Payton Russell

Thoughts from the Third Act

A blog by Payton Russell

While wasting away the hottest years of her life as the unpaid Managing Editor of her college newspaper, The University Star, Payton unexpectedly fell in love with journalism.

For forty hours a week, Payton’s bank account suffered so she could write stories. She couldn’t resist the unique thrill of meeting up alone with strangers at night, and she craved the sweet sweet risk of Tetanus while reporting in abandoned, rusty buildings.

After graduation, Payton decided she wasn’t done writing stories, and thus – this blog was born. And, after all that complaining, it’s still free!

Focusing on interviews with showrunners, writers, and producers, this blog offers a window into how successful creatives built their careers in entertainment. Through conversation, her guests share insight into the special–often frustrating–craft of storytelling.

The writers below have made it past the slog of their Second Act climb and reached the climactic “Third Act,” where there’s no longer a risk of Tetanus (at least I hope!).

One day, my friends, we might, too.

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