The Power of Showing Up
Writers are fucking weird. That’s probably why I love talking to them so much.
We’re solitary by nature, prone to obsession, usually carrying a few psychological idiosyncrasies that we’ve either turned into art or denial. But sit two of us down with microphones and a shared love of storytelling and magic tends to happen. That’s what my podcast Making It Up has become—a space where writers drop the mask and get real. No prep, no PR spin, no bullshit.
When I started the show, I figured it’d be a fun excuse to talk shop. I didn’t expect it to lead to keynote gigs, big-stage interviews, or being hired to coach other writers on how moderate panels or pitch prospective agents in person. But here we are. People crave real interaction, real insights, live flubs, and a reason to connect. I can’t understate the importance of showing up with your own authentic energy, being real, being human. Being authentic.
And here’s the thing: it’s only going to matter more. AI is here, and it’s not going anywhere. It can generate content in your voice, sure. But it can’t be you. It can’t sweat under stage lights or forget what it was saying mid-sentence and recover with an f-bomb. It can’t take a moment of silence and turn it into tension. And it sure as hell can’t make someone laugh, cry, or feel seen just by being real.
If you’re a writer right now, your edge isn’t speed or clever marketing or whatever genre’s trending on TikTok. It’s presence. It’s voice. It’s your ability to be an actual person in a world increasingly filled with synthetic noise. And that means you have to get out there, in front of people, and make a name for yourself that extends beyond the pages of your books.
So yeah, keep writing. But also: show up. Say the thing. Get weird. Be human.
People can tell the difference.
(photo: Talking writing with C.J. Box.)
New episodes of my podcast Making It Up are out! Over the past month I chatted with:
Episode 191: Laura Resau – Author of The Alchemy of Flowers, her debut adult novel after a long career writing award-winning books for young readers. We talked about how cultural curiosity fuels imagination, the blissful naiveté of querying her first agent, and what it’s like straddling the worlds of YA and adult fiction.
Episode 190: Bryan Gruley – Journalist and award-winning author of Bitterfrost and the Starvation Lake trilogy. Bryan shared what it was like to get 26 rejections before landing a three-book deal with Simon & Schuster, how suspense is all about unanswered questions, and what designing your own book merch does to your soul.
Episode 189: Ellen Birkett Morris – Novelist, short story writer, poet. Ellen and I talked about the shift from poetry to fiction, supporting other writers without losing yourself, and how writing a novel sometimes feels like chipping away at a mountain with a pair of nail scissors.
Episode 188: A. J. Finn – #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window. We covered his time in publishing, the decision to use a pseudonym, and how hitting the top of the bestseller list changes (and doesn’t change) your life. Also: we discussed whether a broken leg or a broken mind makes for better suspense.
All episodes are available on my website, my YouTube channel, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
REVIEWS
On the Page
Blade, Wendy Walker (Thomas & Mercer, January 2026)
I love Wendy. She’s a good friend and a helluva thriller writer, and I was lucky to get a glimpse at her stunning new novel releasing in January of 2026. About the book:
Ana Robbins was an Olympic star in the making―until tragedy forced her to leave that world behind. At the age of sixteen, she gave up her dream and never looked back. Fourteen years later, she’s a successful defense attorney, revered for her work with minors. But when her former coach turns up dead, Ana lands right back where it all began, and abruptly ended: The Palace, a world-renowned skating facility nestled high in the mountains of Colorado.
Ana returns to The Palace to defend the young skater accused of the brutal crime―Grace Montgomery. Despite her claims of innocence, all evidence points squarely at Grace’s guilt, and she’s days away from facing charges of first-degree murder.
My thoughts? In short: brilliant. Here’s my blurb:
“Wendy Walker has always written with razor precision, but Blade cuts deeper. It’s not just about murder or memory or justice—it’s about the brutal cost of silence, and the impossible choices we make to survive. What the author’s done here feels intensely personal. You can feel it in every sentence—the weight of trauma, the pulse of fear, the aching need for redemption. Ana Robbins is a fascinating, morally complex narrator, and her return to Echo, Colorado unearths far more than a murder case. This is a deeply psychological, fiercely feminist, and emotionally devastating reckoning. is Wendy Walker at her boldest: unflinching, urgent, and unforgettable.”
In short: pre-order this NOW.
Photo: Wendy and me at Thrillerfest
On the Screen
The Devil’s Hour (Prime Video, 2025)
Jessica and I just finished The Devil’s Hour, and damn, it’s a ride. The show follows a social worker named Lucy who keeps waking up at exactly 3:33 a.m. every night (aka the devil’s hour), haunted by strange visions and a son who feels…off. As her reality starts to unravel, she gets drawn into a string of murders and a mysterious man who seems to know far too much.
This show is trippy as hell. It’s intentionally confusing, full of strange timelines, odd behavior, and moments that make you question everything. But it’s not weird for the sake of weird. It builds toward something. Yes, there are flaws, most notably the character of Lucy’s estranged husband, who is overwritten and, at times, a caricature. And while it doesn’t tie everything up in a neat little bow, the show lands in a way that feels earned. If you like your thrillers layered, unsettling, and just a little bit existential, this one’s worth the watch.
Oh, and the best part of the show? Gideon. He’s a fucking head case.
Photo of the Month
Sometimes a sunrise can be as creepy as a full moon over a graveyard. This was my Colorado sunrise a few weeks ago.
Update from my Kids
After a week of Wilson birthdays, I’m no longer the father of teenagers. Though I still have a toddler golden retriever.
Update from my Pets
Yes, another pup cup.
Humor of the Month sent to me by a friend
All you writers!
Eighteen months ago, I founded Unbound Writer out of my love for storytelling—and for talking to other writers about how they do it.
Since then, it’s grown into so much more:
✍️ One-on-one coaching
🏞️ Writing retreats and seminars
🎥 Online classes for writers at every stage
And now, the How I Write series is live—honest, self-guided classes from bestselling authors sharing how they actually get the work done. No formulas. No gatekeeping. Just the real process behind the words.
If you’re ready to level up your writing, start here: unboundwriter.com
That’s it for now!
Just a reminder to subscribe to my newsletter for more content and access to contests and giveaways. Oh, and if you follow me on social media you’ll see a lot more pictures of my goddamn pets. Until next month…
