The Creative Writing Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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**

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

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

Author Melanie Hill (JETT COOPER) talks writing action scenes before the emotional story, changing a passive protagonist into an active one, creating internal and external conflict, and the pros and cons of cringey teenage poetry

http://melaniehill.au

Author/poet Soon Jones (THESE AREN’T MY WOODS ANYMORE) discusses writing to deal w/personal demons, the effect of the woods on creativity, searching for the perfect word, and the value of studying hip hop and slant rhymes.

http://soonjones.com

Author Zeeva Bukai (THE WORLD BETWEEN) talks about the intimacy of a first person narrative, discovering the character’s objective, writing as an actor, and the relevance of the 100-page mark.

http://zeevabukai.com

Author Maureen Devlin (LET’S GO BACKER AND BACKER!) talks the challenge of writing for kids, opening eyes and ears, instilling a love of learning, and embracing your creative impulses.

http://maureendevlinauthor.com

Comedian Jackie Kashian (ALTER-KASHIAN) talks writing what you’re thinking about, adjusting expectations with audience reactions, getting words on the page, self-editing, and the jokes-as-pasta metaphor

http://jackiekashian.com

http://familypetancestry.com

Author Sarit Zadok (THE CORRECTION, VOL 1) talks about writing philosophical sci-fi, layering on top of layering, applying a Canterbury Tales-esque structure, and seeking A-ha! moments

http://thecorrection.xyz

Author Wolfgard Braun (FALLOUT FROM THE SINGULARITY) talks AI as a tool, not a replacement, and how it can help with writer’s block, but falls flat in terms of storytelling and originality.

http://wolfgardbraunbooks.wordpress.com

Author Andrea J. Stein (DEAR ELIZA) talks the value of writing groups, impacting the feel of emotions in your story, writing unpredictable characters, and how grief never really goes away.

Author Brian Gallagher (BASEBALL FIGURES) talks about the multiple aspects of a cross-country journey, the value of details, being open with yourself for a memoir, and the importance of planning (to a certain extent).

Author Annie Dike (CLOVIS) talks about writing in different voices, how setting is a character, creating “real scenes”, and the Book-Cookie Dough Analogy

http://anniedikeauthor.com

Author Barbara Caver (A LITTLE PIECE OF CUBA) talks utilizing multiple sources in writing a memoir, asking “what’s pulling at you?” when telling your story, and playing catch with your muse.

http://www.barbaracaverauthor.com

A quick look back at the show in 2025, and plans for 2026

In this special “the tables are turned” episode, host Paul Zeidman discusses his background and experience as a screenwriter, his thrill-omedy short SHECKY (and its crowdfunding), and (naturally) pie.

https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/softsign_7ada6745-43d8-43a8-a6a2-590b3e627bb7/shecky-post-production

Writers Kim Hornsby and Bob Saenz talk writing Christmas movies, including being unique but not TOO unique, knowing how to write to the brand, the current state of the industry, and the importance of not giving up.

Author Antonio Michael Downing (BLACK CHEROKEE) talks writing to discover, observing life as raw material, letting the story draw what’s on the page, and the importance of Miss Donna’s 3 rules of gardening

Author Nick Teeguarden (THE COPPER SCROLL) discusses Indiana Jones, writing “clean entertainment”, letting your characters dictate the action, and real life influences on story and characters.

http://nickteeguarden.com

Writer Amy Suto (WRITE FOR MONEY & POWER) discusses how the creative act of writing is precious, moving beyond traditional approaches, making a direct connection to readers, and being in it for the long haul.

Screenwriter/therapist David Silverman (HOW TO BE A ROCKSTAR SCREENWRITER) talks about how the long view is crucial, using the Pomodoro Technique, and the story behind his show THE WILD THORNBERRYS

http://hollywoodscriptwriting.com

http://davidsilvermanlmft.com

Author Lee Schneider (LIBERATION) discusses narrative flow, the trust factor between authors & readers, the joy of writing an over-the-top villain, and the importance of not breaking credibility.

http://leeschneiderbooks.com

Author Patrick Blennerhassett (THE DEATH OF BIRTH) talks about creating a “new” protagonist, how your creative muscle makes decisions for you, and falling in love with the writing process

http://patrickblennerhassett.com

Author Eric Rickstad (THE REMOTE series) talks about having a routine (and knowing when to take a break), using expert feedback to keep things realistic, giving the reader a reason to not put your work down, and Hitchcock films

www.ericrickstad.com

Author Cadwell Turnbull (A RUIN, GREAT AND FREE) talks about communal engagement of media, knowing your ending, revising until everything is set, and the appeal of K-dramas

http://cadwellturnbull.com

Author David R. Stokes (THE HOPE NOT PLOT) discusses using a true event as the spine of your story, following timelines, “hunting details”, and the importance of doing your reading and research.

http://davidrstokes.com

Author Renee Zukin (EVERY DAY, I’M BRAVE) talks about transforming our relationship with fear, working those “brave” muscles, the healing ability of writing/creativity, and a shoutout to coloring books for grown-ups

Singer-songwriter/publicist Dennis Welch talks about the importance of sticktoitiveness, being prepared so you can seize opportunities, and the value of finding & building your community

EVERY DAY IS LIKE SUNDAY author Bill Frisco talks about creating a narrative from real events, capturing a character’s “voice”, and knowing when to embellish and when to dial it back.

BUTTERFLY PINNED author Leslie Liautaud talks about the benefits of a 5-year break, getting out of your adult brain, how a good book needs a good editor, and having your characters act in ways you wouldn’t

https://www.leslieliautaud.com/

https://bluehandlepublishing.com/leslie-liautaud

https://www.instagram.com/author.leslie.liautaud/

INTERCESSOR author John Robert Still talks about letting your characters steer what happens, how location can be a character, and the influence and incorporation of real-life events on your story.

https://www.instagram.com/john_robert_still/

https://www.facebook.com/johnrobertstill/

IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR author Lee Livingston talks about wanting to create a tribute to his first true best friend, deciding what to include & cut from a memoir, and the need for openness when telling a story

https://openroads1961.com/

YOUNG SALT AT SIXTY author Deborah Hammett talks about the importance of vocabulary in writing, how simplicity is freedom, and the story behind “the Lucille Ball of the sea”

Website - https://www.youngsalt60.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/youngsalt60/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573527542027

ADORABLE author Ron Kinscherf talks about the need for simple messages in children’s stories, getting inspiration from anything, and how he got into publishing by doing everything wrong

Website - http://papatellmeabook.com

IG - @papatellmeabook

FB - http://facebook.com/papatellmeabook

Actor Bryce Williams will be playing the title role in my short film SHECKY. In this brief q&a, we talk about his background, what attracted him to the project, and his plans for once the film is completed

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beastie_bryce/

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY author Jonathan Lerner talks about stories he HAD to tell, what furthers the story, and the truth of experience vs memory

Website: http://jonathanlerner.info

Instagram: @lernerwriter