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What happens when a dentist with a stable career, a family, and a very responsible life realizes there is also a fantasy author living inside her who wants to write about shapeshifters, stolen magic, secret societies, and Chinese mythology?
San Luis Obispo author Emily Renk Hawthorne joins Adam to talk about the creative dream she could not shake and the work it took to finally let it out. Emily shares how her Taiwanese heritage and California upbringing helped inspire the Of Mountains and Seas series, why shapeshifting became the perfect way to explore identity and belonging, and how a childhood spent loving fantasy eventually led her to create the kind of world she once wished she could see herself in.
They also get into the less magical side of writing a book: building a habit, writing when inspiration disappears, finding accountability at a local café, balancing creativity with dentistry and motherhood, and discovering an unexpectedly supportive literary community on the Central Coast. Emily opens up about her dream of becoming a full-time author, the genres she wants to explore next, and what she would do if Netflix or HBO ever came knocking.
Plus, Emily is signing a copy of Of Mountains and Seas for one Up+Adam listener. Go to AdamMontiel.com, hit the Connect tab, and be the first person to send: “I heard Emily. I would love this book.” Adam’s got it for you.
• Learn more about Emily:emilyrenkhawthorne.com
• Explore and purchase the Of Mountains and Seas series:Amazon
• Purchase From the Depths:Amazon
• Follow Emily on Instagram:@emilyrenkhawthorne
• Follow Emily on TikTok:@erenkhawthorne
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*PORTABIDET: UP+ADAM IS AN OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR PORTABIDET - USE THIS LINK FOR UP+ADAM LISTENERS TO LEARN MORE AND GET YOURS!
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