The Inside Voice: Thoughts from a Novelist
C. S. ZolondekA novelist’s weekly newsletter about his works and writing in general.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 11 | Founded | 3 months ago | Last Issue | 8 days ago |
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What was the easiest chapter to write?
Probably Chapter 4 — and for two reasons. It is the shortest chapter in the novel, and it was written to be entirely sensory.
Chapter 4 is Beast’s first chapter. Writing it presented a specific and enjoyable constraint: Beast is, in this c...
How does your background in anthropology inform your fiction writing?
Anthropology is, at its core, the study of human perspectives — how different communities understand themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. That orientation shapes everything about how I approach fiction.
One of my int...
What five books most influenced The Outside Voice?
I am going to dodge this question slightly — and explain why.
I cannot point to five specific books and say with confidence that they shaped The Outside Voice. Influence is harder to trace than that. What I can say is that Stephen King is...
What is your writing routine?
I am not sure I have one. Being a novelist is not my primary job, so writing happens in the margins — when other obligations allow it. If I have a routine at all, it is simply this: try to get something done. Easier said than done.
What I...
How do you write characters whose worldview is completely different from your own?
It takes time, and there is no single method. But here are the three approaches that worked for me.
The first is empathy — and I mean empathy practiced as a discipline, not just a temperament. Whenever I encounter a controversial topic, I...
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Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
C. S. Zolondek holds a doctorate in anthropology and works in academia. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, his love of cultures and complex characters has shaped his storytelling style. The Outside Voice, published in 2026, is his debut novel.
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