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

#PodcastersForJusticeThe #1 New York Times bestselling author of paranormal fiction, Laurell K. Hamilton, took a break to talk with me about why her first fantasy novel nearly tanked her career, some of the systems that go into her world-building, and why writers need to stay off the internet and protect their writing time."I am very much a believer that if my characters have a better idea then that's magic. They've become alive enough to argue with me, to have an opinion. And I don't squash my own magic." — Laurell K. HamiltonThe trailblazing, genre-bending author of the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, and the Merry Gentry series, is considered an influential pioneer to the urban-fantasy genre. Laurell has sold more than 20 million books worldwide.The 27th novel in her wildly popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series is Sucker Punch, a mash-up of her signature blend of mystery, magic, horror, and romance.Fellow #1 New York Times bestselling author, Charlaine Harris, said of the author, "Hamilton remains one of the most inventive and exciting writers in the paranormal field."Stay tuned for a clip from the Sucker Punch audiobook at the break, “... excerpted courtesy [of] Penguin Random House Audio ... read by Kimberly Alexis.”In this file Laurell K. Hamilton and I discussed: How she found her trailblazing, genre-busting style Why you have to be passionate to sustain a series How her characters take over the plot if they have better ideas On what unsettles her and how it "goes into the soup" And how to make more pages! Show Notes: How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Laurell K. Hamilton Writes: Part Two LaurellKHamilton.com Sucker Punch (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter) by Laurell K. Hamilton [Amazon] Laurell K. Hamilton Amazon author page Laurell K. Hamilton on FaceBook Laurell K. Hamilton on Instagram Laurell K. Hamilton on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter #PodcastersForJustice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice The lauded science journalist and author, Marta Zaraska, spoke with me about the impacts of loneliness on your health, why we need to think about aging earlier, and how smartphones ruin relationships. "Too much concentration on our smartphones is definitely damaging our health. The reason for that is that it tends to damage our relationships ." — Marta Zaraska Marta is the author of two non-fiction books (including Meathooked and Growing Young) two literary novels, and has contributed to two travel books published by National Geographic. Her latest book is Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100, and is "A smart, research-driven case for why optimism, kindness, and strong social networks will help us live to 100." Bestselling author Adam Grant said of the book, "If you care about the length and quality of your life but can’t stomach yet another diet or workout routine, this book is for you." Marta has been published in the Washington Post, Scientific American, New Scientist, The Atlantic, Discover, and her articles and books have been turned into TV programs around the globe. Note: This interview was recorded at the end of June, 2020. Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Marta Zaraska and I discussed: How she distills the essence of hundreds of research papers into highly-readable prose Why social isolation is so abnormal for humans and the double-edged sword of the pandemic How retirement can have negative side-effects And why introverted writers really only need one good friend Show Notes: Zaraska.com - Marta Zaraska's homepage GrowingYoungTheBook.com  Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100 by Marta Zaraska [Amazon] Marta Zaraska on Facebook Marta Zaraska on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter #PodcastersForJustice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice The internationally bestselling author of The Productivity Project and Hyperfocus, Chris Bailey, took the time to chat with me about tricks for focusing on what matters most, and how writers can cultivate more calm and creativity through uncertain times. "Tolkien said, 'Not all those who wander are lost.' I would argue that the exact same thing is true for our attention." — Chris Bailey Fresh out of college Chris took a full year off to study productivity. He posted his experiments to his popular blog, A Life of Productivity, which went on to become the international bestseller, The Productivity Project. His latest book is Hyperfocus: How to Manage Your Attention in a World of Distraction, "A practical guide to managing your attention--the most powerful resource you have to get stuff done, [and be] more creative." Chris’s TEDx talk – How to Get Your Brain to Focus – on the subject of Hyperfocus has received over 5.4 million views. David Allen, author of Getting Things Done said of the book, “Hyperfocus ... is an extraordinary, eye-opening and research-based report of what affects [our attention], and how to take advantage of [it] to achieve greater satisfaction in our lives.” Chris also co-hosts the podcast Becoming Better with Ardyn Nordstrom, a self-described “nerdy economist,” a show that covers topics as diverse as productivity, procrastination, happiness, gratitude, and disconnecting. Bailey’s work has received national and international media attention from outlets like the New York Times, Lifehacker, Fast Company, New York Magazine, and many others. Note: This interview was recorded at the beginning of June, 2020. Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Chris Bailey and I discussed: Some of the neurobiology and behavioral psychology that went into his research and writing Why writers should always carry a notebook (even in the shower) How to stop beating yourself up and be less anxious Why calm is so important to the creative process And a lot more! Show Notes: ALifeofProductivity.com Hyperfocus: How to Manage Your Attention in a World of Distraction by Chris Bailey [Amazon] Chris Bailey Amazon author page How to Get Your Brain to Focus | Chris Bailey | TEDxManchester Becoming Better podcast w/ Chris Bailey Chris Bailey on Instagram Chris Bailey on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter #PodcastersForJustice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice The internationally bestselling author of "domestic suspense" thrillers, Shari Lapena, took a few minutes to chat with me about her circuitous path to success, how she subverts the idea of the perfect "white picket fence" family, and her unique process as a novelist. "I always just start with an idea and write chronologically all the way through to the end. I don't have a plan, but as I go along, ideas present themselves....it's all very organic" — Shari Lapena She's the author of popular "suburban paranoia" thrillers – including The Couple Next Door and Someone We Know – and multiple New York Times and The Sunday Times (London) bestsellers. The Couple Next Door was an international breakout and New York Times bestseller for an astounding 23 consecutive weeks. Her books have been sold in 37 countries and sold more than seven million copies worldwide. Her latest is The End of Her, a book that "... will have readers questioning their spouse’s past and their own judgment as well." #1 NY Times bestselling author Ruth Ware said of the book, “No one does suburban paranoia like Shari Lapena — this slowly unfurling nightmare will have you biting your nails until the end.” Note: This interview was recorded at the end of July, 2020. Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Shari Lapena and I discussed: How her process starts from the kernel of a perfect murder Why she intentionally starts out not knowing the ending to her novels Her work ethic, daily routines, and inspiration And rules and no-nonsense advice to getting words on the page Show Notes: ShariLapena.com The End of Her: A Novel by Shari Lapena [Amazon] Shari Lapena Amazon author page Shari Lapena on FaceBook Shari Lapena on Instagram Shari Lapena on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter #PodcastersForJustice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning speculative fiction and fantasy novelist, Robert Jackson Bennett, chatted with me about turning genre conventions upside down, how he incorporates critiques on modern society into his writing, and why truth is stranger than fiction. He's the Hugo-nominated author of a handful of critically acclaimed novels including The Divine Cities trilogy and The Founders Trilogy. He has received the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the Phillip K. Dick Citation of Excellence, and he has been shortlisted for the World Fantasy, British Fantasy, and Locus Awards. Bennett posited the idea of "industrialized magic" in book one of his Founders Trilogy, Foundryside (a Time, Paste, Vulture, and The Verge “Best Fantasy Books of 2018” pick). His second installment in that series is Shorefall, which Kirkus Review called, "Tolkien meets AI .... neatly blending technology, philosophy, and fantasy ... An expertly spun yarn by one of the best fantasy writers on the scene today." Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Robert Jackson Bennett and I discussed: The meaning of time and landmarks of an uncertain future How to write a bestselling trilogy Rules to world-building and staying organized as a fantasy author Robert's definition of technology And why writing is a space you have to design to be successful Show Notes: RobertJacksonBennett.com Shorefall: A Novel (The Founders Trilogy Book 2) by Robert Jackson Bennett Robert Jackson Bennett Amazon author page Robert Jackson Bennett on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter #PodcastersForJustice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice Busy screenwriter and director, Mattson Tomlin, took a minute to rap with me about debuting a film during a pandemic, what it takes to break into Hollywood, and how he was brought on to co-write The Batman with Director Matt Reeves. "Every script is an opportunity to change your life. Every script is an investment in yourself."—Mattson Tomlin Mattson rose to prominence in 2017 after a bidding war for his original screenplay that became the Netflix film, Project Power, starring Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and breakout Dominique Fishback. Hollywood Reporter describes the film as an "... action-packed tale that tackles themes [like] government control and the exploitation of marginalized communities." Tomlin recently gained attention for being brought on board to co-write The Batman with Matt Reeves; the reboot will star Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, and Jeffrey Wright among others. He is writing a film adaption of the video game character Mega Man for 20th Century Studios and sold a spec script, titled 2084, to Paramount Pictures. While getting his Master’s Degree in directing at the American Film Institute, Mattson created over a dozen short films, most as writer-director. Tomlin has appeared on the annual Hollywood's Black List six times in the past four years. Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Mattson Tomlin and I discussed: How he writes 10 scripts a year Why you need to try to "find the film that's in your head" The curious tattoo he uses to stay on track His unique approach to Rubik's cubing genres How he became one of "Hollywood’s Busiest Screenwriters" And why every script is a chance to change your life! Show Notes: Mattson Tomlin - IMDb Project Power | Netflix Official Site How 'The Batman' and 'Project Power' Scribe Mattson Tomlin Became One of Hollywood’s Busiest Screenwriters Mattson Tomlin on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter #PodcastersForJustice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning, neo-noir novelist and short story writer, S. A. Cosby, took time to speak with me about his pulp fiction influences, the hard work that went into his 10-year overnight success, and the cinematic timbre of his writing voice. "Writing is like telling yourself a joke for nine months ... and hoping that everybody else gets the punchline."—S. A. Cosby S.A. Cosby's short story, "The Grass Beneath My Feet," won an Anthony Award for Best Short Story, 2019, and his short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines. His latest, Blacktop Wasteland, is a reinvention of the noir genre described as "...Ocean’s Eleven meets Drive, with a Southern noir twist ... [the] story of a man pushed to his limits by poverty, race, and his own former life of crime.” Already an Amazon bestseller, the book has received extraordinary trade coverage -- starred reviews, a cover with ALA Booklist, an interview at Publishers Weekly -- and has a bevy of early supporters including legends of the genre Walter Mosley, Dennis Lehane, and Lee Child. “Sensationally good—new, fresh, real, authentic, twisty, with characters and dilemmas that will break your heart. More than recommended.”—Lee Child, bestselling author Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file S. A. Cosby and I discussed: How he amassed such critical acclaim from his heroes The $1 paperbacks that influenced his writing How early advice helped him "go to where the people are" Why he wanted to incorporate the modern, rural, Black Southern experience into his writing The many films that shaped his cinematic prose And how to develop a thick skin, stand up for your work, and defend your dreams! Show Notes: How NY Times Bestselling Novelist S. A. Cosby Writes: Part Two Blacktop Wasteland: A Novel by S. A. Cosby [Amazon] S. A. Cosby Amazon author page  S. A. Cosby on Facebook S. A. Cosby on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter #PodcastersForJustice Anti-racism Resources Donate to any of the following: Minnesota Freedom Fund Black Visions Collective Campaign Zero Black Lives Matter Podcasts to subscribe to: 1619 (New York Times) About Race Code Switch (NPR) Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights) Pod Save the People (Crooked Media) Seeing White Articles to read: "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge" | Los Angeles Times 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice #1 NY Times bestselling author and famed criminal lawyer, Marcia Clark, dropped by to chat about the perils of celebrity, how she got her start as a TV producer, and the highs and lows of the writing process. *This is another double-episode, with a surprise (12-year-old) debut author you won't want to miss. "It's no big surprise that Marcia Clark knows her way around a courtroom and a murder mystery—but she's also a terrific writer and storyteller."—James Patterson Marcia has been a practicing criminal lawyer since 1979 – she joined the LA District Attorney's office in '81 – and served as a prosecutor for the high-profile trials of Robert Bardo (convicted of killing actress Rebecca Schaeffer), and most notably, O. J. Simpson. She co-wrote the #1 New York Times bestseller Without a Doubt, which chronicled her work on the Simpson trial. Marcia writes the bestselling crime fiction series centered on a morally ambiguous criminal defense attorney, Samantha Brinkman. Her latest is the conclusion of that critically acclaimed thriller series, Final Judgment (Samantha Brinkman). It debuted in 2016 with the publication of #1 Amazon bestseller Blood Defense. “The plot twists are both plausible and shocking in this intelligent page-turner. Fans of whodunits featuring ethical dilemmas will be pleased.” —Publishers Weekly Marcia's been a frequent commentator on Today, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, and MSNBC, and a legal correspondent for Entertainment Tonight. Stay-tuned for this double-episode including a debut crime novelist who shares her story of rejection, stereotypes, and finding your voice. Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Marcia Clark and I discussed: How the author embraced "write what you know" How to outline ripped-from-the-headlines novels Why she misses being a prosecutor in the '80s The future of publishing And how to take a deep breath and keep going! Show Notes: MarciaClarkBooks.com Final Judgment (Samantha Brinkman) by Marcia Clark Marcia Clark's Amazon author page Marcia Clark Investigates The First 48 The Black Sisterhood Files by Kristina Naydonova Marcia Clark on Facebook Marcia Clark on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter #PodcastersForJustice Anti-racism Resources Donate to any of the following: Minnesota Freedom Fund Black Visions Collective Campaign Zero Black Lives Matter Podcasts to subscribe to: 1619 (New York Times) About Race Code Switch (NPR) Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights) Pod Save the People (Crooked Media) Seeing White Articles to read: "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge" | Los Angeles Times 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJusticeAward-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, co-hosted our pandemic edition "state of travel writing" roundtable with several like-minded travel junkies.Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, travel, and human rights for The New York Times, Outside, Playboy, and many others. He recently began a co-hosting gig on The Rich Roll Podcast.He’s traveled to over 50 countries, worked on six continents, and contributed to over 35 Lonely Planet travel guides.He is also the author of One Breath: Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits, and was the ghostwriter and narrator of David Goggins’ hit memoir and audiobook Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, which has sold over two million copies and counting worldwide.MaSovaida Morgan is a travel journalist whose wayfaring tendencies have taken her to more than 50 countries across all seven continents.As a Lonely Planet author, she contributes to guidebooks on destinations throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Prior to going freelance in 2018, MaSovaida spent four years in-house at Lonely Planet's Nashville office as a Destination Editor, where she oversaw all of the company's content on South America and Antarctica.Celeste Brash has been a travel writer for Lonely Planet since 2005 and has contributed to over 80 books and countless articles.Her travels have brought her to around 45 countries and have helped her learn to communicate in French, Spanish, Thai, Malay and Tahitian. Along the way, she's written for numerous other outlets such as Islands Magazine and National Geographic's Intelligent Travel. She's also had her photography published in magazines including Travel & Leisure and has starred in videos produced by Lonely Planet.Aaron Millar is an award-winning travel writer, photographer, journalist, and podcast host who has worked for National Geographic Traveller (UK), The Times of London, The Guardian, The Telegraph and others. He has also taught travel writing at a university level.His travel podcast, Armchair Explorer – "The world's greatest adventurers tell their best story from the road," – was named Best Podcasts for Pure Escapism by Sunday Times and Best Travel Podcasts 2020 by The Guardian.*NOTE: Host Kelton Reid had technical difficulties on the recording thus Adam Skolnick took over most of the hosting duties.Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.In this file Adam Skolnick and the panel discussed: The unknown and unstable future of travel, tourism, and travel writing How the industry can change for the better post COVID-19 The different types of travel writers and the impacts of geo-tagging Instagram photos Why humans need to travel The pitfalls of being a female or a woman of color as a travel writer What the travel writing revolution means for the industry And insider tips on how to break into writing about exotic (and not so) locales Show Notes: How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part One AdamSkolnick.com Adam Skolnick on Instagram Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast Masovaida.com MaSovaida Morgan on Instagram CelesteBrash.com Celeste Brash on Instagram Aaron Millar -- TheBlueDotPerspective.com Aaron Millar on Instagram Armchair Explorer podcast hosted by Aaron Millar Kelton Reid on Twitter   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice The creator, executive producer, and showrunner of the award-winning TV series The Handmaid’s Tale, Bruce Miller, spoke with me about his storied career as a TV writer/producer, what it's like to work with author Margaret Atwood, and adapting a modern classic for the small screen. The Emmy award-winning TV writer and producer has worked on dozens of shows and movies (including Medium, Eureka, Alphas, and The 100), and got his start working on NBC's long-running hit ER in the early '90s. Miller's adaptation of Margaret Atwood's prescient, critically acclaimed 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale – considered by many to be a modern classic of dystopian literature – is a drama about a "... totalitarian society [that] subjects fertile women, called 'Handmaids,' into child-bearing slavery." In its first season, the show won multiple Emmy awards – including Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Miller – and became the first on a streaming platform to win an Emmy for Outstanding Series (beating out nominees House of Cards, The Crown, Stranger Things from Netflix, HBO’s Westworld, AMC’s Better Call Saul, and NBC’s This Is Us). "Handmaid’s” has gone on to win the Peabody Award; a Golden Globe for Best Television Series, Drama; Critics Choice Award for Best Drama Series; the PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama; two WGA Awards, for Best Drama Series and Best New Series; was honored by AFI as one of the top ten TV programs of the year, and garnered dozens of Emmy nominations. The show has been picked up for a fourth season by Hulu. Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Bruce Miller and I discussed: How getting "fired" from so many gigs helped his career The brilliance of Margaret Atwood and the influence it had on both the writer and the adaptation Why TV production is all about schedule and writing is the opposite A day in the life of a TV writer Why he doesn't believe in tables in the writer's room And the one thing you have to be able to do when you get your big break Show Notes: Bruce Miller on IMDb The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu Bruce Miller on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter #PodcastersForJustice Anti-racism Resources Donate to any of the following: Minnesota Freedom Fund Black Visions Collective Campaign Zero Black Lives Matter Podcasts to subscribe to: 1619 (New York Times) About Race Code Switch (NPR) Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights) Pod Save the People (Crooked Media) Seeing White Articles to read: "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge" | Los Angeles Times 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices