Welcome to No Write Way, where I chat with fellow successful authors about their origin stories, creative processes, work-life balance, and how they bring the stories you love to life. We’ll explore the many paths from that first spark of an idea to the final page of a book, because there’s no one right way to write—just the way that works for you. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or simply a lover of stories, join us as we explore the craft (and magic) of storytelling together.
SEASON THREE
Summoning V. E. Schwab: A cup of black tea, a freshly rolled joint, a pair of running shoes, and a jigsaw puzzle.
Plot twist—I’m the guest this week.
And there’s no one I’d rather hand the reins to than my BFF (and producer of this podcast), Jenna. We get into the details of my writing process—from early research to finding the right title—and talk about the kinds of fantasy I’m drawn to, and why. We explore how setting functions as a character in my stories, the balance between realism and the fantastical, and the logic behind how my worlds work.
Also, yes, we talk about mermaids. Because the ocean is still mostly unexplored, and hope is a powerful thing.
Summoning Laura Steven: A flat white, a perfect pastry, and a chess match she’s not favored to win.
This week, we summon Laura Steven, author of The Exact Opposite of Okay and Our Infinite Fates, for a thoughtful and refreshingly frank conversation. She walks us through the slow-burn nature of her creative process, opens up about the very real highs and lows of life in publishing, and reminds us that believing in yourself can be its own kind of survival skill. It’s a deep dive into persistence, perspective, and the long game of storytelling.
Summoning Christina Lauren: A Goldendoodle puppy, Dior lipstick, and tickets to Disney.
This week marks a first—we’re summoning two authors at once! The powerhouse writing duo Christina Lauren (yes, they of the swoony romance bestsellers) joins me for a conversation that’s equal parts craft deep dive and master class in creative friendship. We talk about their ever-evolving writing process, the magic of knowing you don’t have to be good at the same things to make something great, and the puzzle-piece partnership that fuels their stories. They share lessons learned—like how you can’t polish what isn’t fully formed, and how a good book becomes great in the edit. Also: the unexpected tranquility of Pilates.
Summoning Tia Williams: An Anne Rice novel, something purple (for Prince), and a very particular donut.
SWOON ALERT! This week, we summon Tia Williams, bestselling author of Seven Days in June and A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. We dive into her writing process and why every new book begins in her Notes app (because once that laptop’s open, it’s real), the tricky art of writing middles (think chicken that looks done until you cut in and find it’s still pink), and how she finished her first novel before she even hit double digits.
Summoning Brandon Sanderson: Salt, a glass of ice cold water, and tokens of broken stories ready to be fixed.
Sharpen your pencils (and maybe your swords)—this week, we summon Brandon Sanderson, bestselling author of Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, and the expansive Cosmere universe. He shares how he kept writing draft after draft (maybe even a dozen or more) before selling his first novel, the secret stash of stories he hid behind a painting as a kid, and why staying sharp in revision is one of the most important skills a writer can develop. We dive into worldbuilding, resilience, and the stubborn magic of believing your stories matter—even when no one’s reading them yet.
Summoning Jenny Lawson: ADHD meds, cheesecake, and a squirrel in a Holly Hobbie outfit.
Ever wonder what taxidermy, a giant metal chicken, and a collection of haunted dolls have in common? This week, we summon Jenny Lawson—aka The Bloggess, bestselling author of Let's Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy—to talk about her one-of-a-kind creative journey. We dive into the cozy chaos of her writing process (including a surprisingly mathematical notecard system), the difference between writing personal stories and fiction, and what it means to create from joy (because, as Jenny reminds us, time spent in joy is never time wasted).
Summoning Veronica Roth: A bag of Baked Lays and a Negroni.
What comes after the end of the world? This week, I sit down with Veronica Roth, the bestselling author of Divergent and Poster Girl, for a conversation full of laughter, layered craft talk, and a few surprises. We dig into her love of outlining (yes, multiple outlines!), how she lets story lead the way—without starting from plot or character—and why she believes bold choices make for better writing than careful ones.
Oh—and she spills just enough about a wild (and very exciting) deal she made with her publisher about some future works. Curious yet?
Summoning Lauren Roberts: A thrifted grandpa sweater, a packet of 99 cent ramen, and her cat named Mango.
Stop scrolling for a sec because this week we summon Lauren Roberts, the bestselling author of Powerless. We talk about her journey from writing childhood stories—starting with an owl wielding a baseball bat—to becoming a bestselling author, do a deep dive into how she crafts characters that shape the worlds around them, and explore how both terrifying and beautiful it is to grow as a writer while readers watch in real time.
Summoning Jesse Q. Sutanto: Long noodles and a very pretentious coffee drink.
Get ready for a plot twist—this week, we summon Jesse Q. Sutanto! The bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties and Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers shares how she traded marathon writing sessions for focused 15-minute sprints—and still gets just as much done. She unveils the surprisingly luxurious way she tackles the dreaded saggy middle of a book (hint: it involves a special WhatsApp butler) and commiserates with me about the mean little voices that live in our heads. (Don't worry, we’re both in therapy, and we talk about that too.)
Summoning John Scalzi: Coke Zero, a questionable burrito, and a guitar.
Ever wondered what it takes to wrangle a team of spy cats? This week, we summon John Scalzi, the bestselling author of Starter Villain and Old Man’s War. We chat about chipping away at the boundaries of what’s possible in the genre, how his brain holds so much information that he doesn’t even need to outline, and how he decided which genre to write in by flipping a freakin’ coin.
Summoning John Green: A can of ice-cold Diet Dr Pepper and a chocolate chip Clif Bar.
DFTBA, buttercups, because this week, we summon John Green! The beloved author of The Fault in Our Stars and Turtles All the Way Down joins me to talk about the writing process—starting with the shocking amount of his first drafts that never see the light of day. We also dive into how storytelling helps him search for “good news,” why dread might just be another form of wonder, and his belief that death is “the weirdest thing we do as people.”
Summoning Chuck Tingle: A pink sack, a bottle of chocolate milk, and a fossil.
Buckle your seatbelts, buckaroos. This week, we summon Chuck Tingle, the delightful author behind Bury Your Gays and Camp Damascus. We chat about the differences between crafting his signature short-form erotica and tackling full-length novels, his love of message-driven storytelling, and how wearing a pink sack on his head has given him both creative freedom and personal comfort—all while staying true to his punk approach to writing.
Summoning Olivie Blake: An off-kilter meme, a VHS of Steel Magnolias, and some old fashioned peppermint stick ice cream
Welcome to Season 3! Ever wonder what you’d use to summon Olivie Blake? This week, I chat with the bestselling author of The Atlas Six and Alone With You in the Ether. We commiserate over the maddening reality that writing somehow feels impossible every single time we start a new book, no matter how many we've written. She pulls back the curtain on how her stories take shape, and we dive into the chaos and creativity of juggling multiple projects at once.
SEASON TWO
No risk-it, no biscuit: An interview with Alex Edelman
It’s the end of Season 2, so here is a bonus episode! This week, I chat with Alex Edelman, the comedian and writer behind the Tony and Emmy-winning show Just for Us. Alex gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how he crafts long-form shows, shares the tricky balance of blending humor with grief, and talks about the challenges and joys of being the subject of his own work.
Never planned to be scary: An interview with R. L. Stine
This week, I chat with the legendary R.L. Stine, the mastermind behind over 300 books, including the iconic Goosebumps series. Known for his spine-tingling plot twists, R.L. shares a surprising twist of his own—none of what’s happened in his extraordinary career was ever really his idea. From spooky tales to unexpected turns in his journey, we explore the quirky moments that shaped the author who continues to delight and thrill new generations of readers.
Personal time machine: An interview with Cassandra Clare
This week, I chat with Cassandra Clare, author of the beloved Shadowhunter Chronicles series and Sword Catcher. Cassandra dives into the intricate world-building that defines her fantasy novels, shares her thoughts on crafting compelling character relationships, and talks about the surprising places she finds seeds of inspiration.
The irritating interruptions of real life: An interview with Sabaa Tahir
This week, I chat with Sabaa Tahir, author of All My Rage and her latest, Heir. Sabaa discusses the big, thought-provoking questions she explores through her stories, weaving powerful themes of identity and connection. She also shares how she discovers the best version of a story and delights us with a peek at her unexpected talent.
Think of it like a mixtape: An interview with Isaac Fitzgerald
This week, I chat with Isaac Fitzgerald, the author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts and Pen & Ink, known for his compelling non-fiction and memoir writing. As we chat about the fascinating differences and similarities between writing fiction and non-fiction, Isaac shares his heartfelt insights on the art of personal storytelling, and even gives a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect mixtape—because storytelling isn’t just for the page.
Start with a thumbnail sketch: An interview with Margaret Owen
This week, I chat with Margaret Owen, the author of The Merciful Crow and (a personal favorite) Little Thieves. As we bond over our feline companions, Margaret shares her approach to crafting vivid, character-driven stories, delves into the nitty-gritty of her zero-draft process, and reveals the one word she can never seem to spell correctly.
Stop trying to make other people happy: An interview with Rebecca Roanhorse
This week, I chat with Rebecca Roanhorse, the author of Black Sun and her latest, Mirrored Heavens. Rebecca shares her unique approach to weaving Indigenous mythology into modern fantasy, discusses the differences between writing personal projects, working within established franchises, and writing for TV, and reflects on the important realization that her memory isn’t terrible—it’s just not great at paying attention to “reality”.
It has to sound like people talking: An interview with T. J. Klune
This week, I chat with T. J. Klune, the beloved author of The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door. T.J. reflects on his journey through both self-publishing and traditional publishing, shares his heartwarming approach to blending fantasy with deep emotional resonance, and talks about the simple joy he's found in realizing he can eat ice cream whenever he wants.
Edit to death: An interview with Saara El-Arifi
This week, I chat with Saara El-Arifi, the author of The Final Strife and Faebound. Saara shares her whimsical approach to 'finding her way' through her intricate stories, discusses the importance of diverse voices in fantasy, and reveals the delightfully unexpected place where she does most of her writing.
Collecting potions: An interview with Travis Baldree
This week, I chat with Travis Baldree, the author of the cozy fantasy darlings Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust. Travis shares his journey from audiobook narrator to novelist, offers practical advice for writers looking to carve their own path, and shares with us his most “useless” skill.
Start the story engine: An interview with Martha Wells
This week, I chat with Martha Wells, the celebrated author of many favorites, including The Murderbot Diaries and her newest book, Witch King. We discuss the evolution of her beloved characters, get a glimpse into the world-building techniques that make her stories so immersive, and learn about her surprising relationship with the arcade classic skee ball.
Be better than the robots: An interview with Julia Whelan
This week, I chat with the multi-talented Julia Whelan, author of My Oxford Year and Thank You for Listening, as well as a prolific audiobook narrator, actor, and the creator of Audiobrary- a platform dedicated to human storytelling. Join us as we delve into her writing and narration process, insights from both her literary and acting experiences, and the intriguing concept of "intimacy kink.
Perfect does not exist: An interview with Sarah Rees Brennan
This week, I’m chatting with the ever enchanting Sarah Rees Brennan, the mind behind The Demon’s Lexicon, In Other Lands, and her latest, Long Live Evil. We explore her journey from her initial path to starting over, delve into the nuances of personal projects versus writing for hire, and discuss the most important topic- deliberate narrative tits.
I want chaos, I want angst: An interview with Alix Harrow
This week, I chat with a writer who shares my love for making the world a little bit stranger—Alix Harrow, the brilliant author of The Once and Future Witches, Starling House, and more. Join us as we explore her unique writing rituals, the origins of her ideas, and the interesting “treasures” she discovered in an old teapot.
Use all of your senses: An interview with S. A. Cosby
This week, I chat with the incomparable S. A. Cosby, author of the acclaimed “southern noir” crime novels Blacktop Wasteland, All The Sinners Bleed, and more. We delve into character development, the importance of knowing backstory, and learn about his unique favorite smell.
Writing is like a road trip: An interview with Fonda Lee
Welcome to the first episode of No Write Way, season 2, where I delve into how "Writing is like a Road Trip" with Fonda Lee, author of the bestselling Green Bone saga. We also talk through her creative process, unique hurdles, and the surprisingly strange item hanging in her bedroom.
SEASON ONE
Lie in bed and think: An interview with Sarah Gailey
Hydrate!, growing up around books, editing, negative feedback, short stories, getting an agent, using spreadsheets to track novel writing, idea cook time, {technical difficulties in the episode mean a mini-q&a with V!}, setting as character, juggling projects, work-life balance, daily schedule, and more! Listen in.
This originally streamed 8/15/2020 on Instagram live.
Creativity is the reward: An interview with Charlie Jane
From learning disability to award winning author, living and working in Hong Kong, io9 and other work, novel vs. short story, revisiting old ideas, second guessing, explorative writing, dialogue, scriptwriting, description and scene setting, getting emotion on the page, daily routine, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 8/22/2020 on Instagram live.
Evolution of process: An interview with Natalie C. Parker
Rethinking social media, using mythology for personal catharsis, visiting a psychic, becoming a published author, finishing a trilogy, talking the story out, 9 box setup, outlining, growing as a writer, rewriting, breaking down goals, empowering upcoming writers, new vampires, and more! Listen in.
This originally streamed 8/8/2020 on Instagram live.
Laying down the bones: An interview with Samantha Shannon
Book lengths, second book syndrome, starting with fanfiction, getting feedback, the pressure and psychology of being published young, working on multiple projects, structural edits, starting with a synopsis and a chapter plan, character arc, using music to build character and setting, drafting troubles, tracking character experience, attempting to finding balance, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 8/1/2020 on Instagram live.
I want it all: An interview with Victoria Ying
Getting into comics through Sailor Moon, building art and story skills, choosing which details to track and develop, illustration vs. comics, day to day process of creating a graphic novel, pushing through doubt to finish, challenges of comics, reference and inspiration, illustrating Wonder Woman, consistency and artistic "glow-ups", dream projects and stories, cheat codes, and more! Listen in.
This originally streamed 7/25/2020 on Instagram live.
The ghosts of characters past: An interview with RF Kuang
Life in lockdown, from fan fiction to publication, inspired by Scrivener, writing out of order, on connecting with her Chinese heritage, second book syndrome, the story begins with an argument, complicated history leads to naturally complicated characters, changing personal perspectives and how that effects writing, moving on from a series, keeping promises, not forcing a scene, getting inspired and recharged, and more! This originally streamed 7/18/2020 on Instagram live.
No false modesty: An interview with Michael Ian Black
How Michael's dreams of acting first left writing on the back burner and then led to other creative ventures, the role of desperation and fear, hands in all the "cookie pies", learning to open up, writing children's books, the creative process, discipline and cultivation, trusting the process, first drafts and revisions, being a public figure in the social media age, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 7/11/2020 on Instagram live.
It's all about momentum: An interview with Kiersten White
First grade dreams, fear of starting, the first novel, letting ideas simmer, drafting and revision, shiny idea syndrome, discipline, process, writing linearly, best night time note taking practices, self-care, the importance of diverse stories of discovery and exploration, writing trilogies and satisfying conclusions, telling stories with integrity, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 7/5/2020 on Instagram live.
It's bad until it's good: An interview with Holly Black
Lock down hair, connecting with international fans, figuring things out on the page, arts funding makes a difference, getting to Spiderwick, Holly's first book, otter vs dolphin writers, follow your own excitement, supernatural worlds, fantasy vs horror, plot struggles, from idea to story, characters, short stories, This originally streamed 6/13/2020 on Instagram live.
Fiercely stubborn: An interview with Dhonielle Clayton
Working from home with family, accountability, from dreams of being a doctor to librarian to author, ambition, the journey to published, Cake Literary, choosing projects, Tiny Pretty Things (the Netflix show!), visualizing the narrative, refilling the well, using discomfort to unlock story, the illusion of meritocracy, #publishingpaidme, the market, why publish traditionally?, and more! Listen in.
This originally streamed 6/20/2020 on Instagram live.
Support Black Authors #TBR
20 Books by Black Authors You Should Read:
A GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE by Lisa Moore Ramée TRISTAN STRONG by Kwame Mbalia AMERICAN STREET by Ibi Zoboi THE BELLES by Dhonielle Clayton A PHOENIX FIRST MUST BURN anthology edited by Patrice Caldwell THE GOOD LUCK GIRLS by Charlotte Nicole Davis RIOT BABY by Tochi Onyebuchi THE CHANGELING by Victor LaValle THE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINGDOMS by N.K. Jemison UNKINDNESS OF GHOSTS by Rivers Solomon THE RECORD KEEPER by Agnes Gomillion REAL LIFE by Brandon Taylor THE WEDDING DATE by Jasmine Guillory WE ARE NEVER MEETING IN REAL LIFE by Samantha Irby WHEN THEY CALL YOU A TERRORIST by Patrisse Khan-Cullors HERE FOR IT by R. Eric Thomas YOU CANT TOUCH MY HAIR by Phoebe Robinson GROWN by Tiffany D Jackson RING SHOUT by P. Djèlí Clark TROUBLE THE SAINTS by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Structural ambitions: An interview with Tochi Onyebuchi
How anime impacts Tochi's creativity, the hope behind protest movements, from aspiring comic book artist to author, starting with fanfic, influence of video games, remembering the analog days, hidden influences, beautiful prose, writer crushes, story architecture, rejection, and more! Listen in.
This originally streamed 5/30/2020 on Instagram live.
Carving positive queer space: An interview with Tessa Gratton
Allowing time to freak out in order maintain creativity, flexing creative muscles to build craft, series cancellation, fetishizing the debut moment, getting to The End, short stories vs novels, revising, plot, hierarchy of needs in story, playing with format and structure, choosing genre, idea file, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 5/23/2020 on Instagram live.
Art is personal: An interview with Rachel Hawkins
Working without pre-pandemic crutches, doomsday clock, Erin Sterling, writing Hex Hall, the fickleness of the industry, writing queer fiction, a new Jane Eyre and writing for hire, the creative process, creative cryptonite, work life balance, and more. Listen in! This originally streamed 5/16/2020 on Instagram live.
Chaos personified: An interview with Pierce Brown
Is Pierce an outliner now?! Should authors also be marketing mavens? How do you continue writing a series while growing artistically? If Pierce never wrote again after finishing Red Rising would he be satisfied? Crow fights? Listen in. This originally streamed 5/9/2020 on Instagram live.
There's a pocket for that: An interview with Zoraida Cordova
Meet the Porgs, debut groups and publishing mortality, writing camp, moving beyond "we already have a latinio writer", merpenis (cryptzoology), juggling projects and plotting, ovoiding overplotting, writing should never make you unhappy, refilling the creative well, creating when the world is in chaos, focus, books as horcruxes, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 5/2/2020 on Instagram live.
It's psychological: An interview with J.T. Ellison
The benefits and challenges of writing fantasy, being told you aren't good enough, pantsing, standalones vs series, writing the end, daily writing hours, when the book just isn't working, workahilsm and balance, creativity and responsibility, finding your voice, co-writing, and more. Listen in. This originally streamed 4/18/2020 on Instagram live.
Dark by nature: An interview with Jay Kristoff
A daylight savings snaffu means readers get a bonus 15 minute q&a session before the interview starts! Learning story through advertising, visualizing, co-writing, putting on the final polish, the mental game, pressure after success, the mystery of acclaim and sales, leaving a series behind, writing in different mediums, keeping writing fun, developing healthy writing habits, romance, and more! Listen in.
This originally streamed 4/25/2020 on Instagram live.
A radical heart: An interview with Sarah Maria Griffin
Sarah Maria Griff talks stubborn creativity, finding success the back way, reading your work out loud to find your writing voice, zine drops, the raw power of truth and fear, worst advice, and more. Listen in. This originally streamed 4/11/2020 on Instagram live.
Bullsh-t still fertilizes: An interview with Chuck Wendig
Chuck is the guinea pig for No Write Way, weird jobs, bad novels, outlines, reviews, edit letters, writer friends vs non-writer friends, multi-tasking, accepting feedback and more. Listen in.
This originally streamed April 2020 on Instagram live.