Street Writers

It's back to a bit of Rod Serling advice for "Take a Swing at This", as Dan institutes a dialogue loyalty test, of sorts. Mark rates the podcast "May I Elaborate" (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/may-i-elaborate-daily-wisdom-from-jb-smoove/id1562371862)  as worth a "They Beat Us To The Punch." And in "Hit Us With Your Best Shot" it's writing about businesses Dan's never heard of before — as well as continued favorites in the Grease, Grit and Crime in COVID Time podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grease-grit-and-crime-in-covid-time/id1518637609) and the storymaze.substack.com newsletter. This episode was edited with the amazing online audio editor, Descript. Check it out at https://www.descript.com/?lmref=pYsXLQ Hit us with questions, comments, whatever you got at: streetwriters.podcast@gmail.com Plus send us an audio message so we can get your comments in future episodes: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters/message ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwritin

Under pressure: yeah, all have way too much of it, but sometimes it can help your writing. Mark discusses how to reach a higher gear by creating a deadline for yourself and writing under pressure, purposely. Dan reads an inspiring paragraph from Story, by writing guru, Robert McKee. And Mark and Dan give updates on Grease, Grit and Crime and Storymaze. ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife #stamford #stamfordlocal‬

For "Take a Swing at This" Dan turns to master storyteller Rod Serling, and his advice to listen to your characters with your eyes closed to see who's who. (If anybody!) Mark's "They Beat Us To The Punch" is all about Jonathan Lethem's "Gun, with Occasional Music: A Novel" an homage to noir in a totally original way. And in "Hit Us With Your Best Shot" Dan encourages folks to check out his storymaze.substack.com newsletter, but also observes some new storytelling angles that have come out of some recent tech articles he's written. Hit us with questions, comments, whatever you got at: streetwriters.podcast@gmail.com Plus send us an audio message so we can get your comments in future episodes: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters/message #amwriting #writing #keepwriting #writingtips #creativity #productivity #streetwriting

Well, you’re reading this: that’s a good sign. Because Mark talks about the need for writers to read. Moves are great, shows are fabulous, podcasts are the bomb, but there’s no substitute for the written word. So read, read, read. Dan then raves about the Errol Morris documentary, The Thin Blue Line. And the boys pitch the podcast, Grease, Grit and Crime in Covid Time, and storymaze.substack.com ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife #stamford #stamfordlocal‬

Dan says, bring the love — to yourself. As writers, we’re good at berating ourselves. Well now it’s time to admire what you’re doing this very moment, and to appreciate your commitment to the craft. Mark reads a passage from an amazing f**king book, The Price You Pay, by Aiden Truhen. And the guys talk about their latest, in Mark’s podcast, Grease, Grit and Grime in COVID Time, and Dan’s newsletter, storymaze.substack.com ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife #stamford #stamfordlocal‬

The Master of Acronyms is back! For "Take a Swing at This" Marc lays out the challenge and power of TOD: Text or Die. For "They Beat Us To The Punch" Dan is all over 2034, a new too close for comfort military thriller of a near-future global conflict between the US and China. And in "Hit Us With Your Best Shot" Dan brings in his new newsletter (storymaze.substack.com), and Mark updates on his latest Grease, Grit & Crime in COVID Time — plus his short story journaling.  Hit us with questions, comments, whatever you got at: streetwriters.podcast@gmail.com Plus send us an audio message so we can get your comments in future episodes: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters/message #amwriting #writing #keepwriting #writingtips #creativity #productivity #streetwriting

Pity. Envy. Adore. Aka, PEA. Dan discusses how to use the PEA acronym to help shape the characters you create. Mark reads a passage from Quite Ugly One Morning by Christopher Brookmyer that evokes a smoke-filled, aristocratic English club. Dan touches on the growing popularity of his newsletter, which you can subscribe to at storymaze.substack.com. And Mark introduces The Black Hole, a new dramatic podcast episode at Grease, Grit and Crime in COVID Time. Listen wherever you get podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the link below. ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife‬

Want to turbo charge your journaling? Go from first to third. Mark discusses the benefits of simply shifting your journal entry from first person (“I feel like ...”) to third person (“He believed that ...”). It provides opportunities to enrich your entries by bringing more storytelling aspects to them. Dan gets back to his mythology roots by reading from “Heroes,” from Stephen Fry. Dan also introduces us to his free newsletter that shows off his serious writing chops (storymaze.substack.com), while Mark touches on another episode at his podcast, Grease, Grit and Crime in COVID Time. ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife‬

We're back with Pt. 2 of our interview with writer, instructor, TED Talker and novelist Kio Stark, author of the influential and inspirational "When Strangers Meet: How People You Don’t Know Can Transform You.". In "They Beat Us To The Punch," she brings out the heartache of Bluets, but Maggie Nelson And in "Hit Us With Your Best Shot," Kio takes us behind the scenes of her new novel, with a taste of its characters and (maybe) timeline. Find out more about Kio at http://www.kiostark.com/ Take a page from Kio's book: don't be a stranger! Leave a review. Subscribe! And invite new listeners to join in: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters Hit us with questions, comments, whatever you got at: streetwriters.podcast@gmail.com Plus send us an audio message so we can get your comments in future episodes: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters/message #amwriting #writing #keepwriting #writingtips #creativity #productivity #streetwriting

Writer, instructor, TED Talker and novelist Kio Stark joins us on the Street. Among her works, Kio is the author of the influential and inspirational "When Strangers Meet: How People You Don’t Know Can Transform You."  In "Take A Swing At This" she shares her warmup techniques for her writer, especially those inspired by the Palegic School. (https://pelagicschool.net/) More details on Kio can be found on her site at http://www.kiostark.com/ Take a page from Kio's book: don't be a stranger! Leave a review. Subscribe! And invite new listeners to join in: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters Hit us with questions, comments, whatever you got at: streetwriters.podcast@gmail.com Plus send us an audio message so we can get your comments in future episodes: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters/message #amwriting #writing #keepwriting #writingtips #creativity #productivity #streetwriting

This way? No, back it up, turn it around! That's better. Or so Dan says as he advocates for "Reversals" via this episodes "Take A Swing At This". (With a nod to creativescreenwriting.com) Then Mark's off to other worlds, introducing The Three Body Problem to "They Beat Us To The Punch”. And in “Hit Us With Your Best Shot” Dan is writing new business pitch videos, while Mark is scripting art critics for his latest Grease, Grit & Crime podcast, a funny observation on observation he calls "Open to Interpretation". (https://anchor.fm/greasegritandcrime/episodes/Open-to-Interpretation-epf8s3) Dig what you hear? Leave a review. Subscribe! And invite new listeners to join in: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters Hit us with questions, comments, whatever you got at: streetwriters.podcast@gmail.com Plus send us an audio message so we can get your comments in future episodes: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters/message #amwriting #writing #keepwriting #writingtips #creativity #productivity #streetwriting

"Take A Swing At This" answers the eternal question of where to find your audience with the writing tip to *be* your audience. For “They Beat Us To The Punch”, Mark shares an excerpt from writing and ad giant George Tannenbaum's always excellent blog, Ad Aged. (https://adaged.blogspot.com) And in “Hit Us With Your Best Shot” Dan relates starting work on an eco-tourism project for a First Nation in Canada, and Mark gives an update on the newest spotlight on his festival sweeping video, Venmo Muscle. (https://vimeo.com/463403472) Dig what you hear? Leave a review. Subscribe! And invite new listeners to join in: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters Hit us with questions, comments, whatever you got at: streetwriters.podcast@gmail.com Plus send us an audio message so we can get your comments in future episodes: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters/message #amwriting #writing #keepwriting #writingtips #creativity #productivity #streetwriting

In the second half of our interview, H. Byron Ballard discusses her infatuation with words, and then reads excerpts from Shakespeare, and from the poem, Invictus. She then discusses her new books: Roots, Branches and Spirits, and Seasons of a Magical Life. They cover everything from folklore to ghost stories. ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife‬

To say this week’s guest has a rich and diverse background is a gross understatement. We’re thrilled to welcome author, teacher, folklorist, priestess and village witch, H. Byron Ballard. In the first half of our interview, Byron discusses her background, and gives a great writing tip (hint: pull out your notebook and pen). ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife‬

TMOC: The myth of confidence. Mark wonders if writers need to have confidence in their writing — he certainly doesn’t, and he knows so many other writers who struggle with confidence as well. Maybe all the confidence you need is that you’ll write something, no matter what. Dan then reads from a meaner, scarier series of Hulk comics from Al Ewing. And Mark discusses his film Venmo Muscle, which is selected for the Manhattan Stories Film Festival. And Dan touches on being the audio book voice for a new book on gaming by our friend and podcast guest, Evan Skolnick.

It's part 2 with best selling author (of many, many things) Christopher Golden! For "They Beat Us To The Punch", Chris reads an amazing excerpt from Joe R. Lansdale's fantastic "The Drive In." (https://www.amazon.com/Drive-B-Movie-Blood-Popcorn-Texas-ebook/dp/B083WD5JT1). Then for "Hit Us With Your Best Shot," Chris introduces the infectious concept and opening of his latest thriller, Red Hands (https://www.amazon.com/dp/125024630X) — and points readers to a special autographed copy offer when you order from Copper Dog Books in Massachusetts. (https://www.copperdogbooks.com) Plus a call out to his expanding comic book world, The Outer Verse, co-created with Mike Mignola. Be sure and visit https://www.christophergolden.com for a tour of all of Mr. Golden's fantastic work. Dig what you hear? Leave a review. Subscribe! And invite new listeners to join in: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters Hit us with questions, comments, whatever you got at: streetwriters.podcast@gmail.com Plus send us an audio message so we can g

We're jazzed to welcome best-selling novelist and writer's friend Christoper Golden to the Street. Chris has brought stories to life in every medium — animation, audio, comics, novels — and has a regular spot on the New York Times bestseller list. That includes his latest thriller, Red Hands. In the first part of our interview, Chris takes over "Take A Swing At This" with savvy advice every writer needs: know thy contract. Check out Mr. Golden's impressive credits at https://www.christophergolden.com; and get your hands on Red Hands at https://www.amazon.com/dp/125024630X Dig what you hear? Leave a review. Subscribe! And invite new listeners to join in: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters Hit us with questions, comments, whatever you got at: streetwriters.podcast@gmail.com Plus send us an audio message so we can get your comments in future episodes: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters/message #amwriting #writing #keepwriting #writingtips #creativity #productivity #streetwriting

Well, it’s about time. Mark finally admits that he’s a fraud. His writing sucks, his plays are garbage (even the published ones), and how any of his films get into festivals is a joke. Imposter syndrome? Oh yeah, it’s real for Mark. So he shares a tip on how to keep plowing ahead even if you sometimes feel like a fraud. Dan then reads from a beautiful essay from David Foster Wallace. And Mark discusses serializing his latest work, All Strung Up.

No matter when this runs, it includes a 2021 greeting and (technically) our first “Take A Swing At This” of the new year: inspired by Lucian James’ (www.lucianjames.com) newsletter, Dan’s shouting at himself in the mirror, creating the Street Writers’ version of “cornertalk” — the boxer’s motivating words, transferred to the writing ring. “They Beat Us To The Punch” features Mark’s jealousy for a NY Times piece on “Eight Things Hated About NY (Until 2020 Happened) (“https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/25/nyregion/coronavirus-newyorkers-coping.html). And “Hit Us With Your Best Shot” is two quick jabs/updates on Dan’s comic book project, and Mark’s latest Grease, Grit & Crime in COVID Time — a throwback to a Twitter of a simpler time, “Throwing Twit.” Dig what you hear? Leave a review. Subscribe! And invite new listeners to join in: https://anchor.fm/streetwriters Hit us with questions, comments, whatever you got at: streetwriters.podcast@gmail.com Plus send us an audio message so we can get your comments in fu

Here’s the second half of our interview with Bob Palmer, a top advertising and digital executive who has recently completed his first novel, King of Hearts. Bob talks about writers who have inspired him. He also discusses his book and the business of making it a reality.