Tag Archives: The Shared Desk

by | April 22, 2019 · 5:15 am

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?
  • 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?
Ensign Sylvia “Space Merida” Tilly
  • 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

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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by | August 18, 2017 · 7:03 am

The Dog Days of Podcasting 2017: Trash-Talking Other Authors and Genres

Special thanks to Corbin J Drake for the photo.

This was a difficult topic for Tee’s Dog Days of Podcasting because he knows on The Shared Desk he and Pip have completely melted down on bad writing. Thing is, authors trash-talking other authors and their works can be a slippery slope.

So what do you do when you’re reading something that sucks? How do you handle it, especially when you’re in the public eye?

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Find Tee on Twitter here,
leave a voicemail or questions for the Dog Days of Podcasting at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.
I’ll talk about it!

And remember, you can find this show on iTunes or Stitcher!
Subscribe, listen, and review.

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by | August 17, 2017 · 7:17 am

The Dog Days of Podcasting 2017: Getting Organized

Special thanks to Corbin J Drake for the photo.

Leave it to the Dog Days of Podcasting to remind Tee that TODAY he and Pip were supposed to put out a new episode of The Shared Desk.

Ooops.

Staying organized is hard, but Tee’s got a few tricks that help him out with projects, timelines, and appointments. What are you favorite organization methods? Share them with us here!

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Find Tee on Twitter here,
leave a voicemail or questions for the Dog Days of Podcasting at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.
I’ll talk about it!

And remember, you can find this show on iTunes or Stitcher!
Subscribe, listen, and review.

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by | June 4, 2014 · 2:45 am

Episode #35: The Shared Desk — RECORDED LIVE AT BALTICON 48!!!

 

TSD-what

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…10265531_10203014335618254_8819894192693187496_o
  • 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.
  • Our kid can do math! Huzzah!
  • From Rockstar Treatment…to the Real World.
  • The dangers of losing perspective.
  • Remember — there’s always someone in the playground bigger (and in some cases, meaner) than you.
  • Considering the Up’s and Down’s of 2014
    • Pip’s found her zen.
    • Tee’s winding up and going on mic with his “I love you, man!” moment.
    • OMG! We have to mention TEH KITTEHS of New Zealand!!!
    • When it comes to friends, we are in the 1% tier.
  • What else is going on with us?
    • Our agent is pitching new properties from Tee & Pip
      • Deadly Hollywood, a new property from Pip Ballantine
      • Immortal Progeny, Pip’s Epic Fantasy currently in the works
      • Darkwater, a spinoff title from the world of The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences featuring Rafe Rafton (100% Elf-Free!)
      • Wolf in the Fold, Tee’s first step into Urban Fantasy
      • The Curse of the Silver Pharaoh, Pip’s Y.A. spinoff from the Ministry universe
  • Tee gives a quick shout-out for a steampunk Y.A. film The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box, the best-kept secret of steampunk films.
  • 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.

Enjoy the ride
and we’ll catch you later.

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by | April 23, 2014 · 3:20 pm

Episode #33: Game of Thrones, Hot Buttons, and Responsibility…from a Writer’s Point-of-View

 

TSD-overtheshoulder

SPOILER ALERT!

SENSITIVE TOPIC ALERT!

PIP RAGE ALERT!

Good. I think we have covered everything.

With Tee and Pip flying solo in studio, the original topic for The Shared Desk is set aside for the controversy and the (important) debate fans, geeks, and writers of Game of Thrones have been engaging in since Sunday night. Has everything that could have been said about what happened in Westeros been said already?

Tee and Pip don’t seem to think so…

00:00 — Introduction

  • Angry drop-ins set the tone for this episode
  • Where are our in-studio guests?
  • What has Tee been working on since the last show?
  • Pip refuses to slow down after the launching of Dawn’s Early Light.
    • Pip’s Kickstarter story, Tangi A Te Ruru/The Cry of the Morepork featuring Aroha Murphy, is close to release. 
    • Her latest idea combining early Hollywood and Mesopetanian Gods has been submitted.
    • Continuing development on Immortal Progeny, and Silver Pharaoh featuring Verity Fitrzroy and the Ministry Seven.
  • There’s another idea in the mix about a social media guide for writers…

6:20 — Game of Thrones, Hot Buttons, and Responsibility…from a Writer’s Point-of-View

  • Multiple Alarms for this Shared Desk…
    • Spoilers Ahead.
    • Hot Buttons Ahead.
    • Trigger Warnings.
    • If this kind of talk bothers you, please, JUMP AHEAD TO TIME MARKER 38:49
  • THAT scene from last Sunday’s Game of Thrones from both a fan’s point-of-view and a writer’s point-of-view.
  • Jamie rapes Circe.
    • It was rape. Pure and simple. We’ve established this.
    • Since Sunday, the Internet has lost its mind over this episode…
    • …but a LOT has happened over three seasons, hasn’t it?
  • Comparing the book to the miniseries. Not much better.
  • Back on the project organization…
    • Lauren does the longhand approach.
    • Pip can’t read her own handwriting, but she still grabs random scraps of paper to get notes down.
    • Tee prefers the digital approach to notes.
  • One issue (of many) that Tee has with the scene/episode: It’s being handled by George R.R. Martin and HBO terribly.
  • Westeros — not the safest place to be…
  • Tee and Pip agree — Circe did not ask for it.
  • Is anyone really “entertained” by rape?
  • Tee (and Chuck Wendig) go on record about Jamie that few (if any) admits to with Jamie — people started to LIKE and TRUST Jamie Lannister.
  • Pip goes into the relationship of Jamie and Brianne.
  • Jamie Lannister. Not really a nice guy.
  • Jamie Lannister in the baths. Okay, we LIKE him.
  • Tee spells out Jamie’s rough and bumpy homecoming, and shows the build-up and the psychological snap that led to this moment.
  • Where did Tee get his degree in Psychology? The ID Channel, of course.
  • Comparing Jamie Lannister to Ted Bundy. (Yeah, we go there.)
  • Fans don’t understand why “good” characters make terrible choices.
  • Jamie doesn’t know what true honor is.
  • Should rape be addressed in fiction or in movies, television, and other mediums?
  • Tee really doesn’t like “entertainment” used in the same sentence as “rape.”
  • Pip echoes Chuck’s opinion while playing the Woman Card.
  • Rape as a character flaw…
  • ….and how Vikings plays rape strictly as a character flaw, and offends both Tee and Pip
  • No kidding, Pip and Tee have been talking about this FOR DAYS!
  • The difference between the Angle-Saxon Princess and Jamie Lannister — we got to know him.
  • Does this episode of Game of Thrones mean we as writers should not write about these topics? Not at all.
  • Tee lays himself on the chopping block with Legacy of Morevi…which he wishes GRRM and HBO would do.
  • If you’re going to write about ugly issues, prepare to research things you won’t like to research.
  • Showing love for Hannibal…and recognizing the difference between serial killers and rapists.
  • Be aware of your audience.
  • We love Vikings…but we didn’t care for this particular moment.
  • Take responsibility for your writing and understand the impact of your words.

38:49 — The Wrap-Up

  • That bumper music feels a little inappropriate, doesn’t it?
  • YES! We want your feedback! On this topic…or others.
    • 703.791.1701
    • Leave us comment here!
  • This podcast needed to happen. Words have weight.
  • Where will we be in the next few weeks?
  • See you in two weeks!
  • And if you’re still listening to us after this show, thanks!!!

 

Featured People in this podcast:
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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.
Enjoy the ride
and we’ll catch you later.

 

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