No Write Way with V. E. Schwab

Some authors are auto-buys. This author is one of mine.In this season finale, I talk with Stephen Graham Jones, the author of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter and his latest book, Off the Reservation, about the strange, wonderful machinery behind his work. He tells us his writing origin story, which sounds like it could have come straight out of one of his own books, and from there, we get into the nuts and bolts. Stephen writes short stories, novels, novellas, and flash fiction (his favorite form) and shares how each serves a different purpose in his science lab of crafting stories.He talks about why he genuinely loves getting stuck- because being stuck means he has reached the edge of what he currently knows how to do, and the only way forward is to become a better version of himself. We also talk about writing quickly, disappearing into a book, and how he “writes his way back to the real world” as quickly as he can.He also shares a few stories of his own, including one involving a hand grinder, a temporary magical ability, an uncanny gift, and a single very strange day. And, naturally, we learn about the exciting role fried zucchini plays in his life.One of my favorite conversations of the season, and a fittingly wonderful way to end it.

This week, I’m joined by Jasmine Guillory, bestselling author of The Wedding Date and her latest novel, It’s Only Dancing, for a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of how she actually makes a book.Jasmine walks me through her “messy first draft,” where she lets herself put every idea on the page, knowing she’ll come back later to chip away at it, reshape it, and figure out what the story actually needs. During the pandemic, that process even led her to handwrite an entire novel because, at the time, that was the way of writing that felt least scary.We talk about how she learned to write dialogue, which, spoiler alert, was not simply a magical gift she was born with. We dig into what happens when you give yourself permission to write badly, how finishing a first draft is also a way of getting to know your characters, and why sometimes you have to write your way into understanding what a story is really about. Links Follow No Write Way on InstagramCreditsHost: V.E. SchwabProducer/Editor/Mixer: Jenna Maurice

Confession: it’s fan-girl time.Scott Hawkins, author of The Library at Mount Char and Blacktail, is one of those writers whose books make me want to corner him and ask, “How did you DO that?” He writes in the evenings after his day job and on weekends, and somehow the stories he’s made in those stolen hours are some of my absolute favorites. I’ve read both of his books, and I have a lot of questions.A lot of questions.This conversation is essentially me asking Scott how he makes the magic, while he calmly explains things that seem completely extraordinary to me as though they are perfectly normal.We also learn that Scott has had enough dogs over the years to make it sound like there has been an entire pack living in his house at various points, which perhaps explains why he was destined to write a book from the point of view of a four-legged friend in the wild.Mostly, this is a conversation about process, instinct, and what happens when someone’s imagination works in a way that makes you want to keep asking, “But how?” Scott is wonderfully matter-of-fact about his methods. I am perhaps a little less so.Links:Follow No Write Way on InstagramCredits:Host: V.E. SchwabProducer/Editor/Mixer: Jenna Maurice

This week marks a first—we’re summoning two authors at once! The powerhouse writing duo Christina Lauren (yes, they of the swoony romance bestsellers) joins me for a conversation that’s equal parts craft deep dive and master class in creative friendship. We talk about their ever-evolving writing process, the magic of knowing you don’t have to be good at the same things to make something great, and the puzzle-piece partnership that fuels their stories. They share lessons learned—like how you can’t polish what isn’t fully formed, and how a good book becomes great in the edit. Also: the unexpected tranquility of Pilates.

Sharpen your pencils (and maybe your swords)—this week, we summon Brandon Sanderson, bestselling author of Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, and the expansive Cosmere universe. He shares how he kept writing draft after draft (maybe even a dozen or more) before selling his first novel, the secret stash of stories he hid behind a painting as a kid, and why staying sharp in revision is one of the most important skills a writer can develop. We dive into worldbuilding, resilience, and the stubborn magic of believing your stories matter—even when no one’s reading them yet.

What comes after the end of the world? This week, I sit down with Veronica Roth, the bestselling author of Divergent and Poster Girl, for a conversation full of laughter, layered craft talk, and a few surprises. We dig into her love of outlining (yes, multiple outlines!), how she lets story lead the way—without starting from plot or character—and why she believes bold choices make for better writing than careful ones.Oh—and she spills just enough about a wild (and very exciting) deal she made with her publisher about some future works. Curious yet?