Rules of The Writers Block Podcast
Updated: Aug 6, 2020
*there are hidden words in this article to prepare the reader for tomorrow's episode with guests Zack & Aaron. How many can you find?
Artwork by Keith Talbot
THE TWB GAME
If you’re new to The Writers Block podcast and universe, you might be a little confused as to what the heck is going on here. Admittedly, it can get a bit squirrelly. Well in this week’s post, we’re going to attempt to clear things up a little!
Essentially, The Writers Block is a weekly podcast of conversation between Clarence Carter and I (Shaun J. Nigro), usually on the topic of writing and how we are navigating the art and process of getting our stories out there (being that we are both avid readers, writers, budding authors).
After the conversation, which sometimes includes guests, we scurry into the official TWB game.
RULES OF THE GAME
Most of the time, we flip a coin to see who goes first. Once that is out of the way, the winner of the toss starts a story. Though we sometimes come with concepts discussed in advance, the story always takes its own zany turns as we pass the narrative back and forth, attempting to build on what the other person says. A person’s turn with the story can include anything from a single sentence of thought to an entire longwinded passage of detail, which can sometimes backfire, especially when we’re being over-chipper.
If the person not telling the story finds a flaw in the storyteller’s narrative inconsistent with previous details, that person can be “buzzed” and the story can be taken back.
In earlier episodes (see “Pilot/Suitcase Bomb”), almost all the mistakes and pauses were left in. These days, we take the show a step further and cut out all but the best and most hilarious aspects of the story, add sound effects and music, and present it as a cross between an audiobook and audio drama.
RULES WITH GUESTS
The rules of TWB are only slightly altered when our guests are involved. Conversations with guests will always be a spotlight for them and their projects. And stories will always begin and, typically, end with the guests (with multiple guests, as is the case with tomorrow’s episode, “Chipmunks, Bloodhound, and Bear, Oh My!”, a coin will be flipped or dice will be rolled).
The Writers and guests will come prepared with 5 random words taken from the Random Word Generator website. Sometimes, as is the case with tomorrow’s episode, Zack & Aaron’s Pandora’s Blocks will be used instead of the Random Word Generator.
During the story, everyone can attempt to sneak their secret words into their narrative. After the story, a bonus conversation ensues where everybody attempts to guess what words the others had, plus additional plugs and whatever else our guests want to talk about.
And that’s The Writers Block in a nutshell! Sometimes it is a-corn-y adventure. Sometimes it is more serious storytelling. But always, it is a blast!
And if you don't like it, then you may be barking up the wrong tree. (sorry, I couldn't resist).
Artwork by Keith Talbot/Sketch from Ep25: "Chipmunks, Bloodhound, and Bear, Oh My!"
Available wherever podcasts are consumed!