Posts tagged writing

Welcome to CHAT & CHOW: a Q&A series. 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 guests, writing team Erin Maher and Kay Reindl.

Check out their IMDB pages here and here.

Kay: “It’s not a writing team unless there’s a phaser stand-off.”

I met up with Erin and Kay for some food truck goodness to learn more about their latest project THE PATH, now up at IdeaBOOST.

The cool thing about IdeaBoost is how fans show support for a creator/creators’ project: not by giving money, but by giving VOTES. Votes are calculated through tweets, likes and boosts. The projects with the most boosts make it to the next round. And if you’ve seen the 60 second trailer for The Path then you know this project needs to make it to the next round.

Because The Path is described as a transmedia experience, I asked Erin and Kay what that means for the audience as well as what it means for them as the storytellers.

Erin: The transmedia project at IdeaBoost gives us a chance to work on something and get potential audience feedback along the way. It’s sort of turning your potential audience into your network/studio; they get to let you know what THEY want to see, and we get to interpret that creatively and bring them something that they can be a real part of. We did something like this on the show BAR KARMA for Current TV; on that show, the user base actually voted on stories that they wanted to see, and the writers turned those stories into actual scripts that could be shot and broadcast. With “The Path”, the audience gets to be in on the series from the very beginning, and contribute in even more creative ways.

Kay: We haven’t been involved in any digital projects yet but I’m convinced it’s going to be the primary driving force in storytelling. It may take awhile and it will evolve a lot, but that’s where we are headed. I think the primary advantage for storytellers is that it’s a new model, in that there is more immediacy. We are going to be more connected to the fanbase and there’s going to be a more natural give and take than there is in network television. Built into this project is the idea that the fans can get creative with the show and I like the promise that the gulf between the creators and the fans will be lessened. If we do get to make the show, it’ll be great for us as creators to see how we can use the digital platform to make our show more immersive and inclusive.

.

THE Q & A

1. When do you like to write?

EM: I prefer writing either in the very early mornings, or the very late evenings/night. I have a hard time writing in the afternoons; I tend to run out of steam then and need to take a break and re-energize.

KR: I like to start around 10 AM and write for a few hours, take a break, then keep going. I have almost convinced myself that I’m super disciplined. This is a lie. When I’m actually writing dialogue and script stuff, I can go much longer than when I’m brainstorming or writing up outlines. I’d rather just write, frankly.

2. When do you actually GET to write?

EM: At the moment, WHENEVER I WANT! And at the moment it seems that the late nights are when I get things done.

KR: I pretty much get to write whenever, which sounds awesome, but isn’t!

3. One of the benefits of having a writing partner is having someone to bounce ideas off of — what’s an unexpected benefit of having one?

EM: An unexpected benefit of having a writing partner is that you always have someone to exchange those “this is weird, right?” looks with when something goes pear-shaped in the writers room… and you also have a shorthand that makes it faster when you want to communicate an idea or ask for feedback on something.

KR: When you’re in the writer’s room and you get a strange feeling about something, look at your writing partner, and see that she caught it, too. Also, a writing partner is someone who is going through the exact same thing professionally as you are. That can be invaluable in our business, which can be pretty isolating.

4. 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?

EM: Kay should tell you our breaking in story if she hasn’t already… although I wouldn’t recommend any other writer try it that way. Also, if she does tell it, I would like to remind people that at the time that happened, we had already been writing together for some time and had scripts to show; you can’t get discovered at Schwab’s if you don’t have the goods.

KR: There are a lot! It really involves a chain of people and chance meetings, like passing a restaurant where a friend asked, on the spur of the moment, if I wanted to go to an awards show, where I met Glen Morgan, and then afterwards we got on Millennium. I always remember that as the perfect coincidence.

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

EM: It’s probably opening a script and seeing a huge block of text that’s nothing but description. Your heart sinks, because you realize that someone thinks he’s writing a novel, and it’s going to be slow going (with rare exceptions, of course.) Aside from that, and this will sound weird, the mark of an unskilled writer is often… restaurant scenes. For some reason, every writer who’s starting out has at least one long scene in a restaurant that involves everyone ordering their food in great detail. One of the most valuable things we learned on our first job is to start a scene as LATE in the scene as possible; don’t show someone walking into a room, don’t show someone ordering pasta unless there’s something really important/significant/humorous about that moment, and just get to the point of the scene as soon as you can. I think those long moments of dithering/not getting to the point are signs of a writer who needs to improve his/her skills.

And the other thing: it’s easy now to do research on these things. Learn proper script format, and use it.

KR: Lack of voice. Story problems can be fixed. The lack of a voice is, to me, almost impossible to overcome. But that is just for me when I’m reading, especially for writing competitions. Imagine how many scripts agents, producers and executives read every week. Triple that. You have to be able to stand out, and an original voice is the way to do that. Also, please for the love of God, don’t open your script with two solid pages of backstory on the sixth galactic winter. And don’t use pictures. Also only use two brads (a joke from back when we had to physically hand people scripts that had been printed on actual paper).

6. What’s the biggest rookie mistake you see writers in the room make?

EM: We’re all passionate about our storytelling, but remember when you’re working on your first show, you’re working for the showrunner/studio/network. You are there to please them, even when they’re taking out the best line of dialogue you’ve ever written in your life. Roll with it. And when you get your own show, you can put that line of dialogue back in. It is not the end of the world. Make your pitch ONCE, and if it’s dismissed, give in gracefully. (I know it’s hard when you’re just starting out and you’re REALLY emotionally invested in your first script and suddenly your favorite thing is gone. It happens. Sometimes it’s budget. You have to live with it. It’s TV, Jake.)

Also, for male rookies: a male staff writer in his very first job does not outrank a female producer. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen people forget that/ignore it/not care.

KR: Oh, constant naysayer, please stop derailing stories just because they are not how you would write them! Seriously, if you don’t have anything constructive, if all you are doing is saying you don’t like things, then we agree not likely to get along.

7. Your advice to writers in 3 words.

EM: READ. LISTEN. WRITE.

KR: Write another script.

8. Multiple choice - Because writing teams have been compared to marriages, I decided to ask them a multiple choice question ala “Newlywed Game”:

Your partner is opening a store at the mall. What type of store is it?
a) Pet supply store
b) Coffee shop
c) Book store

Kay’s answer for Erin: c) book store
Erin’s answer for Kay: b) coffee shop

They were both correct.

To give The Path a BOOST: Go here. (Seriously, go. Tweet. Like. Boost)

Got questions about The Path? Ask Erin (@epmaher) and Kay (@KayReindl) via Twitter. Or leave one in the comments below.

You can also get updates from Kay’s blog here.

Welcome to Chat & Chow: a Q & A series.

Confession: I’m beyond excited about today’s guest, writer Anne Marie Becker, for two reasons.

1. I’ve known her since the eighth grade.
2. She’s letting me do a giveaway!!!

Anne and I survived not only high school together, but also JROTC (shout out to the TX782nd), driving school (their motto: “We taught a burro to drive, people are easy” — not kidding), and a rather awkward double date freshman year.

Today, Anne’s an award winning author (not that any of the previous contributed to this…) Check out her website here.

Last year, Carina Press, a digital-first imprint from Harlequin, released Anne’s first book in the Mindhunters series, ONLY FEAR.
Scary stuff.

Her second novel in the series, AVENGING ANGEL was released just last month.

Seriously, not for the faint of heart.

Anne’s currently writing the third installment while also developing yet another series. Oh, and she accomplishes all this while having three young children at home.

I bow down to her.

The Q & A

1. When do you like to write?

Whenever inspiration strikes! (Wow, wouldn’t that be nice?)

2. When do you actually get to write?

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., for the most part, and if I don’t feel I’ve done enough that day, I’ll tack on some time in the evening, about 9 - 10 p.m. I spend the first hour or two of the day responding to emails, putting in an appearance on social media, and getting a bit of exercise. I find exercising in the morning helps wake up both my brain and my body.

3. How the heck do you find time to write with three kids?

Good question. I’m not really sure how I finished those first couple manuscripts, when my kids were babies. Somehow, the work gets done if I make it a priority. And now that the kids are in school most of the day, it’s gotten easier (as long as I continue to make it a priority).

Setting goals is key for me – big ones, small ones…long term, short term. And then prioritizing them. Putting my writing in front of other things like laundry and dishes (unless they become the main goal that day because they threaten to overtake the household).

For a while, I felt guilty putting the writing first because I wasn’t making a lot of money at it. I viewed it as a hobby. Realizing that my writing is important to my sanity and relabeling it as a career helped a lot.

4. There are quite a few categories under the romance novel umbrella. What drew you to write “romantic suspense”?

If you look closely at the world of romance writing, you’ll find about eight to ten subgenres. Romantic suspense comes naturally to me because of what I grew up reading. The thrills of Stephen King, the mystery of Agatha Christie, and the romance of…well, whoever I could get my hands on. They all colored my writing style. I’m told my sense of pacing is natural to thrillers, as is my chilling portrayal of the villain’s point of view. In fact, people who know me are surprised at how “scary” I am in my writing.

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?

That’s a tough one. I’m not sure I’ve “broken in” yet, but I’ve definitely reached a few milestones. In 2009, I signed with an agent, won a major award, and got a real taste of the next “level” of submitting. I’d been toying with a contemporary manuscript (no dead bodies or big mysteries) but the agent was most interested in my romantic suspense manuscripts, so I continued within that market.

I almost gave up in 2010 when romantic suspense tanked as the economy went south. It seemed publishers weren’t as interested in taking a risk with debut authors and readers wanted happier, lighter stories when reality was so tough. Things seem to be turning around now and I’ve heard of more authors selling.

Each time I’ve been about to give up on my writing career (or, at the very least, take a break for a few months), something would happen to pull me back in or push me harder. In late 2010, I received the offer to publish with Carina Press. Another sliding-door moment. I love being published with them, and having the resources of Harlequin (Carina’s parent company) at my fingertips.

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

I so love a great voice, so I look for that when I start a book. But what keeps me from finishing something? Characters who act in a way that doesn’t make sense for them, or a story that doesn’t seem to go anywhere.

7. What’s the biggest rookie mistake you see writers make?

For unpublished writers, not starting in the right place in a manuscript, and not keeping things moving.

For published writers, getting lost in social media and promotion instead of creating the next great story.

8. Your advice to writers in 3 words.

How about a math equation?

(Great) Story + Persistence = Success

9. Multiple choice question: Spicy, sour or sweet?
Spicy

AND she was our valedictorian.

Follow Anne on Twitter: @annemariebecker

GIVEAWAY!!!

To celebrate Avenging Angel’s recent release, Anne & Carina Press are being pretty dang cool by letting me give away a copy to one of my readers. All you have to do is leave a comment below stating which ebook format you’d like to read it in (Kindle or Nook) by midnight, Pacific time, on Sept. 3, 2012. A winner will be picked at random. Make sure you include your email address.

Welcome to 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, Sheila Lawrence.

Check out her IMDB page here.

Sheila and I first met working as writers’ assistants on a very successful television show. We bonded over sushi lunches, working late nights and the unfairness of having mothers skinnier than us (is there a size smaller than zero?).

Then one day — over lunch, naturally — Sheila mentioned that after years of being an assistant, she was determined to get staffed writing on a show. Within a week, she quit her job. Within two months, she was writing on a prime time network comedy.

She’s been working ever since.

In fact, Sheila recently finished the final season of Desperate Housewives and is now on the ABC Family series, “Bunheads,” premiering Monday, June 11th.

.

THE Q & A

1. When do you like to write?
Pre-kids: 9 pm – 1 am

2. When do you actually get to write?
Post-kids: Mostly just at work (must… change… that… soon).

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

Mary Tyler Moore (just met Treva Silverman so it’s on the brain), Northern Exposure, My So-Called Life, Freaks and Geeks, Sex and the City, Modern Family, Parenthood, Episodes… wait, was I just supposed to name one?

4. Having worked in sitcoms, then dramas, what did you not expect the first time you worked on an hour-long show?

I was shocked that we actually got off at 7:00 on a consistent basis. There was, of course, always more work we could have done, but the showrunner would simply say, “We’ll pick up tomorrow.” After years of all-night rewrites, it took me two full seasons before I could finally trust the hours enough to make dinner plans!

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?

I was working as a writers’ assistant on a Nickelodeon sketch show called “Roundhouse,” and one Sunday during the season, I found out I got a scholarship to do graduate study in Scotland. The next day at work, I finally summoned the courage to pitch a sketch to the showrunner. He liked it and told me to write it up; he put it in the script that night. For weeks after that, whenever I talked to anyone, the story I’d excitedly relate to them was that I got a sketch in the show; the afterthought was the scholarship. A month before I was supposed to leave for Glasgow, I was offered a staff writer position. I still haven’t been to Scotland – nor do I have an advanced degree – but the career thing seems to be working out okay so far.

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

Bad dialogue is a major turn-off for me (in writing and in life!). If you’re on a show, you’re most likely going to have help with story and structure, but the dialogue is largely up to you, so you’d better be able to write it well. If the characters’ voices feel inauthentic, I have a hard time staying interested in the story.

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

Don’t feel that you need to talk all the time to be seen as smart. In most rooms, there are a lot of people competing for airspace. As a new writer, I think you’re better off choosing your spots wisely and making sure you have something good to contribute, rather than just speaking up because you haven’t heard your voice in a while.

8. Your advice to writers in 3 words.
Live your life

9. Multiple Choice Question: Peanuts, Dr. Seuss, or Scooby Doo?
Peanuts.

Who needs sushi when you have boba?

When I first meet someone and tell him/her that I’m a TV writer, I pretty much hear two responses.

1) “I don’t watch television.”
2) “What shows do you write for?” (go here if you were curious)

Followed by a, “Cool,” or the more common “Oh.”

Every so often, however, I’ll get asked by the stranger/person I’ve just met, “Can you read my ________ ” Go ahead. Fill in that blank. If it can be written, I’ve probably read it: screenplays, bios, spec scripts, essays, etc.

I’m not saying this is a bad thing. In fact, I owe a great deal to all the generous friends and mentors who’ve read and given feedback on my works-in-progress. One of my girlfriends flat-out told me the one-woman-show I was attempting to write was atrocious and that I needed to turn my stories into personal essays. I did, and those essays led to two pilot script deals (ps - THANK YOU).

It’s more the apprehension I have about being asked by a complete stranger to read his or her work. Then again, I’m not going to knock anyone for being daring and bold. Life’s not about playing it safe, right? (no, really, I’m asking…)

I can say, however, there’s at least one instance where you should NEVER ask someone (friend or not) to read your material.

A couple of years ago, a woman I’d just met asked, “So what do you do?” (see above). After I answered, she beamed and said, “I’m a writer, too!” She proceeded to tell me how she’s a songwriter and had a catalog of songs that are perfect for X or Y country artist. She then asked if I’d be willing to look at them.

All I could think was:

a) I know nothing about song writing

b) HOLY F’N *&%, I have a kid!

See, less than 24 hours prior to that, I had given birth. Un. Medicated.

The hubs and I were still staring at/in awe of this new alien being in my arms when the nurse sprang this question on me. Through my fog (and certainty that I’d somehow scarred the kid for life because I hadn’t figured out how to do a %&@* proper latch) I politely told the woman my lack of songwriting knowledge and wished her luck. Undeterred, she said she’d bring me her notebook the next time she came by.

Fortunately for me, she’d left that notebook at home.

So in case you were ever thinking, hey, that writer in that hospital bed is not going anywhere for another day or so, now would be the perfect time for me to give them my stuff.

No. No, it would not.

Why, yes, even though my bottom half is on FIRE and I can’t use the facilities unassisted, I would LOVE to read your latest masterpiece.

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, but 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

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).

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.

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).

NOTE: Probably not the best idea to read this while eating. Just sayin’…

As I listen to the otherworldly sounds emanating from my dog’s stomach (afraid of what will eventually come out), I’m reminded of how, yet, again, my life centers around… waste.

Anyone who’s been a caregiver/parental figure/animal lover, feels my pain. What goes in must come out, and as anyone who’s watched Dr. Oz on Oprah knows, the end result is a barometer of one’s health (it should be an S! — if you’re unaware of this reference, consider yourself lucky).

Because of this, I’ve been known to describe — in detail — the contents collected in the post-dogwalk-baggie. The hubs thinks I’m obsessed. I say I’m observant. There’s a reason one of the most asked questions at the pediatrician’s office revolves around what one finds in a diaper. It’s this output that can help answer burning questions, like:

“Are they eating enough?”
“Do we need to start giving prunes?”
“What on earth did they get into?!”

It’s not a laughing matter. Which is a shame.

Because poop is funny.

Now, I understand many might disagree. But maybe it’s because they’ve never had the opportunity of working with comedy writers. Or, I could just have the mentality of a thirteen year-old boy.

Thanks to my colleagues, I’ve probably seen and heard almost every body function joke out there. I laughed at most of them… okay, all of them. Sometimes to the point of tears.

Farts? I’m ashamed how easily they’ll elicit a titter. Once, on vacation, I heard the man half a hall ahead of me pass gas. I laughed so hard, I couldn’t get off the ground… FOR TEN MINUTES (did I mention my juvenile sense of humor?).

So, yeah, flatulence gets me every time.

Well, except for when a fellow writer, who, sitting with his legs propped up on the table — and, who, perhaps ingested one too many beans at lunch — let one rip… with me in the chair, RIGHT. NEXT. TO. HIM.

I never jumped so far, so fast. Didn’t matter. Neither I, nor the others in the room could outrun it. The inevitable happened: we got consumed by the vapors. GAH.

A few weeks later, I exacted my revenge. Just know that I’m Asian, and I’m not afraid to consume dairy.

So now I keep vigil next to my dog, awaiting her output. I’ve got my serious and observant cap on. But I have to admit, I can’t wait until every creature in this house feels better. When I can laugh at it again. Because in the end, that’s some funny sh*t.