This Creative Life with Sara Zarr

What's going on with This Creative Life? What am I doing? How old am I? Is there going to be a new podcast in this feed? All these questions and more answered in under 6 minutes! www.sarazarr.com services & rate sheet The Inbox Variations Get Kyra, Just for Today instagram

I know you've been waiting a long time on a wish and a promise for this final episode in the Pivots, Comebacks, and Reinventions series. I appreciate your patience while I went and figured out myself and my own potential pivots and reinventions! The wait is over and I present to you my conversation with Ashley C. Ford, bestselling author of Somebody's Daughterand lots more. I'm so grateful to Ashley for her time and generosity in this conversation. I know you're going to love it as much as I did. Ashley's web site Somebody's Daughter The Reformatory by Tananarive Due Pre-order Kyra, Just for Today Get the This Creative Life book Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music. www.sarazarr.com

Fall updates! New interview episode coming in November. Opting In, Opting Out Pre-Order Kyra, Just for Today The Inbox Variation newsletter (This Creative Life newsletter will be ending) Manucript consultation  

News about my next book, and an opportunity for space that I am taking! Get the show notes / newsletter This Creative Life ebook on sale for $2.99 through June! @ amazon @ everywhere else www.sarazarr.com  

This is the audio version of the most recent newsletter PLUS some thoughts about what's next for the pod. Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book Get The Inbox Variations www.sarazarr.com  

In late 2016, Melissa Walker was working on her 10th novel when she went to a holiday party and heard then Senator Daniel Squadron talk about the importance of state-level politics—even for the national landscape. She was inspired to take action. That action eventually grew into a pivot from full-time writing to full-time work with The States Project. This conversation is everything I wanted from the Pivots, Comebacks and Reinventions series. It's a great example of how passion and purpose can realign for a season or a reason, while the writing is still always there. It got surprisingly emotional for both of us; I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. (This conversation is explicitly political in places, which may or may not be your jam!) Selected Links: The States Project - get involved Melissa's books Get the show notes / newsletter Get the book Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music. www.sarazarr.com

The audio version of this week's newsletter on living with the uncertainty of writing. Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book! www.sarazarr.com

From the supply chain issues that started the year, to the conversation about AI that's ending it, I talk through the year in publishing with Michael Bourret of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. Also, we answer listener questions! This will be the last episode for the year, and the last one before a break during which I'll go off to Boston to teach and maybe even revise my novel. I'll be back (most likely in February) to pick up the Pivots, Comebacks, and Reinventions series.  Get the show notes / newsletter Get the book (holiday pricing good through 12/21) Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music Happy Holidays! www.sarazarr.com

What do you do when you've established a writing career and then it's not giving you what you came for? What does it look like to be a person who writes but whose entire identity isn't wrapped up in Being a Writer? Is there life on the other side, if you can just let go? Bennett Madison joins me for the first time since 2013 to talk about the work of deprofessionalizing his writing life to pivot to joy in creative work--and a steady paycheck doing something else. Get the show notes / newsletter Get the book Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music! www.sarazarr.com

One from the 2013 archives to get you ready for next week's episode, when Bennett Madison comes back for the Pivots, Comebacks, and Reinventions series. 

New full episode next week! Until then, here's the audio version of this week's newsletter, with a question for YOU about your dream writing podcast. Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book www.sarazarr.com

Letting go of the idealized version of your writing experience. Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book Take the Google survey on 2023 classes. Happy Thanksgiving! www.sarazarr.com  

The audio version of this week's newsletter on resting before making the next creative decision. Find the text version here!  

In the third episode in the Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions series, my longtime friend and one-time (?) collaborator Tara Altebrando talks to me about her multiple pivots over a couple of decades as a working writer, and the driving forces behind those choices. Currently, she's working in scripted audio as the creator and writer of the Dream Breachers podcast at Pinna Audio and the President of Listen Like Thieves Productions. Get the show notes / newsletter Dream Breachers Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music! www.sarazarr.com

In the second episode in the Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions series, Malinda Lo and I talk about her huge year with Last Night at the Telegraph Club and what it has meant for her writing and life. But is it really a “comeback” if she never went away in the first place? Also we talk about her brand new book, A Scatter of Light. Get the show notes / newsletter Get A Scatter of Light Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music! www.sarazarr.com

When author Faith Gardner grew frustrated with the slowly grinding gears of traditional publishing and wanted to spread her wings a bit, she took matters into her own hands. This is the first episode of this fall's Comebacks, Pivots, and Reinventions series! Get the show notes / newsletter Get the This Creative Life book Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music!

What's coming this fall from This Creative Life! Show links: the newsletter the audiobook www.sarazarr.com

When it feels like the world is burning down, is writing something you want to save from the fire? Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music www.sarazarr.com

Get the newsletter version of this post Get the book Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music. www.sarazarr.com

Get the newsletter version of this post. Get the book. Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music.

I'm so happy to be back with one my favorite contemporary novelists, Michelle Huneven. I love the compassion, humor, and reality in how she renders life and relationships. She's got a brand new book out, Search, which we talk about along with her other books, her background, and process—including the 20-year circuitous journey to the publication of her first novel, Round Rock. I hope you enjoy the episode and, if you're not already a fan, go explore her catalog. Get the show notes / newsletter Theme music by Dave Connis Support the pod via PayPal or ko-fi Get the This Creative Life book

It's launch day for the This Creative Life ebook, with the paperback close behind! I was recently on Jenn Laughran's Literaticast digging into the content and ideas in the book, and she graciously let me crosspost the ep into the TCL feed.  The Literaticast on Apple Podcasts Get the show notes / newsletter Get 30% off the book with this link and this code: QWBODLO8MX Or find it just about everywhere that sells ebooks! B&N, Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, Apple. All the links at www.sarazarr.com

Jo Knowles is one of my favorite book people, and she has a new one out this week. That inspired me to pull her 2013 episode up from the archives, where it's been under lock and key for awhile. Jo writes for and about almost all ages on the young reader spectrum, from picture book (Ear Worm) to YA (Read Between the Lines) to Middle Grade (See You at Harry's). Her latest, Meant to Be, sounds like it has a lot in common with A Song Called Home. Which doesn't surprise me a bit—Jo and I have always been interested in similar themes and settings in our work. Check out her work if you don't know it, and enjoy this trip back in time! Selected Show Notes Jo Knowles online Jo and other guests at the TCL Bookshop shop NEW! thiscreative.life Theme music by Dave Connis

A lot has happened since the last episode! Namely: A Song Called Home and The Temps are both out in the world and no longer under our control, if they ever were. We're already no longer in our pub-day month; new books come out, people move on. Our role as authors is pretty much done. So, what's next? As you'll discover in this episode, neither Andrew nor Sara are sure. Whether it's Andrew trying to decide what project to focus on now, or me pondering a complete exit from the whole endeavor, we're both tired and looking for some clarity in the breath-after-pub. We also talk about: checking sales numbers, Sally Rooney's bucket hat, and how we'd describe “the arc of a launch.” And there's still one more book left to launch in this series! The This Creative Life book is off to the copyeditor and soon to meets its publishing fate. A Song Called Home The Temps Coming-of-age as apocalypse - Andrew's piece at LitHub Julia Fox at the Oscars This Creative Life - the book! Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

As Andrew and I wait through the last few weeks before our books come out, we digress ever so slightly into an incomplete history of self-publishing, from its reputation as “vanity publishing” to where it converged with the advent of ebooks and e-readers to arrive at its present day status as a messy juggernaut. Also: why every writer should consider learning how to self-publish in the 21st century. Sara's book now comes out on 3/15; Andrew's is still scheduled for 3/29. Neither are at the bottom of the ocean! 0-13:30: Updates on our books 13:35-1:07:00: The incomplete history of self-publishing (including diversions to e-readers, the aspiring writer industrial complex, and remembering “New Adult” in its innocent infancy) 1:07:00 - end: Closing thoughts and coming attractions Support This Creative Life Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Laurel Snyder is the author of numerous books for young readers, including Orphan Island, My Jasper June, and the Charlie & Mouse books.  In this episode, we talk about staying fluent in the language of childhood, the “ghost of brokenness” when writing from a sad place, how Laurel works with the all-or-nothing cycles of her writing process, being an extrovert in an introvert's career, and the difficulties of writing about faith and religion. Around minutes 53-58, this turns into a Real Housewives podcast. We're not sorry! Theme music by Dave Connis. This podcast is ad-free. Find out how to support it here. Thank you! More show notes / subscribe to get the podcast in your email

The Launch Box is back! Andrew and I talk about letting go, publicity (including his experience with a freelance publicist), and have a breakthrough about what might be behind the Book Blues for a lot of writers. Also, we catch up on The Temps movie option and where we stand on unboxing videos. Ephemera: Ringo Starr, Scrivener syncing, and the ghost of Dorothea Brande. Andrew DeYoung Sara Zarr Ask a question / get extended show notes Support the pod Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

I'm so excited to kick off 2022 with my conversation with Preeti Chhibber, a multitalented lady with just the energy we need to help take us into a new year. Preeti is an author, podcaster, speaker, and all-around badass who has published multiple IP projects as well as her original work. In this episode, we talk about how she got started in IP and what it takes to succeed in that world, managing a many-tentacled freelance career, and the risks and rewards of stating what you want to the world. Theme music by Dave Connis. This podcast is ad-free. Find out how to support it here. Thank you!

In this episode of The Launch Box, Andrew and I discuss the mysteries of professional gift-giving, how to balance big-picture career thinking with getting the writing done, the possibilities of being a weekend novelist, and EVENTS. Also, Sara gets a review and Andrew answers the TCL two questions. Plus so much more. Andrew DeYoung Sara Zarr Ask a question / get extended show notes Support the pod Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Sara helps cast her audiobook, Andrew gets a movie option, Sara learns more about Ingram Spark for self-publishing, and we both write letters to booksellers hoping to endear them to us. Also, everyone is burned out, including Andrew's cat. Andrew DeYoung Sara Zarr Ask a question / get extended show notes Support the pod Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Why does everything about having a book published embarrass us? What is man's proper relationship to the 'Zon? And what happened with that Realms of Ruin thing? We try to break it all down. Also: Andrew gets his first trade review and Sara reports some pre-order numbers. Links: Andrew DeYoung Sara Zarr Ask a question Support the pod Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Writer, podcaster, radio host, and VJ emeritus Dave Holmes joins me to talk about his long and winding road to writing his wonderful 2016 memoir, Party of One, his writing at Esquire, and how it all connects to his current podcast project, Waiting for Impact. We talk ADHD, burnout, the longing to be understood, and the obsessions that drive us. And a whole lot more.  Waiting for Impact Party of One: A Memoir in 21 Songs Dave at Esquire Homophilia Theme music by Dave Connis. This podcast is ad-free and free-free. Find out how to support it here. Thank you!

Introducing a This Creative Life special season: The Launch Box, in which Andrew DeYoung and I take you through the six-month period leading up to publication of our new books as we each publish for the first time in new categories. This series will cover a Big Five middle grade launch, a midsize-publisher adult literary launch, and a self-published nonfiction launch.  We'll talk covers, ARCs, blurbs, reviews, events, social media, sales, and, of course, shame, envy, and ego. We'd also love your questions! In this episode, we introduce themselves and our work, from Andrew's slushpile sale to my pivot from YA, and why authors care so much about pre-orders. Links: Andrew DeYoung Sara Zarr Ask a question Support the pod Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Author Mike Jung joins me for the first of a new batch of fall episodes. We talk about the events of his early life that put him on the path to being a writer, his publishing stories and writing process, a later-life autism diagnosis, and BTS. Thanks so much for being back with us for a new season! Mike Jung Support This Creative Life Get the emails Our Bookshop Shop

In March 2020, I spoke with Daniel Bowman, Jr., about writing, teaching, and being #ActuallyAutistic. This week, his new book On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gifts of Neurodiversity is out. The book: "... rings with poetry, compassion, and wisdom, and it reveals so much about autistic experience." (Katherine May)  "...lights the path toward greater understanding, better advocacy, and a compelling vision for inclusion that moves beyond stereotypes and tokenism." (Nish Weiseth) "...shows us now to respect one's personhood, to listen, to default to humility and kindness." (Nick Ripatrazone) Buy the book Support the podcast here, or via this easy, direct PayPal link

In March, 2020, I spoke with author Brandy Colbert about her work and writing process. Her nonfiction book, Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, is now available for pre-order. Brandy Colbert Support the Podcast  

Sarah Enni is the host and producer of First Draft and an author in her own right. This was a great conversation to wrap the TCL-Pandemic season, as Sarah and I got into therapy talk, making big life changes, the upsides of being "optimistically nihilistic" about publishing, the pros and cons of life hacking, and of course Burning Man. Thanks so much for being with me on this reboot ride, and for your support along the way.  Selected Show Notes: Sarah Enni First Draft Podcast Support This Creative Life Documentary Now!  Life Itself  

An updated statement on the Substack situation and related podcast businesses, plus The Annotated Courageous Creativity, Ep 8: Failure, in thanks for listening.

Tracey Baptiste is the author of numerous books for young readers, including the beloved Jumbies series and the New York Times Bestselling Minecraft: the Crash. This episode is not only brimming with the delicious process stuff we love here at TCL, it also gave me several potentially life-changing revelations when Tracey shared with me about recreating a sense of freedom in the writing process, and how a mental health crisis helped her learn “how not to grind.” There’s something for everyone in this ep; I hope you enjoy! Selected show notes: Tracey’s site Creativity Under Pressure and more of Tracey’s videos Rocketbook The This Creative Life Bookshop shop Support the podcast by shopping in the Bookshop shop or making a one-time PayPal donation.

During 2020, in search of things to do from home, I started attending some of the virtual movie talks that writer and critic Walter Chaw gives with guests via the Denver Public Library. They’ve been a true highlight of All This, as Walter’s knowledge is wide and deep and generous. Like all good film critics, he’s also an insightful critic of culture in general, and how it deals in humanity and inhumanity. Recently, Walter and I got to talk about his experiences growing up as a first-gen Chinese American kid in Golden, CO, and assimilating via consumption of popular media of the 70s and 80s, for better or worse. We got way into how art can be a catalyst of self-examination, the deep psychology of fandom, and the point of discourse. (Hint: it’s not “being right”.) I realized at the end of the conversation that we didn’t even get around to talking about Walter’s screenwriting projects so you’ll just have to keep an eye out for those! Listener note: in the second half of the podcast we talk a bit in an undetailed way about suicidality and depression. Selected show notes: ‘Parasite’ Won, but Asian-Americans Are Still Losing - Walter’s piece in the NYT after the 2020 Oscars Miracle Mile - his monograph on the Steven De Jarnatt film Film Freak Central Denver Public Library Saturday Matinee YouTube archives. This link takes you to the conversation with Guillermo del Toro about Spirit of the Beehive - check out the playlist for more, and they are always adding. Register here for upcoming talks. The This Creative Life Bookshop shop Support the podcast by shopping in the Bookshop shop or making a one-time PayPal donation!

Lindsay Eagar is an author and writing coach with a recent ADHD diagnosis. She’s been very open about it online and generous with my personal questions, and I wanted to bring her on for a more topic-focused episode. In this case: our brains! Lindsay shares her background, symptoms, diagnosis process, and management strategies in ways that I found so interesting and helpful, and I think you will, too. We also talked about her “fast drafting” 80/20 course and philosophy, dirty books we loved as kids, and the delusions of grandeur we should all strive for. Selected show notes: Lindsay’s books and classes The I Have ADHD podcast with Kristen Carder The dubious works of Beatrice Sparks The This Creative Life Bookshop shop Support the podcast by shopping in the Bookshop shop or making a one-time PayPal donation!

Dave Connis is not only the legendary composer of the theme music for this very podcast, but also an author in his own right, with two YA novels out and a picture book on the way. The emotional theme music of this episode is honesty. Dave and I get into matters of art and faith, how a sudden loss changed his writing life and drive, and how not to be a Slughorn in a business where various relational challenges can be baked in. We also, of course, talk about the practical matters of writing, such as: writing with a full-time job and several (at least) children, prioritizing when you’re a person with a lot of ideas, and the freedom in knowing your limitations. And we wouldn’t be two Christians (or in my case, Christian-ish) if we didn’t mention the enneagram. Selected show notes: Dave online, books and music and newsletter Atlas Obscura Makoto Fujimura Ye Olde Bookshop shoppe This podcast is hosted, produced, and edited—for better or worse—by me, Sara Zarr

I’m putting this episode of the Annotated Courageous Creativity into the main feed so that all listeners can check in on what we’re up to there, and to make a brief and inconclusive statement about Substack. 0.00 - 6.15: Intro & Substack6:16 - 18.40: Failure18:41 - end: Annotations This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at thiscreativelife.substack.com/subscribe

Tracey Baptiste is the author of numerous books for young readers, including the beloved Jumbies series and the New York Times Bestselling Minecraft: the Crash. This episode is not only brimming with the delicious process stuff we love here at TCL, it also gave me several potentially life-changing revelations when Tracey shared with me about recreating a sense of freedom in the writing process, and how a mental health crisis helped her learn “how not to grind.” There’s something for everyone in this ep; I hope you enjoy!Selected show notes:Tracey’s siteCreativity Under Pressure and more of Tracey’s videosRocketbookThe This Creative Life Bookshop shopSupport the podcast by shopping in the Bookshop shop or making a one-time PayPal donation. Note: There is some stuff going on with Substack that has made me reluctant to continue soliciting paid subscriptions via their site. I am working on best solutions for how to go forward. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at thiscreativelife.substack.com/subscribe

Listen now | During 2020, in search of things to do from home, I started attending some of the virtual movie talks that writer and critic Walter Chaw gives with guests via the Denver Public Library. They’ve been a true highlight of All This, as Walter’s knowledge is wide and deep and generous. Like all good film critics, he’s also an insightful critic of culture in general, and how it deals in humanity and inhumanity. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at thiscreativelife.substack.com/subscribe

Listen now (75 min) | Lindsay Eagar is an author and writing coach with a recent ADHD diagnosis. She’s been very open about it online and generous with my personal questions, and I wanted to bring her on for a more topic-focused episode. In this case: our brains! Lindsay shares her background, symptoms, diagnosis process, and management strategies in ways that I found so interesting and helpful, and I think you will, too. We also talked about her “fast drafting” 80/20 course and philosophy, dirty books we loved as kids, and the delusions of grandeur we should all strive for. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at thiscreativelife.substack.com/subscribe

Dave Connis is not only the legendary composer of the theme music for this very podcast, but also an author in his own right, with two YA novels out and a picture book on the way.The emotional theme music of this episode is honesty. Dave and I get into matters of art and faith, how a sudden loss changed his writing life and drive, and how not to be a Slughorn in a business where various relational challenges can be baked in. We also, of course, talk about the practical matters of writing, such as: writing with a full-time job and several (at least) children, prioritizing when you’re a person with a lot of ideas, and the freedom in knowing your limitations. And we wouldn’t be two Christians (or in my case, Christian-ish) if we didn’t mention the enneagram.Selected show notes:Dave online, books and music and newsletterAtlas ObscuraMakoto FujimuraYe Olde Bookshop shoppeThis podcast is hosted, produced, and edited—for better or worse—by me, Sara Zarr This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at thiscreativelife.substack.com/subscribe

Amy Gentry is the author of three psychological thrillers for adults, one 33 1/3 on Tori Amos, and a bunch of shorter stuff. Her latest book is Bad Habits, which is here to scratch all your dark academia itches and also make you laugh and cringe.After chatting a bit about her book and her own background in academia, we dug into process and publication (and her #pitmad success story), the dead end of trying to be “a good little author,” money and class and missing hotels. Amy also got me thinking differently about my standard weaknesses/obstacles question—nay, the very idea of weaknesses. And, I think she got me back onto Goodreads.I loved Amy’s energy and the energy of this conversation, and I hope you do, too.Amy onlineSmall Axe // Lovers RockJoe Pera Talks with YouMorning [expletive] Pages Produced & edited by me, Sara ZarrTheme music by Dave ConnisYe olde Bookshop shoppe This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at thiscreativelife.substack.com/subscribe

Amy Gentry is the author of three psychological thrillers for adults, one 33 1/3 on Tori Amos, and a bunch of shorter stuff. Her latest book is Bad Habits, which is here to scratch all your dark academia itches and also make you laugh and cringe. After chatting a bit about her book and her own background in academia, we dug into process and publication (and her #pitmad success story), the dead end of trying to be “a good little author,” money and class and missing hotels. Amy also got me thinking differently about my standard weaknesses/obstacles question—nay, the very idea of weaknesses. And, I think she got me back onto Goodreads. I loved Amy’s energy and this conversation, and I hope you do, too. Amy online Small Axe // Lovers Rock Joe Pera Talks with You Morning [expletive] Pages Produced & edited by me, Sara Zarr Theme music by Dave Connis Ye olde Bookshop shoppe

Listen now | For the first episode of 2021, author Maurene Goo and I jumped on the phone just hours after the inauguration, having kept our scheduled conversation in hope and faith but also ready to cancel. For many reasons, I’m so glad we didn’t have to. Phew! After processing world events for a bit, we dig into Maurene’s backstory, writing process, the upsides of being married to another creative professional, and life as a new mom, and This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at thiscreativelife.substack.com/subscribe

For the first episode of 2021, author Maurene Goo and I jumped on the phone just hours after the inauguration, having kept our scheduled conversation in hope and faith but also ready to cancel. For many reasons, I’m so glad we didn’t have to. Phew! After processing world events for a bit, we dig into Maurene’s backstory, writing process, the upsides of being married to another creative professional, and life as a new mom, and then I had a revelation about anxiety, thanks to Maurene’s therapist! Maybe you’ll find it helpful, too. (Please accept my apologies for some sound quality issues that were a direct result of a rookie mistake I made in the recording process. I was able to fix much of it in post, but pardon any remaining heavy breathing.) Produced & edited by me, Sara Zarr Theme music by Dave Connis Ye olde Bookshop shoppe Hi visitors, get a free or paid Substack subscription to hear about new episodes or set your podcast app to alert you! Paid subscriptions are 25% off through January 31st and come with the Courageous Creativity audio with my commentary, plus other themed mini-seasons to be announced. PayPal tip jar, if you like!