Why Writing Requires Teamwork
Weekly roundup: New "Let's Fix Stories!" episode, why art really CAN change the world, and why creatives thrive in collaboration
Weekly roundup time—how are you doing, OBA Nation?
The holiday week is definitely over for me, it’s right back to the grind (let’s be honest, does it ever really stop when you’re a creative running a startup business? 🤔) I did manage to take a break on Saturday and re-watch the beautiful film Secretariat, which reminded me how powerful we can be when we collaborate on a dream we believe in together. I’m grateful for all the wonderful stories and storytellers I spend my weeks working with, and especially for all of YOU.
If you are one of our new subscribers, welcome to the family! Please join in the conversation here and share what creative juices have been flowing in your head this week. We thrive off of inspiration from each other!
Cheers,
(One Brilliant Arc Editor-in-Chief)
P.S. Scroll all the way down to make sure you don’t miss your early release of our next podcast episode. The editing team at One Brilliant Arc sit down with a real writer working on a real story and offer them real feedback in real time!
📑 WHAT WE’VE BEEN CHATTING ABOUT THIS WEEK
What Can Stories Do Against Evil?
Do you remember the first time you realized one story can change lives for the better, forever? When you wanted to be such a hero? Make your own story that could save people in the same way you were saved? Pass on the gift?
In autumn 2010, thanks to the shortsightedness of my hellish, poor, and unintelligent prison, err, I mean, high school, (a fun fact: years after graduating, I learned my principal was embezzling funds), I received my first laptop computer. Every student got one for educational purposes. We students did what any teenagers given a free ride to the internet would: ran around on our virtual playgrounds.
At the time, my family had no TV, and our internet was awful. So, I used my laptop at school to watch stuff; often, stuff I knew my mom would not let me see. One such piece was the anime series, "Cowboy Bebop"–the 26-episode tale about a group of misfit bounty hunters in the year 2076 having misadventures and struggling to confront their haunting pasts. I had seen the iconic opening credits and two scenes from the film and knew the series’ reputation. I was curious to know what all the hullabaloo was about. Suffice to say, without writing a whole book on the sublime, timeless magnificence that is this show, I fell instantly in love with "Cowboy Bebop."
I hold "Cowboy Bebop" so dear to my heart because the series saved my life. Like I said, my Southern high school and the context of my life at the time surrounding that hellscape was driving me insane. I was endlessly bullied; unpopular; a Latino in the Bible Belt, which meant getting routinely asked, “What are you?”, amongst other racist comments; lonely; bored; constantly terrified.
My mind was slipping. I felt on the verge of something horrible I could never undo. Either I was going to hurt myself or I was going to hurt someone else if there was no relief.
Cowboy Bebop, like so many enormously influential works of art, gave me a whole new direction in life. Prior, I had wanted to create stories for, more or less, the supposed fortune and glory. Now, I want to create stories that can continue to pass on the gift stories like Cowboy Bebop gave me during some of my darkest times: the light of hope. To remind people they are not alone or stupid, to brighten their days when they need to laugh or escape or find peace. Stories, I learned, had the power to change lives for the better, and thus, this creed became my purpose.
Yet, from what I have seen, I am sorry to report that art cannot stop the bad guys. I cannot think of any creative work that has defeated racist legislation, the steamroller that is capitalism, or the stupid dumbasses who ruin everyone’s lives. I adore Cowboy Bebop, but the series did not stop me from becoming what I am now. Nor can something as relatively meaningless as an anime stop the flood of problems that come our way every day.
So, as a writer with no money and little influence, how can I practically aid the cause of good?
🎧SNEAK PEEK: “Let’s Fix Stories!”
On our new podcast, we’re taking a look at real stories from real writers, and offering real feedback in real time. Watch how our team works with storytellers to make their stories the best they can be and pick up a couple tips for your own story!
Subscribers to our newsletter get an early release of every podcast episode we put out, both “Let’s Talk Stories” and “Let’s Fix Stories!”
Episode 2-"This Wasn't in the Handbook"
Professional writers, editors, and story coaches from One Brilliant Arc Media sit down with writer Stacy Frankenberg for a live editing session of her fiction manuscript, "This Wasn’t in the Handbook." Pull back the curtain on what the process of getting a written manuscript polished for publishing looks like while we call out strengths in the manuscript, options for improvement, and prove that editing your story to be the best it can be doesn’t have to be a scary process! We discuss the story behind the story, the importance of character development, emotional investment, and the themes of agency and life choices within the narrative.
Catch up on our team’s previous conversations over good stories here:
Keep an eye out for our ✨LIVE✨ “After Hours” sessions on Mondays here on Substack and Fridays on our TikTok page so that YOU can chime in with your thoughts and ask questions about what it’s like to be a creative writer or editor. Come join our mini nerd parties!
💬 Question of the Week
We want to hear from you! OBA Nation exists as your community, after all. Let’s get to know each other and share creative perspectives! Our question to you this week is based on the topic we discuss in the article we’re sending out next Monday:
What film, show, or book surprised you with what a powerful and successful story it was?
Hit “reply” or comment to drop your answer. We’ll pick some of your responses to feature in our next newsletter and tag you there!
CAPTAIN’S LOG
4/27/2025
In this season of me taking over much of OBA’s work, I’m learning more and more how valuable community collaboration is. I am also re-learning how bad I am at asking for help and delegating tasks that are overwhelming me when needed. Yes, an incredible amount of sufficiency, belief in yourself, and stubbornness are needed in order to run a startup company. However, life has had to prove to me again and again that these qualities can also be weaknesses if they keep me from letting the special skills and heart of others to compound my own efforts.
As much as my introvert self hates to admit it, humans are made for connection. Creativity truly requires teamwork in order to build something powerful. I have the immense honor of having met so many incredible, brilliant, creative souls throughout OBA’s journey, and I especially want to give a shout-out to those who have shown their belief in our mission, in our team, and never fail to be there to offer support any opportunity they get.
and both deserve extra special thanks. 💖🖤 You are part of our family. Can’t wait to see where this all takes us!
I would answer the how are you doing question but may traumatize your readers lol!
I appreciate oba - and each of my friends who make up oba - greatly. Please know how much you elevate and inspire me. Every call leaves me thinking for days.
I’m so grateful. 🕊️🩷✨