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Justin Sloan’s writing credits are a little eclectic. He’s written video games including Game of Thrones and Minecraft. He also writes children’s fantasy and supernatural stories as well as military fantasy. Then there’s the screenplay he wrote that one time. And last, but by no means least, the non fiction series on creative writing–a number of them with an emphasis on military veterans breaking into the creative industries. Obviously the man has a lot to talk about and we’re going to pick that large brain of his on the podcast.
About our Guest
Justin Sloan is a video game writer (with credits on Game of Thrones; Minecraft: Story Mode), novelist (Allie Strom and the Ring of Solomon; Falls of Redemption), and screenwriter (Wrecked; My Husband’s Preggo).
He has written on how to take your writing from hobby to career in such books as Creative Writing Career and its sequel, and on how veterans can pursue their creative passions in his book Military Veterans in Creative Careers. Justin studied writing at the Johns Hopkins University MA in writing program and at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television’s Professional Program in Screenwriting.
Justin was in the Marines for five years and has lived in Japan, Korea, and Italy. He currently lives with his amazing wife and children in the Bay Area.
You may also know him from the Self Publishing Answers podcast.
Questions and topics discussed:
- Tell us about your writing background and how you got here today
- Talked about his time at TellTale, writing for games like Tales from the Borderlands, Game of Thrones and Minecraft story mode
- Writing and editing at Military.com
- The structure for writing a game, is it closer to a comic book or movie script?
- Writing true to the character
- Why Justin left the video game industry full-time and if he would return
- How did you get into children’s fantasy?
- Justin goes into the background and what inspired his Allie Storm series and how he wanted to write something like Land Before Time
- Writing with PT Hylton
- What attracts him to writing children’s books
- Gave some insight on shopping around screenplays–including ones he’s written with Sean Platt
- How networking is cool
- Justin’s holiday-themed Teddy Bea monster series and how it got started
- Ninjas
- Christopher Hawkins (audience question) is curious to hear any advice you might have for civilians writing works or even just scenes military fantasy. What folks typically get wrong, how to go about doing research, etc?
- Inspiration for his military fantasy series and capturing the experiences as a marine
- Talked about the three podcasts he co-hosts and co-hosted: Self Publishing Answers podcast, Creative Writing Career and Military Veterans in Creative Careers.
- The potential futures of the podcasts
- How Justin finds time to get his writing and podcasts done and still spend time with family
- Knowing what you know now, what would you have told Justin of a few years ago to succeed?
- Justin talks a bit more about networking with other authors
- Big career plan–including the Pixar Studios Plan
- Christopher Hawkins (audience question) is curious about how your novel writing differs from or has been affected by writing screenplays?
- Justin explains why he’s a plotter
- Fast or slow writer?
- Justin talks about the different passes he does over his work
- What levels of editing he pays for, his street team and who he thinks is amazing 🙂
- Justin adds more about balancing the writing life
Links and mentions:
- Zane Holloway series by PT Hylton
- John L. Monk
- Self-Publishing Podcast
- 20 Books to 50K
- Chronicles of the Black Company (Chronicles of the Black Company Series Book 1) by Glen Cook
- Self Publishing Answers Podcast
- Military Veterans in Creative Careers
- Creative Writing Career
- Writing Excuses Podcast
- InstaFreebie
- Whiteboard wall sticker from amazon
- Author Platform Rocket
If you have a second, an iTunes review would be VERY appreciated!
Join us next Thursday @ 7pm PST / 10pm EST
when we chat with Timothy L. Cerepaka (writing as Lucas Flint)
Greetings, fellow Writer Monkeys! 😀
CateMorgan Hey you! where have you been?
It’s CateMorgan! You can help me talk smack in the comments today 😛
Ohai everyone! Chrishaun and Wade are in charge today while I sit in the cheap seats and throw popcorn at them from the comments 😛
Woohoo!!!! I’m back. I’ve missed you guys.
We’ve missed you too, ReneeKelley. Welcome back!
ChrishaunKellerHanna In and out…I think we keep missing each other. Sooooo busy between the Evol Day Jobbe and catching up on my production schedule. I’ve got SIX novellas to release before the end of the year…YIKES!
Have you heard the good word from Survey Cat?
Survey Cat would like to hear from you!
Please take a few minutes to fill out his survey because he wants to know what you think about SPRT, the hosts / guests and what you think we can do to improve the show.
http://selfpublishingroundtable.com/survey.html
BatmanErica ReneeKelley Aww. Thanks I feel so special.
CateMorgan did you see Amanda M. Lee’s release schedule for next year?
BatmanErica BRING IT. *ninja flex*
BatmanErica I’m afraid to look. *whimper*
Oho! Gonna listen in for a bit today. 😀
BatmanErica No Batman today?
BatmanErica
BatmanErica I just finished.
JayneFury me too 🙂
ReneeKelley yay!
ReneeKelley that’s because you are special 🙂
JayneFury some of the feedback we’ve received so far has indicated we all talk over ourselves too much. So we’re trying just two hosts today to see if that helps. That and my hair does not look pretty…
hello all
Hi Mister writerwade.
writerwade Hey Waaaaaade!!!!
CateMorgan yeah that pretty much sums it up.
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmandaMLee/photos/a.355362457936737.1073741828.320664124739904/749093631896949/?type=3&theater
On topic (briefly): so what do you guys want to know about Justin, his writing, video game stuff, children’s fantasy, military fantasy, non fiction, writing as a career, military veterans in creative industries, etc
BatmanErica JayneFury That’s not talking over each other. That’s passion and excitement goddamnit.
RChazzChute I know. You tell the respondees that 😛
BatmanErica I’d be curious to hear any advice he might have for civilians writing works or even just scenes military fantasy. What folks typically get wrong, how to go about doing research, etc
Jon Snow is a zombie!
BatmanErica RChazzChute Nah. Nobody listens to Rob.
RChazzChute so far they like you the best because of your voices 😛
RChazzChute someone doesn’t like my profanity 🙁
ChristopherHawkins got it and passed it along 🙂
BatmanErica How did he get into writing for video games? Cuz that sounds like an epic amount of fun.
BatmanErica RChazzChute It’s nice to hear the voices in my head are entertaining.
RChazzChute and entertaining when they’re let out of your head 😛
CateMorgan I think he answered that: He sent out a lot of emails and he was offered a job
Wow, Justin has a lot to say 🙂
InstaFreebie: https://www.instafreebie.com
Hey, Justine I had a similar idea
Here’s the first Teddy book https://www.amazon.com/Teddy-Bears-Monsterland-Thanksgiving-Defenders-ebook/dp/B00Q7ARQO0/?tag=ericconr-20
Any other questions for Justin?
That reminds me so much of Lin Manuel Miranda’s story about getting so inspired on the subway on the way to a friend’s birthday party all the way across town that he wrote half a song, told his friend “Happy Birthday–I gotta go!” and then wrote the rest of the song on the way back.
BatmanErica I’m curious how his novel writing differs from or has been affected by writing screenplays. Like does he get more into traditional three act structure etc. Curious because I just started reading save the cat. Interesting techniques in there.
ChristopherHawkins passed it along 🙂
Showers are awesome for ideas!
https://hangouts.google.com/call/cm44gynasrfahhfciocbzkjhcie
after party
Have you heard the good word from Survey Cat?
Survey Cat would like to hear from you!
Please take a few minutes to fill out his survey because he wants to know what you think about SPRT, the hosts / guests and what you think we can do to improve the show.
http://selfpublishingroundtable.com/survey.html
ChristopherHawkins BatmanErica More of an answer – yes to the three act structure and save the cat stuff, but as a guide, when I need ideas or can’t figure something out (not so much a ‘this happens on page x’ thing). More in my book, and I’d be happy to share that section (about structure and all that).
CateMorgan BatmanErica More on that: I worked on my writing samples, and connected on LinkedIn to everyone I could, asked for coffees or just for advice over email. We have some more details in my book and on the Creative Writing Career podcast – but happy to answer more too via email at JustinSloanAuthor@gmail.com, if you prefer.
ReneeKelley Awesome – did you write it? Should!
I knew a bit about Justin.I read a few article and also his book Military Veterans in Creative Industry.It is kind of normal to hear an army veterans become security guard, or any related to security measurement task.But to be in creative design industry, it is something need to ponder.This is actually quite interesting because of how can an ex army man who have strong dedication and a good disciplinary attitude then eventually start a career in the entertainment industry.I have a friend who want to exit military https://militarybases.co/directory/camp-santiago-army-base-in-salinas-puerto-rico/ next year, and yet he even does not think about his future path yet.Apparently he got some skill in drawing cartoon and anime.Maybe I could suggest this book to him.Hope that book could open his mind to seek for non traditional career .