Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!
Authors and screenwriters Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due (and guests!) on writing, the writer's life, Hollywood, the work/family balance and relationships - the tools writers need to make themselves the heroes/heroines of their own story. - LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) - Join our MAILING LIST at www.lifewritingweekly.com
Episodes
July 29, 2026 • 66 mins
In this episode recorded LIVE with an audience, Steve and Tananarive talk about the unveiling of their new masterclass, "Make Your Own Short Film!" based on their experience directing their upcoming short film, The Keeper.
Tananarive also talks about the amazing reviews for her upcoming thriller novel, MAZYWOOD (Sept. 26), her upcoming Amazon Original novelette, "Battle of the Round House" (loosely inspired by her family his...
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June 26, 2026 • 45 mins
In this episode, Tananarive catches up with her college classmate from Northwestern University, award-winning and bestselling author Dan Chaon. They talk about his most recent novel, ONE OF US, research for wriring, the writing life, and how creating art can create hope during challenging times.
Tananarive also talks a bit about her upcoming novel, MAZYWOOD (Sept. 22).
Never miss a live episode! For the link, join one...
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Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due share updates and Lifewriting tools for staying centered while creating under stress. Due announces a People Magazine cover reveal for her upcoming horror novel, Mazywood (out September 22), describes its contemporary survival-horror plot and old-Hollywood historical origins, and discusses anxiety about reader reactions.
Barnes reports improved health and emphasizes “The Magic Formula&r...
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January 15, 2026 • 59 mins
In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about how they have pushed through with their writing projects after Steve's health setback in late 2025 (all better now!) and their goals for 2026 -- including a feature version of their short film, THE KEEPER!
Plus, advice to a screenwriter from the live audience.
Never miss a live episode! For the link, join one of our mailing lists:
Tananarive's mailing list at http...
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November 30, 2025 • 59 mins
In this episode, Tananarive talks to debut author and former "Doogie Howser, M.D." actor Markus Redmond about his vampire novel BLOOD SLAVES, set during the Antebellum slavery era.
On how the murder of George Floyd helped inspire his novel, transitioning from acting to writing, on his experiences writing screenplays, and how slavery is the true horror in BLOOD SLAVES. (And it's a series!)
Never miss a live episode! Fo...
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October 27, 2025 • 68 mins
In this episode, Steve and Tananarive reveal what they learned during Steve's recent health scare -- and how his creative work helped inspire his recovery. Tananarive shares her coping mechanisms that helped her stay centered during a time of true-life horror. Plus, Steve and Tananarive answer questions on writing and creative living from the studio of LIFEWRITING LIVE!
Never miss a live episode! For the link, join one of ou...
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September 8, 2025 • 71 mins
In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the power and popularity of horror in literature and cinema -- and secrets to writing powerful horror! Tananarive also talks about how horror is healing during times of crisis. Steve also talks about his recovery from hip replacement surgery. And listeners ask questions about collaborating, deadline and writing motivation!
Don't miss their upcoming workshop on 9/13/25 - "Dark ...
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In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about their short story in the New York Times bestselling anthology THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT ("The Boat Man"), based in the world of Stephen King's THE STAND. Tananarive tells the story of how she played keyboard in a band with Stephen King, the Rock Bottom Remainders. (And Tananarive reads an excerpt from "The Boat Man"!)
Also: audience members at the LIVE recording talk ...
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August 5, 2025 • 64 mins
In this Lifewriting episode with a live audience, Steve and Tananarive talk about their upcoming cast and crew screening for their short film, THE KEEPER, and Tananarive reveals a "necessary evil" she avoided while she was working on her next novel! Plus, they talk to audience members about their writing struggles and how to embrace "necessary evils" to reach their dreams.
Join us on Lifewriting on Circle: https:...
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July 26, 2025 • 47 mins
In this first "Lifewriting Live!" with a live audience, Steve and Tananarive talk about overcoming fears and past failures with goals and actions to make the Universe say "Oh, sh*t! She's serious!"
Tananarive also talks about what she learned about outlining versus "pantsing" from George R.R. Martin while she was teaching at the George R.R. Martin Intensive Writing Workshop at Northwestern University's Medill School for Jour...
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July 6, 2025 • 50 mins
Steve and Tananarive are BACK after disappearing into directing their first film! THE KEEPER wrapped last week, and they share their experiences as novelists turned screenwriters turned directors, stories from the set, and how YOU can direct your own film with only an iPhone and a skeleton crew.
LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!)
Join Tananarive's mailing lis...
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May 25, 2025 • 72 mins
In this episode (which originally aired in June of 2024), Tananarive opens up about why it was so difficult for her to write her novel, THE REFORMATORY, and why it was such a thrill to win Best Novel at The Bram Stoker Awards -- the first Black author to win Best Novel!
How she motivated herself to write a difficult novel based on her family history while juggling parenthood and screenplay assignments. And how the Lifewritin...
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May 3, 2025 • 65 mins
In this spoiler-crammed episode, Steve and Tananarive lead a community celebration of SINNERS and break down both the film and Ryan Coogler's Hollywood journey to shaking up Hollywood.
This is the FULL replay of the community Zoom: https://youtu.be/bGFavqpA4Rc
And don't delay signing up for our hybrid Screenwriting webinar 5/17. Take the first steps to get your seat at the table - or build your own table. Limited spots...
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April 15, 2025 • 77 mins
In this episode, Steve and Tananarive premiere their "vintage" radio play, THE WALKER, a narrative audio story modeled after classic radio of the 1930s and 1940s - but diverse!
But first, they talk to co-producer J. Michael Hayes (an author, filmmaker and Lifewriting Premium alum) about how they brought the story to life on audio - and how you can bring your own writing to life too!
Steve and Tananarive both love narra...
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April 8, 2025 • 62 mins
In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about adapting their horror graphic novel, THE KEEPER (illustrated by Marco Finnegan), as a short film for a major production company.
On how they made the journey from prose writers to screenwriters to having an opportunity to direct a short film with an eye toward directing their first feature. Also on the writing lessons from directing - and an invitation to join their LIVE hybrid...
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March 11, 2025 • 50 mins
In this episode, Tananarive talks to visionary thinker, organizer and artist adrienne maree brown (author of EMERGENT STRATEGY, GRIEVERS and LOVING CORRECTIONS) about the role of the artist during times of chaos -- creating beauty from pain and uncertainty, the obligation of artists to express joy, and how art can be a bridge to better times.
LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play...
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February 22, 2025 • 51 mins
The WGA writers' strike is over, but A.I. is still a big conversation among writers. From the WGA strike and screenwriters' concerns about A.I. infiltrating writers' rooms to the recent class action lawsuit including former podcast guest Paul Tremblay against OpenAI and ChatGPT, A.I. and writers are on a collision course.
Steve and Tananarive talk about the good and bad uses of A.I. for writers and how to prepare for the futu...
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February 14, 2025 • 61 mins
In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to director Josh Ruben about his new horror comedy (romance) Heart Eyes, which is destined to be a cult Valentine's Day horror hit! They talk about directing, how to make a horror romance, and why Ruben cast Black leads in Heart Eyes (Mason Gooding, opposite Olivia Holt) and Werewolves Within (Sam Richardson, opposite Milana Vayntrub).
Also: how he coped after he and his wife lost t...
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February 7, 2025 • 49 mins
In this new episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the need for feedback to grow as writers and how difficult it is to determine which feedback is useful and which feedback isn't useful - and the tools it takes to tell the difference!
They also talk about their new video on why writing Science Fiction / Afrofuturism can be empowering in 2025 - check it out at https://www.steven-barnes.com/live-classes.
LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL ...
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January 22, 2025 • 45 mins
In this episode - their first one recorded in 2025! - Steve and Tananarive talk about how Octavia E. Butler and Ray Bradbury confronted their times with art to help inspire themselves and others. (Includes a clip from a 2000 interview with Octavia Butler).
They also talk about their upcoming hybrid class on Writing Science Fiction/Afrofuturism (1/25) and how artists can turn fear into power through storytelling! (Learn more ...
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