The Stories Between Us

The Stories Between Us

By Shawn SmuckerArtsBooksLeisureHobbies
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The Stories Between Us episodes

  • Why We Stopped Homeschooling (Thoughts on Freeing Up Space for Creativity)
    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.
    21 min
  • 014 Christie Purifoy: When Creativity Surprises You

    Shawn and Maile chat with author Christie Purifoy about why she got her PhD and then left teaching, what it's like for writing to keep surprising you, and how to balance (or not) the writing life with other minor things like family, a spouse, and real life.

    Christie's writing is beautiful, reminiscent of Madeleine L'Engle's nonfiction, and she is the author of the books Roots and Sky and Placemaker. She can also be found on Instagram at @christiepurifoy, @maplehurstgardens, and @maplehurstblackbarn. She also does a podcast with co-host Lisa-Jo Baker called "Out of the Ordinary."

    * * * * *

    Those in our Patreon community have already received bonus material from the interview that we're not sharing anywhere else about Christie's next book! If you'd like to hear this clip and be on the receiving end of similar exclusive, bonus audio material in the future, join our Patreon community at the $5 / month level.

    Finally, please leave a review wherever you listen! Reviews are so helpful.

    Keep writing!

    32 min
  • Christie Purifoy: When Creativity Surprises You
    Shawn and Maile chat with author Christie Purifoy about why she got her PhD and then left teaching, what it's like for writing to keep surprising you, and how to balance (or not) the writing life with other minor things like family, spouses, and real life.
    Christie's writing is beautiful, reminiscent of Madeleine L'Engle's nonfiction, and she is the author of the books Roots and Sky and Placemaker. She can also be found on Instagram at @christiepurifoy, @maplehurstgardens, and @maplehurstblackbarn.
    32 min
  • 013 The Story of How We Met (and How Our Writing Brings Us Home Again)

    Shawn and Maile share the story of how they met, and how during that time they read Annie Dillard's The Writing Life. They discuss the importance of being willing to edit out even the parts of our writing we love, when necessary. What role does trust play in working with an editor? And, finally, writing can put us in situations that make us feel like we're being pulled away, but in the end it's the work of writing that brings us home.

    Books mentioned:

    The Writing Life by Annie Dillard The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker The Edge of Over There by Shawn Smucker On Writing by Stephen King Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo

    31 min
  • The Story of How We Met (and How Our Writing Brings Us Home Again)
    Shawn and Maile share the story of how they met, and how during that time they read Annie Dillard's The Writing Life. They discuss the importance of being willing to edit out even the parts of our writing we love, when necessary. What role does trust play in working with an editor? And, finally, writing can put us in situations that make us feel like we're being pulled away, but in the end it's the work of writing that brings us home.
    31 min
  • 012 Another Milestone for Maile...And What's Next

    Shawn and Maile have fun discussing a recent milestone Maile accomplished. They consider the option of independent publishing, especially in light of the encouraging words from their last episode's guest, Chad Gibbs. They talk about what they're reading and anticipate an upcoming interview with a well-known author...

    24 min
  • Another Milestone for Maile...And What's Next
    Shawn and Maile have fun discussing a recent milestone Maile accomplished. They consider the option of independent publishing, especially in light of the encouraging words from their last episode's guest, Chad Gibbs. They talk about what they're reading and anticipate an upcoming interview with a well-known author...
    24 min
  • 011 Chad Gibbs: Writing Rejection and Independent Publishing Success

    Chad Gibbs started off a successful writing career with two traditionally published nonfiction books, but when he switched over to fiction, no publishers came calling. How did he turn a season of disappointment into an award-winning, Kirkus-starred independently published novel? Tune in and find out.

    Chad Alan Gibbs is the award-winning author of Two Like Me and You. He lives in Alabama with his wife, two sons, two dogs, and an embarrassingly large collection of Star Wars action figures.

    34 min
  • Chad Gibbs: Writing Rejection and Independent Publishing Success
    Chad Gibbs started off a successful writing career with two traditionally published nonfiction books, but when he switched over to fiction, no publishers came calling. How did he turn a season of disappointment into an award-winning, Kirkus-starred independently published novel? Tune in and find out.
    Chad Alan Gibbs is the award-winning author of Two Like Me and You. He lives in Alabama with his wife, two sons, two dogs, and an embarrassingly large collection of Star Wars action figures.
    34 min

About The Stories Between Us

From the publisher's feed

Two writers, Shawn Smucker and Maile Silva, married to each other, explore the highs and lows of creativity, publishing, and the writing life.