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Craft of Writing, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Uncategorized, Writers on Writing

Jul 15: A Mother’s Reckoning – Kate White on Her 19th Novel, I Came Back For You

July 15, 2026

What it takes to write a page-turning psychological thriller.

I Came Back For You with Kate White

Unwilling to let her daughter Melanie’s murder stay buried, Bree begins unraveling a past that turns out to be far more complicated – and far more dangerous – than she ever imagined. The deeper Bree digs, the more she’s forced to question everything she believed: About the crime, the killer, and the daughter she thought she knew inside-out.

Kate White joins us to talk about what it really takes to build a psychological thriller, from plotting and pacing, to the art of the slow-burn reveal.

Kate also takes us behind the scenes of her own remarkable story: Her years as editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, her life now in Uruguay, her passion for eco-tourism. And advice from a fellow author that changed how she approached writing novels. It’s a conversation about craft, reinvention, and the courage it takes to keep chasing the truth – on, and off, the page.

Meet Kate White

Although she loved her magazine career, Kate White decided to leave it behind 12 years ago to concentrate full-time on another passion: Writing suspense fiction. She is now the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 19 novels of suspense: 11 standalone psychological thrillers, including the latest I Came Back for You and eight Bailey Weggins mysteries. A former Glamour magazine Top Ten College Women Contest winner and cover girl, Kate had a long career in the media world, which included running five national magazines. For 14 years she was the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, which under her leadership, became the most successful magazine in U.S. single-copy sales.

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Fiction, Thriller, Uncategorized

Aug 27: I Become Her with Edgar Award-winning Author Joe Hart

August 27, 2025

Ever wonder if you really know the person you love? Joe Hart’s new thriller dares you to find out.

I Become Her with author Joe Hart

Joe Hart, master of psychological suspense joins us to discuss his chilling new novel I Become Her.

The story follows Imogen Carmichael, a newlywed whose honeymoon turns into a nightmare when her husband Lev falls overboard during a heated argument—he survives, but with no memory of what happened. As paranoia builds and trust unravels, the question becomes: Is Lev hiding something sinister—or is Imogen losing her grip on reality?

In our conversation we explore what inspired the central premise of a honeymoon gone disastrously wrong. How Joe developed the voice of a strong female lead. The most challenging aspects of writing a thriller. And, how memory—real or imagined—can shape the truth we cling to.

Meet Joe Hart

Joe Hart is an Edgar Award–winning and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 17 novels, including Or Else, The River Is Dark, Obscura, and The Last Girl. He’s also written several novella’s and dozens of short stories. Known for his taut pacing and psychological depth, Hart crafts stories that keep readers on edge until the final page. He lives in Minnesota with his family and continues to explore the darker side of human nature through fiction.

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Essays, Non Fiction, Uncategorized, Writers on Writing

Dec 18: Nancy Slonim Aronie on Writing the Story You Have Inside You

December 18, 2024

Seven Secrets to the Perfect Personal Essay: Crafting the Story Only You Can Tell

Seven Secrets to the Perfect Personal Essay with author Nancy Slonim Aronie

For Nancy Slonim Aronie, helping people tell their stories has been a lifelong mission. In Seven Secrets to the Perfect Personal Essay, Nancy reveals secrets that help shape your story so that it moves, connects, and resonates with readers.

Nancy shares why she encourages new writers to master the personal essay. How you benefit from what she calls the gift of opening yourself up. How to cope with a writer’s feelings of vulnerability. How to find your voice (hint … you already have it) and what makes a story storyworthy. We discuss honesty, how to deal with negative feedback and constructive criticism, how to gather ideas, and more.

Meet Nancy Slonim Aronie

Nancy Slonim Aronie is the founder of the Chilmark Writing Workshop on Martha’s Vineyard, and the author of Memoir as Medicine; Writing from the Heart; and now Seven Secrets to the Perfect Personal Essay: Crafting the Story Only You Can Tell. A regular commentator for NPR’s All Things Considered, Aronie has taught at Harvard University and conducted writing workshops and lectures at Kripalu, Omega, Esalen, Rowe Conference Center, Wainwright House, and the Open Center in New York City.

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Creativity, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Uncategorized, Writers on Writing

Jul 31: Matthew Dicks – Strategies from a Master Storyteller

July 31, 2024

Stories Sell: Storyworthy Strategies to Grow Your Business and Your Brand

Stories Sell with author Matthew Dicks

Today’s guest has many talents and accolades. But regardless of what Matthew Dicks is doing – teaching high school students, writing books or Moth GrandSLAM talks, giving keynote speeches, consulting with Fortune 500 clients, even hosting as a wedding DJ – he says ” … the heart of it revolves around story.”

That’s what we discuss in Stories Sell: Storyworthy Strategies to Grow Your Business and Your Brand.

Matthew shares how to differentiate between a romp and a story. Why you should keep a story bank, and how Matthew builds his. Why most companies, salespeople, and marketers get storytelling wrong, and why you should focus first on story, then purpose. What makes a 5-second Moment. How to avoid death by PowerPoint. Why But and However help to transition story scenes, but And doesn’t. When to risk introducing humor and why … and much more.

Meet Matthew Dicks – Bestselling Author, Moth StorySLAM & GrandSLAM Champion

Matthew Dicks is the internationally bestselling author of several novels, including Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend, and Something Missing. His nonfiction titles include books we’ve discussed on the show before: Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling. Someday is Today:  22 Simple Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life. And his latest, Stories Sell: Storyworthy Strategies to Grow Your Business and our Brand. Matthew Dicks is a 56-time Moth StorySLAM Champion, and a 9-time GrandSLAM Champion, whose stories have been featured on the nationally syndicated Moth Radio Hour. His stories have also appeared on PBS’ Stories From the Stage.

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Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Self-help, Uncategorized

Dr. Richard Dixey Shows How to Change Your Life with Three Minutes a Day

September 20, 2023

Gain Clarity, Reduce Stress, Enhance Creativity

Three Minutes a Day with author Richard Dixey

If you’re one of the millions of people interested in meditation but have a busy monkey-mind, find it hard to sit still, or are short on time, Three Minutes a Day is the perfect way to learn how to incorporate this valuable practice into everyday life.

Dr. Richard Dixey presents a different approach to meditation that uses short exercises to stabilize mental experience. He shares a direct path to clarity of mind, stress relief, sharper thinking, improved concentration, and enhanced creativity that can be followed from anywhere, no matter how busy your schedule.

About Dr. Richard Dixey

Richard Dixey, PhD, is a scientist and lifelong student of Asian philosophy. He runs the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation in India with his wife Wangmo, the eldest daughter of Tibetan lama Tarthang Tulku. He is a senior faculty member at Dharma College in Berkeley, and divides his time between California and India. His new book, Three Minutes a Day: A 14 Week Course to Learn Meditation and Transform Your Life.

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Uncategorized

JUL 28: How Creative & Performing Artists (& Everyone Else) Can Finally Meet Their Goals with Creativity Expert Eric Maisel

July 28, 2021

The Power of Daily Practice – psychology, practice, & benefits

Eric Maisel lives and breathes creativity – understanding it, teaching it, and developing it to help others on their creative journeys.

Regardless of what’s holding you back – self-doubt, fear, raising kids, lack of time or money – Dr. Maisel‘s deep understanding of the psychology of creativity, living with purpose, and doing what’s important can help.

He defines “daily practice”; and the psychological and practical benefits of it. We explore ways to overcome challenges. Identify some of the 20 elements to make your practice successful. And examine the dreaded P word – procrastination.

About Eric Maisel

Eric Maisel, PhD, is the author of more than 50 books in the areas of critical psychology, writing, creativity, and the creative life. He’s a former psychotherapist and current creativity coach. His new book is The Power of Daily Practice: How Creative and Performing Artists (and Everyone Else) Can Finally Meet Their Goals.

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Uncategorized

DEC 24: Happy Holidays! KKNW Presents the Christmas Special

December 13, 2018

Every year on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, The Scandinavian Hour hosts Christmas music from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.  So enjoy the music, and Conversations LIVE with Vicki St. Clair will be back next week.

If you don’t celebrate the holiday, enjoy some downtime and do something fun for yourself

If you do celebrate, the team at Conversations LIVE wishes you a Very Merry Christmas filled with much joy, love, and laughter.

From ~ David, Eric, Jon, & Vicki.

P.S.  And Dylan Thomas the Border Collie, who keeps Vicki in check!

 

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DEC 25: Happy Holidays from Conversations Live with Vicki St. Clair!

December 21, 2017

All of us here at Conversations Live would like to wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and joyous Christmas!  In our place today, KKNW will feature the annual two hour special from “The Scandinavian Hour” full of music and Christmas spirit.

Tune in Friday at 6 AM during prime drive time to enjoy this encore edition of Conversations Live with Vicki St. Clair, featuring Sarah Perry’s The Essex Serpent, and Christopher Brown’s Tropic of Kansas.

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Uncategorized

KKNW Celebrates 9 Years of Conversations Live

August 24, 2016

The art of conversation, quality conversation that is, often leads first with listening. For nine years, Vicki St. Clair, host of Conversations Live with Vicki St. Clair has been doing just that. . .first listening and then conversing with fascinating people from all walks of life.

Enjoy the rest of the article HERE!

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