Perfect mushroom bisque
Storytelling stuff worth sharing
So my birthday on Tuesday was a big-time win. Cool gifts, yummy lunch with a buddy, delicious dinner at Indigenous—if you are ever in Sarasota, it is well worth your time! The mushroom bisque alone…
But all good things must come to an end, and that includes my Birthday Bonanza sale. You’ve got through tomorrow to take advantage. Check it out…
You can grab an annual subscription to Page&Stage for 49% off.
Typically an annual subscription is $50. But at 49% off, that means you get every podcast, newsletter, and Loose Cannon post—as well as a $20 gift card to the Ibis Books bookshop—for a cool $25.50.
In a fun bit of mathematical symbolism, that comes out to merely 49 cents a week!
This purple button will hook you up—
Storytelling tip o’ the week
A quick note this week about the siren song of perfectionism.
Perfect does not exist. Except in the case of the mushroom bisque at Indigenous.
The idea that you can make something perfect is actually you avoiding putting your story out there.
Perfectionism is grounded in fear.
Perfect does not exist, especially in storytelling or writing. Anything creative? What does perfect even mean?
Far better than perfect is effective, and far better than effective is authentic.
If you're telling your story authentically, it will be exactly what it needs to be.
That may or may not be “perfect” by some random, whatever, foisted-upon-you, outside rubric. Who cares?
You be authentic, and your story will have impact.
100 Plays
A reminder to check out the most recent episode of 100 PLAYS: LESSONS LEARNED TELLING STORIES FROM THE STAGE.
In this episode, I talk about French existentialism, staring contests, and how to handle actors who totally lose their cool.
You can listen on the Substack App, and all episodes are also available on Apple or Spotify.
Or, if you want to put a face with a voice, you can watch the video version of this podcast over on YouTube.
The Loose Cannon
And in case you missed the first Loose Cannon post on Wednesday, here’s a link to my award-winning short story, The Many Lives of Owen Crest. I made it free this week as part of my birthday bonanza!
The Page&Stage Podcast
The next episode of the Page&Stage Podcast will hit your inboxes on MONDAY.
No One Will Buy This Story
New York Times bestselling author Julie Metz joins me to explore the power of memoir, the healing nature of storytelling, and the writer’s journey from tragedy to transformation. We dive into the challenges of historical research, the importance of honesty and dialogue, and the delicate balance of being both journalist and subject. Julie also shares lessons from teaching, book clubs, and a surprising literary death match. A rich, honest conversation about writing, memory, and meaning.
You’ll be able to listen on the Substack App, Apple, or Spotify.
And the video version will be available over on YouTube.
Remember, whether your subscription is paid or free, you can comment on newsletters and podcasts. I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions!
Thanks as always for reading, and have a great weekend—
Jason “Bisque for Days” Cannon