Episodes

  • Craft Lessons from A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (Spoiler free)

    Craft Lessons from A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (Spoiler free)
    Jul 3 2024
    In this episode, Steve and Tananarive unpack the new film starring Lupita Nyong'o, A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE. It's breaking box office records for the Quiet Place franchise, and for good reason. With shades of 28 DAYS LATER, CHILDREN OF MEN and THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS, this new horror film is both an action-packed story of a horror apocalypse and an intimate portrait of human mortality. Whether or not you've seen the film, don't miss this episode pointing out the craft lessons that make this an instant horror classic. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Join Tananarive's mailing list at https://tananarivelist.com Join Steve's mailing list at https://stevenbarneslist.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • Best of Lifewriting: Paul Tremblay! (Horror Movie, Cabin at the End of the World)

    Best of Lifewriting: Paul Tremblay! (Horror Movie, Cabin at the End of the World)
    Jun 26 2024
    In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to horror writer Paul G. Tremblay about what it's like to have your novel (The Cabin at the End of the World) adapted into a major film by a major director, M. Night Shyamalan (Knock at the Cabin). Tremblay talks about why he loves horror, his choice to make his protagonists a queer married couple and their adopted Asian daughter, and what happens when Stephen King tweets about your book. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • On Thriving with New Opportunities and Challenges

    On Thriving with New Opportunities and Challenges
    Jun 18 2024
    In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the joys and challenges of stretching our self image as creators: Steve has a job opportunity in a new field, and they're both working toward co-directing their first short films! How even good news can be stressful, and how to maintain the tools to thrive no matter what we're facing. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Join our mailing lists: www.tananarivelist.com or stevenbarneslist.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Best of Lifewriting: On Keeping It Short! (The Joy and Power of Short Stories and Short Scripts)

    Best of Lifewriting: On Keeping It Short! (The Joy and Power of Short Stories and Short Scripts)
    Jun 10 2024
    In this episode, Steve and Tananarive break down why writers of all levels should embrace short stories and short scripts, whether it's to learn craft faster or to get published or produced sooner. They also discuss their first collaboration, a short story named "Danger Word" that also became their first short film: www.dangerwordfilm.com. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Sign up for Lifewriting Premium at https://lifewritingpremium.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • Tananarive Won a Stoker Award for The Reformatory! (When History is the Monster)

    Tananarive Won a Stoker Award for The Reformatory! (When History is the Monster)
    Jun 5 2024
    In this episode, 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. Join Tananarive's mailing list at tananarivelist.com Join Steve's mailing list at stevenbarneslist.com LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • On the Writer's Juggling Act - Working on Multiple Projects!

    On the Writer's Juggling Act - Working on Multiple Projects!
    May 26 2024
    In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the necessity of working on multiple creative projects and share their tips on how they juggle writing scripts and books. Join Tananarive's list at tananarivelist.com - or Steve's list at stevenbarneslist.com LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Best of Lifewriting - Nisi Shawl! (Kinning, Everfair) On Friendship with Octavia E. Butler

    Best of Lifewriting - Nisi Shawl! (Kinning, Everfair) On Friendship with Octavia E. Butler
    May 19 2024
    In this episode from March of 2023, Steve and Tananarive talk to award-winning author Nisi Shawl (KINNING, EVERFAIR) about the anthology they published, NEW SUNS 2, featuring speculative fiction from marginalized writers - including a story, "Supptertime," from Tananarive! Nisi also talks about the journey from a fangirl to friend of the late Octavia E. Butler. Plus, that time Nisi rejected one of Tananarive's short stories. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • "So Be It! See To It!" Success Hacks for Writers

    "So Be It! See To It!" Success Hacks for Writers
    May 12 2024
    In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the practices that have helped them succeed as writers. They discusses Steve's late friend Octavia E. Butler's use of Napoleon Hill's THINK AND GROW RICH and the practices and affirmations that helped her become such an influential author despite the odds. And how you can use the same hacks to find success. Watch the YouTube condensation of the book's principles: https://youtu.be/n3g2DlmZsLg?si=mtVWACsq6Pvku0qz LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins