An Interview with James Zwerneman - Part 1

In this episode of The Emerging Artist Podcast, hosts Scott Markowitz and Shiree Nichole sit down with author and teacher James Zwerneman to explore the art and heart behind storytelling. 

From his early obsessions to the painful yet beautiful process of writing a novel, James opens up about the emotional highs and lows of creation—the doubt, the perfectionism, and ultimately, the rediscovery of joy. Together, the trio dives deep into the parallels between writing, filmmaking, and visual art, revealing that no matter the medium, every artist wrestles with the same questions: Why do we create? When do we let go? And how do we stay true to our vision in a world that constantly asks us to conform? 

This candid, inspiring conversation captures what it really means to be an artist in pursuit of authenticity. Whether you’re a writer, painter, filmmaker, or creative of any kind, this episode will remind you why you fell in love with your craft in the first place. 

Stay tuned for Part 2, where James shares the business side of writing and publishing his first novel.

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