Knowing when to switch something up, to pivot, to stop trying to go through the rock and instead follow an organic path around it, is an integral life lesson — one that can be difficult to grasp, no matter how many years might be under your belt.
This self-awareness to pivot is a concept I have written about in the past, but after some recent self-reflection, I find that it’s once again at the forefront of my mind. I find myself at a creative pivot point.
Allow me to explain:
For those who don’t know, I’m a huge fan of podcasts.
I consider podcasting a viable medium of expression, allowing friends to come together in order to discover their people, their tribes. With podcasts covering a multitude of mainstream and niche subjects, listening to the different shows has helped me indefinitely when dealing with the more inane tasks. Washing up, cleaning, driving, commuting…
You know, super boring ‘grown-up’ stuff.
The podcasting landscape is as diverse as it is plentiful and that’s why, in 2016, I started one of called Sweet Story, Bro.
Officially Too Sweet
Sweet Story, Bro was a podcast that allowed me to engage with story and narrative themes on a deeper level. I would review geeky stories no matter the medium: books, movies, TV shows, video games…hell, I even did an audiobook at one point, too. As long as it had a geeky edge to it, I was happy to cover it.
Its premise was simple: assess the elements I enjoyed and address the points I wasn’t such a fan of before deciding whether that story was ‘Officially Too Sweet’ or ‘Just Not Sweet Enough.’ A story was never ‘bad’ — it just wasn’t for me. Everything hinged on a personal, subjective take. One that saw the show spotlighted as one of iTunes’ ‘New And Noteworthy’ podcasts at the time.
But when I began to write my second novel — one that is now currently being submitted to literary agents — the podcast went on a self-imposed hiatus.
The show was always on the back burner, ready for me to return to once the book was finished.
But things didn’t work out that way.
Instead of coming back to the podcasting world, hosting a solo show (an early creative choice so no co-host could let me down, as I have experienced in the past), I instead revelled in just being a fan of the medium. Then I listened to a recent episode of Fireside Chats.
This particular podcast (Episode 75) saw Colin Moriarty (of former P.S. I Love You and current Sacred Symbols fame) speaking with an individual named Max Baril. Together they would discuss the ‘art of podcasting’ and its relative accessibility as a hobby — something longtime fans of Kevin Smith are well aware of.
The episode dropped a few days after my interest in returning to Sweet Story, Bro had reignited, so it seemed like serendipitous timing. It was as though the Universe were trying to key into my frequency for once. Stars seemed to align.
Upon reflection and council, however, I decided the format of what Sweet Story, Bro no longer coincided with what I wanted it to be. I wasn’t interested in hosting what was, in essence, a highly specialised review show.
The podcast existed to help me become a better writer. By engaging with others’ stories and dissecting their decisions and styles, I hoped to grow and learn from the work of people who had ‘made’ it. From those I admired. And I did. It worked. But the ‘review’ format just didn’t sit right with me.
So I’ve decided to pivot the whole damn thing.
Positive Pivot
Rather than returning as a podcast, Sweet Story, Bro will be coming back as a series of geek critique blogs. Essays, if you feel fancy.
The premise, at its core, remains the same: with each blog, I will choose a single story to focus on, analysing and critiquing a positive thematic take on that narrative.
For the younglings reading this, imagine, if you will, a video essay on YouTube. They seem to be all the rage, especially when it comes to video games analysis. Right, kids?
Now strip away the video aspect and you’re left with, essentially, an essay covering a key point or thematic idea the creator wanted to cover.
This is that.
An honest to God, Old School© written series of geek critique. Not only that but one not mired in YouTube snark or click-baiting ‘hot take’ negativity.
I sincerely feel that this positive creative output will continue to help me grow and evolve as a writer.
It’s an exciting change for me and for Sweet Story, Bro, and I’d be thrilled if you would come along for the journey. There’s some space in the back there, so make yourself comfortable.
The site relaunch and first blog are both coming soon, so be sure to follow me @stevetendo and @sweetstorybro on Twitter to stay up to date.
Steve Russell
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Credit to Rebus28 for the awesome Couch Pivot image.
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