This Creative Life
117 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 56 ratingsAuthor Sara Zarr reads between the lines of the writing life in interview episodes as well as solo minisodes, with a focus on the practical and psychological aspects of writing and publishing, the creative process, and the strange landscape where art meets commerce. Past guests include filmmaker Scott Derrickson, author Malinda Lo, and literary agent Michael Bourret.
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Episodes
Some 2024 Announcements!
February 21, 2024 16:52 - 5 minutes - 7.9 MBWhat's going on with This Creative Life? What am I doing? How old am I? Is there going to be a new podcast in this feed? All these questions and more answered in under 6 minutes! www.sarazarr.com services & rate sheet The Inbox Variations Get Kyra, Just for Today instagram
87. Ashley C. Ford and the Ultimate Pivot - TCL Finale (?)
November 08, 2023 23:32 - 59 minutes - 54.9 MBI know you’ve been waiting a long time on a wish and a promise for this final episode in the Pivots, Comebacks, and Reinventions series. I appreciate your patience while I went and figured out myself and my own potential pivots and reinventions! The wait is over and I present to you my conversation with Ashley C. Ford, bestselling author of Somebody’s Daughterand lots more. I’m so grateful to Ashley for her time and generosity in this conversation. I know you’re going to love it as much ...
Audio Updates - October, 2023
October 28, 2023 18:09 - 8 minutes - 7.92 MBFall updates! New interview episode coming in November. Opting In, Opting Out Pre-Order Kyra, Just for Today The Inbox Variation newsletter (This Creative Life newsletter will be ending) Manucript consultation
TCL Mini: Updates & the Future
June 21, 2023 17:03 - 10 minutes - 14.3 MBNews about my next book, and an opportunity for space that I am taking! Get the show notes / newsletter This Creative Life ebook on sale for $2.99 through June! @ amazon @ everywhere else www.sarazarr.com
TCL Mini: The Writing Life Audit
March 22, 2023 19:38 - 18 minutes - 24.9 MBThis is the audio version of the most recent newsletter PLUS some thoughts about what's next for the pod. Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book Get The Inbox Variations www.sarazarr.com
86. Melissa Walker Takes Action
March 08, 2023 09:00 - 55 minutes - 76.1 MBIn late 2016, Melissa Walker was working on her 10th novel when she went to a holiday party and heard then Senator Daniel Squadron talk about the importance of state-level politics—even for the national landscape. She was inspired to take action. That action eventually grew into a pivot from full-time writing to full-time work with The States Project. This conversation is everything I wanted from the Pivots, Comebacks and Reinventions series. It’s a great example of how passion and purpose...
TCL Mini: No Sure Things
January 05, 2023 00:56 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBThe audio version of this week's newsletter on living with the uncertainty of writing. Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book! www.sarazarr.com
85. The Publishing Year in Review with Agent Michael Bourret
December 21, 2022 09:05 - 1 hour - 93 MBFrom the supply chain issues that started the year, to the conversation about AI that's ending it, I talk through the year in publishing with Michael Bourret of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. Also, we answer listener questions! This will be the last episode for the year, and the last one before a break during which I'll go off to Boston to teach and maybe even revise my novel. I'll be back (most likely in February) to pick up the Pivots, Comebacks, and Reinventions series. Get the show not...
84. Bennett Madison's Permission to Let Go
December 07, 2022 09:01 - 53 minutes - 72.9 MBWhat do you do when you've established a writing career and then it's not giving you what you came for? What does it look like to be a person who writes but whose entire identity isn't wrapped up in Being a Writer? Is there life on the other side, if you can just let go? Bennett Madison joins me for the first time since 2013 to talk about the work of deprofessionalizing his writing life to pivot to joy in creative work--and a steady paycheck doing something else. Get the show notes / newsl...
TCL Archives: Bennett Madison in 2013
December 03, 2022 22:00 - 39 minutes - 53.7 MBOne from the 2013 archives to get you ready for next week's episode, when Bennett Madison comes back for the Pivots, Comebacks, and Reinventions series.
TCL Mini: Year In Review
November 30, 2022 19:05 - 8 minutes - 12.2 MBNew full episode next week! Until then, here's the audio version of this week's newsletter, with a question for YOU about your dream writing podcast. Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book www.sarazarr.com
TCL Mini: Writing In Reality
November 23, 2022 14:02 - 7 minutes - 10.6 MBLetting go of the idealized version of your writing experience. Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book Take the Google survey on 2023 classes. Happy Thanksgiving! www.sarazarr.com
TCL Mini: Creative Rest
October 26, 2022 18:03 - 9 minutes - 4.59 MBThe audio version of this week's newsletter on resting before making the next creative decision. Find the text version here!
83. Tara Altebrando Is Solving the Puzzle
October 19, 2022 09:18 - 45 minutes - 62.7 MBIn the third episode in the Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions series, my longtime friend and one-time (?) collaborator Tara Altebrando talks to me about her multiple pivots over a couple of decades as a working writer, and the driving forces behind those choices. Currently, she's working in scripted audio as the creator and writer of the Dream Breachers podcast at Pinna Audio and the President of Listen Like Thieves Productions. Get the show notes / newsletter Dream Breachers Thanks ...
82. Malinda Lo Never Went Away
October 05, 2022 07:00 - 46 minutes - 63.5 MBIn the second episode in the Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions series, Malinda Lo and I talk about her huge year with Last Night at the Telegraph Club and what it has meant for her writing and life. But is it really a “comeback” if she never went away in the first place? Also we talk about her brand new book, A Scatter of Light. Get the show notes / newsletter Get A Scatter of Light Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music! www.sarazarr.com
81. Faith Gardner Takes Control (Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions)
September 21, 2022 02:31 - 51 minutes - 71.1 MBWhen author Faith Gardner grew frustrated with the slowly grinding gears of traditional publishing and wanted to spread her wings a bit, she took matters into her own hands. This is the first episode of this fall's Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions series! Get the show notes / newsletter Get the This Creative Life book Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music!
Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions - Coming Fall 2022
September 02, 2022 17:20 - 3 minutes - 4.21 MBWhat's coming this fall from This Creative Life! Show links: the newsletter the audiobook www.sarazarr.com
TCL Mini: Writing When It Doesn't Feel Like It Matters
June 29, 2022 15:55 - 6 minutes - 4.13 MBWhen it feels like the world is burning down, is writing something you want to save from the fire? Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music www.sarazarr.com
TCL Mini: Becoming a Good Self-Editor
June 15, 2022 12:02 - 7 minutes - 5.39 MBGet the newsletter version of this post Get the book Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music. www.sarazarr.com
TCL Mini: Accepting Your Limitations
June 13, 2022 15:02 - 9 minutes - 6.57 MBGet the newsletter version of this post. Get the book. Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music.
Ep 81: Author Michelle Huneven
May 17, 2022 19:46 - 39 minutes - 21.9 MBI’m so happy to be back with one my favorite contemporary novelists, Michelle Huneven. I love the compassion, humor, and reality in how she renders life and relationships. She’s got a brand new book out, Search, which we talk about along with her other books, her background, and process—including the 20-year circuitous journey to the publication of her first novel, Round Rock. I hope you enjoy the episode and, if you’re not already a fan, go explore her catalog. Get the show notes / news...
Ep 80: The This Creative Life Book on Literaticast 55
April 28, 2022 06:01 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBIt's launch day for the This Creative Life ebook, with the paperback close behind! I was recently on Jenn Laughran's Literaticast digging into the content and ideas in the book, and she graciously let me crosspost the ep into the TCL feed. The Literaticast on Apple Podcasts Get the show notes / newsletter Get 30% off the book with this link and this code: QWBODLO8MX Or find it just about everywhere that sells ebooks! B&N, Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, Apple. All the links at www.sarazarr...
Ep 29A: Jo Knowles from the Archives
April 14, 2022 16:25 - 37 minutes - 18.1 MBJo Knowles is one of my favorite book people, and she has a new one out this week. That inspired me to pull her 2013 episode up from the archives, where it’s been under lock and key for awhile. Jo writes for and about almost all ages on the young reader spectrum, from picture book (Ear Worm) to YA (Read Between the Lines) to Middle Grade (See You at Harry’s). Her latest, Meant to Be, sounds like it has a lot in common with A Song Called Home. Which doesn’t surprise me a bit—Jo and I have alw...
The Launch Box 7: Launched!
April 08, 2022 19:21 - 54 minutes - 38.2 MBA lot has happened since the last episode! Namely: A Song Called Home and The Temps are both out in the world and no longer under our control, if they ever were. We’re already no longer in our pub-day month; new books come out, people move on. Our role as authors is pretty much done. So, what’s next? As you’ll discover in this episode, neither Andrew nor Sara are sure. Whether it’s Andrew trying to decide what project to focus on now, or me pondering a complete exit from the whole endeavor...
The Launch Box 6: An Abridged History of Self-Publishing
February 18, 2022 23:37 - 1 hour - 49.9 MBAs Andrew and I wait through the last few weeks before our books come out, we digress ever so slightly into an incomplete history of self-publishing, from its reputation as “vanity publishing” to where it converged with the advent of ebooks and e-readers to arrive at its present day status as a messy juggernaut. Also: why every writer should consider learning how to self-publish in the 21st century. Sara’s book now comes out on 3/15; Andrew’s is still scheduled for 3/29. Neither are at the...
Ep 79: Laurel Snyder
February 12, 2022 23:35 - 59 minutes - 35.4 MBLaurel Snyder is the author of numerous books for young readers, including Orphan Island, My Jasper June, and the Charlie & Mouse books. In this episode, we talk about staying fluent in the language of childhood, the “ghost of brokenness” when writing from a sad place, how Laurel works with the all-or-nothing cycles of her writing process, being an extrovert in an introvert’s career, and the difficulties of writing about faith and religion. Around minutes 53-58, this turns into a Real H...
The Launch Box 5: Publicity, Book Blues, and Ringo
January 27, 2022 20:17 - 52 minutes - 31.2 MBThe Launch Box is back! Andrew and I talk about letting go, publicity (including his experience with a freelance publicist), and have a breakthrough about what might be behind the Book Blues for a lot of writers. Also, we catch up on The Temps movie option and where we stand on unboxing videos. Ephemera: Ringo Starr, Scrivener syncing, and the ghost of Dorothea Brande. Andrew DeYoung Sara Zarr Ask a question / get extended show notes Support the pod Theme music: Creative Commons D...
Ep 78: Preeti Chhibber
January 20, 2022 19:37 - 52 minutes - 32.1 MBI’m so excited to kick off 2022 with my conversation with Preeti Chhibber, a multitalented lady with just the energy we need to help take us into a new year. Preeti is an author, podcaster, speaker, and all-around badass who has published multiple IP projects as well as her original work. In this episode, we talk about how she got started in IP and what it takes to succeed in that world, managing a many-tentacled freelance career, and the risks and rewards of stating what you want to the w...
The Launch Box 4: Gifts, Ifs, and Shifts
December 19, 2021 19:23 - 58 minutes - 42.9 MBIn this episode of The Launch Box, Andrew and I discuss the mysteries of professional gift-giving, how to balance big-picture career thinking with getting the writing done, the possibilities of being a weekend novelist, and EVENTS. Also, Sara gets a review and Andrew answers the TCL two questions. Plus so much more. Andrew DeYoung Sara Zarr Ask a question / get extended show notes Support the pod Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-S...
The Launch Box 3. Subrights, Ingram Spark, & Depressed Cats
November 20, 2021 21:27 - 56 minutes - 46.2 MBSara helps cast her audiobook, Andrew gets a movie option, Sara learns more about Ingram Spark for self-publishing, and we both write letters to booksellers hoping to endear them to us. Also, everyone is burned out, including Andrew's cat. Andrew DeYoung Sara Zarr Ask a question / get extended show notes Support the pod Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
The Launch Box 2. Blurbs, Blobs & Shame!
October 29, 2021 21:08 - 1 hour - 53.5 MBWhy does everything about having a book published embarrass us? What is man's proper relationship to the 'Zon? And what happened with that Realms of Ruin thing? We try to break it all down. Also: Andrew gets his first trade review and Sara reports some pre-order numbers. Links: Andrew DeYoung Sara Zarr Ask a question Support the pod Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Ep 77: Dave Holmes
October 22, 2021 20:47 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBWriter, podcaster, radio host, and VJ emeritus Dave Holmes joins me to talk about his long and winding road to writing his wonderful 2016 memoir, Party of One, his writing at Esquire, and how it all connects to his current podcast project, Waiting for Impact. We talk ADHD, burnout, the longing to be understood, and the obsessions that drive us. And a whole lot more. Waiting for Impact Party of One: A Memoir in 21 Songs Dave at Esquire Homophilia Theme music by Dave Connis. This p...
TCL: The Launch Box 1. Early & Late
October 08, 2021 14:15 - 40 minutes - 28.8 MBIntroducing a This Creative Life special season: The Launch Box, in which Andrew DeYoung and I take you through the six-month period leading up to publication of our new books as we each publish for the first time in new categories. This series will cover a Big Five middle grade launch, a midsize-publisher adult literary launch, and a self-published nonfiction launch. We'll talk covers, ARCs, blurbs, reviews, events, social media, sales, and, of course, shame, envy, and ego. We'd also lov...
Ep 76: Season Premiere with Mike Jung
October 08, 2021 12:04 - 56 minutes - 32.7 MBAuthor Mike Jung joins me for the first of a new batch of fall episodes. We talk about the events of his early life that put him on the path to being a writer, his publishing stories and writing process, a later-life autism diagnosis, and BTS. Thanks so much for being back with us for a new season! Mike Jung Support This Creative Life Get the emails Our Bookshop Shop
TCL Archives: Daniel Bowman, Jr.
August 09, 2021 16:20 - 51 minutes - 33.3 MBIn March 2020, I spoke with Daniel Bowman, Jr., about writing, teaching, and being #ActuallyAutistic. This week, his new book On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gifts of Neurodiversity is out. The book: "... rings with poetry, compassion, and wisdom, and it reveals so much about autistic experience." (Katherine May) "...lights the path toward greater understanding, better advocacy, and a compelling vision for inclusion that moves beyond stereotypes and tokenism." (Nish Weiseth) "...
TCL Archives: Brandy Colbert
July 08, 2021 19:50 - 55 minutes - 37.1 MBIn March, 2020, I spoke with author Brandy Colbert about her work and writing process. Her nonfiction book, Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, is now available for pre-order. Brandy Colbert Support the Podcast
Ep 75: Season Finale with Sarah Enni
April 18, 2021 16:04 - 1 hour - 51.4 MBSarah Enni is the host and producer of First Draft and an author in her own right. This was a great conversation to wrap the TCL-Pandemic season, as Sarah and I got into therapy talk, making big life changes, the upsides of being "optimistically nihilistic" about publishing, the pros and cons of life hacking, and of course Burning Man. Thanks so much for being with me on this reboot ride, and for your support along the way. Selected Show Notes: Sarah Enni First Draft Podcast Suppo...
Substack & Failure
March 29, 2021 19:00 - 38 minutes - 52.2 MBAn updated statement on the Substack situation and related podcast businesses, plus The Annotated Courageous Creativity, Ep 8: Failure, in thanks for listening. <3 Support the podcast
Ep 74: Author Tracey Baptiste
March 28, 2021 23:50 - 1 hour - 43.5 MBTracey Baptiste is the author of numerous books for young readers, including the beloved Jumbies series and the New York Times Bestselling Minecraft: the Crash. This episode is not only brimming with the delicious process stuff we love here at TCL, it also gave me several potentially life-changing revelations when Tracey shared with me about recreating a sense of freedom in the writing process, and how a mental health crisis helped her learn “how not to grind.” There’s something for everyone...
Ep 73: Critic Walter Chaw & the Point of Discourse
March 28, 2021 23:46 - 1 hour - 46.3 MBDuring 2020, in search of things to do from home, I started attending some of the virtual movie talks that writer and critic Walter Chaw gives with guests via the Denver Public Library. They’ve been a true highlight of All This, as Walter’s knowledge is wide and deep and generous. Like all good film critics, he’s also an insightful critic of culture in general, and how it deals in humanity and inhumanity. Recently, Walter and I got to talk about his experiences growing up as a first-gen Ch...
Ep 72: Writing & Brains with Lindsay Eagar
March 28, 2021 23:42 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBLindsay Eagar is an author and writing coach with a recent ADHD diagnosis. She’s been very open about it online and generous with my personal questions, and I wanted to bring her on for a more topic-focused episode. In this case: our brains! Lindsay shares her background, symptoms, diagnosis process, and management strategies in ways that I found so interesting and helpful, and I think you will, too. We also talked about her “fast drafting” 80/20 course and philosophy, dirty books we loved...
Ep 71: Author & Songwriter Dave Connis
March 28, 2021 23:36 - 55 minutes - 76.8 MBDave Connis is not only the legendary composer of the theme music for this very podcast, but also an author in his own right, with two YA novels out and a picture book on the way. The emotional theme music of this episode is honesty. Dave and I get into matters of art and faith, how a sudden loss changed his writing life and drive, and how not to be a Slughorn in a business where various relational challenges can be baked in. We also, of course, talk about the practical matters of writing,...
Ep 73: Critic Walter Chaw and the Point of Discourse
March 12, 2021 19:07 - 1 hourListen now | During 2020, in search of things to do from home, I started attending some of the virtual movie talks that writer and critic Walter Chaw gives with guests via the Denver Public Library. They’ve been a true highlight of All This, as Walter’s knowledge is wide and deep and generous. Like all good film critics, he’s also an insightful critic of culture in general, and how it deals in humanity and inhumanity. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at thiscreativel...
Ep 70: Author Amy Gentry
February 06, 2021 02:09 - 1 hour - 98.1 MBAmy Gentry is the author of three psychological thrillers for adults, one 33 1/3 on Tori Amos, and a bunch of shorter stuff. Her latest book is Bad Habits, which is here to scratch all your dark academia itches and also make you laugh and cringe. After chatting a bit about her book and her own background in academia, we dug into process and publication (and her #pitmad success story), the dead end of trying to be “a good little author,” money and class and missing hotels. Amy also got me t...
Ep 69: Author Maurene Goo
January 24, 2021 19:05 - 57 minutes - 79.1 MBFor the first episode of 2021, author Maurene Goo and I jumped on the phone just hours after the inauguration, having kept our scheduled conversation in hope and faith but also ready to cancel. For many reasons, I’m so glad we didn’t have to. Phew! After processing world events for a bit, we dig into Maurene’s backstory, writing process, the upsides of being married to another creative professional, and life as a new mom, and then I had a revelation about anxiety, thanks to Maurene’s thera...
The Annotated Courageous Creativity, 1: Silent Messages
January 10, 2021 01:18 - 41 minutes - 94.9 MBThe Annotated Courageous Creativity, 1 Intro & Silent Messages Note to listeners: This is the first episode of the first paid subscriber season, The Annotated Courageous Creativity. I’m making this first episode available to all to help you decide if you’d like to hear more. Annual subscriptions will be 25% off through January 31st. Enjoy! In this episode, I read the introduction about what creativity is and why one might need courage, and the section “My Story” which is the part I use...
CC.1 Silent Messages
January 10, 2021 01:06 - 41 minutesThe Annotated Courageous Creativity, 1 Intro & Silent Messages Note to listeners: This is the first episode of the first paid subscriber season, The Annotated Courageous Creativity. I’m making this first episode available to all to help you decide if you’d like to hear more. Annual subscriptions will be 25% off through January 31st. Enjoy! In this episode, I read the introduction about what creativity is and why one might need courage, and the section “My Story” which is the part I use as ...
Ep 68: The Publishing Year in Review with Michael Bourret
December 31, 2020 22:43 - 1 hour - 114 MBThis Creative Life is moving! The pod's new home is at Substack, where you can find out more about what I've got planned for the new paid subscriber options. Meanwhile, the interview episodes as you've always known them will continue to show up in your feed, complete and ad-free. In the final episode of 2020, I talk to Michael Bourret of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret about the year in publishing, authors and social media, making mid-career changes, and more. This is a great episode for those ...
Ep 67: Unedited with Christian McKay Heidicker
November 23, 2020 00:42 - 1 hour - 103 MBNote to listeners: Given a recent diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and the physical toll of podcast editing, Sara (while optimistic) isn't sure about the future of the pod for 2021. There's also a chance the pre-2020 archives will go behind a paywall, so download your favorites while you can at http://thiscreativelife.libsyn.com and have them free forever. Meanwhile, please enjoy this unedited conversation between Sara and author/storyteller Christian McKay Heidicker! Find the show note...
Ep 66: Daniel Nayeri: Author, Editor, Publisher, Joy Rebel
October 23, 2020 21:39 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBDaniel Nayeri's autobiographical novel, Everything Sad Is Untrue, tells the tale of young Daniel, who has landed in Oklahoma after his mother is forced to flee Iran with Daniel and his sister and after they've spent some years living as refugees in Italy before making it to the U.S. On the podcast episode, the real Khosrou (aka Daniel) tells the tale of what happened after Oklahoma, how he wound up in publishing, and the threads of family, belonging, and sheer force of will that have pulle...