Actor-writer-filmmaker Gabe Diani talks about being versatile when it comes to writing, writing material you plan to make yourself, and why the work of Mark Twain is still relevant

Screenwriter Andrew Zinnes talks about his new book Screenwriters Advice: From Popular and Award-winning Film, TV and Streaming Shows, and we discuss the multiple benefits & resources it provides to writers

Author Cindy Benezra discusses the story behind her memoir UNDER THE ORANGE BLOSSOMS, how writing about personal trauma is a personal choice, and the importance of self-help.

Author-storyteller Elisabeth Sharp McKetta discusses how fairy tales and legends can apply to how you tell your story, and an explanation and the benefits of “life-editing”

Writer Brad Staggs talks about the development and production of his new play I LOVE MY ZOMBIE, why a writer should be open to changes, and focusing on characters over formula

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, a…

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…

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 …

Evan Gow shares his awesome creation, StoryOrigin! Find it here: https://storyoriginapp.comStoryOrigin 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, bui…

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!

This week on the Creative Writing Life podcast we were joined by Antony Johnston! He is a great writer with credits on such games as Dead Space and Shadow of Mordor, along with fun graphic novels and prose novels. On the show, we discussed his GDC talk on leading writers rooms, being an organized wrier, along with his experience writing mystery nov…

Justin and Paul discuss the exciting panels of this year's Austin Film Festival - 2023, the 30th anniversary of the fest! Not sure what panels to attend, or just looking for a good idea of what happens at the festival and what to be excited about? Here you go! Panelists and Awardees - Austin Film Festival…

Neel Upadhye joined the Creative Writing Life podcast to discuss his years in the film and video game industry writing for major gaming franchises including Battlefield 2042, Apex Legends, and Need For Speed Unbound. Enjoy! ABOUT: Neel is VP of Production at Azra Games, leading the development team of Project Legends, an Action RPG for PC & mobile.…

Jenny Stiven joined the Creative Writing Life podcast to discuss franchise development and marketing. ABOUT JENNY Jenny Stiven’s formative years were defined by such geek/sci-fi properties as Star Wars, Aliens, Star Trek, Stargate (all the "Stars-"!), and now as a consultant and digital strategist, she brings fandoms and their content owners togeth…

Katryn Bury joins the Creative Writing Life podcast to discuss writing middle grade (#MiddleGrade) fiction and mysteries, and why she loves Nancy Drew books. Learn more at: https://www.katrynbury.com ABOUT KATRYN Katryn Bury is the author of the middle grade mystery Drew Leclair Gets a Clue and the forthcoming sequel Drew Leclair Crushes the Case. …

Zubin Anklesaria and Ryan Turner share their journey and lessons learned about filmmaking at Echobend Pictures. Join the Creative Writing Career podcast as the group discuss lessons learned going from writing partners to making movies with Echobend Pictures and so much more! Echobend is an entertainment company based in Los Angeles offering Product…

This week in the Creative Writing Career podcast, Justin and Pual dive into Justin's experience with the San Dieog Comic Con. Spoiler - it was great!

Justin and Paul discussed comic book writing with Larry Young. Larry Young is an American writer, producer, and publisher. He is most known as the co-publisher and marketing genius behind the independent comics company AIT/PlanetLar, and as the writer of their flagship title: Astronauts in Trouble. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/larry-young/4040-45…

B Earl joined us to discuss Comics Writing and his Spiderman and Daredevel comics! https://iambearl.com/ From B Earl (Ben): I’m a Marvel writer, web2.5 consultant, creative blockchain strategist, as well as have been exploring AI since 2017. When I’m not cooking up the next Spidey yarn, I develop story-driven blockchain marketing strategies for bra…

This week we spoke with A.R. Farina on Creative Writing and Comics in Motion. https://www.amazon.com/stores/A.R.-Farina/author/B0BVQB4VHQ About the AuthorA.R. Farina is a college professor with both an M.A. Ed. and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing who has written several textbooks in his professional capacity. Additionally, he hosts a weekly podcast o…

Justin and Paul discussed writing middle grade and young adult, in books, movies, and games. We also dove into 4-quadrant stories. Enjoy!

Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle joined us to discuss Ebony Gate their trad pub book from TOR. We also discussed ComicCon. Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle's Ebony Gate is a female John Wick story with dragon magic set in contemporary San Francisco’s Chinatown. Emiko Soong belongs to one of the eight premier magical families of the world. But Emiko never needed …

This week Jonathan Yanez joined us to discuss his latest filmmaking endeavor, for which he has a Kickstarter going. Check out the Forsaken Mercenary Kickstarter page to help bring his project to life! You can also learn more about Jonathan and his books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3K3LRyH ABOUT JONATHAN FROM THE MAN HIMSELF: International bestsellin…

Join Justin and Paul as we discuss what it takes to research stories for novels, screenplays, and games - and other fun writing topics!

Spyder Dobrofsky on Screenwriting and Directing Find more on Spyder: IMDb Spyder Dobrofsky is an LA-based screenwriter responsible for Tubi's breakout horror-western film, "Teardrop" directed by cult filmmaker Steven R. Monroe (I Spit On Your Grave). He's an executive producer & screenwriter on NBC Peacock's Original Movie, "The Housewives of the N…

Gregory joined the CWL podcast to discuss acting, plays, and his new movie: The Mystery of Emma Thorn. We also discussed crowdfunding! For the IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27791072/?ref_=nm_flmg_unrel_3_wr Crowdfunding this July on Indiegogo!

Justin went to the ATX Television Festival and learned that, unlike the AFF, it is VERY fan focused. Almost entirely? Still, it was fun! Tune in to find out more. https://atxfestival.com/

Join Justin Sloan and Paul Zeidman on the Creative Writing Life podcast as they discuss the ATX Television Festival, the WGA strike as it goes into week 4, and more fun writing life tidbits. https://atxfestival.com/ ABOUT ATX: ATX TV Festival is a one-of-kind festival experience, bringing TV fans & industry together to celebrate their favorite mome…

This week on the Creative Writing Life podcast Adam Martin and Eben Matthews discuss their comics and Web3 platform Macroverse! About MacroverseMarvel + Netflix X Blockchain = MacroverseMacroverse is a web3 entertainment studio that rewards its community, collectors, creators and collaborators for supporting upcoming blockbuster franchises spanning…

Jack Confora discusses playwrighting with the Creative Writing Life podcast! More about Jack: John Lawrence "Jack" Canfora is an Award-Winning American playwright, actor, musician, and teacher. After receiving his dramatic training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, he began his career as an actor in regional theater, working mostly i…