Write About Now

“Write what you know” is a piece of advice you’ve probably heard many times throughout your writing journey. For author Lan Samantha Chang, that meant drawing from her experience growing up in one of the only Chinese families in a small Midwestern town. Chang drew from these experiences to write The Family Chao, a modern-day Brothers Karamazov that centers on the story of an immigrant family in the rural Midwest. Chang is also the director of the renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop. In this episode, she talks about her heritage and how her upbringing impacted her journey as an author. She also talks about pivoting to writing as an adult, and dealing with struggles such as financial difficulties and pigeonholing from the industry.

Chances are, you probably haven’t thought much about poetry since your school days. But poetry isn’t just for puberty. Mark McGuinness offers a new perspective. He is the host of A Mouthful of Air, a podcast that features contemporary poets reading their poems and talking about what went into their making. As a poet himself, Mark talks about the barriers preventing people from understanding poetry and how to go about exploring the genre. He explains that one doesn't have to be a full-time poet to write poetry, and details the two main ways poets come up with their ideas. He also explains why speaking poetry out loud is essential to understanding it, and why the seemingly old-fashioned art is still relevant today.

Welcome to 2022. Despite the year of uncertainty ahead, you probably have a goal or two you want to accomplish. If your resolutions haven’t had the best track record over the years —you’re not alone! You may just need to reframe your goal-setting process. This week, author Amy Morin returns to the pod to guide you on crushing your 2022 goals. As the editor in chief of Verywell Mind, Amy is here to talk all about your New Year’s resolutions and how to reach them after you hit your inevitable slump. She discusses how to plan your goals, what type of goals you should be making, and some specific tips for accomplishing your writing goals. Amy also discusses the power of the negative approach, and how time limits have actually gotten her to reach her goals faster.

In his brilliantly researched book Breathe: The New Science of a Lost Art, journalist James Nestor sets out to explain how we've forgotten to breathe correctly in modern times. He travels the world to rediscover the long-forgotten truth about breathing, subjecting himself to a number of ancient and modern breathing techniques. The result is a masterclass in how breathing can help you feel both calmer and more energized. I interviewed James in 2020, shortly after his book was released. It would go on to become an international bestseller. 

Writing a book is on many people’s bucket lists, but the complicated process of getting published usually deters people from ever achieving that dream. For people seeking a more streamlined alternative, self-publishing offers a promising way to get your words out there. In this episode, self-published author Julie Broad talks about what it’s like publishing a book without the help of an agent. As the founder of self-publishing consultants  Book Launchers, Julie leans on the experiences of her clients and details exactly what it takes to find success without an agent. Julie also gives six reasons why book writing is a lucrative idea, and discusses how the self-publishing route can be an even better idea than going with legacy publishers.

For all of the interest in freelance writing, it’s surprising how little good information is  available on the topic. Tim Herrera is the anecdote to that. The former New York Times journalist now runs Freelancing with Tim, a newsletter and consulting service that offers advice, insight, and guidance into freelancing. On the pod, Tim offers invaluable advice on starting a freelance hustle, from building your digital presence to crafting the perfect pitch. He gives an overview of the freelancing landscape today, and what strategies you can implement to put your best foot forward. Tim and Jon also talk about drawing the line between your work and your identity (which can be really hard as a writer), and how helping others uplifts everyone in the industry.

Few genres are as imaginative and boundless as fantasy fiction. But writing a story with limitless potential can be daunting. In this episode, fantasy writer Rebecca Ross talks all about the ins and outs of world-building. Rebecca is the author of several popular fantasy books, including The Queen's Rising, The Queen's Resistance, and the upcoming A River Enchanted. On the pod, she talks about the unlikely ways she's found ideas for her fantasy stories. She goes into the process of building fantastical worlds and captivating audiences with the small details. She also talks about overcoming struggles like audience criticism and writer's block. If you're thinking of getting a head start on your creative journey, be sure to stay tuned for Rebecca’s recommendations on fantasy books you should be reading for inspiration.

There’s a lot the songwriting process can teach you about writing, even if you aren’t interested in music. This week, author, professor and journalist Mike Errico joins the podcast to talk about stepping outside of your genre and unleashing your creativity. He details some of the useful tips all writers can glean from his book Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter. Mike also draws from his experience as a university professor, and discusses what he does to unlock the creativity within his students. He says you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to make a creative impact. Sometimes, all it takes is daring to suck.

The 1920s was a time of glitz, glamour, and… celebrity murder scandals? Joining Jon as this week’s guest for the podcast is Michael Schulman, a staff writer at The New Yorker. Michael recounts the fascinating story behind his piece “Fatty Arbuckle and the Birth of the Celebrity Scandal”, which covers the murder of Virginia Rappe. Now a century later, Jon and Michael discuss the 1921 event, and the eerie parallels we see in today’s media landscape. For those who have ever dreamed of writing about fascinating stories like this for a living, be sure to stay tuned, because Michael also shares how he became a writer for The New Yorker and the most interesting celebrity interview he’s ever done.

What do Soulcycle, QAnon and Charles Manson all have in common? Well, they're all related to cults. For this exciting episode, listen in as author and linguist Amanda Montell takes a deep dive into the cult-ish language we see in our day-to-day lives. She should know: She's the author of the critically-acclaimed book Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism and hosts a podcast about modern-day cults called Sounds like a Cult. On the pod, Amanda and Jon talk about their experiences with cults and the mechanisms that make them powerful. They tackle concepts like thought-terminating cliches, algorithms, and the Protestant ethic — all of which play a part in forming a cult-like mentality. Listen to this episode, but be warned: You may not see your fitness instructor the same way again.