For those of you who’ve not seen the show, The Expanse is an award-winning, seminal space epic set 200 years in the future, where a fragile solar system on the brink of war is upended when a ragtag crew stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens all of humanity. Based on the eponymous bestselling series by James S. A. Corey, otherwise known as Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. Showrunner Naren Shankar, was a mentor to all of us, and a gifted storyteller who made the series what it is, a peerless science fiction classic.

This conversation only scratches the surface and is a giddy reunion of friends (we really needed more time than one hour). We cover characters we identify with, which faction we would belong to, our origins on the show, what it is like to be on set versus in the writers’ room and much more.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Reunion Show

02:48 The Expanse

03:55 The Science Behind The Expanse

05:52 Paths to the Writer’s Room

09:22 Climbing the Ranks in Hollywood

14:19 The Journey to Writing: From Assistant to Staff Writer

16:13 Experiencing the Set: Behind the Scenes of The Expanse

26:56 Navigating Fear: Advice for Aspiring Writers

35:41 The Power of Collaboration

37:51 Nostalgic Memories from the Show

39:50 Character Connections and Storytelling

44:40 Exploring Character Arcs

49:41 Thematic Depth in The Expanse

52:20 Imagining the Universe of The Expanse

56:41 Glenton’s New Book The Honors Society

We rediscover that we share the same three foundational television touchstones (him watching in Texas, me in Maryland past our bedtimes). VJ makes a passionate case for Millennium—particularly its opening credits, which you should immediately rewatch on YouTube—and the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode that escapes our collective memory is “A Matter of Perspective,” a Rashomon structured episode in which Riker must defend himself against a rape accusation. Heavy stuff for TNG, and a reminder of just how bold network television was.

Grab a drink and come hang out.

Show Notes:

* The podcast aims to connect with friends and share insights.

* Reality TV has evolved, especially with celebrity involvement.

* Nostalgia plays a significant role in how we view classic shows.

* Streaming has changed the landscape of television writing.

* Timeless shows like Buffy and X-Files continue to resonate with audiences.

* The writing industry is facing new challenges and opportunities.

* Networking remains crucial in the entertainment industry.

* The importance of adapting to industry changes is emphasized.

* Enjoying small victories in a writing career is essential.

* The future of TV writing may involve new formats and platforms. Empathy is crucial in collaborative writing environments.

* Finding a balance between different writing styles can enhance a show’s uniqueness.

* Showrunning should be a collective effort, valuing every voice in the room.

* Leadership in a writers’ room involves making final decisions while listening to feedback.

* Post-production offers a unique opportunity to shape the final product holistically.

* Effective communication is essential for conveying the purpose of scenes and lines.

* The landscape of television writing is constantly evolving, influenced by various factors.

* Novel writing presents its own challenges, often requiring additional income sources.

* The social dynamics in the industry can complicate personal interactions.

* Reflecting on past experiences can provide valuable insights for future projects.

In this engaging episode of A Gossip in a Guinness, host Julianna Damewood and guest Philippa Donovan, discuss the intricacies of the publishing world, the importance of personal connections in storytelling, and the evolving landscape of adaptations. Philippa shares her journey as an editor and book scout, emphasizing the need for support in the writing community and the challenges writers face in securing representation. The conversation also touches on current trends in literature, the role of AI in writing, and the significance of maintaining passion in the industry.

Find Philippa at https://thesecretagent.substack.com/