Last month, we posted our first mini-episode on the Work of Writing and we are following up with Part 2, featuring New York Times bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch. Duana and I talk to Allison about her work as a magazine writer early in her career and making the transition from magazine to books. We discuss the decisions she’s made along the way, from firing her agent to self-publishing to working with editors – with celebrity cameos along the way. Britney Spears comes up. So does Jennifer Garner. 

Allison shares with us her best practices, and the obstacles she’s had to overcome. Also, the obstacles that keep coming up for writers – which ones are just part of the process and which ones are part of a system that sets some people up for success over others? Is that system changing? What is the role of the writer in being part of that change? 

And how does a writer continue to change? Allison just co-wrote a screenplay, an adaptation of one of her novels and she tells us about the challenges of learning a new discipline and the gift of writing collaboratively. Duana and I are so honoured to have spent an hour unpacking the work of Allison’s career with her and took so much away from her insight and her experience. For all the writers and aspiring writers out there, in any field, we hope you too will find encouragement, motivation, and of course best practices to borrow from Allison’s story. Allison, thank you so much for your time and your wisdom. Allison’s most recent novel, released in 2018, Between Me and You, is available now

Again, thanks for your support of our podcast and our mini-episodes on writing. We are definitely planning more throughout the year so let us know your questions and comments about writing and the work that you’ve put into it.