Welcome to Letters from the Creative Life, a new feature on my podcast and Substack. (This is the audio version of an essay I wrote. If you'd like to read it instead, you can find it at CreativeInspiredHappy.com )

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is V.E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 25 books, including The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Her latest novel, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, is out now.

Today, we talk about:

* the curse of perfectionism and how Victoria copes with it,

* fighting Imposter Syndrome,

* why it's important to her to share both the victories and disappointments in publishing,

* the part of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil that Victoria re-wrote at the last minute, to the chagrin of her publisher,

* why defining books in genres is a box that writers and readers should actively fight against,

* which part of writing is her most hated, and which is her favorite,

* whether her poetic prose comes in the first draft or later in the editing phase,

* reading reviews of her own books,

* and so much more.

»(Plus a guest appearance in the video from one of Victoria’s cats)

Want more of Victoria?

You can find Victoria on Instagram or check out her website to sign up for her newsletter. Her newest novel, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join 24,000+ writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Hello, Protagonists!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Adam Met, multi-platinum recording artist (he's the A in the band AJR). He is also a professor, and now author of a new book, AMPLIFY.

Today, we talk about:

* the kinds of books Adam likes to read

* the process of co-authoring a book with another writer

* how to outline a non-fiction book

* breaking rules to build fanbases

* storytelling in songs vs in books

* avoiding burnout in creative careers, and

* how to find your personal happiness and fulfillment in life

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join more than 20,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Adam?

For book tour information and more, you can find Adam on Instagram, X, and his website.

Adam’s book Amplify is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!