Finding the Throughline with Kate Hanley

[Amy Shearn, practical matters]: Matching your writing goals to the time you have available + keeping yourself accountable when you don't have a deadline Ep 1197


Listen Later

This week I’m talking with Amy Shearn, the award-winning author of the critically-acclaimed novels “Dear Edna Sloane,” “Unseen City,” “The Mermaid of Brooklyn,” and “How Far Is the Ocean from Here.” Amy’s newest novel is “Animal Instinct,” which follows a 40-something newly divorced woman re-entering the dating scene and reconnecting with her desires during the social isolation of COVID lockdowns. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called it "delightful and hilarious,” which I can co-sign–despite its pandemic backdrop, which might sound like it could be stressful, this is a book I look forward to reading each night because I know it will take my mind off my worry du jour and give me a lot to think about while also being a ton of fun.
Amy has nearly twenty years experience as an editor for digital publications, has published hundreds of essays for places including New York Times’ "Modern Love" column and The Rumpus, and she currently works one-on-one with writers as an editor and writing coach.


We covered:
- Her really insightful take on how loving reading as a kid can lead to wanting to be a writer (I hadn’t thought of it in this way before)
- The mix of calling and coercion that got her to think beyond writing novels to also penning personal essays
- Making the shift to freelancing as an editor, teacher, and book coach (and away from working for a publication for her primary income source)
- Matching your writing goals to the time you have available (as someone who needs to work full-time, whether as a freelancer or an employee)
- How to keep yourself accountable to your writing goals when you don't have a deadline
- Using a 50-50 parenting agreement post-divorce as an "every other weekend writing retreat"


Connect with Amy on Instagram @amyshearnwriters, Substack @amyshearn, or at amyshearnwriters.com.


For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.


Thank you for listening!


And thanks to this week’s sponsor, Air Doctor Pro. Visit airdoctorpro.com and use code KATE to save 30% off an amazing indoor air filter *and* receive a free three-year warranty (an $84 value).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Finding the Throughline with Kate HanleyBy Kate Hanley

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

105 ratings


More shows like Finding the Throughline with Kate Hanley

View all
Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,649 Listeners

TED Radio Hour by NPR

TED Radio Hour

22,054 Listeners

Multiamory: Rethinking Modern Relationships by Multiamory | Pleasure Podcasts

Multiamory: Rethinking Modern Relationships

888 Listeners

The Ben Shapiro Show by The Daily Wire

The Ben Shapiro Show

153,896 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,513 Listeners

The Lazy Genius Podcast by Kendra, The Lazy Genius

The Lazy Genius Podcast

6,507 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

111,761 Listeners

Throughline by NPR

Throughline

15,977 Listeners

Life Kit by NPR

Life Kit

4,298 Listeners

What A Day by Crooked Media

What A Day

12,205 Listeners

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart by Comedy Central

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

10,508 Listeners