The Creative Writing Life

Author J.A. Merkel (THE FALL GAUNTLET) talks using short stories to hone your writing skills, finding the right balance between sci-fi and fantasy, doing what works for you, and how it all started with the movie CLUE http://jamerkel.com

Author Bryan Gruley (RIVER DEEP) talks the basics of crime fiction, getting out after painting yourself into a corner, knowing your hook in the first two sentences, multiple POV storytelling, and…flying werewolves? http://bryangruley.com

Author/instructor Theresa Halvorsen talks about being a “recovering pantser”, knowing your characters beyond their backstory, disagreeing (sort of) with Stephen King, and the multiple versions of a writer’s self-care http://theresahalverson.com

Author Nina Chayka (SEAGULLS) talks creating and inter-connecting an ensemble of characters, developing a non-linear story, the language of events, and non-traditional approaches to resolution http://ninachayka.com

Author Neal Lipschutz (LONG ARM OF THE PAST) talks grounding your story with plausibility, creating fallible characters, balancing the unexpected and the cohesive, and fine-tuning the story to play fair with the reader http://neallipschutz.com

Author Erin Baldwin (GOOD LUCK, BABE!) talks how first-person POV is more “voicey”, representing for queer stories, the challenge of not giving readers the ending they want, and the concept of kayfabe within reality TV http://erinbwrites.com

Writer/poet Sherre Vernon (TRANSLATING BLUE) talks about loving the sound of words, striking a balance when you write, how complexity is important, and the value of finding the right word http://sherrevernon.com

Writer/poet Miguel Eichelberger (EVERYTHING IS) talks “translating the untranslatable”, adding human detail, why writers should write everything, the Stargate universe, and “don’t show, let them see” http://migueleichelberger.com

Authors Sara DiVello (BROADWAY BUTTERFLY) and Leslie Zemeckis (FEUDING FAN DANCERS) talk about the power of stories, remembering women excluded by history, and the fun of nerding out about writing http://saradivello.com http://lesliezemeckis.com

Author Jill Rosenberg (NOW I’M PHOTOGENIC AND OTHER STORIES I TELL MYSELF) talks embracing surrealism, overcoming the fear of revealing emotion, and the sound of the story

Author J.D. Barker (THE FIRST SCARLET DOOR) talks creating characters as real people, writing as both pantser and outliner, getting your hands dirty, and how to tell if you have the storyteller gene

Author Sara Lippmann (HIDDEN RIVER) talks the obligation to tell an honest story, public vs private trauma, the concept of psychic distance, and “the menace that lies in the cloak of suburbia”. http://saralippman.com

Author Nathaniel Popkin (PARTLY STRONG, PARTLY BROKEN) talks writing and starting over, the integral role of the editor, how fiction is a mirror of real life, and why a writer should own the struggle

Author Daniel Sheley (THE SOUL-SUNG) talks about fantasy as a metaphor for human issues, how everyone has their own story, building your dialogue muscles, and why knowing the cookie is dry is enough. http://danielsheleyauthor.com

Howard Rosenstein (TREASURES, SHIPWRECKS & THE DAWN OF RED SEA DIVING) talks true-life adventure, being part of historical events, and the value of having a story, patience, and a good editor http://yamolam.com books@fantasea.com

Author Bob Haus (DIMINISHED, RESOLVING TO MAJOR) talks never knowing what the spark will be, working with strength of character and talent, and “doing it for the fat lady”. http://roberthauswriter.com

Author Steve Doherty (CROSSROADS) talks going from hating writing to loving it, Tom Clancy as the gold standard, avoiding excruciating details, and knowing when to stop, assess, and rewrite OR just toss it http://steve-doherty-books.com

Author Jatinder Koharki (AGAINST THE ODDS OF TRADITION) talks writing as self-care, characters controlling the story, culture and history as enhancements, and taking what life and fate give you http://jatinderkoharki.com

Author Maria Dong (AVIARY) talks how POV is a great tool in a writer’s toolbox, keeping your characters under control, trauma’s effect on the brain, and how it all started with an episode of  90-DAY FIANCEE http://mariadong.com **Maria had some technical issues with her equipment in the latter half of the episode, so be prepared for some wonky audio**

Comedy writer/standup comedian Dan Cronin talks how comedy is a positive sadness, how the struggle can (hopefully) pay off, focusing on craft, not career, and writing for Conan O’Brien and the Oscars

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 unstuck http://lynncmiller.com

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 poetry http://melaniehill.au

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

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

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