Spun Today With Tony Ortiz

Welcome to Episode 292 of the Spun Today Podcast! In this episode, host Tony Ortiz dives deep into the writing life, inviting listeners into another motivating free writing session. Tony shares his latest writing stats and candidly discusses the ups and downs of creative consistency, including the struggles of writer’s block and the magic of finding inspiration after unexpected detours. He also offers practical writing tips sourced from Sandra Chwialkowska and Jordan Peele, reminding us why showing up to the page matters and why fun should always be at the heart of our creative process. Tony highlights the gritty, neighborhood-driven anthology Manhattan Noir, reflecting on standout stories and the powerful techniques used by its diverse cast of writers. Along the way, he explores how these short stories can sharpen our craft, from pacing and atmosphere to creating vivid, compressed worlds. In addition, Tony treats us to a personal free writing piece inspired by Vince Staples, touching on dedication, objectivi