The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

Instant New York Times bestselling author of The Nest, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, spoke with me about her life before fiction and how she gets words on the page. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Ms. Sweeney’s winding journey to bestselling author began with a journalism degree and lead to a career in Marketing Communications as a freelance copywriter and editor. Her debut novel was a huge hit with critics and readers alike and skyrocketed onto bestseller lists. Most fascinating is that Cynthia penned the novel as a recent BFA graduate and then sold it in a seven figure publishing deal … at the age of 54. The Nest has been described as “… an acutely perceptive …. novel about four adult siblings and the fate of their shared inheritance…” and bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert called it, “A masterfully constructed, darkly comic, and immensely captivating tale.” Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click “subscribe” to automatically see new interviews with your favorite authors, and help other writers find us. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of the file Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney and I discuss: Why You Can’t Give in to Feeling Paralyzed How to Channel Your Creative Inspiration The Importance of Curiosity and Humility for Writers Why Writing is Like Driving at Night The Necessity of Drudgery to Keep the Ink Flowing Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney LeechBlock: A Simple Free Productivity Tool (for Firefox Web Browser) Freedom: Internet, Social Media, and App Blocker Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Instant New York Times bestselling author of The Nest, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, spoke with me about her life before fiction and how she gets words on the page. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Ms. Sweeney’s winding journey to bestselling author began with a journalism degree and lead to a career in Marketing Communications as a freelance copywriter and editor. Her debut novel was a huge hit with critics and readers alike and skyrocketed onto bestseller lists. Most fascinating is that Cynthia penned the novel as a recent BFA graduate and then sold it in a seven-figure publishing deal … at the age of 54. The Nest has been described as “… an acutely perceptive …. novel about four adult siblings and the fate of their shared inheritance…” and bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert called it, “A masterfully constructed, darkly comic, and immensely captivating tale.” Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click “subscribe” to automatically see new interviews with your favorite authors, and help other writers find us. In Part One of the file Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney and I discuss: How a Failed Short Story Became a Bestselling Book The Difference Between Copywriting and Fiction Why Writers Need to Eliminate Distractions The Double-edged Sword of Working from Home How to Avoid the Impostor Syndrome of a Big Writing Project Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes How Bestselling Debut Novelist Cynthia D Aprix Sweeney Writes: Part Two The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York magazine’s “Ask Polly” advice columnist, Heather Havrilesky, stopped by the show to chat about her process and the many hats she has worn over her 20 year career as a critic, cartoonist, columnist, and essayist. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! The author s new book — How to Be a Person in the World: Ask Polly’s Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life (available July, 2016) — is a collection inspired by her popular advice column. Bestselling author and comedian Patton Oswalt said about the author, “…that rare writer who can dish out tangy snark but never fails to aim the knife back at her own damaged, hilarious heart …” and called the book, “Required reading.” In addition to her Best Seller List column for Bookforum, Heather is the author of the memoir Disaster Preparedness, and was Salon.com’s TV critic for seven years. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Slate, The Awl, NPR’s All Things Considered, and several anthologies. Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click the “subscribe” button to automatically see new interviews with your favorite authors, and help other writers find us. If you missed the first half you can find it here. In Part Two of the file Heather Havrilesky and I discuss: The Author’s Old-School Suspicion of ‘The Cloud’ A Comparison of Microsoft Word vs. Scrivener Why Social Media Can Help with a Writer’s Solitude The Upside of Procrastination How to Harness the Power of the Editing Process Why Hopelessness Can Lead to Great Writing How Your Greatest Weakness Can Become Your Greatest Strength Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes How to Be a Person in the World: Ask Polly’s Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life (Available July 12, 2016), by Heather Havrilesky Heather’s ‘Ask Polly’ Column and Essays for New York Magazine How to Write (The Awl) Heather’s Blog Tweetdeck for Twitter Heather Havrilesky on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York magazine’s “Ask Polly” advice columnist, Heather Havrilesky, stopped by the show to chat about her process and the many hats she has worn over her 20 year career as a critic, cartoonist, columnist, and essayist. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! The author s new book — How to Be a Person in the World: Ask Polly’s Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life (available July, 2016) — is a collection inspired by her popular advice column. Bestselling author and comedian Patton Oswalt said about the author, “…that rare writer who can dish out tangy snark but never fails to aim the knife back at her own damaged, hilarious heart …” and called the book, “Required reading.” In addition to her Best Seller List column for Bookforum, Heather is the author of the memoir Disaster Preparedness, and was Salon.com’s TV critic for seven years. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Slate, The Awl, NPR’s All Things Considered, and several anthologies. Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click the “subscribe” button to automatically see new interviews with your favorite authors, and help other writers find us. In Part One of the file Heather Havrilesky and I discuss: Why You Should Never Give Up Your Dreams of Being a Writer How to Embrace the Scribe’s Daily Descent into Madness Why You Need to Find Your Most Productive Hours How a Daily Writing Exercise Helps You Hit Deadlines How to Turn off Your Inner Critic and Get in Shape at the Same Time Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes How Advice Columnist and Author Heather Havrilesky Writes: Part Two How to Be a Person in the World: Ask Polly’s Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life (Available July 12, 2016), by Heather Havrilesky Heather’s ‘Ask Polly’ Column and Essays for New York Magazine How to Write (The Awl) Heather’s Blog Heather Havrilesky on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wildly prolific, bestselling novelist — Dean Wesley Smith — has been a full-time writer since the ’80s, and he made a visit to the show to talk about how he has written (and ghostwritten) hundreds of titles over the years. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In edition to being the CFO of a traditional publisher, he is a non-fiction author, educator, and multi-genre writer whose short fiction has appeared in over 20 anthologies. Dean shared with me the habits and habitats of a hyper-prolific fictionist who has written dozens of Star Trek novels, film novelizations, and a handful of licensed properties for favorites including Smallville, Spider-Man, X-Men, Aliens, and Men in Black. Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here. In Part Two of the file Dean Wesley Smith and I discuss: The ‘Midnight Disease’ of a Highly Prolific Author How to Find the Intersection of Creativity and Entertainment Why Writers Must Never Stop Learning The Courage Required to ‘Dare to Be Bad’ Why Great Writers Aren’t Always the Best Dinner Guests Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes DeanWesleySmith.com Non-Fiction Titles by Dean Wesley Smith (including Heinlein s Rules and Writing into the Dark) The Works of John D. MacDonald Dean Wesley Smith on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wildly prolific, bestselling novelist — Dean Wesley Smith — has been a full-time writer since the ’80s, and he made a visit to the show to talk about how he has written (and ghostwritten) hundreds of titles over the years. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In edition to being the CFO of a traditional publisher, he is a non-fiction author, educator, and multi-genre writer whose short fiction has appeared in over 20 anthologies. Dean shared with me the habits and habitats of a hyper-prolific fictionist who has also written dozens of Star Trek novels, film novelizations, and a handful of licensed properties for favorites including Smallville, Spider-Man, X-Men, Aliens, and Men in Black. Join us for this two-part interview. In Part One of the file Dean Wesley Smith and I discuss: How ‘Heinlein’s Rules’ Can Change Your Writing Process Why Writers Have to Be Readers First How a Dedicated Writing Computer Can Boost Your Productivity The Origins of Writer’s Block Why You Should Always Write Yourself into a Corner Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes How Bestselling Hybrid Author Dean Wesley Smith Writes: Part Two DeanWesleySmith.com Non-Fiction Titles by Dean Wesley Smith (including Heinlein s Rules and Writing into the Dark) Freewrite: Your Distraction-Free Writing Tool How to Beat Writer’s Block by Maria Konnikova for The New Yorker Dean Wesley Smith on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gonzo essayist and creative non-fiction author — Kent Russell — dropped by to chat about his hybrid reportage on the margins of society, and the process of a big city, freelance journalist. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Mr. Russell’s critically lauded first collection — I Am Sorry to Think I Have Raised a Timid Son — was recently re-released in paperback, and Vanity Fair called it, “A ludicrously smart, tragicomic man-on-the-edge memoir in essays.” The acclaimed writer has been compared to David Foster Wallace by the New York Times Book Review, and his writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Tin House, The New Republic, Harper’s, GQ, n+1, The Believer, and Grantland. Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here. In Part Two of the file Kent Russell and I discuss: Why Procrastination is Just as Important as Writing How to Break Away from Genre Constraints Why a Generous Point of View Can Make You a Better Writer The Joys and Tactile Sensations of Mechanical Keyboards How to Tell the One Story that Only You Can Tell Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes I Am Sorry to Think I Have Raised a Timid Son – by Kent Russell Letter of Recommendation: Hangovers – Kent Russell for the NYTimes Magazine ‘Timid Son’ Celebrates Mambas And Manly Men – NPR Interview with Kent Russell Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gonzo essayist and creative non-fiction author — Kent Russell — dropped by to chat about his hybrid reportage on the margins of society, and the process of a big city, freelance journalist. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Mr. Russell’s critically lauded first collection — I Am Sorry to Think I Have Raised a Timid Son — was recently re-released in paperback, and Vanity Fair called it, “A ludicrously smart, tragicomic man-on-the-edge memoir in essays.” The acclaimed writer has been compared to David Foster Wallace by The New York Times Book Review, and his writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Tin House, The New Republic, Harper’s, GQ, n+1, The Believer, and Grantland. Join us for this two-part interview. In Part One of the file Kent Russell and I discuss: The Promiscuity of Freelance Writers Why You Should Overwrite Your First Drafts How to Research Your Stories Like RoboCop Why All Writing Is (Still) Rewriting A Writer’s Reliance on Cloud Word Processing Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes How Long-Form Journalist Kent Russell Writes: Part Two I Am Sorry to Think I Have Raised a Timid Son – by Kent Russell Letter of Recommendation: Hangovers – Kent Russell for the NYTimes Magazine ‘Timid Son’ Celebrates Mambas And Manly Men – NPR Interview with Kent Russell Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and entrepreneur-hacker — Jonny Nastor — dropped in this week to talk about the transition from podcast to bestselling book, and how he helps digital entrepreneurs and creatives find shortcuts to success. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Mr. Nastor is the author of the bestseller Hack the Entrepreneur: How to Stop Procrastinating, Build a Business, and Do Work That Matters, a book that combines the wisdom of over 200 interviews with successful entrepreneurs from Jonny’s hit podcast of the same name. Jon’s own remarkable journey has taken him from punk rock musician, to internet entrepreneur, podcaster, educator, author, and a guy who somehow still finds time to be a husband, father, and world traveler in-between. Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here. In Part Two of the file Jon Nastor and I discuss: How to Come to Terms with Procrastination Jonny’s Unique Definition of Creativity for Writers and Entrepreneurs The Effectiveness of Simple Sentences Why You Should Quit When You’re Done, Not When You’re Tired Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes HacktheEntrepreneur.com Hack the Entrepreneur: How to Stop Procrastinating, Build a Business, and Do Work That Matters – by Jon Nastor Jon Nastor Articles for Copyblogger Jon Nastor Articles for Entrepreneur Jon Nastor Articles for Foundr Jonny Nastor on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and entrepreneur-hacker — Jonny Nastor — dropped in this week to talk about the transition from podcast to bestselling book, and how he helps digital entrepreneurs and creatives find shortcuts to success. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Mr. Nastor is the author of the bestseller Hack the Entrepreneur: How to Stop Procrastinating, Build a Business, and Do Work That Matters, a book that combines the wisdom of over 200 interviews with successful entrepreneurs from Jonny’s hit podcast of the same name. Jon’s own remarkable journey has taken him from punk rock musician, to internet entrepreneur, podcaster, educator, author, and a guy who somehow still finds time to be a husband, father, and world traveler in-between. Join us for this two-part interview. In Part One of the file Jon Nastor and I discuss: Why Most Writers Suck at Grammar The Importance of the DIY Mindset for Authors How to Get into Flow State and Write for 18 Hours Straight The Value of Outlining Your Projects Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes How Punk Rock Entrepreneur Jonny Nastor Writes: Part Two HacktheEntrepreneur.com Hack the Entrepreneur: How to Stop Procrastinating, Build a Business, and Do Work That Matters – by Jon Nastor Jon Nastor Articles for Copyblogger Jon Nastor Articles for Entrepreneur Jon Nastor Articles for Foundr Jonny Nastor on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices