Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due share updates and Lifewriting tools for staying centered while creating under stress. Due announces a People Magazine cover reveal for her upcoming horror novel, Mazywood (out September 22), describes its contemporary survival-horror plot and old-Hollywood historical origins, and discusses anxiety about reader reactions. 

Barnes reports improved health and emphasizes “The Magic Formula” of becoming the person who can do the work. And listener Q&A on writing! 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about how they have pushed through with their writing projects after Steve's health setback in late 2025 (all better now!) and their goals for 2026 -- including a feature version of their short film, THE KEEPER! 

Plus, advice to a screenwriter from the live audience. 

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In this episode, Tananarive talks to debut author and former "Doogie Howser, M.D." actor Markus Redmond about his vampire novel BLOOD SLAVES, set during the Antebellum slavery era. 

On how the murder of George Floyd helped inspire his novel, transitioning from acting to writing, on his experiences writing screenplays, and how slavery is the true horror in BLOOD SLAVES. (And it's a series!) 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive reveal what they learned during Steve's recent health scare -- and how his creative work helped inspire his recovery. Tananarive shares her coping mechanisms that helped her stay centered during a time of true-life horror. Plus, Steve and Tananarive answer questions on writing and creative living from the studio of LIFEWRITING LIVE! 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the power and popularity of horror in literature and cinema -- and secrets to writing powerful horror! Tananarive also talks about how horror is healing during times of crisis. Steve also talks about his recovery from hip replacement surgery. And listeners ask questions about collaborating, deadline and writing motivation! 

Don't miss their upcoming workshop on 9/13/25 - "Dark Dreams: Writing Horror That Kills!" - register at www.fearmasters.com 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about their short story in the New York Times bestselling anthology THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT ("The Boat Man"), based in the world of Stephen King's THE STAND. Tananarive tells the story of how she played keyboard in a band with Stephen King, the Rock Bottom Remainders. (And Tananarive reads an excerpt from "The Boat Man"!) 

Also: audience members at the LIVE recording talk about their challenges and triumphs in their writing -- and their lives. 

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In this Lifewriting episode with a live audience, Steve and Tananarive talk about their upcoming cast and crew screening for their short film, THE KEEPER, and Tananarive reveals a "necessary evil" she avoided while she was working on her next novel! Plus, they talk to audience members about their writing struggles and  how to embrace "necessary evils" to reach their dreams.  

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In this first "Lifewriting Live!" with a live audience, Steve and Tananarive talk about overcoming fears and past failures with goals and actions to make the Universe say "Oh, sh*t! She's serious!" 

Tananarive also talks about what she learned about outlining versus "pantsing" from George R.R. Martin while she was teaching at the George R.R. Martin Intensive Writing Workshop at Northwestern University's Medill School for Journalism -- and how sometimes writers should just write for "fun." 

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Steve and Tananarive are BACK after disappearing into directing their first film! THE KEEPER wrapped last week, and they share their experiences as novelists turned screenwriters turned directors, stories from the set, and how YOU can direct your own film with only an iPhone and a skeleton crew. 

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In this episode (which originally aired in June of 2024), Tananarive opens up about why it was so difficult for her to write her novel, THE REFORMATORY, and why it was such a thrill to win Best Novel at The Bram Stoker Awards -- the first Black author to win Best Novel! 

How she motivated herself to write a difficult novel based on her family history while juggling parenthood and screenplay assignments. And how the Lifewriting principles helped her keep going even when she wanted to give up.

 
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