Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!

In this episode, Tananarive and Steve reunite with Tananarive's Octavia Tried to Tell Us webinar series co-host, Dr. Monica A. Coleman, to discuss the upcoming F/X adaptation of Butler's most popular novel, KINDRED (airing 12/13 on Hulu). They break down the Kindred trailer and discuss the potential triumphs and challenges of bringing a story about time travel to the slavery era to the screen.  Ch...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive break down why writers of all levels should embrace short stories and short scripts, whether it's to learn craft faster or to get published or produced sooner. They also discuss their first collaboration, a short story named "Danger Word" that also became their first short film: www.dangerwordfilm.com.  Sign up for Lifewriting Premium at www.lifewritingpremium...

This week, Steve and Tananarive talk to the president of Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions, Win Rosenfeld. The co-writer of the newest Candyman and Peele's longtime friend discusses the 10-year anniversary of Monkeypaw, its mission, writing horror, and breaking down barriers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive let their horror nerd flags fly as they discuss the movies you must watch (or rewatch) for Spooky Season -- or all year long! The list includes (but is not limited to, and in no particular order):  STEVE'S LIST:  Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Tobe Hooper)  Night of the Living Dead (George A. Romero)  The Fly (David Cronenberg) The Thing (John Carpenter)  Martyrs (P...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to horror icon Elvira! Actress Cassandra Peterson talks about creating her horror maven character, her start in the industry, the joys of loving horror, and the new edition of her book, YOURS CRUELLY, ELVIRA.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to married creatives Craig Shemin (author of Sam and Friends: the Story of Jim Henson's First Television Show) and Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Sesame Street, Avenue Q) about the legacy of the late Jim Henson, what it was like to work for him, their own careers, and how they support each other as a creative couple.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...

In this episode, get a peek behind the curtain to learn the secrets to success in a TV writers' room from screenwriter and author Niceole Levy, who has just published The Writers' Room Survival Guide. Levy takes her years of experience in television writing to help aspiring TV writers learn the secrets of the writers' room. Plus, advice on how to get into the industry!  Learn more about your ad ch...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the Gina Prince-Bythewood movie The Woman King, starring Viola Davis. On the controversy around the Dahomey role in the African slave trade, the backlash, and the miracle of getting a movie about the Black women warriors who inspired Black Panther's Dora Milaje to the big screen.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve and Tananarive talk to actor LeVar Burton about his career spanning from 1977's adaptation of Alex Haley's ROOTS, where he played Kunta Kinte in an iconic role at the age of only 19, to the recent Star Trek: The Next Generation cast reunion where he reprised his role as Giordi La Forge for upcoming episodes of Picard. He also discusses Jeopardy and taking his fate in his own hands by creatin...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about their upcoming graphic novel, THE KEEPER (9/27) - which was originally a screenplay that almost got optioned for film...but after a deep disappointment, it has a new life as a graphic novel with a blurb from Jordan Peele! The guest is Keeper illustrator Marco Finnegan, whose childhood fears gave him a deep connection to the story.   Learn more about...

In this Best of Lifewriting episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to groundbreaking writer/showrunner Bryan Fuller about Christine, Star Trek and Hannibal (and how they bonded over virtual mini golf during the early pandemic). Plus, they talk about allyship - and Bryan shares the steps he believes every writer should take to learn their craft and ward off the evil voices in their heads. (His document...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about 2022's embarrassment of riches in the realm of horror featuring traditionally marginalized people in film, including Jordan Peele's NOPE - but also THEY/THEM (queer horror), PREY, BEAST, MASTER and the upcoming film NANNY (all Black Horror).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the cultural impact of BLACK PANTHER and its future without T'Challa. Tananarive discusses her grief over the death of Chadwick Boseman and her reaction to the teaser trailer, as well as how much she has relished the powerful women of Wakanda. But what about the men? Steve unpacks his worries from the trailer that the most virile Black man in the Ma...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive remember the legacy of the late Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek) and talk to director Ernest Dickerson about his career in Hollywood, starting as Spike Lee's cinematographer on classic films like DO THE RIGHT THING and then his directorial debut (JUICE with Tupac Shakur), prestige television like THE WALKING DEAD, and one of Tananarive's favorite movies: SURVIVING...

SPOILERS: In this episode, Steve and Tananarive unpack the themes and events in Jordan Peele's latest film, NOPE. On spectacle, Hollywood, horror, marginalized artists - and a Black director solidifying his place as one of the most influential in Hollywood history.  LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Join our MAILING LIST at www.lifew...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to award-winning director Reginald Hudlin (Boomerang, House Party, Marshall) about how he has kept his optimism in Hollywood, his love for comics and Black History, Milestone Media, and the 30th anniversary of Eddie Murphy's Boomerang.  Lifewriting Premium course: www.lifewritingpremium.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about Jordan Peele's new horror thriller NOPE - and play excerpts from their interview with him in 2018 for their online Black Horror class: a portrait of the artist as a young(er) man - when he was first attracted to horror, the link between humor and horror, the impact of GET OUT, and his advice to creators to "think about what the world is not ready fo...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to author/screenwriter/playwright/actress Colette Freedman about how acting and improv lessons can help writers learn to better inhabit their characters. (And with a sample exercise!)  Lifewriting Premium: www.lifewritingpremium.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive recall some of their most painful rejections in Hollywood and give tips on how to maintain joy and creativity in the face of setbacks.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to New York Times bestselling author Daniel José Older about his Star Wars projects, the impact he tries to have with his books, navigating family and writing life, building community, how writing is always political, and the joys of being married to another writer.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive discuss the joys of being soulmates - both as writing collaborators and as husband and wife. They explain that they believe everyone has more than one potential soulmate, and being soulmates is a process, not a destination. They also share tactics they use to keep the peace and thrive.  Their upcoming new Soulmate Process course is at www.soulmateprocess.com -...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to Steve's longtime friend David Gerrold -- who wrote the classic 1960s Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles." The award-winning writer talks about his career as an author, how he balances his life and his writing, and how his iconic Tribbles episode came to life at the dawn of the Star Trek era.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

In this episode, Tananarive and Steve talk about her recent bout with COVID, how she got it, her symptoms, and strategies on how to keep a creative spark alive even when you're not feeling your best.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ENCORE EPISODE from February 5, 2022. In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to MacArthur Genius Fellow and multiple Hugo Award-winner N.K. Jemisin (THE CITY WE BECAME, THE BROKEN EARTH trilogy) about creating art during a pandemic, the importance of writing short stories, writing for love versus writing for commerce, and strategies for coping with stress.  Subscribe to the Lifewriting course...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive reflect on deadly current events and how they can have an impact on a writer's life. They share the ways they have used their art to get through stressful times and share strategies on how to keep a creative spark when times are tough.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices