The Written Scene

If there's one thing you should know about journalist and author Caitlin Rother it's that she won't quit, nor does she have regrets, both good qualities for a writer.

In this episode of The Written Scene, Caitlin discusses how the writing scene has grown due to hybrid and self-publishing, using validation from others as feedback, why the true crime book market is shrinking, growing up with books and records lining the walls, how she got over stage fright, how she used books as a safety net from bullies, getting a book blurb from famed author Michael Connolly, growing up an only child and how that helped her as a writer, learning both physical and mental balance, needing an entirely quiet environment to write, being a journalist and not an activist, why she won't write a book she wouldn't want to read, having a to-do list but still doing things not on the list, rebounding from rejection, and so much more.

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Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

Author and journalist Caitlin Rother's writing path has not quite been straightforward. But then again, what writer's path has been?

Enjoy this brief teaser ahead of next week's full episode of The Written Scene.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

Journalism has been evolving rapidly in recent years. For journalist Jackie Bryant, it's an opportunity to adjust and find joy in new ways to write.

In this episode of The Written Scene, Jackie talks about the odd mix of journalism and marketing, writing scripts for audio and how it's a different yet fun type of writing, how working can be fun but also being good about taking time off, growing up thinking writing wasn't a real job, not letting the lack of a byline get in the way of pitching an idea for a writing assignment, why the podcast series Serial worked even without an ending, the different feel of writing in first person after writing as a journalist for so long, why she's a good first draft writer, the skill of bringing dense stories to life, how weed is part of the creative and productive process and how it greatly enhances life overall, writing with confidence about sticky subjects, receiving awards and recognition and using it as signs she's on the right path, how writers could benefit from going back and reading their own good (and bad) writing, and much more.

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Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

For journalist Jackie Bryant, having an open mind to learning new things on the job has allowed her to learn new things she didn't know she liked.

Enjoy this teaser with Jackie ahead of next week's full episode of The Written Scene.

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Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

Some books you never forget. Most, though, you do. Fortunately, for author and poet Jimmy Jazz, he journaled extensively since his teenage years about what he read.

In this episode of The Written Scene, Jimmy talks being fully DIY, how he's physically unable to sit at a desk for long periods of time like in younger years, the popularity problem of poetry, where there's a tendency for poets to be clowns, the genesis of The Book of Books, being smart in the '80s and why that was dangerous, why reading is part of the writing process, how writing can take over your life when working on a massive creative project, the closest he's come to quitting (think: not close at all), why art and capitalism don't go together, working all the time if you want to make good art, and much more.

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Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

The problem with poetry in the early '90s, according to author and poet Jimmy Jazz.

Please enjoy this brief teaser ahead of next week's full episode of The Written Scene with Jimmy.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

In this episode of The Written Scene, author and journalist David Coddon is confirmation that while the writer struggle is real to all writers, each writer eventually finds their own way to work with it.

Listen in as David discusses scheduling and trying to write before daily responsibilities so the mind is fresh, not thinking about numbers like word count, advantages of the short story, making writing an organic process instead of limiting it up front, opening the door to writing with Mark Twain, not giving into fear when writing hard truths, how you're always a student of the craft even if you're a good writer, becoming emotionally attached to characters in our stories, giving permission to yourself to stop writing a story and move on to something else, the opposite of a writer and why, how you can't be a dedicated writer if you're also not reading, what we can learn from authors we don't like reading, and much more.

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Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

Author, journalist, and professor David Coddon is pretty sure the writer who only writes for a living is a myth but that's not stopping him from trying to make that a reality.

If you enjoy this teaser ahead of the next week's full episode of The Written Scene with David, be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share this and all episodes of this podcast.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

Author and multi-media artist Jon Kanis has been all around the world attending concerts and live events. Good thing he took notes.

In this extensive episode of The Written Scene, Jon discusses how the longer you stick with your discipline the more you can't help refine it, adding personal point of view to third person reporting, following the muse wherever it takes you, Taylor Swift and the spectacle aspect of pop culture, making lists at an early age and starting with Casey Kasem's American Top 40 results, the genesis of his desire to write about music and how he was inspired by Lester Bangs, the difference between mentor and inspiration, not wasting the reader's time, what deadlines can teach you about writing and you as a writer, art as the reflection of the artist's consciousness, the ways both drugs and sobriety interact with your art, and so much more.

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Music: Addis Ababa

As far as epiphanies go, author, musician, and music historian Jon Kanis had the necessary one when it comes to what's essential to being a writer.

Enjoy this brief teaser ahead of next week's full episode of The Written Scene with Jon. Please also be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share this and all episodes of The Written Scene.

Music: Addis Ababa