We are kicking off 2019 the only way we know how at The Shared Desk. We’re bringing in a special guest who has never been on the show, but is practically art of the family. Welcome to The Shred Desk author Tim Dodge.
Tim Dodge is a regular fixture at the Smoke Writers Retreat, and is taking first steps into professionally writing fiction, but he is no stranger to writing professionally as he writes technical documents on a freelance basis.
The Shared Desk, now recorded LIVE on Twitch at Tee’s Twitch Channel, after looking back on a year that was very 2018, turns its attention to what is coming this year, as well as looks at the not-so-simple life of a writer when writing is a 9-to-5 occupation.
00:00 — Introduction
Oh yeah, we’re kicking off the new year right…with a show recorded last year. (See what I did there?)
It is a night of firsts!
A mild spoiler from Bandersnatch
It’s a night of adult beverages and seamless plugs.
Pip’s Patreon is still going strong in case you were wondering.
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.
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.
Yeah, we know. We thought we were done with the hiccups in the schedule, but this thing called February happened. Things didn’t get better in March. And April was not shaping up to be any kind of improvement. Sure, we had content in the hopper, we had stuff we wanted to talk about, and we wanted to talk to you all. Problem is, we had a full plate of ADULTING to cope with, and that is what this comeback episode of The Shared Desk is all about — when Life refuses to cut you a break.
We have some thoughts on what to do about it.
00:00 — Introduction
Remember us?
So that’s why Tee is so interesting to people…
Are you feeling defeatist? BETTER NOT!
It’s been some time, not that we are light on content…
01:04 — Episode #88: Writing in the Midst of Bad News, Bad Luck, and Grief
We’ve got some really cool stuff in the backlog…
Chatting with K.T. Bryski about the 2018 Smoky Writers
Nope. Life is still not done with Tee as he returns to his Day Job to discover…
How do you get back on your feet?
Hold up, Fam —Tee’s good.
My Twitch streams have been helping him cope. It’s like the early days of podcasting, but with video games.
Tee kept the Day Job situation close to the vest for a reason.
The new Day Job coming has got Tee grooving to this song…
How having the new job already lined up helped Tee through his Dad’s Memorial.
There may be good intentions behind “Get back on the horse…” but sometimes, you need to keep your pie-hole shut. Tee knows this. Sadly. Concerning his friend, Kim Headlee.
Writers react to death, grief, and stress differently. That is a truth.
To the people who think Tee and Pip should be full time in writing by now…
Interviewing for Day Jobs — especially ones that are just for show — are exhausting.
There are different ways to cope with death, grief, and stress. It’s okay to ask for help.
What writers need to do: set a date for a return.
Escapes are good. Escapes are essential.
Tee’s Dad may never appear in a novel of his, but there will be influences and reflections a-plenty.
The Case of the Pitcher’s Pendant will always be that story for his father.
Too bad his dad liked the first one more.
Allow yourself to grieve.
And remember, you are not alone in the world. You are not.
Tee shares his breaking point.
Cheesy as it may sound, there is something good about hitting rock bottom.
Through all this, Pip discovers a super power.
Embrace your Tribe.
When you are ready, turn your grief, your darkness, your pain, into characters that resonate with readers. When you are ready.
29:02 — Writers Off the Clock
Holy shit, this soundtrack is AWESOME!!!
Spoilers, Will Robinson! We are going to riff a bit about…
To really understand this reboot, you have to travel back in time to the original Lost in Space… …which doesn’t quite age well. At all. Let’s discuss.
Decades later, Hollywood decided to take Lost in Space into a darker corner… …and no, things didn’t really fall apart with Matt LeBlanc. It started with the script.
“But early Doctor Who is pretty chintzy,” you say? About that…
GENERAL FANDOM:Lost in Space is a sacred cow. No need to remake it, reboot it, or retool it for a modern audience. NETFLIX: Hold my beer.
What Tee and Pip did not like about Lost in Space…
What did Tee and Pip like about Netflix’s Lost in Space? Where do we begin?
Acting — on point and incredible
Women were taking the lead without emasculating the men,
The management of huge cast — everyone had their moment!
Everyone felt real.
Let’s talk about Parker Posey, Dr. Smith, and how she polished this turd-of-a-character and redefines this science fiction villain.
The creative crew of this new Lost in Space slip in a lot of nods to both the original television and film.
Opinions on the Robot
Already planning a re-watch.
Kid-Friendly…but there are some tense moments…
54:19 — The Wrap-Up
Tee and Pip had a lot to share with the class.
What will Tee do on his off-week before the new day job?
And you can hear it first….if you become a subscriber.
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.
Watch for those shows from our audio vault! They are en route!
[display_podcast]
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.
Comments Off on Episode #88: Writing in the Midst of Bad News, Bad Luck, and Grief
Did you hear? We have a new book on the shelves! (The digital ones anyway.) With Operation: Endgame out and waiting for you to read, The Shared Desk is looking back on the ministry of Peculiar Occurrences and talks about everything a writer thinks, feels, and fears when wrapping up a series and dropping the curtain on familiar grounds.
And really, are they done with the Ministry? Well……
00:00 — Introduction
Whew! It’s been a week…
If you want to relax, Dunkirk is NOT the movie to help you with that.
And you can hear it first….if you become a subscriber.
See you in 2018!
54:15 — The Last Word
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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.
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.
Comments Off on Episode #73: Something Old, Something New
Call us at 703.791.1701 (now accessible through the Instagram app!)
Send Tee email — tee@teemorris.com
Send Pip email — pip@pjballantine.com
…or find us on social media everywhere.
45:03 — Post-Show Groove
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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.
Comments Off on Episode 72: The 2017 Smoky Writers Retreat Wrap-Up (featuring K.T. Bryski…and even MORE Hamilton!!!)
We managed to post on our bi-weekly schedule without fail from the beginning of this year to August 24, but as our break was on account of the upcoming Curse of the Silver Pharaoh, we thought you would be okay wth that. Our next two shows we have pre-recorded and are timeshifting the crap out of them, but we are back on track after a month of hardcore editing!
On this episode of The Shared Desk, we’re following-up with frequent guest and adoptive-Canadian-daughter, author K.T. Bryski, talking about her podcast Six Stories Told at Night. If you recall on Episode #46, we talked about the grant she submitted for this project. Now hear about the end result!
00:00 — Introduction
Tee flies solo in the introduction
So ends the streak.
Getting back on track with author K.T. Bryski.
01:55 — Episode #64: Follwing Up with K.T. Bryski
We like running video with Skype because we like the eye contact.
What brings K.T. back to the Shared Desk?
Back in October 2015, we talked about Grants onIf you recall on Episode #46.
Now, welcome to Episode #64.
A good chunk went to the vocal talent, Blythe Haynes. (And yes, she earned it!)
We are getting your voicemails and email, but we’ve been recording jam-packed shows of late. We will be getting to them soon! Until then…
Call us at 703.791.1701 (now accessible through the Instagram app!)
Send me email — tee@teemorris.com
Send Pip email — pip@pjballantine.com
…or find us on social media everywhere.
[display_podcast]
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.
Comments Off on Episode #64: Following up with K.T. Bryski and Her Writing Grant
We are back. ALL OF US! We had such a blast talking about 2015, we decided to keep the mics hot and talk a bit about 2016, so let’s not keep you waiting!
While waiting for her graduation, K.T.’s starting a novel
Tee blacks out on a really cool show done back in September where K.T. is working on a one-act play.
K.T. wants to work on other ideas germinating and gestating in her head.
Lauren “Scribe” Harris, has a multi-pronged plan for 2016
Obtaining her license
Completing second drafts on two novels
Completing audiobook projects
Writing a musical with K.T.
K.T. and Lauren share a moment of cuteness with just a touch of Jack Bauer
Lauren also has a cover shoot coming up
Matthew J. Drake
Piper is having a happy anime girl moment.
Matt is grasping the hard reality about the best laid plans.
Matt Drake, the Unexpected Author
Still pursuing advanced degrees and opportunities
Matt is still in video games, but not so much with Twitch.
Audio is drawing Matt into the flame….
Piper J. Drake kicks off 2016 with a BRAND NEW BOOK!
Big step for PJD who is coming out of a box swinging HARD.
Hardcore promotion lies ahead.
With five books coming in 2016, she’s already lining up future projects!
Piper cracks the whip on Tee, and conspires with Pip…
Tee and Pip are also hitting 2016’s ground running
Complete The Ghost Rebellion
Complete Countless Hues of Crimson
Begin work on Operation: Endgame
Pip looks to complete The Silver Pharoh
Tee looks at Wolf in the Fold…again.
The Kickstarter has committed Tee to writing and recording Little Red Flying Hood
And with lessons learned in all our Kickstarter, Tee wants to pitch Crowdfunding for Writers to Writers’ Digest
…provided there are no surprise home D.I.Y. Projects.
27:41 — How do we make all this happen in 2016?
Piper J. prioritizes the projects by contracts, money value, and Any.do, day planners with neat-o re-stickable stickers, and Scrivener as a series bible!
A few thoughts about Evernote, something Tee needs to explore.
Closing out with Sebastian reading the end credits.
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Find us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,
on Tee, or the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences on Periscope
leave us a voicemail or question for the show at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.
Katie plugs her diabolical plot, but timeshifting means…whoops it has already happened!
Katie hates to leave, and Viola doesn’t want her to go. Neither do we…
The team heads out to watch Penny Dreadful with a bunch of apologies
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Find us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,
leave us a voicemail or question for the show at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.
Recorded LIVE at Balticon on the final day of the event, Tee and Pip are joined by a lively audience, all of whom take pains to keep Tee in line and muster up the courage to ask Crazy Uncle Charlie a few questions on writing…
….and Crazy Uncle charlie has a few surprises in store for them! It’s a wild ride with the Parsec-nominated podcast, The Shared Desk, at Balticon 48.
00:00 — Introduction
Shutting it down like a boss!
Reflection on a Balticon Cookout. (Thank God we made it out alive!)
We’re keeping this episode on a tight(ish) schedule because we got stuff to sell!
3:35 — Perspectives (or the “I Love You, Man!” Show)
Lessons learned at Balticon
Pip was enjoying many an “I love you, man!” moments last night with the grown-up Gummi Bears.
Sonic Boom in the House!!!!
P.C. Haring…put back in his box by Nick (MOTHER F-ING) Fury.
Leading into a quick shout-out to our Intern of Awesome, K.T. Bryski.
And if you’re wondering what people were laughing at…
A Perspective on Success
There was something about Balticon this year…
People were really excited for the Ministry, and yet Pip and I still feel like were the rookies of steampunk.
When J.R. Blackwell and Jared Axelrod pull you aside to have a heart-to-heart, you know it’s about to get serious.
The audience looks at Tee and thinks “Wow, that’s Tee Morris! What an ass.”
And a few thoughts from Sonic Boom…
A slip of the tongue…and people pile-on correcting Tee. (But he comes back for more. Always.)
The thoughts of Jared and J.R. and Jon Stallard of the 501st: It’s not the same. Can we go back there?
But is that a bad thing? Don’t we want to spread the geek love? (Phrasing.)
In the middle of Balticon, Pip wanted to tell friends how it is…and that’s a good thing.
Pip even said something sweet and endearing to her husband. Kind of.
Tee looks back on his first Balticon as P.C. Haring brings Cybrosis in print to the event.
Yes, we have enjoyed success, but we’re ready to level up.
The audience wants to start up a new hashtag — #MoPOForever
Pie-in-the-Sky dreams for who would produce the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series
Shout-out for Hiddlebooks and Jenna Louise-Coleman with Brian Cox and Nathan Fillion on deck….
32:40 — Writing Advice from Crazy Uncle Charlie
And the room goes rather silent as Charlie enters the room…
Sonic Boom is not fooled.
Crazy Uncle Charlie is having a tough time knowing where he is…
Question #1: Writer has a short story, popular with his peer readers, but he’s having a tough time selling it. What should he do?
Charlie is momentarily distracted by Lauren “Scribe” Harris. (Could Charlie have a potential stalker on his hands?)
And Charlie comes out of box, swinging…
Hold on….is Charlie making sense?
And then, we come back to the Charlie we know and love.
Question #2: Writer wants to know the sweet spot between “creative inebriation” and “rat-faced hammered” for consuming alcohol.
Charlie reveals the line between inebriation and genius. It is cotton balls.
Writing drunk is like drunk tweeting. Think before you plot.
Be responsible for the words you herd. (Holy cow — Charlie is working a new strategy in writing advice!)
Question #3: Writer wants to skip the laborious process f writing and editing and just get to sharing the story. How do you develop the discipline?
The Concept is the Process, and the Process is the Concept
What kind of writer are you? A Pantser or a Plotter. (Charlie doesn’t believe in pants.)
Find your routine and stick with it.
Question #4: Why do first-time writers balk at the end of projects? Is it a fear of failure? how do we get past that stumbling block?
That fear never goes away.
Every new title is a challenge, a new place for the bar to be set.
Let the fear fuel you.
Charlie blanks out for a moment, then pulls it together for a giveaway.
And there is jubilation over the Shared Desk’s Mega-Prize Pack and Super-Prize Pack…
…hold on — what’s this third prize pack Charlie is giving away?!
47:36 — The Wrap-Up
THAT. WAS. CLOSE.
Giving The Shared Desk sign-off very quickly…
Now — let’s sell some books!
YES! We want your feedback — 703.791.1701
48:26 — Warm, Fizzy, Sign-Off
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Find us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,
leave us a voicemail or question for the show at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.
When you have house guests, you make sure you show them a good time. When you have house guests who happen to be writers, you get them on the mic which is exactly what Pip and Tee did when writer and podcaster Lauren “Scribe” Harris came up for a visit, enjoyed a visit to the Madison Tea Room, and quality time with the Boom. Today on this episode of The Shared Desk, these three multitaskers sit down and talk about what they do to stay organized.
00:00 — Introduction
Wow, get a guest in the studio and she comes out of the box swinging!
Welcome for the first time in-studio our special guest (and recent house guest) Lauren “Scribe” Harris!
Find us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,
leave us a voicemail or question for the show at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.
Our intern from the Great White North, ForeWord-nominated author, Katie Bryski, has reached the end of her February internship. The mics are hot and we ask our intern the tough questions
00:00 — Introduction
Show #30 — we have been good this year with our regular posting, and Tee’s got some new drop-in’s!!!
This is the end of February, and Katie Bryski is hanging in there with her internship at Casa de Morris!
Foreshadowing what’s coming up with this episode…
Pip channels her inner-Chole and goes into what she’s been working on…
Weather Child — the layout continues with the recent proof
Immortal Progeny — After checking with the Book of George (R.R. Martin), the novel is taking shape.
Find us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,
leave us a voicemail or question for the show at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.
…which doesn’t quite age well. At all. Let’s discuss.
…and no, things didn’t really fall apart with Matt LeBlanc. It started with the script.
