DeepSummary
Ellen Hildebrand and Tim Ehrenberg welcome bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid to their podcast focused on books and the writing process. Taylor shares her journey of becoming a writer, starting from her early days working in casting in Los Angeles to writing her first novel. She emphasizes the importance of creating authentic and complex characters that feel real.
They discuss the challenges of balancing writing and parenthood, with Taylor stressing the need for support systems and acknowledging that it's a constant give-and-take. She also talks about the experience of having her novel 'Daisy Jones and the Six' adapted into a TV series, likening it to her 'grandchild' that she's proud of but didn't raise day-to-day.
The conversation delves into Taylor's latest novel 'Carrie Soto is Back,' which taught her about her own addiction to achievement and the importance of being present in the moment. They also touch on the celebrity aspect of being a successful author and Taylor's approach to interacting with fans while remaining true to herself.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Taylor Jenkins Reid emphasizes the importance of creating authentic and complex characters that feel real, rather than focusing solely on the plot.
- Balancing writing and parenthood requires support systems and a constant give-and-take, and society should normalize conversations about these challenges for both men and women.
- Taylor's latest novel 'Carrie Soto is Back' taught her about her own addiction to achievement and the importance of being present and appreciating the moment.
- Having her work adapted for television allowed Taylor to experience it as a separate art form, akin to a 'grandchild' she's proud of but didn't raise day-to-day.
- While Taylor has achieved success and fame as an author, she values authenticity and being true to herself, even in interactions with fans.
- Writing can serve as a means of self-discovery and personal growth, as Taylor learned valuable lessons about herself through the process of creating her characters and narratives.
- Creating compelling characters involves understanding their motivations, behaviors, and complexities, and thinking critically about how they would or wouldn't act in various situations.
- Letting go of self-imposed expectations and societal pressures can be liberating and allow for a greater focus on personal fulfillment and nurturing relationships.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I knew it about myself. I knew I should stop, but I also kind of thought that it was cute that I knew it and said I should stop, but was never going to stop. And writing that book and putting some of my truth in it and then seeing it, I was like, oh, it never ends. I'll be 90 in doing this to myself unless I stop.“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- “And so I just wanted to free myself of this expectation that probably I was the only one putting on me.“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- “And so for me, it's become much more about like, was I present with my kid, and was I good to the people around me? And was I good to myself?“ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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Episode Information
Books, Beach, & Beyond
Elin Hilderbrand, Tim Talks Books, N Magazine
6/20/23
Buckle up for an entertaining and profound talk with best-selling sensation Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and the Six, and Carrie Soto is Back. Elin, Tim, and Taylor discuss creating iconic characters, the price of celebrity as a writer, juggling family and career, and so much more. You don’t want to miss this one - it’s laugh out loud funny and full of heart!
A special thank you to our Episode Sponsors:
Marine Home Center
Nantucket Wine & Spirits
Taylor Jenkins Reid Reading List:
Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
What else are we reading in this episode:
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue
Follow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes.
And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond
Happy Reading!
Follow/Subscribe to the 'Books, Beach, & Beyond' podcast now to stay current on new episodes.
And find us on Instagram at @booksbeachandbeyond
Happy Reading!