# SEASON 2 FAVES: Inside the Mind of a Multi-Genre #1 NYT Bestselling Author Who Balances Horror, History, and Hope | Why Writing Fast and Going All-In Could Be Your Secret to Success Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/two-chicks-and-a-plot-twist-7115287/season-2-faves-inside-the-mind-of-a-multi-genre-1-nyt-bestselling-author-who-balances-horror-history-and-hope-why-writing-fast-and-going-all-in-could-be-your-secret-to-success Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/two-chicks-and-a-plot-twist-7115287/season-2-faves-inside-the-mind-of-a-multi-genre-1-nyt-bestselling-author-who-balances-horror-history-and-hope-why-writing-fast-and-going-all-in-could-be-your-secret-to-success.md Podcast: [Two Chicks and a Plot Twist](https://stenobird.com/podcast/two-chicks-and-a-plot-twist-7115287) Published: 2026-07-02T12:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mccayleigh-daniels/episodes/SEASON-2-FAVES-Inside-the-Mind-of-a-Multi-Genre-1-NYT-Bestselling-Author-Who-Balances-Horror--History--and-Hope--Why-Writing-Fast-and-Going-All-In-Could-Be-Your-Secret-to-Success-e3lg6s9 Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/fd2f50b4/podcast/play/122214729/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-5-30%2F427125234-44100-2-2a1ec4a59c0cd.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/two-chicks-and-a-plot-twist-7115287/episodes/season-2-faves-inside-the-mind-of-a-multi-genre-1-nyt-bestselling-author-who-balances-horror-history-and-hope-why-writing-fast-and-going-all-in-could-be-your-secret-to-success Duration seconds: 3070 ## Resource Most authors dream of hitting the bestseller list, and Kiersten White has done it multiple times. But what does it really take to reach the heights of a New York Times bestseller and a Bram Stoker award? In this electrifying episode, Kiersten pulls back the curtain on her journey from an aspiring writer to a literary force, sharing behind-the-scenes moments like the adrenaline rush of her first #1 hit and the resilience it took to keep going through rejection after rejection. Discover how Kiersten navigates her prolific writing process, whether she’s drafting 82,000 words in just six days or editing countless drafts in her focused, obsessive style. She reveals her secret to harnessing ADHD and rapid thinking to produce over 29 novels across genres, including YA, fantasy, horror, and adult fiction. Her unique approach emphasizes the importance of working with your brain's rhythm, embracing intense writing sprints, and reading aloud to perfect every word. Plus, she shares the surprising regional folktales and historical facts that inspire her dark, compelling stories like The Fox and the Devil . We explore the transformative power of horror and dark fiction, how these stories serve as honest reflections of human fears, offering catharsis and validation. Kiersten discusses her deliberate writing for different age groups, the importance of authentic characters, and her bold reinterpretations of classic figures like Van Helsing, blending historical accuracy with regional supernatural legends. Whether you're a writer struggling with deadlines or a fan eager to learn how to craft stories that resonate, this episode offers invaluable insights and inspiration. Perfect for aspiring authors, seasoned writers, and horror fans alike, this conversation reveals what it truly takes to… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/two-chicks-and-a-plot-twist-7115287/episodes/season-2-faves-inside-the-mind-of-a-multi-genre-1-nyt-bestselling-author-who-balances-horror-history-and-hope-why-writing-fast-and-going-all-in-could-be-your-secret-to-success/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/two-chicks-and-a-plot-twist-7115287/season-2-faves-inside-the-mind-of-a-multi-genre-1-nyt-bestselling-author-who-balances-horror-history-and-hope-why-writing-fast-and-going-all-in-could-be-your-secret-to-success.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.