Shows
People Who Do Things37. The Coat Check Girl is Out Now!John talks with Laura about her newly released debut novel, The Coat Check Girl.2024-11-1335 minPeople Who Do Things36. Inspiration from SteinbeckLaura and John discuss Laura's upcoming debut novel, The Coat Check Girl, John's new middle grade novel Ace Adler and the Pendulum of Doom, and get inspiration from a quote by John Steinbeck.2024-05-1449 minPeople Who Do Things35. Traditional and Self PublishingLaura and John talk about their two paths to publishing: Laura with her traditional contract, and John with his self publishing. Also, tips and tools for getting reviews for your book, whichever way it is published, from Kirkus Reviews to Net Galley.2024-01-101h 05People Who Do Things34. Photojournalist Richard DrewLaura and John welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Richard Drew to the podcast. Richard has been an Associated Press photographer for more than fifty years and has been front row to many historic events, from the assassination of Robert Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, to the fall of the towers on 9/11. He is known for his image Falling Man from 9/11.2023-12-0847 minPeople Who Do Things33. The Final Stretch and Next BeginningsLaura and John catch up after a busy summer and talk about progress and next steps as they are both preparing books for publishing. Laura is in revisions for her publisher, and John is about to release his eighth book independently. They also discuss their next projects and what their plans are for those. 2023-10-0446 minPeople Who Do Things32. Announcements and MoreJohn welcomes special guest, PWDT's own Laura Buchwald to talk with her about some big announcements in her world. They also discuss progress in their WIPS (works in progress), and more!2023-08-1038 minPeople Who Do Things31. Self Doubt and ConfidenceLaura and John contemplate self doubt in writing, how it ties to ego and confidence. They also go through a few 'best first lines' of book, according to The Guardian. 2023-04-1549 minPeople Who Do Things30. Talking With Barbara JosselsohnLaura and John welcome author Barbara Josselsohn into the PWDT virtual studio to talk about her book The Lilac House, being a prolific author, managing multiple points-of-view in a book, and her recipe for a great first chapter. 2023-03-1252 minPeople Who Do Things29. On Revising and EditingLaura and John talk about their WIPs (work in progress) and their processes for revising and editing. As usual, they get sidetracked talking about other things, such as Yellowstone, Marc Maron, and more. 2023-03-0544 minPeople Who Do Things28. On Getting Motivated to WriteLaura and John distract themselves from writing by talking about what it takes them to get motivated to write. 2023-02-1236 minPeople Who Do Things27. Banter about CharactersLaura and John discuss the importance of creating three-dimensional protagonists and antagonists, and how much detail to give supporting characters. 2022-12-1131 min
People Who Do Things26. Catching Up With ClaudiaLaura and John welcome Claudia Zuluaga back to the podcast. We talk about writing tips and advice for new writers, when you are no longer an aspiring writer, and finding time and 'your place' to write. 2022-11-0858 minPeople Who Do Things25. Banter About ProcessLaura and John talk about what comes first: plot or character. 2022-10-0934 minPeople Who Do Things24. Season Two Premiere BanterIn what we'll call our Season Two premiere after a summer break, Laura and John catch up on what projects they are working on, the benefits of taking breaks, the excitement of new projects, and prove neither of them know how to pronounce Taiki Waititi's name.2022-09-3025 minPeople Who Do Things24. Banter: Writing After Tragic EventsIn this episode recorded during a difficult week, Laura and John talk about the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, and how to write during difficult times, as well as indie publishing.2022-06-1247 minPeople Who Do Things23. Brian NiemietzWe talk to Brian Niemietz about writing for New York City tabloids The Daily News and the New York Post, covering nightlife in the city, and hanging out with James Brown.2022-05-2346 minPeople Who Do Things22. Deborah Way of The KeepthingsWe talk to Deborah Way, founder of The Keepthings, an Instagram submission based memoir project. A hat your dad wore. Your grandmother's diamond ring. An artificial hip. People post a photo and a short description of the item and what it means to them. 2022-04-1936 minPeople Who Do Things21. Banter: AWP22 ConferenceLaura and John talk about the Association for Writing Professionals conference they attended last week in Philadelphia, sessions they attended, the book fair, and share comments from others at the conference.2022-04-0332 minPeople Who Do Things20. Elena PerezLaura and John talk with Elena Perez, poet, YA author, and current staff writer on the NBC series Chicago PD.2022-03-2047 minPeople Who Do Things19. Banter: DialogueLaura and John discuss the do's and don'ts of dialogue in writing, from proper punctuation to sounding natural. They also talk about tense and point-of-view, head-hopping, and the upcoming AWP22 writer's conference in Philadelphia.2022-03-1329 minPeople Who Do Things18. Elizabeth PrinvaultLaura talks to her good friend Elizabeth Prinvault about her work as a journalist in Paris and as an author/adaptor translating American TV and movies into French.2022-03-0727 minPeople Who Do Things17. Banter: Writing Through Current EventsWith Laura on travel in Paris, we talk about creativity derived by where you are (like Paris), writing during global events, how to process new ideas that come at unexpected times, how we handle, and how different people have different versions of their home cities.2022-02-2731 minPeople Who Do Things16. Author Kitty ZeldisToday we talk to Kitty Zeldis, author of Not Our Kind, a look at 1940's New York City and the unexpected friendship between two women, one Jewish and one gentile. We discuss researching the era, everything from fashion to anti-semitism. Kitty is also author of several of the children's Who Was picture book series as Yona Zeldis McDonough.2022-02-2048 minPeople Who Do Things15. Romance Author Alexx AndriaWe speak with USA Today bestselling romance author Alexx Andria about getting her first manuscript bought by Harlequin, writing with pseudonyms, how romance novels have changed over the years, and her new suspense thriller trilogy under the name JH Leigh.2022-02-1350 minPeople Who Do Things14. Brian Hutchison talks about creating his podcast "I Still Think About You"We have a great chat with Brian Hutchison about the podcast he wrote and stars in, I Still Think About You, a psychological suspense based on real events from his life. Also on being in a Tony award winning play with Zachary Quinto, Jim Parsons, and Matt Bomer. 2022-02-0648 minPeople Who Do Things13. Banter: Writing with ScrivenerLaura and John talk about the different ways of getting words out of your head and onto the page, from longhand on paper, Microsoft Word, Pages, and the software platform Scrivener.2022-01-3032 minPeople Who Do Things12. Interview with Ronnie Marmo, the force behind "I Am Not A Comedian ... I'm Lenny Bruce"We talk with writer, playwright, actor Ronnie Marmo about his one-man show I'm Not a Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce, about what it's like working with director Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds, Simpsons, Spenser), getting the approval of Bruce's daughter Kitty Bruce about his portrayal of her father, being naked on stage, and the impact Lenny Bruce had on comedy and language.2022-01-2440 minPeople Who Do Things11. Talking with Screenwriter Hannah Bos, creator of "Somebody Somewhere"Laura and John talk to screenwriter Hannah Bos about her new HBO series Somebody Somewhere, starring Bridget Everett, about the challenges of shooting during a pandemic, writing with a partner, her film Driveways, working with Brian Dennehy, and the allure of old shopping malls.2022-01-1630 minPeople Who Do Things10. Talking to Musician Jack GraceThis week Laura and John talk with songwriter, musician, and new father Jack Grace about creating after having a baby (during a pandemic, no less), how the music industry has changed, the changing genres of music, the Beatles and Spinal Tap, and getting an unexpected wad of cash from Neil Young. 2022-01-0942 minPeople Who Do Things09. Banter: Write What You KnowOn the first episode of 2022, Laura and John talk about the old writing idea of "write what you know" and what that really means, using editors and writing groups, and more.2022-01-0220 minPeople Who Do Things08. Banter: 2021 Wrap up and 2022 Look AheadIn this extra episode to end 2021, Laura and John talk about the last year (or two), losing Joan Didion, and what we are planning for 2022!2021-12-3027 minPeople Who Do Things07. Banter: ResearchLaura and John talk about the research that goes into writing, from traveling to other cities and countries, to checking routes on Google Maps, or talking to ghosts in restaurant bathrooms.2021-12-2614 minPeople Who Do Things05. Actor Michael McGlone, "The Brothers McMullen", "She's The One", and many a GEICO adLaura and John talk with Michael McGlone. Actor, writer, comedian, musician, poet... he does it all. From his breakout role in Brothers McMullen to his upcoming part in an episode of SWAT on CBS, McGlone has been working hard in showbiz for 20 years. He has three studio albums of music and a long list of credits on IMDB. 2021-12-1925 minPeople Who Do Things06. Michael McGlone Reading From His Novel "Cal"A special episode featuring Michael McGlone doing a reading from his novel, Cal.Music:Dreams Of War by Rafael KruxLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/5404-dreams-of-war-License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license2021-12-1910 minPeople Who Do Things03. Author Claudia Zuluaga Reading Fort StarlightAfter Laura and John's talk with Claudia Zuluaga, they invited her to record part of her novel Fort Starlight to add to the episode. They then decided to let it stand on its own and made a new episode out of it. Please enjoy this reading of part of Chapter 2 of Fort Starlight, read by the author, Claudia Zuluaga.2021-12-1214 minPeople Who Do Things04. Banter: InspirationTo create, you must be inspired by...something. Laura and John talk about what inspires them to sit down and write as well as inspirations for specific works. 2021-12-1215 minPeople Who Do Things02. Author Claudia ZuluagaLaura and John talk to Claudia Zuluaga, author of the novel Fort Starlight, about her experiences with her first novel compared to work on her second, teaching college students writing, balancing a work/family/writing life, and more!2021-12-1234 minPeople Who Do Things01. Banter - Getting to Know YouWelcome to the first episode of People Who Do Things with Laura Buchwald and John H. Matthews! In this initial outing, Laura and John talk about how they got started writing, inspiration, writer's block, and much more. 2021-12-0818 min