A Gossip and a Guinness

Joining me this week on A Gossip and a Guinness are TV writers Glenton Richards, Matt Rasmussen and Hallie Lambert — and together we have an adorable, somewhat meandering, conversation that nostalgically revisits our time working on The Expanse, available on Amazon’s Prime Video.For those of you who’ve not seen the show, The Expanse is an award-winning, seminal space epic set 200 years in the future, where a fragile solar system on the brink of war is upended when a ragtag crew stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens all of humanity. Based on the eponymous bestselling series by James S. A. Corey, otherwise known as Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. Showrunner Naren Shankar, was a mentor to all of us, and a gifted storyteller who made the series what it is, a peerless science fiction classic. This conversation only scratches the surface and is a giddy reunion of friends (we really needed more time than one hour). We cover characters we identify with, which faction we would belong to, our origins on the show, what it is like to be on set versus in the writers’ room and much more.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Reunion Show02:48 The Expanse03:55 The Science Behind The Expanse05:52 Paths to the Writer’s Room09:22 Climbing the Ranks in Hollywood14:19 The Journey to Writing: From Assistant to Staff Writer16:13 Experiencing the Set: Behind the Scenes of The Expanse26:56 Navigating Fear: Advice for Aspiring Writers35:41 The Power of Collaboration37:51 Nostalgic Memories from the Show39:50 Character Connections and Storytelling44:40 Exploring Character Arcs49:41 Thematic Depth in The Expanse52:20 Imagining the Universe of The Expanse56:41 Glenton’s New Book The Honors Society This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit housedamewood.substack.com

Join me for a special episode of A Gossip and a Guinness featuring my longtime friend, Showrunner VJ Boyd. What was planned as an interview very quickly went off the rails—in the best way—as we abandoned the questions and just talked.We rediscover that we share the same three foundational television touchstones (him watching in Texas, me in Maryland past our bedtimes). VJ makes a passionate case for Millennium—particularly its opening credits, which you should immediately rewatch on YouTube—and the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode that escapes our collective memory is “A Matter of Perspective,” a Rashomon structured episode in which Riker must defend himself against a rape accusation. Heavy stuff for TNG, and a reminder of just how bold network television was.Grab a drink and come hang out.Show Notes: * The podcast aims to connect with friends and share insights.* Reality TV has evolved, especially with celebrity involvement.* Nostalgia plays a significant role in how we view classic shows.* Streaming has changed the landscape of television writing.* Timeless shows like Buffy and X-Files continue to resonate with audiences.* The writing industry is facing new challenges and opportunities.* Networking remains crucial in the entertainment industry.* The importance of adapting to industry changes is emphasized.* Enjoying small victories in a writing career is essential.* The future of TV writing may involve new formats and platforms. Empathy is crucial in collaborative writing environments.* Finding a balance between different writing styles can enhance a show’s uniqueness.* Showrunning should be a collective effort, valuing every voice in the room.* Leadership in a writers’ room involves making final decisions while listening to feedback.* Post-production offers a unique opportunity to shape the final product holistically.* Effective communication is essential for conveying the purpose of scenes and lines.* The landscape of television writing is constantly evolving, influenced by various factors.* Novel writing presents its own challenges, often requiring additional income sources.* The social dynamics in the industry can complicate personal interactions.* Reflecting on past experiences can provide valuable insights for future projects. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit housedamewood.substack.com

Navigating the Book World with The Secret Agent, Philippa DonovanIn this engaging episode of A Gossip in a Guinness, host Julianna Damewood and guest Philippa Donovan, discuss the intricacies of the publishing world, the importance of personal connections in storytelling, and the evolving landscape of adaptations. Philippa shares her journey as an editor and book scout, emphasizing the need for support in the writing community and the challenges writers face in securing representation. The conversation also touches on current trends in literature, the role of AI in writing, and the significance of maintaining passion in the industry.Find Philippa at https://thesecretagent.substack.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit housedamewood.substack.com