Episode #94: Writers Consuming Content

Remember The Shared Desk? That was a pretty cool podcast. Too bad it podfaded, right?

Well, no — we didn’t go anywhere! Well, hold on, actually, yeah, we did go somewhere. It was Clockwork Alchemy and it was a right blast!

The Shared Desk, now recorded LIVE on Twitch at Tee’s Twitch Channel, finally got behind the mics after the dust from a government furlough and a trip out west finally gave them a chance to catch their breaths and record. What are we talking about, you wonder? Well, we’re specifically talking about writers consuming media. Sometimes, writers need to relax. Thing is, that can be hard when we’re always critically looking at how other writers do things. Can writers effectively turn their brains off, relax and enjoy the show?

Let’s find out.

00:00 —  Introduction

• Well yeah, there was another Episode #94, but Tee never got to the editing part of it…
• the audio may sound a little weird. Wait until you find out why! (At the end of episode, of course.)
• Adult beverages all around?
  • Kill All the Golfers for Tee
  • Pip has a drink, but she wants Tee’s drink instead.
• When is Game of Thrones coming back? Oh yeah…
• Tee is not hip, but he is old.
• Addressing the stream and a changing of the guard.
• A nod to Destiny and Happy Hour from the Tower
• Sorry, Katie! Maybe we can do something special with that episode? Maybe drop it into Pip’s Patreon?
• The original bell will not go quietly!

05:18 —  Episode #94: Writers Consuming Content 

• So where did this all start?
  • As many ideas comes from, it started with a series of rants on Facebook…
  • Pip defines “turning your brain off” as a writer.
  • What inspired the show topic …

• Tee and Pip have really been enjoying Star Trek: Discovery.
  • Is it worth the cost of CBS All Access?
  • This will be a spoiler-free episode, we promise!
• Going back to Season One, we meet THIS CHARACTER…
  • We want to know MORE about THIS CHARACTER.
  • The, in Season Two, we get an episode dedicated to THIS CHARACTER…
  • …so we could watch THIS CHARACTER die.
• Then we get Discovery’s next stop in the galaxy: Talos IV.
  • A bit of Star Trek history
  • Some nods throughout the series coping with canon
  • Where Tee is triggered in all this
• The writing crew of Discovery handles canon with real reverence, but the new, original stuff is slightly clumsy.
• Sprinkling seeds throughout chapters or episodes versus cramming it all into one moment
• After a moment’s rant, Tee asked “Maybe I’m expecting too much from these writers?”
• Pip thinks writers make terrible media consumers.
  • Pip’s current read is dickering around with time jumps, and she’s got issues.
  • Writing passages in time are not always easy.
  • Tee still believes he can relax and enjoy it, but Pip is struggling…
• The dice-roll in reading another’s book for the purpose of blurbing it
• Tee loves a slow burn, and it triggers him when shortcuts are taken.
• A good example of new canon and a slow burn done right…

• Massive shout-out to Ethan Peck who gives great Nimoy without doing an impersonation of Leonard Nimoy.
• As a writer and an actor, Tee’s got a jelly on.
• Want a glimpse at Lauren Harris‘ next cosplay?

• Where you can find them, watch “Short Treks” in between seasons.
• No, not all writers are perfect. It’s when you show how good you are, but then take cheap or manipulative short cuts?
• A spoiler from Season One that shows ridiculous, shoddy writing: grafting a personality to someone. (Beg your pardon?)
• Yes, we get it. We suspend disbelief. But there are limits.
• Can writers appreciate good writing better than their own? Oh yes!
  • True Detective, Season 3
  • The Marvel Cinematic Universe
  • Game of Thrones, Seasons 1 – 8
• But really? Cat scratch fever? Really? (Okay, we can give that a pass.)
• Good writing — no matter the media — should be inspirational to other writers.
• Since we’re talking about good writing and bad writing in media, it’s time to re-open this old wound…

32:04 — Writers off the Clock

• This is a beautiful theme, but it’s not ready for The Big Score (coming soon to AwesomeCon this weekend)
• How about this for an unexpected surprise?

• You’re going to want to see this. Seriously.
• Why Shazam! works
  • Giving Shazam’s suit a makeover
  • Really coherent, cohesive writing by keeping it simple but not stupid
  • Billy Batson is a teenager, so Shazam acts like a teenager. And it works!
• This was a fun ride, but it does go dark when it needs to. Billy Batson’s story, for example…
• Zachary Levi delivers as the Big Red Cheese.
• This is DC’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
• Tee and Pip wonder why Dwayne Johnson is an Executive Producer? Well, rumor has it…

39:57 — The Wrap-Up

• How long until Game of Thrones?!
• Wrapping up the podcast, but when you follow or subscribe to the stream, you get the extra content!
• Got some appearances lined up…
  • THIS WEEKEND, April 26-27 in Washington D.C. — AwesomeCon
  • May 21-24 in Baltimore, MD — Balticon
  • Tee weighs in on attending GuardianCon in 2019. Instead, Tee is aiming for TwitchCon in September.
  • Tee & Pip are coming to Key City Steampunk Festival.
  • And there’s a return to Richmond for the James River Writing Festival planned for this year!
• Twitch for Dummies, now in bookstores everywhere!
• Time to get to Westeros!
• If you have an event and want The Shared Desk to appear there, or if you just want to share an opinion about the show, here’s where to find us…
  • 703.791.1701
  • pip@pjballantine.com
  • tee@teemorris.com
  • …and social media, of course.

45:32 — Behind-the-Scenes Blooper

Find us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,
leave us a voicemail or questions for the show at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.
We’ll talk about it!
And remember, you can find the show on iTunes or Stitcher!
Subscribe, listen, and review.

Enjoy the ride
and we’ll catch you later.

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