Published in The Brave Writer·Feb 10Member-only5 Pieces Of Writing Wisdom From The Office’s Mike SchurTips for finding ideas, writing character, and creating work that excites — Mike Schur is one of the most prolific comedy writers of his time. His stacked resume includes gigs writing for Saturday Night Live, Parks & Recreations, and The Office. …Writing5 min read
Published in The Brave Writer·Jan 19Member-only7 Practical Pieces of Writing Advice From Chuck PalahniukFight Club Author’s Tips for Aspiring Writers — American writer Chuck Palahniuk’s style of transgressive fiction has captivated and shocked audiences for three decades. He’s written 15 novels, dozens of short stories, and two graphic novels. …Writing7 min read
Aug 26, 2021Member-onlyJerry Seinfeld’s 7 Rules For Becoming A Better WriterLearn from the comedy legend’s prolific writing routine — Jerry Seinfeld is one of the most prolific comedy writers of all time. While he is most known for his eponymous sitcom, Seinfeld has produced multiple standup specials, hosts the popular Netflix series Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, and recently published a book of his work. This tremendous output isn’t…Writing7 min read
Published in Better Advice·Jul 31, 2021Member-onlyWhy Perfectionism Is So DangerousThe Ugly Truth About Our Most Cherished “Flaw” — In today’s type A society, “the perfectionist” is a lauded title. Often one step removed from genius. A fraternal twin to the savant. The perfectionist is a rare breed of person. He is the innovator with the tenacity to see an idea through to its most complete form. She is…Self Improvement4 min read
Published in Forge·Jul 5, 2021Member-only7 Storytelling Tricks to Steal From Late-Night Talk Show ConvosStart with a tease, and other ways to captivate an audience of 1 or 1,000 — For me, the late-night talk show has always represented a shameless form of star worship. How could a serious consumer of culture enjoy it? The fake laughter. The manufactured drama. The over-the-top host. It all screams phony! But recently I’ve reconsidered. Talk shows are one of the few remaining forms…Writing9 min read
May 30, 2021The History Of The Beatle’s RevolutionThe Story Behind The Band’s Most Political Song — The year was 1968. Chaos enveloped the globe. In the United States, civil rights and anti-war activists clashed over the escalating conflict in Vietnam. The assassination of political and civil rights leaders like Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King spread distrust and panic amongst the populace. In Europe, Soviet tanks…The Beatles5 min read
May 25, 2021Nick Cave On Suffering And CompassionWhat do we do with suffering? This is a question Nick Cave — author, musician, and Bad Seeds front man — can answer better than most. The death of his son inspired his last albums, Skeleton Tree and Ghosteen- two highlights in an impressive and expansive discography. Last month, Cave…Self Love3 min read
May 17, 2021Chuck Palahniuk’s Recipe For Better StorytellingHow To Write Like A Natural Storyteller — How do you write an engaging story? One that sounds smooth and relatable — the type told around pubs and campfires- rather than the stiff, cold ones that can find their way on the page? In his latest book, Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk gives writers a recipe to create…Writing3 min read
May 17, 2021Playing The FoolHow Embracing Your Shortcomings Leads To Creativity — I recently stumbled across a TED Talk from actor Ethan Hawke. In the presentation, Hawke cites the ability to play the fool as the essential part of the creative process. As someone who’s long been a proponent of making silly art and giving yourself permission to suck, the idea of…Writing2 min read
Published in The Brave Writer·May 14, 20215 Writing Tips From Simpsons Legend John SwartzwelderDuring the 90s, The Simpsons writers’ room was a mecca for up-and-coming comedians. Legends like Conan O’Brien, Greg Daniels, and Pixar’s Brad Bird cut their teeth working on the show. While many notable writers filled the chairs, one name towers above all in Simpson’s lore- John Swartzwelder. Critics consider Swartzwelder…Writing Tips6 min read
