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

#PodcastersForJusticeAward-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, C.J. Box, spoke to me about his early years as a small-town reporter, how to write a novel in 3-4 months, and his latest Joe Pickett book, Shadows Reel.C.J. is the author of 30+ novels including 22 Joe Pickett novels, seven stand-alone novels, including The Bitterroots; and the story collection Shots Fired. Over ten million copies of his books have been sold in the U.S. and abroad. He has won the Edgar, Anthony, a French Prix Calibre.38 and was awarded the 2016 Western Heritage Award for Literature by the National Cowboy Museum, to name only a few. His latest in the Joe Pickett series is Shadows Reel, and Kirkus said of the book “Joe’s 22nd adventure continues to give good value. Old-school Nazis, newfangled terrorists, Big Sky country—it’s all here.”His books have been translated into 30 languages and two TV series based on his novels are in production (BIG SKY on ABC and JOE PICKETT on Spectrum Originals). He is an Executive Producer for both series.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 C.J. Box and I discussed:His 20-year, overnight success Why Game Wardens in Wyoming meet more bad guys How to write two books in one The unique research and meticulous plotting that goes into his novels Why he takes time to pay it forward for his fellow scribes Puffing cigars with Mark Twain And a lot more! Show Notes: cjbox.net Shadows Reel (A Joe Pickett Novel Book 22) by C.J. Box (Amazon Affiliate) C.J. Box Author Page (Amazon) C.J. Box on Facebook C.J. Box on Instagram C.J. Box on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeCritically acclaimed, internationally bestselling novelist, Stephanie Wrobel, spoke to me about her humble beginnings as a copywriter, turning her thesis into a bestseller, and the process of writing This Might Hurt.Stephanie is the author of Darling Rose Gold, an instant bestseller of 2020 that received rave reviews, and was nominated for multiple awards, including the Edgar Award for Best First Novel.Her follow-up is This Might Hurt, described as "...a dark, thrilling novel about two sisters—one trapped in the clutches of a cult, the other in a web of her own lies."New York Times bestselling author of The Push, Ashley Audrain said of the book, "... [a gripping] clever exploration of fear and vulnerability right until the flawless ending—one you’ll most certainly want to talk about.”Stephanie has an MFA from Emerson College and has had short fiction published in the Bellevue Literary Review.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 Stephanie Wrobel and I discussed: The challenges of writing "the second novel" Researching real-life cults  How she writes a chapter-a-day instead of using word counts Why she loathes the idea of standing desks How to rediscover your love of writing  And a lot more! Show Notes: StephanieWrobel.com This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel (Amazon Affiliate) An author-curated playlist inspired by Stephanie Wrobel's This Might Hurt - Spotify Stephanie Wrobel on Twitter (@stephwrobel) Stephanie Wrobel on Instagram (@stephaniewrobel) Stephanie Wrobel on Facebook Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeAward-winning short story writer and novelist, Kim Fu, spoke to me about speculative vs. science fiction, how to critique the future, and her collection Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century.Kim is the author of two novels and a collection of poetry. Her novel For Today I Am a Boy won the Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award, and a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice. Her debut story collection, Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century, has been described as "12 unforgettable tales [where] the strange is made familiar and the familiar strange...." It was named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year at LitHub, Electric Lit, Kirkus, The Rumpus and CBC Books, as well as a BuzzFeed and WIRED Pick for a Book You Need to Read This Winter.Kim’s writing has appeared in Granta, the Atlantic, the New York Times, Hazlitt, and the TLS.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 Kim Fu and I discussed: The challenges of the transition from realism to speculative short stories A criticism of the Metaverse and her love of video games How she channeled the fear and dread of our current dystopia Why she writes in 12-hour sprints The power of pop-up Zoom accountability groups And a lot more!  Show Notes: Kim-Fu.com Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu (Amazon Affiliate) How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu (Amazon Affiliate) Review: 'Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century,' by Kim Fu Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeThis week four women with several combined decades of experience in the writing and publishing industries joined me for a roundtable to talk about ... How the last two years have changed how writers and publishers approach their business/craft The difficulties of getting an indie book on the New York Times bestsellers list Self vs. traditional publishing pathways and distribution models How fast do you need to go, speedboat or yacht? Hybrid models for writers Trends for 2022 And resources for aspiring scribes Guests:Angela Engel has more than two decades of experience in sales strategy and business development for companies like Chronicle Books, Dwell Studio, and Moleskine. Angela Engel launched The Collective Book Studio a woman-owned publisher transforming content into beautiful books. thecollectivebook.studio IG: thecollectivebookstudio ibpa-online.org Publishers Marketplace Publisher's Weekly Shelf Awareness Award-winning author Jennifer Irwin’s debut novel, A Dress the Color of the Sky, was published in 2017 and has received rave reviews, won seven book awards, and was optioned for a feature film. jenniferirwinauthor.com A Dress the Color of the Sky by Jennifer Irwin [Amazon Affiliate] - https://amzn.to/3GXlBm7 womensfictionwriters.org nanowrimo.org Richmond-based publisher Kimberley Wells Eley of KWE Publishing, signed an agreement with Morgan James Publishing as an Imprint, opening new doors and possibilities for all her authors. KWE Publishing LLC IG: kwepub morgan-james-publishing.com Women In Publishing Summit Award-winning author & Book Coach Dallas Woodburn is the debut author of the novel The Best Week That Never Happened. A former John Steinbeck Fellow in Creative Writing and a current San Francisco Writers Grotto Fellow, her work has been honored with the Cypress & Pine Short Fiction Award, the international Glass Woman Prize, second place in the American Fiction Prize, and four Pushcart Prize nominations dallaswoodburnauthor.com writeonbooks.org Overflowing Bookshelves podcast Thriving Authors Academy Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators [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]Stay calm and write on ... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeNew York Times bestselling and award-winning novelist, Elizabeth George, spoke to me about her exacting research, the discipline of psychological suspense, and interweaving cultural issues into her latest, Something to Hide.Dubbed "an essential writer of popular fiction today” Elizabeth is the recipient of the Anthony Award, the Agatha Award, France’s Grand Prix [graan pree] di Literature, and has been twice nominated for the Edgar Award. She's best known as the author of the Lynley mystery series that was adapted into the lauded PBS/BBC show – "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" series – currently streaming on Amazon Prime and others.Her latest, Something to Hide: A Lynley Novel, marks the 21st in that series. The New York Times Book Review called it, "... another intelligent, intricate mystery starring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley of New Scotland Yard.”Elizabeth is also a philanthropist who, through The Elizabeth George Foundation, "... makes grants to writers and to organizations benefiting disadvantaged youth, particularly in the area of the arts."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 Elizabeth George and I discussed: Why she approaches the writing craft with the same discipline and perseverance she had as a teacher  How to structure a mystery layer by layer Understanding the editorial process and learning to be a more efficient writer The foundation of any great novel, her secret hacks ... And a lot more!  Show Notes: ElizabethGeorgeOnline.com ElizabethGeorgeFoundation.org Something to Hide: A Lynley Novel by Elizabeth George (Amazon) Mastering the Process by Elizabeth George (Amazon) Elizabeth George Author Page (Amazon) Elizabeth George on Facebook Elizabeth George on Instagram Elizabeth George on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeAward-winning Irish author, Ruth Gilligan, spoke to me about researching the gothic wilds of Ireland, how to engineer a thriller, and her latest, The Butchers' Blessing.Ruth Gilligan is a writer and academic from Dublin and was the youngest person ever to top the Irish Bestsellers’ List.She has published five books and her most recent novel, The Butchers' Blessing, (published as The Butchers in the UK) is described as a "...haunting and unforgettable thriller brimming with secrecy, tradition, and superstition...". It won the 2022 Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize, whose judges called it "...a page-turning, roller coaster of a read.”B&N Reads called the book, "An achingly beautiful novel of family, tradition, Ireland and the deep secrets buried in all three," and it received a Starred review from Publishers Weekly.Ruth contributes literary reviews to the Irish Independent, Guardian, TLS, and LA Review of Books. She's also a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham and is an ambassador for the global storytelling charity Narrative 4.Stay calm and write on ...Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, links to TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" coffee mugs anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below...Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Ruth Gilligan and I discussed: How a high school writing exercise turned into a bestseller The in-depth (four-year) research process behind her latest Why her meticulous plotting is like architectural engineering How to write a thriller from four unique POVs Why writers always need to set themselves greater challenges And a lot more! Show Notes: RuthGilligan.com The Butchers’ Blessing: A Novel by Ruth Gilligan Narrative 4 Ruth Gilligan on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice Critically-acclaimed debut author, Jean Chen Ho, spoke to me about the art of nonlinear storytelling, the shifting POVs in her novel Fiona and Jane, and the value of a strong writing community. Jean was born in Taiwan and grew up in Southern California. She is a doctoral candidate in creative writing and literature at the University of Southern California – where she is a Dornsife Fellow in fiction – and has an MFA from UNLV. Her much-anticipated debut novel is a collection of linked stories titled Fiona and Jane. Booklist called it "tender and timeless," a book that "...explores the intimate facets of female friendship, Asian American immigrant experiences in Los Angeles and New York, and the debilitating power of family traumas.” Bestselling author Alexander Chee wrote, “Fiona and Jane is a high wire act. . . .Jean Chen Ho’s brilliant debut is as assured as what must surely follow.” And Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen, called it, “A knockout of a book.” Jean's writing has also been published in The Georgia Review, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, Guernica, The Rumpus, Apogee, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and others. Stay calm and write on ... Discover The Writer Files Extra You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app! As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, links to TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" coffee mugs anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey. Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Jean Chen Ho and I discussed: Why writers shouldn't pick up their phones until noon The rigors and routines of editing How going to Happy Hour and talking about writing ... counts as writing! The loneliness of being a writer Deadlines, accountability, the importance of writing groups And a lot more! Show Notes: Jean-Chen-Ho.com Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho Jean Chen Ho on Instagram Jean Chen Ho on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning journalist and bestselling biographer, Laurence Leamer, spoke to me about getting banned from Mar a Lago, why book proposals are a con job, and Truman Capote's Women (and terminal writer's block). Laurence is best known as the New York Times bestselling author of multiple celebrity biographies, including the trilogy, The Kennedy Women, The Kennedy Men, and Sons of Camelot. His latest, Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era, was named one of 2021's Most Anticipate Books in People, The New York Post, and Town & Country. The book has been described as an in-depth exploration of "...the complex web of relationships and scandalous true stories behind Truman Capote's never-published final novel, Answered Prayers..." Publishers Weekly wrote of the book, “Biographer Leamer (The Kennedy Women) showcases his knack for telling a rattling good tale in this vivid look at Truman Capote’s failed attempt to write ‘the greatest novel of the age.’ . . . This juicy story delivers.” Stay calm and write on ... Discover The Writer Files Extra You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app! As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, links to TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" coffee mugs anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey. Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Laurence Leamer and I discussed: The advice, "If your books aren't controversial, you're doing it wrong" Why writers always answer the phone on the first ring Over-research and God's greatest gift to writers The difference between living and dead biography subjects And a lot more! Show Notes: Leamer.com Laurence Leamer - Wikipedia Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era By Laurence Leamer (Amazon) Laurence Leamer Author Page (Amazon) Laurence Leamer on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter 5eAZShcQzjRgNX13Y5a1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning author and essayist, Vanessa Veselka, spoke to me about her transformation as an artist, writing out of necessity, and the journey from nervy debut to National Book Award longlist. Vanessa is the author of the debut novel Zazen, which won the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize in 2012. Her second novel, The Great Offshore Grounds, was longlisted for the National Book Award for Fiction 2020, and winner of the Oregon Book Awards' Ken Kesey Award for Fiction. The book has been described by author Roxane Gay as “A magnificent beast of a novel.... One of the rare novels that understands the realities of American poverty,” and was named one of "The 10 Best Books of 2020," by Vulture. Vanessa's short stories have appeared in Tin House and ZYZZYVA, and her nonfiction in GQ, The Atlantic, Smithsonian, The Atavist, and was included in Best American Essays and the anthology Bitchfest: Ten Years of Cultural Criticism. Stay calm and write on ... Discover The Writer Files Extra You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app! As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" coffee mugs anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey. Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Vanessa Veselka and I discussed: Suffering and the itinerant life of an artist The novel as a democratic artform Why writers need to stand their ground and trust their intuition How to find magic in your writing process Protecting your most productive time And a lot more! Show Notes: VanessaVeselka.com The Great Offshore Grounds: A novel By Vanessa Veselka (Amazon) Zazen By Vanessa Veselka (Amazon) Vanessa Veselka on Facebook Vanessa Veselka on Instagram Vanessa Veselka on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning filmmakers and multi-hyphenate screenwriting duo, Kaz and Ryan Firpo, spoke to me about their breakout Hollywood moment, writing Marvel's Eternals, and how to eat a whale. The Firpos are cousins who grew up in Northern California – with a storied background in commercials and documentary filmmaking – who describe themselves as "filmmakers who write." In 2017 their first feature screenplay, RUIN, topped The Black List (a showcase for film writers) making them a hot commodity in Hollywood. In addition to writing and directing their first feature, their original sci-fi screenplay MIMI FROM RIO was purchased in a bidding war by Netflix with Ridley Scott producing. Their first entry for the MCU is the complex story, Eternals, about a race of immortals who help shape Earth's history and civilizations, and who must emerge from hiding after thousands of years to protect the world from the evil Deviants. Stay calm and write on ... Discover The Writer Files Extra You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app! As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey. Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file The Firpos and I discussed: The importance of The Black List to launching their careers Working with Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao of Nomadland fame World-building vs. act-building in screenwriting Why you should read all the screenwriting craft books you can Having drinks with Angelina Jolie And a lot more! Show Notes: Marvel Studios’ Eternals | Final Trailer Bet Raise Fold: The Story of Online Poker Director: Ryan Firpo [Amazon] Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee [Amazon] Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field [Amazon] Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices