Susan Orlean on Writing the Story of a Life Well Lived

Memoir Nation: Weekly Inspiration for Writers is an extension of the Memoir Nation community hosted by Brooke Warner and Grant Faulkner, two friends and colleagues who bring a community-minded sensibility to the writing journey. Originally launched as Write-minded in 2018, this is a weekly writing podcast that focuses on memoir and personal writing, as well as industry trends and tips and resources for writers and authors.

This week’s Memoir Nation is an onstage interview with Brooke and guest Susan Orlean, author of the new memoir, Joyride. This interview was a LitQuake event that happened in late October in Oakland, California. Susan is a delightful storyteller on the page and on the stage. There are some not-to-be-missed stories about working for Robert Gottlieb and Tina Brown at The New Yorker; what it felt like to have Meryl Streep play her in the movie, Adaptation; and insights about whether or not she could have the career she’s had if she were starting today. Thank you to LitQuake and Susan for allowing us to repurpose this interview—and Happy Thanksgiving week to all.

Subscribe and download the episode, wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Susan Orlean is the bestselling author of The Orchid Thief, The Library Book, and eight other works of nonfiction. A longtime staff writer for The New Yorker, she’s known for her vivid storytelling, deep curiosity, and ability to illuminate the extraordinary in the ordinary. Her work has been widely anthologized and adapted for film, including the Oscar-winning Adaptation. She is one of the most influential nonfiction storytellers of our time.