The Story Blender

Listen to the fascinating conversation I have with humorist and acclaimed storyteller Andy Offutt Irwin. He shares insights on coming up with stories of your own to tell by looking at quests, obstacles, choices, and new wisdom. We talk about the difference between a comedian and a humorist, what (actually) makes something funny, vegetarian roadkill, and more. Check it out, give it a listen and subscribe!

This week I catch up with #1 international best selling author Robert Dugoni. As both an acclaimed writer and popular conference speaker, Robert is an expert at both understanding story and delivering thrilling novels. Join us as we chat about trusting your reader, leaving out what readers can presume, what it really means to show and not tell, and creating honest and authentic characters. We also talk about his latest release THE KILLING ON THE HILL. Check it out, give it a listen, and subscribe!

This week I chat with New York Times bestselling author Christopher Reich, about his latest novel, Matterhorn, and his writing process. We talk about the importance of believability in stories (even if they’re spy thrillers and international intrigue novels), some of his favorite authors, how to get started if you have the passion to write a story, and the dangers of reaching for a sandwich on a mountain in the Alps. Check it out, give it a listen, and subscribe!

Listen as I chat with novelist and screenwriter Janice Hallett from London. We talked about her latest book, her writing process, her world travels, and her unique style or writing epistolary novels. She has a new novel out now and she shares from her heart about the importance of fiction, or emotion and empathy in stories, and what she hopes you as a reader will take away from your books. Give it a listen!

On this week’s episode of The Story Blender, I speak with noted reality television, and unscripted TV show expert Troy Devolld. We talk about how reality TV has matured and grown in recent years, the not-so-secret secrets to developing a great show (hint, hint, it has to do with authenticity not just conflict.) We also discuss what it means to reinvent yourself (and it might not mean what you think it does) and why it’s important to get the mustard water out as you write your stories. Give it a listen!

Join me as I speak with the NYT #1 bestselling author of the blockbuster Gray Man series, Mark Greaney. He shares his insights into writing action scenes that really work, avoiding fire and steam warehouses, reaching readers on an emotional level even when you’re writing a kinetic story, training with SWAT teams for authenticity, and more. Check it out and be sure to check out his latest book, THE CHAOS AGENT, available now wherever books are sold.

Join me as I speak with New York Times and international bestselling author, Jean Kwok. We chat about her latest book, THE LEFTOVER WOMAN, and her journey from studying poetry to becoming a novelist (via a physics degree from Harvard). Also, you’ll learn about her approach of outlining what she’s done as well as where she’s going, and the job that she really wanted to get in order to become a writer but couldn’t land, (PS it has to do with watering plants and removing dead leaves.) Give it a listen!

In this wide-ranging conversation with award-winning author and investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan, we chat about the importance of cause and effect in fiction (an insanely important and yet rarely talked about aspect of storytelling), the difference between mystery and suspense, following the gold coins your imagination lays out for you, trusting the creative process and her latest novel ONE WRONG WORD. Give it a listen!

You’ve seen him on television on shows like BOSCH and TRUE DETECTIVE. Now, listen to Jon Lindstrom as he shares insights into the writing process and how his acting career prepared him to write his debut novel HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE. Give is a listen!

This week I talk with Amina Akhtar about her latest book, ALMOST SURELY DEAD, and her advice for overcoming self-doubt, the importance of persistence and finding your voice, how to write a “zero draft,” and being honest in your stories—whether you write humor or thrillers or anything in between. Check it out and subscribe to get our weekly podcast so you never miss an episode. 

For more information on Amina, you can visit her website at https://www.aminaakhtar.work/