While I’ve written a bit about being a mom, and a bunch about food, I’ve barely written anything about writing.

I’ve decided to remedy that.

Don’t worry, I’m not neglecting food. In fact, I’m combining the two. Introducing…

CHAT & CHOW — a Q&A series highlighting a different writer each week.

My one request for a writer who agrees to participate — the person has to either a) meet me at a food truck or b) have boba with me.

Today’s guest, Lisa Klink.

Check out her IMDB page here.

Not only has Lisa written on some of my favorite guilty pleasures, she has also just released her DEBUT NOVEL, Slaves to Evil (Dead Man #11), check it out here.

When she’s not writing, Lisa’s saving the world! Or at least making it a better place with her devoted work to Much Love Animal Rescue and the Red Cross.

Lisa decided to go with the food truck option. I may have been her first (blush).

“You want me to eat what?”

THE Q & A

1. When do you like to write?

Maybe it’s because I started in television, where I showed up to an office every day, but I like to write during business hours. Late morning is my best time.

2. When do you actually get to write?

One benefit of being unemployed – I get to write anytime I want.

3. Not including the show/project you’re working on now, name a series you would love to write for:

The Walking Dead. Love that show.


4. What surprised you most about writing a novel vs. writing scripts?

There are so many more words! Really. On a script page, there are maybe a couple hundred words and a lot of white space. That translates to a single paragraph in prose. I would work on the novel for what felt like a long time and not even write half a page. It was really kinda frustrating until I adjusted my expectations.

5. Every person has a unique “breaking in” story. Can you single out a “sliding doors” moment you feel would’ve taken your career in a different direction had it happened the other way?

My moment is actually a note I sent to Rene Echevarria, at the time a producer on “Deep Space Nine.” I had already pitched to Rene without selling a story. I went to a Duke in Hollywood event and discovered that he was a fellow Duke alum. We chatted for a while. Then I did what “how to succeed” books always tell you to do. I followed up. I sent a brief note saying it was nice to see him at the event, and letting him know that I was leaving my day job to concentrate on writing. He called a couple of days later. The WGA intern who was supposed to start work on Monday had flaked out, and since I wasn’t working, would I like to do the internship? Hell yes! I got paid to shadow the “DS9” staff for six weeks. We reworked a story I had pitched and I got to write the script. Sure, I might have kept pitching and sold a story anyway, but I’m convinced that they let me write it instead of just buying the idea because they’d gotten to know me for six weeks. Moral of the story: when you make a professional contact, send a note.

6. When reading someone’s script, what’s the main thing that turns you off or keeps you from finishing it?

The biggest, and most common, mistake in the spec scripts I’ve read is a failure to understand the show. That can range from getting character voices wrong to getting the tone of the show wrong to missing an element altogether. I read a “Buffy” spec once which had great dialogue but no action. Not a single fight. It was still a decent writing sample because the other elements were good, but I’d hesitate to hire a freelancer who didn’t pay attention to the “rules” of the show.

7) What’s the biggest DON’T you would tell a new writer working in a room?

DON’T be intimidated into silence. A story room is fast-paced and often loud, with writers interrupting and shouting over each other. As a newbie, it’s tempting to shrink back and wait for your turn to talk. Or to feel like your ideas aren’t good enough to mention, certainly not at the top of your lungs. Keep in mind that most of the ideas everyone comes up with don’t work, but they can lead to other ideas which do. Jump in there. Be rude. Be prepared to have your ideas shot down, repeatedly. Don’t let that stop you from coming up with more.

One more don’t, related to confidence. DON’T apologize when you hand in a draft. Even if the script is genuinely bad. Do not say anything like “Act Two doesn’t really work,” or “I know I need to make that character funnier.” Give the script to your boss without comment. He or she will find the flaws, which every script has. He or she knows what kind of time pressure you’re under, what constraints you had to work around, etc. This is the best you could do and it will get rewritten.

8. Your advice to writers in 3 words.

Write something else. I’ve met many writers who finish a script then spend all of their time trying to sell that one project. Spend half your time doing that and the other half writing your next script. Then write another one. If you only have one good idea in you, you’re in the wrong profession.

9. Multiple choice question: Jacks, yo-yo or hula hoop?

Yo-yo. Because I’m just that sedentary.

She liked it!

Follow Lisa on Twitter! @LKKlink

I’d like to thank Linda McCartney.

While there are numerous reasons to honor her life (accomplished photographer, passionate animal rights activist, adored wife, beloved mother, etc), I’d rather celebrate her death. And, no, I’m not one who delights in someone’s demise.

Back when my Mom had been diagnosed and given a bleak prognosis, I would always tell people she had advanced cancer. Advanced. Not terminal. Never terminal.

Because my Mom was THAT person. Spitfire. Ornery. Fighter. She embodied these words. If anyone was giving this bastard of a disease a smackdown, she would. She was going to kick cancer square in the nuts and laugh.

Heartily.

Not only did my Mom dutifully follow her chemo regimen, she attempted a few… um, non-traditional-type therapies, including drinking/taking/applying any lotion or potion my step dad brought back from China. My aunt even brewed tea from grass flown in from Taiwan. Grass that, when it arrived, had been COVERED with ants (my skin still crawls thinking about it). No matter, my aunt still made it and my Mom still drank it.

For a time, it looked like everything my Mom was doing was working.

Until it wasn’t.

I’ll never forget the look on my Mom’s face when her oncologist told us he couldn’t help her anymore: defeat.

That’s when the ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda,’ and ‘If only’ games reared their ugly heads. “If only I’d eaten better,” “If only I’d worked out more,” “If only I’d tried other treatments,” “If only my daughter had been a doctor…” Remember, she was still an Asian mom.

Then, Linda McCartney died.

Here was this woman who, at least to us, seemed to have lived an exemplary life: not only did she marry a Beatle (a huge thing to my Mom), but she ate right (nothing but vegetables!), she exercised (rode horses in open fields!), and had access to the absolute best care money could buy (she married a Beatle!).

And, yet, even she couldn’t take down the big C.

Seeing this, my Mom could finally realize she was not to blame. That she wasn’t “allowing” the tumors to win. That she was not a failure.

So thank you, Linda McCartney, for showing my Mom that no matter how hard you fight, no matter what resources you have, no matter how strong you are, sometimes, cancer has the last laugh.

Our last picture together - 我很想念你

After my last cafe review, a friend suggested via twitter (@pangni) that I should check out another spot in North Hollywood: Republic of Pie.

I decided to follow up on her lead because…
a) I’m always open to suggestions and
b) if you haven’t figured it out by now, I will never turn down going to a place with “pie” in the name.

My usual caveat: I know nothing about coffee. In fact, the less my beverage tastes like it, the better. I’m a coffee enthusiast’s worst nightmare. Blended? Caramel? Whipped cream? Yes, please. Although, if I’m ever with someone who actually enjoys a well-brewed cup of joe, I’ll include their thoughts as well.

COFFEE HOUSE: Republic of Pie

LOCATION: 1118 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601

PHONE: 818-308-7990

WEBSITE: www.republicofpie.com

FACEBOOK: Republic of Pie page

YELP: Reviews

TWITTER: @REPUBLICofPIE — They often tweet photos of their delectable offerings fresh from the oven. You’ve been warned.

PARKING: Metered street. Nearby(ish) neighborhood parking. Make sure you look at street signs, some are only 1 hour parking.

OUTDOOR SEATING: Two small tables with accompanying chairs. See above photo.

INDOOR SEATING: Surprisingly large space with multiple writing areas. There’s a community table towards the back as well as other groupings of tables and chairs. Each segment gives off a different vibe. There are two separate “living room” sections. One is seen below.
WIFI: Free! No password required.

TEMPERATURE: Comfortable. A tad cold, nothing a sweater can’t handle.

AMBIANCE/MUSIC: Jazz music channel on Sirius.

ELECTRICAL OUTLETS: Many found throughout. But because of how the seating’s arranged (pulled into the center of the room, not just along the wall), you might have to step over the power cords of those using their laptops.

FOOD:
Pie, pie and more pie.

Both savory (ie: chicken pot pie, vegetable quiche) and sweet (ie: banana coconut cream, devil chocolate caramel pecan). I think they have a few other items, but frankly, I didn’t notice. Did I mention they have pie?

MY DRINK:
A hot mocha with REAL whipped cream.

The barista even pulled a beautiful design in it. Unfortunately, because of my incessant need to add whipped cream to everything, you can’t see it. And while the mocha itself was a little strong for my tastes, I still rather enjoyed it. If I were more of a coffee connoisseur, I bet I would’ve thought this was spectacular.

OVERHEARD: “I’m a big picture guy”

THOUGHTS: I’m quite fond of Republic of Pie. While the street parking took some time to figure out (seriously, read the signs), it has easily accessible (indoor!) bathrooms and I really liked the ambiance. The chairs are even cushioned - perfect for those longer writing sessions. Just be warned, this place is becoming very popular, so I would definitely avoid going during meal times. Unless, you know, you’re going there to have a meal.

And, yes, I did order a piece of pie (like there was a chance I wouldn’t).

That thud you just heard? That was me. Falling off my high horse.

It was pretty loud because that horse was pretty high.

The subject of my erroneous highfalutin-ness? Drive-Thrus.

I used to believe that Drive-Thrus were the bane of our existence. “How hard is it to get out of your car?” “How lazy are we?” “No wonder this country’s fat!”

Then I had a kid.

So now I come to you, Drive-Thrus, hat in hand. I’m here to let everyone know that I was wrong. So very, very wrong.

Sure, you’re mostly associated with establishments that serve nutritionally questionable fare, but there’s so much more to you I had never bothered to appreciate.

- You are the answer to a newborn’s parents’ sleep-deprived, like-hell-I’m-going-to-cook prayers.

- You are the solution for caretakers who’d rather gnaw off their arm in hunger rather than wake their strapped-in-a-carseat-snoozing child.

- You are the excuse to grab a little “me time” (aka soft serve ice cream) during an unexpectedly numerous diaper-filled afternoon.

- You are the conduit for caffeinated beverages for those who find themselves running late, carrying a screaming tot, scurrying out of the house sans makeup, wearing yesterday’s clothes.

- You provide anonymity for those same people who would then never be caught dead walking into an establishment looking like that.

So thank you, dear Drive-Thrus, for helping me see the (bright neon) light.

And if anyone asks, I only ordered salads. Yep. Just salads.

Walk into any coffee house in the Hollywood area and you’ll inevitably encounter an annoying writer (or two, or a gaggle) hogging a table next to an electrical outlet while furiously typing away on their laptops.

I’m one of those annoying writers.

Because of this, I know how hard it is to find a spot where
a) they don’t mind you hanging out for a few hours
b) you don’t have to fight or pay for parking
and
c) you don’t have to hover near people you think might be finishing their caffeine fix so you can claim the only table near a power supply.

While I frequent the big chain coffee places, I also like to seek out independent shops. Figuring others out there might be in a similar situation, I decided to take notes.

FYI, I know nothing about coffee. In fact, the less my beverage tastes like it, the better. I’m a coffee enthusiast’s worst nightmare. Blended? Caramel? Whipped cream? Yes, please. Although, if I’m ever with someone who actually enjoys a well-brewed cup of joe, I’ll include their thoughts as well.

COFFEE HOUSE: Moby’s (formerly Green Carrot Café)

LOCATION: 5668 Cahuenga Blvd (one blk north of Burbank Blvd at Collins St.)

HOURS: Mon-Fri 7am – 6pm, Sat 8am – 6pm, Sun 9am – 3pm

PHONE: 818-571-9867

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/mobyscoffeeco

YELP: http://www.yelp.com/biz/mobys-coffee-and-tea-company-north-hollywood

PARKING: Free storefront parking.

OUTDOOR SEATING: Two little round tables with chairs. To me, this place seems to be more of an indoor facility; I will probably never sit outside.

INDOOR SEATING:

Comfy Chairs (upholstered/lounge): There are two modern upholstered couches, as well as four lounge chairs in two separate areas. Nice and comfy.

Plain Chairs w/tables: A handful of small round tables with chairs. Although two or more people can sit at these tables and socialize, for working or writing purposes, there’s really only enough room for one laptop.

WIFI: Free! It’s password protected so make sure you get it from the person behind the counter.

ELECTRICAL OUTLETS: These can be found throughout the store. Plus, the owners will help you locate one or re-configure the chair set up to make it easier for you.

TEMPERATURE (inside): Mixed. When the air’s on, it works reeeaaaaalllly well, so bring a sweater, but when it’s off, it can get a little stuffy.

AMBIANCE/MUSIC: There’s music the people working listen to, but it’s not too loud. I’m sure they’ll accommodate you if it bothers you. Or do what most people do: bring earphones.

MY DRINK:
.
Ice blended nonfat mocha with whipped cream
Their blended mochas are made with dark chocolate and a few espresso beans thrown in. Normally, I’m not a fan of dark chocolate, but holy-shut-the-front-door was this thing delicious. Seriously, it was like drinking a caffeinated shake. I know, for true coffee aficionados this is blasphemy, but for me, it’s perfection.

Nonfat mocha latte with whipped cream
Another day I went back and had their hot mocha. It was good, but I definitely prefer the frozen concoction better. I know, heaven forbid a coffee drink taste like coffee (what? I already admitted to being a wuss in this department).

FOOD: If gluten’s your friend, there’s a small selection of bagel/muffin/croissant items.

THOUGHTS: I adore this place. The organic coffee beans they use are roasted two blocks away. If you’re a tea fan, they’re acquiring more and more loose-leaf teas, including white tea, in the upcoming weeks. Plus the new owners, Jen and Patrick, are pretty nifty.

Keep in mind that Moby’s is in an up-and-coming neighborhood in North Hollywood. A bit out of the way, although not too far for those living/working in Burbank or Toluca Lake. The other downside — depending on how you feel about these things, possibly a HUGE downside — there’s NO restroom inside the store. You have to ask for the key and use the one behind a gate a couple of doors down.

So if you find yourself wandering in the Valley needing a caffeine pick-me-up, give Moby’s a try. They even tables with unfinished puzzles on them so you can feel all smart and stuff while waiting for your drink.

Because I now get most (most, not all) of my news through social media, I’ve discovered enlightening information such as: which of my friends have gastrointestinal issues (next time, skip the chili); how I can work on a script no matter the device; and that purple squirrels quite possibly exist. So when a friend recently posted that “Today is the second day of the second week of the second month of the second year of the second decade of the second millennium.” I thought, now that’s something to celebrate. So I am. By kick-starting this here blog.

With the recent-ish new year (Happy Year of the Dragon!), I’ve been establishing new habits — which may or may not have been stolen from inspired by other blogs — that supposedly will make life happier and more productive. My favorite one so far: keeping a gratitude journal. The idea that by consistently focusing on the positive, negative hoodoo has a lesser chance of bringing you down.

The thing I love most about the gratitude list: after the first few days, when it’s pretty easy to come up with the big stuff (my groovy guy, my kick-arse kid, my darling dog), I start appreciating the small, obscure delights, like…

.
The kid preferring a window to a television.

Toys that don’t need batteries (or sing the frakkin’ ABC’s).

Bacon toast. Don’t judge.

So happy second day AFTER the second day of the second week of the second month of the second year of the second decade of the second millennium! And if you’re having trouble coming up with your own gratitude list or in need of something that makes you smile, click here for a dose of emergency cute.

Armed with my food truck review guidelines —

a) I have to order a truck’s signature/most popular dish.
b) the bill can’t total more than $10.

— I decided to try:

Mossie Lee’s Southern Cuisine: Tastes so good, makes you wanna kiss ya mama!

website: www.mossielees.com
twitter: www.twitter.com/#!/mossielees/
facebook page

They accept Mastercard/Visa
$10 minimum credit card charge.

According to their menu, they provide “Food for the soul with your heart in mind.” And that they are “professionals from families with Down Home Southern Roots.”

Their most popular dishes:
BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich
Mac N Cheese
Peach Cobbler

My order: BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich w/a side of potato salad
Total: $ 9

Keep in mind that while I do consider myself a somewhat Southern gal (with an Asian flair), I also know that Southern cuisine varies greatly from region to region. So even though I grew up in Texas, the hubs in New Orleans, my Dad’s family in South Carolina, and the hubs’ family in Mississippi, our definitions of barbeque differ. Wildly (wet. dry. don’t even get me started on North Carolina’s version).

Mossie Lee’s? They hail from Arkansas.

Overall:
While I enjoyed everything, I just wished it had more… oomph.

Considering how DIVINE everything smelled coming from the truck, this surprised me. Seriously, the sandwich almost didn’t make it home in one piece.

Don’t get me wrong, the food was pretty darn tasty. The flavors just didn’t linger.

The brisket sandwich possessed so many tantalizing components: incredibly tender meat, savory fatty pieces, smokey charred bits… I kept hoping the sauce would pull it all together. Instead, it was a tad thin and lightweight (again, this could just be a regional thing).

Even the potato salad had the same effect: where I enjoyed the initial bite, only to be left wanting. Then again, everyone seems to have their own favorite version of potato salad. For instance, the way I like mine makes the hubs cringe. What? I like pickles.

Will I go back?
Yes. Because I HAVE to try the peach cobbler and the hubs has already let it be known that he’ll gladly help me dispose of the mac n cheese.

So now I’m curious. Knowing that people can be so passionate and vocal about their style of barbeque and accompanying sides, what are your preferences?

I have a confession to make. I know I’m a little late to the party, but I’ve recently become a Gleek.

Oh, I’d watched an occasional “Glee” episode here and there (Sue Sylvester remaking Vogue? Hi. Larious. A mash up of Singing in the Rain/Umbrella? Genius) but they weren’t enough to make me a fan.

But then, after listening to my friends go on and on and ON about the show (as well as discovering one of the Glee kids is a neighbor but never knowing which one), I decided to see how it all began and viewed the pilot. And then proceeded to watch season one. Every. Single. Episode (darn you, Netflix).

Because of my newfound Gleekdom, all I want to do is belt out a song. Loudly. And not just in the shower. One problem:

I can’t sing.

I guess, technically, I CAN sing, it’s more that I don’t sing… WELL.

Somehow this didn’t stop me from being cast as “Marty” in Grease in high school. For those who don’t know, that character has a solo. Anyone who had to endure my vocal stylings back then, all I can say is… I hope you’ve recovered by now.

Don’t think I’m being hard on myself. I’ve got witnesses. And “magic” microphone.

Magic what?

Basically, it’s everything you need to do karaoke… in a microphone! Not only does it have the songs and lyric book built in, but it has some kind of numerical judging system. In. the. mic.

I first encountered this portable Simon-Cowell-type device a few years ago at a friend’s house. The hubs and I had just started dating, so I was still trying to impress him — and yet, this did not stop me from joining in on the karaoke fun. Clearly, I was suffering from some kind of “crush” delirium.

We all took our turns at the mic. And on a 1-100 point system, my friends registered a 96, a 97 and a 93 (I should’ve known they owned this thing for a reason).

Then I went.

Cringing. Wincing. Grimacing. All happened. Soon, my rating appeared onscreen. The good news: I made it into double digits.

Not one to leave me dangling, the hubs grabbed the mic and passionately belted out a power 80’s ballad. My heart melted — he was taking one for the team (while his skill far exceeds mine, let’s face it, that’s not saying much). Warm fuzzies engulfed me… until his score popped up onscreen: 98.

98. 9-8.

This meant the hubs beat not only me, but also all our friends. These are people who have been paid to sing. ON BROADWAY.

Maybe the mic wasn’t so “magical” after all. Or at least not for me. Which is why I never used it again.

Don’t worry, that hasn’t prevented me from resurrecting my solo career… mainly while I’m changing diapers (hey, it’s not my fault the kid can’t speak) or in the shower (I’m quite popular with the inanimate crowd).

So the next time you accept a ride from me, you may want to think twice. Especially if the radio’s blasting. I just might be getting my Gleek on.

If you don’t follow Jane Espenson on Twitter — appropriately enough @janeespenson — you should. Especially if you’re an aspiring writer (television or otherwise).

I suggest this not only because she’s groovy and you’re probably a fan of at least one of the shows she’s written on (ie: Buffy, Gilmore Girls, Battlestar Galactica, Torchwood: Miracle Day) but because she frequently encourages everyone to join her on a sprint.

This isn’t a put-on-sneakers-and-race-around-the-block kind (although I’m not going to stop anyone in the mood for a little exercise), it’s a sit-down-and-write-focused-and-uninterrupted type. These “sprints” last anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour (depending on how much time Jane has set aside for herself) and are usually given with advance notice… just enough heads up for you to prep your writing space.

Since becoming a parental unit, I admit sitting down to write has been… challenging. And to be honest, these sprints almost always come at an inopportune time — “Oh, she’s about to sprint! Wait, what’s that smell?” (trust me, locating the origin of that smell will ALWAYS win out) — so for me, sprints have become little reminders TO write. Or at least to THINK about the projects I’m writing. I may not have thirty minutes, but in the five minutes it takes to change a diaper, I can think of a more interesting character trait or a better joke to end my act break.

And on the rare occasion when I have been able to sprint, it felt nice knowing others were out there slogging through with me. Writing can be very isolating and sometimes just feeling connected to something outside of your head space? Sanity saver.

While I’ve singled out Jane, there are many talented writers whose blogs and tweets inspire and inform as well as entertain. I’ve listed a bunch in my blogroll and tweetroll pages (feel free to let me know of others I should add to the list). When you get a chance, check them out. I do. Because even though I’ve been fortunate to have worked and written on all styles of shows, I still learn something every day.

So gather up your writing utensils, clear off that keyboard (or notepad)… Ready? Set? Sprint!

NOTE: As Jane always points out, these “sprints” aren’t just for writing — they’re for anything that could use your uninterrupted, focused energy. Like cleaning out the fridge (not that I’ve ever done that, or even know what that entails, but I hear it’s an option).

Not sure what a fruity beverage has to do with iridescent-plumed birds, so I’ll go with both. I’m proud as a peacock AND punch to announce:

1) The theatre company I helped co-found, SeaGlass Theatre, is opening its newest production, KVETCH, by Steven Berkoff on Saturday, Sept. 17th. Described as “an absurdist look at those secret thoughts that brew within us all,” — the main thing you need to know is, hilarity ensues. And I’m not just saying that because I happen to be married to the director. Ticket and other information can be found at www.seaglasstheatre.org.

2) I’ve joined team Club Mo in the Walk for Lupus Now fundraiser in hopes of finding a cure for the chronic autoimmune disease that affects close to 1.5 million people — including my dear, amazing, extraordinary friend Maurissa. Read about her experience on her blog It’s So Not Sexy.

How can you help? By sponsoring me here … OR come to the Walk itself on Saturday, Sept. 24th. There you can join me, the kid, and hundreds of your new bff’s as we walk so that one day our loved ones no longer have to suffer from this dastardly disease.

3) Get this, now you can support BOTH of these projects near to my heart, in one easy swoop: Whenever you buy a full priced ticket to KVETCH and use the code ClubMo, 40% of the proceeds will go to the Lupus Foundation.

That’s right. Every. Single Ticket. Just make sure you use the code ClubMo. Click here for details.

So what’re you waiting for? Buy tickets. Enjoy KVETCH. And while you do, know that you’re helping kick Lupus’ ass.

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Take in a show and support Club Mo!