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

How Bestselling Author Jay McInerney Writes: Part Two


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The bestselling author of 11 books, including the eighties defining Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney, took a break to chat with me about his new book, the writing process, and some timeless tips from his mentor, Raymond Carver.

Vanity Fair called Mr. McInerney “Our modern-day Fitzgerald,” and his most recent book — Bright, Precious Days — is described as “… a sexy, vibrant, cross-generational New York story — a literary and commercial triumph of the highest order.”

The author is a renowned short story writer, screenwriter, and actor, who has lived in New York for three decades and rubbed elbows with a laundry list of literary lions, including his mentors Tobias Wolff and Raymond Carver.

In addition to fiction, Jay writes a highly regarded wine column for Town & Country magazine, and has written several essay collections on wine.

The author most recently joined the Prince Street podcast as a culinary and arts correspondent and has interviewed director Francis Ford Coppola, author Stephanie Danler, and celebrity chefs including Eric Ripert, to name a few.

Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please subscribe in iTunes to automatically see new interviews, and help other writers find us.

In Part Two of the file Jay McInerney and I discuss:

  • The Author’s Astute Anatomical Analogy for Writer’s Block
  • How a Short Story Became a Series of Bestselling Novels
  • Why Writers Need to Stretch the Boundaries of Their Genres
  • The Big City as Creative Muse
  • Some Timeless Advice from Raymond Carver on the Importance of Discipline
  • The Show Notes

    • JayMcInerney.com
    • Bright, Precious Days: A novel – Jay McInerney
    • Prince Street Podcast
    • Jay McInerney: why Gatsby is so great
    • Jay McInerney on Twitter
    • Kelton Reid on Twitter
    • Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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      The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and NeuroscienceBy Kelton Reid

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