David Gallaher
@davidgallaher.bsky.social
Rapscallion | Raconteur | Roustabout | Associated Press | Author | Game Dev | he/him 🌈 🇫🇷 🇺🇸 ✊🏿Ⓥ https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/narrative-operations-7301326370398228480
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"Yep, that's me! You're probably wondering..."
(or "First Things Second") by David Gallaher This week is about scene work and the tools you can use to troubleshoot or reframe a story when it feels sluggish, confusing, or harder to enter than it ne...
www.linkedin.com
“Yup, that’s me. You’re probably wondering how I ended up in this situation."
While all of your scenes may be technically perfect, the story might be improved when you change the order of how you're telling them.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/yep-th...
While all of your scenes may be technically perfect, the story might be improved when you change the order of how you're telling them.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/yep-th...
As much as I loathe linking to Amazon, I adore my mother ... who has a new book out. Please consider buying a copy, which I had will provide solace in these troubling times: www.amazon.com/Little-One-D...
Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
February 18, 2026 at 6:45 PM
As much as I loathe linking to Amazon, I adore my mother ... who has a new book out. Please consider buying a copy, which I had will provide solace in these troubling times: www.amazon.com/Little-One-D...
I, for one, can't wait until America tears down the data centers and detention camps ... and you know ... builds housing and provides food for all of its citizens.
a colorful drawing of a house with the words arrived safe written on the bottom
Alt: a colorful drawing of a house with the words arrived safe written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
February 18, 2026 at 4:00 PM
I, for one, can't wait until America tears down the data centers and detention camps ... and you know ... builds housing and provides food for all of its citizens.
My essay series on narrative structure continues this week. Today: The Midpoint www.linkedin.com/pulse/mind-m...
Mind the Midpoint
by David Gallaher Over the last few weeks, we have spent time talking about scene work. We looked at tone and how it shapes the reader’s emotional experience.
www.linkedin.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:04 PM
My essay series on narrative structure continues this week. Today: The Midpoint www.linkedin.com/pulse/mind-m...
Based on the book by the husband of Sylvia Plath who wrote it for his children following her passing.
7. The Iron Giant (1999)
I don’t know why it took me so long to finally watch this movie but as expected, I loved it. 9 year old me would’ve loved it too when it came out. Absolute CLASSIC!
I don’t know why it took me so long to finally watch this movie but as expected, I loved it. 9 year old me would’ve loved it too when it came out. Absolute CLASSIC!
February 16, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Based on the book by the husband of Sylvia Plath who wrote it for his children following her passing.
Harold and Maude ending w/no freeze-frame of car going over cliff
YouTube video by Bruce Ojard
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Small businesses... I beg you. Stop using AI for your bars, events, classes.
Not only is it bad for the environment, but it looks so fucking awful.
Not only is it bad for the environment, but it looks so fucking awful.
February 13, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Small businesses... I beg you. Stop using AI for your bars, events, classes.
Not only is it bad for the environment, but it looks so fucking awful.
Not only is it bad for the environment, but it looks so fucking awful.
My newest newletter is out. It's not hosted on Substack:
linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7428157326303387648/
linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7428157326303387648/
Feel. Felt. Found. | David Gallaher
"Feel. Felt. Found"
It sounds more like relationship tools than sales jargon. We're talking about what it means as we step into Valentine's Day.
linkedin.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:31 PM
My newest newletter is out. It's not hosted on Substack:
linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7428157326303387648/
linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7428157326303387648/
Today's post: Transitions, Transformers, & Scott McCloud
www.linkedin.com/pulse/transi...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/transi...
Transitions
by David Gallaher We are wrapping up our discussion of scene work. You have spent time learning how to build a strong scene.
www.linkedin.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Today's post: Transitions, Transformers, & Scott McCloud
www.linkedin.com/pulse/transi...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/transi...
When you're doing scenework, tone is the feeling behind your words. It is the attitude you bring to the subject and to the reader.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/settin...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/settin...
Setting The Tone
by David Gallaher When I was in tenth grade, I had an English teacher named Carol Gutwalt. She expected more from me than I expected from myself.
www.linkedin.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:59 PM
When you're doing scenework, tone is the feeling behind your words. It is the attitude you bring to the subject and to the reader.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/settin...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/settin...
“Yup, that’s me. You’re probably wondering how I ended up in this situation."
While all of your scenes may be technically perfect, the story might be improved when you change the order of how you're telling them.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/yep-th...
While all of your scenes may be technically perfect, the story might be improved when you change the order of how you're telling them.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/yep-th...
"Yep, that's me! You're probably wondering..."
(or "First Things Second") by David Gallaher This week is about scene work and the tools you can use to troubleshoot or reframe a story when it feels sluggish, confusing, or harder to enter than it ne...
www.linkedin.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:18 PM
“Yup, that’s me. You’re probably wondering how I ended up in this situation."
While all of your scenes may be technically perfect, the story might be improved when you change the order of how you're telling them.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/yep-th...
While all of your scenes may be technically perfect, the story might be improved when you change the order of how you're telling them.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/yep-th...
How to fix a broken scene: www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-d...
What To Do When A Scene Breaks
by David Gallaher For the last several weeks, Allistar Barrett and I have been building a new set for Creatures & Cocktails to surprise our guests at an upcoming show. The cornerstone of the set was t...
www.linkedin.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:16 PM
How to fix a broken scene: www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-d...
I wish I was running a role-playing game today instead of ::checks laptop:: editing a slide deck for work.
February 8, 2026 at 4:32 PM
I wish I was running a role-playing game today instead of ::checks laptop:: editing a slide deck for work.
Career Insurance
by David Gallaher If you Google “career insurance,” you get a glossy A.I.
www.linkedin.com
February 8, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Before I put my 'Do Not Disturb' sign up for the weekend, I wrote something about Time Management:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/priori...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/priori...
Prioritization
by David Gallaher Between new material to write for Creatures & Cocktails, a game rule set to edit, a slide deck to edit, and a new stage to build tomorrow, my weekend is packed. And while I like to k...
www.linkedin.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Before I put my 'Do Not Disturb' sign up for the weekend, I wrote something about Time Management:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/priori...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/priori...
Five of my favorite movies that were box office flops. What are some of yours?
1. Iron Giant
2. So I Married An Axe Murderer
3. Death to Smoochy
4. Josie and the Pussycats
5. Office Space
1. Iron Giant
2. So I Married An Axe Murderer
3. Death to Smoochy
4. Josie and the Pussycats
5. Office Space
Five of my favorite movies that were box office flops. What are some of yours?
1. Tank Girl
2. Bringing Out the Dead
3. Blade Runner
4. Josie and the Pussycats
5. Speed Racer
1. Tank Girl
2. Bringing Out the Dead
3. Blade Runner
4. Josie and the Pussycats
5. Speed Racer
Five of my favorite movies that were box office flops. What are some of yours?
1. Popeye
2. Joe vs the Volcano
3. Blade Runner
4. The Thing
5. The Iron Giant
1. Popeye
2. Joe vs the Volcano
3. Blade Runner
4. The Thing
5. The Iron Giant
February 6, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Five of my favorite movies that were box office flops. What are some of yours?
1. Iron Giant
2. So I Married An Axe Murderer
3. Death to Smoochy
4. Josie and the Pussycats
5. Office Space
1. Iron Giant
2. So I Married An Axe Murderer
3. Death to Smoochy
4. Josie and the Pussycats
5. Office Space
If you have EVER liked ME or anything I have ever written, so much of who I am comes from my mother whose new book... The Little One Diaries is now available on Amazon. www.amazon.com/Little-One-D...
www.amazon.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:46 PM
If you have EVER liked ME or anything I have ever written, so much of who I am comes from my mother whose new book... The Little One Diaries is now available on Amazon. www.amazon.com/Little-One-D...
Reposted by David Gallaher
Like tarot cards, witchy things, feminist rage (think Taylor's "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" & Fleetwood's "Silver Springs."),& mythology?
You can preorder (worldwide) my poetry collection coming out in July @clashbooks.bsky.social. Links below, plus Inkwood:
www.inkwoodnj.com/item/Ta5ktKU....
You can preorder (worldwide) my poetry collection coming out in July @clashbooks.bsky.social. Links below, plus Inkwood:
www.inkwoodnj.com/item/Ta5ktKU....
February 4, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Like tarot cards, witchy things, feminist rage (think Taylor's "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" & Fleetwood's "Silver Springs."),& mythology?
You can preorder (worldwide) my poetry collection coming out in July @clashbooks.bsky.social. Links below, plus Inkwood:
www.inkwoodnj.com/item/Ta5ktKU....
You can preorder (worldwide) my poetry collection coming out in July @clashbooks.bsky.social. Links below, plus Inkwood:
www.inkwoodnj.com/item/Ta5ktKU....
I feel very grateful that I am not tied into the Bezos ecosystem. I encourage others to divest and untether as much as they can from massive corporations.
Lots of folks reminding everyone that you can unsubscribe from WaPo the last couple days, but you can also divest from Amazon to whatever degree you feel capable. Some options:
—cancel Prime
—choose to buy certain items from other retailers when you can
—stop shopping at Whole Foods.
—cancel Prime
—choose to buy certain items from other retailers when you can
—stop shopping at Whole Foods.
February 6, 2026 at 1:24 PM
I feel very grateful that I am not tied into the Bezos ecosystem. I encourage others to divest and untether as much as they can from massive corporations.
Post your favorite "Lord of the Rings" character. Wrong answers only.
February 6, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Post your favorite "Lord of the Rings" character. Wrong answers only.
This week we've covered many of the core elements that make scenes great. Today, we're going to look at the process that I learned to create scences and if you want to better and faster, this might help.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/making...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/making...
Making A Scene
by David Gallaher In my journey from comic to television to games, I have written several thousand scenes..
www.linkedin.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:08 AM
This week we've covered many of the core elements that make scenes great. Today, we're going to look at the process that I learned to create scences and if you want to better and faster, this might help.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/making...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/making...
Reposted by David Gallaher
Most writers don’t struggle with ideas. They struggle with structure. Projects stall, revisions circle, and drafts with strong moments never quite hold together.
My Introduction to Narrative class exists to fix that:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/specia...
My Introduction to Narrative class exists to fix that:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/specia...
Special Announcement: Introduction To Narrative
by David Gallaher Most writers don’t struggle with ideas. They struggle with structure.
www.linkedin.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Most writers don’t struggle with ideas. They struggle with structure. Projects stall, revisions circle, and drafts with strong moments never quite hold together.
My Introduction to Narrative class exists to fix that:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/specia...
My Introduction to Narrative class exists to fix that:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/specia...
Did you know that the author of the Iron Giant was the spouse of Sylvia Plath?
a cartoon drawing of a robot with a large helmet on
Alt: Iron Giant
media.tenor.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Did you know that the author of the Iron Giant was the spouse of Sylvia Plath?
Writers often end scenes because the action is finished, the conversation feels complete, or the page count says it is time to stop. None of those are good reasons.
Today's examples include High Moon, Barbie, and Avengers: Endgame.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/cliffh...
Today's examples include High Moon, Barbie, and Avengers: Endgame.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/cliffh...
Cliffhangers & The Art Of Ending A Scene
by David Gallaher A scene ends when the story can no longer stay where it is. That sounds simple, but most pacing problems come from misunderstanding that idea.
www.linkedin.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Writers often end scenes because the action is finished, the conversation feels complete, or the page count says it is time to stop. None of those are good reasons.
Today's examples include High Moon, Barbie, and Avengers: Endgame.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/cliffh...
Today's examples include High Moon, Barbie, and Avengers: Endgame.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/cliffh...
If you see this, post a character that starts with L.
February 5, 2026 at 12:38 AM
If you see this, post a character that starts with L.