Greetings,
I don't think I've ever done this before, reviewing a podcast. I have mentioned a few in the past, but never a full on review. But I like doing new things and when I find something great, I get excited to share it. Such is the case with this new scripted podcast called Rewrites. And most of you who have read this blog before are probably asking the same question: "This is about writers, isn't it?" Yes, it is. It's common knowledge that I love stories, movies, books, so on and so on, about writers. Sue me.
Anyway, Rewrites is a recently released podcast written by bestselling author, Tawni O'Dell, whom you may have heard of when her book, Back Roads, was one of Oprah's picks several years ago. Now, disclaimer. I actually met Tawni O'Dell last year at a book festival. She was very nice, signed my old copy of Back Roads and even bought one of my books, but as always, I will be completely honest. Lucky for her, and all of us, this is very good. Actually, Rewrites was originally written as a screenplay for a film, but Tawni decided to switch it up and make it a "podplay". I find that quite interesting and fitting for what the story is about. Movies are a visual medium, but this is about books, which are not. At least, not on their own. You have to create your own visuals from the words you read. And with something like this, a scripted podcast, you have to create the visuals from the words you hear. So, this method ended up being quite perfect.
Anyway, the seven episode series is about a guy named Theo, who absolutely loves books, and he feels that people just don't read enough. Gee, I can't imagine why I was drawn to this. Ironically, he gets an idea wherein he will use something that distracts people from reading to get them to read more - television. Specifically, a reality TV show that just so happens to be about writers. They will compete to win a chance to have their novels published, dealing with weekly challenges, each other and possibly even the effects of notoriety. After much resistance, struggles to be funded and trying to find the writers to participate, Theo manages to assemble a unique cast of characters for a unique show. We get to learn so much about Theo, his family, his friends, his past and through him, we get to learn much more about the people who go on this journey with him, the writers. In the end, everyone who listens to this will probably have their favorite characters, but they will also, most likely, find themselves rooting for all of them to land on the path that is meant for them. And I really don't want to go into too much detail on what unfolds over the course of this series, because I want everyone to experience all of it as they would a book. New surprises with every turned page and all that. Although, I will link their website below, so you can learn more if you like, particularly about the people involved.
To be honest, I don't think I've ever even listened to a scripted podcast like this before, so I didn't really know what to expect as far as production goes. But I must say, I was very impressed by the way this was put together. The direction, the sound effects, the wonderful cast of actors who brought it all to life, it's just so well done. But, of course, I do believe that the heart and soul of this is the writing. And, no, that is not my being biased, as I am a writer myself. I'm just being honest. Tawni O'Dell is absolutely brilliant with characters and that is what really drives this whole thing, not to mention how skilled she is at writing from a male perspective, as anyone who has read her books will know. As I mentioned before, each one of these characters is so distinct, yet they blend together so well and have great chemistry. That is actually a very fine line that, I think, many writers have to walk, between having characters who are so similar that the whole story seems monotonous and having ones that are overly different to the point where it's not believable in the least that they would ever associate with one another. Thankfully, Tawni has created a wonderful mix of personalities that come together, like puzzle pieces, making a fantastic work of art.
Now I know I said the whole series was seven episodes, but I truly hope it goes beyond that. I honestly wouldn't even mind if it did become a movie someday. Though, if not, I'm still glad that we got what we did because I highly recommend Rewrites for everyone. I especially recommend it if you're a writer. I personally found it very inspiring. It made me want to write more, which seems impossible, considering how much I already do that. Still, sometimes the things about which we are passionate can go through times of feeling mundane when we do it, day in and day out. Every now and then, we need something to remind us why we love what we do. We need something to be the spark to start the flame up again. Well, for me, Rewrites has become one of the things I turn to when I need exactly that.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
RewritesWebsite
