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
Episode 31 - How Catherine Bybee Writes
June 04, 2020 08:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBWelcome to Episode 31 – How Catherine Bybee Writes For those die-hard How Writers Write fans, do you remember how I intro’d last week’s episode? I said it doesn’t matter how you write, just so long as you get the work done. This interview with Catherine is the juxtaposition of the highly organized Andrew-Mayne method. Catherine highlights the “pantser” side of the pantser/plotter spectrum. And you know what? It works. I am so happy to have these interviews back to back, both becau...
Monday Motivation - What vs How
June 01, 2020 08:00 - 5 minutes - 3.9 MBMonday Motivation – What vs How This is a special Monday Motivation for me. I’ve been working a lot a lot a lot behind the scenes to define what is this thing called How Writers Write. When I launched this project six months ago, I really had no idea what would happen. I’ve said this before, but I had no clue if anyone would listen to this podcast or be into my message. But listen they have, and it feels as if I’ve hit on something in the writing life that is both under served and super...
Episode 30 - How Andrew Mayne Writes
May 28, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBWelcome to Episode 30 – How Andrew Mayne Writes One of my favorite parts of this podcast is highlighting the different ways that writers write. The takeaway is so critical FOR ANYONE in the writing life: how you do your work doesn’t really matter. Doing the work is what matters. This interview with Andrew highlights his unique style on writing novels. I had played around in this intro with highlighting some of my favorite parts, but I think it is best to just experience it with me....
Monday Motivation - The Willful Disregard of Rationality
May 25, 2020 08:00 - 5 minutes - 3.52 MBNow, that is a really fancy title for a simple yet profound decision. It is a cornerstone of being a writer. Not just writing a book or working a project, but becoming someone who is a writer from the inside out. The willful disregard of rationality is the way in which, as a writer, you look at a project that by all measurements should be impossible for you to complete, and yet… you decide to do it anyway. As writers, we feel this impossibility at the onset of each new project. Whe...
Episode 29 - How Jennifer Probst Writes
May 21, 2020 08:00 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MBI’ve had this series of interviews where we get started with our warm-up questions and then poof, all of a sudden we are at the end of our recording time. I felt this way with Jennifer. This is a special interview where we dive into some of my favorite writing topics. It really was such a blast to interview Jennifer. And so now, without any further ado, here is the interview with Jennifer Probst. Support the Show.
Monday Motivation - The Inner Critic, Part 3
May 18, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutes - 5.01 MBTo take steps towards your imagined future, there are some questions to ponder: 1. What do you imagine as your ideal self? What are all of the good things you want from your life? From your writing? From your relationships? Body? 2. Now, in the same way you’d create a character for a story, how do you construct the person who you’ve imagined in step one? Here are some additional question: a. What does this person do every single morning? b. And before bed...
Episode 28 - How Amy Sue Nathan Writes
May 14, 2020 08:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBWelcome to episode 28 – How Amy Sue Nathan Writes If you could learn just one skill that would be the backbone of your writing life, more than learning how to plot or build characters… more than any specific craft skill, it would be learn how to work. I’ve said this so many times. You can be the best writer in the world, but if you aren’t putting your story onto the page, it doesn’t matter. So, if you need help putting the wheels on a writing routine, TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT. I’m hosti...
Monday Motivation - The Inner Critic, Part 2
May 11, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutes - 5.62 MBLast week, I discussed the overall concept of the inner critic. If you missed that podcast, I’d highly recommend going back and getting the basics down. But, if you are too lazy or you need a refresher, here are a few important points. 1) Your inner critic is trying to keep you “safe” by keeping you from doing anything that is risky or has the chance of failure 2) Everyone has an inner critic and 3) to write, you’re going to need to learn how to write through or around the inner critic. The ...
Episode 27 - How Barbara O'Neal Writes
May 07, 2020 08:00 - 46 minutes - 32.1 MBI want to make a special announcement that I have been WAITING to tell you. On June 1st, I’ll be launching a new program called “the 21-day MFA.” This new program is a series of online courses that teach writers one MFA-level skill in 21 days. This is a brand-new way to learn how to write. I’m packing literally ten years of study, an MFA from NYU, and thousands of hours of tinkering to offer hyper-specific, experiential learning courses. Now, instead of going through a two-year MFA program ...
Monday Motivation - Your Inner Critic, Part 1
May 04, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutes - 5.5 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation – Your Inner Critic, Part 1 Hello and welcome my friends. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week of writing. By far, the most common thing I coach writers – and this is writers from all backgrounds, projects, and level of accomplish (I’m talking brand new to #1 NYT people) – is their relationship with their inner critic. We have ALL heard this term – the inner critic – and like a lot of really important things, we’ve heard about that inner critic so muc...
Episode 26 - How Kelly Harms Writes
April 30, 2020 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBWelcome to Episode 26 – How Kelly Harms Writes I knew I was onto something good when I did my research on Kelly. On her website, she has this great section on books for writers, and one of the books she lists is one of my all-time-favorites, a book I’ve referenced a zillion times—Deep Work. For me, Kelly is a model of what a writer can be. She has built an inner game along with her skill, so that she writes from the inside-out. It was such a pleasure to interview her and try to pa...
Monday Motivation - Lean Into Your Fears
April 27, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutes - 5.17 MBSupport the show
Monday Motivation - Lean Into Your Fears
April 27, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutes - 5.17 MBSupport the Show.
Episode 25 - How Luanne Rice Writes
April 23, 2020 09:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBWelcome to Episode 25 – How Luanne Rice Writes Today’s interview is a special one, but before we get started, I need your help. I am working on a new program called the 21-Day MFA Series. The program will teach one MFA-level skill over the course of 21 days… things like “How to Build a Writing Routine” and “How to Plot.” But, I want to make sure this program is 10 times better than any other writing programs out there, so I am asking for input from this amazing community by taking a 2-mi...
Monday Motivation - Say Nice Things
April 20, 2020 09:00 - 4 minutes - 3 MBMonday Motivation – Say Nice Things For this Monday Motivation, you’ll need a piece of paper and a pen. Your computer or phone will work fine, but ideally you are writing this out by hand. I’ll do the “pause until you get this” notice that I always heard as a kid. Got your writing piece? Good. Now, in this order, this is what I want you to do. 1. Write just one thing that makes you incredibly excited about the story you are working on or want to work on. So, this can be a them...
Episode 24 - How Joel C. Rosenberg Writes
April 16, 2020 08:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBWelcome to Episode 24 – How Joel C. Rosenberg Writes I have two announcements of happenings around How Writers Write. The first one is a call to check out our online reading series. As you know, book events are all canceled, and as readers, we are stuck in social isolation. I wanted to bring together those two groups to weather this pandemic storm. So, be sure to register for a free reading with some amazing authors. Go to howwriterswrite.com/onlinereading to see this week’s line up and...
Monday Motivation - Childlike Goals
April 13, 2020 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.78 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation – Childlike Goals I know I’ve said this before, but so many of these talks start from the question, “what is heaviest on my heart?” I try to let these talks come from the inside out, which mirrors the way I taught myself to write: starting with what is in my heart, and trying my best to translate that feeling into words. I say this because this topic is a straight-from-Brian’s-heart-onto-the-page type talk. You see, I am an expert at setting a limiter on ...
Episode 23 - How Emma Chase Writes
April 09, 2020 08:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBWelcome to Episode 23 – How Emma Chase Writes I have two announcements of happenings around How Writers Write. The first one is a call to check out our online reading series. As you know book events are all cancelled, and as readers, we are stuck in social isolation. I wanted to bring together those two groups to weather this pandemic storm. And, that looks like nightly online readings with a new author. The week of April 10th features Lisa See, Honor Moore in conversation with Claire M...
Monday Motivation - The Courage to Create
April 06, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutes - 4.3 MBMonday Motivation – The Courage to Create Lately, I’ve been getting into entomology. As a writer and someone who thinks about writers and words basically all day, it seems like the natural progression on my path to the ultimate ending of linguistics. Then I will complete the writer’s circuit and die, be made into a tree, only to be cut down to make the paper of a book. Okay, I’m getting away from myself. So, in this crazy world, a word that pops up over and over again is courage. It...
Episode 22 - How Elizabeth Wetmore Writes
April 02, 2020 08:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBWelcome to Episode 22 – How Elizabeth Wetmore Writes Before we get started, I am so excited to announce the How Writers Write Online Reading Series. Come listen to your favorite authors read from their books, have a thoughtful discussion, and answer audience questions. The schedule is already packed with incredible authors like Amy Harmon, Lisa See, Zack Jordan and so many others. To sign up, visit www.howwriterswrite.com/onlinereading -- that is all one word. The first reading is Am...
Monday Motivation - The Limits of Your Feelings
March 30, 2020 07:00 - 6 minutes - 4.52 MBMonday Motivation – The Limits of Your Feelings This talk is inspired by Ludwig Wittgenstein’s famous quote, “The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” The concept is so deeply impacted me that it has reframed my understanding of what it means to grow, not just in the writing life, but in life in general. A good example of this quote is a recent experience I just had. I’m teaching myself how to be more handy for some upcoming home projects. One of the things I need to do ...
Episode 21 - How Lisa See Writes
March 26, 2020 09:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBWelcome to Episode 21 – How Lisa See Writes I am so excited to announce the How Writers Write Online Reading Series. There is this huge gap in live book events now that the world has more-or-less shut down. We’re stepping in to fill that void. We are scheduling as many daily readings as possible. These are live events, where the author will read from their book, answer some questions, and take questions from the audience. Your truly is hosting most of these. Come hear Amy Harmon, Lisa S...
Episode 21 - How Lisa See Writes
March 26, 2020 09:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBWelcome to Episode 21 – How Lisa See Writes I am so excited to announce the How Writers Write Online Reading Series. There is this huge gap in live book events now that the world has more-or-less shut down. We’re stepping in to fill that void. We are scheduling as many daily readings as possible. These are live events, where the author will read from their book, answer some questions, and take questions from the audience. Your truly is hosting most of these. Come hear Amy Harmon, Lisa S...
Monday Motivation - Put Your Phone Down
March 23, 2020 07:00 - 3 minutes - 2.43 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation - Put your phone down I am very rarely prescriptive in my Monday Motivations. I like to offer perspectives, thoughts, or strategies that have worked for me in my writing life, and hope that some of it lands. Today’s Monday Motivation is different, and it is super simple. It is probably going to sting a little bit. Put your phone down. Turn off the TV. Go do anything else other than consume story after story about the chaos in the world. There is ...
Monday Motivation - How to Write When the World is Crazy
March 16, 2020 08:00 - 12 minutes - 8.84 MBSupport the Show.
Episode 19- How Rhys Bowen Writes
March 12, 2020 08:00 - 43 minutes - 29.6 MBWelcome to Episode 19 – How Rhys Bowen Writes Before we start the interview, I am offering free daily coaching session. But only one appointment can be scheduled each day, so once that day is gone… its gone. You can sign up for the day that works for you and bring any topic you want to the table. If you are dealing with doubt or struggling to write in what is turning out to be a crazy world… whatever it might be, I’d love to connect with you. We’ll spend 60 minutes driving towards a plan...
Episode 19- How Rhys Bowen Writes
March 12, 2020 08:00 - 43 minutes - 29.6 MBWelcome to Episode 19 – How Rhys Bowen Writes Before we start the interview, I am offering free daily coaching session. But only one appointment can be scheduled each day, so once that day is gone… its gone. You can sign up for the day that works for you and bring any topic you want to the table. If you are dealing with doubt or struggling to write in what is turning out to be a crazy world… whatever it might be, I’d love to connect with you. We’ll spend 60 minutes driving towards a plan...
Monday Motivation - Play Offense, Not Defense
March 09, 2020 08:00 - 4 minutes - 3.04 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation – Play Offense, Not Defense I grew up playing football and sports in general, so I tend to see parts of the writing life through an athletic lens. “Play offense, not defense” is a football term that was adopted in the business world. In business, the point is that it’s easy to look over at a competitor and try and do what they are doing. In defensive mode, you are always reacting, always trying to catch up to a good idea from someone else. Businesses like thi...
Monday Motivation - Play Offense, Not Defense
March 09, 2020 08:00 - 4 minutes - 3.04 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation – Play Offense, Not Defense I grew up playing football and sports in general, so I tend to see parts of the writing life through an athletic lens. “Play offense, not defense” is a football term that was adopted in the business world. In business, the point is that it’s easy to look over at a competitor and try and do what they are doing. In defensive mode, you are always reacting, always trying to catch up to a good idea from someone else. Businesses like thi...
Episode 18 - How Robert Dugoni Writes
March 05, 2020 10:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBI’ve been a spree of interviewing authors who produce 1-2, sometimes even three books per year, and Robert has been doing just that for years. I love showing that there is more than one way to write, produce, and publish. In this interview with Robert, we dig into his writing habits, routines, and some of the magic that has helped him sell over 5,000,000 books since 2012. I want to say a special thanks to Robert for his time. Before we get started, this episode is sponsored by… me!...
Monday Motivation - Another Story Must Begin
March 02, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 3.34 MBMonday Motivation – Another Story Must Begin For those of you who have listened to this podcast, you know that I absolutely love Les Misérables. And I don’t just love the book, I love the musical as well. In fact, I love the musical so much that I know every single word to every single song. If you don’t believe me, ask my wife, who will tell you the painful, painful truth, because I love to sing it and I am completely tone-deaf. Anyways, one of the reasons why I love Les Mis is th...
Episode 17 - How Libbie Hawker Writes
February 27, 2020 09:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBWelcome to Episode 17 – How Libbie Hawker Writes This episode is packed with information and insights about what is takes to make a living through writing. For me, since recording this episode, I’ve had days and days and days of thinking about my writing strategy and goals. Libbie just gave me so many things to think about, from writing commercial vs literary fiction, to transitions, to how to think about writing as a job. This is a good one. I am so grateful to Libbie for sharing h...
Episode 17 - How Libbie Hawker Writes
February 27, 2020 09:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBWelcome to Episode 17 – How Libbie Hawker Writes This episode is packed with information and insights about what is takes to make a living through writing. For me, since recording this episode, I’ve had days and days and days of thinking about my writing strategy and goals. Libbie just gave me so many things to think about, from writing commercial vs literary fiction, to transitions, to how to think about writing as a job. This is a good one. I am so grateful to Libbie for sharing h...
Monday Motivation - Experience Your Story
February 24, 2020 17:00 - 4 minutes - 3.28 MBMonday Motivation – Experience Your Story I’m in a season right now with young kids where traveling is a challenge. But that doesn’t keep me from wanting to travel and experience new places. And so to scratch the itch, I do what we all do—I watch the exotic travel shows, I read books, and study maps –god I am such a dad. I can really get into a place that way. There’s a texture that comes from that level of detail and attention. But, take a moment with me, and imagine the first time...
Episode 16 - How Brian Freeman Writes
February 20, 2020 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBThis episode with Brian Freeman was a treat to record. Filled with practical and inspirational advice, Brian shares his working habits and gives an insight into how he produced two best selling novels each year. I’m going to keep this intro short and sweet because I can’t wait to share this episode. And so now, without any further ado, here is the episode with Brian Freeman. Support the Show.
Monday Motivation - The Paleontologist
February 17, 2020 10:00 - 6 minutes - 4.48 MBIn this episode, I detail the overlap between a paleontologist finding and extracting a dinosaur with the writing life. I hope you enjoy. Support the show
Monday Motivation - The Paleontologist
February 17, 2020 10:00 - 6 minutes - 4.48 MBIn this episode, I detail the overlap between a paleontologist finding and extracting a dinosaur with the writing life. I hope you enjoy. Support the Show.
Episode 15 - How Whitney Terrell Writes
February 13, 2020 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBWelcome to Episode 15 – How Whitney Terrel Writes I first heard Whitney speak during a lecture for my MFA. I remember being captivated by the amount of practical, meaty information Whitney shared with the class. My pen was catching fire as I tried to keep up. This episode with Whitney follows that same trajectory. Whitney shares so many usable ideas—from how to write from the other, to tips on pacing, and story structure. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoye...
Monday Motivation - Massive Action
February 10, 2020 10:00 - 5 minutes - 3.49 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation –Massive Action I touched on this topic a few weeks ago in an Instagram post and the idea has been rolling around in my head a lot. The term Massive Action comes from Tony Robbins who is one of my earliest inspirations. I love the guy, as tacky as he’s been on late night TV, his books and events have absolutely changed my life. The premise of this platform is to provide encouragement and inspiration to write. And to do that, oftentimes we talk about tool...
Episode 14 - How Trisha Thomas Writes
February 06, 2020 18:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBSupport the Show.
Monday Motivation - Bouldering the Writing Life
February 03, 2020 10:00 - 5 minutes - 3.82 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation – Bouldering the Writing Life Last week I was rock wall climbing at Brooklyn Boulders, an indoor gym in Gowanus. Rock wall climbing is one of my favorite activities in the entire world. Specifically bouldering, which is essentially the same as rock wall climbing, except instead of climbing up a wall with the safety of ropes, in bouldering you climbing walls that are about 15 feet high. The moves in bouldering are generally more dynamic, and more challenging b...
Episode 13 - How Marlon James Writes
January 30, 2020 10:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBWelcome to Episode to 13 – How Marlon James Writes This episode is sponsored by… me! How Writers Write is a platform to help writers tell their story. One way I do that is through one-on-one coaching. I help writers move from where they are, to where they want to be. That can mean getting started on a writing project, conquering their self-doubt, or building the discipline to see their story come to life. I invite you to schedule a free, 45-minute introduction call with me. You'll be abl...
Episode 13 - How Marlon James Writes
January 30, 2020 10:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBWelcome to Episode to 13 – How Marlon James Writes This episode is sponsored by… me! How Writers Write is a platform to help writers tell their story. One way I do that is through one-on-one coaching. I help writers move from where they are, to where they want to be. That can mean getting started on a writing project, conquering their self-doubt, or building the discipline to see their story come to life. I invite you to schedule a free, 45-minute introduction call with me. You'll be abl...
Monday Motivation - A Blue-Collar Work Ethic
January 27, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 2.78 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation – A blue-collar work ethic This week I traveled to Detroit Michigan to attend my grandfather’s funeral. Yes, it has been quite the season for me and my family. The night after the funeral, I sat on the couch with my grandmother. We talked a lot about life and my grandfather. She told me stories I had never heard. One of them I want to share with you. When my grandfather was a young man with a young family, money was tight. My grandfather, to make ends mee...
Episode 12 - How Jeffrey Colvin Writes
January 23, 2020 11:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBWelcome to Episode 12 – How Jeffrey Colvin Writes Today’s interview is with Jeffrey Colvin. I was drawn to Jeffrey’s work by a tweet by Victor LaValle. In the tweet, Victor said to check out Jeffrey’s new novel, Africaville, which Jeffrey had published after working on it for twenty years. And so I did. And the more I dug about Jeffrey and the more I read his novel, the more I had to know about Jeffrey and his process for writing. Jeffrey shares so much in this interview, from his pr...
Episode 12 - How Jeffrey Colvin Writes
January 23, 2020 11:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBWelcome to Episode 12 – How Jeffrey Colvin Writes Today’s interview is with Jeffrey Colvin. I was drawn to Jeffrey’s work by a tweet by Victor LaValle. In the tweet, Victor said to check out Jeffrey’s new novel, Africaville, which Jeffrey had published after working on it for twenty years. And so I did. And the more I dug about Jeffrey and the more I read his novel, the more I had to know about Jeffrey and his process for writing. Jeffrey shares so much in this interview, from his pr...
Monday Motivation - You can do it
January 20, 2020 10:00 - 4 minutes - 2.78 MBWelcome to Monday Motivation – You can do it I learned a lesson with this last series. I’m not a huge fan of the practical, nuts and bolts Monday Motivations. It feels like work to me, and so I’m going to pivot. Today, I’m still going to post on Instagram about tools to help you improve your concentration, which was supposed to be the topic of this podcast. But, from now on, we’re going back to the well, to the thing that fills up my bucket and I hope fills up yours: good old-fashio...
Episode 11 - How Madeline Miller Writes
January 16, 2020 10:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBWelcome to Episode 11 – How Madeline Miller Writes Let me ask you a quick question. Are you struggling to write with a full-time life? I’ve been there, trying to get down good pages with the demands of work, family, friends, and so much more can feel downright impossible. If you are shaking your head in agreement, I want you to know there is hope. If you want to learn some tips and strategies to write with a full-time life, I’m hosting a free webinar next Thursday, January 23rd at 7 pm. ...