"Yours are the only emails I actually open and read" - a regular reply in my inbox since 2009...and I'll bet in yours, too, once you subscribe and learn by pure, lazy osmosis to become the most compelling writer around. That said, no promises on improving your moral character.
Don’t you dare apologize for this coping strategy
|
Hi, I’ve told you you HAVE to watch HBO’s Industry, right? I mean, not if you’re a prude. It’s debauched. Lotta bangin’, lotta drugs. As soon as my friend Vic told me about the drugs, I was in. She described it as Succession meets Euphoria. I’d say Billions meets Succession meets Euphoria, because it takes place in the banking world. (That’s the titular industry.) I lucked into starting that show and the book Buckeye at around the same time. Both of them deep binges for me. And then Belle Burden’s memoir, Strangers. Devoured it. And let’s not forget Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! Between Rachel Zoe’s realness and Amanda Frances’ 2018-girl-boss-style gaucheness, we Bravo heads have ourselves a season. This is all the kind of entertainment that makes you forget the world is on fire — which is exactly what we need right now. Receipts from a quick search on Threads: We all need to stop apologizing and feeling guilty for finding, creating, or promoting an escape “when the world is on fire” and recognize that unputdownable, un-stop-watching-able (is there a real word for this?) storytelling — and, I guess, Harry Stylesing — is our salve. A balm for the soul. A fire extinguisher for the psyche. Or, emotional flame-retardant pajamas. (Which I did not have as a kid. I remember a polyester nightgown so flammable, it made visible electric sparks under the covers.) I’m not saying you should avoid addressing current events in your creative output. By all means — address away. But let’s quit minimizing the importance of all things light, joyful, trivial, ridiculous, trashy, funny, and in any way bingeable. The DSM-3 may list it as a psychological disorder, but I’m all for a bit of dissociation. Give me anything that lets me float above my body and pretend the news is happening to someone else. If you want your writing to provide that feeling, even if all you’re writing is an email, the key is to make it impossible to put down. I show you exactly how to do that in my (aptly-named) training… Unputdownable: Insider Secrets to Bingeworthy Storytelling And because we so badly want to be hanging on your every word, I’m offering 25% off for this week only. Grab 25% off Unputdownable here (use code BINGEABLE at checkout). But hold on — if you want 10X that unputdownability, plus write and connect with other people IRL, grab one of the last spots for my NYC writing retreat, Bingeworthy Live. It’s just 2 weeks away. Like the last-minute booking site Hotel Tonight, I’ll give you a great deal: a coupon for the early-bird price. Sign up here and save $500 on your ticket (use code BINGEWORTHYNYC at checkout). OK, happy Friday. The finale of Industry Season 4 is calling me. And a new episode of Bev Hills. Nearly two hours of blissful checking out. Yay. xoLaura
Love Shrimp Mail? Forward this to a friend so they can get in on the action and sign up below.
Thank you for reading and sharing, |
Laura Belgray (Talking Shrimp)
"Yours are the only emails I actually open and read" - a regular reply in my inbox since 2009...and I'll bet in yours, too, once you subscribe and learn by pure, lazy osmosis to become the most compelling writer around. That said, no promises on improving your moral character.
Hey Reader, Heather Campbell’s been “wanting” to do video. For years. A returning member of my mastermind/live mentoring party, Shrimp Club, she’s talked about it in a few hot seats. “I can’t seem to get started with video. I don’t know what’s stopping me. Must be the ADHD.” Each time, I point out that she’s a natural on video. Always the first to unmute on our Zooms. Tons to say. No fumbling, no ums, ers, or uhs. She hosts a podcast. No problem talking on camera, that one. And she knows who...
Hi! You know I started a Substack, right? Maybe not. Got it up and running about 5 weeks ago with this maiden post: It explains why I started a newsletter on Substack when I already have a whole thing going on over here with you, my email subscriber. It’s not about growing a huge audience — though that would be nice. It’s not about a fat new income stream from paid subscriptions or affiliate links — though that would be super nice. It’s not about getting in early on a new platform — though...
Hey Reader, This past week’s mixer for Selena Soo’s Rich Relationships Club was all about speaking. In our breakout room, we took turns answering the question, “What’s your ideal speaking gig?” When I described mine, I referenced one of the most fun events I’ve ever spoken at, Atomicon. It’s back this June — highly recommend. Early-bird tickets are 90% gone, so get yours now. I have to say, I tamped down my answer a bit because my dream speaking gig is a tall order. It takes place on a...