Author Interview Shorts
Author Interview Shorts
Clay Stafford Interviews Thomas Perry: On Rushing the Ending
Bestselling author Thomas Perry shares the most common craft mistake mystery writers make: rushing the ending. In this clip with Clay Stafford, he explains why accomplished writers build toward an inevitable conclusion and how skipping proper setup can weaken a story.
Clay Stafford Interviews James Comey: on Writing Real World Controversy
How do you write real world controversy without turning it into propaganda? Clay Stafford asks the legendary James Comey how he approaches ethical gray areas in fiction. Comey explains why the most powerful stories come from lived experience, conflicting values, and questions with no easy answers. When writers explore both sides of a moral conflict, tension deepens, characters feel real, and the story stays honest.
Clay Stafford Interviews Lauren Myracle on Rewriting
Rewriting can quietly kill a scene if you’re not careful. Clay Stafford and Lauren Myracle talk about the moment when revision turns spontaneous writing into something dull and lifeless. Lauren shares why sometimes the fix is not polishing harder, but throwing the scene out entirely, letting go of what no longer works, and rebuilding with stronger plot and purpose. Knowing when to cut is part of becoming a better writer.
Clay Stafford Interviews Charles Todd: Avoid Info Dumps
Charles Todd joins Clay Stafford to discuss how writers choose which research details to include and which to leave out. Todd explains why avoiding information dumps matters, how backstory should emerge through character perspective, and why dialogue helps keep stories moving forward.
Clay Stafford Interviews James Comey on Creating Intense Conflict
Clay Stafford sits with James Comey to discuss how writers can create intense conflict between characters without flattening one side into a villain. Comey explains why he grounds scenes in lived experience, visualizing real interactions to capture the emotional truth on both sides. Drawing from moments he has actually lived through helps him write fiction that feels balanced, human, and believable.
Clay Stafford Interviews Otto Penzler on the Biggest Mistake Mystery Writers Make
Legendary editor Otto Penzler shares the most common mistake writers make when crafting mysteries: rushing the ending. In this clip with Clay Stafford, he explains why great stories build toward an inevitable conclusion and how newer writers often skip the crucial setup.
Clay Stafford Interviews James Comey: How Much Closure Should a Story Have?
Bestselling author James Comey talks with Clay Stafford about one of writing’s hardest choices: how much closure to give your readers. From moral ambiguity to satisfying endings, Comey shares insight into crafting powerful conclusions and meeting reader expectations. Perfect for writers, authors, and storytellers looking to strengthen their narrative endings. Read
Clay Stafford Interviews Janelle Brown on Writing Routines and Productivity
In this candid look at productivity, creativity and workflow, bestselling author Janelle Brown shares her real writing routine. From daily word count goals to finding the zone, Janelle talks about writing every day, aiming for 1,000 words, and how momentum can grow to 2,000–4,000 words when inspiration hits.
Clay Stafford Interviews Amulya Malladi On Writing in a Point of View That Isn’t Your Own?
In this clip, Amulya Malladi reflects on the vulnerability and courage required to write from a male perspective for the first time. From researching how men speak and think, to confronting fears, this is an honest look at creative risk, impostor syndrome, and the internal permission writers must give themselves before the work can truly flow.
The conversation touches on:
Writing across gender and identity lines
Doubt, discomfort, and creative courage
The freedom that comes once a character becomes real
For writers, storytellers, and anyone who’s ever wondered “Who am I to write this?”—this one’s for you.