59 episodes
This Creative Life with Sara Zarr Sara Zarr
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4.8 • 60 Ratings
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Author Sara Zarr in conversation with other writers, with a focus on the practical and psychological aspects of creativity, the creative process, and the strange landscape where art meets commerce. Past guests include the author of If I Stay, Gayle Forman; literary agent Michael Bourret; and filmmaker Scott Derrickson.
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TCL Mini: The Writing Life Audit
This is the audio version of the most recent newsletter PLUS some thoughts about what's next for the pod.
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86. Melissa Walker Takes Action
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
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Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music.
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TCL Mini: No Sure Things
The audio version of this week's newsletter on living with the uncertainty of writing.
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85. The Publishing Year in Review with Agent Michael Bourret
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.
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Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music
Happy Holidays!
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84. Bennett Madison's Permission to Let Go
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.
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Thanks to Dave Connis for the theme music!
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TCL Archives: Bennett Madison in 2013
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.
Customer Reviews
A lifeline for creatives
This podcast has been a much-needed lifeline, especially Sara’s series on comeback, pivots, and reinventions. Children’s publishing has been rough for the past few years, even for those of us lucky enough to have traditional publishing contracts. It is so encouraging to hear we aren’t alone. And it’s so inspiring to see how others have maintained their creativity and found new outlets beyond traditional publishing.
My favorite
I love this podcast so much! As an aspiring YA writer I love listening to Sarah talk to writers and other creative people (which she frequently reminds is all of us) about their process and the pitfalls of a creative life.
Helpful and accessible!
Highly recommend