Ep. 400: Should I Embrace “Slow Technology”?

April 13, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Amy Timberlake, a Newbery Honor–winning author of middle-grade novels like the Skunk and Badger series, recently shifted a major part of her writing process to a mechanical typewriter from the 1960s. She did this not out of nostalgia, but because the laptop she had been using—despite all its speed and features—was making her writing life harder. The notifications, the temptation to check email, and the constant hum of distraction were exhausting her in ways she hadn't fully recognized until she tried a tool that could do almost nothing except put words on paper.

The Creative Process Behind the Books

Timberlake writes for a demanding audience: second through eighth graders, but with the ambition of crafting stories that work as read-alouds for everyone from five-year-olds to eighty-year-olds. Her process is anything but efficient in the conventional sense. She writes long—pages and pages of exploratory text—and then cuts relentlessly, reading every draft aloud to hear how the language lands. For the Skunk and Badger books, which she describes as nearly farcical in their tightness, every word must carry weight. She discovers her characters by writing dialogue and scenes until she finds the exact voice and tone that clicks. Only then does she know how to begin.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Introduction: The Problem with Speed** - Cal frames the episode around the exhaustion of fast digital tools and introduces the concept of "slow technology" as a counter-movement.
2 (03:19) **Meet Amy Timberlake: A Writer's World** - Cal introduces Amy Timberlake, a best-selling children's book author, and they discuss the specific challenges of her genre.
3 (10:04) **The "Write Long, Cut Hard" Method** - Timberlake reveals why she writes excessively before editing, a process that helps her discover characters and perfect language.
4 (13:56) **Discovering Character and Structure** - Timberlake details how she finds her characters' voices and the structure of her stories through the act of writing itself.
5 (19:27) **The Transition to Full-Time Writing** - Timberlake describes the psychological and practical shift from writing with a day job to writing full-time.
6 (26:49) **The Expert Process: Choosing and Starting** - Timberlake explains her current, more mature approach to beginning a new novel.
7 (29:15) **The Ideal Creative Schedule** - Timberlake shares her optimal work schedule and the importance of a dedicated physical space.

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Show Notes

Ep. 400: Should I Embrace “Slow Technology”?

If there was one word to describe modern digital tools, it would be “fast.” But not everyone thinks this is better. In today’s episode, Cal explores the concept of “slow technology” – the embrace of tools that have fewer features and more friction, but nonetheless produce better work and more satisfaction. His guide in this effort is the acclaimed children’s book author Amy Timberlake, who talks to Cal about her recent shift to using a mechanical typewriter. Cal then reviews other examples of slow technology in action, and then proposes several general principles for applying the philosophy in your own life.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Send an email to [email protected].

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

INTERVIEW: Should I Embrace “Slow Technology”? (w/ Amy Timberlake) [3:20]

INBOX:

- A book about spiritual sloth [1:03:49]

- What is Cal’s opinion about Yuval Harai’s thoughts on AI? [1:05:22]

WHAT CAL IS UP TO:

- Deep or Crazy: 2nd edition signed Andromeda Strain for HQ? [1:18:29]

- Myth buster gear: display in HQ [1:20:13]

- 400th episode [1:23:01]

Books:

Magic Journey (Kevin Rafferty)