Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to screenwriter/producer Akela Cooper about her process, why she loves horror and science fiction, and writing for the new Paramount Plus series "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds." She also talks about writing the hit horror movie MALIGNANT (directed by James Wan).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the benefits of learning creative flexibility to write in many forms and genres: adapting a short story from a novel, or writing a graphic novel, screenplay or scripted podcast in addition to traditional prose. Learn to break down internal barriers to make the most of your creative talents!  ENROLL FOR THE COURSE: www.lifewritingpremium.com  Learn m...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to author and editor Sheree Renée Thomas about her journey with Afrofuturism -- from editing the groundbreaking DARK MATTER in 2000 to writing a short story in Janelle Monáe's MEMORY LIBRARIAN and Thomas's upcoming Marvel novel, BLACK PANTHER: PANTHER'S RAGE. As the editor of the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, she also talks about do's and don't...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the dreaded Writer's Block: what they think it really is, when they have experienced it, and strategies for murdering it in its sleep so you can flow with joy no matter how high the stakes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to their friend Nalo Hopkinson, the award-winning Afrofuturist author of novels like SKIN FOLK, MIDNIGHT ROBBER and BROWN GIRL IN THE RING, named a Damon Knight Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America in 2020. She talks about overcoming homelessness, her journey in the arts, and transitioning to comics with Neil Gaiman. Also, how she copes...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive play excerpts from an interview they conducted at the home of the the late Octavia E. Butler in 2000. Butler was a longtime friend of Steve's, and the interview excerpts showcase the wisdom of the MacArthur Genius Grant recipient and multiple award winner, bringing her words to life. Butler shared her secrets for facing down her difficulties as a writer - and...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to actress and author Rachel True (The Craft) about her book True Heart Intuitive Tarot: Guide and Deck - as well as her history in Hollywood, her recent role in "Fugue State" in Shudder's Horror Noire anthology movie (which Steve and Tananarive wrote!), how she copes with anxiety and imposter syndrome, and how her intuition has helped save the day!  Lear...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about their history in Hollywood and moments when everything went wrong. Plus, tips for coping with stress as artists trying to navigate new, difficult territory - including visualization exercises.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to writer Rodney Barnes (Executive Producer of "Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty") about how Hollywood almost killed him and the steps he took to reclaim his joy and find his greatest voice as a writer. He also discusses his colorful history in Hollywood -- from being the stand-in for John Coffey in The Green Mile (when Stephen King recommended Ta...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive take on The Great Debate around outlining. Do you outline before you write? Or are you a "pantser," someone who flies by the seat of their pants and makes it up as you go? They have tried both - and believe writers must follow their bliss. But whether you write nonfiction, fiction or screenplays, they talk about the benefits of outlining, especially for writer...

In this 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.  Learn more about your ad choices...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about one of the avenues for breaking into Hollywood: pitching your story ideas. From "The Twilight Zone" to film and television series pitches, they share their advice on everything from content to presentation in the pitching room (or the pitching Zoom). Tips on how to take your story to the screen!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to National Book Award winner Dr. Charles Johnson, award-winning artist John Jennings and artist Bryan Moss about THE EIGHTFOLD PATH (Megascope/Abrams ComicArts, March 2022), Steve's first graphic novel - and how comics can have deep storytelling impact.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about how they first realized they could collaborate, how it led to their first fight as a couple, and how they have triumphed to collaborate on short stories, novels and screenplays. They also share advice on how the tools they have learned in more than 23 years might help make you a better collaborator too.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to award-winning author Victor LaValle and burgeoning writer Stephanie Malia Morris about their experiences with Shudder/AMC 's Black Horror anthology film, Horror Noire. Steve, Tananarive ("The Lake" / "Fugue State") and Victor ("Daddy") adapted their own short stories for Horror Noire, and Stephanie was an author who got a dream call when she heard that...

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about breaking into Hollywood and how "The Twilight Zone" was a watershed for each of them - Tananarive's first television credit on Jordan Peele's "The Twilight Zone" in 2020 and Steve's on "The Twilight Zone" in the 1980s. They discuss meeting Peele, being invited to pitch to him, and collaborating on their shared episode, "A Small Town" (starring Damon...

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to comedian and actor Patton Oswalt about how horror helps us navigate difficult times, the horror-comedy connection, the late Harlan Ellison, and meditation as a tool for coping with stress.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to comic and Daily Show with Trevor Noah correspondent Roy Wood, Jr. about Black history, parenting, writing, turning pain to comedy, tips for success, and staying in balance.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this "Virgin Voyage," authors and screenwriters Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due introduce the Lifewriting Podcast - where they talk about writing during stressful times, breaking into Hollywood, and balancing life and art. Every week we’ll share more tips on how to build a better life while you create your dream projects - even if it’s only one sentence a day.  Sponsored by www.lifewritingprem...