This Creative Life With Sara Zarr

Sarah Enni is the host and producer of First Draft and an author in her own right. This was a great conversation to wrap the TCL-Pandemic season, as Sarah and I got into therapy talk, making big life changes, the upsides of being "optimistically nihilistic" about publishing, the pros and cons of life hacking, and of course Burning Man. Thanks so much for being with me on this reboot ride, and for your support along the way.  Selected Show Notes: Sarah Enni First Draft Podcast Support This Creative Life Documentary Now!  Life Itself  

Tracey Baptiste is the author of numerous books for young readers, including the beloved Jumbies series and the New York Times Bestselling Minecraft: the Crash. This episode is not only brimming with the delicious process stuff we love here at TCL, it also gave me several potentially life-changing revelations when Tracey shared with me about recreating a sense of freedom in the writing process, and how a mental health crisis helped her learn “how not to grind.” There’s something for everyone in this ep; I hope you enjoy! Selected show notes: Tracey’s site Creativity Under Pressure and more of Tracey’s videos Rocketbook The This Creative Life Bookshop shop Support the podcast by shopping in the Bookshop shop or making a one-time PayPal donation.

During 2020, in search of things to do from home, I started attending some of the virtual movie talks that writer and critic Walter Chaw gives with guests via the Denver Public Library. They’ve been a true highlight of All This, as Walter’s knowledge is wide and deep and generous. Like all good film critics, he’s also an insightful critic of culture in general, and how it deals in humanity and inhumanity. Recently, Walter and I got to talk about his experiences growing up as a first-gen Chinese American kid in Golden, CO, and assimilating via consumption of popular media of the 70s and 80s, for better or worse. We got way into how art can be a catalyst of self-examination, the deep psychology of fandom, and the point of discourse. (Hint: it’s not “being right”.) I realized at the end of the conversation that we didn’t even get around to talking about Walter’s screenwriting projects so you’ll just have to keep an eye out for those! Listener note: in the second half of the podcast we talk a bit in an undetailed

Lindsay Eagar is an author and writing coach with a recent ADHD diagnosis. She’s been very open about it online and generous with my personal questions, and I wanted to bring her on for a more topic-focused episode. In this case: our brains! Lindsay shares her background, symptoms, diagnosis process, and management strategies in ways that I found so interesting and helpful, and I think you will, too. We also talked about her “fast drafting” 80/20 course and philosophy, dirty books we loved as kids, and the delusions of grandeur we should all strive for. Selected show notes: Lindsay’s books and classes The I Have ADHD podcast with Kristen Carder The dubious works of Beatrice Sparks The This Creative Life Bookshop shop Support the podcast by shopping in the Bookshop shop or making a one-time PayPal donation!

Dave Connis is not only the legendary composer of the theme music for this very podcast, but also an author in his own right, with two YA novels out and a picture book on the way. The emotional theme music of this episode is honesty. Dave and I get into matters of art and faith, how a sudden loss changed his writing life and drive, and how not to be a Slughorn in a business where various relational challenges can be baked in. We also, of course, talk about the practical matters of writing, such as: writing with a full-time job and several (at least) children, prioritizing when you’re a person with a lot of ideas, and the freedom in knowing your limitations. And we wouldn’t be two Christians (or in my case, Christian-ish) if we didn’t mention the enneagram. Selected show notes: Dave online, books and music and newsletter Atlas Obscura Makoto Fujimura Ye Olde Bookshop shoppe This podcast is hosted, produced, and edited—for better or worse—by me, Sara Zarr

Amy Gentry is the author of three psychological thrillers for adults, one 33 1/3 on Tori Amos, and a bunch of shorter stuff. Her latest book is Bad Habits, which is here to scratch all your dark academia itches and also make you laugh and cringe. After chatting a bit about her book and her own background in academia, we dug into process and publication (and her #pitmad success story), the dead end of trying to be “a good little author,” money and class and missing hotels. Amy also got me thinking differently about my standard weaknesses/obstacles question—nay, the very idea of weaknesses. And, I think she got me back onto Goodreads. I loved Amy’s energy and this conversation, and I hope you do, too. Amy online Small Axe // Lovers Rock Joe Pera Talks with You Morning [expletive] Pages Produced & edited by me, Sara Zarr Theme music by Dave Connis Ye olde Bookshop shoppe

For the first episode of 2021, author Maurene Goo and I jumped on the phone just hours after the inauguration, having kept our scheduled conversation in hope and faith but also ready to cancel. For many reasons, I’m so glad we didn’t have to. Phew! After processing world events for a bit, we dig into Maurene’s backstory, writing process, the upsides of being married to another creative professional, and life as a new mom, and then I had a revelation about anxiety, thanks to Maurene’s therapist! Maybe you’ll find it helpful, too. (Please accept my apologies for some sound quality issues that were a direct result of a rookie mistake I made in the recording process. I was able to fix much of it in post, but pardon any remaining heavy breathing.) Produced & edited by me, Sara Zarr Theme music by Dave Connis Ye olde Bookshop shoppe Hi visitors, get a free or paid Substack subscription to hear about new episodes or set your podcast app to alert you! Paid subscriptions are 25% off through January 31st and come

The Annotated Courageous Creativity, 1 Intro & Silent Messages Note to listeners: This is the first episode of the first paid subscriber season, The Annotated Courageous Creativity. I’m making this first episode available to all to help you decide if you’d like to hear more. Annual subscriptions will be 25% off through January 31st. Enjoy! In this episode, I read the introduction about what creativity is and why one might need courage, and the section “My Story” which is the part I use as a springboard for the diving in a little deeper for the annotations. 0.00 - Season introduction and introduction of book 14:35 - My Story 24:10 - Annotations Paid subscribers: When you first signed up, you should have received an email that included a link to open from your phone to get your subscriber feed set up in your favorite podcast app. Please let me know if you have any questions about this! This episode will also be in the general feed, but starting next week you’ll need the special link if you’d like to

This Creative Life is moving! The pod's new home is at Substack, where you can find out more about what I've got planned for the new paid subscriber options. Meanwhile, the interview episodes as you've always known them will continue to show up in your feed, complete and ad-free. In the final episode of 2020, I talk to Michael Bourret of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret about the year in publishing, authors and social media, making mid-career changes, and more. This is a great episode for those who love to talk shop and want to understand a little more about where publishing has been and where it may be going. Happy New Year!  Produced & edited by me, Sara Zarr Theme music by Dave Connis Get a free or paid Substack subscription to hear about new episodes, or set your favorite podcast app to alert you! I will be shutting down the old Patreon page. PayPal tip jar

Note to listeners: Given a recent diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and the physical toll of podcast editing, Sara (while optimistic) isn't sure about the future of the pod for 2021. There's also a chance the pre-2020 archives will go behind a paywall, so download your favorites while you can at http://thiscreativelife.libsyn.com and have them free forever. Meanwhile, please enjoy this unedited conversation between Sara and author/storyteller Christian McKay Heidicker! Find the show notes at our Patreon page PayPal tip jar

Daniel Nayeri's autobiographical novel, Everything Sad Is Untrue, tells the tale of young Daniel, who has landed in Oklahoma after his mother is forced to flee Iran with Daniel and his sister and after they've spent some years living as refugees in Italy before making it to the U.S. On the podcast episode, the real Khosrou (aka Daniel) tells the tale of what happened after Oklahoma, how he wound up in publishing, and the threads of family, belonging, and sheer force of will that have pulled him through. We talk about the conflicting desires for connection and isolation, and about how to create a life with acts of welcome and little rebellions against sadness. Buy Everything Sad Is Untrue

Two writers. An obsession with cult narratives. A love of chickpeas. Sara and Courtney Summers (Sadie, All the Rage, the forthcoming The Project) talk about Courtney's backstory as a high school dropout who had her first book published in her early twenties, how to think strategically about writing without compromising your creative compass, and being driven by the desire to capture a moment, a feeling, a vibe in our novels. Also, our personalities. Pre-Order The Project

The wisdom that comes with over thirty years in this business and at this craft is priceless--Rita is generous with it here, from aspects of craft (like looking for "points of ignition within the reader") to those of identity (like quitting her day job after 25 years because "I really needed to be the author that I was on my bio").   We get a glimpse into twenty-two year-old Rita who wrote her debut Blue Tights (1987) and asked a disinterested publishing machine, "Why isn't my culture, my reality, good enough?"   We talk breakout success here at the ten-year anniversary of One Crazy Summer, stakes, process, and how she keeps herself enchanted while drafting a story.   For more: https://www.patreon.com/thiscreativelife   Pre-order Sara's Courageous Creativity: Advice and Encouragement for the Creative Life

Lance Rubin is the multi-talented author of three novels, co-writer of the Off-Broadway show Broadway Bounty Hunter, and performer of all sorts. In this episode, we talk about his evolution from community theater kid to writer, creative partnership with a life partner, perfectionism, death, and hope. His latest book is Crying Laughing. Find all the show notes at: patreon.com/thiscreativelife

Maggie Thrash is the author and artist of two "graphic memoirs" (memoirs in graphic novel form): 2015's Honor Girl and the recent followup, Lost Soul, Be At Peace, as well as several others works including a self-revealing web comic, Cure for Desire. Maggie and Sara talk about life online, the concept of "learn by doing," and coming out to the world (and also her parents) in her debut book. We also talk about our childhoods and how they shaped us, for better and worse. All the show notes at: patreon.com/thiscreativelife

Liara Tamani recently wrote at Time.com: "Growing up, I was a good girl. I never got in trouble. I did what I was told. ... I’d become a master at taming, hiding and cutting out the parts of myself that weren’t compatible with the person other people wanted me to be: the rebellious, curious and sexy parts; the questioning and fearless parts. The free parts."   Liara and I dig into good girl syndrome in life and in publishing, what growing up with the threat of hell hanging over you in childhood is like, and are perhaps answered by God during the interview. Of course, we also talk about books and writing: how Liara's beautiful debut, Calling My Name, came to be, and what she loves about her brand new release, All the Things We Never Knew, as well as the gorgeous covers of both of these books.   See patreon.com/thiscreativelife for complete show notes.

Debbi Michiko Florence made a long term commitment to the writing life almost 20 years ago--when she didn't know just how long it would turn out to be. Her story is an inspiring one made of hard work, stubbornness, and friendship. I hope you enjoy. Find all the show notes at patreon.com/thiscreativelife

Scott Teems is a writer-director working in TV and film, making his own independent features while also taking gigs scriptwriting for studios. We get into both his latest feature, THE QUARRY (from Lionsgate, starring Michael Shannon and Shea Whigham), as well as the documentary HOLBROOK/TWAIN, a film that means a lot to me, personally. We talk about Scott's process, the importance of a writer's life not being only about writing, and so much more.    Full show notes at patreon.com/thiscreativelife

You may think Jasmine Guillory came out of nowhere and saw overnight success with her 2018 hit contemporary romance novel, The Wedding Date, not to mention its follow-up best sellers. But Jasmine's writing story goes back a lot farther. Sara and Jasmine talk about that as well as the power of commitment, how to find mentors and models, and staying one step ahead of anxiety and procrastination. Watch for Jasmine's next book, Party of Two, coming out in June! Visit the This Creative Life Patreon page for full show notes.

Guys, Amy and I got IN. TO. IT. From publicity to the alleged good ol' days of YA publishing to answering tough questions from listeners like: conquering that ONE THING you are obsessed with but also might be holding you back, and how to make writing sustainable when you grow to hate it a little.   This is a deep dive - if you don't want to hear about publishing business stuff, we start talking more about the creative side and take the calls about halfway through.   - Amy Spalding - We Used to Be Friends - Goodbye from Nowhere - How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee - Bad Reputation   Thanks to all listeners, supporters, and Dave Connis for the theme music! Visit our Patreon page or sarazarr.com for more about the podcast and how to be a supporter.