30 Pilots in 30 Days: Scandal

When it was originally on: 2012-2018 Original network: ABC Where you can stream it now: Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu Had I seen it before: Yes. I don’t think I ever finished the whole series, but maybe into season 4 or 5? But it’s probably been a solid decade since this point so it was fun to revisit. What IMDb says: A former White House Communications Director starts … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: Scandal

30 Pilots in 30 Days: Nobody Wants This

When it was originally on: 2024-present Original network: Netflix Where you can stream it now: Netflix Had I seen it before: I’ve seen all of Season 1, none of Season 2. What IMDb says: An agnostic sex podcaster and a newly single rabbi fall in love; discovering if their relationship can survive their wildly different lives and meddling families. Why I picked it: I love contrasting streaming … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: Nobody Wants This

30 Pilots in 30 Days: The Office

When it was originally on: 2005-2013 Original network: NBC Where you can stream it now: Peacock Had I seen it before: Yes, I’ve seen The Office in its entirety, though I’ve never attempted the UK version. What IMDb says: A mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, tedium and romance. Why I picked it: Of all the … Continue reading 30 Pilots in 30 Days: The Office

What Taylor Swift’s ‘All Too Well’ (10-minute version) Can Teach Us About Story Structure

Recently, Taylor Swift released the 10-minute version of a song called “All Too Well.” By far, this track has been the most buzzed-about aspect of her re-released Red album, and it even broke the record for longest runtime of a #1 song, a record previously held by Don McLean’s “American Pie.” For those who don’t follow the career of Taylor Swift, “All Too Well” was … Continue reading What Taylor Swift’s ‘All Too Well’ (10-minute version) Can Teach Us About Story Structure

Writing About Writing: I Suck At Endings

This is the last Writing About Writing I’m obligated to write for November 2018 (though I’ll certainly add more to the series if I come up with ideas I like). So I thought it only appropriate to write about how to end your screenplay. The only problem here is that there’s a damn fine reason I never wrote about this in one of the other … Continue reading Writing About Writing: I Suck At Endings

Writing About Writing: Action Builds Relationships

I’ve mentioned before how knowledge of behavioral science can help improve your writing. Continuing with this theme I’d like to introduce you to a good old friend of mine: Cognitive Dissonance Theory. I had to give a presentation about it one time six years ago. I’m basically an expert. Cognitive Dissonance Theory says that the way we behave shapes our thoughts, opinions, and values. This … Continue reading Writing About Writing: Action Builds Relationships

Writing About Writing: What Can You Write In An Hour?

A shockingly high number of these blog posts are thrown together around 11 pm because I feel like I need to get something published before midnight. Most of the time, if you ask me at 9 pm what I’ll be writing, I have no freaking clue. But with just a few exceptions, I’ve figured something out every day. It’s amazing how if you force yourself … Continue reading Writing About Writing: What Can You Write In An Hour?

Writing About Writing: Believing In Yourself

“You’re too hard on yourself.” “I’m sure it’s better than you think it is!” “You just need to believe in yourself!” These are the kinds of things some people in my life like to tell me. Most, if not all of them, come from people who are not writers. The thing about confidence is that there’s a huge difference between confidence in yourself and confidence … Continue reading Writing About Writing: Believing In Yourself

Writing On Writing: Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

In a previous blot post, I mentioned how I thought writers should familiarize themselves with behavioral sciences as this can lead to more realistic characters. There’s a particular theory that stands out to me as a “thing I wish writers knew.” That would be Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions. The theory is often taught to people studying international business or communication, as it’s a tool for defining … Continue reading Writing On Writing: Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

Writing About Writing: Making Choices

Today, I made a choice. I made a choice not to get my blog done before midnight. Instead, I was decorating a pirate bar for Christmas because that’s just the sort of interesting life I lead. After coming home, I chose to hop on Ulta.com because Cyber Monday waits for no one. (Click here for my Ebates referral code!) I chose to put off blogging … Continue reading Writing About Writing: Making Choices