Posts tagged writing takeaways
Bonus: Five Writing Lessons from Gotham’s Underworld (Companion to Ep. 278)
Bonus: Five Writing Lessons from Gotham’s Underworld (Companion to Ep. 278)

In this special bonus episode, we return to the shadowy corners of Gotham to unpack The Penguin — the gritty, character-driven follow-up to The Batman.

Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobblepot is a study in power, loyalty, and moral decay — and in this breakdown, I explore five key writing lessons from the series

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Tony Ortiz#ThePenguin #WritingPodcast #Storytelling #Screenwriting, writing tips, writing insights, writing tips from the penguin, the penguin series writing tips, writing tips from the penguin series, spun today, spun today podcast, HBO The Penguin, modern crime storytelling, psychological edge, writing takeaways, character transformation, slow corruption, illusion of power, Gotham, setting as character, reflective setting, dialogue, subtext, veiled threats, character arcs, moral ambiguity, legacy, validation, ambition, manipulation, character motivation, anti-hero, creative process, storytelling craft, companion guide, inspiration for writers, emotional debt, loss in storytelling, blurred moral boundaries, creativity fueling, podcast bonus episodeComment
#293 – Writing Lessons from Off-Broadway: The Other Americans, NYC Mayoral General Election Pick and GOATs Doing GOAT $hit
#293 – Writing Lessons from Off-Broadway: The Other Americans, NYC Mayoral General Election Pick and GOATs Doing GOAT $hit

Welcome to episode 293 of the Spun Today Podcast, hosted by Tony Ortiz—the show where writing is the anchor, but the content knows no bounds. In this episode, Tony dives into the creative heart of John Leguizamo’s latest Off-Broadway ensemble play, "The Other Americans," unpacking the storytelling, set design, and family dynamics that make the work both culturally specific and emotionally universal. Through the lens of writing, he explores how ambition and repressed trauma can become the real antagonists in a story, and shares actionable takeaways for fellow writers inspired to infuse their own work with personal and generational struggles.

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Tony Ortizambition as antagonist, self-sabotage, writing takeaways, John Leguizamo, The Other Americans, Off Broadway play, family dynamics, creative process, set design, cultural identity, Latino family, universal storytelling, mental health, repressed trauma, generational struggle, laundromat metaphor, New York City mayoral election, Zoran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, political debates, character and politics, campaign strategy, education policy, affordable housing, small landlords, homelessness in NYC schools, creative inspiration, podcast support, newsletter, merch, motivational contentComment