The Written Scene

Author and librarian Kristen Arnett knows what it's like to do research for a book, including the pitfalls and results of doing too much research. Fortunately, she also knows how to correct course.

In this episode of The Written Scene, Kristen discusses how being a child of the '80s helped with her novel about clowns, not having the time to write all the story ideas we come up with, deleting work without being too precious about it, how working in libraries has benefitted her story writing process and finding good characters, secretly reading books her parents disapproved of when she was a kid, why less is more can be important to writing, the excitement of tonal shift when writing, how writers can use social media, how she knows when the writing of a book or story is done, and so much more.

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

Click or tap here to sign up to our once-a-month newsletter of upcoming guests, events, and more.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

For author and librarian Kristen Arnett, sometimes the story is more what you don't know but are willing to learn.

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

Music: Addis Ababa

Author, professor, and social scientist JD Clapp has written and published many scientific articles. None of them, however, have provided the creative outlet needed that his poetry and fiction has.

In this episode of The Written Scene, JD talks about the flexibility of indie presses, having familiarity with a publisher before submitting, how the writing is different between a 25 year old and a 45 year old, separating fact from fiction in writing, what he means by academics shephard's pie and economy of expression, writing at least five days a week, being authentic to the voice of the character, reading stories outside of the genre you write in, why it's important to understand for publishers it's still a business, how it's easier to publish something but it's harder now to sell it, and much more.

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, which you can subscribe to by clicking or tapping here.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

For author, researcher, and professor JD Clapp, having both an analytical and creative mind has its advantages.

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

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

Dean Nelson, an author, professor at Point Loma Nazarene University, and host of the Writer's Symposium by the Sea, always had a gift for writing. Still, that didn't stop him from a short-lived stint in medical school before settling in as a journalist.

In this episode of The Written Scene, Dean discusses the main focus of the Writer's Symposium by the Sea, why not all writers are good speakers, getting his joy of writing early on with an underground newspaper in high school, receiving very useful career direction in the form of a question: "What are you good at?", still finding joy and validation in a good writing day, reading for enjoyment and also for craft study, how and why we're never not writers, making a concerted effort to get high school students to attend the Writer's Symposium by the Sea, what playing sports can do for writers, the health and creative benefits of interacting with nature and other creativity, his optimism for the future of journalism and storytelling, and so much more.

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, which you can subscribe to here.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

If there's anyone who knows how difficult it can be sometimes to interview authors, it's Dean Nelson, creator and host of the Writer's Symposium by the Sea, now in its 30th year.

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

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

Poet and musician Anthony Green Jr. grew up around music and books, thanks to his parents. These days he tries to honor them and his own family with being the best version of an artist he can be.

In this episode of The Written Scene, Anthony discusses starting out with music and how poetry was a natural progression, having parents who find importance in reading and artistic endeavors, why digital books was the right choice over print, how his son is his biggest writing motivator, creating books as time capsules, viewing himself as a writer first and above all else, starting with the book title first and writing to support that, learning when in the day you write best, writing about grief and how poetry helps process feelings better than other genres, how a good relationship makes life feel a little easier, using music with poetry to help perform the poetry, and much more.

Please be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share this an all episodes of The Written Scene. We also have a once-a-month newsletter, which you can subscribe to by tapping or clicking here.

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

For poet and musician Anthony Green Jr., watching his son just be a kid and use his imagination was a reminder and motivator to do the same for himself.

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

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era

Author Thomas Wing's path to writing was often hidden from others, and by choice. But after decades in the Navy and filling his brain with naval boats and warfare, his confidence and desire to write about it became too much to ignore.

In this episode of The Written Scene, Thomas discusses using real historical events to explore humanity through fictional characters, going down research rabbit holes, the difficulty of writing about a period the author didn't live in, how eavesdropping helped him learn to write dialogue, getting better at writing by sticking with it, staying creative mentally while on duty, finding balance in life post-retirement as a writer, using naval and boating jargon wisely, when finding time to write is the hard part of writing, what deeply flawed characters do for a story, the importance of family to not just his characters but to him personally, and much more.

Please be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share this and all episodes of The Written Scene. To subscribe to our once-a-month newsletter, click or tap here.

Music: Addis Ababa

For author Thomas Wing, access to his parents' library consisting of over 5000 books on every topic imaginable was a boon to not just his reading interests but also his writing path.

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

Music: Addis Ababa by Eshi Era