Taffy Brodesser-Akner on Writing Personal Essays, Celebrity Profiles, and Culture Stories

   

Taffy Brodesser-Akner is one of the most successful journalist/novelists working today. She is a staff writer at The New York Times, where she pens long-form articles for the newspaper and magazine on culture and celebrities. And this past year, she released her debut novel Fleishman Is In Trouble, which has been long-listed for the National Book Award and the Carnegie Medal.

I recorded this interview in 2017 as one of my first podcasts ever, so I thought it was a good time to resurface it for those new to the show. Taffy talks about how she got started as a writer later in life after overcoming fears and doubts about her talent (whuuut?). She details her rise from a freelance writer, penning powerful personal essays for women’s magazines and celebrity profiles for GQ to her full-time gig at the Times.

Taffy is one of the most honest and funny writers I know so, not surprisingly, the podcast totally captures her personality. And her advice is stellar.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!