The Writer's Life: 12 Questions with Film Critic and Writer Beth Lisogorsky

I talked to Beth about how she became the ultimate go-to voice, her secret to juggling multiple genres, and how she tackles being a 'neuro-spicy' writer

If you’re into film and television culture and you’re on Substack, chances are you’ve heard of

Beth Lisogorsky

, savvy curator of what’s worth your time on screen. She finds films you may not have heard of yet, like (for me) the film You Hurt My Feelings; digs up older films that you may have once loved, but now forgotten, like Great Expectations; and gives you her take on what’s new— what everyone’s talking about, like The Perfect Couple, which I, thanks to her, just finished binge-watching last night.

Not only do her articles offer a fresh perspective on film and television, but they’re put together with just the catchy titles and layouts our waning attention spans need. Simply put: she gets what makes a Substack shine.

Okay, okay, I know— I’m gushing, but that’s because Beth’s articles are worth gushing over. Beth has become my go-to film expert. Now whenever I watch something, I find myself wondering, “hmmm… what would Beth say about this?” Gaging from her comments section, I’m clearly not the only one. I was curious— how does one reach this highly sought-after ‘go-to person’ status. Here’s what Beth had to say about it:

Beth: Wow. Go-to person? That means so much. I mean with my family, I am that go-to person people talk to about film and TV. Have been forever. Also with anything pop culture related. I can tell you which celebrity is dating whom and who said what to whom. I’m oddly preoccupied with such details. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t. For Substack, it’s new - being the place people go to for TV and film and people counting on me. I’ve been at it for over 3 years and had a very modest number of subscribers. It’s only since I did a career pivot that I’ve been able to devote more time to growing my community here and I’m loving it. I think maybe it’s related to the Substack algorithm but I’ve managed to accrue this uniquely “Beth” blend of pop culture enthusiasts, tv and film reviewers, book recommenders, music lovers, and personal memoirists, that I’m not sure existed a few years ago or just took some time for me to figure out. Either way, I’m so grateful!

When and how did you first start writing about film and its culture? 

Beth: It’s a great question. To start, I’ve always loved watching TV and films. Like many households, TV was the great emotional equalizer growing up. It didn’t matter what your day was like and what varied interests we all had, even if we were all secretly mad at each other, we all sat on that couch, when a show started and turned our attention to this one thing together, or most of us anyway. (I have four siblings) Nevertheless, when it was time for “Murder She Wrote,” we all stopped and watched the TV together and tried to solve this crime and were united in this task. I think it was through these experiences that I discovered the profound influence of media—how art possesses a healing quality and can foster a sense of connection among us.

I started doing film reviews for newspaper outlets in my 20s. I remember covering the Israeli Film Festival in Jerusalem in the aughts and enjoying that so much. I guess in retrospect I was “fame adjacent” which holds appeal and produces a high.  I went on to do a myriad of film reviews, among them, Miranda July’s, “Me And You And Everyone We Know” (2005) for PopMatters, a site dedicated to literary pop culture essays, and occasional pop culture posts for the Jewcy, a Jewish cultural zine. 

Then I stopped writing about TV and film when I had kids for a while. I sort of regret that (not the kids part!) but I also had a lot going on. I went back to school for my MBA and worked full-time while having a family and that was plenty. The month I graduated Magna cum laude with my business degree in February 2021, I started my TV and Film Recommendations Substack, originally called “Beth’s Exceptional Video Playlist.” That was my gift to myself! Also, I couldn’t imagine not reclaiming a “me” space after graduating and since my Masters really taught me time management, posting weekly while still doing all the other things wasn’t a challenge.

The perfect segue into my next question: how do you schedule writing your newsletter into your daily life?

Beth: I have three calendars - one for writing, one for my day job consulting, and another for personal life. I slot ideas for Substack into the writing calendar. As ideas tend to pop up at inconvenient times (showering, in the car, on a walk), I’ve learned to use Google Docs to jot ideas during the week. These ramblings eventually form the post of the week. I write my posts like I think. I don’t write in a linear fashion. I do my headline, subheadline and do the intro paragraph or graphic. Then I go to the end, “Let’s Discuss” elements and pop in “People from the Community” elements - which Substack writers I want to highlight based on relevancy or new writers. This is probably above and beyond your ask but I’m always so curious how people put posts together. I assemble posts like a mosaic - the edges and then make my way to the middle either from the top or the bottom. I sometimes attribute this to my “neuro spicy” tendencies but wonder if others do the same. 

Thank you. I love this inside look into your process. I, too, am such a curious person when it comes to how other writers put together their work, the actual logistics of doing it. Do you have a favourite spot to write at?

Beth: In my bedroom at my organized desk, with my noise-canceling headphones on, looking out the window from time to time playing desk jockey detective. Coincidentally this would make for a wonderful podcast series’ name if it’s not already taken.

Desk Jockey Detective— I love the name. Can we go back to before you were writing film reviews in your twenties; did you write at all before that or did you come by writing through your love for film? Or… maybe a better question would be, what was the seed that made you want to write?

Beth: I didn’t really find my voice until after college when I started blogging. It was like all of the sudden my personality had a place to grow and blossom. My “stream of consciousness” way of connecting dots had a home in TV and film blogging. It wasn’t any specific event that I can recall, apart from me being committed to finding an outlet for my ideas and connecting with other pop culture/tv/film people.  

As an aside, I always thought I was bad at writing in school. Procedural writing and essays weren’t easy for me unless I had a defined structure ahead of time and even with that, it was never a fulfilling form of expression, leading to empty motivation. I didn’t have my creativity stoked or nurtured by teachers who commended my writing. I didn’t keep journals and still have a hard time doing that, even though when I do, I find it very useful. I say this in the event it helps others in similar shoes, and by that I’m referencing running shoes (with good arch support).

I’m sure it does. You don’t only write about film, you’re writing a novel too, which takes up a lot of creative energy. We’re back to logistics. How do you make time for both?

Beth: Systems and habits. For the book, a romance fiction novel, I started it a few years back, but never made headway on it. Then roughly two years ago, I joined an online writing community run by author Jessica Brody, and learned about “beats” and a system for writing sprints. What helped me the most was committing to two chapters a week. To do this, I created a Substack, Clicking & Waiting, where I published chapters in the form of posts. This accountability allowed me to finish the book! Although I haven't received an official ADHD diagnosis, I experience difficulties with executive functioning, particularly in managing both big-picture goals and smaller details. These challenges can sometimes impact my ability to effectively execute tasks and projects, but they can also shape my mood and mindset. Those lower levels of dopamine are real!  I decided to lean into my strengths - I’m incredibly disciplined and if I know someone is expecting something from me, like a weekly chapter, I deliver. The same rule of thumb applies to my TV and Film Substack. 

Do you create in any other medium? How do you nurture your creativity?

Beth: I used to play competitive piano and sing when I was younger. Now, I’m an aspiring yet-to-be formally published author. Creativity also factors into my day job. I’m a consultant who helps companies and academic institutions find their voice and grow their online communities. Even though I put my laptop away, my brain still fires plenty of ideas so this is an effective channel. Being a mom means channeling creativity into guiding my kids as well. 

Yes! Raising children is a creative act. It’s like you’re working on an 18 year project with material that has a life of its own. You’re constantly adapting and thinking of new ideas to add to what’s already there, and others are constantly observing this marvelous creation with interpretations of their own (whether you like it or not). Is there anything you’d like to share about being a writer/creative and being a mother too?

Beth: My  kids are the biggest inspiration, in writing and life. I’ve always known I wanted to be a mom and I’m really so grateful I was gifted with such beautiful children and able to be here with them in this life. Writing came later. When the kids were younger and even now from time to time, I found it hard to balance everyone’s needs against my own, and not feel like I was losing myself. Eva Mendes, the actress, commented recently about being a mother in different stages, and as her daughters get older, this experience of “feeling lost,” and it’s definitely something I relate to. You’re happy for your kids’ continued growth and development and yet you mourn certain stages of their life that cease to exist. And this cycle of continued grief creates such a profound awareness and opportunity for self-reflection and connection. I realize it’s an odd way to look at life and growth, through the lens of grief, but it’s an honest one too.

Introvert or extrovert?

Beth: I resist categorization. That said, definitely an introvert. I mean I blush when I unexpectedly bump into my neighbor at a bookstore. What even is that? I am super chatty 1:1 but I’m more of a listener. At at party, I’m the one in the corner or outside with the smokers, even though I don’t smoke and hate my hair smelling like smoke. That said, I will always prefer to spend an afternoon watching a movie or show solo, or going for a walk with a friend or family member than attending a social outing with a bunch of people. My best ideas and thoughts always happen when I’m alone.

I think we can all relate 😀 Thank you, Beth!

What’s your biggest lesson when it comes to writing?

Beth: Writing is about self-discovery and reflecting on our purpose. If someone had told me in my 20s that I would learn so much about myself, and my place in the world, by writing about films and TV I wouldn’t have believed them. Most times what others deem insignificant or trivial isn’t an accurate barometer of your values. I wished I’d believed in myself more and claimed my narrative earlier on, [and told others to bugger off.] I placed too much trust in others (what they remembered of a shared past, what they thought about me, etc) and not enough in myself. I didn’t realize placing trust in others that comes at a cost to your self-worth can be a co-occurrence. But the anger was useful too. It told me something was off. The Oscar Wilde quote about being yourself because everyone else is taken runs very true. 

I love your answer because it’s the truth, which leads me to ask: when you write, who do you write for? Is it for yourself or do you have a reader in mind? Oh… and is the answer different when you’re working on your novel and when you’re writing about film?

Beth: When I write, regardless if it’s a book or tv/film review, I’m having an internal dialogue - conversation with a pretend friend. I whisper the words aloud as I write as if I”m talking to this non-existent person. It’s confessional. It’s odd that I’ve never given this much thought and yet it’s fascinating. Do you do this?

Thank you for asking. Unfortunately, a lot of the time, I’m writing to my inner critic. But life is a process, so there’s hope for me yet. When things are going well, I’m able to see a group of pretend friends, and then, I write for them. What’s the last thing you binge watched?

Beth: The Perfect Couple on Netlfix! It’s an adaptation of the best-selling Elin Hilderbrand book about a wealthier-than-God (think this is a quote from the show) family living in Nantucket, the Winburys. They are so corrupt and the dialogue is abysmal. One of my Substack subscribers commented that it’s like a beach-read and it totally is. This is not high brow stuff, but it’s entertaining as hell. 

I know what you mean, I just finished watching it last night. Sometimes those shows are exactly what’s needed. Lastly, can I finish off by asking what your favourite book was this year? 

Beth: Oddly, it was a personal memoir about a woman’s experience losing her mother to cancer as a child. I use the word “oddly” because I am a woman who lost my mom to cancer as a child and I can’t think of a more vulnerable and potentially uncomfortable read. And yet, through the tears and the laughs, it’s the most memorable. It’s called, Did I Ever Tell You, and it’s written by Genevieve Kingston. The stark contrast between Kingston's mother's open approach to her struggles and my own mother's more private handling of her condition deeply intrigued me. Kingston's mother's grappling with her issues stood in sharp relief against my recollections of my mother's more guarded demeanor. This disparity evoked a complex emotion in me—perhaps a form of wistful envy—as I contemplated the different ways families navigate such challenges and how I’ve dealt with my own emotions surrounding her loss. It’s not to say it was all roses in the book, but there was preparation for the inevitability and an acknowledgment of future self (in the form of gifts the mother imparted to her kids for yearly birthdays) and present pains.

---

Beth, thank you for being so generous with your time and answers. I got so many takeaways!

And to all the readers, Beth has an October Romance Film Lovers Club that starts next week.

P.S For all my readers who aren’t regularly on Substack, did you know there’s a heart button at the end of each article? If you liked this interview, I’d be ever so grateful if you hit the button. It helps me reach more readers and grow my work. Comments really help too. Thanks so much and see you next week 🧡