Great Stories about Great Storytellers: Recent Episodes
Randy Overbeck
GREAT STORIES about GREAT STORYTELLERS shares insights into storytellers whose names you no doubt recognize—names like Edgar Allen Poe, Steven Spielberg John Grisham and Walt Disney—but reveals the backstories you probably never heard about them. The podcast features different kinds of storytellers—authors, directors, playwrights and even a poet or two. In short 10-15 minutes episodes, this fun and sometimes funny podcast features anecdotes and tidbits about storytellers, with each episode spotlighting a modern storyteller like Tom Clancy or a classical name like Charles Dickens, but in a very different light.
In this episode, you'll learn--
- how Robert Ludlum went the route of the theater to learn the essentials of great storytelling
- how Ludlum learned to combine conspiracy theories, globe trotting spies and high stakes adventure
- how his characters have been so popular other authors have written even more novels with Ludlum's characters
- how Ludlum approached his writing to create such twisty captivating thrillers
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll learn--
- how Gabaldon went from scientist and computer expert to bestselling author of both a series of novels and the streaming series they spawned
- how she was among the first authors to combine historical adventure, suspense, mystery, science fiction and fantasy and romance with incredible success
- how the book sales and the viewers of the TV series dwarf the readership of many other authors
- how the the books (and the streaming series) occurred almost by accident, or at least on a whim.
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode you will learn--
- the tragic and still remarkable life Maya Angelou lived
- how her life's journey took her to three continents and six languages
- the several firsts that Maya accomplished in her life
- how her life intersected with famous civil rights legends...with tragic results
- how she became the rare storyteller who succeeded as an author, a poet and a director
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll discover--
- how Sue Grafton's childhood shaped her perspective on family as evidenced in her novels
- how Grafton's early attempts at novels met with little success
- how the author honed her storytelling skills writing screenplays for TV movies
- how her Alphabet series earned an array of awards and worldwide success
- how the frustration and ugliness of an event in her personal life led to her creating the plot of the first few Alphabet novels
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll learn--
- how Michael Connelly inherited his love of mystery novels from his own mother
- how the detective stories of Raymond Chandler played a pivotal role in Connelly's path to become a bestselling author of detective stories
- how a little known event in his youth foreshadowed Connelly's interest in police work
- of the incredible commercial and critical success Connelly novels have achieved
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll discover--
- how Sir Ridley Scott went from advertising mogul to major movie director
- how even though he ranks among the top grossing directors of all time, he had to wait half his life for his chance to direct a his first major motion picture
- how so many of his films, which were not appreciated initially, became cult and fan favorites
- how. like so many great storytellers, he had to overcome dramatic challenges to accomplish success
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode you'll learn--
- how Clive Cussler turned his love of the sea into best-selling, action-adventure novels
- how Cussler went from writing award winning ads to bestselling thrillers
- how Cussler managed "the willing suspension of disbelief" of readers at a level matched by few authors
- how Cussler's real life adventures were nearly as momentous as his fictional ones
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll learn--
- how the origin story of the most successful romance writer of all time
- how Roberts came to author fiction under four different names
- how Roberts has managed to write and publish more bestsellers than any other author
- The secret behind Roberts prodigious output of fiction.
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you learn--
- how the early tragedies, triumphs and experiences of his young life inspired his fantasy tales
- the unlikely path Tolkien's invented story for his children took to become a bestseller with more than 100 million copies
- how it took Tolkien almost two decades to develop, research, write and publish Lord of the Rings
- how the real Tolkien is not much like the stereotypical author and scholar,
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you will learn--
- how Dr. Seuss went from commercial artist to the most famous author of early reading books in America
- how the narrative of the Grinch captures the sense of Christmas for both kids and adults
- where the inspiration for the Grinch came from
- some of the incredible awards Dr. Seuss has won and those he hasn't
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll learn--
- How Dick Francis excelled as a British jockey and horseman
- How he used this novel to create a sub genre of thrillers and mysteries
- How his writing awards include the only author to win the "Edgar" for mystery of the year, three different times
- How Dick Francis accomplished in his writing something no other bestselling author has ever done.
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll discover--
- Mary Shelley's unique upbringing as the daughter of two famous and controversial figures
- Mary's unusual courtship and marriage to to the Romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley
- the incredible popularity of a monster invented by a 17-year-old girl, long beyond the book
- the tortured childhood that led Mary to envision such a monster
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll discover--
- how Ms. Clark knew she was a writer from the age of 6
- how she honed her craft writing advertising copy and radio shows
- how her first novel was a flop but she persevered
- how she had to overcome personal and family tragedies and use these experiences to fuel her writing
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, listeners will learn''
- how Anne was able to chronicle the Frank's family challenges as representative of the horrors of the Holocaust
- how Anne Frank aspired to become a journalist after the war and how this fueled her writing
- how the incredible popularity of her diary has led to some world-wide controversies.
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode you'll learn--
- how a corporate downsizing gave birth to one of the premier thriller writers of today
- how Child has created the larger than life character of Jack Reacher
- the strange process Child uses to write his best selling novels
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In the episode, you'll learn--
- how Beatrix Potter became one of the leading amateur scientists of her day
- how her love of animals led to her artistic rendering of these small creatures in her works
- how she came to writer "tiny" children's books which have rolled up sales to rival some of the biggest selling authors
- how her business savvy put her years ahead of other writers in the world of intellectual property rights
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you will learn--
- how Stephen King went from high school English teacher to best selling author
- how Carrie, his first horror novel and bestseller, almost ended in the landfill
- how King earned the record for most literary works picked up as film and TV projects
- 5 things you probably never knew about the "King of Horror"
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll learn--
- how James Patterson became the best selling author of the past two centuries
- how Patterson collaborated with fellow authors to produce more than 100 titles
- how Patterson used his experience as an advertising executive to inform his marketing efforts for his books
- how it took Patterson 17 years of writing to reach commercial success
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, listeners will learn--
- How Alex Haley learned the craft of writing in the Coast Guard
- How Haley became the preeminent interviewer of famous African Americans and other celebrities
- How his first book, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, made publishing history and made Haley a household name
- How his family story, Roots, won awards and set sales records
- How the mini series of the same name made television history
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
IN this episode you'll learn--
- how John Steinbeck became one the most respected American authors
- how his novels have been recognized as "the Great American Novel"
- how his work is also some of the most banned books in the US
- how he had to persevere through personal struggles including being investigated by the FBI
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode you'll learn
- how Gene Roddenberry went from LAPD cop to TV screenwriter
- how Roddenberry progressed from writing episodes on successful Westerns and cop series to imagining the most successful sci-fi concept of all time
- how Star Trek had a rough time getting launched and almost died after three years
- about the remarkable journey Roddenberry and Star Trek took going from being cancelled to the most successful property owned by Paramount
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll learn--
- how O Henry wrote got some of his earliest stories from prison
- how "The Gift of the Magi" is one of the most copied Christmas stories of all time
- how O Henry's difficult circumstances led to some inspirational writings
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode you'll learn--
- how Parker went from technical writer to bestselling author
- how Parker created four bestselling series of crime novels
- how his novels embraced a wide diversity of characters, well before his time
- how he had more than 70 books published in genres ranging from mystery to Westerns to coming-of-age to a YA novel
- the process he used to produce such a remarkable number of quality, successful novels
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode you'll learn==
- how Alfred Hitchcock went from a quiet and unassuming young man to the master of suspense and horror films
- how Hitchcock went from director in the UK to the top director of suspense in the US
- how Hitchcock transitioned into TV with his successful "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" series
- where his uncanny ability to create eerie suspense on the screen came from
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In the episode, you'll learn
- How Anne Perry rose from a sickly and troubled youth to one of the most prolific writers of best-selling mysteries and thrillers
- How Anne Perry waited decades before her first novel found an agent, a publisher and an audience
- How Perry infused her novels with an unparalleled understanding of historical research
- How Perry, like your host, used her writing to broach important social issues.
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll hear
- how Mark Twain used other pen names before settling on Mark Twain
- how Twain was interested in science but didn't make good choices on technology investments
- how Twain went into publishing with results he never anticipated
- how Twain draws his humor and wit for writing and speaking
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this interesting episode you'll learn--
- how Shel Silverstein's works of poetry beat the sales records of all hardcover books
- how Shel did early work for Playboy magazine and became a favorite of Huff Heffner and several Playboy bunnies
- how Silverstein also achieved breakthrough success in the music world
- how Silverstein even conquered Broadway and TV with his storytelling abilities
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you will learn--
- how J K Rowling broke every sales record for books in English
- how JK Rowling's first novel was rejected by publisher after publisher
- how J K Rowling became the first female billionaire novelist
- about the traumatic and desperate circumstances she had to endure to get her story told
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In the episode, you'll learn--
- how Brown's childhood fascination with puzzles led to his best-selling plots
- how his failed music career led him to writing
- how he struggled with his early books
- how he turned his fascination with puzzles and conspiracy theories into blockbuster novels
- how he uses some VERY unusual writing habits to achieve success
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, listeners will learn
- how Earnest Hemingway became one of the preeminent American authors of the last century
- how he lived a life of adventure and adrenalin which is reflected in his writing
- how he was also affected by tragedy, near-death experiences and stalking by the FBI
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll hear how Ken Follett--
- became one of the most successful thriller writers in the 80's
- made a decision to migrate to writing historical fiction, creating some of the best and most successful of the genre
- earned awards from multiple countries for his fiction
- uses his commitment to doing research to make his writings come alive with authentic details
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll learn--
- how Emily Dickinson defied society, family and friends to become a preeminent American poet
- how Dickinson battled agoraphobia, depression and a serious eye ailment to write hundreds of poems with evocative language and inspirational themes
- how her family discovered a treasure trove of Dickinson's poems after she passed
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode you'll learn--
- how Ray Bradbury became the pre-eminent sci-fi/fantasy writer of the 20th and 21st century
- how Bradbury managed to create award winning works in a wide array of genres and formats
- the qualities Bradbury brought to his work which can serve as lessons for all writers
- how Bradbury's personal life and beliefs did not exactly line up with his futuristic imagining
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In the episode you'll learn--
- How Charles Dickens became the pre-eminent British author of the Victorian age
- How Dickens pioneered the serialization technique to reach more readers than ever
- How A CHRISTMAS CAROL changed the celebration of Christmas in England
- How the novella started the concept of giving to those less fortunate at Christmas time
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, you'll learn
- how Jane Austen became the most copied and earliest writer of chick lit
- how, with only four novels to her name, she spawned 1000's of Regency narratives
- how Jane Austen has a following that would rival Harry Potter fans
- how Jane was denied in her own life what she coveted most
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
Listeners will hear the real story behind the exploits of the famous Bond, James Bond including--
- how the character of Bond reflects Fleming's personality and taste
- how the real espionage experience of Ian Fleming gave life to the fictional spy escapades of James Bond
- the secret to how the story and character created in the 1950's have survived and prospered almost seventy years later
Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!
In this episode, listeners will earn the incredible story of Steven Spielberg including—
· How he became the most successful movie director of all time
· How he invented the “Summer Blockbuster”
· His remarkable list of awards and accomplishments
· And the incredible personal challenges he had to overcome to attain success
In this episode you'll learn
- the origins of the most successful writer of all time
- the many talents and skills Christie cultivated and how they made her fiction possible
- her story of love and heartbreak and finding love again
- AND the real life mystery about Agatha Christie that's never been solved
In this episode you'll learn
- how Tom Clancy became the top best-selling techno-thriller author in the US
- how he went from insurance agent to espionage expert
In this interesting episode, you’ll learn about Roald Dahl
· one of the 20th century most successful writers of children’s fiction
· his propensity for pranks as a kid that he turned into award-winning tales
· his experience as a WWII flying ace and a top British spy
· his crazy rules for writing successful children’s fiction
- Edgar Allan Poe is most famous for his macabre tales like "The Pit and the Pendulum" and for inventing the detective story.
- In this episode, I'll share a little known anecdote about Poe's softer side.
- This podcast details a possible connection between the tragedy of Poe's early love affair, a charming southern city and one of his greatest poems, Annabel Lee.
The name Walt Disney is known to everyone. I mean movies, TV, amusement parks and more all have his name on it. But did you know how Walt risked it all on a huge gamble and almost lost everything? Here's the part of Walt's story you probably didn't know.
Who hasn’t heard of Sherlock Holmes? This episode examines the strange relationship between Sir Author Conan Doyle and his creation, Sherlock Holmes, the most famous fictional detective in history.
In this edition, you’ll learn—
- The remarkable, multifaceted background of the author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- How the author resisted the popularity of his most famous creation
- The extraordinary step Doyle took regarding his character, Sherlock Holmes
- Learn the unlikely origin story of one of the most successful writers today, John Grisham.
- You’ll be amazed by the very bumpy road this author, who has sold more 300 million copies of his novels, had to travel before anyone would even look at his first manuscript. No overnight success here.
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