How Writers Write by HappyWriter
231 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 143 ratingsHow Writers Write is a podcast for creative writers to learn how their favorite writers tell their stories. The podcast's host, Brian Murphy, interviews world-class writers to decode their tips, routines, and motivations for producing best-sellers.
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Episodes
(Replay) How James Wade Writes
August 05, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBWe are on "summer break." Enjoy this replay from James Wade. ---------- Support the Show.
(Replay) How Amy Harmon Writes
July 29, 2021 16:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBThis week we are on "summer break." Enjoy this replay from Amy Harmon. ---------- Today’s interview is with Amy Harmon. I was introduced to her work when I picked up her book What the Wind Knows. I loved the book and her style, especially for someone who loves historical fiction. What I did not know is how Amy is a complete baller. I’m not going to give anything away in this interview, but Amy’s writing journey, her grit, and spirit are incredibly inspiring. In fact, when we ended rec...
(Replay) How Amy Harmon Writes
July 29, 2021 16:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBThis week we are on "summer break." Enjoy this replay from Amy Harmon. ---------- Today’s interview is with Amy Harmon. I was introduced to her work when I picked up her book What the Wind Knows. I loved the book and her style, especially for someone who loves historical fiction. What I did not know is how Amy is a complete baller. I’m not going to give anything away in this interview, but Amy’s writing journey, her grit, and spirit are incredibly inspiring. In fact, when we ended rec...
(Replay) How Sofia Segovia Writes
July 22, 2021 09:00 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MBThis week we are on "summer break." Enjoy this replay from the one-and-only Sofia Segovia. Support the Show.
Episode 85 - How Taylor Moore Writes
July 15, 2021 08:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBWelcome to Episode 85 - How Taylor Moore Writes Taylor is a former CIA intelligence officer, he received a Degree in Journalism, followed by a Master's in Public Policy. His debut novel Down Range will be published on August 3rd, 2021 Support the Show.
Episode 84 - How Jennifer Estep Writes
July 08, 2021 08:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBWelcome to Episode 84 - How Jennifer Estep Writes Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than 40 books. This episode is great for those writers who are into writing fantasy series and wants to hear how an absolute pro goes about her business. I want to take a minute to thank Jennifer for her time. Support the Show.
Episode 83 - How Gayle Forman Writes
July 01, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBWelcome to Episode 83 - Hw Gayle Forman Writes Gayle Forman is a #1 New York Times best-selling novelist. This episode is a "pinch me" episode because I get to dive into and hopefully unpack the way a storied novelist creates. The entire idea of this podcast is that we learn from those who are further down the road in their writing journey. But, if you would have told me that I'd have the opportunity to interview a novelist as kind, wise, and prolific as Gayle I'd have said you were crazy. ...
Episode 82 - How Darin Strauss Writes - Part Two
June 24, 2021 08:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MBWelcome to Episode 82 - How Darin Strauss Writes, Part Two I'm so excited to welcome Darin Strauss back to the show. The first time I've ever had a guest on the show for a second time. Darin is an award-winning novelist, facility at New York University's creative writing program, and just a wonderful human. Darin is humble and open and honest about the writing life. This episode is a deep dive on nuance of storytelling. I want to say a special thank you to Darin. I'm grateful to have him ...
Episode 81 - How Tess Gerritsen Writes
June 17, 2021 08:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBWelcome to Episode 81 - How Tess Gerritsen Writes Welcome welcome my friends. This is another episode with a master storyteller, Tess Gerritsen. Tess has written 29 novels, including an adaptation of her series Rizzoli and Isles. Tess is just so knowledgeable about storytelling. I am so grateful to Tess for sharing her process for writing and how to become a writer from the inside out. And now, my friends, without any further ado, here is the interview with Tess Gerritsen. Support the Show.
Episode 80 - How Gina LaManna Writes
June 10, 2021 08:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBWelcome to Episode 80 - How Gina LaManna Writes Soooo… as I record this intro I am sitting on the banks of the Arkansas River in Salida, Colorado. Now, it is stunning and beautiful, but I also don’t have good access to the internet, so this intro is being recorded on my iPad. Just wanted to clear up any weird sound issue. Okay, so, Episode 80 is with Gina LaManna. Gina has published over 30 novels and in this interview, we do a deep dive into her writing process. One thing I really love is...
(Replay) Monday Motivation - The Places You'll Go
June 03, 2021 08:00 - 7 minutes - 5.29 MBFor today's Monday Motivation, I want to read the entirety of Dr Suess Oh the Places You'll Go. This book has had a tremendous impact on me, and I was reading it this week to my children and I thought it'd be really fun to read it all. I've done a few episodes on different parts of this book, but here it is in its entirety. Listen, I know this is a children's book, but it holds more wisdom than just about any book I've ever read. Okay... The Places You'll Go Congratulations! Today is you...
Episode 79 - How Kaira Rouda Writes
May 27, 2021 08:00 - 37 minutes - 26 MBWelcome to Episode 79 - How Kaira Rouda Writers This week's episode is with bestselling author, Kaira Rouda. Kaira is a powerhouse. She is a wonderful author of both fiction and nonfiction, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. I love interviewing authors with such broad experience. In this episode, Kaira and I discuss the role of focus in the writing life, marketing, and her process for creating novels. I've been on a real kick discussing the business side of writing and publishing, and ...
Episode 78 - How Namina Forna Writes
May 20, 2021 08:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBWelcome to Episode 78 - How Namina Forna Writes Welcome welcome to a wonderful episode with Namina Forna. Namina is the best-selling author of "The Gilded Ones," an absolutely fantastic debut novel. In this novel we tackle the story of writing The Gilded Ones, and Namina's story as a writer. This is a powerful interview, and I cannot wait to share it with you. I want to say a quick thank you to Namina for her time. And now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Namina Forna....
Episode 77 - How Linwood Barclay Writes
May 13, 2021 08:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBWelcome to Episode 77 - How Linwood Barclay Writes Hello, my friends and welcome to another episode of the How Writers Write podcast. This week's episode is with the bestselling author of over twenty novels, Linwood Barclay. In this episode, Linwood and I discuss how his decades in the newspaper business has informed his fiction, his thoughts on plot and character, and so much more. Linwood is generous and funny and was just such a pleasure to interview. I want to take a quick moment to th...
Episode 76 - How Peter James Writes
May 06, 2021 08:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBWelcome to Episode 76 - How Peter James Writes This episode with Peter James is fantastically fun. This is another opportunity to into the writing practice of an author who has sold over 20 million books. What is really run about this interview is Peter's secret to how he cracked the crime writing code. The back story is just so much fun to listen to. I want to say thank you to Peter for his time and for this interview. And now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Peter Ja...
Episode 75 - How Lisa Scottoline Writes
April 29, 2021 08:00 - 57 minutes - 39.3 MBWelcome to Episode 75 - How Lisa Scottoline Writes I distinctly remember when I said, "Welcome to Episode 10." And then I episode 25, and then 50. Now, here we are at episode 75. It has been such a wonderful ride. Seventy-five episodes with so many special guests. Thank you so much for sharing this journey with me, and for giving me a reason to do this podcast and serve you. The good news is that I still feel as if we are just getting started. And so here we get to celebrate episode 75 wit...
Episode 74 - How Robert Jones, Jr Writes
April 22, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBWelcome to Episode 74 - How Robert Jones Jr Writes Robert Jones Jr is an author and activist. I first read his debut novel, The Prophets, and just absolutely loved it. And so when the opportunity to interview Robert, I jumped at it. This interview is such a good look into the perseverance and focuses it takes to write a novel. Robert is such a generous soul to share his journey and the lessons that he's learned along the way. This interview is touching and heartfelt. I want to say thank ...
Episode 73 - How Anjali Enjeti Writes
April 15, 2021 08:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBWelcome to Episode 73 - How Anjali Enjeti Writes Anjali Enjeti is an award-winning essayist and novelist. I was so excited to interview her because she has two books about to be published, both fiction and non-fiction books. But the stories behind her writing, how long she had to keep going to get these books published is just so truly inspiring. This is a great interview in perseverance. I want to say thank you again to Anjali for her time. And now, without any further ado, here is the ...
Episode 72 - How Stephanie Dray Writes
April 08, 2021 08:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBWelcome to Episode 72 - How Stepanie Dray Writes This is an interview for all you history buffs out there. Stephanie Dray is a historical novelist who just happens to explore all of the same time periods that I love as well. This episode is packed with practical tips on how to research a novel, how to organize a big project, and so so much more. Stephanie is also just a wonderful person to interview. This is a good one. I want to take a moment to thank Stephanie for her time. And now, wit...
Episode 71 - How Christi Daugherty Writes
April 01, 2021 08:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBWelcome to Episode 71 - How Christi Daugherty Writes Welcome my friends to a fantastic episode with Christi Daugherty. Christy is the best selling author of the Night School series, and shares her thoughts on how to kick off a series and so many tips for producing amazing novels. This is a fun episode, and I am so grateful to Christi for sharing so much of her writing process with me. Let's dive into it. Here is the interview with Christi Daugherty. Support the Show.
Episode 70 - How Ellie Alexander Writes
March 25, 2021 08:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBWelcome to Episode 70... 70! How Ellie Alexander Writes This episode is for anyone who loves to bake, write, and read. Ellie Alexander is the best-selling author of multiple mystery series, but what I really admire is how she has intertwined her love of baking and writing. She brings this passion to her novels, and as a result, expands her reader's experiences in a really fun and unique way. I love it all. Add onto it that Ellie has so much amazing advice and wisdom on the writing life, an...
Episode 69 - How Catherine Coulter Writes
March 18, 2021 08:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBWelcome to Episode 69 - How Catherine Coulter Writes Interview Catherine Coulter, author of 86 novels, most of them NYT Bestsellers feels a little bit like a "pinch me" moment. In this episode, Catherine and I discuss how she creates characters, some lessons she's learned after writing so many books, and how she works as a pantser. This is a fun interview. Thank you again to Catherine for her time. And now! The interview with Catherine Coulter. Support the Show.
Episode 68 - How Lin Anderson Writes
March 11, 2021 09:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBWelcome to Episode 68 - How Lin Anderson Writes Lin Anderson is a crime and thriller writer based out of Scotland. This interview with Lin is super special. Lin's sharing and generous spirit really highlight what this entire podcast is all about. I want to say a special thank you to Lin for her time. And now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Lin Anderson! Support the Show.
Episode 68 - How Lin Anderson Writes
March 11, 2021 09:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBWelcome to Episode 68 - How Lin Anderson Writes Lin Anderson is a crime and thriller writer based out of Scotland. This interview with Lin is super special. Lin's sharing and generous spirit really highlight what this entire podcast is all about. I want to say a special thank you to Lin for her time. And now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Lin Anderson! Support the show
Episode 67 - How Tracy Wolff Writes
March 04, 2021 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBWelcome to Episode 67 - How Tracy Wolff writes Welcome welcome my friends. I hope everyone is having a great week of writing, and if you aren't, that is okay beause this episode is sure to fill up your inspirational buckets. Tracy Wolff is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels. I loved interviewing Tracy for her unbelievable wisdom about the writing process and the writing life. I'm sure you will love it as well. I want to take a second to say thank you to ...
Episode 66 - How Krista Davis Writes
February 25, 2021 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBWelcome to Episode 66 - How Krista Davis Writes Welcome, my friends, to episode 66. I am so excited for this one. This interview with Krista Davis is so wonderful. Her spirit and wisdom is sure blow you away, especially for someone with so much experience as a working writer. I'll keep this intro short and sweet so you can get right to the good stuff. I want to say a special thank you to Krista for her time and for this interview. And now, here is the interview with Krista Davis! Support...
Monday Motivation - Some Podcast Changes
February 15, 2021 10:00 - 3 minutes - 2.48 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation - Cha Cha Cha Changes So, this is an exciting podcast for me. I launched this podcast a year and change ago with just this vague idea of what I wanted it to be, and what an amazing ride it has been. I've interview so many incredible authors. Like, legit heroes of mine. A bunch of them have now become friends. I've had people reach out to me with INSANELY kind words, people reach out to me saying I missed a point pretty hard. We've launched our amazing writing co...
Episode 65 - How Aliette De Bodard Writes
February 11, 2021 09:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBWelcome to Episode 65- How Aliette de Bodard writes Hello, my friends, I hope everyone is having such a good week of writing. Today's episode is with Aliette de Bodard. This is a fun episode with a hugely prolific writer who is also working a full-time job and is a parent. So, for those of you who are jugging your writing with a full-time life, this episode is absolutely for you. I want to say thank you to Aliette one more time. And now, my friends, without any further ado, here is the ep...
Episode 64 - How Jayne Ann Krentz Writes
February 04, 2021 09:00 - 46 minutes - 32.1 MBWelcome to Episode 64- How Jayne Ann Krentz Writes Here we are with another interview with an insanely prolific author. Jayne Ann Krentz has over 35 million books in print, which is just an absolutely insane number. Jayne Ann shares so much wisdom and insights and with that many books in print, you can feel good knowing what you hear is the real deal. I want to say thank you again to Jayne Ann for her time. This interview was a blast. And now, without any further ado, here is the intervie...
Monday Motivation - Tools in the Toolbox
February 01, 2021 10:00 - 2 minutes - 2.05 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation - Tools in the Toolbox So we just ran one of our amazing and awesome challenges where Libbie Hawker, author of like 40-novels and the bestselling outlining book, "Take Off Your Pants." Our challenges are designed to break down tough concepts like plotting and outlining into bite-sized chunks, but sometimes this leads to writers believing that there is a universal right or wrong way to create. With this idea, it is easy to get stuck on plotting and outlining, an...
Episode 63 - How J.A. Jance Writes
January 28, 2021 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBWelcome to episode 63, How JA Jance Writes. This is another interview where I just pinch myself to make sure I'm actually doing this. To interview someone with other 60 published books with a love for storytelling is a dream come true. JA Jance has such a presence. In this interview, we discuss how she was influenced by the Wizard of Oz, how she overcame people telling her she couldn't write because she was a woman and her secrets for writing great long-running series. I want to say a spec...
(Replay) Monday Motivation - The Paleontologist
January 25, 2021 12:00 - 6 minutes - 4.47 MBSupport the Show.
Episode 62 - How Jason Pinter Writes
January 21, 2021 09:00 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MBWelcome to Episode 62 - How Jason Pinter Writes Interviewing Jason was so fun because not only is Jason a bestseller author, he is also a publisher as well. This perspective is so wonderful. In this interview, you get both sides of the writing and publishing process. Add on top that Jason was such a wonderful and warm guest. I'm just saying... this interview is great. I want to take a quick moment and thank Jason for this interview. And now, without any further ado, here is the interview ...
Monday Motivation - Together in Story
January 18, 2021 10:00 - 3 minutes - 2.48 MBFor a lot of you, I know 2020 was an intense year. And, unfortunately, we've kicked off 2021 with a bang. In our world there is political and social instability. So many of you have lost your jobs or face economic insecurity. The past season has been a challenge. And... I feel you. I started a new business in 2020... arguably the worst timing in history. Ha. This show, and all of How Writers Write is not political. And that isn't because I don't have my own personal politics. I mean, I stu...
Episode 61 - How Alix E. Harrow Writes
January 14, 2021 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBWelcome to Episode 61 - How Alix Harrow Writes Episode 61 is a good one, my friends. Alix Harrow has such a wonderful perspective on the writing life. And good news! This episode will be available on YouTube in late January so if you want to see the video of Alix and I that will be available. I want to say a special thank you to Alix for her time and graciousness. And now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Alix Harrow! Support the Show.
Monday Motivation - The Frame Becomes the Picture
January 11, 2021 10:00 - 4 minutes - 3.12 MBBefore the pandemic, one of my favorite places in the entire world was the Met. I loved to wander around until my feet hurt. I'm not an art historian and really don't even know that much about it, and I think that is what made the experience so great. I wasn't able to analyze the halls and halls of priceless work, instead, I just got to experience and react to them. You know that overwhelming reaction you have when you stumble on a piece of art and it just places you in a time-warp? Sometim...
Episode 60 - How Karen M. McManus Writes
January 07, 2021 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MBWelcome to Episode 60 - How Karen M. McManus Writes This was a fun episode to close out in 2020. It isn't every day that I get to interview a #1 NYT best selling author, and Karen was such a wonderful guest. I'm thrilled to have this interview as number 60... 60! What a crazy fun ride this has been. I want to say a special thank you to Karen for her time and graciousness. And now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Karen M. McManus! Support the Show.
Episode 59 - How Darby Kane Writes
December 31, 2020 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBWelcome to Episode 59 - How Darby Kane writes This episode with Darby Kane is more or less exactly what this podcast is all about. Darby's spirit, openness, and vulnerability touched me. I walked around on a cloud for like three days after this interview. Darby is a fantastic author and I cannot recommend Pretty Little Wife enough. Having gotten an advance copy and burning through it in a weekend, I can attest that it is fantastic. I want to thank Darby one more time for her interview. An...
Episode 58 - How KJ Dell'Antonia Writes
December 24, 2020 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBWelcome to Episode 58 - How KJ Dell’Antonia Writes This is a special episode with KJ Dell'Antonia. KJ is a faculty for HappyWriter, a podcaster herself, a friend of the show, and I think we share a bunch of personality traits. This was a fun episode for me. KJ and I discuss some of the lessons she's learned in 2020, how to manage guilt and writing, and so much more. Make sure you check out KJs debut novel, The Chicken Sisters, which was a Reese's Bookclub Pick. I want to take a second to ...
Monday Motivation - Thank you
December 21, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 3.15 MBThis week's episode is a simple thank you. Support the Show.
Episode 57 - How Sabaa Tahir Writes
December 17, 2020 09:00 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MBWelcome to Episode 57 - How Sabaa Tahir Writes Sabaa Tahir is a #1 NYT bestselling author and a wonderful person to interview. In this episode, Sabaa and I really dig down deep into the writing life, talking about the role of hope, some thoughts on world-building, and some lessons learned on writing a series. I loved this interview and I think I could have just keep talking and talking with Sabaa, but at last, time intervened. I want to say a special thank you to Sabaa for her time and gra...
Monday Motivation - Your Inner Writer
December 14, 2020 09:00 - 3 minutes - 2.38 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation - Your Inner Writer By far, the most common question I am asked when I am working one-on-one with writer, is "how do I know if I am even a writer?" And, it is so common because anyone who has ever tried to write has asked themselves this question. So let me dive right in and answer you. If you have a burning desire to tell stories, you are a writer. Full stop. I believe stories don't just come from anywhere, they come from the true writer that lives inside of...
Episode 56 - How A.R. Torre Writes
December 10, 2020 09:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBWelcome to Episode 56- How A.R. Torre Writes Today's interview is with best-selling author, entrepreneur, and all-around powerhouse A.R. (or Alessandra) Torre. In this interview we talk about Alessandra's new writing startup, Authors.AI which is a company that uses artificial intelligence to help authors with their development and editing process, the writing life, and so much more. This interview is a standout because Alessandra knows story. She studies it and thinks about it. And the res...
Monday Motivation - Say Yes, Part Two
December 07, 2020 08:00 - 5 minutes - 3.5 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation- Say Yes, Part two After last week's episode titled "Say Yes," I had a bunch of people reach out on Instagram and email. And I gotta say, I absolutely love it when I hear from the listeners of this podcast. Sometimes I hear such kind words, sometimes people say that something I've said didn't sit well with them, and I appreciate the opportunity to broaden my perspectives. But, regardless, I had a bunch of people reach out saying that the episode really landed w...
Episode 55 - How Christine Feehan Writes
December 03, 2020 09:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBWelcome to Episode 55 - How Christine Feehan Writes Here is another interview with a prolific author. Christine Feehan has published over 80 books. 80! This interview has so much for series writers, and people who find themselves able to just work and work and work. As I was interviewing Christine, I was again reminded of how each and every writer has to find the way in which they produce books. Christine has her way, which is to work and work work, but I've interviewed other authors who w...
Monday Motivation - Say Yes
November 30, 2020 08:00 - 5 minutes - 3.7 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation - Say Yes Each year around this time I become extremely reflective. There is just something about the shortened days and the cold and the coming of the New Year that makes me go into this like cocoon of thoughts. I go over the past year in my mind and celebrate my wins and examine my losses. I try really, really hard not to judge myself. It is so easy to judge and then fall into the trap of believing I should have done something different. Judgment is not the p...
Episode 54 - How Mark McGuinness Writes
November 26, 2020 09:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBWelcome to Episode 54 - How Mark McGuinness Writes So before we kick off this week's episode, I want to give a quick update on HappyWriter. This last week, if you attended my live workshop on how to 3x your writing output in 2021, you'll know I introduced the evolution of HappyWriter. Like any new project, we've been building and listening and seeing what works and what needs to be tweaked. So, I have a couple changes that I want to quickly announce. First one is that HappyWriter is now en...
Monday Motivation - Small Wins
November 23, 2020 08:00 - 4 minutes - 2.95 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation - Small Wins As writers, it is so incredibly easy to get really hyper-focused on the big things. We want to be published, win awards, roll in money, and all the things. I'm in that boat. I'm a human. Of course, I want my work to someday be noticed and celebrated. Just like you, I have dreams and hopes. I imagine looking at a bookshelf of my own books with a sense of pride and fulfillment. A life spent in creation is about as good of a life as I can imagine. But...
Episode 53 - How PW Singer Writes
November 19, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.3 MBWelcome to Episode 53 - How Peter Warren Singer Writes This episode is sponsored by.... HappyWriter! There was about 1500 hundred writers who participated in our Plot Your Novel in Just Five Days challenge and it was truly epic. If you missed the challenge and you want to jump in, you can now take the challenge in HappyWriter, and we're offering seven days of access to HappyWriter for just $1. So, jump in with Tiffany Yates-Martin and I as we walk you through, step-by-step, exactly what you...
Monday Motivation - The Places You'll Go
November 16, 2020 07:00 - 7 minutes - 5.29 MBFor today's Monday Motivation, I want to read the entirety of Dr Suess Oh the Places You'll Go. This book has had a tremendous impact on me, and I was reading it this week to my children and I thought it'd be really fun to read it all. I've done a few episodes on different parts of this book, but here it is in its entirety. Listen, I know this is a children's book, but it holds more wisdom than just about any book I've ever read. Okay... The Places You'll Go Congratulations! Today is you...