“You have to start walking the path before the path is revealed to you.” – Samantha Greene Woodruff
In this lively episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with bestselling author Samantha Greene Woodruff to unpack her unexpected journey from Nickelodeon executive to acclaimed historical fiction writer. Sam shares how yoga teacher training led to her first novel, how a fascination with lobotomy inspired The Lobotomist’s Wife, and why flexibility and courage are crucial for any writer. Along the way, they chat about music, karaoke, parenting, and what it takes to thrive in publishing today.
Key Takeaways:
Paths Aren’t Always Straight – Sam never dreamed of being a novelist; she found writing through yoga and staying open to new experiences.
History + Storytelling = Magic – Historical fiction lets Sam meld her love of research with creative freedom, breathing life into overlooked eras.
Research Smart, Not Just Hard – Sam learned to avoid research rabbit holes by looking up details as needed instead of overwhelming herself upfront.
Deadlines Build Discipline – Tight timelines taught Sam efficiency, even if they felt punishing at times.
The Author’s Business – Success today means seeing writing as a small business, from branding to marketing, especially since most authors get little publisher support.
The Power of Community – Sam finds the writing world uniquely supportive, with authors encouraging each other despite fierce competition.
Music Fuels Creativity – From Grateful Dead shows to karaoke renditions of “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” Sam’s love of music has always inspired her creative life.
Sam’s Novels
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kZtM5p
Connect with Sam
Website: https://www.samanthawoodruff.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samgwoodruffauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samgwoodruffauthor
X: https://x.com/SWoodruffAuthor
Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/
If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
#SamWoodruff #HistoricalFiction #WritingCommunity #UncorkingAStory #AuthorsLife #TheLobotomistsWife #TheTradeOff #Publishing
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices