Authors share trade secrets in WritersTalk

Elijah Holston, 20, wanted a community network where he could learn from other writers and talk about writing.

“I was kind of looking for a club to join, besides Facebook groups," Holston said.

The Coeur d'Alene resident couldn't really find one.

"So I decided to make it,” he said.

Holston built WritersTalk, an app that compiles hundreds of interviews from world class writers into one interface, where authors of all types and genres talk about everything from brainstorming ideas to selling books.

He began developing the concept for the app when he was 17, because he thought it would help him to expand his production company and hone on his strengths.

His initial ideas began humbly. He planned to interview local authors he knew through church and community groups. But after conducting his first interviews, he was referred to other professionals including publishers or screenwriters, who referred him to more people.

He interviewed sports writers and screen writers from around the world, including Europe and Africa. He even interviewed a woman who writes romance novels and cookbooks for Amish communities.

“I could get a lot more content if I interviewed more people,” he said, laughing.

Holston started with a goal of reaching at least 20 authors, but when each of those people recommended people they knew, his base grew exponentially from 20 to over 170, including 12 bestselling authors.

The application he created with the footage serves three main functions: providing mentorship from professionals through tagged and searchable videos, providing a space for authors and creators to connect and network, and providing a safe space for community feedback or critiques.

Users can search and watch videos from authors like John David Mann, Bill Meyers, Bethany Jones, Wanda Brunstetter and many others.

Then users can chat or connect to other writers in the chat interface of the app, to discuss ideas with like-minded writers.

And the final part of the app is centered around feedback and public input from friends. Users can upload work to the app where friends can comment. Artists can then filter comments by compliments or critiques, based on their mood. If an author isn’t ready to hear harsh guidance, they can read only compliments. Or, if they’re ready to chisel a project or expand their skills, they can read critiques and compliments.

Holston’s path to launch hasn’t been without hurdles. He started conceptually developing the app around 2020, and with an entrepreneurial spirit he shares with his father and seven siblings, he pursued the idea to fruition.

He hired someone to write the code, who eventually disappeared, along with $2,000. He hired another code writer he later had to fire. He finally succeeded in building the current iteration of the app, with warranties, with his fourth coder.

As the project progressed and time went on, he had to manage relationships and expectations as well, as some people began to grow impatient. He also did this all while following his passion of managing his production company and creating movies.

“Pretty much every penny I earn is going into film,” Holston said.

Holston has made two faith-based films, and been on the crew for others. His next film will be a secular comedy about home burglars in a style similar to Edgar Wright.

“I see myself directing bigger movies and doing bigger projects,” Holston said.

A standout interview while developing the app, Holston said, was with a writer who had a movie on Netflix that was the No. 1 streaming movie for three weeks. As he asked questions, he could see his dreams reflected, and he could picture his own success.

“The biggest takeaway from interviewing was going to that status, and seeing that anyone can do that,” Holston said. “I can do big things. It doesn’t matter where I start, it matters how big I can dream.”

After roughly three years of developing WritersTalk and fine-tuning it, Holston launched it March 6 with a goal to reach 10,000 subscribers within the first two years.

So far he’s met around 20 subscribers, and he’s already compiling plans and strategies to build that number up.

Through the process he has built rapport and relationships, and he encourages all the contributing authors to share the app with their friends and followers.

The vision for building the app was centered around building relationships.

The producer turned app developer has expanded his network through interviewing authors which has increased his capabilities with his production company.

Holston was humbled when he had an opportunity to connect with one of his early role models, YouTube star Christian Busate. Holston went to Utah to work with Busate on a project, they became friends, and now Busate has agreed to star in a proof concept for Holston’s next film.

The other friendships he’s been able to make are what he hopes to create for others with the tools in the app.

Holston’s dream is to build people up and inspire them to believe in themselves.

He wants users “to learn more about whatever they’re trying to learn," he said. "I hope they learn that, and while they’re doing that, I hope they inspire themselves.”