Listen "336. From Engineer to Novelist: Alan Orloff on Writing with Discipline and Passion"
Episode Synopsis
Former nuclear engineer turned novelist Alan Orloff joins Polly Campbell to talk about his path from short stories to published books. Alan shares how discipline and persistence shaped his writing process, why following your passions matters, and how inspiration often comes from unexpected places. He also opens up about the realities of publishing—the rejections, the surprises, and the highly subjective nature of reviews and decisions.
From crime fiction to horror and YA, Alan has explored many genres, always guided by curiosity and enthusiasm. He and Polly discuss the importance of finishing drafts, staying authentic, and finding joy in the work, whether it’s a novel or short story.
For more on writing craft and crafting a writer’s life, join the Simply Write community at simplywrite.substack.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From crime fiction to horror and YA, Alan has explored many genres, always guided by curiosity and enthusiasm. He and Polly discuss the importance of finishing drafts, staying authentic, and finding joy in the work, whether it’s a novel or short story.
For more on writing craft and crafting a writer’s life, join the Simply Write community at simplywrite.substack.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More episodes of the podcast Simply Write w/ Polly Campbell
344. Engineering Your Memoir with Wendy Dale
24/11/2025
341. How Do You Know When the Piece is Done?
03/11/2025
339. Writing Success on Your Terms
20/10/2025
335. The Big Opening and How to Write One
22/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.