Creative Writing Career

Latest Episodes:

Writing SciFi and Fantasy with SFWA member LJ Cohen Feb 22, 2016

Show notes

Lisa Janice (LJ) Cohen shares her advice on writing speculative fiction, how to approach craft, and what joining memberships like SFWA means.

LJ Cohen is a poet, novelist, blogger, local food enthusiast, Doctor Who fan, and relentless optimist. Lisa lives just outside of Boston with her family, two dogs (only one of which actually ever listens to her) and the occasional international student. When not doing battle with a stubborn Jack Russell Terrier mix, Lisa can be found writing, which looks a lot like daydreaming. She writes SF, Fantasy, and YA novels under the name LJ Cohen.

Check out here books on Amazon, here.

And you can get a free copy of any of her audiobooks at AudibleTrial.com/CreativeWritingCareer.

Tools for Writing on the Road Feb 15, 2016

Show notes

Following the previous week's discussion on writing remotely for games and film, this week Kevin, Justin, and Stephan talk about tools we use when writing remotely. This of course includes Evernote, Scrivener, and Amazon's Story Writer.

Kevin talked a bit about using his iPad for writing and the debate of whether it can replace a computer.

And the discussion delved into writing styles and what works for each of us.

And this week we have THREE books of the week:

Justin: Teddy Bears in Monsterland, by Justin Sloan and read by Michael Gilliland

Kevin: The Passage, by Justin Cronin and read by Scott Brick

Stephan: Save the Cat Strikes Back, by Blake Snyder and MacLeod Andrews

(FREE if you go to AudibleTrial.com/CreativeWritingCareer.com and sign up for a free 30 day trial)

Can you Write Games Remotely and Movies Outside of LA? Feb 08, 2016

Show notes

Some points we make include the idea of looking at teams that are newer and may be primarily made up of people working remotely. Getting a remote situation at a bigger studio is much more difficult, unless your an established name.

For game writing, it's whatever city offers a game job (but you more often than not have to go to that city). Put together a writing portfolio, look at job postings, and see what your portfolio is missing so that you can correct this.

And then be ready to relocate. Of course, there's much more than is written here.

But what about in the film world? Mostly, it seems you have to be in LA. Sorry! But the team discusses scenarios where this isn't the case (because there are always exceptions).

How about your novelists/ non-fiction writers out there? As you'd suspect, you're in luck. You can write from just about anywhere, including an RV as you travel across the country (as Kevin's now doing).

Books of the Week:

BOLD: How to Go Big, Make Bank, and Better the World, by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler, narrated by Steven Kotler.

The Sandman Slim series, by Richard Kadrey and narrated by MacLeod Andrews.

Get them for free at AudibleTrial.com/CreativeWritingCareer

And Richard Kadrey was interviewed in our book, Creative Writing Career 2! So that's worth checking out.

Adam Gaines on How to Stand Out and Get an Agent Feb 01, 2016

Show notes

Justin, Stephan, and Kevin speak with Adam Gaines about his experience working in a TV writers room, publishing a book of one act plays (now two books!), and landing a screenwriting agent in Hollywood.

Adam, a graduate of NYU Tisch School of Arts Department of Dramatic Writing, published his book of one act plays (titled "Mixtape"), and it helped get him the attention needed to land a Hollywood agent. Of course, his time working as a PA and in other creative endeavors helped as well. In this episode, Adam shares his advice on getting a foot in the door, and what it's actually like when you've made it.

LINKS:

His awesome one-act plays, titled "MIXTAPE."

His second book of one-act plays, titled "Fire Sale."

Adam on IMDb.

Writing Games in the Avengers Universe and the Ninja Boy Comic with Allen Warner Jan 25, 2016

Show notes

Ever thought of writing for mobile? Writing for the Avengers? Being an awesome multimedia writer? Well then check out this interview with Allen Warner.

Allen wrote on the Ninja Boy comic, a cool looking film titled The Tale of the Seas, and most recently, you can find Allen's work on TinyCo's Avengers Academy.

in this episode, we talk about optioning films and comics, getting your foot in the door, and more.

Allen wrote the foreword to Justin and Stephan's book, Creative Writing Career 2.

(One Note: There were a few glitchy moments in the audio, as happens with interviews from time to time. Our apologies for that).

LINKS:

Allen's IMDb Page

TinyCo

Ninja Boy

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Area X, by James Vandermeer, narrated by Carolyn McCormick, Bronson Pinchot, and Xe Sands - Fee with your 30 Audible Trial.

Writing Thriller Books, TV, and Film with Drew Chapman Jan 18, 2016

Show notes

Drew Chapman got into writing because he couldn't play professional basketball and for his love of Hemingway. It led to an awesome career writing for television, such films as Disney's Pocahontas, and now his amazing novels, The Ascendant and The King of Fear.

Drew stands up for genre novels, saying that the difference between these books and so called "literary" novels is disintegrating. He says his novels are a character study, with action thrown in.

Additionally, we delve into Drew's writing process (especially focusing on developing characters), his advice for publishing and breaking into Hollywood, and so much more.

OUR BOOK OF THE WEEK:

The Ascendant, narrated by George Newbern - free with an audible trial at AudibleTrial.com/CreativeWritingCareer.

LINKS:

Drew's IMDb page.

Drew's author page.

Drew's website.

Sleep Deprivation Lab, Red Dead Redemption, and more with Christian Cantamessa Jan 11, 2016

Show notes

Christian Cantamessa shares his advice on breaking into the industry, looking to his experience writing for Rockstar on such games as Red Dead Redemption, and on movies such as Air.

Chirstian got his start in games back in the mid-90s, when he says they started to have more of a writing requirement as they made their move toward being more narrative focused. And yes, he started with a small indie game developer, where he got started learning about design. He went on to work at Ubisoft, and then Rockstar.

During the discussion, Christian shares his experience going from games to film, and what he learned from his 16 plus years in games. It's all about telling a good story, whether it's around a camp fire, for a game, or for a film. Listen on to hear the amazing way he elaborates on this.

Guess what? It won't surprise you to hear that working with Norman Reedus was awesome.

LINKS:

Sleep Deprivation Lab
Red Dead Redemption

Writing Interactive Fiction and Fearless Fantasy with Michael La Ronn Jan 04, 2016

Show notes

Join Justin and Kevin as they get into the details of what makes author Michael La Ronn click. Michael shares the medical emergency that pushed him toward becoming an author, how using mailing lists helped him decide what book to write (it was Android Paradox), and how he markets himself as an author. Check out his fearless fantasy, and decision select novels (kind of a modern Choose Your Own Adventure, but for grownups).

NOTE: We apologize for the audio not being perfect, but with interviews this sometimes can't be helped. We're taking steps to ensure better audio quality in the future.

Bio:

Michael La Ronn is an author, poet, public speaker, and entrepreneur. He writes fearless fantasy and Decision Select Novels, and he is known for his quirky, imaginative writing style. He also writes nonfiction about writing and indie publishing.

In 2012, a life-threatening illness put him in the hospital. Realizing that life was too short, he devoted himself to self-publishing, entrepreneurship, and all the other punishments that indie authors love to bring upon themselves. And he loves every moment of it.

LINKS:

Michael's Amazon page

Android Paradox

Michael's Youtube page for authors

Adapting Novels to Screenplays Dec 28, 2015

Show notes

Do you ever consider taking your books or someone else's book and adapting them into screenplays? In this episode, Justin, Stephan, and Kevin discuss what it takes to adapt a book, where failures can come in, and what they've appreciated about some popular books that have become movies (including Ender's Game and The Hunger Games).

NOTE: We apologize for the audio not being perfect in this episode. We're taking steps to ensure better audio quality in the future.

How do you convey the meat of the story, and stay true to it?

What is the essence of the story?

Listen for the discussion of these questions and more, and check out the podcast on iTunes, where you can leave a review!

Links:

Garret Robinson's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGarrettRobinson

This week's Audiobook of the week: Creative Writing Career. Get it for #free on AudibleTrial.com/CreativeWritingCareer.

Justin's iBooks exclusive trilogy (the first book is Allie Strom and the Ring of Solomon)

Kevin's book Evergreen, that would be an awesome book to try to adapt (hint hint, listener).

Breaking in Later in Life and the Game Developers Conference with Heidi McDonald Dec 21, 2015

Show notes

Ever thought you may be too old to change careers? Especially for writing in games? If so, check out Heidi McDonald's story! In this episode she talks about her journey and advice.

Heidi was a stay at home mom when the recession hit, and that's what pushed her to see what was next - lucky for her, that eventually led to her awesome career in video games. But it started with her being a 39 year old college with a bunch of 18 year olds. From there she dove in and learned a multitude of skills, and went to a creative careers seminar where she heard a woman talk about working in games - and that was an eye opening moment.

Listen on to hear Heidi's advice, as well as the story behind her being a bride at GDC.

And this week's "Book of the Week" is You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost), by Felicia Day. You can get a free audiobook copy with a free audiobook trial, www.AudibleTrial.com/CreativeWritingCareer.

Heidi McDonald is a game designer and writer at Schell Games in Pittsburgh, PA. Winner of the Women in Gaming Rising Star Award in 2013, she broke into the industry as a second career at the unlikely age of forty-one, after working in communications and marketing fields. McDonald is credited with five shipped titles, including both entertainment and serious/educational products for children ages seven to fourteen. She was the bride at the GDC Wedding in 2014, and is currently the co-chair of the Romance and Sexuality in Games Special Interest Group (SIG) for the International Game Developers’ Association. McDonald has lectured internationally and been academically published with her independent research on romance in single-player roleplaying video games. She performs community service in schools and other groups to spread her love of making games, and mentors young developers, with an eye toward especially supporting minorities. She likes piña coladas and getting caught in the rain, and is an unrepentant fangirl of BioWare’s Dragon Age series.

Links:

Her website is DeathBow.com

The Game Developers Conference

www.AudibleTrial.com/CreativeWritingCareer

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