Street Writers

Under pressure: yeah, all have way too much of it, but sometimes it can help your writing. Mark discusses how to reach a higher gear by creating a deadline for yourself and writing under pressure, purposely. Dan reads an inspiring paragraph from Story, by writing guru, Robert McKee. And Mark and Dan give updates on Grease, Grit and Crime and Storymaze. ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife #stamford #stamfordlocal‬

Well, you’re reading this: that’s a good sign. Because Mark talks about the need for writers to read. Moves are great, shows are fabulous, podcasts are the bomb, but there’s no substitute for the written word. So read, read, read. Dan then raves about the Errol Morris documentary, The Thin Blue Line. And the boys pitch the podcast, Grease, Grit and Crime in Covid Time, and storymaze.substack.com ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife #stamford #stamfordlocal‬

Dan says, bring the love — to yourself. As writers, we’re good at berating ourselves. Well now it’s time to admire what you’re doing this very moment, and to appreciate your commitment to the craft. Mark reads a passage from an amazing f**king book, The Price You Pay, by Aiden Truhen. And the guys talk about their latest, in Mark’s podcast, Grease, Grit and Grime in COVID Time, and Dan’s newsletter, storymaze.substack.com ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife #stamford #stamfordlocal‬

Pity. Envy. Adore. Aka, PEA. Dan discusses how to use the PEA acronym to help shape the characters you create. Mark reads a passage from Quite Ugly One Morning by Christopher Brookmyer that evokes a smoke-filled, aristocratic English club. Dan touches on the growing popularity of his newsletter, which you can subscribe to at storymaze.substack.com. And Mark introduces The Black Hole, a new dramatic podcast episode at Grease, Grit and Crime in COVID Time. Listen wherever you get podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the link below. ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife‬

Want to turbo charge your journaling? Go from first to third. Mark discusses the benefits of simply shifting your journal entry from first person (“I feel like ...”) to third person (“He believed that ...”). It provides opportunities to enrich your entries by bringing more storytelling aspects to them. Dan gets back to his mythology roots by reading from “Heroes,” from Stephen Fry. Dan also introduces us to his free newsletter that shows off his serious writing chops (storymaze.substack.com), while Mark touches on another episode at his podcast, Grease, Grit and Crime in COVID Time. ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife‬

In the second half of our interview, H. Byron Ballard discusses her infatuation with words, and then reads excerpts from Shakespeare, and from the poem, Invictus. She then discusses her new books: Roots, Branches and Spirits, and Seasons of a Magical Life. They cover everything from folklore to ghost stories. ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife‬

To say this week’s guest has a rich and diverse background is a gross understatement. We’re thrilled to welcome author, teacher, folklorist, priestess and village witch, H. Byron Ballard. In the first half of our interview, Byron discusses her background, and gives a great writing tip (hint: pull out your notebook and pen). ‪#onwriting #howtowrite #writinginspiration #writingpodcast #podcastonwriting #writingtips #podcast #funnypodcast #applepodcasts #podcasters #writing #podcastlife‬

TMOC: The myth of confidence. Mark wonders if writers need to have confidence in their writing — he certainly doesn’t, and he knows so many other writers who struggle with confidence as well. Maybe all the confidence you need is that you’ll write something, no matter what. Dan then reads from a meaner, scarier series of Hulk comics from Al Ewing. And Mark discusses his film Venmo Muscle, which is selected for the Manhattan Stories Film Festival. And Dan touches on being the audio book voice for a new book on gaming by our friend and podcast guest, Evan Skolnick.

Well, it’s about time. Mark finally admits that he’s a fraud. His writing sucks, his plays are garbage (even the published ones), and how any of his films get into festivals is a joke. Imposter syndrome? Oh yeah, it’s real for Mark. So he shares a tip on how to keep plowing ahead even if you sometimes feel like a fraud. Dan then reads from a beautiful essay from David Foster Wallace. And Mark discusses serializing his latest work, All Strung Up.

Here’s the second half of our interview with Bob Palmer, a top advertising and digital executive who has recently completed his first novel, King of Hearts. Bob talks about writers who have inspired him. He also discusses his book and the business of making it a reality.

This is the first half of our interview with Bob Palmer, a top advertising and digital executive who has recently completed his first novel, King of Hearts. Bob discusses the book, and provides insightful writing tips.

Stuck in the middle of a story? Let your characters lead you, step by step, line by line. Mark discusses building story momentum by letting your characters react to the line that was just written, and then react to the next line, and so on. Dan then reacts to a beautiful letter about finding lyrics by poet and musician, Nick Cave. And Mark announces that his film, Venmo Muscle was selected for Manhattan Rep Theater’s COVID Stories Festival.

Be careful what you wish for. Achieving a writing goal — whether that’s getting published, building an online audience or anything in between — is great. But it can also lead to a feeling of “Is that all there is?” That’s why it really is about the journey of writing: working on your craft every day and taking satisfaction in what you accomplish each step of the way. Mark then reads a paragraph from a Stephen King short story in the October 2020 Esquire, and he touches on a few successes of his own.

Mark believes one phrase has hurt writing more than just about any other: “write what you know.” He and Dan dispel that hideous myth. Dan then raves about David Lynch’s book, Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness and Creativity. And Mark describes his first on-site shoot following COVID protocol for the Clay Arts Council.

Here’s the second half of our interview with author, journalist, creative director and management consultant, Mat Zucker. Mat is an old friend from our Ogilvy days who exemplifies grit, determination and creativity in his career. In this segment, Mat discusses a few podcasts he’s jealous of, and gives us a funny and insightful backdrop on his new book, Bronze Seeks Silver: Lessons From a Creative Career in Marketing (buy it on Amazon or at http://bronzeseekssilver.com). Check it out now.

We’re happy to welcome author, journalist, creative director and management consultant Mat Zucker. Mat is an old friend from our Ogilvy days who exemplifies grit, determination and creativity in his career. Mat has written about the inspirational, important and quirky things he’s experienced in his new book, Bronze Seeks Silver: Lessons From a Creative Career in Marketing (buy it at http://bronzeseekssilver.com). In the first half of our interview, Mat provides insightful writing tips, so check it out now.

Stuck on trying to find the perfect plot? Let your characters lead you. Mark discusses the idea of putting disparate characters with conflicting goals together and see what bubbles up — like a spicy jambalaya. Dan raves about Phenomena, by Annie Jacobson (https://www.amazon.com/Phenomena-Governments-Investigations-Extrasensory-Psychokinesis/dp/0316349364/ref=nodl_) He also discusses his guest appearance on the podcast, Geek to Me Radio (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/186-part-1-writer-d-g-chichester-on-marvel-daredevil/id1182792271?i=1000488550939). And Mark introduces Au Revoir, Noir, the latest addition to Grit, Grease and Crime in COVID Time (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grease-grit-and-crime-in-covid-time/id1518637609).

In the second half of our interview, Marshall Curry discusses the podcast that inspired him to make his award winning short film, The Neighbor’s Window (which you can see for free on YouTube and Vimeo). Marshall’s inspiration is The Living Room, by Diane Weipert (you can hear it on the podcast series, Love and Radio). Marshall also talks about his upcoming plans, which include a fictionalized version of a true story about a garbage man in Oklahoma who wants to build the largest haunted house attraction in America. We also discuss a small silver lining of the COVID tragedy: it’s easier to get remote appointments with producers, instead of flying to various locations to meet.

We’re thrilled to welcome to the podcast the Academy Award winner, four-time Academy Award nominee and an old friend, Marshall Curry. In the first half of our interview, Marshall gives us some great tips on finding inspiration from the habits and processes of other writers, and establishing your own work process.

Well, this being the summer of quarantine, and taking the advice of our recent fabulous guest, renowned copywriter and creative writer Tom Elia, we’ve released some raw cuts of our interview with Tom that entertained the hell out of us (and hopefully, you too). We discussed the paradox of Web creative that was better 15 years ago than it is today, and trying to find the balance between business writing and creative writing. We’re breaking our format rules for this raw version—but hey, we all know that rules are made for breaking every now and then.