Summary of "The Happy Writer With Marissa Meyer"
The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
Host: Joanna Penn
Guest: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: February 17, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers, host Joanna Penn engages in an insightful conversation with Marissa Meyer, a New York Times bestselling author known for her Lunar Chronicles series. Their discussion revolves around maintaining joy and fulfillment in the writing process, navigating the challenges of the publishing industry, and effective strategies for book marketing.

Marissa Meyer's Journey to Writing

Marissa Meyer shares her lifelong passion for storytelling, which began in childhood through creating and narrating stories. Her academic journey includes a bachelor's degree in creative writing and a master's degree in publishing, equipping her with both creative and business acumen essential for a successful writing career.

“I started making up stories and telling them to my parents, asking them to write them down into little books for me. And then as I got older, I of course started writing them myself.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:22:08]

Meyer recounts her early career as an editor at a small publishing house in Seattle, focusing on fine art books. This role provided her with invaluable insights into the behind-the-scenes aspects of book production and marketing. After five years, she transitioned to freelance typesetting and proofreading, which eventually led to her first novel's success and her full-time writing career.

“Working as an editor taught me a lot about what goes into creating a book—the actual production, the marketing—so it really solidified my passion for writing.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:24:12]

Redefining the Creative Process: The Happy Writer Mindset

Marissa introduces her book, "The Happy Writer," aiming to challenge the conventional stereotype that writing equates to suffering and pain. She emphasizes focusing on the positive aspects of writing to foster a more joyful and sustainable creative process.

“I am one of those who feel like many writers think suffering and pain is more of a hallmark of the creative process. So if writers are not feeling the joy, then what?”
— Marissa Meyer [00:25:12]

She encourages writers to reconnect with what they love about their craft—be it crafting intricate plots, drawing inspiration from everyday life, the research process, or the satisfaction of holding a finished book.

Overcoming Writer's Block and Finishing Projects

Meyer addresses the common struggle of completing writing projects, especially during challenging phases like the "murky middle." She advises writers to recall their initial excitement by writing down what they love about their project. This technique serves as a motivational tool to persevere through difficult writing periods.

“If I'm a third of the way through and suddenly hating it, I'll go back and remind myself why I chose this project.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:30:12]

Regarding her writing process, Marissa shares that her approach varies depending on the project. Sometimes she writes out of order, drafting exciting scenes to maintain momentum, while other times, especially with complex plots, she writes linearly to ensure narrative cohesion.

“It really depends on the project. Some books are more difficult than others, and in those cases, writing linearly can reduce mental gymnastics.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:33:03]

Filling the Creative Well

To maintain creativity, Meyer suggests various strategies such as experiential research, engaging with nature, spending time with family, or tackling non-writing projects to clear mental clutter. She highlights the importance of intentional breaks to rejuvenate the creative spark.

“Sometimes the best thing you can do is take a step back and do it intentionally.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:34:16]

She emphasizes that taking time off doesn't mean abandoning writing but rather allowing oneself the space to refill the creative well, which can lead to renewed inspiration and ideas.

Developing and Maintaining a Series

When discussing writing series, Meyer emphasizes the importance of planning character arcs and maintaining consistency across books. She likens the progression of a series to leveling up in a video game, with each installment presenting new challenges and growth opportunities for characters.

“Think of it like old video games where every level ends with a boss, but each one is a step up from the last.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:38:33]

This approach ensures that characters evolve and the narrative remains engaging across multiple books, preventing stagnation and keeping readers invested.

Managing the Author's To-Do List: Learning to Say No

Meyer acknowledges the never-ending to-do list that authors often face, combining writing, publishing, and marketing responsibilities. She shares personal struggles with being a "yes person" and the importance of recognizing one's limitations. By understanding that saying yes to one task means saying no to others, she advocates for prioritizing activities that align with one's goals and well-being.

“When you say yes to something, you are also saying no to something else.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:43:45]

She advises authors to identify their priorities, set boundaries, and make deliberate choices about how to allocate their time, thereby reducing overwhelm and avoiding burnout.

Navigating Traditional Publishing and Querying

Marissa discusses her experiences with traditional publishing, emphasizing the importance of preparing the best possible manuscript and query materials. She underscores the value of celebrating the milestone of sending out queries, regardless of the outcome, and suggests moving forward by starting new projects to maintain momentum.

“Celebrate, because it's such a huge accomplishment to get to the point where you're querying.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:48:29]

Meyer also addresses the reality of changing agents or publishers, reassuring that such transitions are common and manageable. She highlights the importance of being one's own advocate and ensuring that publishing relationships remain beneficial and aligned with the author's evolving goals.

“We really have to speak up for ourselves first and foremost.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:54:32]

Making Book Marketing Enjoyable

To make marketing more enjoyable, Meyer recommends focusing on platforms that authors genuinely enjoy, such as Instagram over Facebook or Twitter, and establishing a consistent posting schedule that fits one's capacity. She also suggests batching marketing tasks like brainstorming and content creation to increase efficiency and reduce daily pressures.

“Pick and choose the things that you do get some enjoyment out of and set boundaries around it.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:54:50]

By tailoring marketing efforts to personal preferences and lifestyles, authors can enhance their marketing effectiveness while maintaining their well-being.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with key takeaways on maintaining joy in writing, balancing professional and personal life, effective strategies for overcoming writing challenges, and practical tips for managing the business side of being an author. Marissa Meyer's insights provide a roadmap for writers to cultivate happiness and sustainability in their creative endeavors.

“If you can see where burnout is looming, take a step back and reorganize your priorities.”
— Marissa Meyer [00:unknown] [Summary]

Joanna Penn encourages listeners to reflect on their own writing practices and consider implementing strategies discussed in the episode to enhance their enjoyment and productivity as writers. She also previews the next episode focused on Kickstarter for authors, emphasizing the ongoing support and resources offered through The Creative Penn community.

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as an invaluable resource for writers seeking to foster a more joyful and sustainable creative process. Marissa Meyer's experiences and advice offer practical solutions to common challenges faced by authors, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to thrive in their writing career.