The Fearless Storyteller

Lukas Hassel is an actor-slash-writer based in NYC. He’s appeared in feature films and network TV shows such as Blue Bloods, Limitless, The Blacklist, and Elementary.

Though Lukas makes a living with acting, he’s turned to screenwriting as a way to reclaim control and power over his career. Drawn to well-told stories with a strong point-of-view, he’s been diligently mastering the craft so that he can tell stories that make people want to “lean across the table.” 

The hard work and persistence are paying dividends with film deals. 

Learn why screenwriting competitions and film festivals have been critical parts of Lukas’s strategy to take his career to the next level.

About The Fearless Storyteller:

Are you finding this podcast to be a valuable resource? Learn how to support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ethanfreckleton

Intro Song: “Unlimited Love” (instrumental version) by Ethan Freckleton & Lucas Clebsch

Follow along on Facebook with The Fearless Storyteller community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/380936465875726/

Learn more about Lukas at his website.

This episode I ask, “What is the bare minimum I need to do to sustainably move forward toward true north for my life and business?”

I examine the difficult choices in front of me, while hoping to answer:

* How do I stress less in a COVID-19 world?

* How do I keep my businesses going?

* How do I accommodate family demands without feeling resentment?

* How do I shift my goals and expectations?

About The Fearless Storyteller:

Are you finding this podcast to be a valuable resource? Learn how to support the show on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/ethanfreckleton

Intro Song: “Unlimited Love” (instrumental version) by Ethan Freckleton & Lucas Clebsch

Kimbra Swain writes Urban Fantasy with a rural twist. 

Although she went to school to become an author, it wasn’t until several years after giving up on her dream job that she accidentally discovered an in with self-publishing.

Less than three years into her journey as an author, Kimbra was able to quit her day job...and now she’s planning for magic.

What can we learn from her journey?

About The Fearless Storyteller:

Are you finding this podcast to be a valuable resource? Learn how to support the show on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/ethanfreckleton

Intro Song: “Unlimited Love” (instrumental version) by Ethan Freckleton & Lucas Clebsch

Follow along on Facebook with The Fearless Storyteller community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/380936465875726/

Learn more about Kimbra at her website.

Michaelbrent Collings is a screenwriter and international bestselling author in several genres, most notably horror; two of his novels were finalists for the Bram Stoker Award. He’s been vocal about his struggles with depression over the years, as well as more recent obstacles he’s had to overcome as a mid-career author in a changing market. In 2020, his business is thriving, so let’s find out why Michaelbrent describes himself as “The World’s Best Kindergartner.”

About Michaelbrent: http://writteninsomnia.com/

ABOUT THE FEARLESS STORYTELLER:

Are you finding this podcast to be a valuable resource? Learn how to support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ethanfreckleton

Intro Song: “Unlimited Love” (instrumental version) by Ethan Freckleton & Lucas Clebsch

Follow along on Facebook with The Fearless Storyteller community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/380936465875726/

Nick Thacker is a full-time USA Today bestselling author of action/adventure thriller novels.

When his grandfather passed away in 2011, he left behind a sizable collection of thriller novels. That’s when Nick discovered Dan Brown and rekindled his love of reading. He quickly realized that he could write a book in a similar style. His goal? Surprise his dad with a copy for Christmas.

Nick pulled it off and eventually started writing full-time. That choice came with its own perils; Nick discovered that he was prone to anxiety and panic attacks.

You’ll want to listen to learn how Nick’s adapted to the unique challenges that come with relying on creative output for income.

"Get over yourself and move on."

And move on, he has. Shayne Silvers is an indie writing and publishing wizard and an all-around good guy to boot.

I won't bore you with the 7-figure sales or the big-time award nominations, because really...what we all want to know is: How do *I* get from where I'm at today and make my dream happen?

Shayne Silvers has some accessible insights that just might just help someone like you and me take our writing careers to the next level.

Growing up in the desert of Riyadh, Maram Taibah found escape—and magic—within the pages of children’s fantasy books.

As an adult, Maram’s day job is screenwriting. To cope with the sometimes-desert that is adulting, she finds herself returning to her first love, writing children’s fantasy.

Learn more about Maram and her insights on writing children’s books—and how that process differs from writing for Film and TV.

Alexis D Craig is a lifelong reader and storyteller, but it wasn’t until she developed anxiety over ongoing health challenges that she turned to writing as an anchor.

Now, writing and publishing her paranormal romance stories are her form of anxiety management. Devoted to improving her craft and embracing feedback, she loves everything about the process: “Even when it’s terrible it’s still fun.”

Listen along to learn more about paranormal romance, writing with a universal lens, and how Alexis approaches telling the best story possible.

Rebecca Balcárcel’s debut novel, THE OTHER HALF OF HAPPY, was named by Booklist as one of last year’s Top Ten First Novels.

Loosely based upon her experiences growing up as an outsider to her Latinx heritage, she describes the the story as the book of her heart.

In this episode, we’ll learn how Rebecca overcame years of rejection and limiting self-beliefs around writing to become an acclaimed poet and storyteller.

In 4th-grade, Shai August was accused of plagiarism because of her large vocabulary. Little did her teacher know she was already a voracious reader. I doubt they could have anticipated the damage the accusation would do to Shai’s confidence and joy around writing.

At age 40, Shai took stock of her life and realized two things: (1) She wanted to give more back to the world, and (2) She wanted to honor her unfulfilled childhood dream of writing stories.

Shai traded in her career as an attorney in exchange for writing and publishing for a living. Her company focuses on publishing paranormal romance stories featuring protagonists-of-color.

Be sure to listen and learn more about Shai’s journey!