Writer's Bone

While most wild-eyed writers can barely find the on button to the coffeemaker at 5:30 a.m., today’s guest, author Bill Beverly, is hard at work crafting fiction. Beverly also talked to Daniel Ford about his feline assistant and what inspired his debut novel Dodgers. (Photo credit: Olive Beverly)

Matthew Norman, author of We’re All Damaged (available June 1) and Domestic Violets, talks to Gary Almeter about the difficulties writing a second novel, how he developed the character of Andy Carter, his use of pop culture references, and what’s cool about Omaha, Neb.

Nathaniel Philbrick, the best-selling author of In the Heart of the Sea, Mayflower, and Bunker Hill, talks to Daniel Ford about how he caught the history bug and what inspired his new book Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution.

Melanie Padgett Powers, founder of Mel Edits, stops by to chat about starting off as a newspaper reporter, how she landed in Washington D.C., and why she decided to start her own business. She also reveals her editing pet peeves! To learn more about Melanie Padgett Powers, visit her official website, like her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter @MelEdits. Also read her essay “Stop Calling Yourself A Freelancer.”

Richard Russo, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Empire Falls and Nobody’s Fool, talks to Daniel Ford about his late start into storytelling, how Vermont author Howard Frank Mosher and a quirky local news story inspired him to return to Sully and North Bath in Everybody’s Fool, and why aspiring authors need to want it so much more in today’s publishing market.

Author Billy Coffey talks to Daniel Ford about his early influences, his writing process, and what inspired his new novel There Will Be Stars.

Michelle McNamara, founder and editor of TrueCrimeDiary.com, was an early guest on our show. Her passion for writing and true crime reporting was undeniable, and she was incredibly gracious to two aspiring writers who had just ventured into podcasting. Her answers to our questions were thoughtful, insightful, and inspiring. Sadly, McNamara passed away on April 28 at the age of 46. We thought of no better way to honor her memory and service to the craft of writing and reporting than to remaster our original interview and share it with our listeners. She was a terrific guest, and she will be missed.

Rachel Harper, author of This Side of Providence, talks to Daniel Ford about her literary influences, how she’s connecting the next generation to classic literature, how her observation skills fuel her prose, and why she set her novel in Providence, R.I.

Daniel Ford and Sean Tuohy talk about their love for pulpy novels and how they influence their work.

We all have those people in our lives. They have “wonderful ideas” that they think should end up as your next novel or screenplay. Daniel Ford and Sean Tuohy discuss what writers should do with these ideas. The pair also spent Patriot’s Day going off on tangents featuring what they’re reading, good distractions while writing, query letters, superhero musicals, and constructive criticism.

Screenwriter Alan Trustman, whose credits include “The Thomas Crown Affair” and “Bullitt,” talks to Sean Tuohy and Daniel Ford about his early career as a lawyer, writing for Hollywood legend Steve McQueen, his recently published autobiography, Jai Alai, and missing the screenwriting business.

The Nerd Blogger returns with a spoiler-y review of “Batman v Superman.”

Daniel Ford and Dave Pezza discuss how they sometimes write better in their heads than on the page. The pair also talks about writing dialogue, their short story plans, and what’s on their reading lists. 

Lois Lowry, author of such children’s classics as The Giver and Number the Stars, talks to Sean Tuohy about how she became a storyteller, her readers’ ongoing fascination with The Giver, and how she goes about crafting a story.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” screenwriter Nicole Perlman talks to Sean Tuohy about how her family supported her early writing efforts, how she strives to stay original while writing for a franchise, and why screenwriters need to be open to constructive criticism.

The Nerd Blogger shares 10 classic comic book films. 

Author Tommy Wallach talks to Daniel Ford about his evolution as a writer, the Young Adult market, and what inspired his recently published novel Thanks for the Trouble.

Daniel Ford and Sean Tuohy discuss how their recent experiences reading subpar fiction helped them improve their craft. 

Screenwriter and author Scott Frank talks to Sean Tuohy about making the transition from scripts to novels for his recently debuted thriller Shaker. Frank also discusses his screenwriting career, adapting Elmore Leonard and Charles Willeford to the big screen, why he decided to tackle a western for Netflix, and why writers can never give up.

Sean Tuohy still doesn’t get a cup of coffee, but he does get a writing assignment from Daniel Ford after the two talk about how personal memories can influence their writing.