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

In Part Two of this file the prolific pro comedy writer, author, and amateur parenting expert, James Breakwell, took a timeout to rap with me about @XplodingUnicorn and his rise to viral Twitter fame, how he juggles multiple writing projects, his family and his sanity, and the writer as entrepreneur. In the early days of his writing career James told me that he knew he wouldn’t score a book deal sending out query letters or tossing his ideas over the transom, so he decided to build an online following for his unique, self-effacing comedy. Finding inspiration in his family of four girls all under the age of eight, he turned his attentions to blogging, web comics, podcasting, and family humor on Twitter where he eventually found viral fame. In 2016 Buzzfeed dubbed him “The Funniest Dad On Twitter” and shortly thereafter his audience grew … in a big way. He has been featured on media outlets around the world, has attracted over a million followers on social media, has signed multiple book deals, and even writes a column for a newspaper. His second book, Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimate Guide to Not Quite Ruining Your Child, comes out November 6th, 2018, and is “… a book about doing as little as possible without quite ruining your child.” New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins said, “… Parents! Read this book and free yourself from the blood sport that parenting has become!” And bestselling author Liliana Hart wrote, “Breakwell has a hit … uproariously funny, and at times, unexpectedly poignant.” Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part Two of the file James Breakwell and I discuss: How he balances his work and family life The author’s unique workflow and process How his humor builds on real-life experiences The difference between comedy and non-fiction The conundrum of internet fame And why writers have to like what they’re writing to succeed over the long haul The Show Notes: How Professional Comedy Writer & Author James Breakwell Writes: Part One Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimate Guide to Not Quite Ruining Your Child – James Breakwell @XplodingUnicorn, James Breakwell on Twitter Exploding Unicorn on Facebook James Breakwell on Instagram This Guy With Four Daughters Just Might Be The Funniest Dad On Twitter – BuzzFeed Podcast: Wrong & Wronger – Steve Olivas & James Breakwell Podcast: 10 Minutes to Save Your Marriage – Steve Olivas & James Breakwell Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prolific pro comedy writer, author, and amateur parenting expert, James Breakwell, took a timeout to rap with me about @XplodingUnicorn and his rise to viral Twitter fame, how he juggles multiple writing projects, his family and his sanity, and the writer as entrepreneur. In the early days of his writing career James told me that he knew he wouldn’t score a book deal sending out query letters or tossing his ideas over the transom, so he decided to build an online following for his unique, self-effacing comedy. Finding inspiration in his family of four girls all under the age of eight, he turned his attentions to blogging, web comics, podcasting, and family humor on Twitter where he eventually found viral fame. In 2016 Buzzfeed dubbed him “The Funniest Dad On Twitter” and shortly thereafter his audience grew … in a big way. He has been featured on media outlets around the world, has attracted over a million followers on social media, has signed multiple book deals, and even writes a column for a newspaper. His second book, Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimate Guide to Not Quite Ruining Your Child, comes out November 6th, 2018, and is “… a book about doing as little as possible without quite ruining your child.” New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins said, “… Parents! Read this book and free yourself from the blood sport that parenting has become!” And bestselling author Liliana Hart wrote, “Breakwell has a hit … uproariously funny, and at times, unexpectedly poignant.” Join us for this two-part interview. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of the file James Breakwell and I discussed: The irony of the 10-year overnight success Why James hated journalism right out of college Why it’s better to practice your art in public How to be so good they can’t ignore you Why comedy writers need an audience to improve And the author’s unique process for writing 10,000 words in a day The Show Notes: How Professional Comedy Writer & Author James Breakwell Writes: Part Two Here’s where you can get the details for the copywriting course Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimate Guide to Not Quite Ruining Your Child – James Breakwell @XplodingUnicorn, James Breakwell on Twitter Exploding Unicorn on Facebook James Breakwell on Instagram This Guy With Four Daughters Just Might Be The Funniest Dad On Twitter – BuzzFeed Podcast: Wrong & Wronger – Steve Olivas & James Breakwell Podcast: 10 Minutes to Save Your Marriage – Steve Olivas & James Breakwell Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this file the prolific, bestselling author of the paranormal and dark fantasy, Steff Green, returned to talk with me about overcoming rejection, perseverance, her inspiring journey from copywriter to bestseller, and her advice to fellow scribes who may be facing adversity. Steff Green is a New Zealander who is a fervent self-publishing advocate, public speaker, and a legally blind writer who has turned her disability into a superpower to self-publish 24 books and counting. She has topped the USA Today bestsellers list writing paranormal romance under the pen name, Steffanie Holmes, and is also the author of six dark fantasy books under the name S C Green. Steff received both the 2017 Attitude Award for Artistic Achievement, and was a finalist for the 2018 Women of Influence award. She recently launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to raise interest and awareness for an anti-bullying storybook for kids that caught the eye of traditional publishing. That book, Written and illustrated by two artists who were victims of bullying themselves, Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones uses darkly gothic humour to address the very real issue of being different.” Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part Two of the file Steff Green and I discuss: Her simple yet effective workflow and organizational hacks Why curiosity is a synonym for creativity What motivates the author to write 20,000 words in just a few days Jack London’s timeless and moving credo How to read an ebook … with your nose And why we need to remember why we’re doing this crazy thing called writing The Show Notes: Copyblogger’s first persuasive copywriting course — coming this autumn How Bestselling Self-Published Author Steff Green Writes: Part One Steff Green’s author website Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones – Steff Green Story behind the crowdfunding of Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones Blind and bullied, now a bestselling author: Steff Green’s next book is personal Steff Green on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prolific, bestselling author of the paranormal and dark fantasy, Steff Green, dropped by the show to talk with me about overcoming rejection, perseverance, her inspiring journey from copywriter to bestseller, and her advice to fellow scribes who may be facing adversity. Steff Green is a New Zealander who is a fervent self-publishing advocate, public speaker, and a legally blind writer who has turned her disability into a superpower to self-publish 24 books and counting. She has topped the USA Today bestsellers list writing paranormal romance under the pen name, Steffanie Holmes, and is also the author of six dark fantasy books under the name S C Green. Steff received both the 2017 Attitude Award for Artistic Achievement, and was a finalist for the 2018 Women of Influence award. She recently launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to raise interest and awareness for an anti-bullying storybook for kids that caught the eye of traditional publishing. That book, Written and illustrated by two artists who were victims of bullying themselves, Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones uses darkly gothic humour to address the very real issue of being different.” Join us for this two-part interview. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of the file Steff Green and I discussed: Why you should never give up on your dreams, no matter the obstacles How a dare from a friend led to a big breakthrough Her “rocking” life as a full-time writer How to juggle multiple pen names and genres Her obsessions with heavy metal, ancient languages, and checklists And how to write yourself out of a corner The Show Notes: How Bestselling Self-Published Author Steff Green Writes: Part Two Steff Green’s author website Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones – Steff Green Story behind the crowdfunding of Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones Blind and bullied, now a bestselling author: Steff Green’s next book is personal Steff Green on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The author of the captivity memoir, The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast, Michael Scott Moore joined me this week to talk about his fascinating journey as a writer, how he wrote his harrowing and detailed memoir (much of it without notes), and why it’s changed him as a writer and a person. Michael is an investigative journalist, novelist, and author of a critically acclaimed folk history of surfing, Sweetness and Blood, named a book of the year by The Economist in 2010. The author travelled to the Horn of Africa, while researching piracy along the coast of Somalia in 2012, where he was abducted and held captive for over two and half years, for a ransom of $20 million. In his riveting personal account of the experience, chronicled in The Desert and the Sea, Mike deftly examines the history of piracy, religious extremism, geopolitical factors, and his own dark humor and humanity to capture what reviewers have called, “A harrowing and affecting account of … captivity at the hands of Somali pirates.” (Kirkus) His story, described as a “Catch-22 meets Black Hawk Down,” has been featured on NPR s All Things Considered, Fresh Air, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, CBS This Morning, The Joe Rogan Experience, and many others. The author has covered the European migration crisis for Businessweek, and politics, travel, and literature for The Atlantic, Der Spiegel, The New Republic, The New York Times, and The L.A. Review of Books. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Michael Scott Moore and I discuss: How the author was able to write about his lengthy and traumatic time as a hostage Why the discipline of taking handwritten notes is so important for retention How memory shapes stories so deeply Why Mike recorded everything he could remember as quickly as he could once he was freed How the author found an existential detachment in order to stay sane Why revision is the scaffolding that allows inspiration The Show Notes: radio free mike – Michael Scott Moore’s author website The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast – Michael Scott Moore What It’s Like To Be Held Hostage By Somali Pirates For 2 1/2 Years – NPR Michael Scott Moore on Instagram Michael Scott Moore on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second half of this special edition of the show we’re shining the light on two more freelance writers out there who are making it happen as professional online content creators. These are scribes who have found success — and a very good living — doing what they love … writing and helping others achieve success. In full disclosure, the two writers I’m highlighting in this show, Sharlyn Lauby and Trudi Roth, are both online content creators and strategists who run profitable freelance writing businesses. The other thing they have in common, though they came to professional writing from very different paths, is that both writers graduated from Copyblogger’s Certified Content Marketer Training Course (a program that makes this show possible). The program is usually closed, but it reopens periodically for a short time to invite new classes of students into the course. If you re interested in learning more you can simply head over to the Certified Content Marketer training program and get your name on the list. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. My first guest is HR pro turned consultant, speaker, and foodie, Sharlyn Lauby of HRbartender.com, who specializes in strategic human resources content with a focus on increased engagement and lead generation. She is also the President of ITM Group, Inc. “… a training company focused on developing programs to retain and engage talent in the workplace,” and a Master Level Certified Content Marketer. Her business creed is, “Great HR makes great organizations.” In this segment Sharlyn Lauby and I discuss: Her unique path to blogging and content marketing Resources, tools, and teaching she found invaluable at the start of her journey The importance of feedback to mastery How a mindset shift makes all the difference for the growth of your business What it takes to find success and satisfaction in your chosen niche My second guest is writer, editor, and content strategist, Trudi Roth of ItsTheTruStory.com, who runs the gamut of specialties from website copy, blog posts, video, and even social media strategy. Trudi has been a hired gun for over twenty years doing client work on everything from website content, ecommerce, blogs, books, direct & email campaigns, and social media marketing. CNN dubbed her a “popular mommy blogger” for her blog, “Bitch in Suburbia.” She has a B.S. in Economics from University of Michigan, and a Master s Degree in Mass Communications from Boston University. She is also a Certified Content Marketer. Her business slogan is, “Superlative content, copy, and editing … You have my word.” In this segment Trudi Roth and I discuss: Why so many people need help “wordsmithing” today How she went from a VP of Marketing to a “mommy blogger” featured on CNN Why now’s as good a time as any to hang out your digital shingle The writer’s high praise for Copyblogger’s Certified Content Marketer Training Course The double-edged sword of working from home The Show Notes: Copyblogger s Certified Content Marketer training is a powerful program that helps writers attract better clients — and more of them. New students will be able to sign up for a limited time soon. Add your name to join the waitlist and to get all of the details when they re available. How to Make a Living as a Pro Content Writer: Part One ITM Group, Inc. – Sharlyn Lauby HRbartender.com – Sharlyn Lauby HR bartender on Twitter Freelance Writers Share the Surprising Keys to Their Successful Careers ItsTheTruStory.com – Trudi Roth It’s The TruStory – Trudi Roth on YouTube Profitable Writers Demonstrate How to Prosper from Your Words Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special edition of the show we’re shining the light on freelance writers out there who are making it happen as professional online content creators. These are scribes who have found success — and a very good living — doing what they love … writing and helping others achieve success. In full disclosure, the two writers I’m highlighting in this show, Mark Crosling and Aaron Wrixon, are online content creators and strategists who both run profitable freelance writing businesses. The other thing they have in common, though they came to professional writing from very different paths, is that both writers graduated from Copyblogger’s Certified Content Marketer Training Course (a program that makes this show possible). The program is usually closed, but it reopens periodically for a short time to invite new classes of students into the course. If you re interested in learning more you can simply head over to the Certified Content Marketer training program and get your name on the list. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. My first guest is serial entrepreneur, copywriter, content marketer, and founder of StrategicContent.co, Mark Crosling, who offers content creation, social, and search strategy services. His business credo is “All roads lead to your inbox.” Mark has founded numerous start-ups — four of which became stock exchange listed companies — he has an MBA from the University of New South Wales, and is a Certified Content Marketer through the Copyblogger Certification Program. In this segment Mark Crosling and I discuss: A look at the inner workings of the digital commerce ecosystem How to find a holistic approach to online marketing Why copywriters are the stonemasons of the digital age The upcoming voice search revolution for online writers How to get completely aligned with your audience My second guest is the content maestro and journeyman Aaron Wrixon, of Wrixon.com, who specializes in content marketing services for web agencies and their clients. His business slogan is, “Repeatable process. Repeatable results.” He has over 20 years experience in technical and online content writing, with over five million words and hundreds of projects in dozens of industries under his belt. He is also a Copyblogger Certified Content Marketer. In this segment Aaron Wrixon and I discuss: How to make a living as a writer without hitting the bestseller lists The timing and determination required to find a fulfilling freelance career Why there’s no bad time to become an online content creator The writer’s unique content creation framework for success Why so many online writers struggle with the “Sistine Chapel” effect The Show Notes: Copyblogger’s Certification program is closing to new students on Wednesday this week! You can snag the details (and jump into the program) here.. How to Make a Living as a Pro Content Writer: Part Two StrategicContent.co – Mark Crosling Mark Crosling on Twitter Freelance Writers Share the Surprising Keys to Their Successful Careers Wrixon.com – Aaron Wrixon Aaron’s BRAVER content framework Profitable Writers Demonstrate How to Prosper from Your Words Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this archival file from early 2016, the prolific international bestselling thriller author and self-publishing advocate, Mark Dawson, rapped with me about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the productivity hacks that have helped him publish over 30 books. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Mr. Dawson’s multiple thriller series, self-publishing savvy, and an impressive email list of over 100,000 subscribers, have all helped him to build a large audience of loyal readers and unparalleled success. In addition to international bestsellers, and stellar ratings from fans, Mark has become an indie author advocate and online marketing authority for writers. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here. In Part Two of the file Mark Dawson and I discuss: How an 80s tv show can inspire your writing Why great writers have to understand story first How to write page-turning fiction Why you should leave out the parts that readers skip And best practices for new writers Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Writers: Boost your credentials and visibility as a content marketer by becoming Copyblogger Certified. Learn more about the program here. How Bestselling Self-Published Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part One MarkJDawson.com Amazon Pays $450,000 A Year To This Self-Published Writer BookFunnel SelfPublishingFormula.com Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prolific international bestselling thriller author and self-publishing advocate, Mark Dawson, dropped by the show back in early 2016 to talk with me about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the productivity hacks that have helped him publish over 30 books. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Mr. Dawson’s multiple thriller series, self-publishing savvy, and an impressive email list of over 100,000 subscribers, have all helped him to build a large audience of loyal readers and unparalleled success. In addition to international bestsellers, and stellar ratings from fans, Mark has become an indie author advocate and online marketing authority for writers. Join us for this archival two-part interview. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of the file Mark Dawson and I discussed: The challenges and rewards of the writer’s life Why if your process isn’t broken … you don’t need to fix it How to write (and publish) one million words in one year And what the bestselling author does to unwind Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Writers: Boost your credentials and visibility as a content marketer by becoming Copyblogger Certified. Learn more about the program here. How Bestselling Self-Published Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part Two MarkJDawson.com Amazon Pays $450,000 A Year To This Self-Published Writer BookFunnel SelfPublishingFormula.com Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn” I’ve invited back my old friend, award-winning international journalist, author, pundit, and bad penny, Adam Skolnick, to discuss with me a piece I wrote recently for Copyblogger titled, “5 Things Only Serious Writers Do.” There are never enough words to thank all of you who reached out last week with your sweet thoughts, virtual hugs, and notes of encouragement following the sadder half of the show. So on to the matter at hand … As writers we all have our varied neuroses, methods of madness, well-worn manuals, muses, writer porn, and incantations that we feel grant us the strength to face the blank page. But there are five fundamental things that set serious writers apart from the crowd, and Adam and I are going to discuss them. You can find 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do here to follow along. Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback. In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file some highlights include: How all serious writers share a connective tissue Why work ethic outlasts talent every time The fallacy of motivation vs the power of habit and small incremental steps Why sitting down and getting started is often the hardest thing for writers What to write when you don’t know what to say On shitty first drafts as grist for the mill The unglamorous origins of the sentence Why deadlines are the pressure that make a diamond The Show Notes Sign up here if you’d like details about Copyblogger’s “small but mighty” checklist to help you publish great content every time 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do: Part One More Writer Files in the Archives at Copyblogger 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do– Kelton Reid for Copyblogger What s Your Writing Productivity Type? (with Bec Evans of Prolifiko): Part One How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing The Best of The Writer s Brain Part Four: Writer s Block On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction How to Write a Book Without Losing Your Mind– Olga Khazan for The Atlantic Several Short Sentences About Writing– Verlyn Klinkenborg How WNYC Podcast Host and Author of ‘Bored and Brilliant’ Manoush Zomorodi Writes How to Be Bored– Eva Hoffman Adam Skolnick on Instagram OneBreathbook.com AdamSkolnick.com Adam Skolnick on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special edition of The Writer Files, we’re back from an extended summer hiatus. My old friend, the award-winning international journalist, author, pundit, and bad penny, Adam Skolnick, turned up this week to discuss with me a piece I wrote recently for Copyblogger titled, 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do. But before Adam and I get into it I wanted to explain why I’ve been away from the microphone for so long. It’s a heartbreaking story, and if you’re not into tragedies, feel free to fast-forward to the good stuff (or simply skip to Part Two). I apologize for the weight of it, but it seemed only right to share the story here for curious listeners. A tremendous thank you is in order for those of you throughout the many communities who have reached out with your support, love, and thoughts for my family over the last few months. There are not enough words. Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback. In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Adam and I discuss: Why the show has been on hiatus for so long How human beings crowd source grief and loss in times of tragedy, and the limits of empathy Adam’s recent globetrotting journalism, including his piece on the Thai soccer team rescue And what it’s like to be a hired ghost writer The Show Notes Sign up here if you’d like details about our Copyblogger’s “small but mighty” checklist to help you publish great content every time More Writer Files in the Archives at Copyblogger 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do– Kelton Reid for Copyblogger How Divers Found the Thai Soccer Team Shooting For Truth – Adam Skolnick visits director Chris Weitz on the set of his new film, Operation Finale– Longreads Adam Skolnick on Instagram OneBreathbook.com AdamSkolnick.com Adam Skolnick on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of another special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn,” writer, educator, and co-founder of Prolifiko, Bec Evans, returned to conclude our chat about writer personality types, productivity secrets, and understanding your writing psychology. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Bec is the co-founder of Prolifiko, a new digital coach aimed at helping writers beat writer’s blocks and find writing routines that work best for them. It’s been called the “Fitbit for writers,” by The Times (of London). Prolifiko, set to launch in April, 2018, is a system based on neuroscience and psychology designed to help writers reflect on and improve their productivity with a “small-steps” methodology. Ms. Evans has worked with thousands of writers throughout her career and used to run the Ted Hughes Arvon Centre for Writing, an international writing school in the UK (home of the late poet-laureate Ted Hughes). She writes about productivity, writing habits and routines, and is currently working on a book about innovation. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file Bec Evans and I talk about: Why there’s never been a “one-size-fits-all” productivity track for writers Tricks and tools for beating procrastination Why you need to build a practical, manageable system to support your craft The number one thing that separates good writers from great writers What a regular writing habit does to your brain One critical piece of advice writers can’t ignore Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. Prolifiko – Digital writing coach Productivity coaching for writers – Prolifiko Writing personality survey – Prolifiko Writing productivity types the quiz results are in! The writing productivity secrets of best selling authors from podcaster Kelton Reid – Prolifiko blog The Ted Hughes Arvon Centre The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block How Bestselling Thriller Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part One Prolifiko on Twitter Prolifiko on Facebook Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn,” and this week the writer, educator, and co-founder of Prolifiko, Bec Evans, stopped by to chat with me about writer personality types, productivity secrets, and understanding your writing psychology. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Bec is the co-founder of Prolifiko, a new digital coach aimed at helping writers beat writer’s blocks and find writing routines that work best for them. It’s been called the “Fitbit for writers,” by The Times (of London). Prolifiko, set to launch in April, 2018, is a system based on neuroscience and psychology designed to help writers reflect on and improve their productivity with a “small-steps” methodology. Ms. Evans has worked with thousands of writers throughout her career and used to run the Ted Hughes Arvon Centre for Writing, an international writing school in the UK (home of the late poet-laureate Ted Hughes). She writes about productivity, writing habits and routines, and is currently working on a book about innovation. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Bec Evans and I talk about: How simple psychology, persuasive technology, and a dash of neuroscience can help writers understand their process Why small behavior and habit changes can have such a big impact What your ideal writing routine says about your productivity type The pros and cons of daily vs binge writing Why writers can’t wait for inspiration The psychology of good writing Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. Prolifiko – Digital writing coach Productivity coaching for writers – Prolifiko courses Writing personality survey – Prolifiko Writing productivity types the quiz results are in! The writing productivity secrets of best selling authors from podcaster Kelton Reid – Prolifiko blog The Ted Hughes Arvon Centre What s the secret of good writing? Oliver Burkeman How to Outsmart Writer’s Block with Neuroscience How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One Prolifiko on Twitter Prolifiko on Facebook Bec Evans on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn” I’ve invited back award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, to discuss a piece I wrote for Copyblogger.com last year titled, “21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers.” Over the last four years, I ve been given the fantastic opportunity to interview a wide range of more than 70 prolific, renowned, and bestselling authors for The Writer Files series. As you may know, each interview digs into the habits, habitats, and brains of these writers, and I ask them all roughly the same set of questions on how they get words consistently onto the page. So, I sifted through the extensive series archives (including the written interviews) and cherry-picked 21 highlights on productivity from these writers for you. You’ll definitely notice some themes from their advice on keeping the ink flowing and the cursor moving. You can go to 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers to follow along. Audio snippets have been excerpted here from the available podcast episodes. Guest host Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback. In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part Two of this file some highlights include: Emma Donoghue (Oscar nominee and international bestselling author of Room) on outlining and pre-planning Maria Konnikova (New York Times bestselling author and New Yorker columnist) on standing desks and staying offline Mark Dawson (international bestselling author and entrepreneur) on finding time to publish a million words in a year Kevin Kelly (New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of Wired magazine) on first drafts and formulating ideas And more great tips from Adam and I as we round out all 21 productivity hacks Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger More Writer Files in the Archives at Copyblogger A journalist won her first tournament in under a year of being coached by a poker legend – USA Today The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part One: Creativity The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News How Bestselling Author Douglas Coupland Writes Adam Skolnick on Instagram OneBreathbook.com AdamSkolnick.com Adam Skolnick on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special edition of the show I’ve invited back award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, to discuss a piece I wrote for Copyblogger.com last year titled, “21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers.” Over the last four years, I've been given the fantastic opportunity to interview a wide range of more than 70 prolific, renowned, and bestselling authors for The Writer Files series. As you may know, each interview digs into the habits, habitats, and brains of these writers, and I ask them all roughly the same set of questions on how they get words consistently onto the page. So, I sifted through the extensive series archives (including the written interviews) and cherry-picked 21 highlights on productivity from these writers for you. You’ll definitely notice some themes from their advice on keeping the ink flowing and the cursor moving. You can go to 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers to follow along. Audio snippets have been excerpted here from the available podcast episodes. Guest host Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback. In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file some highlights include: Seth Godin (bestselling author of 18 books) on the power of deadlines Elizabeth Gilbert (#1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat Pray Love) on the inefficiency of perfectionism Joanna Penn (New York Times bestselling indie author and entrepreneur) on scheduling and writing every day Andy Weir (bestselling author of The Martian) on motivation And more great tips from Adam and I as we discuss all 21 productivity hacks The Show Notes 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger More Writer Files in the Archives at Copyblogger Being Busy Is Killing Our Ability to Think Creatively – Derek Beres for Big Think When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing – Daniel Pink AdamSkolnick.com Adam Skolnick on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this special edition of the show we call “The Writer’s Brain,” a guest series with neuroscientist Michael Grybko, we dig into a phenomenon known as “impostor syndrome,” an experience many writers struggle with. The Experience Known as “Impostor Syndrome” The experience known as “impostor syndrome” has been recognized in over 70% of the population across a wide range of demographics. Everyone from bestselling authors, to A-list celebrities, and even genius-level scientists, have all admitted to feeling a kind of isolation from not wanting to be outed as a “fraud,” even though they’re far from it. And it’s not just limited to high-achievers; it’s been found in men and women across a wide variety of groups, including those about to launch a new creative project or career, teachers, students, entrepreneurs, and many others. Across all demographics, success tends to create an even deeper sense of the impostor experience, and although not considered a clinical psychological syndrome, the effects can be debilitating to writers at any level of experience or professional standing. These feelings of self-doubt can snowball if not addressed, and leave you with a sinking depression, anxiety, and a sense of dread at taking on new or challenging tasks. Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers about the origins of anxiety in the human brain, and how to address the impostor experience from both a scientific and layperson’s perspective. If you missed previous episodes of The Writer’s Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in. And if you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part Two of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss: Why the “writer as athlete” trope undervalues the power of the human brain Small steps you can take to rewire your anxiety How writers can harness their interactional expertise to beat impostor experience Why you don’t need a PhD to sound like an expert Tips and tricks for overcoming your unfounded self-doubt Why a page a day keeps the impostor syndrome away The Show Notes: The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News What Happens When We Turn the World’s Most Famous Robot Test on Ourselves? – Evan Selinger for The Atlantic How a Famous Robot Test Can Help You Beat Impostor Syndrome – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger Sociologist fools physics judges – Nature (International Journal of Science) How to Outsmart Writer s Block with Neuroscience – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger This Is Your Brain on Writing The Physics of Productivity – James Clear Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Writer’s Brain,” a guest series with neuroscientist Michael Grybko, and in this episode we dig into a phenomenon known as “impostor syndrome,” an experience many writers struggle with. The Experience Known as “Impostor Syndrome” The experience known as “impostor syndrome” has been recognized in over 70% of the population across a wide range of demographics. Everyone from bestselling authors, to A-list celebrities, and even genius-level scientists, have all admitted to feeling a kind of isolation from not wanting to be outed as a “fraud,” even though they’re far from it. And it’s not just limited to high-achievers; it’s been found in men and women across a wide variety of groups, including those about to launch a new creative project or career, teachers, students, entrepreneurs, and many others. Across all demographics, success tends to create an even deeper sense of the impostor experience, and although not considered a clinical psychological syndrome, the effects can be debilitating to writers at any level of experience or professional standing. These feelings of self-doubt can snowball if not addressed, and leave you with a sinking depression, anxiety, and a sense of dread at taking on new or challenging tasks. Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers about the origins of anxiety in the human brain, and how to address the impostor experience from both a scientific and layperson’s perspective. If you missed previous episodes of The Writer’s Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss: How neuroscience can find a lens to look at the “impostor syndrome” Why some doubt and anxiety is good for you The problem with too much fear and the avoidance response Why the impostor phenomenon and writer’s block are similar How your whole brain plays a role in your fear of the blank page The Show Notes: The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News How a Famous Robot Test Can Help You Beat Impostor Syndrome – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger How to Outsmart Writer s Block with Neuroscience – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger This Is Your Brain on Writing Robogator robot in rat study of fear versus foraging Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! This is Part Five of the series and a rebroadcast of the Fact vs. Fiction edition of “The Writer’s Brain,” in which we discuss fake news, how it works, why it’s damaging, and how to combat it. As we wrap up our Summer hiatus before the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place … The Writer Files is a nonpartisan show in its attempt to explore all facets of the writing life, and in the last few months you can’t seem to throw a rock without hitting a social media article about fake news or alternative facts — especially on Twitter and Facebook. Fake news isn’t new — some form of it has existed since the beginning of printed news, including examples by leaders of the American Revolution concocting stories to stoke the political engine (see: Benjamin Franklin or John Adams, historically) — but it seems to be on everyone’s mind now, especially since November, 2016. Luckily research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — returned to the podcast to help me find some answers. If you missed the first four episodes of The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ you can find them on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. In this episode Michael Grybko and I discuss: The problem with the proliferation of biased fake news in our social media feeds Why people disregard evidence that is contrary to their strongly held beliefs How your emotional state can change the way you react to information that challenges your beliefs Why fake news works and the fallibility of our brains How to combat fake news with your own analytical curiosity Helpful tips to stop yourself from sharing false information Why you need to do your homework Show Notes: The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block Fake news? That’s a very old story. – Robert G. Parkinson Medium, and The Reason You Can’t Stand the News Anymore. – Sean Blanda Fake News Expert On How False Stories Spread And Why People Believe Them – Craig Silverman on NPR’s ‘Fresh Air’ [Transcript] Most Americans Who See Fake News Believe It, New Survey Says – The Ipsos poll conducted for BuzzFeed News Content Curation in an Age of Fake News, with Dave Pell – Unemployable podcast with Brian Clark Neural correlates of maintaining one’s political beliefs in the face of counterevidence – Sam Harris How to Overcome Political Irrationality About Facts – Olga Khazan Data shows that using science in an argument just makes people more partisan – Dan Kopf Trump’s Lies vs. Your Brain – Maria Konnikova How Bestselling Author Maria Konnikova Writes The Data That Turned the World Upside Down – Hannes Grassegger and Mikael Krogerus How To Recognize A Fake News Story – Nick Robins-Early Snopes.com – Internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation Emergent is a real-time rumor tracker Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer’s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process. Q: Have you ever wondered why writer’s block is such a widely disputed malady, if it’s curable, or even real? As we wrap up our Summer hiatus before the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place … In Part Four of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — back on the show to help me pinpoint some possible origins and solutions to an ailment known only to writers. If you missed the first three episodes of The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ you can find them on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss: Why writers argue about the definition of writer’s block What happens when your creativity dries up Why writers need to unplug to recharge 3 symptoms of writer’s block and how to cure them How small, attainable goals reward your brain Why changing work venues boosts productivity Hemingway’s personal tricks for getting words on the page The importance of regular rituals for eliminating self-doubt The Show Notes: The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling How to Beat Writer’s Block – Maria Konnikova This Is Your Brain on Writing – New York Times Famous Writers’ Sleep Habits vs. Literary Productivity, Visualized – Maria Popova How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind The End of Reflection – Teddy Wayne How To Concentrate Automatically Without Even Trying Seven Tips From Ernest Hemingway on How to Write Fiction Around the Writer’s Block: Using Brain Science to Solve Writer’s Resistance 8 Strange Rituals of Productive Writers Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Q: Have you ever wondered why storytelling is such an omnipresent theme of human life? As we take a short Summer hiatus to book new guests for the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place … In Part Three of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — back on the show to help me define storytelling from a scientific standpoint. If you missed the first two episodes of The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ you can find them on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss: Why storytelling is the default mode of human communication How empathy makes storytelling such an effective tool Why Hollywood continually taps into ‘The Hero’s Journey’ How blueprints can help writers connect with their audience Why reading fiction makes us more empathetic Writers’ addiction to stories (especially the dark ones) Where humanity would be without storytelling The Show Notes: The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell) Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee “Reading literary fiction improves empathy, study finds” from The Guardian The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gottschall Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process. Q: Have you ever wondered how great writing creates an emotional response in readers? As we take a short Summer hiatus to book new guests for the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place … In Part Two of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — back on the show to help me define empathy from a scientific standpoint and shed light on the darker corners of how writers can tap into the hopes, dreams, and fears of readers. If you missed The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ Part One: Creativity you can find it on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss: How science is changing our definition of empathy What actors and doctors have in common with writers How to resist the dark side of empathy The difference between good storytelling and great storytelling How marketers tap into well-worn paths in our brains The key to empathizing with your readers Why great content starts with the desire to help people The Show Notes: The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity Mirror Neurons Empathy Maps: A Complete Guide to Crawling Inside Your Customer s Head Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process. Q: Have you ever wondered how prolific writers summon vast stores of creativity without breaking a sweat? As we take a short Summer hiatus to book new guests for the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place, starting here … In Part One of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — to come on the show and help pinpoint where exactly in the brain creativity lives. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss: How science is expanding our definition of creativity Why memory plays such a big part in writing Where creative ideas come from Whether or not you can teach an old writer new tricks Why staying curious is so important to creativity How prolific writers are like pro athletes Why the adage “write what you know” is sound advice The Show Notes: This Is Your Brain on Writing 8 Strange Rituals of Productive Writers Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The iconic, international bestselling author of 14 novels, including the era-defining Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, Douglas Coupland, paid a visit to the show to rap with me about his latest collection, his strange ritual for starting a new book, and the timeless difficulties of getting published. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Coupland started his career in journalism before rising to prominence after his acclaimed, bestselling debut in 1991. Since Generation X he has become an internationally recognized visual artist, designer, and author of 14 novels, two short story collections, a dozen nonfiction books, and scripts for the stage, TV, and film. In addition to his many contributions to traditional and online publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Vice Doug has written and performed for England’s Royal Shakespeare Company and is a columnist for The Financial Times of London. His latest, titled Bit Rot, is a collection of more than 65 thought-provoking essays, stories, and meditations “… on the different ways in which twentieth-century notions of the future are being shredded.” The social critic and cultural observer has been prognosticating on how technology affects our brains since the advent of the internet. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Douglas Coupland and I discuss: How a visual artist became a generation-defining fiction author The writer’s love of serial journalism Why listeners of this show have won the biggest lottery in history How a Canadian professor in the ’60s predicted the influence of the internet we know today The magic of writing on airplanes Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. Douglas Coupland’s website Douglas Coupland for The Financial Times of London Douglas Coupland: ‘I’m actually at my happiest when I’m writing on a plane’ Bit Rot: stories + essays – Douglas Coupland Marshall McLuhan: You Know Nothing of My Work! – Douglas Coupland How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One Douglas Coupland on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this file, the award-winning New York Times bestselling author, investigative journalist, and anthropologist, Scott Carney, returned to talk about the dangers of putting yourself into the story, what he’s learned in his 20+ years in mainstream publishing, and how he juggles his multiple creative adventures. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Throughout his globe-trotting career as a journalist Scott has spent extensive time in South Asia, been a contributing editor at WIRED for over five years, and written for Mother Jones, Men s Journal, Playboy, Foreign Policy, Discover, Outside, Fast Company, and many others. Mr. Carney is the author of a trio of nonfiction books that combine investigative journalism and anthropology, including The Red Market (where he explored the black market for human body parts), A Death on Diamond Mountain (an examination of the dark side of spiritual seekers), and most recently, the New York Times bestseller What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength. As part of his research for What Doesn’t Kill Us, Scott spent time with Dutch extreme athlete and fitness guru Wim Hof to try to understand the science behind his now famous method to control his body temperature in extreme conditions and tap into ancient super-human abilities. In addition to his writing, Scott is a public speaker and educator who has been a senior fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism and a Scripps Fellow at the Center for Environmental Journalism in Boulder, Colorado. His work has been featured on NPR and National Geographic TV. His most recent project is a video course for writers, called The Fine Print, aimed at helping freelancers, journalists, and creative entrepreneurs to think of themselves as a startup business and help merge their creative and business sensibilities. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file Scott Carney and I discuss: Tips for escaping the great “distraction machine” and focusing on only what’s in front of you Why the author’s whole life has been built around writer’s block Scott’s routines for successfully juggling multiple large writing projects How the author uses his investigative journalism to actualize his adventures and vice versa The importance of making a living vs writing simply for your own pleasure Why he wants to take Hemingway to rehab Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary – Scott Carney ScottCarney.com Scott Carney’s video course — The Fine Print. The Ice Guru [Wim Hof] Comes to Brooklyn – The Atlantic Scott Carney on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning New York Times bestselling author, investigative journalist, and anthropologist, Scott Carney, stopped by the show recently to talk about the dangers of putting yourself into the story, what he’s learned in his 20+ years in mainstream publishing, and how he juggles his multiple creative adventures. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Throughout his globe-trotting career as a journalist Scott has spent extensive time in South Asia, been a contributing editor at WIRED for over five years, and written for Mother Jones, Men s Journal, Playboy, Foreign Policy, Discover, Outside, Fast Company, and many others. Mr. Carney is the author of a trio of nonfiction books that combine investigative journalism and anthropology, including The Red Market (where he explored the black market for human body parts), A Death on Diamond Mountain (an examination of the dark side of spiritual seekers), and most recently, the New York Times bestseller What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength. As part of his research for What Doesn’t Kill Us, Scott spent time with Dutch extreme athlete and fitness guru Wim Hof to try to understand the science behind his now famous method to control his body temperature in extreme conditions and tap into ancient super-human abilities. In addition to his writing, Scott is a public speaker and educator who has been a senior fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism and a Scripps Fellow at the Center for Environmental Journalism in Boulder, Colorado. His work has been featured on NPR and National Geographic TV. His most recent project is a video course for writers, called The Fine Print, aimed at helping freelancers, journalists, and creative entrepreneurs to think of themselves as a startup business and help merge their creative and business sensibilities. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Scott Carney and I discuss: Why he dropped out of his Anthropology PhD program to become a professional writer How to protect yourself from negotiating bad contracts Why you don’t have to fall into the traps so many broke journalists fall into The writer’s natural state of “productive procrastination” Why you need to gun for those “theme park” sized ideas The power of outlines and how to write 80,000 words in eight months Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary – Scott Carney ScottCarney.com Scott Carney’s video course — The Fine Print. The Ice Guru [Wim Hof] Comes to Brooklyn – The Atlantic Scott Carney on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The multiple New York Times bestselling non-fiction author and New Yorker columnist, Maria Konnikova, dropped by the show back in early 2016 to chat with me about what it’s like to be a contributing journalist for a storied institution, productivity hacks, and her own creative process. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! This is a fan favorite from the archives that I’m updating because it’s an insightful interview and Maria has also been in the news recently for winning her first premier professional poker title. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and as the story goes — reported by Poker News — over “… a year ago … Konnikova decided to learn the game of poker and asked the infamous, Erik Seidel [winner of eight World Series of Poker and a World Poker Tour title] to help mentor/coach her. Her goal … was to play poker for a year, to learn the game, and then write a book about it.” The book was pitched as a chronicle of her “… yearlong journey from poker neophyte to the World Series … an exploration of the balance of luck and skill in our daily lives and how we can become the best decision makers we possibly can.” Lo and behold, an intensive one-year poker crash-course helped her win her first prestige pro tournament and a cool $85K in early 2018. It’s a crazy story, and a fantastic reason to revisit our talk here, and to find her book, The Biggest Bluff, when it’s published in Summer 2019. Her last bestseller — The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time — examined the psychology of the con, and as Forbes described the book, “One of the best science writers of our time examines the minds, motives, and methods of con artists — and the people who fall for their cons.” Ms. Konnikova has a PhD in Psychology from Columbia University and has contributed countless articles and essays for The Atlantic, The New York Times, Slate, The Paris Review, The Wall Street Journal, WIRED, and Scientific American, to name only a few. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Maria Konnikova and I discuss: How to avoid writer’s block Why a standing desk isn’t for everyone How to simplify your research & writing process Why writing is hard … just like any other job The author’s definition of creativity Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes MariaKonnikova.com Maria Konnikova Wins the $1,650 PCA National Championship for $84,600 Updates on her upcoming book The Biggest Bluff The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time Maria Konnikova New Yorker Contributor Page The Joy of Psyching Myself Out by M. Konnikova Freedom App The Paris Review Interviews Maria Konnikova on Facebook Maria Konnikova on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this file the Editor-in-Chief of Copyblogger, my colleague and friend, Stefanie Flaxman, returned to chat with me about her journey from solopreneur to headline honcho, the rules of “ruthless editing,” her philosophy of creativity, and much more. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Stef is a professional writer and editor who manages the editorial team for Copyblogger.com, where she helps publish one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” available, for a very large audience of online writers. [Incidentally Copyblogger is the reason The Writer Files exists and where the written series was started.] A long-time contributor to the Copyblogger community, she officially joined the team in 2014 with a mission to help ensure stringent editorial standards, and create content aimed at helping fellow entrepreneurs stand out from the competition. Ms. Flaxman’s weekly podcast, Editor-in-Chief (2015-2016), delivered her signature “… art of writing, updated for marketing in the digital age, to help you become the Editor-in-Chief of your own digital business.” Before Copyblogger, Stef ran her own online writing and editing shop, Revision Fairy, which she started in 2008. She has also done stints as the West Coast Office Manager for Mediabistro and an editor for PR Newswire. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file Stefanie Flaxman and I discuss: My very first day as a copywriter at Copyblogger Why you’re never as nervous as your first guest post for a huge online audience The inefficiency of perfectionism Stef’s philosophy of writer’s block, responsibility tangents, and creativity Why so much of the writing process doesn’t involve actual writing One great hack to jumpstart your own writing Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. How Copyblogger’s Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Flaxman Writes: Part One Copyblogger.com – Build Your Online Authority with Powerfully Effective Content Marketing Stefanie Flaxman’s Author Page at Copyblogger Editor-in-Chief podcast archive Revision Fairy – Stef’s Website How Chief Content Officer Sonia Simone Writes Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a double-stuffed episode of the show with the Editor-in-Chief of Copyblogger, my colleague and friend, Stefanie Flaxman, who stopped by this week to rap with me about her journey from solopreneur to headline honcho, the rules of “ruthless editing,” her philosophy of creativity, and much more. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Stef is a professional writer and editor who manages the editorial team for Copyblogger.com, where she helps publish one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” available, for a very large audience of online writers. [Incidentally Copyblogger is the reason The Writer Files exists and where the written series was started.] A long-time contributor to the Copyblogger community, she officially joined the team in 2014 with a mission to help ensure stringent editorial standards, and create content aimed at helping fellow entrepreneurs stand out from the competition. Ms. Flaxman’s weekly podcast, Editor-in-Chief (2015-2016), delivered her signature “… art of writing, updated for marketing in the digital age, to help you become the Editor-in-Chief of your own digital business.” Before Copyblogger, Stef ran her own online writing and editing shop, Revision Fairy, which she started in 2008. She has also done stints as the West Coast Office Manager for Mediabistro and an editor for PR Newswire. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Stefanie Flaxman and I discuss: Her early exposure to journalism and unique path to a career in writing and editing How her discovery of Brian Clark’s trailblazing blog helped take her own business to the next level Why great things happen when you make yourself vulnerable How Stef became a true “triple threat” in her field Why you should write every day no matter how busy you are How to incorporate balance and philosophy into your content mindset Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. How Copyblogger’s Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Flaxman Writes: Part Two Copyblogger.com – Build Your Online Authority with Powerfully Effective Content Marketing Stefanie Flaxman’s Author Page at Copyblogger Editor-in-Chief podcast archive Revision Fairy – Stef’s Website How Chief Content Officer Sonia Simone Writes Behind the Scenes: How The Writer Files Is Produced w/ Robert Bruce Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this file, the award-winning creator, producer, and host of the megahit Lore podcast, TV show, and book series, Aaron Mahnke, returned to share how he created his scary storytelling universe from scratch, his writing regimen for success, and advice to fellow scribes. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In less than three years the writer and former graphic designer grew his humble “true life scary story” podcast, Lore, from a small email list and an effort to market his self-published novels, into a critically acclaimed show with more than 100 million downloads. The podcast won Apple Podcasts’ Best of 2015 & 2016, and picked up a “Best History Podcast 2016” from the Academy of Podcasters. Lore was also recently turned into an Amazon TV series by producers of The Walking Dead and The X-Files (with Aaron as a co-exec. producer), as well as a live tour, and a book series from Penguin Random House. The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures is the first in a three-book series from the author. The books include both old and new tales from the world of Lore, with their signature blend of history and the macabre, to plumb the depths of our collective nightmares. Entertainment Weekly noted that Mahnke “… dives deep into the world of folklore and the darker side of history in a quest to root out the fragment of truth at the bottom of our fears.” The author has been featured in the Huffington Post, The Guardian, Esquire, The Atlantic, USA Today, and others. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file Aaron Mahnke and I discuss: The writer’s process and the advantages of a home office for a podcast producer How to turn a scary, spoken word podcast into a hit TV show Why the author leans on planning and outlining Aaron’s reliance on the cloud to sync all of his script editing and weekly tasks Why professional writers can’t wait for inspiration And more great advice for keeping the ink flowing Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com TheWorldofLore.com Subscribe to Lore on Apple Podcasts Aaron Mahnke’s author page at Amazon The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures – Aaron Mahnke Pints Pub has the largest selection of single-malt Scotch in Denver Aaron Mahnke on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The award-winning creator, producer, and host of the megahit Lore podcast, TV show, and book series, Aaron Mahnke, joined me this week to share how he created his scary storytelling universe from scratch, his writing regimen for success, and advice to fellow scribes. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In less than three years the writer and former graphic designer grew his humble “true life scary story” podcast, Lore, from a small email list and an effort to market his self-published novels, into a critically acclaimed show with more than 100 million downloads. The podcast won Apple Podcasts’ Best of 2015 & 2016, and picked up a “Best History Podcast 2016” from the Academy of Podcasters. Lore was also recently turned into an Amazon TV series by producers of The Walking Dead and The X-Files (with Aaron as a co-exec. producer), as well as a live tour, and a book series from Penguin Random House. The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures is the first in a three-book series from the author. The books include both old and new tales from the world of Lore, with their signature blend of history and the macabre, to plumb the depths of our collective nightmares. Entertainment Weekly noted that Mahnke “… dives deep into the world of folklore and the darker side of history in a quest to root out the fragment of truth at the bottom of our fears.” The author has been featured in the Huffington Post, The Guardian, Esquire, The Atlantic, USA Today, and others. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Aaron Mahnke and I discuss: The writer’s ten year journey (including the lows) to award-winning podcast producer How an indie novelist turned a crazy idea into a scary storytelling universe Why you need to get out of your writer’s bubble The meticulous research and writing regimen that goes into The World of Lore Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com TheWorldofLore.com Subscribe to Lore on Apple Podcasts Aaron Mahnke’s author page at Amazon The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures – Aaron Mahnke Aaron Mahnke on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The award-winning literary suspense novelist and New York Times bestselling author of The Bookseller, Cynthia Swanson, took a break before her upcoming book tour to chat with me about her new thriller, The Glass Forest, the writer-slash-designer s process and unique relationship with creativity, and how she finds her ideas. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! The bestselling author started out as a freelance marketing and technical writer before her debut novel, The Bookseller, became an Indie Next pick and winner of the 2016 WILLA Award for Historical Fiction. The book has been translated into over a dozen languages and was optioned for a film adaptation with Julia Roberts attached to star and produce. Cynthia’s latest psychological thriller The Glass Forest, has been described as “… a gripping literary suspense novel set in the 1960s about a deeply troubled family and three women who will reveal its dark truths.” The Library Journal said of the book, “… Swanson demonstrates her signature trait: a consistent, superbly executed sense of knife-edge disquiet…” and Publisher’s Weekly called it an “… intoxicating slow burn [that] builds to a conclusion rife with shocking reveals.” If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Cynthia Swanson and I discuss: How she targeted the time periods for her historical novels Why you shouldn’t research while you write How a professional novelist migrated to Scrivener Why you need to intentionally goof around to beat procrastination Great quotes for defeating self-doubt Why you need to find your own writer’s community Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. CynthiaSwansonAuthor.com The Glass Forest: A Novel – Cynthia Swanson The Bookseller: A Novel – Cynthia Swanson Cynthia Swanson, Author – Facebook Page Julia Roberts to Star in Adaptation of Cynthia Swanson s The Bookseller – Variety Cynthia Swanson on Instagram Cynthia Swanson on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The multiple New York Times bestselling author of A Whole New Mind, Drive, and To Sell is Human, Daniel Pink, dropped by the show back in 2015 to chat with me about his experience as a TV producer, his take on writer’s block, and productivity & creativity hacks for non-fiction writers. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! This is a replay of the interview I did with Dan in honor of the publication of his latest book — When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing — a book that aims to unlock “… the scientific secrets to good timing to help you flourish at work, at school, and at home.” The behavior expert’s sixth book is being hailed by many as one of the must-read business and leadership books of 2018, and The Wall Street Journal wrote, “Daniel H. Pink s deeply researched but never boring study could be a turning point.” Mr. Pink has also written for The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Sunday Telegraph, Fast Company, and Wired, to name only a few. In addition to having one of the most viewed TED talks of all time — “The puzzle of motivation” — Dan also hosted and co-executive produced the TV series “Crowd Control” for the National Geographic Channel. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Daniel Pink and I discuss: Why you should never check email before you write The effectiveness of word count quotas Why the adage “butt-in-chair” really works How to structure your writing schedule to beat “Resistance” The author’s exhaustive reading recommendations His fantasy Chipotle table guests Why you need to get over yourself and just get to work And if you want to hear Dan talking more in depth about his newest book, check out the Unemployable podcast interview he did with Brian Clark titled “The Power of Perfect Timing,” (available after Jan. 10th, 2018 at unemployable.fm) Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing – Daniel H. Pink DanPink.com Dan Pink’s TED talk: “The puzzle of motivation” Crowd Control on National Geographic Channel Daniel Pink on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this file, the celebrated cartoonist, writer, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling non-fiction book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Zach Weinersmith, took a break to rap with me about writing a research-intensive book with his wife, the difference between nerds and geeks, and how he draws inspiration for his many creative projects. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Zach is best known for his popular web-comic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (SMBC), a “geek comic” with a vast following. His comics have been featured in The Economist, Glamour, BoingBoing, The Washington Post, Freakonomics, and many more. His wife is noted research scientist, Kelly Weinersmith (who was also guest on this show), a top 20 podcast host, and co-author of their bestselling book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, a book recently named a Wall Street Journal Best Science Book of the Year. The book is described as, … a hilariously illustrated investigation into future technologies — from how to fling a ship into deep space on the cheap to 3D organ printing,” and seemed like a natural progression for the couple and the comedic rapport they display on their own podcast,”The Weekly Weinersmith.” The Cofounder of Reddit said of the book, “Soonish will make you laugh and — without you even realizing it — give you insight into the most ambitious technological feats of our time,” and NPR said, “The Weinersmiths … lay out, clearly and with a wry sense of humor, exactly what it might take to get us there.” Zach also recently published a tongue-in-cheek sequel to Soonish titled Science: Abridged Beyond the Point of Usefulness, a pocket-sized book that “… neatly summarizes every major field of science … for your favorite science nerd.” If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file Zach Weinersmith and I discuss: How to think about writer’s block differently The author’s love/need for writing in the cloud How Zach picks his creative projects and why he can’t unwind at night Why the secret to creativity boils down to input and editing The virtues of writing prose in comparison to writing for the screen Where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis found their inspiration for fantasy How to answer the question, “Should I be a writer?” Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything – Kelly and Zach Weinersmith Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal – Zach’s web comic Science: Abridged Beyond the Point of Usefulness – Zach Weinersmith Zach Weinersmith on Goodreads “Custom-Printed Cocktails On The Moon? ‘Soonish’ Shows Us How – NPR review How Noted Scientist & Bestselling Author of Soonish Dr. Kelly Weinersmith Writes Zach Weinersmith on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrated cartoonist, writer, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling non-fiction book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Zach Weinersmith, took a break to rap with me about writing a research-intensive book with his wife, the difference between nerds and geeks, and how he draws inspiration for his many creative projects. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Zach is best known for his popular web-comic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (SMBC), a “geek comic” with a vast following. His comics have been featured in The Economist, Glamour, BoingBoing, The Washington Post, Freakonomics, and many more. His wife is noted research scientist, Kelly Weinersmith (who was also guest on this show), a top 20 podcast host, and co-author of their bestselling book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, a book recently named a Wall Street Journal Best Science Book of the Year. The book is described as, … a hilariously illustrated investigation into future technologies — from how to fling a ship into deep space on the cheap to 3D organ printing,” and seemed like a natural progression for the couple and the comedic rapport they display on their own podcast,”The Weekly Weinersmith.” The Cofounder of Reddit said of the book, “Soonish will make you laugh and — without you even realizing it — give you insight into the most ambitious technological feats of our time,” and NPR said, “The Weinersmiths … lay out, clearly and with a wry sense of humor, exactly what it might take to get us there.” Zach also recently published a tongue-in-cheek sequel to Soonish titled Science: Abridged Beyond the Point of Usefulness, a pocket-sized book that “… neatly summarizes every major field of science … for your favorite science nerd.” If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Zach Weinersmith and I discuss: How to intertwine science and comedy in your writing to great effect The author’s love of aphorisms and The Devil’s Dictionary Why converted basement offices have their downsides How the audience he built around his popular web-comic helped make for a bestselling book The complications and joys of being highly creative with kids How to write and draw a comic every day Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com Copyblogger s Certified Content Marketer training is a powerful program that helps writers attract better clients — and more of them. New students will be able to sign up for a limited time soon. Add your name to join the waitlist and to get all of the details when they re available. Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything – Kelly and Zach Weinersmith Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal – Zach’s web comic Science: Abridged Beyond the Point of Usefulness – Zach Weinersmith Zach Weinersmith on Goodreads “Custom-Printed Cocktails On The Moon? ‘Soonish’ Shows Us How – NPR review How Noted Scientist & Bestselling Author of Soonish Dr. Kelly Weinersmith Writes Zach Weinersmith on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the cliffhanger conclusion to my chat with author and publishing consultant, Jodie Archer, we are joined this week by Dr. Matthew Jockers, English Professor & Dean at the University of Nebraska, and co-author of the internationally acclaimed book The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel. We’ll talk about Matt’s game-changing research at the heart of the book, the two authors’ new consulting service for writers based on the algorithm they developed at Stanford, and the author report from my beta test of the service. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! For 11 years Matt was a Lecturer and “embedded” Academic Technology Specialist (ATS) in the Department of English at Stanford University. There he co-founded and directed the paradigm-shifting Stanford Literary Lab with Franco Moretti. In 2014 Matt also worked as a Principal Research Scientist for iBooks at Apple. His work on the bleeding edge of text-mining and digital humanities established him as an expert at the crossroads of technology and fiction. His work helped lead to the award-winning algorithm behind The Bestseller Code, honed over four years text-mining 20,000 contemporary novels, using around 300,000 data points, and able to predict bestsellers 80% of the time. Matt and Jodie were hounded by writers from all over the world for help with their manuscripts. On the heels of their international success and winning the NUtech Ventures 2017 Breakthrough Innovation of the Year award, Jodie and Matt have founded a unique book consultancy for authors, publishers, and agents, based on the algorithm in The Bestseller Code. Beginning December 1st, 2017, ArcherJockers.com will offer three tiers of service to authors: single manuscript analysis, series analysis, and a VIP service. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part Two of this file Jodie Archer, Matt Jockers, and I discuss: How Matt found the intersection of words and computing at the dawn of the Internet Why Archer & Jockers became a personalized service for authors and not just another app Who should (and shouldn’t) send their manuscripts to the service What exactly the “bestseller-ometer” measures when it looks at your book The benefits of distant reading vs. close reading for fiction How to perfect your own manuscript before submission to the service Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com Copyblogger s Certified Content Marketer training is a powerful program that helps writers attract better clients — and more of them. New students will be able to sign up for a limited time soon. Add your name to join the waitlist and to get all of the details when they re available. ArcherJockers.com Manuscript Consulting Services How to Crack the ‘Bestseller Code’ with Jodie Archer: Part One MatthewJockers.net JodieArcher.com The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel – Jodie Archer & Matt Jockers Breakthrough Innovation of the Year – The Bestseller Code Jodie Archer on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer, literary scholar, publishing consultant, and co-author of the internationally acclaimed book The Bestseller Code, Jodie Archer, returns one year later to chat with me about the book’s runaway success, turning the algorithm into an innovative consulting service for writers, her own writer’s journey, and one very unexpected turn for the host of this show. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Before getting her PhD from Stanford, Ms. Archer studied English at Cambridge, worked in journalism and TV, and was an acquisitions editor for Penguin UK publishing. At Stanford Jodie taught writing and researched both contemporary fiction and bestsellers. Upon completion of her doctoral work she was recruited by Apple where she was the lead in research on books. The Bestseller Code is based on Jodie’s doctoral research with professor Matthew Jockers (co-founder of the cutting edge Stanford Literary Lab), an algorithm they honed for four years and refined by text mining over 20,000 contemporary novels using around 300,000 data points. The Guardian predicted that the book would “… revolutionize the publishing industry,” because the technology could predict bestsellers 80% of the time, based on theme, plot, character, and many other signatures. The authors were, of course, hounded by writers from all over the world for help with their manuscripts. And finally — following their breakthrough research — Jodie and Matt have founded a unique book consulting service for authors, publishers, and agents, based on the algorithm in The Bestseller Code. Beginning December 1st, 2017, ArcherJockers.com will offer three tiers of service to authors: single manuscript analysis, series analysis, and VIP service. [This interview was recorded in anticipation of that date in mid-October.] If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Jodie Archer and I discuss: How writers from around the world convinced the authors to do consulting services The innovation behind the anticipated Archer Jockers’ service for novelists How to find your bestselling moment with integrity The power of “good” press, great agents, and selling the international rights to your book Jodie’s own multi-genre writing projects How yours truly took a leap of faith and became a beta tester for the service (cliffhanger pending) Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com Copyblogger s Certified Content Marketer training is a powerful program that helps writers attract better clients — and more of them. New students will be able to sign up for a limited time soon. Add your name to join the waitlist and to get all of the details when they re available. How to Crack the ‘Bestseller Code’ with Jodie Archer & Matt Jockers: Part Two How the Author of The Bestseller Code Jodie Archer Writes: Part One JodieArcher.com The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel – Jodie Archer & Matt Jockers ArcherJockers.com Manuscript Consulting Services How ‘Sweetbitter’ Author Stephanie Danler Writes: Part One Jodie Archer on Good Reads Jodie Archer on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian, Andy Weir, dropped by the show in 2015 to chat with me about his writing process in the days just prior to the release of the Oscar Nominated movie adaptation of his hit book, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! This is a replay of the entire interview I did with Andy in honor of the publication of his latest book — Artemis: A Novel — described as “… a near-future thriller — a heist story set on the moon.” Blake Crouch, the New York Times bestselling author of Dark Matter, said of the book “Weir has done the impossible he s topped The Martian …,” and Ernest Cline, New York Times bestselling author of Ready Player One, called it “Everything you could hope for in a follow-up … another smart, fun, fast-paced adventure that you won t be able to put down.” The author’s inspiring journey to #1 on the NY Times Best Sellers list with his first novel began as a humble series of blog posts that grew enough interest to demand self-publishing to Amazon. When The Martian’s popularity sky-rocketed, traditional publisher Random House called, and the rest is history. From software engineer to sci-fi phenom, Andy is a down-to-earth writer and self-described “space nerd,” who still answers all of his fan mail. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Andy Weir and I discuss: How a science geek became a bestselling author One great trick for improving your dialogue Why your enthusiasm doesn’t determine the quality of your writing The creative power of a walk and a hot shower Mr. Weir’s unique relationship with NASA 3 tips and tricks to becoming an “actual” writer Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com Copyblogger s Certified Content Marketer training is a powerful program that helps writers attract better clients — and more of them. New students will be able to sign up for a limited time soon. Add your name to join the waitlist and to get all of the details when they re available. andyweirauthor.com Artemis: A Novel – Andy Weir The Martian: A Novel – Andy Weir How Bestselling Sci-fi Thriller Author Blake Crouch Writes: Part One Notes from Hugh Howey’s Editor “The surprising story of how Andy Weir’s self-published book ‘The Martian’ topped best seller lists and got a movie deal” Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach Andy Weir on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The noted research scientist, top 20 podcast host, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Dr. Kelly Weinersmith, took a timeout from her book tour to talk with me about the importance of good writing in the sciences, what it’s like to write a book with your husband, and finding time to be a writer and a mom. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Kelly is an adjunct faculty member in the Biosciences department at Rice University, as well as the co-host of two podcasts for the Brachiolope Media Network. She co-hosts a top 20 natural sciences podcast, “Science … sort of,” as well as “The Weekly Weinersmith,” a podcast she produces with her husband, celebrated cartoonist Zach Weinersmith (creator of the web comic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal) where the two discuss papers and interview scientists. The natural progression for the couple was their New York Times bestseller Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, described as a “… snapshot of what’s coming next — from robot swarms to nuclear fusion powered-toasters.” The Cofounder of Reddit said of the book, “Soonish will make you laugh and — without you even realizing it — give you insight into the most ambitious technological feats of our time,” and NPR said, “The Weinersmiths … lay out, clearly and with a wry sense of humor, exactly what it might take to get us there.” Kelly was a speaker at Smithsonian magazine s The Future Is Here Festival in 2015, and her work has been featured in The Atlantic, National Geographic, BBC World, Science, and Nature. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Kelly Weinersmith and I discuss: What it’s like to take a one-year-old on a nerdy book tour Her circuitous path to New York Times bestselling author How the author schedules research, writing, and interviews into her busy life The organizational tools that helped her stay on track How her natural comedic rapport with her husband bled into her writing Why sci-fi writers should read Soonish How to condition yourself to take criticism online Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything – Kelly and Zach Weinersmith Weinersmith.com – Kelly’s website “Science … sort” podcast – Produced by Brachiolope Media Network “The Weekly Weinersmith” podcast Soonish AR app Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal – Zach’s web comic How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of The Martian ) Writes: Part One Kelly Weinersmith on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning podcast host, managing editor of WNYC Studios’ “Note to Self,” and author of Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self, Manoush Zomorodi, took a break from her hectic schedule to rap with me about her claim to fame as a podcaster, the neuroscience of boredom, and how to recharge your creative batteries. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Manoush is a former globetrotting journalist and producer for both BBC and Reuters. She has won four New York Press Club awards for her work with New York Public Radio and was named 2017 s Best Tech Podcast by the Academy of Podcasters. Her podcast is described as a tech show that “…searches for answers to life s digital quandaries through experiments and conversations with listeners and experts.” Her first book, Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self, is grounded in both neuroscience and cognitive psychology and based on a groundbreaking experiment she conducted with thousands of her podcast listeners to “…help them unplug from their devices, get bored, [and] jump-start their creativity…” In addition to her popular TED talk “How boredom can lead to your most brilliant ideas,” she has appeared on NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, WNBC, and The Dr. Oz Show and contributes to NPR, Quartz, Inc., and Radiolab. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Manoush Zomorodi and I discuss: The miracle of technology and its inherent ills Why our favorite algorithms are programmed to distract us How the author enlisted thousands of podcast listeners for her one-of-a-kind experiment Why you need to change your digital habits to be more creative Why first drafts suck and the power of deadlines A refreshing definition of creativity Why you should beware of technology that claims to solve your problems with more technology Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self – Manoush Zomorodi ManoushZ.com Note to Self podcast – Produced by WNYC Studios TED talk: “How boredom can lead to your most brilliant ideas” – Manoush Zomorodi A Georgetown professor says the mindset that led us all to embrace Facebook could ultimately stall your career How Einstein Thought: Why “Combinatory Play” Is the Secret of Genius – Maria Popova Manoush Zomorodi on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acclaimed essayist, short fiction writer, and author of the debut novel The Floating World, C. Morgan Babst, took a few minutes to rap with me about the wrath of hurricanes, writing a love letter to the city of New Orleans, and her secrets to staying organized and productive. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Morgan is a New Orleans native who started her journey at NOCCA (New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts), before studying writing at both Yale, and NYU. Her essays and short fiction have appeared in The Oxford American, Guernica, the Harvard Review, the New Orleans Review, among others. An essay she wrote on New Orleans funeral culture (“Death Is a Way to Be,” Guernica, June 15, 2015) was named a Notable Essay in Best American Essays 2016. Her ambitious and haunting first novel, The Floating World, was chosen as an Amazon Editor s Pick for Best Books of October 2017, and was called a “… beautiful, relentless portrait of the devastation [Hurricane Katrina] inflicted on a city, and a family…”. In a Kirkus starred review, the book was called a “Deeply felt and beautifully written; a major addition to the literature of Katrina.” If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file C. Morgan Babst and I discuss: Her background in the arts and the long road to publishing her first novel Why a novel 12 years in the making is so relevant today How credit card bills can boost your productivity Why you need to turn off “creativity” while you’re writing How to keep track of your best ideas Why you need to get into a “Lynchian” state of mind as you write Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com The Floating World: A Novel – C. Morgan Babst CMorganBabst.com A New Orleans family is shattered and scattered by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath – Kirkus Review of The Floating World Book Notes [and Spotify playlist] – C. Morgan Babst “The Floating World” – largeheartedboy.com C. Morgan Babst on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alternative mortician, YouTube personality, and New York Times bestselling nonfiction author of From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death, Caitlin Doughty, rang me up this week to chat about changing the West’s relationship to death, the challenges of running a non-profit funeral home, and how to write a bestselling book in your spare time. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Caitlin is the creator of “Ask a Mortician,” a web series that boasts over 300,000 subscribers, and the founder of The Order of the Good Death, a nonprofit that advocates for death acceptance and an alternative to Western funeral industry practices. Her first bestselling book and memoir, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: and Other Lessons from the Crematory, chronicled her experiences as a young woman working in a crematorium. Her latest, From Here to Eternity, resumes her exploration of the field to explore “… how other cultures care for the dead,” and “… is an immersive global journey that introduces compelling, powerful rituals almost entirely unknown in America.” Her mission to reform the death industry has led to features on NPR, BBC, The New Yorker, Vice, The Atlantic, the New York Times, and many others. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Caitlin Doughty and I discuss: Her strong voice for change and how that got her an agent How a full-time mortician finds time to write bestselling books The sense of doubt that all writers face How her greater mission overtook her fear of writing Why writers need to be less precious about their work The Muse of Death Why you need to Tweet an inspirational writing quote to Caitlin @TheGoodDeath – #TheWriterFiles – after you listen to this show Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death – Caitlin Doughty CaitlinDoughty.com Ask A Mortician on YouTube Caitlin Doughty on Instagram The Order of the Good Death Undertaking LA (is not your typical funeral home) There Are Better Ways to Mourn – Caitlin Doughty for Time Caitlin Doughty on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this file the self-confessed serial entrepreneur, founder of Copyblogger, and CEO of Rainmaker Digital, Brian Clark, stopped by to rap with me about his journey to success, the evolution of blogging and content marketing, and his culpability for the existence of this podcast. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! The inaugural guest of The Writer Files is a content marketing trailblazer who launched his one-man blog, Copyblogger.com, in 2006. With a modest investment, no audience, and no connections, he slowly and steadily built it into a vital 8-figure business, and one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” for online writers. He is considered a top marketing influencer on writing, a “Top 10 Online Marketing Expert,” and one of the “100 Most Influential Online Marketers.” Brian has been featured in over 20 books including Linchpin by Seth Godin, and Free Agent Nation by Daniel Pink. He is now the CEO of Rainmaker Digital, the digital commerce flagship behind Copyblogger, StudioPress, and Rainmaker Digital Services to name only a few. Brian is also the curator of the personal development newsletter Further, and Unemployable, a podcast and resource for freelancers, consultants, coaches, and like-minded entrepreneurs. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file Brian Clark and I discuss: His recent study of writing & technology including automation and personalization Why all writers are somewhat crazy Great tricks for jump starting your productivity and beating procrastination How Brian invented a deliberate writing style for Copyblogger How Brian defines creativity and why you need to expose yourself to great stories The most important thing online content writers should study Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. Copyblogger.com – Build Your Online Authority with Powerfully Effective Content Marketing Brian Clark’s Author Page at Copyblogger Further – Achieve Your Goals and Live Your Best Life Unemployable – The Solution to Information Overload for Small Business Owners Here s How Brian Clark Writes Unemployable podcast – “Steal Like an Entrepreneur, with Austin Kleon” How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One This music production tool is the reason why all new music sounds the same – Shelby Hartman Brian Clark on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The self-confessed serial entrepreneur, founder of Copyblogger, and CEO of Rainmaker Digital, Brian Clark, stopped by this week to rap with me about his hero’s journey to success, the evolution of blogging and content marketing, and his culpability for the existence of this podcast. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! The inaugural guest of The Writer Files is a content marketing trail blazer who launched his one-man blog, Copyblogger.com, in 2006. With a modest investment, no audience, and no connections, he slowly and steadily built it into a vital 8-figure business, and one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” for online writers. He is considered a top marketing influencer on writing, a “Top 10 Online Marketing Expert,” and one of the “100 Most Influential Online Marketers.” Brian has been featured in over 20 books including Linchpin by Seth Godin, and Free Agent Nation by Daniel Pink. He is now the CEO of Rainmaker Digital, the digital commerce flagship behind Copyblogger, StudioPress, and Rainmaker Digital Services to name only a few. Brian is also the curator of the personal development newsletter Further, and Unemployable, a podcast and resource for freelancers, consultants, coaches, and like-minded entrepreneurs. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Brian Clark and I discuss: How a reformed lawyer became an influential blogger The importance of compelling storytelling to successful online content The moment Brian realized he was an entrepreneur who could write and not a traditional writer How a near death experience led to an enlightening career change The birth of content marketing How Brian helped grow an online empire without any outside investments or advertising Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. Copyblogger.com – Build Your Online Authority with Powerfully Effective Content Marketing Brian Clark’s Author Page at Copyblogger Further – Achieve Your Goals and Live Your Best Life Unemployable – The Solution to Information Overload for Small Business Owners Here s How Brian Clark Writes Here s How Seth Godin Writes How Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes Brian Clark on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this file the former Slate staffer, ultimate data/word nerd, and acclaimed author of Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve, Ben Blatt, dropped in to talk about crunching the numbers of classic and modern literature, debunking famous writerly wisdom, and how prolific writers establish their literary fingerprints. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Ben is a journalist, statistician, and author who takes a “fun” approach to data journalism on pop culture topics as varied as Seinfeld, The Beatles, and baseball (his last book I Don’t Care if We Never Get Back, was about a mathematically optimal baseball road trip). The author studied applied mathematics at Harvard and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Deadspin, and others. His most recent book, Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve: What the Numbers Reveal About the Classics, Bestsellers, and Our Own Writing, “… brings big data to the literary canon, exploring the wealth of fun findings that remain hidden in the works of the world s greatest writers.” NPR called the book, A hell of a lot of fun …”, The Wall Street Journal, “Enlightening,” and The Boston Globe called it, “Brilliant.” If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file Ben Blatt and I discuss: How to trick yourself out of writer’s block A data journalist’s book writing hacks, including when to add tables and graphs Why brevity and simplicity will always stand the test of time How a great writer sticks out in their own unique way Great tips to creating a long and rewarding writing career Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve: What the Numbers Reveal About the Classics, Bestsellers, and Our Own Writing – Ben Blatt Ben Blatt’s website bblatt.com The One Way Bestsellers Have Changed That You Probably Haven t Noticed – Ben Blatt ‘Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve’ Crunches The (Literary) Numbers – NPR One Writer Used Statistics to Reveal the Secrets of What Makes Great Writing – Smithsonian The Heretical Things Statistics Tell Us About Fiction – New Yorker Ben Blatt on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The former Slate staffer, ultimate data/word nerd, and acclaimed author of Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve, Ben Blatt, dropped in this week to talk about crunching the numbers of classic and modern literature, debunking famous writerly wisdom, and how prolific writers establish their literary fingerprints. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Ben is a journalist, statistician, and author who takes a “fun” approach to data journalism on pop culture topics as varied as Seinfeld, The Beatles, and baseball (his last book I Don’t Care if We Never Get Back, was about a mathematically optimal baseball road trip). The author studied applied mathematics at Harvard and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Deadspin, and others. His most recent book, Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve: What the Numbers Reveal About the Classics, Bestsellers, and Our Own Writing, “… brings big data to the literary canon, exploring the wealth of fun findings that remain hidden in the works of the world s greatest writers.” NPR called the book, A hell of a lot of fun …”, The Wall Street Journal, “Enlightening,” and The Boston Globe called it, “Brilliant.” If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Ben Blatt and I discuss: How a math nerd became a pop culture data hound The challenges of turning thousands of books into big data to examine famous writing advice On Elmore Leonard’s reversal in exclamation point usage Why Nabokov used so many colors in his writing How a data journalist concocted experiments to debunk conventional wisdom about bestselling authors Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve: What the Numbers Reveal About the Classics, Bestsellers, and Our Own Writing – Ben Blatt How the Author of The Bestseller Code Jodie Archer Writes: Part One Ben Blatt’s website bblatt.com The One Way Bestsellers Have Changed That You Probably Haven t Noticed – Ben Blatt ‘Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve’ Crunches The (Literary) Numbers – NPR One Writer Used Statistics to Reveal the Secrets of What Makes Great Writing – Smithsonian The Heretical Things Statistics Tell Us About Fiction – New Yorker Ben Blatt on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning journalist, author, and serial guest, Adam Skolnick, is back on the show as our international correspondent to catch us up on the globetrotting life of a travel writer, his journey to self-publishing, and more writer porn. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Adam s first narrative nonfiction book is now available in paperback One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits and is based on his award-winning New York Times sports coverage of the death of the greatest American freediver of all time. The book has been compared to other classics of extreme sports journalism like Jon Krakauer s Into Thin Air, and National Geographic Traveller called it, “A vicarious thrill that you can enjoy in a little over 300 pages and unless you read it in the bath … ” Adam has visited 45 countries and authored or coauthored over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks, and has written for publications as varied as ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, The New York Times, and appeared on NPR. His latest collection of 81 verses of poetry and prose– Indolirium — takes its inspiration from Jack Kerouac’s Mexico City Blues, and is “… an insomnia-addled journey through the cities, villages and way out wilds of Indonesia …” based on what the author thought “… would be a painless three month assignment in a country he knew well, only to find his marriage and life threatened and his mind unravel as he groped for light in the darkness.” In this file Adam Skolnick and I discuss: Investigating Elon Musk’s latest technology How a travel journalist reinvigorated his faith in the “American Dream” Making a living as an international content writer … in Mongolia How to carve out a “Man-vs-Water” beat at the New York Times The Olympic swimmers who organize in political protest Why an award-winning journalist chose to self-publish his personal insomniac poetry Modern poetics and the path to literary social media success The purpose of poetry in the age of the internet Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com Adam Skolnick’s Amazon Author Page Indolirium – Adam Skolnick AdamSkolnick.com High Speed American Dreams – Adam Skolnick Adam Skolnick on Instagram April Wong on Instagram One Breath – Adam Skolnick In a Swimmer s Two-Year Quest, a Final 21-Mile Challenge – Adam Skolnick for NYTimes Web Poets Society: New Breed Succeeds in Taking Verse Viral Donald Trump, the First President of Our Post-Literate Age A Neuroscientist s Perspective on Fake News, with Michael Grybko Adam Skolnick on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this file the multiple bestselling author of five books, including his latest — Real Artists Don t Starve — Jeff Goins, returned for a special edition of the show to talk with me about “The New Renaissance,” his favorite books on creativity, and busting the commonly held beliefs of artists. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In addition to being an entrepreneur and speaker, Jeff is a writing and creativity consultant, and his popular blog, Goins, Writer, offers free tips about the writing life. His podcast, The Portfolio Life, delves into many of the same topics via interviews with entrepreneurs and writers aimed squarely at helping listeners pursue work that matters. On Jeff’s last visit to the show in 2015, we talked about his bestselling book, The Art of Work, and how to think like a professional writer. His latest, Real Artists Don’t Starve, “… dismantles the myth that being creative is a hindrance to success …,” and bestselling author Daniel Pink said of the book, “Every entrepreneur, writer, and artist should read this book and take notes.” Writers, I think you’re going to like this one. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file Jeff Goins and I discuss: The secret life of Ernest Hemingway Debunking the idea of ‘natural talent’ Why creatives need to either join a scene or create one How the idea of the “starving artist” has been romanticized through the ages Why you need to make money to make more and better art Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com How Bestselling Author Jeff Goins Writes: Part One How Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One Jeff Goins author page on Amazon Find bonus material for Real Artists Don’t Starve here How Russia Recruited Ernest Hemingway GoinsWriter.com The Portfolio Life Podcast with Jeff Goins Jeff Goins on Medium Jeff Goins on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The multiple bestselling author of five books, including his latest — Real Artists Don t Starve — Jeff Goins, returned for a special edition of the show to talk with me about “The New Renaissance,” his favorite books on creativity, and busting the commonly held beliefs of artists. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In addition to being an entrepreneur and speaker, Jeff is a writing and creativity consultant, and his popular blog, Goins, Writer, offers free tips about the writing life. His podcast, The Portfolio Life, delves into many of the same topics via interviews with entrepreneurs and writers aimed squarely at helping listeners pursue work that matters. On Jeff’s last visit to the show in 2015, we talked about his bestselling book, The Art of Work, and how to think like a professional writer. His latest, Real Artists Don’t Starve, “… dismantles the myth that being creative is a hindrance to success …,” and bestselling author Daniel Pink said of the book, “Every entrepreneur, writer, and artist should read this book and take notes.” Writers, I think you’re going to like this one. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Jeff Goins and I discuss: How the starving artist mindset is a choice not a condition Why now is the best time in history to do creative work How John Grisham overcame the odds and 40 rejections to become a bestselling author Why you don’t need to “go big or go home” The psychology of rule-breakers and creativity Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com Jeff Goins author page on Amazon Find bonus material for Real Artists Don’t Starve here How Bestselling Author Jeff Goins Writes: Part One How Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One GoinsWriter.com The Portfolio Life Podcast with Jeff Goins Jeff Goins on Medium Jeff Goins on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of this file the recent Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and acclaimed author of the award-winning short story collection Hot Little Hands, Abigail Ulman, visited the show this week to talk about having a beer with George Saunders, the life of a traveling freelancer, and the idiosyncrasies of great writers. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In addition to being a freelance copywriter and screenwriter, the native Australian author and self-confessed gypsy has followed in the footsteps of other famous itinerant writers. At Stanford’s two-year creative writing fellowship she got the chance to study with great writers like Tobias Wolff and Colm Toibin. Other notable fellows — to name a few — have included Raymond Carver, Ken Kesey, Scott Turow, Thomas McGuane, and Larry McMurtry. Abigail’s short stories invited the interest of publishers, and her first book, Hot Little Hands, went on to win a 2016 Best Young Australian Novelist Award and is a collection of “… heartbreakingly tender and often darkly funny fiction.” Lena Dunham called it a “… highly inventive collection of short fiction which hits virtually all my buttons,” and Publishers Weekly said of the book, “The captivating women in this collection leave a lasting impression.” If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file Abigail Ulman and I discuss: How she divides her writing day and the rarity of copywriting emergencies The autobiographical nature of writer’s block Why you need to be kind to yourself and the power of taking breaks The neurotic nature of writers Why the best way to beat anxiety is to eliminate self-doubt Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. How Award-Winning Short Story Writer Abigail Ulman Writes: Part One Hot Little Hands: Fiction – Abigail Ulman The Agony and the Ecstasy of Girlhood – The Atlantic review Abigail Ulman on writer’s block Sydney Writers Festival – Podcast Sydney Writers Festival Abigail Ulman on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recent Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and acclaimed author of the award-winning short story collection Hot Little Hands, Abigail Ulman, visited the show this week to talk about having a beer with George Saunders, the life of a traveling freelancer, and the idiosyncrasies of great writers. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In addition to being a freelance copywriter and screenwriter, the native Australian author and self-confessed gypsy has followed in the footsteps of other famous itinerant writers. At Stanford’s two-year creative writing fellowship she got the chance to study with great writers like Tobias Wolff and Colm Toibin. Other notable fellows — to name a few — have included Raymond Carver, Ken Kesey, Scott Turow, Thomas McGuane, and Larry McMurtry. Abigail’s short stories invited the interest of publishers, and her first book, Hot Little Hands, went on to win a 2016 Best Young Australian Novelist Award and is a collection of “… heartbreakingly tender and often darkly funny fiction.” Lena Dunham called it a “… highly inventive collection of short fiction which hits virtually all my buttons,” and Publishers Weekly said of the book, “The captivating women in this collection leave a lasting impression.” If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Abigail Ulman and I discuss: How a love of travel and words led her to Stanford University The emotional challenges she faced finishing her first book On the shift from the solitude of writing fiction to the collaborative nature of screenwriting How she tested out her interview skills on the biggest stage available Why she nerds out about her coffee ritual Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details. How Award-Winning Short Story Writer Abigail Ulman Writes: Part Two Hot Little Hands: Fiction – Abigail Ulman The Agony and the Ecstasy of Girlhood – The Atlantic review Abigail Ulman on writer’s block Sydney Writers’ Festival – Podcast Sydney Writers’ Festival Abigail Ulman on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices