The Creative Writing Life

Author-screenwriter Brian Fitzpatrick dispenses advice about networking, creating your brand, and the importance of “the hang factor”

Cartoonist Khalid Birdsong talks about intent and making choices when it comes to characters, writing and storytelling in a visual medium, and how it’s vital for creatives of any kind to KEEP GOING!

WGA Writer & Writing Life Coach Brooks Elms talks about how screenwriters can help themselves make inroads when it comes to industry access, including finding common ground, writing when you must, and getting into the mix. http://brookselms-coaching.com

In this week's episode, author Steve Hockensmith talks about his mystery-western series HOLMES ON THE RANGE, why it's important for writers to keep writing "bad stuff", and the value of writing short stories. http://stevehockensmith.com

In this week’s episode, writer-comedian Alison Zeidman talks about writing comedy, developing material for stand-up, and the hectic world of writing for TV http://alisonzeidman.com

In this week’s episode, author Afarin Bellisario discusses the importance of focusing on story and characters, and making your story accessible to all. http://afarin.net

In this week’s episode, author Lina Hart discusses the challenge of crafting multi-POV stories, letting the characters decide what happens, and the importance of NOT GIVING UP http://linahart.com

Author-Publisher Amber Byers of Tadpole Press talks about reawakening your creativity, tuning into your creative vision, and the importance of the writing community. http://www.tadpolepress.com

Author Babette Hughes discusses the origins of her mantra “Proceed Intelligently”, the importance of enjoying the creative process, and the need to be creative - even at the age of 101 (and a half). http://babettehughesbooks.com

Writer-director-producer Jamie Nash talks about DIY filmmaking, wearing all the hats, and exploring the world of audio drama https://www.jamienash.net

Writing partners Tobias Buckell & David Klecha talk about embracing the joy of writing and having fun with the material, and how both relate to their new book THE RUNES OF ENGAGEMENT. https://tachyonpublications.com/

Screenwriter and writing instructor Tom Vaughan talks about his experience as a working writer, the importance of loglines, and how story and emotion require your characters to make choices. @storyandplot

Screenwriter-film instructor-podcaster John Ingle talks about his experience as an award-winning screenwriter, the Movies By Minute concept, and how he uses the movie JAWS as a learning tool. @Inglefilms on X/Twitter

Writer-musician Carlos Baker talks about how writing his book and playing music helped him deal with his depression, why 80s movies are AWESOME, and an impromptu blues performance! https://ckbakerband.com/

Screenwriter & writing coach/consultant Jeff Kitchen talks about the concepts behind his new book The Hero's Dilemma, what "dramatic action" is, and the need for CONFLICT in your story https://script.kitchen/

Screenwriter Bob DeRosa (KILLERS, THE AIR I BREATHE) talks with Paul about how he got his start (and his dislike of the phrase "breaking in"), loglines, the writing process, and the importance of "there are no shortcuts". @thembob on X/Twitter

Paul talks with screenwriter & Grey List organizer Brad Johnson about what the List is, how it came to be, the significance of publishing it, and how writers can get ready for next year. The Grey List 2024: https://bit.ly/48sHSF7 Plus - a big announcement!

In this week's episode, Paul talks with author Tyler Snure about how he developed and published his Y.A. fiction while still in high school(!), his creative process, and what he discusses in his presentations about writing. http://snurestories.com @SnureStories

In this week's episode, Justin and Paul talk to screenwriter Victoria Male about how she got her start, working for director Ivan Reitman, and what advice she has for screenwriters. Worth noting - soon after this recording, Victoria's script SHOWSTOPPER was selected as a finalist in the Nicholl Fellowship

Paul chats with dramatist/writer/screenwriter Barry M Putt, Jr about writing for audio drama, techniques for creating engaging stories, developing a marketing plan, and his book about the 70s TV show ALICE. https://www.barrymputtjr.com/ Barry's non-fiction book  Stories Told through Sound: The Craft of Writing Audio Dramas for Podcasts, Streaming, and Radio  is available at bookstores everywhe...

This week Paul chatted with Jennifer Manocherian on her work in theater and teaching writing. https://thepeacestudio.org/board-bio-jennifer-manocherian/ Theater Producer and Writer Jennifer Manocherian has been a Broadway and off-Broadway theatre producer for over thirty years. She wrote the book of a musical, Marry Harry, with composers Dan Martin and Michael Biello, which had a production at the...

Paul Zeidman sat down with Charles D'Amico, Award-winning Author, Founder & President of Blue Handle Publishing and Book Puma Author Services. They discussed writing, editing and publishing. https://bluehandlepublishing.com/ https://bookpumalive.com/

Paul spoke with Tonya Todd about writing books and screenplays, directing, and being part of your local writing community. Tonya Todd is an author, actress, and Sin City cinephile, whose sundry background ranges from content writer to software programmer to convention model. With a cast of characters as diverse as her careers, her fiction explores the infinite hues of what drives us all: relations...

Evan Gow shares his awesome creation, StoryOrigin! Find it here: https://storyoriginapp.com StoryOrigin is an all-in-one platform for authors to connect, team up for group promos, build and swap mailing lists, upload reader magnets, and more. With the unique opportunities StoryOrigin provides, Evan has helped thousands of authors get discovered, build communities, and become successful. StoryOrigi...

This week, Justin and Paul sat down to discuss their experiences at the 2023 Austin Film Festival (#AFF23). It was great! What panels and events did we like? Will we be there next year? Listen in to find out!