Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to writer Rodney Barnes (Executive Producer of "Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty") about how Hollywood almost killed him and the steps he took to reclaim his joy and find his greatest voice as a writer. He also discusses his colorful history in Hollywood -- from being the stand-in for John Coffey in The Green Mile (when Stephen King recommended Tananarive's novel My Soul to Keep to him!) to writing and executive producing shows like "The Boondocks," "Everybody Hates Chris," "American Gods" and now "Winning Time"! 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive take on The Great Debate around outlining. Do you outline before you write? Or are you a "pantser," someone who flies by the seat of their pants and makes it up as you go? They have tried both - and believe writers must follow their bliss. But whether you write nonfiction, fiction or screenplays, they talk about the benefits of outlining, especially for writers who want to work in Hollywood - and strategies to make it more fun. Plus, a voicemail from a happy listener! 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to groundbreaking writer/showrunner Bryan Fuller about Christine, Star Trek and Hannibal (and how they bonded over virtual mini golf during the early pandemic). Plus, they talk about allyship - and Bryan shares the steps he believes every writer should take to learn their craft and ward off the evil voices in their heads. 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about one of the avenues for breaking into Hollywood: pitching your story ideas. From "The Twilight Zone" to film and television series pitches, they share their advice on everything from content to presentation in the pitching room (or the pitching Zoom). Tips on how to take your story to the screen! 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to National Book Award winner Dr. Charles Johnson, award-winning artist John Jennings and artist Bryan Moss about THE EIGHTFOLD PATH (Megascope/Abrams ComicArts, March 2022), Steve's first graphic novel - and how comics can have deep storytelling impact. 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about how they first realized they could collaborate, how it led to their first fight as a couple, and how they have triumphed to collaborate on short stories, novels and screenplays. They also share advice on how the tools they have learned in more than 23 years might help make you a better collaborator too. 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to award-winning author Victor LaValle and burgeoning writer Stephanie Malia Morris about their experiences with Shudder/AMC 's Black Horror anthology film, Horror Noire. Steve, Tananarive ("The Lake" / "Fugue State") and Victor ("Daddy") adapted their own short stories for Horror Noire, and Stephanie was an author who got a dream call when she heard that her story, "Bride Before You," would be adapted for the screen. On adaptation, Horror Noire, and the future of Black Horror. 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to MacArthur Genius Fellow and multiple Hugo Award-winner N.K. Jemisin (THE CITY WE BECAME, THE BROKEN EARTH trilogy) about creating art during a pandemic, the importance of writing short stories, writing for love versus writing for commerce, and strategies for coping with stress. 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about breaking into Hollywood and how "The Twilight Zone" was a watershed for each of them - Tananarive's first television credit on Jordan Peele's "The Twilight Zone" in 2020 and Steve's on "The Twilight Zone" in the 1980s. They discuss meeting Peele, being invited to pitch to him, and collaborating on their shared episode, "A Small Town" (starring Damon Wayans, Jr.) 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to comedian and actor Patton Oswalt about how horror helps us navigate difficult times, the horror-comedy connection, the late Harlan Ellison, and meditation as a tool for coping with stress.  

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