The Read Well Podcast: "How to Read Like a Novelist" – Episode 96 Summary

Release Date: April 14, 2025

Hosts and Guests

• Host: Eddy Hood
• Guests: Bestselling authors L.R. Lam, Andrea Stewart, and Piers Toward

1. Introduction Eddy Hood kicks off Episode 96 of The Read Well Podcast with palpable excitement, introducing his three esteemed guests: L.R. Lam, Andrea Stewart, and Piers Toward. Sharing a personal anecdote, Eddy reveals his journey back into novel writing through The Novelry, a writing school that provided him with invaluable coaching and reignited his passion for storytelling.

2. Opening Activity: The Hobbit's First Paragraph To dive deep into the art of storytelling, Eddy proposes an engaging activity. He reads the iconic first paragraph of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit:

"In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat. It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort."

The guests reflect on their initial reactions and the significance of effective opening lines.

• Andrea Stewart (02:44): Reflects nostalgically on her childhood memories associated with the paragraph, likening the experience to recalling a familiar scent.

• Elle Lamb (03:07): Highlights the skillful atmosphere-building and juxtaposition Tolkien employs, emphasizing how the description contrasts typical expectations with the cozy reality of a hobbit's home.

• Piers Toward (03:33): Shares a personal connection, imagining Tolkien crafting the first line on an examiner's paper in Oxford, illustrating the spontaneity and brilliance of storytelling.

3. Writing Process and Industry Expectations The conversation shifts to the challenges and rhythms of writing, especially under industry pressures.

• Piers Toward (05:34): Discusses the arduous four-year journey to complete his first book in The Wild Books series, balancing a full-time job and the iterative process of writing and rewriting. He emphasizes the importance of attachment to characters and the transformation from a single draft into a successful trilogy.

• Elle Lamb (07:09): Nods in agreement when Eddy mentions publishing deadlines, explaining the difficulty of transitioning from writing purely for oneself to meeting industry demands. She notes that while some authors, like Stephen King, can consistently produce work, others prefer sporadic releases.

• Eddy Hood (07:44): Draws parallels to literary figures like Hemingway, who weren't bound by annual publication schedules, provoking discussion on how modern publishing expectations might influence storytelling.

4. Handling Feedback and Reviews Eddy raises the topic of managing criticism, especially given the constant feedback authors receive compared to traditional job evaluations.

• Elle Lamb (07:09): Acknowledges the vulnerability in publishing work that might become entangled in cultural debates but finds solace in deeply connecting with readers who resonate with her messages.

• Andrea Stewart (12:20): Advises authors to avoid obsessively reading Goodreads reviews, noting that not all feedback accurately reflects a book's quality or readership. She emphasizes that harsh reviews can be disheartening but serve as motivation to improve future works.

5. Maintaining Creative Passion and Growth as Writers The discussion delves into sustaining creativity over time and balancing personal and professional writing endeavors.

• Elle Lamb (28:27): Finds joy in mentoring new writers and celebrates their milestones, which rejuvenates her own creative energy. She advocates for hobbies unrelated to writing to maintain a fresh perspective.

• Andrea Stewart (31:22): Expresses gratitude for the freedom to explore personal ideas in her writing career and highlights the importance of celebrating the decision to pursue writing over a conventional day job.

• Piers Toward (30:02): Encourages reconnecting with the initial love for reading and writing, suggesting that taking breaks can reignite creativity and lead to new story ideas.

6. The State of Reading Today Eddy inquires about the resurgence of reading in the digital age, noting the revival of local bookstores and increased book ownership.

• Elle Lamb (33:04): Attributes the trend to books being affordable entertainment, their tangible ownership, and the social aspect of sharing reading experiences on platforms like social media. She also points out the respite books offer from screen fatigue, enhancing their appeal.

• Piers Toward (37:02): Recommends a balanced approach to reading, advocating for consistent, manageable reading habits akin to daily vitamins, though he personally finds it challenging to maintain such discipline.

7. Writing Tools and Processes: Handwriting vs. Digital The guests share their preferred methods for drafting and organizing their writing.

• Elle Lamb (39:10): Utilizes a Remarkable tablet for handwritten notes and sketches, facilitating organization and freeform creativity without juggling multiple physical notebooks.

• Piers Toward (40:27): Prefers digital tools like the Kindle Scribe due to legibility issues with his handwriting but acknowledges the creative benefits of writing by hand.

• Ella Lamb (41:50): Finds that transcribing handwritten notes into digital format clarifies her thoughts, akin to explaining problems to a "rubber duck," a technique borrowed from the programming world to solve complex issues.

8. Audience Q&A: Favorite Book to Read Forever The episode culminates with each author sharing the one book they'd choose to read for the rest of their lives.

• Andrea Stewart (42:57): Chooses Watership Down for its layered storytelling and emotional depth, recounting her long-term affection for the book since childhood.

• Elle Lamb (43:34): Selects Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb, highlighting her deep personal and professional connections to the series, which significantly influenced her life and career.

• Piers Toward (44:19): Opts for The Hobbit, not only for its personal significance in his life but also for its comprehensive portrayal of life's varied phases and its enduring literary beauty.

9. Closing Thoughts Eddy wraps up the episode by underscoring the transformative power of stories. He emphasizes how fiction can shift perspectives, foster empathy, and bridge divides in an increasingly polarized world. Encouraging listeners to engage deeply with books, he reiterates the podcast’s mission to help audiences read meaningfully and apply literary insights to enhance their lives.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrea Stewart (11:55): "Writing a book or writing a poem is like throwing a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and listening for the echo."

• Eddy Hood (21:05): "A draft is not a spell check. It is asking really hard questions about a story."

• Piers Toward (18:44): "The first draft of a story is you just telling the story for yourself."

Conclusion Episode 96 of The Read Well Podcast offers a rich exploration of the intricacies of reading and writing, blending personal experiences with professional insights from three notable authors. Through candid discussions, practical advice, and heartfelt reflections, Eddy Hood and his guests illuminate the profound connections between storytelling, creativity, and personal growth. Whether you're an aspiring writer or a passionate reader, this episode provides valuable perspectives to deepen your engagement with the literary world.