The Creative Writing Life

Paul Zeidman

From screenplays to TV, novels to video games, everybody has their own path to establishing a creative writing life. Join host Paul Zeidman as he interviews writers from all mediums and genres to find out about them, their work, and what advice and guidance they have for ambitious and aspiring writers.

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22 episodes
weekly
Avg 48 min
English

Episodes 22

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Wednesday · 50 min
Bryan Gruley
Author Bryan Gruley (RIVER DEEP) talks the basics of crime fiction, getting out after painting yourself into a corner, knowing your hook in the first two sentences, multiple POV storytelling, and…flying werewolves? http://bryangruley.com
September 23 · 42 min
Theresa Halvorsen
Author/instructor Theresa Halvorsen talks about being a “recovering pantser”, knowing your characters beyond their backstory, disagreeing (sort of) with Stephen King, and the multiple versions of a writer’s self-care http://theresahalverson.com
August 19 · 39 min
Nina Chayka
Author Nina Chayka (SEAGULLS) talks creating and inter-connecting an ensemble of characters, developing a non-linear story, the language of events, and non-traditional approaches to resolution http://ninachayka.com
August 12 · 46 min
Neal Lipschutz
Author Neal Lipschutz (LONG ARM OF THE PAST) talks grounding your story with plausibility, creating fallible characters, balancing the unexpected and the cohesive, and fine-tuning the story to play fair with the reader http://neallipschutz.com
August 5 · 45 min
Erin Baldwin
Author Erin Baldwin (GOOD LUCK, BABE!) talks how first-person POV is more “voicey”, representing for queer stories, the challenge of not giving readers the ending they want, and the concept of kayfabe within reality TV http://erinbwrites.com
July 22 · 43 min
Sherre Vernon
Writer/poet Sherre Vernon (TRANSLATING BLUE) talks about loving the sound of words, striking a balance when you write, how complexity is important, and the value of finding the right word http://sherrevernon.com
July 15 · 44 min
Miguel Eichelberger
Writer/poet Miguel Eichelberger (EVERYTHING IS) talks “translating the untranslatable”, adding human detail, why writers should write everything, the Stargate universe, and “don’t show, let them see” http://migueleichelberger.com
July 1 · 59 min
Sara DiVello & Leslie Zemeckis
Authors Sara DiVello (BROADWAY BUTTERFLY) and Leslie Zemeckis (FEUDING FAN DANCERS) talk about the power of stories, remembering women excluded by history, and the fun of nerding out about writing http://saradivello.com http://lesliezemeckis.com
June 24 · 45 min
Jill Rosenberg
Author Jill Rosenberg (NOW I’M PHOTOGENIC AND OTHER STORIES I TELL MYSELF) talks embracing surrealism, overcoming the fear of revealing emotion, and the sound of the story
June 17 · 47 min
J.D. Barker
Author J.D. Barker (THE FIRST SCARLET DOOR) talks creating characters as real people, writing as both pantser and outliner, getting your hands dirty, and how to tell if you have the storyteller gene
June 10 · 47 min
Sara Lippmann
Author Sara Lippmann (HIDDEN RIVER) talks the obligation to tell an honest story, public vs private trauma, the concept of psychic distance, and “the menace that lies in the cloak of suburbia”. http://saralippman.com
June 3 · 56 min
Nathaniel Popkin
Author Nathaniel Popkin (PARTLY STRONG, PARTLY BROKEN) talks writing and starting over, the integral role of the editor, how fiction is a mirror of real life, and why a writer should own the struggle
May 27 · 44 min
Daniel Sheley
Author Daniel Sheley (THE SOUL-SUNG) talks about fantasy as a metaphor for human issues, how everyone has their own story, building your dialogue muscles, and why knowing the cookie is dry is enough. http://danielsheleyauthor.com
May 20 · 54 min
Howard Rosenstein
Howard Rosenstein (TREASURES, SHIPWRECKS & THE DAWN OF RED SEA DIVING) talks true-life adventure, being part of historical events, and the value of having a story, patience, and a good editor http://yamolam.com books@fantasea.com
May 13 · 47 min
Bob Haus
Author Bob Haus (DIMINISHED, RESOLVING TO MAJOR) talks never knowing what the spark will be, working with strength of character and talent, and “doing it for the fat lady”. http://roberthauswriter.com
April 29 · 57 min
Steve Doherty
Author Steve Doherty (CROSSROADS) talks going from hating writing to loving it, Tom Clancy as the gold standard, avoiding excruciating details, and knowing when to stop, assess, and rewrite OR just toss it http://steve-doherty-books.com
April 22 · 44 min
Jatinder Koharki
Author Jatinder Koharki (AGAINST THE ODDS OF TRADITION) talks writing as self-care, characters controlling the story, culture and history as enhancements, and taking what life and fate give you http://jatinderkoharki.com
April 16 · 50 min
Maria Dong
Author Maria Dong (AVIARY) talks how POV is a great tool in a writer’s toolbox, keeping your characters under control, trauma’s effect on the brain, and how it all started with an episode of 90-DAY FIANCEE http://mariadong.com **Maria had some technical issues with her equipment in the latter half of the episode, so be prepared for some wonky audio**
April 8 · 1 hr 7 min
Dan Cronin
Comedy writer/standup comedian Dan Cronin talks how comedy is a positive sadness, how the struggle can (hopefully) pay off, focusing on craft, not career, and writing for Conan O’Brien and the Oscars
April 1 · 43 min
Lynn C. Miller
Author Lynn C. Miller (THE SURROGATE) talks writing for visual presentation, how setting makes everything come alive, drawing from the family dynamic, and getting yourself unstuck http://lynncmiller.com

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