The Creative Writing Life

Where do you find inspiration? How do you keep it flowing? And what do you do when it’s just not working? That’s what the guys discuss in this week’s episode. Tune in to hear some of their best tips for staying inspired. Paul's Blog: https://maximumz.blog/ Justin's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Justin-Sloan/e/B00OJPAM0K/ PT's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/P.T.-Hylton/e/B00J8K7KWY/ Get the Creative Writing Life book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Life-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2FMYK/

Brian Drake is the author of numerous successful spy novels. He joins the guys to discuss the ups and downs of working with publishers, writing great action scenes, and some of his favorite thrillers. You can find out more about Brian and his work at www.briandrakebooks.com Paul's Blog: https://maximumz.blog/ Justin's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Justin-Sloan/e/B00OJPAM0K/ PT's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/P.T.-Hylton/e/B00J8K7KWY/ Get the Creative Writing Life book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Life-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2FMYK/

What makes your writing you?  One of the best ways to find out is by stretching your comfort zone. Whether it’s writing in new genres or approaching your stories in a new way, trying new things can help you figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. Then you can take those lessons back to what you are comfortable writing.  In this episode, the guys discuss how they’ve pushed their own limits, what has worked, and what hasn’t. Then they discuss using those learnings to pitch yourself as a writer. Paul's Blog: https://maximumz.blog/ Justin's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Justin-Sloan/e/B00OJPAM0K/ PT's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/P.T.-Hylton/e/B00J8K7KWY/ Get the Creative Writing Life book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Life-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2FMYK/

Bryan Cohen is an author, teacher, blurb master, and the host of the Sell More Books podcast. He talks about Amazon ads, blurbs, and how writing is like improve comedy. Join Bryan’s 5 Day Amazon Ad Challenge at https://bryancohen.lpages.co/amazon-ad-profit-challenge-landing-jan-2020/ Paul's Blog: https://maximumz.blog/ Justin's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Justin-Sloan/e/B00OJPAM0K/ PT's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/P.T.-Hylton/e/B00J8K7KWY/ Get the Creative Writing Life book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Life-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2FMYK/

Feedback is a part of the writer’s life. How do you give it? How do you react to feedback from others? We’re going to break down the good, the bad, and the ugly of feedback and notes. Paul's Blog: https://maximumz.blog/ Justin's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Justin-Sloan/e/B00OJPAM0K/ PT's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/P.T.-Hylton/e/B00J8K7KWY/ Get the Creative Writing Life book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Life-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2FMYK/

This week, science fiction and superhero novelist Jeffrey H. Haskell joins the show to talk about how he got into writing, the difference between urban fantasy and superheroes, and how understanding why people read a certain genre is more important than hitting the genre’s tropes. Check out Jeff’s books at: https://www.amazon.com/Jeffery-H-Haskell/e/B01I2W55SO Paul's Blog: https://maximumz.blog/ Justin's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Justin-Sloan/e/B00OJPAM0K/ PT's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/P.T.-Hylton/e/B00J8K7KWY/ Get the Creative Writing Life book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Life-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2FMYK/

This week, the guys share their tips for staying focused and productive. PT talks about writing with a partner. Justin talks about dictation. Paul talks about working on his short film script and the struggles of writing in coffee shops. Paul's Blog: https://maximumz.blog/ Paul's Creative Writing Career episode: https://creativewritingcareer.simplecast.fm/96e960d3 Justin's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Justin-Sloan/e/B00OJPAM0K/ PT's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/P.T.-Hylton/e/B00J8K7KWY/ Get the Creative Writing Life book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Life-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2FMYK/

This week, we talk screenwriting contests. How do you decide which ones to enter? What can you expect to get out of them? How valuable is the feedback? Paul, Justin, and PT are here to break it down for you. Paul recommends checking out - https://filmfreeway.com/ Paul's Blog: https://maximumz.blog/ Paul's Creative Writing Career episode: https://creativewritingcareer.simplecast.fm/96e960d3 Justin's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Justin-Sloan/e/B00OJPAM0K/ PT's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/P.T.-Hylton/e/B00J8K7KWY/ Get the Creative Writing Life book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Life-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2FMYK/

This week, we share an interview with Elias Madias, writer on the awesome video game Shadow of Mordor. He talkings about how he came up in the industry through being a Director’s Assistant, how he found a writing partner and bust down the first door in his way (to get to Disney!), and how he got into games (the secret? Connections. Networking. Duh). This interview first appeared on the Creative Writing Career podcast way back on episode two. Plus, Paul, Justin, and PT talk about adaptations. How do you go about adapting a work into another medium? What do you need to consider when writing in another person’s world? Tune in and find out! Paul's Blog: https://maximumz.blog/ Paul's Creative Writing Career episode: https://creativewritingcareer.simplecast.fm/96e960d3 Justin's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Justin-Sloan/e/B00OJPAM0K/ PT's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/P.T.-Hylton/e/B00J8K7KWY/ Get the Creative Writing Life book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Life-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2FMYK/

This week, Paul, Justin, and PT talk about conferences. What’s the point of going to conferences? How do you know which ones are worth attending? What do you do if you wind up on a panel? Tune in and find out! Paul's Blog: https://maximumz.blog/ Paul's Creative Writing Career episode: https://creativewritingcareer.simplecast.fm/96e960d3 Justin's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Justin-Sloan/e/B00OJPAM0K/ PT's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/P.T.-Hylton/e/B00J8K7KWY/ Get the Creative Writing Life book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Writing-Life-Justin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B07YR2FMYK/