Blake Kimzey is the founder of writingworkshops.com, a global community offering writing classes taught by experienced instructors, like Make Meaning Podcast host Lynne Golodner. Blake is also an author, screenwriter and hands-on dad of three. In this episode, Blake recalls a pivotal moment in sixth grade when he wrote a King Arthur rip-off. He and Make Meaning Podcast host Lynne Golodner also talk about his journey as an author, the inspiration behind WritingWorkshops.com and the surprising and very winding journey of becoming an author.
In this episode, Lynne and Blake discuss:
Going from short stories to writing a novel
Submitting novels and receiving rejections
Transitioning to screenwriting
Writing a novel while working at an engineering firm
Embracing the long-term nature of a writing career
The importance of supporting women authors over 40
WritingWorkshops.com's explosive growth
Offering online classes during the pandemic and beyond
Being in it for the long haul and why “first” novels are often third, fourth or tenth projects
Publishing later in life
Coming into your voice
Creating stakes, tension and care for characters
Links and Resources:
King Arthur
MFA
George Saunders
Austin Film Festival
David Benioff
Liz Hannah
D.B. Weiss
“A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit.”– Richard Bach
Elizabeth George Foundation
Carrie by Stephen King
On Writing, Stephen King
ASJA Virtual Annual Conference
Scotia Road Books
Edan Lepucki
Writing Coaching
Lynne’s Writers Retreats
Sackett Street Writers
Find Blake Kimzey:
Website
Find writingworkshops.com:
Website
Blog
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
Episode 144 – Danny Hankner – Founding Story Unlikely
Episode 142 – Announcing Scotia Road Books
Episode 79 – Laura Munson – How to Find Refuge in Writing
Episode 73 – Jim Reese – Why Teaching Writing in Prisons Helps Everyone
Episode 1 – Norman Cohn – the Best Business Advisor
Episode 165 - Brenda Meller - Capturing a Piece of the Publishing Pie
Episode 164 - Patrick Hicks - Writing Hard Stories Beautifully
Episode 163 - Qin Sun Stubis - Writing Inspired by Long-Held Family Lore
Episode 162 - Elizabeth Conte - Doing Well as an Indie Author
Episode 161 - Ana Veciana-Suarez - Historical Literary Fiction
Episode 160 - Jonathan Whitelaw - Cozy Crime & Escaping into Writing
Episode 159 – April Davila - Meditation & Writing
Episode 158 - Suzanne Nugent - On Character Development
Episode 156 - Blair Fell - Original Storylines & Unique Characters
Episode 155 - Martha Anne Toll - Finely Crafted, Award-Winning Fiction
Episode 154 - Dawn Chalker - Writing What You Know
Episode 153 – Jewish Books, Jewish Authors
Episode 152 - Ami Irmen - Character-Driven Narratives
Episode 151 - Rochelle Weinstein - Writing Best-Selling Novels
Episode 150 - Lisa Peers - First Novels & Writing Friendships
Episode 149 – Anne-Marie Oomen - Writing through Family
Episode 148 – Woman of Valor - Katie Scott interviews Lynne about her debut novel!
Episode 147 – Diane Gottlieb - Writing Short & Writing Well
Episode 146 – Barbara Stark-Nemon - Tracing the Path of Historical Fiction
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
Grimms’ Fairy Tales
Pollyanna
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends