Ep 447 | Craft, Atmosphere, and the Strange Magic that Happens when Writers Surrender Control

About this episode

Nick Savage and Lou Kemp discuss the art of unplanned storytelling and the magic of surrendering control in writing.

Drinking With Authors | Featuring Lou Kemp Pour a drink, dim the lights, and lean into the strange— Nick Savage welcomes Lou Kemp to Drinking With Authors for a conversation steeped in atmosphere, immortality, and storytelling without a map. Lou Kemp’s early work explored horror and suspense, eventually evolving into a rich blend of magical realism, mystery, and adventure , layered with horror when the story demands it. A self-described “seat-of-the-pants” writer, Lou writes without outlines, trusting instinct, mood, and music to guide the way—often with “Black” by Pearl Jam setting the tone. In this episode, Nick and Lou dive into unplanned storytelling, writing into corners, and the enduring appeal of immortal characters—especially Celwyn , the magician who has anchored Lou’s long-running and beloved series. Expect a thoughtful, literary conversation about craft, atmosphere, and the strange magic that happens when writers surrender control and follow the story where it leads. About Your Host – Nick Savage Nick Savage is an award-winning and best-selling author of Modern Romance and Contemporary Fantasy. When he’s not writing, he’s sketching, gaming, or exploring the stories…

People in this episode

Hosts: Nick Savage, Nick

Guest: Lou Kemp

Topics covered

• craft
• atmosphere
• storytelling
• magical realism
• mystery
• adventure
• horror

Keywords

• immortal characters
• Celwyn
• Black by Pearl Jam

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Drinking With Authors, Black”

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