The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
Episodes
How Hugo Award Winning Sci-Fi Author John Scalzi Writes: Part One
11 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Hugo winner and multiple New York Times bestselling science fiction author, John Scalzi, took a break from his whirlwind new book tour to chat wit...
How Bestselling Author Greg Iles Writes: Part Two
04 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In Part Two of this file, the hyper-prolific, #1 New York Times bestselling author, Greg Iles, returned to chat with me about the conclusion to his ep...
How Bestselling Author Greg Iles Writes: Part One
28 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The hyper-prolific, #1 New York Times bestselling author, Greg Iles, took a few minutes to chat with me this week about the conclusion to his epic tri...
How New Yorker Writer and Author of ‘The Rules Do Not Apply’ Ariel Levy Writes
21 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The New Yorker staff writer, award-winning journalist, and author of a new memoir The Rules Do Not Apply, Ariel Levy, took a moment out of her hectic ...
How the Author of ‘The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking’ Oliver Burkeman Writes: Part Two
14 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In the second half of this file, The Guardian writer, psychology journalist, and author of the critically acclaimed book The Antidote: Happiness for P...
How the Author of ‘The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking’ Oliver Burkeman Writes: Part One
07 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Guardian writer, psychology journalist, and author of the critically acclaimed book The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive ...
How Journalist and Author of ‘The Power of Meaning’ Emily Esfahani Smith Writes: Part Two
28 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In the second half of this file, the psychology and culture journalist, editor, and author of the recent book The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfahani Smi...
How Journalist and Author of ‘The Power of Meaning’ Emily Esfahani Smith Writes: Part One
21 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The psychology and culture journalist, editor, and author of the recent book The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith, stopped by the show this week...
How Screenwriter and ‘All Our Wrong Todays’ Author Elan Mastai Writes: Part Two
07 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In Part Two of this interview, award-winning screenwriter and author of the debut novel All Our Wrong Todays, Elan Mastai, returned to talk about his ...
Behind the Scenes: How ‘The Writer Files’ Is Produced
31 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This is a special edition of the show where we take a glimpse behind the scenes at how we produce the program, and the people responsible for it. As R...
How Screenwriter and ‘All Our Wrong Todays’ Author Elan Mastai Writes: Part One
24 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The award-winning screenwriter and author of the debut novel All Our Wrong Todays, Elan Mastai, dropped by the show this week to talk about his fictio...
How the Editor of ‘Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living’ Manjula Martin Writes: Part Two
17 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In Part Two of this file the writer and managing editor of Francis Ford Coppola’s award-winning magazine Zoetrope: All-Story, Manjula Martin, return...
How the Editor of ‘Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living’ Manjula Martin Writes: Part One
09 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The writer and managing editor of Francis Ford Coppola’s award-winning magazine Zoetrope: All-Story, Manjula Martin, paid a visit to the show this w...
How Journalist and Bestselling Author of ‘The Revenge of Analog’ David Sax Writes: Part Two
19 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The business and culture journalist and bestselling author of the recent book The Revenge of Analog, David Sax, returned to the show to talk about the...
How Journalist and Bestselling Author of ‘The Revenge of Analog’ David Sax Writes: Part One
12 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The business and culture journalist and bestselling author of the recent book The Revenge of Analog, David Sax, dropped by the show to talk about the ...
How the Bestselling Author of ‘The Blue Zones’ Dan Buettner Writes
05 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The multiple New York Times bestselling author of The Blue Zones books and National Geographic Fellow, Dan Buettner, dropped by the show to talk about...
How #1 Hit Podcast ‘Welcome to Night Vale’ Co-Creator Jeffrey Cranor Writes: Part Two
28 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The co-creator and co-writer of the #1 international hit podcast Welcome to Night Vale and New York Times bestselling co-author of the novel of same n...
How #1 Hit Podcast ‘Welcome to Night Vale’ Co-Creator Jeffrey Cranor Writes: Part One
21 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The co-creator and co-writer of the #1 international hit podcast Welcome to Night Vale and New York Times bestselling co-author of the novel of same n...
How the Author of ‘The Bestseller Code’ Jodie Archer Writes: Part Two
14 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Literary scholar, publishing consultant, and co-author of the critically acclaimed book The Bestseller Code, Jodie Archer dropped by to chat with me a...
How the Author of ‘The Bestseller Code’ Jodie Archer Writes: Part One
07 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Literary scholar, publishing consultant, and co-author of the critically acclaimed book The Bestseller Code, Jodie Archer dropped by to chat with me a...
How Bestselling Sci-fi Thriller Author Blake Crouch Writes: Part Two
31 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
International bestselling sci-fi and thriller novelist and screenwriter, Blake Crouch, took time-out from his busy schedule to talk to me about his mi...
How Bestselling Sci-fi Thriller Author Blake Crouch Writes: Part One
24 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
International bestselling sci-fi and thriller novelist and screenwriter, Blake Crouch, took time-out from his busy schedule to talk to me about his mi...
How Bestselling Author Jennifer Weiner Writes: Part Two
17 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of 12 books, Jennifer Weiner, took a few minutes to talk with me about the writer’s life, her new memoir, a...
How Bestselling Author Jennifer Weiner Writes: Part One
10 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of 12 books, Jennifer Weiner, took a few minutes to talk with me about the writer’s life, her new memoir, a...
Is the Novel Dead? Part Two
03 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In this special edition of the show, two writers joined me to opine the death of one of the most influential forms in the history of the written word....
Is the Novel Dead? Part One
26 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In this special edition of the show, two writers joined me to opine the death of one of the most influential forms in the history of the written word....
The Best of The Writer Files: Volume One
19 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Before kicking off the next season of the show, we wanted to share with you some highlights from our previous seasons. I don’t want to shortchange ...
How Bestselling Author Jay McInerney Writes: Part Two
29 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How Bestselling Author Jay McInerney Writes: Part One
22 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How ‘Sweetbitter’ Author Stephanie Danler Writes: Part Two
15 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The instant national bestselling author of the acclaimed debut novel Sweetbitter, Stephanie Danler, stopped by the show to chat with me about her not-...
How ‘Sweetbitter’ Author Stephanie Danler Writes: Part One
08 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The instant national bestselling author of the acclaimed debut novel Sweetbitter, Stephanie Danler, stopped by the show to chat with me about her not-...
How Wired Magazine’s Senior Maverick Kevin Kelly Writes: Part Two
01 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 jou...
How Wired Magazine’s Senior Maverick Kevin Kelly Writes: Part One
25 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 jou...
How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Writer’s Block: Part Two
18 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Writer’s Block: Part One
11 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
How Publishing Consultant, Educator, and Author Jane Friedman Writes: Part Two
27 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning blogger, publishing consultant, and author Jane Friedman, took a moment to talk with me about her writing process and the business of sc...
How Publishing Consultant, Educator, and Author Jane Friedman Writes: Part One
20 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning blogger, publishing consultant, and author Jane Friedman, took a moment to talk with me about her writing process and the business of sc...
How Bestselling Debut Novelist Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney Writes: Part Two
13 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
How Bestselling Debut Novelist Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney Writes: Part One
06 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
How Advice Columnist and Author Heather Havrilesky Writes: Part Two
23 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 wo...
How Advice Columnist and Author Heather Havrilesky Writes: Part One
16 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 wo...
How Bestselling Hybrid Author Dean Wesley Smith Writes: Part Two
09 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How Bestselling Hybrid Author Dean Wesley Smith Writes: Part One
02 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How Long-Form Journalist Kent Russell Writes: Part Two
25 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Gonzo essayist and creative non-fiction author — Kent Russell — dropped by to chat about his hybrid reportage on the margins of society, and the p...
How Long-Form Journalist Kent Russell Writes: Part One
18 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Gonzo essayist and creative non-fiction author — Kent Russell — dropped by to chat about his hybrid reportage on the margins of society, and the p...
How Punk Rock Entrepreneur Jonny Nastor Writes: Part Two
04 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Author and entrepreneur-hacker — Jonny Nastor — dropped in this week to talk about the transition from podcast to bestselling book, and how he hel...
How Punk Rock Entrepreneur Jonny Nastor Writes: Part One
28 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Author and entrepreneur-hacker — Jonny Nastor — dropped in this week to talk about the transition from podcast to bestselling book, and how he hel...
How Acclaimed Horror Author Jonathan Janz Writes: Part Two
21 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Acclaimed horror author — Jonathan Janz — stopped by this week to talk about his passions, his workmanlike process as a writer, and the skeletons ...
How Acclaimed Horror Author Jonathan Janz Writes: Part One
14 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Acclaimed horror author — Jonathan Janz — stopped by this week to talk about his passions, his workmanlike process as a writer, and the skeletons ...
How Bestselling Poet Tyler Knott Gregson Writes
07 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
National bestselling poet — Tyler Knott Gregson — visited the podcast to discuss his writing process and his journey to finding success. Rain...
How Bestselling Thriller Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part Two
29 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Prolific, international bestselling authorpreneur, Mark Dawson, dropped by to talk about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the produc...
How Bestselling Thriller Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part One
22 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Prolific, international bestselling authorpreneur, Mark Dawson, dropped by to talk about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the produc...
How Bestselling Author Maria Konnikova Writes
08 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
New York Times bestselling author and New Yorker columnist, Maria Konnikova, took a beat from her hectic schedule to talk with me about her new book a...
How Award-Winning Sports & Travel Writer Adam Skolnick (Author of One Breath ) Writes: Part Two
01 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, returned to the podcast and we got down to brass tacks about his writer’s journey, his new book,...
How Award-Winning Sports & Travel Writer Adam Skolnick (Author of One Breath ) Writes: Part One
25 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, returned to the podcast to get down to brass tacks about his writer’s journey, his new book, and...
How Oscar Nominee Emma Donoghue (Screenwriter of ‘Room’) Writes: Part Two
11 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
International bestselling author and critically acclaimed screenwriter of Room — Emma Donoghue — talked with me about her writing process and adap...
How Oscar Nominee Emma Donoghue (Screenwriter of ‘Room’) Writes: Part One
04 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
International bestselling author and critically acclaimed screenwriter of Room — Emma Donoghue — talked with me about her writing process and adap...
How Bestselling Author Jeff Goins Writes: Part Two
21 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The bestselling author of The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do — Jeff Goins — stopped by for a marathon return ...
How Bestselling Author Jeff Goins Writes: Part One
14 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The bestselling author of The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do — Jeff Goins — stopped by for a marathon return ...
How NextDraft’s Dave Pell Writes
07 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The most fascinating news on the internet always seems to find its way into Dave Pell’s carefully curated — and always entertaining — NextDraft ...
How Bestselling Author Joanna Penn Writes: Part Two
30 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Prolific, multi-brand entrepreneur Joanna Penn has turned her passion for writing into a successful career as both an educator and bestselling indie a...
How Bestselling Author Joanna Penn Writes: Part One
23 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Prolific, multi-brand entrepreneur Joanna Penn has turned her passion for writing into a successful career as both an educator and bestselling indie a...
How Critically Acclaimed Literary Scholar Jonathan Gottschall Writes: Part Two
16 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Mr. Gottschall is the author or editor of seven books, including The Storytelling Animal — a New York Times Editor’s Choice Selection and a finali...
How Critically Acclaimed Literary Scholar Jonathan Gottschall Writes: Part One
09 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Mr. Gottschall is the author or editor of seven books, including The Storytelling Animal — a New York Times Editor’s Choice Selection and a finali...
How Hollywood Screenwriter and Director John August Writes: Part Two
02 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Critically acclaimed screenwriter and director John August stopped by the show to chat with me about his writing process, the film business, and his h...
How Hollywood Screenwriter and Director John August Writes: Part One
26 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Critically acclaimed screenwriter and director John August stopped by the show to chat with me about his writing process, the film business, and his h...
How Michelle Miller (Writer and Producer of ‘The Underwriting’) Writes: Part Two
19 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
From incredibly successful transmedia serial writer to internationally published author, this week’s guest — Michelle Miller — has tapped into h...
How Michelle Miller (Writer and Producer of ‘The Underwriting’) Writes: Part One
12 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
From wildly successful transmedia serial writer to internationally published author, this week’s guest — Michelle Miller — has tapped into her f...
How Joe Berkowitz (Journalist and Fast Company Editor) Writes: Part Two
05 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Author and Fast Company Editor Joe Berkowitz stopped by the podcast this week. His latest, a humor book titled You Blew It!: An Awkward Look at the Ma...
How Joe Berkowitz (Journalist and Fast Company Editor) Writes: Part One
28 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Author and Fast Company Editor Joe Berkowitz stopped by the podcast this week. His latest, a humor book titled You Blew It!: An Awkward Look at the Ma...
How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part Two
21 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The New York Times bestselling author of The Martian dropped by to chat with me about his writing process and the upcoming movie adaptation of his hit...
How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part One
14 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The New York Times bestselling author of The Martian dropped by to chat with me about his writing process and the upcoming movie adaptation of his hit...
How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Storytelling
24 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered why storytelling is such an omnipresent theme of human life? Welcome to another guest segment of “The Writer s Brain” where...
How Bestselling Author Hugh Howey Writes
10 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Prolific, bestselling, multi-genre author Hugh Howey took me on a walk through the writer’s process. Mr. Howey is the well-known author of Wool, and...
How Veteran Podcaster and Content Marketer Jerod Morris Writes
03 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The Showrunner behind multiple top-ranking podcasts and Vice President of Marketing for the Rainmaker.FM podcast network, Jerod Morris, paid me a visi...
How Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes
27 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Multiple New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink stopped by The Writer Files to chat about his secrets for getting words onto the page. Mr. Pi...
How ProBlogger's Darren Rowse Writes
20 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
New media pioneer and entrepreneur Darren Rowse — creator of both Digital Photography School and ProBlogger — joined me to chat about the opportun...
How Pamela Wilson (VP of Educational Content for Copyblogger) Writes
13 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning designer and marketing consultant Pamela Wilson — who has helped small businesses and large organizations alike create ”big brands”...
How Novelist and Prolific Podcaster Brad Listi Writes
06 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author and prolific lit interviewer Brad Listi was named One of LA s most fascinating people of 2015 by the LA Weekly. He stopped by to ch...
How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part Two
29 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
New York Times bestselling author Austin Kleon has been called one of the most interesting people on the Internet by The Atlantic Magazine, and he sto...
How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
22 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
New York Times bestselling author Austin Kleon has been called one of the most interesting people on the Internet by The Atlantic Magazine, and he sto...
How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Empathy
15 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered why great writing creates an emotional response in readers? Welcome to another guest segment where I pick the brain of a neuros...
Writer Porn: Standing Desks, Binge Reading, and James Patterson s MasterClass
08 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week, award-winning, globe-trotting travel journalist Adam Skolnick returns as guest host for another edition of Writer Porn, where we discuss pe...
How Copywriter and Entrepreneur James Chartrand (of Men with Pens) Writes
01 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Writing can be a lonely sport, whether you re running a digital agency, or slaving away on the next great novel. In this week's episode, we'll examine...
How Sarah Stodola (Author of Process: The Writing Lives of Great Authors ) Writes
18 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist and creative non-fiction author Sarah Stodola shared her writer s file with me in this episode. Her recent book Process: The Writing Lives ...
How Chief Content Officer Sonia Simone Writes
11 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Coral-coiffed marketer and prolific online publisher Sonia Simone stopped by the show this week to share her writing secrets with us. Ms. Simone is co...
How Bestselling Author Ann Handley Writes
04 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I ve invited digital marketing pioneer Ann Handley to chat with me about her writing process. She s a Wall Street Journal bestselling ...
How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Creativity
27 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered how prolific writers summon vast stores of creativity without seemingly breaking a sweat? I would like to introduce you to a gu...
How Award-Winning Journalist Adam Skolnick Writes
20 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes word nerds just need a place to talk shop, and that s what we intend to do here. In this episode of the The Writer Files I ve asked award-wi...
How Demian Farnworth (Copyblogger's Chief Content Writer) Writes
13 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Writer Files, a tour of the habits, habitats, and brains of renowned writers — from online content creators, to fictionists, journali...