310 - Don's Away Mission with Author Jon Land

In this episode of No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away Mission, Don Schechter sits down with bestselling author Jon Land for a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, suspense, writing across genres, and what it takes to keep readers turning the page.Jon shares lessons from his prolific career writing thrillers and beyond, from recognizing which ideas are worth pursuing to building action scenes, creating cliffhangers, and finding the emotional core of a story. He also discusses why writers need to love what they’re writing, how his childhood and love of film shaped his storytelling style, and why the fundamentals of great storytelling remain the same whether you’re writing thrillers, science fiction, or something entirely different.The conversation also dives into Jon’s novel Icefall, his approach to writing without an outline, and the challenges authors face trying to reach new readers in today’s changing publishing landscape.Highlights include:What makes an idea strong enough to become a novelWhy writers need to love their own stories firstWhat modern writers can learn from oral storytellingHow suspense, chapter hooks, and cliffhangers keep readers engagedJon’s approach to writing without detailed outlinesWhy starting in the middle of the action can pull readers into a storyBalancing character development with fast-paced actionHow Jon builds and escalates action sequencesThe inspiration and premise behind IcefallHow film and television influenced Jon’s storytelling styleWriting from the inside out and “roleplaying” characters as an authorUsing information, suspense, and curiosity to engage readersThe challenge of finding and building an audience in today’s publishing worldHow publishing and book distribution have evolvedJon’s advice for authors building a long-term writing careerSound Bites:“Love what I write so the reader will love it too.”“My action scenes are my lifeblood.”“Writing is a marathon, not a sprint.”Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Jon Land and his prolific career00:57 What makes an idea worthy of a book?02:01 The importance of loving your story as a writer03:08 Storytelling: From campfires to books04:09 The craft of storytelling across mediums06:26 Handling audience reactions and writer's doubt11:12 Writing without outlines and creating suspense12:16 Homer's advice: Start in the middle of the scene14:27 The importance of chapter hooks and cliffhangers17:08 About Icefall and its inspiration18:33 The plot of Icefall: Alien creatures and climate change20:12 Building action scenes and escalating tension21:43 The power of storytelling in TV and movies23:19 Roleplaying as a writer: Inside-out storytelling26:32 Manipulation in storytelling: Creating suspense and curiosity29:06 Finding and building your audience in a changing market35:43 Jon Land's future projects and writing advice37:11 Closing remarks and gratitudePodcast: No Win Scenario Presents: Don’s Away MissionEpisode Number: S03E10Release Date: August 14, 2026Duration: 38:09Host: Don SchechterWebsite: https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.comEmail: [email protected] No Win Scenario on X (Formerly Twitter): @nowinscenarioFollow No Win Scenario on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551025621867TikTok: @NoWinScenarioPodcastDon says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://www.ascendantsbook.comTrevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontRowReactionsSubscribe on your favorite platformMental Health Crisis ResourcesIn the US: Call or text 988Online: https://988lifeline.org©2026 Charles River Mediahttps://www.CharlesRiverMedia.com