Those words can mean many things. In this author's case, they were a very good thing. Jennifer Nielsen tells the story of Marc, an author who couldn't believe his eyes.

In this engaging conversation, Jeff Kinney, the author of the beloved 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series, shares insights into his creative journey, the impact of his work on young readers, and the importance of humor in storytelling. He discusses his innovative writing techniques, the challenges of maintaining a relatable character, and his commitment to engaging with fans. Kinney reflects on his legacy and the future of his work, emphasizing the significance of creating a literary space for children.

Jennifer A Nielsen tells an unlikely story. One of a boy with a love of books and newspaper comics. The odds were against him.

Summary

In this episode of the Backstory Podcast, host Jennifer A. Nielsen interviews author Lisa Moore-Ramee, discussing her journey as a writer, the impact of childhood reading, and the importance of diverse narratives in literature. Lisa shares her experiences with race and identity, the influence of teachers, and the challenges of being a left-handed person. The conversation also delves into the role of fear in writing, overcoming rejection, and the significance of creating relatable characters. Lisa concludes by sharing insights about her upcoming works and the themes they explore.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lisa Moore-Ramee
02:52 The Impact of Childhood Reading
04:51 The Journey to Becoming an Author
07:18 The Influence of Teachers
10:06 Navigating Life as a Left-Handed Person
13:03 Exploring Race and Identity in Literature
14:55 The Importance of Representation in Books
17:17 Diversity in Publishing and Storytelling
19:29 Diversity in Literature
21:50 Complex Characters and Reader Reflection
22:58 Personal Experiences in Writing
27:14 Facing Fears as a Writer
29:51 Persistence Through Rejection
34:38 Upcoming Works and Themes

Are you scared? Don't worry—everyone is. Public speaking is the greatest fear in the world—yes, even more than death. Lisa has been able to overcome that fear and leverage the strength of that accomplishment into her successful career as an author.

In this episode of the BackStory podcast, host Jennifer A. Nielsen interviews bestselling author Trisha Levenseller, known for her popular YA romantic fantasy novels. They discuss Trisha's journey as a writer, her breakthrough with 'Daughter of the Pirate King', and the emergence of the 'romantasy' genre. Trisha shares insights into her writing process, the importance of writing for younger readers, and the healing power of romance in literature. The conversation also touches on overcoming writer's block, the challenges of standing out in a crowded genre, and her upcoming projects, including her first adult novel. Trisha emphasizes the importance of perseverance for aspiring authors and shares memorable fan interactions that have impacted her career.

0:00

Introduction to Trisha Levenseller

02:22
The Impact of 'Daughter of the Pirate King'

05:13
Teenage Trisha: A Journey of Self-Discovery

08:12
The Emergence of Romantasy

10:49
Escapism Through Reading

13:28
The Accidental Writer

16:22
Advice for Aspiring Authors

19:14
The Reality of Writing as a Career

20:59
Navigating Writer's Block

25:03
The Journey to Publication

29:39
The Dream of Adaptation

31:04
Standing Out in YA Fantasy

32:35
World Building Strategies

35:04
Encouragement for Aspiring Writers

35:22
Memorable Fan Interactions

37:06
Exploring New Genres

Tricia hated reading. If all writers loved books growing up, then there was no way she would ever be an author. Books are just sad stories about a boy and his dog who die... right?

Jennifer Neilsen explores the backstory that changed Tricia's life and put her on the path to becoming a bestselling author.

Summary

In this episode of the Backstory Podcast, host Jennifer A. Nielsen interviews Moses Ose Utomi, a Nigerian-American author known for his young adult fantasy novels. They discuss Moses's journey as a writer, the fluidity of identity, the impact of travel on self-discovery, and the importance of empathy in storytelling. Moses shares insights from his experiences as an educator, his early love for reading and writing, and the significance of his cultural heritage. The conversation also touches on his martial arts journey, the publishing process of his debut novel 'Daughters of Oduma', and his upcoming releases.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Moses Ose Utomi

01:54
The Fluidity of Identity

05:46
Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

07:08
The Role of Teaching in Identity

09:33
Reflections on Student Relationships

10:53
Early Reading and Writing Journey

13:14
The Impact of Fantasy Literature

15:18
Travel as a Catalyst for Growth

17:27
Martial Arts and Personal Resilience

19:41
Forgiveness and Self-Acceptance

21:21
The Publishing Journey of Daughters of Oduma

23:25
Navigating Dual Identities: Nigerian and American

27:37
The Importance of Name and Identity in Storytelling

27:44
The Essence of Story: Empathy and Connection

30:57
Writing Process: Fast or Slow?

35:46
Advice for Aspiring Writers

36:07
Upcoming Releases and Future Projects

38:34
Themes of Empathy in Writing