Author: Taryn O'Neill

Being a science nerd is the best. Seriously. Every morning I get an email blast from Science News Daily that contains at least 10 mind blowing stories about new discoveries in science. They could be about genetics, the environment, ancient artifacts, the universe, search for dark matter, invisibility cloaks. It is almost like getting a new Harry Potter (speaking of invisibility cloaks) meets Indian Jones trailer delivered to my screen every morning — my imagination gets that excited. I then dive into my writing projects with gusto, infused with the cosmic magic that has become reality because of science. But…

You get up, check your email, your news feed, twitter, you tweet something, links, feelings, comments, your meditation, you run to the gym, your day job, juggling five projects you’re working on, on the side, in your head, writing while you write, thinking while you think, multiple levels of processing going on as you blog, video blog, network, always on, always connected. Coffee, drinks, meet ups — everything is live, in the now — Your creativity is running a triathlon. Full steam ahead, focused and ambitious, purposeful. Because we are always on, connected, even when we are at play –…

As creatives, we are constantly evolving. We ride the wave of an ever-morphing media landscape. And in doing so, we accumulate many ‘things’ along the way – projects, contacts, social networks. Not to mention the ‘stuff’ of our hyper consumer based society. But with the ebbs and flows of career and life, we often have no time to clear away the clutter that is forming in our lives. Instead, we create one more folder or bookmark, buy one more plastic bin from Target. And don’t give it much thought. Until we are forced to. Three months ago, almost to the…

I am no stranger to writing about how I re-branded myself into a badass. That image is cultivated by my training in martial arts, my ability and willingness to do fight scenes, wield a weapon and be the aggressor — whether with words or weapons. As a writer, my scifi scripts have healthy doses of action and fight scenes often with the badass female character mowing down the alien enemy or kicking some douchebag’s ass. Kickass action scenes, whether writing or watching them ‘Pump Me Up’. But when I step back from this work, fiction or not, I am forced…

I was 8 when I first cut it off. It was my birthday and I was having a roller skating party. I remember I wore a purple and white striped leotard, purple nylon dance pants and matching warmers. But what I remember most was the anticipation… waiting for my friends to arrive so that I could open the door and VOILA! Have them all freak out because I had CUT my hair. All. Off.  My long frizzy curls had been cropped into a boy short mop. (Which I would be oft reminded of by adults who called me ‘son’ or…

Over a two week period three years ago, I wrote what people like to call a ‘monster post’ or a ‘long read’. It is about Patterns, Physics and Parodies… and it’s about the Future of Art. As I take a few weeks off from posting here at “Ms. In. The Biz” to finish some big projects, I revisited this piece and found that it still resonated – it still made me excited to be a creative and pushes me to step up my game changing work. It inspired me, even though I wrote it. So I hope it inspires you.…

No one can be everything to everyone. The web is The Sprawl…proliferating, growing exponentially.  A new, impossibly cool site reveals itself every day… whispering that you should visit, aspire to it… Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram… a new person, a new narrative, edges blurred, deconstructed hair and a soft glow, whose inhabitants live by music and cocktails alone. Where is your invitation? There’s so much to know, so much to touch. How can you be in the know and on the perpetual cutting edge? Dip your toe into the new world for a moment and hope that they acknowledge you, welcome you,…

On the eve of San Diego Comic Con 2013, it’s time for a new Spark Your Soul/ Brain! For the first time in 5 years, I’m unable to attend Con (*sad face*) but that doesn’t mean that I can’t get into the geektastic spirit and send the rest of you off with some thought provoking and inspiring articles & videos to help occupy your long waits for Hall H. A topic is always lurking the halls of a Con is that of the ‘fake geek girl’. I’ve even written a blog post about it on my website in reaction to…

True story. Guess what? The callback went awesome. I was funny, engaging, had a director who seemed really interested to work with me. He and the clients just seemed to like everything I was doing. None of my earlier frustrations had entered the room with me. I didn’t book it. This is my life as an actor and it made me want to write this post. The media portrays acting as glamorous: Movie and TV stars, YouTube celebs… all living ‘the life’: money, fans, excitement, glamour. Even some of us non-celebs active on social media publicize the ‘fun stuff’–…

I am working on a bunch of new posts for you Ms. In the Biz readers but stumbled across a post I wrote a while back (which barely saw the light of day) that I wanted to share.  It is significant to me — as I think it may be to many of you — as it explores a time when I had just started ‘re-branding’ myself. Into ‘the badass’  Many of you reading this may want to change how the industry perceives you. I know I did. This was the beginning part of my process, understanding the truth behind…

Part of my goal in blogging here on Ms. In the Biz is to share my love of brainy and inspiring things. It’s phenomenal when I stumble upon an article with no apparent connection to my work that ultimately sparks an idea or brings a new, important perspective to my life. We have more information around us than we can think to handle, so if I can point you in the digital direction of a few things that I think will enrich your life, I am happy to do so!  I believe everything that affects your soul will ultimately…

How do I put into words the experience that was my trip to Asia and how do I make it applicable to all of you lovely readers? If you were following along on my Tumblr page, you know that for two weeks, I voyaged to three amazing places: Shanghai China, Langkawi Malaysia and Singapore. I stayed at some of the most beautiful hotels in the world, had amazing excursions to explore the areas and mind blowing meals – it was a deliriously amazing trip that I am so grateful to have experienced. And let’s be honest, every post and pic…

This may date me, but I loved MacGyver. I was a super fan. I loved its action, its inventiveness, the international locales and the science smart think tank that was The Phoenix Corporation. I had a crush on Richard Dean Anderson, dug his mullet and leather vests, plus it was extra cool in that it was shot in Vancouver (my hometown). We all know what MacGyver’s ‘super power’ was: it was the ability to cobble together a solution to a dire problem with the most random objects. Just when all seemed to be lost, that paperclip, gum wrapper and duct…

This is a post that I wrote in late 2010, which I still find relevant every time I read it, especially as I still struggle to find my right ‘orbit’ when it comes to working on and defining my career. —————————– Do you have a mentor? Do you have that one person in your life who is an established figure in your chosen field who is your guide, your champion?  Do you have that someone who you can turn to, ask advice of and seek direction from, someone who helps to nurture your talent and open doors for you, as…