Guest Lisa Cron is a story coach and author of Wired for Story, Story Genius, and Story or Die. Cron combines her wisdom of working with writers in the publishing and TV business with her fascination in the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience. She says that all humans are hardwired for story; we think in story. When writers tap into this, it triggers a dopamine rush that tells us to pay attention. The problem is too many writers don't know what makes a good story. They're stuck more in "writing well" than in writing in a way that triggers the brain to want more. In this interview, she untaps the the hidden source of great storytelling, with practical tips on how to apply it to your own work. 

What You Think You Know About Story Is Wrong

Write About Now features in-depth interviews with successful writers of all types and stripes—journalists, screenwriters, novelists, ghostwriters, and more. Host, Jonathan Small, takes a deep dive into how writers master their craft, offering tips, inspiration, and laughs for both aspiring and professional scribes.

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

Books

On this episode, we go behind the scenes with author Trish Lundy to find out what it takes get a YA novel written, sold, and published by a major house. Trish just released her eminently readable debut YA Thriller novel, “The One That Got Away with Murder.” She talks about the process of writing multiple manuscripts before getting it right, her journey in finding an agent, tips and tricks for finding a story and characters that jump off the page, and what she's learned about the craft by going through the process.  Speaking of debut books, I have one coming out next month. If you'd like to receive an early copy for review, sign up @ https://bit.ly/3vD4s0B I'm teaching an online masterclass on writing magazine articles that sell.  Sign up @ https://bit.ly/smallmasterclass Write About Now is sponsored by AG1. Order with my special code:drinkAG1.com/writeaboutnow

A Writer's Path to Publishing Her First YA Thriller

Molly Roden Winter wouldn't seem like the poster child for polyamory. But the married, middle-aged mom's new book, More: A Memoir of Open Marriage, has caught fire, moving the controversial topic from the margins to the mainstream. Winter joins the show to talk about her unexpected open marriage and, with it, a life-changing journey of self-discovery. She also talks about the process of writing her first book, from a vision that came to her during meditation to the arduous trial-and-error journey of getting the story right—and then getting it sold.  I have a new book coming out! If you would like to be part of my Launch Squad—a group of people who are willing to read my book and review it online a few days before the official release date—sign up @   https://bit.ly/3vD4s0B 

Inside an Open Marriage: A Mom Explores Polyamory

Catherine Coldstream shares the extraordinary tale of joining an ancient and secretive Carmelite monastery in the UK, surrendering completely to a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. But years into leading this sheltered and isolated life of a silent nun, she started to realize the complexities and dangers of the life she vowed to live. Her experience is captured beautifully in a new memoir called  Cloistered: My Years as a Nun. She joins host Jonathan Small to talk about why she gave up her  carefree, bohemian life to become a cloistered nun, what life was like inside the monastery, her views on celibacy and isolation from the outside world, and the similarities between her experience and those of cult members.  I have a new book coming out and would love for you to be part of my Book Launch Squad. Sign up @  https://bit.ly/3vD4s0B 

A Former Nun Tells the Story of Her Escape from a Monastery

Hip hop recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. What started off as an underground movement in the 1970s has blossomed into a global phenomenon with no end in sight. How has hip hop managed to not stop after all these years? Why were those who kept calling it a fad so completely wrong? Guest Todd Boyd has curated a comprehensive book called Rappers Deluxe: How Hip Hop Made the World that chronicles hip hop's defining moments each decade. Using photographs, movie posters, fine art, album covers, film and sports stills, he paints an often misunderstood  portrait of hip hop's influences. Even the word hip hop is often thought to denote the music, but as Boyd describes it, the culture encapsulates much more.  Listen to this sonic journey into hip hop's origins. 

Mic Drop: What We Misunderstand About Hip Hop

Veteran journalist Abby Ellin almost married a pathological liar and convicted criminal, but luckily, her reporter's instincts for the truth kicked in, and she averted disaster. Her crazy story is chronicled in her book Duped and podcast Imposters: The Commander. On the show, she talks about falling for the con, discovering the truth, and what the experience taught her about those who deceive.  Subscribe to my newsletter Small Talk @ https://jonathan856.substack.com

What You Think You Know About Story Is Wrong

Download our free app to listen on your phone