In this insightful interview, Carson Hawkes shares his journey through creativity, problem-solving, and writing. Discover how his diverse experiences in industrial design, travel, and media influence his storytelling and personal growth.

What You’ll Learn:

• Carson Hawkes' background in industrial design and media
• The influence of travel and life experiences on creativity
• Strategies for balancing multiple creative pursuits
  

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:13 What Defines Carson Hawkes As A Person

03:40 The Journey Of Creativity & Problem Solving

05:58 Was Carson Just Naturally Gifted As A Creative

06:56 Carson On Creating Games When He Was Younger

09:44 How Carson Obtained So Many Creative Outlets

11:10 Does He Really Have Scatterbrain Or?

15:37 Carson Is A Religious Man

17:11 What Did Russia Teach Carson About Himself

19:38 Finding Balance and Perspective

21:26 What Is "The Shadow Spark" About?

24:00 Do Moments From Carson's Life Show Up In The Shadow Spark

28:44 How Carson Planned Out His Book

30:33 Should People Look At Their Lives More For Inspiration

33:49 Genre Blending & Readers Expectations

37:49 The Gamble of Going Against the Grain

40:17 Carson On Navigating Self-Doubt and the Writing Process

42:28 How Carson Balanced Full-Time Work & Writing

46:48 Carson's New Trilogy, Explained

48:40 Can We Add Reading To Carson's Interests

52:45 How Can People Go From Being A Consumer To A Doer

58:09 Carson's Thoughts On Conflict Being The Catalyst For Growth

01:01:39 The Human Side Of Carson As An Author

01:05:43 Does Carson Have Any Regrets

01:08:30 Carsons Future Goals & Aspirations

01:14:21 Closing Thoughts

About The Podcast:

Authors By Us is a podcast focused on bridging the gap between readers and authors - going beyond the book to explore the real stories, experiences, and perspectives behind the pages.

Each episode is designed to help you understand the author on a deeper level so by the end, it feels like you’ve just had a conversation with them yourself.

Call To Action:

If you enjoy conversations like this, make sure to subscribe for weekly episodes with authors sharing the real story behind their work.

#authorinterview #authorpodcast #bookpodcast #writingpodcast #podcast #storytelling #behindthebook #authorsbyus #writerlife #authorlife #amwriting #booklovers #readersofyoutube #bookcommunity #writingcommunity #readers #writers #books #authorsofyoutube #podcastshow

author interview podcast, book podcast for readers, storytelling podcast, behind the book podcast, author conversation podcast, writing podcast for authors

meet the author podcast, how authors write books, author journey stories, writing process explained, books and authors discussion, reader and author connection

deep dive author interview, podcast for book lovers, understanding authors, story behind the book, author insights podcast, writing and storytelling insights

In this insightful interview, author E.L. Lyons shares her journey through creativity, mental health, and the challenges of writing with dysgraphia. Discover how her passion for stories and nature shaped her unique path to becoming an author, despite physical and psychological hurdles. E.L. Lyons shares their journey from writing and editing to publishing her epic fantasy novel, highlighting the importance of worldbuilding, dealing with criticism, and overcoming personal challenges. Discover insights on creative process, worldbuilding, and the resilience needed to succeed as an author.

What You’ll Learn:

• E.L. Lyons' childhood and love for nature
• Impact of dysgraphia and ADHD on her writing
• The role of her father in inspiring her love for sci-fi and fantasy
• Her journey through college and overcoming writing pain
• The influence of her family and personal experiences on her stories Worldbuilding in fantasy using science and animal neurology
• The importance of editing and rewriting in writing process
• Overcoming personal challenges and self-doubt as an author

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Is E.L. Lyons The Same Person In & Out Of Her Book

02:58 What Does Scatterbrain Mean?

05:27 Where Does Her Desire To Learn Come From?

08:49 The Balance Of Scatterbrain vs Focused Learning

11:57 Lyons Thoughts On Authors Lives Being Reflected In Their Books

15:39 How Her Dad Influenced Her With Scary Stories

17:28 Is Lyons A Thrill Seeker?

21:24 Was Her Dad The Reason For Her Love Of Fantasy

24:41 Lyons Mother Was The Responsible One

26:15 Is Starlight Jewel A Homage To Her Dad?

30:22 What Is Dysgraphia?

32:56 Lyons Need To Write Despite Her Disorder

42:05 When Did Writing Start Feeling Like An Instinct Rather Than A Habit

44:56 It's Never About Having Natural Talent

47:38 E.L. Lyons On Joining A Writers Group & Her Path To Publishing

53:15 E.L's Thoughts On What People Would Think Of Her Book

55:59 What Do We Get With Starlight Jewel?

01:02:57 How Did This Idea Of Animal Neurology Come Into Starlight Jewel

01:10:53 Talk About Making Someone Interested In A Book

01:12:50 How E.L's Obsession With Editing Built This Story From The Ground Up

01:18:55 How She Overcame Self-Doubt With Writing

01:27:08 Does Lyons Still Struggle With Acknowledgement + Her Advice To You

01:37:55 A Personal Insight About Lyons You Won't Learn Elsewhere 

01:42:54 Closing Thoughts

About The Podcast:

Authors By Us is a podcast focused on bridging the gap between readers and authors - going beyond the book to explore the real stories, experiences, and perspectives behind the pages.

Each episode is designed to help you understand the author on a deeper level so by the end, it feels like you’ve just had a conversation with them yourself.

If you enjoy conversations like this, make sure to subscribe for weekly episodes with authors sharing the real story behind their work.

#authorinterview #authorpodcast #bookpodcast #writingpodcast #podcast #storytelling #behindthebook #authorsbyus #writerlife #authorlife #amwriting #booklovers #readersofyoutube #bookcommunity #writingcommunity #readers #writers #books #authorsofyoutube #podcastshow

author interview podcast, book podcast for readers, storytelling podcast, behind the book podcast, author conversation podcast, meet the author podcast, how authors write books, author journey stories, writing process explained, books and authors discussion, reader and author connection, deep dive author interview, podcast for book lovers, understanding authors, story behind the book,

Keywords:

Writing journey, Healing through stories, New Orleans culture, Mafia romance, Character development, Author interview, Mental health, Creative process, Series analysis, Literary inspiration

Key  Topics

Author's journey from childhood to writing career

Healing and processing trauma through storytelling

Cultural influences of New Orleans on her books

Deep character development and vulnerability

The concept of opposing forces and complex characters

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:06 S.J's Journey Before Danger By Association

03:51 The Cause That Made 12 Yr Old S.J Fall In Love With Writing

05:31 What's It Like Growing Up With 9 Other Children

06:41 How Writing Helped S.J Find Herself

09:56 The Affect Being Able To Help People With Words Has On S.J's Life

13:14 How S.J Incorporated Realness & Raw Feelings Into Her Book

15:39 What Do We Get With The Danger By Association Trilogy

18:04 How Deep Does This Opposing Forces Go In This Series

20:28 What Makes An Amazing Villain In S.J's Opinion

22:27 The Role of Perspective in Storytelling

24:51 The Essence of New Orleans in Writing

26:25 How New Orleans Affected S.J's Life Outside Of Writing

28:10 Her Favorite Part About New Orleans

29:11 Are We Able To Feel New Orleans Within Her Series

30:15 The Unique French Mafia Setting

34:04 Building Her Characters From The Middle Ground, Why?

36:57 The Price of Innocence, Protection, and Loyalty

40:04 Exploring Book Two: A Unique Take on Beauty and the Beast

43:08 Author's Reflection: Would She Make The Same Decisions As Her Characters

45:52 Books That've Affected S.J's Life

49:53 What Interests S.J Beyond Books

51:17 The Importance of Art in Society

55:25 The Takeaways From Danger By Association

57:22 What Is S.J's New Project Coming Soon

01:00:37 Balancing Life As A Mother & Author

01:03:58 The Benefits of Homeschooling

01:07:13 Something About S.J You Won't Learn From Her Books

01:09:46 Closing Thoughts Section

Keywords

Young author, fantasy series, world building, creativity, engineering, archaeology, writing process, female characters, inspiration, self-development

Key topics

Journey from childhood to published author

Influence of fantasy and archaeology on writing

Balancing engineering studies with creative pursuits

World building and series planning in fantasy

Representation of female characters and femininity

Guest Name

J.A. Watson

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:05 The Journey Of A 20 Year Old Author

05:36 What Caused This Deep Seated Creative Itch From Such A Young Age

10:41 Some Of The Series J.A Couldn't Put Down

12:49 The Writing Process and Challenges

14:59 Does Understanding Engineering Help With Creativity

20:33 How J.A Incorporated Her Essence Into A Race Against Shadows

24:57 The Average Age For A Published Book vs J.A

27:12 How She Was Capable Of  Infusing Her Story With Feminine Rage

32:01 World Building & Organization

35:58 J.A's Self Discovery Between Reading & Writing

37:44 J.A's Love For Archaeology & Paleontology

42:41 Rediscovering Curiosity in a Fast-Paced World

47:24 The Impact of Community and Book Events

50:57 Future Aspirations & Goals For J.A

55:28 Where J.A's Deep Seated Love For Nature Comes From

57:23 How 4th Grade J.A Would Feel About Current J.A

58:10 One Thing People Can Takeaway From This Conversation About J.A

01:00:08 How J.A Tapped Into The Feelings Of Her Characters

01:02:32 Has A Race Against Shadows Cost Her Emotionally

01:07:04 What People Should Feel After They Close J.A's Book For The Last Time

01:10:25 Closing Thoughts Section

In this candid conversation, Kevin Laws shares his profound journey working undercover to track down online child predators, the emotional toll of his work, and his motivation behind writing a raw, graphic memoir to raise awareness. His story reveals the dark realities of law enforcement and the importance of community, mental health, and advocacy in healing and prevention.

Key Topics:

• Kevin's background in law enforcement, military service, and international relocations
• The genesis and evolution of his career, including undercover work targeting child predators
• The psychological and emotional impacts of confronting internet-based child exploitation
• Insights into Kevin’s book: motivation, content, and targeted audience
• The significance of honesty and graphic detail in raising awareness
• How TikTok became a platform for outreach, storytelling, and community building
• Personal resilience, coping mechanisms, and the importance of community support
• Future goals, ongoing advocacy, and the mission to educate parents and policymakers
• The importance of storytelling as a tool for empathy, awareness, and change
• Kevins's reflections on his upbringing and lessons learned about overcoming circumstances

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Kevin's background in law enforcement and military

00:42 - Reasons behind Kevin’s frequent relocations across the US and abroad

01:36 - Transition from military to law enforcement and Homeland Security

02:20 - Motivation to pursue child predator investigations

03:14 - The grueling environment of Internet child exploitation cases

04:20 - Kevin’s emotional toll and PTSD from his undercover work

05:37 - How his career led to authoring a graphic memoir

06:30 - The importance of honesty and raw storytelling in raising awareness

07:59 - Target audiences: parents, lawmakers, law enforcement

09:01 - The devastating reality of online predators and Kevin’s undercover experiences

10:49 - Daily routines in undercover investigations and the emotional drain

12:56 - Personal impact: coping with PTSD and vicarious trauma

13:26 - The motivation behind and contents of Kevin’s book

14:36 - How his book aims to inform and shock to foster awareness

16:44 - The role of graphic and unfiltered storytelling to illuminate the truth

17:49 - The challenge and emotional cost of reliving experiences through writing

22:48 - The importance of community, peer support, and outreach

29:14 - TikTok as a vital tool for awareness, community, and mental health

36:39 - Longevity in law enforcement work: coping strategies and personal routines

38:57 - The toll of relentless investigation and the importance of self-care

42:42 - Path to healing post-retirement and ongoing outreach

47:20 - The role of TikTok in building community and promoting his book

50:34 - Responses from listeners and readers, personal stories of impact

55:19 - Kevin’s personal background and overcoming childhood trauma

58:46 - Advice for those battling internal struggles and the importance of outlets

61:13 - Future vision: awareness, education, and mission-driven advocacy

62:27 - Reflecting on his journey: satisfaction and staying true to his mission

63:19 - Closing remarks and appreciation

In this episode, Corina shares her heartfelt story of overcoming trauma through poetry and writing, transforming pain into powerful art that resonates with many. We explore her creative process, the significance of community, and her ambitious plans to inspire and connect through her upcoming book tour.

Key Topics:

• Corina's background as a rescue dog mom and nature lover
• How ADHD influences her writing habits and routine
• The deep connection between poetry, healing, and personal growth
• Her journey of writing Marred Mask over ten years as a testament of resilience
• The significance of waterfalls as symbols of strength and renewal
• Navigating vulnerability, trauma, and community support in publishing
• Details about her upcoming Reassemble series and novel Revival
• The importance of advocating for arts in a fast-moving, digital world
• Her national book tour across 20 states and upcoming signings
• Balancing wedding plans with a hectic promotional schedule
• The impact of audience reactions on her motivation and purpose

Chapters List

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Who Is Corina?

04:51 ADHD & Writing, Interesting Combination

08:13 A Little About Marred Mask

10:27 Poetry Being A Part Of Corina's Life

14:34 The Irony Of Others Pointing Out Something About Us

17:17 The Symbolism of Waterfalls

21:09 Corina's Psychological Debate On Releasing Marred Mask

24:23 The Effect Of Reaching Out & Community On Trauma

30:21 Her Initial Thought To Help 1 Person With Marred Mask

34:31 Which Of Corina's Poems Hit The Hardest

38:19 What Corina Wants You To Get Out Of Marred Mask

41:03 Corina's New "Cowboy" Series...

44:14 This Re-Series Will Mirror The Healing Process & It's Different Forms

46:20 What's Happening In Corina's Near Future?

55:30 Corina's Mission To Accomplish On This National Tour

58:43 The Emotional Impact Of Corina's Poetry Effecting Others Lives

01:03:25 Corina's Thoughts On The Arts Becoming Obsolete

01:08:06 How Can Someone Find Their Way Into The Arts?

01:14:03 Authors Are Real People Too...

01:19:04 One Thing Corina Want's You To Know About Her

01:22:03 Where You Can Find Her...

01:23:23 Where She'll Be In The Next 2 Months

01:25:19 Closing Thoughts

Discover how Michael Moore transformed a love for football and wrestling into a prolific writing career, blending diverse influences into compelling stories. This episode explores the power of storytelling, the role of inspiration, and the importance of authenticity and kindness in life and craft.Main Topics:

• Michael Moore’s journey from football and wrestling fan to author
• How diverse influences (music, sports, media) shape storytelling
• Navigating creativity, risks, and avoiding common writing tropes
• The significance of character depth and villain design
• Balancing solitary writing with social exploration and learning
• Impact of AI on the future of writing and originality
• Practical advice: reading, networking, and self-belief

In this episode:

• Michael shares his background growing up in Miami and early struggles with school
• The story behind how a childhood love for poetry and wrestling inspired his stories
• His process of blending different genres and ideas into unique novels
• Lessons learned from decades of writing, including Brandon Sanderson’s influence
• Strategies to stand out in a saturated market by breaking tropes
• The importance of character motivations in crafting compelling villains
• Practical tips for aspiring writers: reading widely, networking, and trusting your voice
• Thoughts on AI’s role and ethical considerations in publishing
• Michael’s future goals: inspiring others, building a community, and continuous storytelling

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction 

01:05 - Michael Before He Wrote Books 

03:19 - How Wrestling Turned Him Into A Storyteller 

04:26 - How Michael Obtained The Courage To Pursue Writing Further 

05:46 - The Types Of Articles That Michael Wrote About 

08:33 - Balancing Life & Writing More Novels 

10:02 - A Dance In Time & Other Novels Coming Out 

11:59 - How Wrestling Led To These Unique Stories 

14:32 - Getting Over Generic Writing & Tropes To Create Something Amazing 

18:16 - Speaking Of Podcasts... 

18:51 - What Books Have That Movies Don't Or Vice Versa 

20:58 - What It Takes To Learn From Other Authors 

23:35 - The Importance of Reading 

23:52 - What Writing Has Taught Michael About Himself 

25:51 - What Would You Tell Yourself If You Talked To Young Michael 

27:05 - What'll Happen To Reading As We Move Forward In Society 

28:50 - One Thing People Should Takeaway From Your Book 

29:46 - A Character Michael Hated To Write About 

31:33 - The Essence of a Great Villain 

32:25 - Is Lord Voldemort A "Well Written Villain?" 

34:13 - Was Michael's Personality Always About Exploring Everything 

36:03 - Something Michael Could Talk About Forever 

39:12 - How Michael Is Helping His Children Obtain That Explorative Attitude 

41:24 - The Role of AI in Writing and Creativity 

45:32 - Goals and Aspirations as an Author 

48:23 - Finding Your Voice in a Noisy World 

51:04 - How Michael Is Using His TikTok Now vs In The Future 

53:03 - Three Major Pieces Of Advice Anyone Can Apply 

55:43 - A Story That Defines Who Michael Is Today 

57:54 - One More Thing To Learn About Michael You Won't Find In His Books 

01:01:48 - The Biggest Authors Have A Machine Behind Them... 

01:03:09 - Check Out His Books & Stories

In this in-depth interview, Tim Facciola shares his journey from athletic pursuits to becoming an award-winning author. He discusses the importance of understanding foundational principles, the value of adaptability, and the creative process behind his trilogy 'Vengeful Realm.' Discover how his diverse experiences and philosophical insights can inspire your own path to growth and creativity. In this insightful interview, Tim Facciola shares his journey as an author, the importance of grit and process, and how immersive research and cultural understanding can elevate storytelling. Discover practical advice for writers, the significance of challenging beliefs, and the power of community and connection.

 Keywords

Creativity, Storytelling, Personal Growth, Writing Process, Adaptability, Inspiration, Fiction, Mental Models, Life Lessons writing process, author journey, storytelling, research, cultural understanding, grit, publishing, book awards, community, creative success

Key Topics

The importance of foundational principles in storytelling and life

Balancing surgical precision with adaptability

The creative process behind the 'Vengeful Realm' trilogy

Lessons learned from diverse career paths and failures

The role of self-reflection and community in growth Writing process and discipline

Immersive research and cultural understanding

Challenging beliefs and growth as a writer

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Who Is Tim Facciola

02:42 The Connection Between Artistry & Fitness

05:14 The Philosophy Of Failing Forward

10:30 Balancing Surgical vs Birds-Eye View

16:33 A Story That Represents This Child-Like Wonder From Tims Life

23:46 Going From Activities That Require People To No One

27:14 The Journey Of Writing A Vengeful Realm

31:29 How The Vengeful Realm Trilogy Appeals To Readers

36:29 Writing Yourself Into Your Story Is A Tendency

40:30 The Decade Long Journey Writing A Vengeful Realm Explained

53:16 Defining A Great Book: Perspective & Subjectivity

58:30 Transitioning To New Worlds: The Forsaken Forge

01:03:40 Exploring Cultural Depths through Martial Arts

01:07:07 The Importance Of Immersive Research As Authors

01:14:07 The Surrealness Chanticleer International Book Award

01:18:49 How Tim Defines Creative Success

01:22:31 Challenging Beliefs: The Core Message Of A Vengeful Realm

01:27:01 One Thing Readers Can Take Away From This Show

01:33:25 Closing Thoughts