Learn From The Prose Keith Conrad

Christopher M. Walsh wrote Miss Holmes for Lifeline Theatre in Chicago, which was also turned into an audiodrama in the spring of 2020. He talked about how he works as both a writer and an actor.

(0:38) Working as an actor and a writer
(1:30) Dealing with self doubt
(2:22) Adapting material vs original stories
(3:36) Coming up with ideas
(4:37) The mulling phase of writing
(6:32) First writing project
(9:49) Deadlines and motivation
(12:32) Advice for fellow writers

Kyle Davis published his first novel “A Protector's Beginning” last summer. He talked about his experience as a first time writer and how that’s impacted his latest projects.

(1:32) Kyle explains his motivation for becoming a writer
(5:04) Editing is harder than writing
(6:25) Origins of the idea for A Protector's Beginning
(9:44) How long did it take to write your first book?
(16:10) How has the experience impacting your writing since then?
(18:00) Dealing with self doubt
(20:45) What advice do you wish you had gotten when you started writing?

Nancy Cohen is the author of the Bad Hair Day Mysteries and more than two dozen books overall. I talked with Nancy about how she overcame the typical early doubts to find success as a writer.

(1:03) Becoming a writer
(2:30) Starting as a part-time writer while working as a nurse
(4:42) Switching from romance to mystery
(5:58) Writing your own ideas vs. market demand
(7:00) Is it easier to write a series or stand alone story
(9:30) Changes to writing process with experience
(12:30) Balancing new and existing readers
(14:20) Advice for new writers

Chuck Murphree's full-time job is working as a teacher at Waunakee High School in Wisconsin. He wrote his first novel “Everything That Makes Us Feel” aimed at young adults, hoping the book will raise awareness about teen mental health. It was published in 2020. Chuck talked about what motivated him to get started writing and how his writing process has evolved now that he is a grizzled writing veteran.

(2:20) How did you balance working as a teacher and writing?
(3:20) Did you set a deadline for yourself while you were writing?
(5:00) Inspiration for "Everything That Makes Us Feel"
(8:00) Lots of bad writing before you find your voice
(10:00) "I need to write and get my words out there"
(12:00) Dealing with rejection and learning from it
(13:00) How long did it take to write your first book?
(16:00) Staying motivated despite setbacks
(19:00) Dealing with the vulnerability of putting your ideas out there
(21:00) How has your process changed since your first book?

Tales from writers for writers putting pen to paper. Hosted by Keith Conrad.