lot more! Show Notes: SaraBlaedel.dk A Harmless Lie: A Novel by Sara Blaedel (Amazon Affiliate) Sara Blaedel Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate) Sara Blaedel on Instagram Sara Blaedel on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeNew York Times bestselling author, Rosie Walsh, talked with me about finding her voice, transitioning from romcom to "emotional thriller," and her latest, The Love of My Life.Rosie Walsh has lived and traveled all over the world, working as a documentary producer and writer. Her American debut, Ghosted, was a New York Times bestseller and has sold more than one million copies worldwide.Her second novel is The Love of My Life, described as a "...stay-up-all-night page-turner. It’s a love story wrapped in a mystery that ... [taps] into our darkest fears about motherhood, family, and trust."Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push, said of the book, “Walsh’s hugely compelling THE LOVE OF MY LIFE instantly pulls you deep into the interior of a marriage. Part thriller, part mystery, part heart-wrenching love story, this is a treasure...”Stay calm and write on ...[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 Rosie Walsh and I discussed: Writing upmarket fiction under a pseudonym Why she starts all of her books with plot How to write a "book that breathes" What it's like to hang out at death cafes The "bum fight" that is the writer's life And a lot more! Show Notes:RosieWalsh.comThe Love of My Life: A Novel by Rosie Walsh (Amazon Affiliate)Rosie Walsh on FacebookRosie Walsh on InstagramRosie Walsh on TwitterKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning journalist and acclaimed author, Brandon Presser, spoke to me about his credo as a globetrotter, the Instagram-ification of travel, and his latest non-fiction novel, "The Far Land."Brandon has a degree in art history and architecture from Harvard University, has worked in Paris at the Louvre, in Tokyo as an architectural apprentice, and in Thailand as a scuba diving professional.He has also traveled to over 130 countries, written over 50 travel books, and was awarded a Society of American Travel Writers award for his achievements in guidebook writing.Brandon's latest is The Far Land: 200 Years of Murder, Mania, and Mutiny in the South Pacific, and has been described as a "... thrilling true tale of power, obsession, and betrayal at the edge of the world. "Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks said of the book, “The Far Land swells in the cause and effect of actions of passion. Brandon Presser's fascinating narrative of the relentless consequences of the Bounty mutineers asks: were they brave or damned? They lived so very troubled ever after. You can’t make this stuff up!”Brandon currently contributes to Bloomberg Businessweek and Condé Nast Traveler and could be seen on Bravo's television series, "Tour Group" where he led a group of eclectic travelers around the world.[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 Brandon and I discussed: How the Mutiny on the Bounty became the most notorious maritime event of all time Why travel journalists are like prostitutes How to get a blurb from Tom Hanks His mixed emotions about publication day Having dinner on Marlon Brando's island And a lot more! Show Notes:BrandonPresser.comThe Far Land: 200 Years of Murder, Mania, and Mutiny in the South Pacific by Brandon Presser (Amazon Affiliate)Brandon Presser on InstagramBrandon Presser on TwitterKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices