The Creative Writing Life
Paul Zeidman
From screenplays to TV, novels to video games, everybody has their own path to establishing a creative writing life. Join host Paul Zeidman as he interviews writers from all mediums and genres to find out about them, their work, and what advice and guidance they have for ambitious and aspiring writers.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 1, 2026 • 44min
Lynn C. Miller
Author Lynn C. Miller (THE SURROGATE) talks writing for visual presentation, how setting makes everything come alive, drawing from the family dynamic, and getting yourself unstuckhttp://lynncmiller.com
Mar 25, 2026 • 49min
Melanie Hill
Author Melanie Hill (JETT COOPER) talks writing action scenes before the emotional story, changing a passive protagonist into an active one, creating internal and external conflict, and the pros and cons of cringey teenage poetryhttp://melaniehill.au
Mar 18, 2026 • 45min
Soon Jones
Author/poet Soon Jones (THESE AREN’T MY WOODS ANYMORE) discusses writing to deal w/personal demons, the effect of the woods on creativity, searching for the perfect word, and the value of studying hip hop and slant rhymes.http://soonjones.com
Mar 11, 2026 • 56min
Zeeva Bukai
Author Zeeva Bukai (THE WORLD BETWEEN) talks about the intimacy of a first person narrative, discovering the character’s objective, writing as an actor, and the relevance of the 100-page mark.http://zeevabukai.com
Mar 4, 2026 • 43min
Maureen Devlin
Author Maureen Devlin (LET’S GO BACKER AND BACKER!) talks the challenge of writing for kids, opening eyes and ears, instilling a love of learning, and embracing your creative impulses.http://maureendevlinauthor.com
Feb 25, 2026 • 50min
Jackie Kashian
Comedian Jackie Kashian (ALTER-KASHIAN) talks writing what you’re thinking about, adjusting expectations with audience reactions, getting words on the page, self-editing, and the jokes-as-pasta metaphorhttp://jackiekashian.comhttp://familypetancestry.com
Feb 18, 2026 • 36min
Sarit Zadok
Author Sarit Zadok (THE CORRECTION, VOL 1) talks about writing philosophical sci-fi, layering on top of layering, applying a Canterbury Tales-esque structure, and seeking A-ha! momentshttp://thecorrection.xyz
Feb 4, 2026 • 41min
Wolfgard Braun
Author Wolfgard Braun (FALLOUT FROM THE SINGULARITY) talks AI as a tool, not a replacement, and how it can help with writer’s block, but falls flat in terms of storytelling and originality.http://wolfgardbraunbooks.wordpress.com
Jan 28, 2026 • 42min
Andrea J. Stein
Author Andrea J. Stein (DEAR ELIZA) talks the value of writing groups, impacting the feel of emotions in your story, writing unpredictable characters, and how grief never really goes away.
Jan 21, 2026 • 48min
Brian Gallagher
Author Brian Gallagher (BASEBALL FIGURES) talks about the multiple aspects of a cross-country journey, the value of details, being open with yourself for a memoir, and the importance of planning (to a certain extent).
