The Creative Writing Life

Justin and Paul spoke with Arie Kaplan on writing for kids in games, books, tv, and more!  Arie Kaplan is the author of more than two dozen books, including "LEGO Star Wars: Face Off," "LEGO Star Wars: The Official Stormtrooper Training Manual," "The Jurassic Park Little Golden Book," "Swashbuckling Scoundrels: Pirates in Fact and Fiction," and the award-winning "From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books." He has also written several graphic novels, including "Speed Racer: Chronicles of the Racer," "Shadow Guy and Gamma Gal: Heroes Unite," "The Penguins of Madagascar: Penguins on a Mission," and "The New Kid from Planet Glorf." In addition to his career as an author, Arie is a screenwriter for television, video games, comic books, and transmedia. Links from Arie:  1) I'm currently writing the scripts for a mobile game called "eQuoo: The Next Generation: Lodestar," which is out now from PsycApps. Here's a link to the "eQuoo" page of my website. On that page, you can see an "eQuoo" game trailer, a poster, and some info about the core concepts behind the game: https://www.ariekaplan.com/game-writing/equoo-the-next-generation-lodestar/ 2) Recently, I wrote a freelance episode of the Netflix animated series "Charlie's Colorforms City." The episode, titled "Charlie and Little Bo Peep," is streaming now. For more info - including a clip from the episode - check out this link: http://www.ariekaplan.com/television-writing/charlies-colorforms-city/ 3) Here's the "Game Writing" section of my website, where you can see highlights from my career as a game writer (aka screenwriter for video games): http://www.ariekaplan.com/game-writing/ 4) Here's the link to the "Television Writing" section of my site, where you can see some highlights from my career as a television comedy writer (e.g. my work as a staff writer on the late, lamented TV series "TruTV Presents: World's Dumbest"): http://www.ariekaplan.com/television-writing/ 5) Here's my Amazon Author Page, where you can see some of the books (and graphic novels) I've written over the years: https://www.amazon.com/author/ariekaplan 6) Here's the link to the "Humor, Fiction, & Essay" page of my site: http://www.ariekaplan.com/humor-fiction-and-essays/

Justin and Paul are joined by Rebecca Murga to discuss AFI, Disney Directing, and Filmmaking!  Visit her website at: http://www.rebeccamurga.com/about Rebecca Murga is a Chicago-born, Latinx filmmaker who produces and directs films, commercials, and documentaries for clients such as ABC, CBS, HBO, Mundo FOX, AT&T, and A&E Networks. She is currently the Director of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women (DWW), a hands-on training program committed to increasing the number of women and gender non-binary artists working professionally as narrative screen directors. Rebecca served as a Captain in the US Army and deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. She was awarded a Bronze Star for her work as one of the first women attached to Special Operations in Afghanistan. She currently works with the John Mayer Foundation, Heart and Armor, advocating for women in the military. As one of the WGA writers in the Dan Lin / Rideback TV incubator produced by Rideback Television with financing and other support by MRC, Rebecca is experienced in collaborating with producers, designers, editors and executives from creative development to post-production. Rebecca was selected for and has completed the AFI Directing Workshop for Women, the Disney / ABC Directing Program, Ryan Murphy Television Directing Program and has been the recipient of several grants including the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) grant, the Panavision New Filmmakers Grant, and The Nancy Malone Directing Award. Rebecca is a passionate advocate for veterans and women's issues with articles published in The New York Times and The Global Journal. She has appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America," and "The View." Most recently, she was featured on NPR as the director of a short film “War Ink” which tells veteran's war stories through their tattoos. Find her on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5176113/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Join Justin and Paul as they talk with Hayato Mitsuishi of Kevin's Entertainment. We discussed the film festival he used to run in Los Angeles, Japanese cinema, and more fun topics. Enjoy!  KEVIN'S ENTERTAINMENT Kevin's Entertainment is a Los Angeles based production and talent management company leading business initiatives that bring Hollywood and the Japanese entertainment industry closer together. Our expertise lie in working with both the US and Japan to create and promote content that can be enjoyed by a global audience. Our clientele in both countries include major studios, ad agencies, talent agencies, and production companies. We also manage actors and film directors.

Join Justin and Paul as they discuss the upcoming film CRYPTO with Amy Duboff and James Fox.  When a burned-out game developer uncovers a mysterious message embedded in a cryptocurrency algorithm, her quest for answers quickly devolves into a deadly game of cat and mouse. COMING 2022 STARRING  Mikayla Iverson DIRECTED BY  James Fox SCREENPLAY BY  Amy Kay DuBoff & James Fox More about the movie: https://www.crypto-movie.com Watch the Teaser HERE. ABOUT THE GUESTS AMY DUBOFF: Amy Kay DuBoff is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author specializing in sci-fi and space fantasy. Dubbed by her readers a modern “Queen of Space Opera,” she is most known for her acclaimed Cadicle Universe. The second book in her standalone Dark Stars Trilogy, A Light in the Dark, was a 2018 Nebula finalist for the Andre Norton Award. Amy’s short fiction has been published by NewCon Press, Seventh Seal Press, and numerous indie publications. Amy co-wrote the feature film screenplay for CRYPTO (2022), a sci-fi technothriller now in post-production. JAMES FOX: Native American and Californian, James Fox is a natural storyteller. After graduating from the Academy of Art in San Francisco, with a BFA in Directing, he became the Founder of Dawnrunner Inc. and has championed the company through numerous award-winning projects over fifteen years. As a writer, Fox devotes his energies to the careful crafting of compelling characters and diverse worlds.

Join Justin and Paul as they talk about Ghostwriting on Fiverr, Kuprik, Reedsy, and also Pitch Fests. Other fun advice is included, and discussions on what we're reading/watching. www.Kuprik.com www.Fiverr.com

Brian Drake returns to the Creative Writing Life podcast to discuss the 2021 20BooksVegas writers conference. Enjoy!  http://20booksvegas.com/ Here is some information on the conf: What is 20Books Vegas all about? Here’s a short video to show the energy. https://vimeo.com/254950940 20Books Vegas 2022 is by far the biggest and best of the 20Books shows (we’ve had ten so far). It is the biggest show in the world focused on self-publishing although there is something for every author, traditional or indie. Why would you come to Las Vegas in November to be with 2500 authors and publishers? Because we believe that everyone deserves a chance to succeed if they take the knowledge and experience and apply it to their author business. What if you could ask a question of someone who is where you want to be? What would that question be? Vegas gives you that opportunity. With up to 20 authors making seven figures a year and hundreds making a full-time living, there will be something for everyone. Be warned, no one is going to carry you and make you an overnight sensation. You have to do that for yourself by applying what over 100 guest speakers have to offer. Are you ready to excel, reap the rewards of your good work? Then take control of your author career. There is no other conference like 20Books Vegas. This show is predicated on the principle of giving back. It is run without any profit. We run this show because philanthropy is a part of our lives. We make our money off our fiction. We don’t need to make it from other authors. So we don’t. We get our reward when we see others We have our Live Events YouTube Channel so you can see the types of presentations we have made along with our daily material. Please follow the 20Booksto50k(R) Live Events channel for a great source of information on all things publishing. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTrqmZBt-FWUWnxWD2x5Ucg 20Books Vegas 2022 Facebook Group

Drew joins the team to discuss Japanese Cinema! Drew Avera is a Navy veteran, musician, and the bestselling author of the Dead Planet series and the Alorian Wars. He was born and raised in rural Mississippi and grew up with a deep affection for comic books and science fiction movies and television shows. At one point he boasted a comic book collection with more than 1,000 issues.

Justin and Paul discuss lessons learned from 2021, paths ventured, and what's next in their grand journey. Enjoy!

Justin and Paul talk pitching your novels and screenplays at pitch sesssions.  Enjoy! 

Justin and Paul discuss self publishing. If you're considering getting your book out there, here are some thoughts! Also, did you check out the Creative Writing Career book from Justin yet?  https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Career-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2SHJ4 Creative Writing Career is a resource to help writers go from aspiring to professional, full-time writers. The book includes information on the writing process and ways to improve one’s craft, but mostly focuses on how to get discovered and where to concentrate energy in the meantime. The content of the book is supplemented by writer interviews, featuring incredibly gifted authors, game writers, and screenwriters who share the wisdom they have gained. Interviews include writers with credits at or on Pixar, O-Dark-Thirty, Borderlands, Assassins Creed 2, Ninja Boy, and the Traveler's Gate trilogy.