by Holly Lynn Payne
Master storytellers discuss the stories and struggles that go into writing the first page of their books. Why? Because the first page is often the most re-written page of any book because it has to work so hard to do so much—HOOK YOU. Learn how the most talented writers work their magic with host, novelist and writing coach, Holly Lynn Payne.
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4/16/2021
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March 22, 2025
In Ep. 48, Callan Wink shares his candid experience “cutting out the boring parts” and expanding his short story into the acclaimed, Beartooth, a tightly written heist thriller, compared to Hemmingway and Cormac McCarthy. Wink discusses how his life is divided into two seasons: writing season and fly fishing. As a fly-fishing guide and surfer, Wink shares his unique perspective on the tricks he’s developed to write. Getting into his chair to write is the hardest task of his day and he prefers physical pain to the 'brain pain' of creating stories. This honest admission offers insight into the struggles and coping mechanisms many for writers who find the craft difficult, despite their immense talent. Wink was generous enough to find time to speak with us between surf sets from his writing retreat in Costa Rica.
March 15, 2025
In this special episode 47 of The Page One Podcast, host Holly Payne, accompanied by acclaimed author Nina Schuyler, delves into the meticulous craft behind the first page of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, All the Light We Cannot See. They explore how Doerr's writing hooks readers through precise language, rhythmic prose, and active verbs. Schuyler highlights the skillful use of suspense, detailed imagery, and musicality in the prose, illustrating why this is one of the best demonstrations of the power of enough. Sometimes less is more, especially when you begin with a single word: leaflets. Check out this special episode—the first POP1 (Power of Page One) pick of the month following the launch of the Power of Page One Substack. Tune in each month as they not only talk with a master storyteller on the struggles and stories that went into their latest book, but now dive even deeper with a page one analysis of some of their favorite books with Nina Schuyler of Stunning Sentences on Substack. If you’re interested in joining a growing community of writers and book lovers, find us on Substack at Power of Page One.
January 30, 2025
In Episode 46 of the Page One Podcast, we interview author Lissa Soep about what it took to write OTHER PEOPLE’S WORDS and discuss language, loss, and the voices that shape us long after people are gone. If you’ve ever kept an old voicemail just to hear someone’s voice again, or a series of text messages from someone no longer in your life, this episode is for you! Lissa’s book explores a profound idea: when we lose people, their words don’t disappear. They echo, evolve, and continue shaping our lives in unexpected ways. Grounded in her background in linguistic anthropology at Stanford, she weaves together memory and meaning with rare emotional precision. Inspired by Russian literary theorist Mikhail Bakhtin, she sees voices as living threads in the fabric of our relationships. Lissa’s journey from academic writing to literary nonfiction was anything but smooth. Stripping away the formal constraints of academia felt like losing a safety net, but it led her to a voice both raw and lyrical. She discovered that finding her voice was not about control—it was about trust. She admitted to the same doubts that haunt many writers: What if I can’t do this? But encouragement from loved ones, including the very friends she writes about, kept her going.This conversation left me reflecting on the voices that live within me—those I’ve lost, those I carry, and those I’m still learning from. Other People’s Words is more than a memoir; it’s a companion, a lyrical prayer, and a testament to the enduring power of language—to keep us connected with each other forever.
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