Write About Now

We all struggle with our self-confidence from time to time. But there are adjustments you can make mentally and physically to help boost your confidence and make a powerful impression. Guest Karen Donaldson is a communication, body language, and confidence coach. She works with politicians, celebrities, and artists to help improve their confidence when they're speaking or not speaking. Karen is also the author of several books, including Speak Like You Breathe: 30 Lessons to Become a Naturally Confident Speaker. She talks about the steps you can take today to act more confidently. She also shares insight into how other people use their body language to manipulate you.

Guest Benjamin Dreyer joins the podcast to talk about grammar do's and don'ts. Dreyer is the head copy chief at Random House and the author of the bestselling book, Dreyer's English. On the show, he talks about words and phrases you can go a week without using, the adjective he overuses, his controversial view on adverbs, and the most common mistakes writers make. This is a replay of an episode I recorded in 2019. Enjoy!

In our polarized and highly sensitive culture, it isn't easy being in the comedy business. But guest Ian Abramson has weathered the storm with his rare brand of eclectic and experimental humor. Ian was the creator and star of 7 Minutes in Purgatory on Comedy Central. He also appeared numerous times on Conan. He talks about why he got into comedy, how he crafts his jokes, and what it's like being a comic at a time when comedians such as Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle are attacked on stage, and an off-color joke might get you canceled.

Guest Laura Vanderkam is a time-management and productivity expert, and author of the new book, Tranquility by Tuesday. A working mother of 5 children, she's had to learn a few things about how to get organized and make the most of your day. On the show, we talk about: What successful people do before breakfast Managing your day by tasks rather than time What's wrong with to-do lists The best time to set appointments How to cope with your email inbox The importance of accountability groups And much more. There is a ton of good advice you can use to get more done with less effort.

Have you ever heard of the Enneagram? It's a tool that breaks down personalities into nine types. Guest Dani Abernathy believes it can help reveal your motivations and your fears—and explain why you do the things you do. Dani is a fantasy fiction author and book coach. She swears by the Enneagram, believing it has assisted her with her writing and her personal development. On the show, she talks about how she uses the Enneagram with her clients to help them develop their writing skills and their characters. We also compare notes on our own personality types and how they help and hurt us. Subscribe to my newsletter @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Support the show on Patreon @ https://www.patreon.com/writeaboutnowpodcast Dani Abernathy's Kickass Protagonist Builder: https://bit.ly/3T7YxGX

He's the most notorious murderer you've probably never heard of. Edward Rulloff terrified the nation in the mid-19th century for his wickedness and his brilliance. His oversized brain was so fascinating that it still sits in a dusty jar at Cornell University. Crime historian Kate Winkler Dawson has written a new book about Rulloff called All That is Wicked. She shares his story and its implications for the then-emerging field of criminal psychology. The Rulloff case still raises the essential question: Are psychopathic killers born or made?

Richard Osman is the author of the wildly popular Thursday Murder Club book series. He is also the host/presenter of a weekly quiz show in the UK called Pointless. On the podcast, he talks about transitioning from TV host to bestselling novelist and why he thinks his very English books are popular worldwide. He also dives into his writing process, offering tips and tricks on how to make the most of your writing time. Other topics Richard cover include: The story of his childhood and the big event that happened to him at age 9 that changed his life. His struggles with addiction How he got the idea to write a book based on a bunch of seniors in a retirement home. Some of the rules of writing a successful murder mystery His favorite books and novelists. Visit Write About Now @ writeaboutnowmedia.com Subscribe to the newsletter @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Support the show @ https://www.patreon.com/writeaboutnowpodcast

In 2016, Dani Shapiro uncovered a stunning secret about her family. She has captured this story brilliantly in her memoir Inheritance. On this episode, she shares the revelation that forever altered her life and caused her to rethink who she really is. Dani is a bestselling novelist, memoirist (she's written five), and host of the popular podcast fittingly titled "Family Secrets." This is a replay of an interview we did in 2020. Subscribe to my newsletter @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Support the show @ https://www.patreon.com/writeaboutnowpodcast Family Secrets: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-secrets/id1441824608

Millions of people around the world are obsessed with actor Benedict Cumberbatch. The most hardcore fans refer to themselves as 'Cumberbitches.' Author Tabatha Carvan, a wife and mother, counts herself among the Cumberbatch groupies. But in her new book, This Is Not a Book about Benedict Cumberbatch: On Finding Your Thing & Loving It Like Your Life Depends on It, she argues there's nothing wrong with her fixation. In fact, she says her passion for the man helped her find her sense of self and regain joy in her life.

Do you find yourself forgetting things more and more? You're not alone. Information overload, stress, lack of exercise, and age contribute to memory loss. But your brain can fight back. Dr. Gary Small (no relation, we think) is an expert on memory and brain aging. His book The Memory Bible offers techniques and brain exercises that will improve your memory immediately. On the pod, we talk about what memory is exactly, why we forget things, and how writers can reach deep down into their memory reserves to retrieve forgotten moments for their personal essays and memoirs. For more information on Write About Now, visit writeaboutnowmedia.com. Subscribe to the Small Talk Newsletter: https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writeaboutnowpodcast