PODCAST · education
Street Writers
by Mark Bellusci | Dan Chichester
Still waiting for inspiration? Maybe it’s time you actually started writing— powerfully, productively and with plenty of punch. Here's a 10-minute jab at writing as a craft that calls for tenacity, consistency and the courage to face an empty page. Mark Bellusci and Dan Chichester are pros at bare-knuckle writing for stage, film, editorial, marketing and comics. They share hard-earned tricks to help you roll up your sleeves, beat down the demons, and move that project forward — be it a novel, ad, play, press release, game, screenplay or shopping list. Take it to the streets and fight to write.
Episodes
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Street Writers - Would You Believe
It's back to a bit of Rod Serling advice for "Take a Swing at This", as Dan institutes a dialogue loyalty test, of sorts. Mark rates the podcast "May I Elaborate" (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/may-i-elaborate-daily-wisdom-from-jb-smoove/id1562371862) as worth a "They Beat Us To The…
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Street Writers - UPP
Under pressure: yeah, all have way too much of it, but sometimes it can help your writing. Mark discusses how to reach a higher gear by creating a deadline for yourself and writing under pressure, purposely. Dan reads an inspiring paragraph from Story, by writing guru, Robert McKee. And Mark and...
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Street Writers - Different Voices
For "Take a Swing at This" Dan turns to master storyteller Rod Serling, and his advice to listen to your characters with your eyes closed to see who's who. (If anybody!) Mark's "They Beat Us To The Punch" is all about Jonathan Lethem's "Gun, with Occasional Music: A Novel" an homage to noir in a...
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Street Writers - Read, read, read
Well, you’re reading this: that’s a good sign. Because Mark talks about the need for writers to read. Moves are great, shows are fabulous, podcasts are the bomb, but there’s no substitute for the written word. So read, read, read. Dan then raves about the Errol Morris documentary, The Thin Blue...
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Street Writers - Bring the Love
Dan says, bring the love — to yourself. As writers, we’re good at berating ourselves. Well now it’s time to admire what you’re doing this very moment, and to appreciate your commitment to the craft. Mark reads a passage from an amazing f**king book, The Price You Pay, by Aiden Truhen. And the…
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Street Writers - TOD: Text or Die
The Master of Acronyms is back! For "Take a Swing at This" Marc lays out the challenge and power of TOD: Text or Die. For "They Beat Us To The Punch" Dan is all over 2034, a new too close for comfort military thriller of a near-future global conflict between the US and China. And in "Hit Us With...
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Street Writers - PEA
Pity. Envy. Adore. Aka, PEA. Dan discusses how to use the PEA acronym to help shape the characters you create. Mark reads a passage from Quite Ugly One Morning by Christopher Brookmyer that evokes a smoke-filled, aristocratic English club. Dan touches on the growing popularity of his newsletter,...
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Street Writers - First to Third
Want to turbo charge your journaling? Go from first to third. Mark discusses the benefits of simply shifting your journal entry from first person (“I feel like ...”) to third person (“He believed that ...”). It provides opportunities to enrich your entries by bringing more storytelling aspects to...
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Street Writers - Kio Stark Pt. 2
We're back with Pt. 2 of our interview with writer, instructor, TED Talker and novelist Kio Stark, author of the influential and inspirational "When Strangers Meet: How People You Don’t Know Can Transform You.". In "They Beat Us To The Punch," she brings out the heartache of Bluets, but Maggie...
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Street Writers - Kio Stark Pt. 1
Writer, instructor, TED Talker and novelist Kio Stark joins us on the Street. Among her works, Kio is the author of the influential and inspirational "When Strangers Meet: How People You Don’t Know Can Transform You." In "Take A Swing At This" she shares her warmup techniques for her writer,...
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Street Writers - Reversals
This way? No, back it up, turn it around! That's better. Or so Dan says as he advocates for "Reversals" via this episodes "Take A Swing At This". (With a nod to creativescreenwriting.com) Then Mark's off to other worlds, introducing The Three Body Problem to "They Beat Us To The Punch”. And in…
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Street Writers — Be Your Audience
"Take A Swing At This" answers the eternal question of where to find your audience with the writing tip to *be* your audience. For “They Beat Us To The Punch”, Mark shares an excerpt from writing and ad giant George Tannenbaum's always excellent blog, Ad Aged. (https://adaged.blogspot.com) And in...
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Street Writers - H. Byron Ballard, part 2
In the second half of our interview, H. Byron Ballard discusses her infatuation with words, and then reads excerpts from Shakespeare, and from the poem, Invictus. She then discusses her new books: Roots, Branches and Spirits, and Seasons of a Magical Life. They cover everything from folklore to...
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Street Writers - H. Byron Ballard
To say this week’s guest has a rich and diverse background is a gross understatement. We’re thrilled to welcome author, teacher, folklorist, priestess and village witch, H. Byron Ballard. In the first half of our interview, Byron discusses her background, and gives a great writing tip (hint: pull...
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Street Writers - TMOC
TMOC: The myth of confidence. Mark wonders if writers need to have confidence in their writing — he certainly doesn’t, and he knows so many other writers who struggle with confidence as well. Maybe all the confidence you need is that you’ll write something, no matter what. Dan then reads from a...
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Street Writers - Christopher Golden Pt. 2
It's part 2 with best selling author (of many, many things) Christopher Golden! For "They Beat Us To The Punch", Chris reads an amazing excerpt from Joe R. Lansdale's fantastic "The Drive In." (https://www.amazon.com/Drive-B-Movie-Blood-Popcorn-Texas-ebook/dp/B083WD5JT1). Then for "Hit Us With…
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Street Writers - Christopher Golden Pt. 1
We're jazzed to welcome best-selling novelist and writer's friend Christoper Golden to the Street. Chris has brought stories to life in every medium — animation, audio, comics, novels — and has a regular spot on the New York Times bestseller list. That includes his latest thriller, Red Hands. In...
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Street Writers - I’m a Fraud
Well, it’s about time. Mark finally admits that he’s a fraud. His writing sucks, his plays are garbage (even the published ones), and how any of his films get into festivals is a joke. Imposter syndrome? Oh yeah, it’s real for Mark. So he shares a tip on how to keep plowing ahead even if you...
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Street Writers - Cornertalk
No matter when this runs, it includes a 2021 greeting and (technically) our first “Take A Swing At This” of the new year: inspired by Lucian James’ (www.lucianjames.com) newsletter, Dan’s shouting at himself in the mirror, creating the Street Writers’ version of “cornertalk” — the boxer’s...
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Bob Palmer, part 2
Here’s the second half of our interview with Bob Palmer, a top advertising and digital executive who has recently completed his first novel, King of Hearts. Bob talks about writers who have inspired him. He also discusses his book and the business of making it a reality.
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Bob Palmer - Part 1
This is the first half of our interview with Bob Palmer, a top advertising and digital executive who has recently completed his first novel, King of Hearts. Bob discusses the book, and provides insightful writing tips.
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Street Writers - Snowflaking
For a special holiday edition of Street Writers, Dan's "Take A Swing At This" fills the stockings with the joy of Randy Ingermanson's "Snowflake Method" of writing (https://www.advancedfictionwriting.com). In "The Beat Us To The Punch", Mark assures you will never look at an Xmas Tree in quite…
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Street Writers - Coffee is for Closers
For "Take A Swing At This" Mark channels his inner Alec Baldwin. With "They Beat Us To The Punch", Dan proclaims "This is the way," in admiration of the storytelling skillz of "The Mandolorian." And when it's "Hit Us With Your Best Shot", Dan relates his upcoming newsletter, as Mark gives updates...
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Street Writers - The Guarantee
A rock solid guarantee (perhaps by way of the underworld) is Dan's offer to Mark in "Take A Swing At This". Then Mark brings law and order back to writing with a high-five to the five-oh skills of masterful police author Joseph Wambaugh in "They Beat Us To The Punch". And in "Hit Us With Your…
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Street Writers - Character Driven
Stuck in the middle of a story? Let your characters lead you, step by step, line by line. Mark discusses building story momentum by letting your characters react to the line that was just written, and then react to the next line, and so on. Dan then reacts to a beautiful letter about finding…
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Street Writers - Two Words from South Park
"Take A Swing At This" comes courtesy of the creative duo behind South Park, two simple words that Dan thinks can make all the difference in between your storytelling beats. Then Mark straps on his Esquire skis for "They Beat Us To The Punch", with a hellacool bit of heliskiing writing. And in a...
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Street Writers - Beware of Success
Be careful what you wish for. Achieving a writing goal — whether that’s getting published, building an online audience or anything in between — is great. But it can also lead to a feeling of “Is that all there is?” That’s why it really is about the journey of writing: working on your craft every...
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Street Writers - Get the Picture
Dan and Mark spend at least 1000 words on the power of pictures as inspiration, writing prompts and more in “Take A Swing At This.” For "They Beat Us To The Punch" takes us deep within the world of drug cartels via the one-of-a-kind prose and behind the scene details of Don Winslow — especially…
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Street Writers - Myth Busting
Mark believes one phrase has hurt writing more than just about any other: “write what you know.” He and Dan dispel that hideous myth. Dan then raves about David Lynch’s book, Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness and Creativity. And Mark describes his first on-site shoot following…
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Street Writers - Underthink
After weeks of awesome guests, Mark and Dan are left only with themselves on the newest Street Writers. Dan’s “Take A Swing At This” is all about *underthinking* a situation to get the creative flow. (Inspiration-check to Lucian James’ The Fearless Strategies newsletter:...
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Street Writers - Mat Zucker, part 2
Here’s the second half of our interview with author, journalist, creative director and management consultant, Mat Zucker. Mat is an old friend from our Ogilvy days who exemplifies grit, determination and creativity in his career. In this segment, Mat discusses a few podcasts he’s jealous of, and...
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Street Writers — Mat Zucker
We’re happy to welcome author, journalist, creative director and management consultant Mat Zucker. Mat is an old friend from our Ogilvy days who exemplifies grit, determination and creativity in his career. Mat has written about the inspirational, important and quirky things he’s experienced in…
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Street Writers - Valentino Zullo Pt. 2
We continue our wonderful writer rumble with psychotherapist and comic book scholar Valentino Zullo. In "They Beat Us To The Punch," Valentino gives props to Pathographies. And in "Hit Us With Your Best Shot", Valentino shares deets on his upcoming piece for the Journal of Popular Culture on...
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Street Writers - Valentino Zullo Pt. 1
Thanks to podcast pal Nancy Kidder for an intro to the fabulous Valentino Zullo: writer, editor, psychotherapist, comics scholar. In part 1 of our interview, Valentino wastes no time (it's only a 10 min show!) revealing his origin story (it involves Sonic the Hedgehog) and getting right to the...
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Street Writers - Character Jambalaya
Stuck on trying to find the perfect plot? Let your characters lead you. Mark discusses the idea of putting disparate characters with conflicting goals together and see what bubbles up — like a spicy jambalaya. Dan raves about Phenomena, by Annie Jacobson...
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Street Writers - Chris Roy Pt. 3
It’s the Part 3 conclusion of our time with writer and literary PR agent Chris Roy, and he pulls no punches as he takes us inside his work bringing focus to other fighters and writers. And in “Hit Us With Your Best Shot,” Chris talks up his new coaching/editing/PR service, Sanscribd. Do yourself…
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Street Writers - Chris Roy Pt. 2
We’re on Part 2 of our discussion with powerful author and literary PR agent Chris Roy, as he reveals more details of his hard road to finding a new journey through writing, working out and determination. This is the inspiring personification of a “Street Writer.” In “They Beat Us To The Punch”...
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Street Writers - Chris Roy Pt. 1
We’ve never had it more real on Street Writers than in Part 1 of our interview with writer and PR literary agent Chris Roy. He is all in as he relates how he has found himself in a Mississippi prison for the last 20 years — and how he’s found new and amazing qualities about himself as a person...
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Street Writers - Action > Exposition
There's a real in motion swing to "Take A Swing At This" as Dan expresses the need for writing to focus less on exposition and more on action. In "They Beat Us To The Punch", Mark revels in the villains of a Robert Crais crime thriller. (https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Crais/e/B000APA4GU) And when…
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Street Writers - Academy Award winner Marshall Curry, part 2
In the second half of our interview, Marshall Curry discusses the podcast that inspired him to make his award winning short film, The Neighbor’s Window (which you can see for free on YouTube and Vimeo). Marshall’s inspiration is The Living Room, by Diane Weipert (you can hear it on the podcast...
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Street Writers - Oscar Winner, Marshall Curry, part 1
We’re thrilled to welcome to the podcast the Academy Award winner, four-time Academy Award nominee and an old friend, Marshall Curry. In the first half of our interview, Marshall gives us some great tips on finding inspiration from the habits and processes of other writers, and establishing your...
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Street Writers - Stop Wasting Time
Mark hits us with another of his tradeMARKED acronyms — SWT — "Take A Swing At This": possibly the most inspirational POV to come out of the pandemic when it comes to writing. Dan continues spreading the virus theme with a "They Beat Us To The Punch" share on Jennifer Wright's informative and...
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Street Writers - Tom Elia, raw
Well, this being the summer of quarantine, and taking the advice of our recent fabulous guest, renowned copywriter and creative writer Tom Elia, we’ve released some raw cuts of our interview with Tom that entertained the hell out of us (and hopefully, you too). We discussed the paradox of Web...
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Street Writers - Tom Elia, part 2
Here’s the second half of our interview with award-winning copywriter and creative writer, Tom Elia. Tom reads from a New Yorker article he’s jealous of, Thirty-six Thousand Feet Under the Sea. He then discusses what he’s working on, what he should be working on, and trying to find the meaning of...
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Street Writers - Tom Elia, part 1
This week, we’re joined by award-winning copywriter and creative writer, Tom Elia, who graces us with his sonorous rendition of Peyton Manning’s “Chicken Parm, you taste so good.” It’s a campaign Tom created with his partner for Nationwide Insurance. Tom also gives us a tip on getting out of...
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Street Writers - Letter To Yourself
This episode's "Take A Swing At This" is all about writing a "Dear John" to your inner bad mojo. For "They Beat Us To The Punch," Dan talks cadavers, by way of Mary Roach's excellent book on the subject, Stiff. (https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Roach/e/B001H6MAHM). And in "Hit Us With Your Best Shot",...
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Street Writers - Water
Be like water. Bruce Lee said it about martial arts, but Mark says it also applies to writing—learning how to go with flow, sometimes pouring through, sometimes taking a different direction. But always fluid. Dan raves about an old comic book series, Marshal Law. And Mark introduces his new...
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Street Writers - PYPAP
Protect your passion and produce. Or, as Mark calls it, PYPAP. This acronym is your reminder to ride your passion all the way to a finished work, and then get that work out there. Mark has a few tips to help. Dan falls in love with the writing of Jamis MacNiven at PacificVoyages.net. And Mark...
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Street Writers - kNOw Negative
Turn that writing frown upside down as "Take A Swing At This" pummels negative words that keep your writing down. "They Beat Us To The Punch: finds Mark pulling out his copy of Esquire for exquisite pairings — and writing by Jeff Gordinier. And Dan laments not winning a movie theater with his...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Still waiting for inspiration? Maybe it’s time you actually started writing— powerfully, productively and with plenty of punch. Here's a 10-minute jab at writing as a craft that calls for tenacity, consistency and the courage to face an empty page. Mark Bellusci and Dan Chichester are pros at bare-knuckle writing for stage, film, editorial, marketing and comics. They share hard-earned tricks to help you roll up your sleeves, beat down the demons, and move that project forward — be it a novel, ad, play, press release, game, screenplay or shopping list. Take it to the streets and fight to write.
HOSTED BY
Mark Bellusci | Dan Chichester
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Street Writers have?
Street Writers currently has 110 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Street Writers about?
Still waiting for inspiration? Maybe it’s time you actually started writing— powerfully, productively and with plenty of punch. Here's a 10-minute jab at writing as a craft that calls for tenacity, consistency and the courage to face an empty page. Mark Bellusci and Dan Chichester are pros at...
How often does Street Writers release new episodes?
Street Writers publishes regularly with 110 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Street Writers?
You can listen to Street Writers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Street Writers?
Street Writers is created and hosted by Mark Bellusci | Dan Chichester.
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