Navigating Alternate Realities with Blake Crouch

A Note from James:

I'm so excited. I'm like a fanboy of my favorite TV show of the year. It's called Dark Matter, and it's on Apple TV Plus. I don't know how to describe it. It's a thriller, it's drama, it's science fiction, and it's emotional. It's just a well-written show. Every episode's a cliffhanger, and it's based on one of my favorite novels, Dark Matter, by one of my favorite novelists, Blake Crouch. Blake was also involved in writing the TV show. Blake agreed to come on the podcast, and we talk all things writing, thrillers, Dark Matter, TV, publishing, and he answered all my questions about my favorite show and his writing process. Here's Blake.

Episode Description:

In this episode, James Altucher interviews Blake Crouch, the mastermind behind the novel and TV adaptation of "Dark Matter." They discuss the intricacies of writing thrillers, the challenge of adapting a beloved novel for the screen, and the science and emotion behind the concept of the multiverse. Blake shares his insights into the creative process, his experiences with traditional and self-publishing, and the importance of emotional resonance in storytelling. Whether you're a fan of "Dark Matter" or an aspiring writer, this episode offers a deep look into the mind of a successful author navigating the intersection of science fiction and human experience.

What You’ll Learn:

1. The creative process behind writing and adapting "Dark Matter" for television.
2. Insights into the multiverse theory and its narrative potential.
3. The emotional and existential questions that drive Blake's storytelling.
4. The evolution of Blake's writing career from self-publishing to mainstream success.
5. The balance between science fiction concepts and human emotions in creating compelling stories.

Chapters:

02:39 Exploring the Multiverse Concept
05:21 Character Development and Performance
08:52 Blake Crouch's Writing Journey
16:07 Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing
22:58 Defining the Thriller Genre
29:43 The Art of Surprising the Reader
33:12 The Art of Surprising Readers
34:03 Cliffhangers vs. Surprises
35:01 The Challenge of Writing Endings
35:59 The Value of a Great Book
36:59 Exploring Existential Questions
38:36 The Science of Gene Editing
43:29 The Appeal of Wayward Pines
45:23 The Complexity of Plot Twists
50:23 The Writing Process
55:35 The Impact of Success
01:00:04 Conclusion and Future Works

Additional Resources:

• Blake Crouch's Official Website
• Wayward Pines Series
• Recursion by Blake Crouch
• Upgrade by Blake Crouch

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