The Stories Between Us

Today we talk with Devi Laskar, the award-winning author of the fabulous book, The Atlas of Reds and Blues. Devi shares her long and difficult (and ultimately extremely encouraging) journey into publishing which included losing a manuscript.

Devi also gives some of the most practical creative advice anyone has given on the podcast. If you feel like giving up, or if you want to be encouraged in your creative pursuits, you don’t want to miss this one.

Shawn has a confession to make. Maile talks through her latest bout with depression and reflects on how writing gave her a place to go. They both talk about the need for creative types to shift from wanting only affirmation to also wanting critique that will help them make their stuff better. We explore who specifically to go to for feedback on early drafts of your creative work.

And all of this from the comfort of their brand new studio: a Disney princess tent they can barely fit inside.

Shawn has a confession to make. Maile talks through her latest bout with depression and reflects on how writing gave her a place to go. They both talk about the need for creative types to shift from wanting only affirmation to also wanting critique that will help them make their stuff better. We explore who specifically to go to for feedback on early drafts of your creative work.

And all of this from the comfort of their brand new studio: a Disney princess tent they can barely fit inside.

Today we talk with Will and Anne Bogel. Anne is the founder and creator of Modern Mrs. Darcy and the podcast, What Should I Read Next? She's also the author of numerous books including her latest, Don't Overthink It (which released March 2, 2020).

Will is the strong silent type mostly in the background who helps make everything happen.

We get into why Modern Mrs. Darcy became a site primarily about books and reading, how she got the idea for What Should I Read Next?, and what's on the list of things that they will be working on in the future. Shawn even asks Anne when her first novel is being released. Did she answer? Not really, but she didn't rule it out, either.

Today we talk with Will and Anne Bogel. Anne is the founder and creator of Modern Mrs. Darcy and the podcast, What Should I Read Next? She's also the author of numerous books including her latest, Don't Overthink It (which released March 2, 2020).

Will is the strong silent type mostly in the background who helps make everything happen.

We get into why Modern Mrs. Darcy became a site primarily about books and reading, how she got the idea for What Should I Read Next?, and what's next.

We talk a bit about our trip to Kentucky to hang out with other writers, and then Maile makes a surprising admission about Elizabeth Gilbert and her wonderful book on writing and creativity, Big Magic. We dig into Gilbert's novel approach to rejection letters, how to create in the face of resistance, and why you don't need anyone's permission to be creative.

We talk a bit about our trip to Kentucky to hang out with other writers, and then Maile makes a surprising admission about Elizabeth Gilbert and her wonderful book on writing and creativity, Big Magic. We dig into Gilbert's novel approach to rejection letters, how to create in the face of resistance, and why you don't need anyone's permission to be creative.

We talk with Andi Cumbo-Floyd about why (and why not) to pursue an MFA, how she found a path she loves in the independent publishing world, and the key to making money as a writer. Well, not really THE key, but she offers a few ideas. We wonder together why we let writing become something other than play. Also, is art only legitimate if it feels like drudgery and keeps us poor?

Hmmm.

Join Andi as she seeks to explore what it means to live a life of words. And check out her books, too (including her cozy mysteries, written under the pseudonym, ACF Bookens).

We talk with Andi Cumbo-Floyd about why (and why not) to pursue an MFA, how she found a path she loves in the independent publishing world, and the key to making money as a writer. Well, not really THE key, but she offers a few ideas. We wonder together why we let writing become something other than play. Also, is art only legitimate if it feels like drudgery and keeps us poor?

Hmmm.

Today Maile and I tell the story of why we stopped homeschooling. Except it's not really about homeschooling. I mean, it kind of is, but mostly it's a story about making hard decisions in an attempt to free up creative space.

We talk about our fear of public city schools (I grew up in the country), the importance of taking baby steps, and where this decision ultimately led us.