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

Kelton Reid
  • 4.5 (222)
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If you’re searching for a show that pulls back the curtain on the mystique of the writing life, look no further than The Writer Files. Hosts Kelton Reid and Milena Gonzalez study the habits, habitats, and brains of the biggest and brightest authors of our time. Tune in each week to learn from bestselling and acclaimed writers on how to keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid writer’s block. Please follow The Writer Files wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a rating or review to help other writers find us.

  1. 16H AGO

    How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ruta Sepetys Writes: Part Two

    #1 New York Times bestselling author, Ruta Sepetys, returns to speak with us about her 12 years of research, ragtime music, and the “fortune and facade” of 1920s Detroit in her adult historical fiction debut, A FORTUNE OF SAND.  Ruta Sepetys is the award-winning and internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Her acclaimed “crossover” YA literature includes the Carnegie Medal-winning Salt to the Sea.  Her latest, A Fortune of Sand (available May 26th), is described as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby and Amor Towles’ Rules Of Civility meets Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums. The novel follows a wealthy, eccentric family in Detroit’s booming automobile industry and includes a plot twist around stolen jewels.   A Booklist starred review called the book, “A richly detailed portrait of the glittering city and [Detroit’s] dark underbelly. . . . This will appeal to fans of Kate Atkinson’s Shrines of Gaiety and Jennifer Egan’s Manhattan Beach.” Ruta’s books have won or been shortlisted for more than 50 book prizes, and are currently in development for film and television. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Ruta Sepetys, Milena, and I discussed: Why she still gets nervous before every book release Finding a writing structure to mimic the volatile energy of The Roaring ‘20s Why she filed FOIA requests and worked with former FBI agents to interpret her research How she co-authored a YA historical mystery with Steve Sheinkin Why she prefers the term "investigation" over "research" Her creative fuel And a lot more! Show Notes: rutasepetys.com A Fortune of Sand: A Novel by Ruta Sepetys (Amazon) Ruta Sepetys Amazon Author Page Ruta Sepetys on Facebook  Ruta Sepetys on Instagram Ruta Sepetys on Twitter Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min

  2. 2D AGO ·  BONUS

    How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ruta Sepetys Writes: Part One - Redux

    #1 New York Times bestselling author, Ruta Sepetys, spoke to me about what she learned in the music industry, the secrets to strong, vivid writing, and her non-fiction debut YOU: THE STORY: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory. Ruta Sepetys is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Her acclaimed “crossover” YA literature includes the Carnegie Medal-winning Salt to the Sea.  Her latest is the creative guide to writing, You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory (available May 16, 2023), which “... provides aspiring writers with a roadmap to crafting compelling stories by encouraging them to look inward and excavate their own memories in order to discover authentic voices and compelling details.” In a starred review Booklist said of the book, “Part writing guide, part memoir, Sepetys’ fresh, fun handbook is all inspiration.” [Discover ⁠The Writer Files Extra⁠: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at ⁠writerfiles.fm⁠] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please ⁠click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews⁠. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file, Ruta Sepetys and I discussed:  What she learned about storytelling working in the music industry Why she’s drawn to underrepresented stories and “history in hiding” How to discover the Four Hs of the "excitement of life" Her intensive research process for each book Why writers need to examine their own lives for authenticity And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠rutasepetys.com⁠ ⁠You: The Story: A Writer's Guide to Craft Through Memory⁠ by Ruta Sepetys (Amazon) ⁠Ruta Sepetys Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠Ruta Sepetys on Facebook⁠ ⁠Ruta Sepetys on Instagram⁠ ⁠Ruta Sepetys on Twitter⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min

  3. MAY 15

    How NY Times Bestselling Author Rosie Walsh Writes: Part Two

    New York Times bestselling author, Rosie Walsh, returns to speak with us about the power of the writing community, her "work wife" Ashley Audrain, and her latest novel THE ONE DAY YOU WERE MY HUSBAND. Rosie Walsh has lived and traveled all over the world, working as a documentary producer and writer. Her two previous novels, Ghosted and The Love of My Life, were New York Times bestsellers and have sold nearly two million copies worldwide. Her third novel is The One Day You Were My Husband (available May 19th) “asks readers what—and whom—they would give up to return to a first love and to the people they once were.” New York Times bestselling author Clare Leslie Hall called the book “...a heart-wrenching love story and a mystery that shocks and surprises until the very end. A wonderful novel.” [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Rosie Walsh, Milena, and I discussed: The ongoing "bum fight" that is the writer's life How to create addictive plots that keep readers up at night Why sometimes you have to kill your darlings for that outstanding ending What it was like to do research in Thailand Why no one understands you like another writer And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠RosieWalsh.com⁠ The One Day You Were My Husband By Rosie Walsh (Amazon) Rosie Walsh Amazon Author Page ⁠Rosie Walsh on Facebook⁠ ⁠Rosie Walsh on Instagram⁠ Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min

  4. MAY 13

    How NY Times Bestselling Author Rosie Walsh Writes: Part One

    New York Times bestselling author, Rosie Walsh, talked with me about finding her voice, transitioning from romcom to "emotional thriller," and her latest, The Love of My Life. Rosie Walsh has lived and traveled all over the world, working as a documentary producer and writer. Her American debut, Ghosted, was a New York Times bestseller and has sold more than one million copies worldwide. Her second novel is The Love of My Life, described as a "...stay-up-all-night page-turner. It’s a love story wrapped in a mystery that ... [taps] into our darkest fears about motherhood, family, and trust." Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push, said of the book, “Walsh’s hugely compelling THE LOVE OF MY LIFE instantly pulls you deep into the interior of a marriage. Part thriller, part mystery, part heart-wrenching love story, this is a treasure...” Stay calm and write on ... [Discover ⁠The Writer Files Extra⁠: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at ⁠writerfiles.fm⁠] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please ⁠click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews⁠. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Rosie Walsh and I discussed: Writing upmarket fiction under a pseudonym Why she starts all of her books with plot How to write a "book that breathes" What it's like to hang out at death cafes The "bum fight" that is the writer's life And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠RosieWalsh.com⁠ ⁠The Love of My Life: A Novel by Rosie Walsh⁠ (Amazon) ⁠Rosie Walsh on Facebook⁠ ⁠Rosie Walsh on Instagram⁠ ⁠Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer⁠⁠ ⁠⁠diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Kelton Reid Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min

  5. MAY 8

    How NY Times Bestselling Authors Krista & Becca Ritchie Write

    New York Times bestselling authors and twin sisters Krista and Becca Ritchie spoke with us about their collaborative writing process, career journey from self-publishing to trad bestsellers, and the latest in their “Ritchie-verse,” DANGEROUSLY OURS. ​​Krista and Becca Ritchie are New York Times bestselling authors and identical twins—one a science nerd, the other a comic book geek—whose lifelong passion for writing has made them iconic voices in the contemporary romance world. They have written over 25 novels, including a TikTok sensation, the “Addicted” series. Their latest novel, Dangerously Ours (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; May 12, 2026), is the thrilling conclusion to the “Webs We Weave” series about a dynamic group of young con artists that tackles gritty topics such as addiction, class, and power. New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young called the series, “Fresh, deliciously angsty, and sizzling with slow-burn tension that kept me glued to the pages.” [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Krista & Becca Ritchie, Milena, and I discussed: Their early love of sharing stories How their Addicted series went viral on BookTok 10 years after initial publication, leading to a traditional publishing deal Why they create interconnected universes with Easter eggs across series How they originally envisioned themselves as TV showrunners The emotional significance of concluding this nostalgic series with a signing in Mystic, Connecticut And a lot more! Show Notes: kbritchie.com Dangerously Ours (Webs We Weave) (May 12, 2026) By Krista & Becca Ritchie Krista & Becca Ritchie Amazon Author Page Krista & Becca Ritchie on TikTok Krista & Becca Ritchie on Facebook Krista & Becca Ritchie on Instagram⁠⁠ Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min

  6. MAY 1

    How NY Times Bestselling Author Kate Quinn Writes

    New York Times bestselling author and renowned historical fiction novelist, Kate Quinn, spoke with us about the importance of libraries, reading for mental health, and a love letter to both in her latest novel, THE ASTRAL LIBRARY. Kate Quinn describes herself as a "librarian fine delinquent turned bestseller" and is celebrated for her meticulously researched historical fiction, often highlighting resilient women in WWI, WWII, and ancient Rome. Key works include The Alice Network, The Huntress, and The Diamond Eye. Her latest, already another NY Times bestseller, is a pivot to magical realism with The Astral Library, a fantasy novel about a secret book sanctuary. NPR called it, “Engrossing, suspenseful, and authentic.” New York Times bestselling author Sarah Penner wrote, “Only Kate Quinn could give us a book this inventive, this fun, and this completely addictive. If you’ve ever wished to tumble straight into your favorite novel, here’s your chance.” [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Kate Quinn, Milena and I discussed: Her early training as an opera singer A desire to enter the world of Narnia Taking a genre departure into magical realism and fantasy while maintaining her signature character-driven storytelling Why world-building is so important in her work  How libraries represent a living, breathing space for people and their complicated problems And a lot more! Show Notes: katequinnauthor.com  Astral Library: A Novel By Kate Quinn (Amazon) Kate Quinn Amazon Author Page Kate Quinn on Facebook Kate Quinn on Instagram⁠⁠ Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min

  7. APR 24

    How Booker Prize Nominated Author Charlotte Wood Writes

    Award-winning Australian author Charlotte Wood discussed her journey from local journalist to Booker Prize finalist, her creative process, and the 10th anniversary of her dystopian novel THE NATURAL WAY OF THINGS. Charlotte Wood is the author of seven novels and three non-fiction books. Her last novel Stone Yard Devotional was shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize, listed as a New York Times Notable Book of 2025, Los Angeles Times 15 Best Books of 2025, and one of The Washington Post's best five novels of the year.  Now, for its 10th anniversary, comes a reprint of The Natural Way of Things, a book described as a prescient feminist fable and international classic, “The Handmaid’s Tale for our age” by The Economist, and by #1 New York Times bestselling author Paula Hawkins as “beautiful and savage.” It won the prestigious Stella Prize, the Australian Prime Minister’s Literary Award in Fiction, and was longlisted for many others. Charlotte’s features and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Lit Hub, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Saturday Paper, among others. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Charlotte Wood, Milena and I discussed: When she committed herself to becoming a writer Why she never starts out with a big idea The real-life girls' school that inspired The Natural Way of Things How to apply "The George Costanza Approach" to your process The career-changing reception of Stone Yard Devotional The double-edged sword of literary prizes And a lot more! Show Notes: charlottewood.com.au   The Natural Way of Things: A Novel by Charlotte Wood (Amazon) Charlotte Wood Amazon Author Page Charlotte Wood on Instagram⁠⁠ Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min

  8. APR 17

    How Bestselling & Award-Winning Author Ramona Ausubel Writes

    Bestselling and award-winning author Ramona Ausubel spoke with us about the value of low-residency MFA programs, and how to jumpstart your writing process with her latest book UNSTUCK: 101 Doorways Leading from the Blank Page to the Last Page. Ramona Ausubel is the author of five books, most recently The Last Animal which was a national bestseller and received the National Book Foundation Science + Nature Prize and was a Barnes & Noble book of the month.  She was the recipient of the PEN/USA Fiction Award, the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award and has been a finalist for both the California and Colorado Book Awards, the New York Public Library Young Lions Award, and has had multiple selections as a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice.  Her latest non-fiction, Unstuck: 101 Doorways Leading From the Blank Page to the Last Page is a companion for writers at all stages of the process, and described as a book “… about staying in love with your writing: feeling excited, mischievous, productive, and hopeful—the opposite of being stuck. “ A Most Anticipated Book of 2026 from LitHub, Kirkus Reviews described it as, “An upbeat guide to navigating the writing process . . . Warm-hearted and practical, Ausubel emerges as trustworthy companion for a writer who’s stuck anywhere on the challenging road of creativity. Generous, empathetic, and unfailingly encouraging.” Ramona’s work has been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Paris Review daily, One Story, Tin House, The Oxford American, Ploughshares and others. She is a professor at Colorado State University and has taught in the Bennington Writing Seminars, Tin House Writing Workshop, Writing by Writers, the Community of Writers, Bread Loaf Environmental, Writing Workshop Paris and elsewhere. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Ramona Ausubel, Milena and I discussed: Why getting stuck is normal and productive rather than something to fear How to fall back in love with your own work Practical exercises to help writers navigate the creative process The magic prompt that never fails Why you need to let "not knowing" to be your companion And a lot more! Show Notes: ramonaausubel.com  UNSTUCK: 101 Doorways Leading from the Blank Page to the Last Page By Ramona Ausubel – April 14, 2026 (Amazon) Ramona Ausubel Amazon Author Page Ramona Ausubel on Instagram⁠⁠ Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min
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4.5
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222 Ratings

About

If you’re searching for a show that pulls back the curtain on the mystique of the writing life, look no further than The Writer Files. Hosts Kelton Reid and Milena Gonzalez study the habits, habitats, and brains of the biggest and brightest authors of our time. Tune in each week to learn from bestselling and acclaimed writers on how to keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid writer’s block. Please follow The Writer Files wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a rating or review to help other writers find us.

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