Writing Books, 10 minutes at a time, with Ashton Lattimore
Evaluation and Summary
Ink in Your Veins hosts Rachael Herron in conversation with Ashton Lattimore, an award-winning author, journalist, and former lawyer whose debut novel All We Were Promised was a 2024 bestseller and NPR pick. The episode centers on Lattimore's unconventional writing practice: completing substantial book work in 10-minute increments. The discussion explores how this time-constrained approach actually works and why it's viable for serious writers. Beyond the mechanics of short writing sessions, the conversation touches on several craft elements: the importance of leaving room for surprise and creative mess in the writing process, Lattimore's reluctance to inflict harm on her characters (suggesting a discussion of emotional investment in character development), and the underrated value of taking walks as a creative tool—a theme that recurs in writing advice but often gets overlooked. The episode promises practical insight into how working writers actually structure their time and creative practice, positioning itself as both inspirational and instructional. Lattimore's credentials are substantial: her work has appeared in major publications including The Washington Post, Slate, CNN, and Essence, and she received the First Novelist Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Her most recent novel is Runner. The show notes emphasize Herron's broader mission to help writers embrace ease and reject perfectionism, framing the podcast as a space where listeners can learn sustainable writing practices. The episode appears designed to demystify the writing process and offer concrete, actionable strategies for people struggling with traditional long-form writing sessions.
Verdict: A well-credentialed guest discussing a genuinely useful writing strategy makes this a solid episode for aspiring writers, though the show notes don't confirm exceptional depth or originality.
Arts rubric
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Insight into the work 3/5 20%
The episode promises discussion of craft elements (character harm, surprise, walking) but show notes don't detail depth of analysis or reveal novel insights about the writing process itself.
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Expertise and access 5/5 20%
Lattimore is an award-winning author with major publications, a bestselling debut, and institutional recognition; she's a genuine practitioner with real authority.
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Sparks curiosity 4/5 15%
The premise of writing books in 10-minute chunks is inherently intriguing and likely makes listeners want to try the method or read Lattimore's work.
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Substance 3/5 15%
Show notes indicate several topics (time management, character development, creative process) but don't confirm how densely these are explored or whether padding exists.
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Delivers on its title 4/5 15%
Title promises practical insight into writing books in short bursts; show notes confirm this is the central topic with supporting craft discussion.
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Value for time 3/5 15%
30 minutes is reasonable for an interview format, but without hearing the episode, pacing cannot be fully assessed; structure appears sound.
Worth it if you struggle with finding time to write or need permission to work in short bursts rather than marathon sessions.
Content flags
- Ad-heavy Show notes contain numerous promotional links (Kickstarter, editing services, Patreon, writing communities, publishing course) suggesting significant ad/sponsor content relative to a 30-minute episode.
Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.