What does every writer get that every writer hates - but every writer needs? It's NOTES. Strong feedback is the most effective to grow as a writer, but getting feedback can also feel like getting your guts clawed out. How do writers know which notes to listen to and which notes to ignore? Why can't execs just leave our "perfects" scripts alone already? What kind of notes can do more harm than good? And which notes can take "good" writing and make it GREAT? 

Steve and Tananarive chop it up! 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to Shane Hawk, a horror author and co-editor of NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT, a bestselling Indigenous horror anthology with an introduction from Stephen Graham Jones. Hawk, who is of Cheyenne-Arapaho, Hidatsa and Citizen Potawatomi descent, is a history teacher by day and a horror writer by night. Hawk's literary contributions include his debut story collection Anoka, alongside short fiction featured in numerous anthologies.

On Hawk's incredible journey from being a non-reader to transforming himself into an influential writer and literary community builder. 

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After a recent setback, in this Best of Lifewriting episode from April of 2022 Steve and Tananarive look back their history in Hollywood and moments when everything went wrong. Plus, tips for coping with stress as artists trying to navigate new, difficult territory - including visualization exercises. 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to author and screenwriter Ezra Claytan Daniels, who is in Jordan Peele’s “Out There Screaming” Black Horror anthology and has also been tapped by Monkeypaw Productions to write the reboot of Wes Craven’s classic THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS. 

They talk about how he broke into Hollywood with his award-winning comic, UPGRADE SOUL (which he wrote and illustrated!), which was 17 years in the making - and he also adapted as an Audible series. On creating his own path into Hollywood and how he tries to stay balanced. 

Sign up for our upcoming virtual screenwriting webinar (2/17/24) at www.screenwritingwebinar.com 

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In this Best of Lifewriting episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to director Luchina Fisher THE DADS/NETFLIX, MAMA GLORIA) about the importance of making short films -- not just for filmmakers, but for writers. Luchina's previous short, TEAM DREAM, was produced by Queen Latifah. Advice on how even a novice can make their own short film! 

This replay marks the 10th anniversary of the short film DANGER WORD, directed by Fisher, produced and written by Steve and Tananarive.

Starring Frankie Faison and Saoirse Scott, Danger Word (2013) was a groundbreaking short crowdfunded under a call to create more Black Horror. You can watch it free at www.dangerwordfilm.com - Danger Word was adapted from their YA novel DEVIL'S WAKE (Atria Books). 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to Horror Writers Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner Linda D. Addison, a poet and writer whose collections include How to Recognize a Demon Has Become Your Friend. On her pioneering work as a Black horror creative, how she pushed past her scary bout of early COVID in 2020, and how she has moved past adversity to create and thrive. 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive celebrate their 102nd episode with reminiscences and clips of past guests: Roy Wood, Jr., comic/actress Naomi Ekperigin, Patton Oswalt, New York Times bestseller Leigh Bardugo, Hollywood writer/showrunner Rodney Barnes, and excerpts from a 2000 interview with Octavia E. Butler. 

Thanks so much to all of you for supporting our podcast. Please wish us a happy anniversary by leaving us a voicemail: LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to screenwriter Aaron Covington, who met director Ryan Coogler while in grad school at USC -- and they collaborated on CREED. (Which, as Steve points out, was the FIRST film with a love scene with a Black man that earned over $100 million. Even Aaron didn't know this!) 

On creating CREED, working in Hollywood, and keeping dreams alive. 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to bestselling author Daniel Kraus, whose novel WHALEFALL recently was featured on the cover of the New York Times Book Review. On horror, defeating genre bias, highs and lows during his book tour, writing -- and his experiences finishing novels by icon George A. Romero. 

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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive share their past personal and professional fears and how they have overcome them. Tananarive explains the relationship between her fears and her path as a horror writer. Also: a listener voicemail! 

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