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

The bestselling author of 11 books, including the eighties defining Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney, took a break to chat with me about his new book, the writing process, and some timeless tips from his mentor, Raymond Carver. Vanity Fair called Mr. McInerney “Our modern-day Fitzgerald,” and his most recent book — Bright, Precious Days — is described as “… a sexy, vibrant, cross-generationa...

The bestselling author of 11 books, including the eighties defining Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney, took a break to chat with me about his new book, the writing process, and some timeless tips from his mentor, Raymond Carver. Vanity Fair called Mr. McInerney “Our modern-day Fitzgerald,” and his most recent book — Bright, Precious Days — is described as “… a sexy, vibrant, cross-generationa...

The instant national bestselling author of the acclaimed debut novel Sweetbitter, Stephanie Danler, stopped by the show to chat with me about her not-so-overnight success as a rising literary star. Ms. Danler signed a six-figure deal with Knopf for her first book, the coming-of-age story of a young woman transplanted into New York City’s upscale, cutthroat restaurant world. Bestselling author Jay...

The instant national bestselling author of the acclaimed debut novel Sweetbitter, Stephanie Danler, stopped by the show to chat with me about her not-so-overnight success as a rising literary star. Ms. Danler signed a six-figure deal with Knopf for her first book, the coming-of-age story of a young woman transplanted into New York City’s upscale, cutthroat restaurant world. Bestselling author Jay...

New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of Wired magazine, Kevin Kelly, stopped by the show to chat with me about his journey from travel journalist to famed futurist. Mr. Kelly’s storied and winding career has taken him around the world in search of visions of the new digital frontier. Kevin is a renowned TED speaker and author of multiple bestsellers including his latest, The Inevitable...

New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of Wired magazine, Kevin Kelly, stopped by the show to chat with me about his journey from travel journalist to famed futurist. Mr. Kelly’s storied and winding career has taken him around the world in search of visions of the new digital frontier. Kevin is a renowned TED speaker and author of multiple bestsellers including his latest, The Inevitable...

Welcome to another guest segment of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ where we pick the brain of a neuroscientist about the elements of great writing. This week’s show covers some possible origins and solutions to an ailment known only to writers. Research scientist Michael Grybko, of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington, returned to help me pinpoint the mysteries of writer’s block from...

Welcome to another guest segment of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ where we pick the brain of a neuroscientist about the elements of great writing. This week’s show covers some possible origins and solutions to an ailment known only to writers. Research scientist Michael Grybko, of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington, returned to help me pinpoint the mysteries of writer’s block from...

Award-winning blogger, publishing consultant, and author Jane Friedman, took a moment to talk with me about her writing process and the business of scribes. Ms. Friedman is a digital media strategist with over 20 years in publishing, the co-founder and editor of The Hot Sheet, an “… essential publishing industry newsletter for authors,” as well as the author of the book Publishing 101, an astute c...

Award-winning blogger, publishing consultant, and author Jane Friedman, took a moment to talk with me about her writing process and the business of scribes. Ms. Friedman is a digital media strategist with over 20 years in publishing, the co-founder and editor of The Hot Sheet, an “… essential publishing industry newsletter for authors,” as well as the author of the book Publishing 101, an astute c...

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 w...

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 w...

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...

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...

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 tod...

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 tod...

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 laud...

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 laud...

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. Nas...

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. Nas...

Acclaimed horror author — Jonathan Janz — stopped by this week to talk about his passions, his workmanlike process as a writer, and the skeletons in his closet. 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! Award-winning horror and zombie maestro Brian Keene called...

Acclaimed horror author — Jonathan Janz — stopped by this week to talk about his passions, his workmanlike process as a writer, and the skeletons in his closet. 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! Award-winning horror and zombie maestro Brian Keene called...

National bestselling poet — Tyler Knott Gregson — visited the podcast to discuss his writing process and his journey to finding 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! The New York Times called Mr. Gregson “the literary equivalent of a unicorn: a bes...

Prolific, international bestselling authorpreneur, Mark Dawson, dropped by to talk about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the productivity hacks that have helped him publish over 23 books. 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. Dawson’s...

Prolific, international bestselling authorpreneur, Mark Dawson, dropped by to talk about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the productivity hacks that have helped him publish over 23 books. 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. Dawson’s...