The Written Scene

When people talk about the San Diego writing community, the name Judy Reeves typically follows. In this episode of The Written Scene, author, teacher, and community creator Judy Reeves talks about how she was part of the reason San Diego's writing community thrives now, that books don't need to be written in chronological order, why a writer-reader connection is important, how showing up at the page is important whether something was written or not, the feeling of knowing what you're meant to do in life, performing for crowds and how to get inside the words, how not just writing but any art will someday save us all, and so much more.

Be sure to get Judy's new book WHEN YOUR HEART SAYS GO at your favorite local bookstore not named Amazon. One great online place is Bookshop.org.

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Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

It's hard sometimes for writers to know when something they wrote is done. For author and San Diego writing community staple Judy Reeves, it's all about feeling, just as it was for her new book, When Your Heart Says Go.

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

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

For kid lit author and early childhood policy expert Minh Lê, writing and telling stories is all about connection no matter the age of the reader or listener. In this episode of The Written Scene, we talk about not knowing how a book will be received by an unknown audience, why the specificity of a story can be a way of telling hard stories, how his journey as an author began as a reader, why the final collaboration for a writer is with a reader, the differences between writing kid lit and graphic novels, how kid lit readers are rewarded when the book is read more than once, what being named the 100 Coolest Dads of 2018 did for him as a person and writer, and much more.

Minh's newest book, Enlighten Me, comes out the day this episode is released (September 19th, 2023) so head to your favorite local bookstore not named Amazon to get your copy today.

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Need a little writer's retreat? Go to my favorite place, this fantastic cabin in Big Bear, CA. Bring the family to explore the area while you write. Multiple rooms and games and hangout space.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

For author and early childhood policy expert Minh Lê, the job of any author is (re)create the childhood wonder in readers of all ages.

Enjoy this brief teaser of next week's full episode of The Written Scene with Minh Lê. Be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share this and all episodes of The Written Scene.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

Persistence and perseverence are two important traits in life whether you're an artist or not. For filmmaker Randall Christopher, believing in your message and art is equally important. In this episode of The Written Scene, Randall discusses how research can be inspirational, how a lack of teaching creativity to kids creates fear of creativity in adults, why being creative has unmentioned uses in life, the ways writing and drawing worked together in his career, the weird dance of rejection and acceptance with film festivals, the important forward-thinking nature of staying busy and making things, and much more.

If you like this episode, and it's perfectly fine to say you do, please be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share this and all episodes of The Written Scene.

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With the cool weather ahead, a little writer retreat in a cabin with a fire in the fireplace sounds fantastic, doesn't it? Check out this cozy rental cabin in Big Bear, CA and book ahead of time.

For filmmaker Randall Christopher, thinking creatively is just as useful, if not necessary, as thinking in a calculating way.

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

Please be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share this and every episode of The Written Scene.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

We all come to writing in our own ways. For some, like author, poet, speaker, and editor Cherie Kephart, it's a pretty harrowing path. Listen in as Cherie discusses why poetry is a therapeutical genre for the reader and writer, how physical movement is important to writing, how we think we know our audience but really don't, what a developmental editor is, the difference between being a writer and an author, how writing isn't easy but it doesn't have to be hard, and much more.

Make sure the next book you read is Cherie's memoir, A Few Minor Adjustments.

Please be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share this and all episodes of The Written Scene.

And don't forget to sign up for a once-a-month newsletter highlighting things to do, things to consider, and more.

Need a getaway to write? We all could. Check out this cozy rental cabin in Big Bear, CA.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

For author, poet, and speaker Cherie Kephart, it's important to keep the creative juices flowing with various pieces of creative fruit.

Enjoy this brief teaser of next week's full episode of The Written Scene with Cherie. And don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share this and every episode of The Written Scene.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

It's not often you meet a Chinese fantasy and sci-fi translator and writer but if you do, have them on your podcast. In this episode of The Written Scene, author and translator Jeremy Bai discusses how he found (read: snuck) certain books as a teenager, the added difficulty of translating Chinese poetry, why writing and speaking a language are different, how he uses life's responsibilities to maintain a writing schedule, why knowing the business end of writing is important, and so much more.

If you enjoy this episode (and you know you will), please be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share this and all episodes of The Written Scene.

We also have a once-a-month newsletter about things to do, things to think about, and upcoming guests. Click or tap here to sign up.

Need a little get-away? Head to this Big Bear, CA cabin for a writer's retreat. Room for the family to come along and go do things while you write, too. Or if you like the space, go alone. Either way, it's a great spot for writers and non-writers alike. Tell 'em Adam sent ya.

For many writers, seeking out books on our own is a rite of passage. For sci-fi writer and translator Jeremy Bai, it was no different. Just don't tell his parents.

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

Music: Eshi Era