Category: Blog

The line between the musical world and the cinematic world has always been blurry for Bear McCreary. The celebrated composer behind scores spanning a plethora of mediums has an oeuvre rich with grandeur and storytelling. At San Diego Comic-Con 2026, McCreary sat down with Den of Geek to discuss his newest album, The Singularity: Ekleipsis, […]

The post Composer Bear McCreary Talks God of War, AI, and His Film Music Inspirations appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers. 

The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content Alessandra Ferreri, which transformed Mission Brewing into what organizers called the ultimate writing lounge for the night. The event welcomed everyone from seasoned professional authors to aspiring storytellers and fanfiction writers eager to try their hand at something new. 

The stakes of the night went beyond inspiration, too. Attendees who posted their own Writing Club stories to Wattpad using the tag #SDCCWritingClub were entered for a chance to be featured in Den of Geek magazine. One winning story, chosen jointly by the Wattpad and Den of Geek teams, will receive up to a four-page printed excerpt complete with professionally commissioned artwork as well. 

Writers in attendance also had the chance to meet Wattpad author E.M. Wilson and walk away with an advance, signed copy of her newest novel, Break Up For Two. 

Three authors spoke with Den of Geek during the event, and while their paths into storytelling varied, their advice converged again and again on the same principle ideas: growth as a writer requires discomfort, deadlines, and an honest relationship with one’s own work. 

The first of those authors was Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, who spent much of the night discussing her creative philosophy. She was candid about the necessity of criticism in an artist’s development, urging writers to seek feedback rather than avoid it.

“Your goal as an artist and a writer, as a creator, is to create the best possible stories you can. You will not do that if all you do is seek out praise, because you don’t grow from praise; you grow from criticism,” she said. “It can be painful, but it’s necessary. It’s like riding a bike; you’re going to fall off of it, but if you don’t do that, then you’ll never learn.” 

The same clear-eyed approach carried into how she talked about balancing personal creative instincts with audience expectations. “What’s interesting for you to write as a writer is not always interesting for the audience to enjoy, and you have to know the difference between the two,” she explained. 

Beyond advice, Punko also shared exciting news about Stagtown‘s film adaptation. When asked how much involvement she would have in the project, Punko spoke warmly about partnering with LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie, and filmmaker Benjamin Brewer.  

“I feel extremely blessed that Margot and everybody at LuckyChap are very interested in working with the creators, like the source material, and really staying honest to their vision. And we have a terrific director, Ben Brewer. I’ve spoken to him on Zoom. He’s funny; he’s great,” she said. 

Derek V. Song, author of Fantasy High, brought a craft-focused perspective to the night, breaking down the two archetypes writers tend to fall into. “They say there’s two styles of writers; there’s architects and gardeners,” he explained. Gardeners let the story unfold as they write and, in Song’s words, “scare the fuck” out of him, while architects plan everything out before putting pen to page, which is more his style. 

Song offered a refreshingly practical take on writer’s block too, arguing that it’s often a symptom of too much freedom rather than too little. 

“I think writer’s block is almost like a liberty, you know? If I’m working on something that’s just me that has no deadline, no expectations, that’s where writer’s block comes in,” he said, which contrasts heavily with when the writer works on his WEBTOON series, “where readers are expecting a new episode every Monday.” 

In those cases, “there is no room for writer’s block” according to Song. 

Song also spoke of how innovative WEBTOON was when he first discovered it. After reading Lore Olympus, a well-known cultural titan, and discovering the WEBTOON format for the first time, Song remembered marveling at the virtual scroll and effect features on the app. 

“[WEBTOON] was doing things I had never seen before…I remember reading [Lore Olympus] for the first time back in 2019 and thinking, ‘Holy shit,’ like this is so new, so different,” he recalled. 

Rounding the night’s lineup was author E.M. Wilson, who, before signing copies for attendees, spoke with us about her career and time with both WEBTOON and Wattpad. Her road to publication, however, was far from smooth. Reflecting on her early attempts to break into traditional publishing, Wilson recalled a discouraging round of feedback from an agent. 

“They basically told me to give up… ‘Not everyone has a strength in writing, like you don’t really have an author voice that’s discernible,” Wilson remembers being told. 

Rather than quitting after that reflection, however, Wilson turned to Wattpad. “At the time that I joined, people were starting there, finishing a draft, getting feedback from people, and then pitching it,” she said. “So it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s where I’m at. At least I can have somebody tell me how to get better.” 

That decision eventually led to a publishing deal under the Wattpad/WEBTOON umbrella, spanning books, audiobooks, international deals, and now a webcomic. “It’s just one big happy family for me,” Wilson concluded happily. 

And so, after a night of drinking, drafting, and dreaming, it was clear the Writing Club had done exactly what it set out to do: get people to write, be creative, and have fun! 

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.

Some movie lines become so famous that they eventually outgrow the films they came from. Years later, people repeat them in conversations, memes, and social media posts without always realizing they were first spoken by a fictional character. Whether they became everyday expressions or pop culture shorthand, these quotes have taken on a life of their own. Even people who have never seen the original movies often recognize them instantly.

Here are 15 movie quotes everyone says without realizing they’re movie quotes.

The post 15 Movie Quotes Everyone Says Without Realizing They’re Movie quotes appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers. 

The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content Alessandra Ferreri, which transformed Mission Brewing into what organizers called the ultimate writing lounge for the night. The event welcomed everyone from seasoned professional authors to aspiring storytellers and fanfiction writers eager to try their hand at something new. 

The stakes of the night went beyond inspiration, too. Attendees who posted their own Writing Club stories to Wattpad using the tag #SDCCWritingClub were entered for a chance to be featured in Den of Geek magazine. One winning story, chosen jointly by the Wattpad and Den of Geek teams, will receive up to a four-page printed excerpt complete with professionally commissioned artwork as well. 

Writers in attendance also had the chance to meet Wattpad author E.M. Wilson and walk away with an advance, signed copy of her newest novel, Break Up For Two. 

Three authors spoke with Den of Geek during the event, and while their paths into storytelling varied, their advice converged again and again on the same principle ideas: growth as a writer requires discomfort, deadlines, and an honest relationship with one’s own work. 

The first of those authors was Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, who spent much of the night discussing her creative philosophy. She was candid about the necessity of criticism in an artist’s development, urging writers to seek feedback rather than avoid it.

“Your goal as an artist and a writer, as a creator, is to create the best possible stories you can. You will not do that if all you do is seek out praise, because you don’t grow from praise; you grow from criticism,” she said. “It can be painful, but it’s necessary. It’s like riding a bike; you’re going to fall off of it, but if you don’t do that, then you’ll never learn.” 

The same clear-eyed approach carried into how she talked about balancing personal creative instincts with audience expectations. “What’s interesting for you to write as a writer is not always interesting for the audience to enjoy, and you have to know the difference between the two,” she explained. 

Beyond advice, Punko also shared exciting news about Stagtown‘s film adaptation. When asked how much involvement she would have in the project, Punko spoke warmly about partnering with LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie, and filmmaker Benjamin Brewer.  

“I feel extremely blessed that Margot and everybody at LuckyChap are very interested in working with the creators, like the source material, and really staying honest to their vision. And we have a terrific director, Ben Brewer. I’ve spoken to him on Zoom. He’s funny; he’s great,” she said. 

Derek V. Song, author of Fantasy High, brought a craft-focused perspective to the night, breaking down the two archetypes writers tend to fall into. “They say there’s two styles of writers; there’s architects and gardeners,” he explained. Gardeners let the story unfold as they write and, in Song’s words, “scare the fuck” out of him, while architects plan everything out before putting pen to page, which is more his style. 

Song offered a refreshingly practical take on writer’s block too, arguing that it’s often a symptom of too much freedom rather than too little. 

“I think writer’s block is almost like a liberty, you know? If I’m working on something that’s just me that has no deadline, no expectations, that’s where writer’s block comes in,” he said, which contrasts heavily with when the writer works on his WEBTOON series, “where readers are expecting a new episode every Monday.” 

In those cases, “there is no room for writer’s block” according to Song. 

Song also spoke of how innovative WEBTOON was when he first discovered it. After reading Lore Olympus, a well-known cultural titan, and discovering the WEBTOON format for the first time, Song remembered marveling at the virtual scroll and effect features on the app. 

“[WEBTOON] was doing things I had never seen before…I remember reading [Lore Olympus] for the first time back in 2019 and thinking, ‘Holy shit,’ like this is so new, so different,” he recalled. 

Rounding the night’s lineup was author E.M. Wilson, who, before signing copies for attendees, spoke with us about her career and time with both WEBTOON and Wattpad. Her road to publication, however, was far from smooth. Reflecting on her early attempts to break into traditional publishing, Wilson recalled a discouraging round of feedback from an agent. 

“They basically told me to give up… ‘Not everyone has a strength in writing, like you don’t really have an author voice that’s discernible,” Wilson remembers being told. 

Rather than quitting after that reflection, however, Wilson turned to Wattpad. “At the time that I joined, people were starting there, finishing a draft, getting feedback from people, and then pitching it,” she said. “So it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s where I’m at. At least I can have somebody tell me how to get better.” 

That decision eventually led to a publishing deal under the Wattpad/WEBTOON umbrella, spanning books, audiobooks, international deals, and now a webcomic. “It’s just one big happy family for me,” Wilson concluded happily. 

And so, after a night of drinking, drafting, and dreaming, it was clear the Writing Club had done exactly what it set out to do: get people to write, be creative, and have fun! 

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.

Sometimes the funniest photos are not edited at all. A perfectly timed camera angle, unusual lighting, or incredible coincidence can trick your brain into seeing something completely different from what is actually there. These accidental optical illusions have become a favorite part of the internet, with people doing double takes before finally realizing what they are looking at. Reddit’s r/confusingperspective is filled with images that seem impossible at first glance, only becoming clear after a closer look. These are fifteen photos that will almost certainly fool your eyes for at least a few seconds before your brain finally catches up.

The post 15 Photos Playing an Optical Illusion With Your Mind appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers. 

The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content Alessandra Ferreri, which transformed Mission Brewing into what organizers called the ultimate writing lounge for the night. The event welcomed everyone from seasoned professional authors to aspiring storytellers and fanfiction writers eager to try their hand at something new. 

The stakes of the night went beyond inspiration, too. Attendees who posted their own Writing Club stories to Wattpad using the tag #SDCCWritingClub were entered for a chance to be featured in Den of Geek magazine. One winning story, chosen jointly by the Wattpad and Den of Geek teams, will receive up to a four-page printed excerpt complete with professionally commissioned artwork as well. 

Writers in attendance also had the chance to meet Wattpad author E.M. Wilson and walk away with an advance, signed copy of her newest novel, Break Up For Two. 

Three authors spoke with Den of Geek during the event, and while their paths into storytelling varied, their advice converged again and again on the same principle ideas: growth as a writer requires discomfort, deadlines, and an honest relationship with one’s own work. 

The first of those authors was Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, who spent much of the night discussing her creative philosophy. She was candid about the necessity of criticism in an artist’s development, urging writers to seek feedback rather than avoid it.

“Your goal as an artist and a writer, as a creator, is to create the best possible stories you can. You will not do that if all you do is seek out praise, because you don’t grow from praise; you grow from criticism,” she said. “It can be painful, but it’s necessary. It’s like riding a bike; you’re going to fall off of it, but if you don’t do that, then you’ll never learn.” 

The same clear-eyed approach carried into how she talked about balancing personal creative instincts with audience expectations. “What’s interesting for you to write as a writer is not always interesting for the audience to enjoy, and you have to know the difference between the two,” she explained. 

Beyond advice, Punko also shared exciting news about Stagtown‘s film adaptation. When asked how much involvement she would have in the project, Punko spoke warmly about partnering with LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie, and filmmaker Benjamin Brewer.  

“I feel extremely blessed that Margot and everybody at LuckyChap are very interested in working with the creators, like the source material, and really staying honest to their vision. And we have a terrific director, Ben Brewer. I’ve spoken to him on Zoom. He’s funny; he’s great,” she said. 

Derek V. Song, author of Fantasy High, brought a craft-focused perspective to the night, breaking down the two archetypes writers tend to fall into. “They say there’s two styles of writers; there’s architects and gardeners,” he explained. Gardeners let the story unfold as they write and, in Song’s words, “scare the fuck” out of him, while architects plan everything out before putting pen to page, which is more his style. 

Song offered a refreshingly practical take on writer’s block too, arguing that it’s often a symptom of too much freedom rather than too little. 

“I think writer’s block is almost like a liberty, you know? If I’m working on something that’s just me that has no deadline, no expectations, that’s where writer’s block comes in,” he said, which contrasts heavily with when the writer works on his WEBTOON series, “where readers are expecting a new episode every Monday.” 

In those cases, “there is no room for writer’s block” according to Song. 

Song also spoke of how innovative WEBTOON was when he first discovered it. After reading Lore Olympus, a well-known cultural titan, and discovering the WEBTOON format for the first time, Song remembered marveling at the virtual scroll and effect features on the app. 

“[WEBTOON] was doing things I had never seen before…I remember reading [Lore Olympus] for the first time back in 2019 and thinking, ‘Holy shit,’ like this is so new, so different,” he recalled. 

Rounding the night’s lineup was author E.M. Wilson, who, before signing copies for attendees, spoke with us about her career and time with both WEBTOON and Wattpad. Her road to publication, however, was far from smooth. Reflecting on her early attempts to break into traditional publishing, Wilson recalled a discouraging round of feedback from an agent. 

“They basically told me to give up… ‘Not everyone has a strength in writing, like you don’t really have an author voice that’s discernible,” Wilson remembers being told. 

Rather than quitting after that reflection, however, Wilson turned to Wattpad. “At the time that I joined, people were starting there, finishing a draft, getting feedback from people, and then pitching it,” she said. “So it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s where I’m at. At least I can have somebody tell me how to get better.” 

That decision eventually led to a publishing deal under the Wattpad/WEBTOON umbrella, spanning books, audiobooks, international deals, and now a webcomic. “It’s just one big happy family for me,” Wilson concluded happily. 

And so, after a night of drinking, drafting, and dreaming, it was clear the Writing Club had done exactly what it set out to do: get people to write, be creative, and have fun! 

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.

Getting a tattoo is a permanent decision, which makes it all the more surprising when some people seem to put almost no thought into it. Sometimes the problem is a simple spelling mistake, while other times it’s an unfortunate design, a poorly executed idea, or artwork that looks nothing like what was originally intended. The internet has turned these tattoo disasters into comedy gold, reminding us that not every idea belongs on someone’s skin forever. Whether they’re confusing, hilarious, or just impossible to ignore, these unforgettable ink fails definitely deserve a closer look.

Here are 15 terrible tattoos we just can’t support.

The post 15 Terrible Tattoos We Just Can’t Support appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers. 

The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content Alessandra Ferreri, which transformed Mission Brewing into what organizers called the ultimate writing lounge for the night. The event welcomed everyone from seasoned professional authors to aspiring storytellers and fanfiction writers eager to try their hand at something new. 

The stakes of the night went beyond inspiration, too. Attendees who posted their own Writing Club stories to Wattpad using the tag #SDCCWritingClub were entered for a chance to be featured in Den of Geek magazine. One winning story, chosen jointly by the Wattpad and Den of Geek teams, will receive up to a four-page printed excerpt complete with professionally commissioned artwork as well. 

Writers in attendance also had the chance to meet Wattpad author E.M. Wilson and walk away with an advance, signed copy of her newest novel, Break Up For Two. 

Three authors spoke with Den of Geek during the event, and while their paths into storytelling varied, their advice converged again and again on the same principle ideas: growth as a writer requires discomfort, deadlines, and an honest relationship with one’s own work. 

The first of those authors was Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, who spent much of the night discussing her creative philosophy. She was candid about the necessity of criticism in an artist’s development, urging writers to seek feedback rather than avoid it.

“Your goal as an artist and a writer, as a creator, is to create the best possible stories you can. You will not do that if all you do is seek out praise, because you don’t grow from praise; you grow from criticism,” she said. “It can be painful, but it’s necessary. It’s like riding a bike; you’re going to fall off of it, but if you don’t do that, then you’ll never learn.” 

The same clear-eyed approach carried into how she talked about balancing personal creative instincts with audience expectations. “What’s interesting for you to write as a writer is not always interesting for the audience to enjoy, and you have to know the difference between the two,” she explained. 

Beyond advice, Punko also shared exciting news about Stagtown‘s film adaptation. When asked how much involvement she would have in the project, Punko spoke warmly about partnering with LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie, and filmmaker Benjamin Brewer.  

“I feel extremely blessed that Margot and everybody at LuckyChap are very interested in working with the creators, like the source material, and really staying honest to their vision. And we have a terrific director, Ben Brewer. I’ve spoken to him on Zoom. He’s funny; he’s great,” she said. 

Derek V. Song, author of Fantasy High, brought a craft-focused perspective to the night, breaking down the two archetypes writers tend to fall into. “They say there’s two styles of writers; there’s architects and gardeners,” he explained. Gardeners let the story unfold as they write and, in Song’s words, “scare the fuck” out of him, while architects plan everything out before putting pen to page, which is more his style. 

Song offered a refreshingly practical take on writer’s block too, arguing that it’s often a symptom of too much freedom rather than too little. 

“I think writer’s block is almost like a liberty, you know? If I’m working on something that’s just me that has no deadline, no expectations, that’s where writer’s block comes in,” he said, which contrasts heavily with when the writer works on his WEBTOON series, “where readers are expecting a new episode every Monday.” 

In those cases, “there is no room for writer’s block” according to Song. 

Song also spoke of how innovative WEBTOON was when he first discovered it. After reading Lore Olympus, a well-known cultural titan, and discovering the WEBTOON format for the first time, Song remembered marveling at the virtual scroll and effect features on the app. 

“[WEBTOON] was doing things I had never seen before…I remember reading [Lore Olympus] for the first time back in 2019 and thinking, ‘Holy shit,’ like this is so new, so different,” he recalled. 

Rounding the night’s lineup was author E.M. Wilson, who, before signing copies for attendees, spoke with us about her career and time with both WEBTOON and Wattpad. Her road to publication, however, was far from smooth. Reflecting on her early attempts to break into traditional publishing, Wilson recalled a discouraging round of feedback from an agent. 

“They basically told me to give up… ‘Not everyone has a strength in writing, like you don’t really have an author voice that’s discernible,” Wilson remembers being told. 

Rather than quitting after that reflection, however, Wilson turned to Wattpad. “At the time that I joined, people were starting there, finishing a draft, getting feedback from people, and then pitching it,” she said. “So it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s where I’m at. At least I can have somebody tell me how to get better.” 

That decision eventually led to a publishing deal under the Wattpad/WEBTOON umbrella, spanning books, audiobooks, international deals, and now a webcomic. “It’s just one big happy family for me,” Wilson concluded happily. 

And so, after a night of drinking, drafting, and dreaming, it was clear the Writing Club had done exactly what it set out to do: get people to write, be creative, and have fun! 

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.

NBC’s Grimm captivated the urban fantasy genre in 2011, riding a wave of supernatural storytelling inspired by shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed. The show, along with peers like The Vampire Diaries and Teen Wolf, is part of defining a decade of series that ignited the romance fantasies of millennials and Gen Z.  […]

The post Grimm Stars Reunite for 15th Anniversary, Reveal Where the Movie Stands  appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers. 

The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content Alessandra Ferreri, which transformed Mission Brewing into what organizers called the ultimate writing lounge for the night. The event welcomed everyone from seasoned professional authors to aspiring storytellers and fanfiction writers eager to try their hand at something new. 

The stakes of the night went beyond inspiration, too. Attendees who posted their own Writing Club stories to Wattpad using the tag #SDCCWritingClub were entered for a chance to be featured in Den of Geek magazine. One winning story, chosen jointly by the Wattpad and Den of Geek teams, will receive up to a four-page printed excerpt complete with professionally commissioned artwork as well. 

Writers in attendance also had the chance to meet Wattpad author E.M. Wilson and walk away with an advance, signed copy of her newest novel, Break Up For Two. 

Three authors spoke with Den of Geek during the event, and while their paths into storytelling varied, their advice converged again and again on the same principle ideas: growth as a writer requires discomfort, deadlines, and an honest relationship with one’s own work. 

The first of those authors was Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, who spent much of the night discussing her creative philosophy. She was candid about the necessity of criticism in an artist’s development, urging writers to seek feedback rather than avoid it.

“Your goal as an artist and a writer, as a creator, is to create the best possible stories you can. You will not do that if all you do is seek out praise, because you don’t grow from praise; you grow from criticism,” she said. “It can be painful, but it’s necessary. It’s like riding a bike; you’re going to fall off of it, but if you don’t do that, then you’ll never learn.” 

The same clear-eyed approach carried into how she talked about balancing personal creative instincts with audience expectations. “What’s interesting for you to write as a writer is not always interesting for the audience to enjoy, and you have to know the difference between the two,” she explained. 

Beyond advice, Punko also shared exciting news about Stagtown‘s film adaptation. When asked how much involvement she would have in the project, Punko spoke warmly about partnering with LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie, and filmmaker Benjamin Brewer.  

“I feel extremely blessed that Margot and everybody at LuckyChap are very interested in working with the creators, like the source material, and really staying honest to their vision. And we have a terrific director, Ben Brewer. I’ve spoken to him on Zoom. He’s funny; he’s great,” she said. 

Derek V. Song, author of Fantasy High, brought a craft-focused perspective to the night, breaking down the two archetypes writers tend to fall into. “They say there’s two styles of writers; there’s architects and gardeners,” he explained. Gardeners let the story unfold as they write and, in Song’s words, “scare the fuck” out of him, while architects plan everything out before putting pen to page, which is more his style. 

Song offered a refreshingly practical take on writer’s block too, arguing that it’s often a symptom of too much freedom rather than too little. 

“I think writer’s block is almost like a liberty, you know? If I’m working on something that’s just me that has no deadline, no expectations, that’s where writer’s block comes in,” he said, which contrasts heavily with when the writer works on his WEBTOON series, “where readers are expecting a new episode every Monday.” 

In those cases, “there is no room for writer’s block” according to Song. 

Song also spoke of how innovative WEBTOON was when he first discovered it. After reading Lore Olympus, a well-known cultural titan, and discovering the WEBTOON format for the first time, Song remembered marveling at the virtual scroll and effect features on the app. 

“[WEBTOON] was doing things I had never seen before…I remember reading [Lore Olympus] for the first time back in 2019 and thinking, ‘Holy shit,’ like this is so new, so different,” he recalled. 

Rounding the night’s lineup was author E.M. Wilson, who, before signing copies for attendees, spoke with us about her career and time with both WEBTOON and Wattpad. Her road to publication, however, was far from smooth. Reflecting on her early attempts to break into traditional publishing, Wilson recalled a discouraging round of feedback from an agent. 

“They basically told me to give up… ‘Not everyone has a strength in writing, like you don’t really have an author voice that’s discernible,” Wilson remembers being told. 

Rather than quitting after that reflection, however, Wilson turned to Wattpad. “At the time that I joined, people were starting there, finishing a draft, getting feedback from people, and then pitching it,” she said. “So it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s where I’m at. At least I can have somebody tell me how to get better.” 

That decision eventually led to a publishing deal under the Wattpad/WEBTOON umbrella, spanning books, audiobooks, international deals, and now a webcomic. “It’s just one big happy family for me,” Wilson concluded happily. 

And so, after a night of drinking, drafting, and dreaming, it was clear the Writing Club had done exactly what it set out to do: get people to write, be creative, and have fun! 

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.

One of the best things about watching movies is assuming every memorable line and reaction was carefully planned from the start. In reality, some of cinema’s most unforgettable moments happened because an actor made a split-second decision or a director chose to keep an unexpected mistake. Whether it was an improvised line, an unscripted reaction, or an accident that turned into movie history, these scenes became even better because they weren’t part of the original plan.

Here are 15 movie scenes that were way more improvised than you realize.

The post 15 Movie Scenes That Were Way More Improvised Than You Realize appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers. 

The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content Alessandra Ferreri, which transformed Mission Brewing into what organizers called the ultimate writing lounge for the night. The event welcomed everyone from seasoned professional authors to aspiring storytellers and fanfiction writers eager to try their hand at something new. 

The stakes of the night went beyond inspiration, too. Attendees who posted their own Writing Club stories to Wattpad using the tag #SDCCWritingClub were entered for a chance to be featured in Den of Geek magazine. One winning story, chosen jointly by the Wattpad and Den of Geek teams, will receive up to a four-page printed excerpt complete with professionally commissioned artwork as well. 

Writers in attendance also had the chance to meet Wattpad author E.M. Wilson and walk away with an advance, signed copy of her newest novel, Break Up For Two. 

Three authors spoke with Den of Geek during the event, and while their paths into storytelling varied, their advice converged again and again on the same principle ideas: growth as a writer requires discomfort, deadlines, and an honest relationship with one’s own work. 

The first of those authors was Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, who spent much of the night discussing her creative philosophy. She was candid about the necessity of criticism in an artist’s development, urging writers to seek feedback rather than avoid it.

“Your goal as an artist and a writer, as a creator, is to create the best possible stories you can. You will not do that if all you do is seek out praise, because you don’t grow from praise; you grow from criticism,” she said. “It can be painful, but it’s necessary. It’s like riding a bike; you’re going to fall off of it, but if you don’t do that, then you’ll never learn.” 

The same clear-eyed approach carried into how she talked about balancing personal creative instincts with audience expectations. “What’s interesting for you to write as a writer is not always interesting for the audience to enjoy, and you have to know the difference between the two,” she explained. 

Beyond advice, Punko also shared exciting news about Stagtown‘s film adaptation. When asked how much involvement she would have in the project, Punko spoke warmly about partnering with LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie, and filmmaker Benjamin Brewer.  

“I feel extremely blessed that Margot and everybody at LuckyChap are very interested in working with the creators, like the source material, and really staying honest to their vision. And we have a terrific director, Ben Brewer. I’ve spoken to him on Zoom. He’s funny; he’s great,” she said. 

Derek V. Song, author of Fantasy High, brought a craft-focused perspective to the night, breaking down the two archetypes writers tend to fall into. “They say there’s two styles of writers; there’s architects and gardeners,” he explained. Gardeners let the story unfold as they write and, in Song’s words, “scare the fuck” out of him, while architects plan everything out before putting pen to page, which is more his style. 

Song offered a refreshingly practical take on writer’s block too, arguing that it’s often a symptom of too much freedom rather than too little. 

“I think writer’s block is almost like a liberty, you know? If I’m working on something that’s just me that has no deadline, no expectations, that’s where writer’s block comes in,” he said, which contrasts heavily with when the writer works on his WEBTOON series, “where readers are expecting a new episode every Monday.” 

In those cases, “there is no room for writer’s block” according to Song. 

Song also spoke of how innovative WEBTOON was when he first discovered it. After reading Lore Olympus, a well-known cultural titan, and discovering the WEBTOON format for the first time, Song remembered marveling at the virtual scroll and effect features on the app. 

“[WEBTOON] was doing things I had never seen before…I remember reading [Lore Olympus] for the first time back in 2019 and thinking, ‘Holy shit,’ like this is so new, so different,” he recalled. 

Rounding the night’s lineup was author E.M. Wilson, who, before signing copies for attendees, spoke with us about her career and time with both WEBTOON and Wattpad. Her road to publication, however, was far from smooth. Reflecting on her early attempts to break into traditional publishing, Wilson recalled a discouraging round of feedback from an agent. 

“They basically told me to give up… ‘Not everyone has a strength in writing, like you don’t really have an author voice that’s discernible,” Wilson remembers being told. 

Rather than quitting after that reflection, however, Wilson turned to Wattpad. “At the time that I joined, people were starting there, finishing a draft, getting feedback from people, and then pitching it,” she said. “So it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s where I’m at. At least I can have somebody tell me how to get better.” 

That decision eventually led to a publishing deal under the Wattpad/WEBTOON umbrella, spanning books, audiobooks, international deals, and now a webcomic. “It’s just one big happy family for me,” Wilson concluded happily. 

And so, after a night of drinking, drafting, and dreaming, it was clear the Writing Club had done exactly what it set out to do: get people to write, be creative, and have fun! 

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.

Before the action kicks in, every great heist story starts with a plan. Whether it’s stealing millions from a heavily guarded vault, pulling off the perfect con, or assembling an unlikely team of experts, the best entries in the genre keep audiences guessing until the very end. Some rely on clever twists, others on explosive set pieces, but they all share the thrill of watching impossible jobs unfold against overwhelming odds. From beloved classics to modern TV hits, these movies and series prove that sometimes the most entertaining stories are the ones where everything could go wrong.

Here are 15 heist movies and TV shows that are worth the risk.

The post 14 Heist Movies and TV Shows That Are Worth the Risk appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers. 

The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content Alessandra Ferreri, which transformed Mission Brewing into what organizers called the ultimate writing lounge for the night. The event welcomed everyone from seasoned professional authors to aspiring storytellers and fanfiction writers eager to try their hand at something new. 

The stakes of the night went beyond inspiration, too. Attendees who posted their own Writing Club stories to Wattpad using the tag #SDCCWritingClub were entered for a chance to be featured in Den of Geek magazine. One winning story, chosen jointly by the Wattpad and Den of Geek teams, will receive up to a four-page printed excerpt complete with professionally commissioned artwork as well. 

Writers in attendance also had the chance to meet Wattpad author E.M. Wilson and walk away with an advance, signed copy of her newest novel, Break Up For Two. 

Three authors spoke with Den of Geek during the event, and while their paths into storytelling varied, their advice converged again and again on the same principle ideas: growth as a writer requires discomfort, deadlines, and an honest relationship with one’s own work. 

The first of those authors was Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, who spent much of the night discussing her creative philosophy. She was candid about the necessity of criticism in an artist’s development, urging writers to seek feedback rather than avoid it.

“Your goal as an artist and a writer, as a creator, is to create the best possible stories you can. You will not do that if all you do is seek out praise, because you don’t grow from praise; you grow from criticism,” she said. “It can be painful, but it’s necessary. It’s like riding a bike; you’re going to fall off of it, but if you don’t do that, then you’ll never learn.” 

The same clear-eyed approach carried into how she talked about balancing personal creative instincts with audience expectations. “What’s interesting for you to write as a writer is not always interesting for the audience to enjoy, and you have to know the difference between the two,” she explained. 

Beyond advice, Punko also shared exciting news about Stagtown‘s film adaptation. When asked how much involvement she would have in the project, Punko spoke warmly about partnering with LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie, and filmmaker Benjamin Brewer.  

“I feel extremely blessed that Margot and everybody at LuckyChap are very interested in working with the creators, like the source material, and really staying honest to their vision. And we have a terrific director, Ben Brewer. I’ve spoken to him on Zoom. He’s funny; he’s great,” she said. 

Derek V. Song, author of Fantasy High, brought a craft-focused perspective to the night, breaking down the two archetypes writers tend to fall into. “They say there’s two styles of writers; there’s architects and gardeners,” he explained. Gardeners let the story unfold as they write and, in Song’s words, “scare the fuck” out of him, while architects plan everything out before putting pen to page, which is more his style. 

Song offered a refreshingly practical take on writer’s block too, arguing that it’s often a symptom of too much freedom rather than too little. 

“I think writer’s block is almost like a liberty, you know? If I’m working on something that’s just me that has no deadline, no expectations, that’s where writer’s block comes in,” he said, which contrasts heavily with when the writer works on his WEBTOON series, “where readers are expecting a new episode every Monday.” 

In those cases, “there is no room for writer’s block” according to Song. 

Song also spoke of how innovative WEBTOON was when he first discovered it. After reading Lore Olympus, a well-known cultural titan, and discovering the WEBTOON format for the first time, Song remembered marveling at the virtual scroll and effect features on the app. 

“[WEBTOON] was doing things I had never seen before…I remember reading [Lore Olympus] for the first time back in 2019 and thinking, ‘Holy shit,’ like this is so new, so different,” he recalled. 

Rounding the night’s lineup was author E.M. Wilson, who, before signing copies for attendees, spoke with us about her career and time with both WEBTOON and Wattpad. Her road to publication, however, was far from smooth. Reflecting on her early attempts to break into traditional publishing, Wilson recalled a discouraging round of feedback from an agent. 

“They basically told me to give up… ‘Not everyone has a strength in writing, like you don’t really have an author voice that’s discernible,” Wilson remembers being told. 

Rather than quitting after that reflection, however, Wilson turned to Wattpad. “At the time that I joined, people were starting there, finishing a draft, getting feedback from people, and then pitching it,” she said. “So it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s where I’m at. At least I can have somebody tell me how to get better.” 

That decision eventually led to a publishing deal under the Wattpad/WEBTOON umbrella, spanning books, audiobooks, international deals, and now a webcomic. “It’s just one big happy family for me,” Wilson concluded happily. 

And so, after a night of drinking, drafting, and dreaming, it was clear the Writing Club had done exactly what it set out to do: get people to write, be creative, and have fun! 

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers.  The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content […]

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers. 

The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content Alessandra Ferreri, which transformed Mission Brewing into what organizers called the ultimate writing lounge for the night. The event welcomed everyone from seasoned professional authors to aspiring storytellers and fanfiction writers eager to try their hand at something new. 

The stakes of the night went beyond inspiration, too. Attendees who posted their own Writing Club stories to Wattpad using the tag #SDCCWritingClub were entered for a chance to be featured in Den of Geek magazine. One winning story, chosen jointly by the Wattpad and Den of Geek teams, will receive up to a four-page printed excerpt complete with professionally commissioned artwork as well. 

Writers in attendance also had the chance to meet Wattpad author E.M. Wilson and walk away with an advance, signed copy of her newest novel, Break Up For Two. 

Three authors spoke with Den of Geek during the event, and while their paths into storytelling varied, their advice converged again and again on the same principle ideas: growth as a writer requires discomfort, deadlines, and an honest relationship with one’s own work. 

The first of those authors was Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, who spent much of the night discussing her creative philosophy. She was candid about the necessity of criticism in an artist’s development, urging writers to seek feedback rather than avoid it.

“Your goal as an artist and a writer, as a creator, is to create the best possible stories you can. You will not do that if all you do is seek out praise, because you don’t grow from praise; you grow from criticism,” she said. “It can be painful, but it’s necessary. It’s like riding a bike; you’re going to fall off of it, but if you don’t do that, then you’ll never learn.” 

The same clear-eyed approach carried into how she talked about balancing personal creative instincts with audience expectations. “What’s interesting for you to write as a writer is not always interesting for the audience to enjoy, and you have to know the difference between the two,” she explained. 

Beyond advice, Punko also shared exciting news about Stagtown‘s film adaptation. When asked how much involvement she would have in the project, Punko spoke warmly about partnering with LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie, and filmmaker Benjamin Brewer.  

“I feel extremely blessed that Margot and everybody at LuckyChap are very interested in working with the creators, like the source material, and really staying honest to their vision. And we have a terrific director, Ben Brewer. I’ve spoken to him on Zoom. He’s funny; he’s great,” she said. 

Derek V. Song, author of Fantasy High, brought a craft-focused perspective to the night, breaking down the two archetypes writers tend to fall into. “They say there’s two styles of writers; there’s architects and gardeners,” he explained. Gardeners let the story unfold as they write and, in Song’s words, “scare the fuck” out of him, while architects plan everything out before putting pen to page, which is more his style. 

Song offered a refreshingly practical take on writer’s block too, arguing that it’s often a symptom of too much freedom rather than too little. 

“I think writer’s block is almost like a liberty, you know? If I’m working on something that’s just me that has no deadline, no expectations, that’s where writer’s block comes in,” he said, which contrasts heavily with when the writer works on his WEBTOON series, “where readers are expecting a new episode every Monday.” 

In those cases, “there is no room for writer’s block” according to Song. 

Song also spoke of how innovative WEBTOON was when he first discovered it. After reading Lore Olympus, a well-known cultural titan, and discovering the WEBTOON format for the first time, Song remembered marveling at the virtual scroll and effect features on the app. 

“[WEBTOON] was doing things I had never seen before…I remember reading [Lore Olympus] for the first time back in 2019 and thinking, ‘Holy shit,’ like this is so new, so different,” he recalled. 

Rounding the night’s lineup was author E.M. Wilson, who, before signing copies for attendees, spoke with us about her career and time with both WEBTOON and Wattpad. Her road to publication, however, was far from smooth. Reflecting on her early attempts to break into traditional publishing, Wilson recalled a discouraging round of feedback from an agent. 

“They basically told me to give up… ‘Not everyone has a strength in writing, like you don’t really have an author voice that’s discernible,” Wilson remembers being told. 

Rather than quitting after that reflection, however, Wilson turned to Wattpad. “At the time that I joined, people were starting there, finishing a draft, getting feedback from people, and then pitching it,” she said. “So it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s where I’m at. At least I can have somebody tell me how to get better.” 

That decision eventually led to a publishing deal under the Wattpad/WEBTOON umbrella, spanning books, audiobooks, international deals, and now a webcomic. “It’s just one big happy family for me,” Wilson concluded happily. 

And so, after a night of drinking, drafting, and dreaming, it was clear the Writing Club had done exactly what it set out to do: get people to write, be creative, and have fun! 

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.

Even a quarter-century later, David Koepp is still pretty much in awe of James Cameron’s audacity. While Koepp is the lone credited screenwriter of the first live-action Spider-Man movie from 2002, not every innovation and wrinkle in that landmark film came via the Jurassic Park scribe. In fact, the most contentious element was something Cameron […]

The post Spider-Man: Brand New Day Reframes The Organic Web-Shooters Fan ‘Debate’ in Ironic Ways appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers. 

The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content Alessandra Ferreri, which transformed Mission Brewing into what organizers called the ultimate writing lounge for the night. The event welcomed everyone from seasoned professional authors to aspiring storytellers and fanfiction writers eager to try their hand at something new. 

The stakes of the night went beyond inspiration, too. Attendees who posted their own Writing Club stories to Wattpad using the tag #SDCCWritingClub were entered for a chance to be featured in Den of Geek magazine. One winning story, chosen jointly by the Wattpad and Den of Geek teams, will receive up to a four-page printed excerpt complete with professionally commissioned artwork as well. 

Writers in attendance also had the chance to meet Wattpad author E.M. Wilson and walk away with an advance, signed copy of her newest novel, Break Up For Two. 

Three authors spoke with Den of Geek during the event, and while their paths into storytelling varied, their advice converged again and again on the same principle ideas: growth as a writer requires discomfort, deadlines, and an honest relationship with one’s own work. 

The first of those authors was Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, who spent much of the night discussing her creative philosophy. She was candid about the necessity of criticism in an artist’s development, urging writers to seek feedback rather than avoid it.

“Your goal as an artist and a writer, as a creator, is to create the best possible stories you can. You will not do that if all you do is seek out praise, because you don’t grow from praise; you grow from criticism,” she said. “It can be painful, but it’s necessary. It’s like riding a bike; you’re going to fall off of it, but if you don’t do that, then you’ll never learn.” 

The same clear-eyed approach carried into how she talked about balancing personal creative instincts with audience expectations. “What’s interesting for you to write as a writer is not always interesting for the audience to enjoy, and you have to know the difference between the two,” she explained. 

Beyond advice, Punko also shared exciting news about Stagtown‘s film adaptation. When asked how much involvement she would have in the project, Punko spoke warmly about partnering with LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie, and filmmaker Benjamin Brewer.  

“I feel extremely blessed that Margot and everybody at LuckyChap are very interested in working with the creators, like the source material, and really staying honest to their vision. And we have a terrific director, Ben Brewer. I’ve spoken to him on Zoom. He’s funny; he’s great,” she said. 

Derek V. Song, author of Fantasy High, brought a craft-focused perspective to the night, breaking down the two archetypes writers tend to fall into. “They say there’s two styles of writers; there’s architects and gardeners,” he explained. Gardeners let the story unfold as they write and, in Song’s words, “scare the fuck” out of him, while architects plan everything out before putting pen to page, which is more his style. 

Song offered a refreshingly practical take on writer’s block too, arguing that it’s often a symptom of too much freedom rather than too little. 

“I think writer’s block is almost like a liberty, you know? If I’m working on something that’s just me that has no deadline, no expectations, that’s where writer’s block comes in,” he said, which contrasts heavily with when the writer works on his WEBTOON series, “where readers are expecting a new episode every Monday.” 

In those cases, “there is no room for writer’s block” according to Song. 

Song also spoke of how innovative WEBTOON was when he first discovered it. After reading Lore Olympus, a well-known cultural titan, and discovering the WEBTOON format for the first time, Song remembered marveling at the virtual scroll and effect features on the app. 

“[WEBTOON] was doing things I had never seen before…I remember reading [Lore Olympus] for the first time back in 2019 and thinking, ‘Holy shit,’ like this is so new, so different,” he recalled. 

Rounding the night’s lineup was author E.M. Wilson, who, before signing copies for attendees, spoke with us about her career and time with both WEBTOON and Wattpad. Her road to publication, however, was far from smooth. Reflecting on her early attempts to break into traditional publishing, Wilson recalled a discouraging round of feedback from an agent. 

“They basically told me to give up… ‘Not everyone has a strength in writing, like you don’t really have an author voice that’s discernible,” Wilson remembers being told. 

Rather than quitting after that reflection, however, Wilson turned to Wattpad. “At the time that I joined, people were starting there, finishing a draft, getting feedback from people, and then pitching it,” she said. “So it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s where I’m at. At least I can have somebody tell me how to get better.” 

That decision eventually led to a publishing deal under the Wattpad/WEBTOON umbrella, spanning books, audiobooks, international deals, and now a webcomic. “It’s just one big happy family for me,” Wilson concluded happily. 

And so, after a night of drinking, drafting, and dreaming, it was clear the Writing Club had done exactly what it set out to do: get people to write, be creative, and have fun! 

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.

At its core, Star Trek is the story of humanity embracing an optimistic future, overcoming their petty differences to learn how to go boldly into unexplored parts of the universe. The original show has gone on to launch numerous spinoff series and movies with various crews and missions, opening space for lots of adventures and […]

The post Star Trek: SNW’s Ethan Peck and Paul Wesley On Forging of Kirk and Spock’s Friendship appeared first on Den of Geek.

San Diego Comic-Con is known for its massive exhibit halls and blockbuster panels, but tucked away from the convention center chaos, Den of Geek and Wattpad carved out something different this year: a night built entirely for writers. 

The partnership took shape as Wattpad Presents: The SDCC Writing Club, led by Wattpad Head of Content Alessandra Ferreri, which transformed Mission Brewing into what organizers called the ultimate writing lounge for the night. The event welcomed everyone from seasoned professional authors to aspiring storytellers and fanfiction writers eager to try their hand at something new. 

The stakes of the night went beyond inspiration, too. Attendees who posted their own Writing Club stories to Wattpad using the tag #SDCCWritingClub were entered for a chance to be featured in Den of Geek magazine. One winning story, chosen jointly by the Wattpad and Den of Geek teams, will receive up to a four-page printed excerpt complete with professionally commissioned artwork as well. 

Writers in attendance also had the chance to meet Wattpad author E.M. Wilson and walk away with an advance, signed copy of her newest novel, Break Up For Two. 

Three authors spoke with Den of Geek during the event, and while their paths into storytelling varied, their advice converged again and again on the same principle ideas: growth as a writer requires discomfort, deadlines, and an honest relationship with one’s own work. 

The first of those authors was Punko, creator of Stagtown and Cinderella Boy, who spent much of the night discussing her creative philosophy. She was candid about the necessity of criticism in an artist’s development, urging writers to seek feedback rather than avoid it.

“Your goal as an artist and a writer, as a creator, is to create the best possible stories you can. You will not do that if all you do is seek out praise, because you don’t grow from praise; you grow from criticism,” she said. “It can be painful, but it’s necessary. It’s like riding a bike; you’re going to fall off of it, but if you don’t do that, then you’ll never learn.” 

The same clear-eyed approach carried into how she talked about balancing personal creative instincts with audience expectations. “What’s interesting for you to write as a writer is not always interesting for the audience to enjoy, and you have to know the difference between the two,” she explained. 

Beyond advice, Punko also shared exciting news about Stagtown‘s film adaptation. When asked how much involvement she would have in the project, Punko spoke warmly about partnering with LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie, and filmmaker Benjamin Brewer.  

“I feel extremely blessed that Margot and everybody at LuckyChap are very interested in working with the creators, like the source material, and really staying honest to their vision. And we have a terrific director, Ben Brewer. I’ve spoken to him on Zoom. He’s funny; he’s great,” she said. 

Derek V. Song, author of Fantasy High, brought a craft-focused perspective to the night, breaking down the two archetypes writers tend to fall into. “They say there’s two styles of writers; there’s architects and gardeners,” he explained. Gardeners let the story unfold as they write and, in Song’s words, “scare the fuck” out of him, while architects plan everything out before putting pen to page, which is more his style. 

Song offered a refreshingly practical take on writer’s block too, arguing that it’s often a symptom of too much freedom rather than too little. 

“I think writer’s block is almost like a liberty, you know? If I’m working on something that’s just me that has no deadline, no expectations, that’s where writer’s block comes in,” he said, which contrasts heavily with when the writer works on his WEBTOON series, “where readers are expecting a new episode every Monday.” 

In those cases, “there is no room for writer’s block” according to Song. 

Song also spoke of how innovative WEBTOON was when he first discovered it. After reading Lore Olympus, a well-known cultural titan, and discovering the WEBTOON format for the first time, Song remembered marveling at the virtual scroll and effect features on the app. 

“[WEBTOON] was doing things I had never seen before…I remember reading [Lore Olympus] for the first time back in 2019 and thinking, ‘Holy shit,’ like this is so new, so different,” he recalled. 

Rounding the night’s lineup was author E.M. Wilson, who, before signing copies for attendees, spoke with us about her career and time with both WEBTOON and Wattpad. Her road to publication, however, was far from smooth. Reflecting on her early attempts to break into traditional publishing, Wilson recalled a discouraging round of feedback from an agent. 

“They basically told me to give up… ‘Not everyone has a strength in writing, like you don’t really have an author voice that’s discernible,” Wilson remembers being told. 

Rather than quitting after that reflection, however, Wilson turned to Wattpad. “At the time that I joined, people were starting there, finishing a draft, getting feedback from people, and then pitching it,” she said. “So it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s where I’m at. At least I can have somebody tell me how to get better.” 

That decision eventually led to a publishing deal under the Wattpad/WEBTOON umbrella, spanning books, audiobooks, international deals, and now a webcomic. “It’s just one big happy family for me,” Wilson concluded happily. 

And so, after a night of drinking, drafting, and dreaming, it was clear the Writing Club had done exactly what it set out to do: get people to write, be creative, and have fun! 

The post Pens, Prose, and Pints: Recapping Wattpad’s SDCC Writing Club appeared first on Den of Geek.