Tag Archives: Encouraging

Network, Network, Network

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As a (currently unemployed) writer, sometimes I go days without speaking to anyone other than my sister and my dogs.  A writer’s life is already fairly solitary and add a few other non-social qualities and you’ve got a creative hermit.  My sister and I moved to Los Angeles together without knowing anyone and I would still say our acquaintances are few and far between.  It’s been a bit of a struggle (I will write another post, or three, on moving and living here for those of you considering it) and meeting people has been difficult…and as an aspiring screenwriter, meeting people is key.  You have to get out, mingle, socialize, network.  So last night I attended an event at the Writers Guild.  It was specifically for animation writers, which I am not, but the guest speaker is a friend, so I went to support.  In the course of the evening I met a few people with shared interests and it felt good to be around others creatively inclined.

AboveLAWhen I used to vacation in LA, I couldn’t imagine living here.  The city is HUGE and I was always a little unsure about the move (because I was a big chicken), but I knew it was something I was going to have to do in order to make my career aspirations a reality because this is where the action is.  For those of you who do live here, there are so many opportunities to take advantage of; free screenings, free seminars, meet and greets, events, etc. through numerous organizations.  For those of you who do not, there are still plenty of avenues at your disposal; states have a film commission where information can be found in regards to film companies and productions shooting in the area which might lead to other opportunities (guest speakers), the website Meetup lists writers groups (genre specific groups available as well) and opportunities to mix and mingle, and some groups, like Women in Film (which is not only for women), have chapters worldwide.  You may also want to look into your university or community college for classes that offer a chance to meet other writers or offer other opportunities like monthly meetings.

My tip of the day (which I must also take to heart): Get out of the house.  Escape those four walls.  Meet people.  Network.  It’s not only good for your writing but your mental well being too.

Have a great weekend!

Taking the Weekend

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CastleGardensI’m not sure if all writers are like this, but I find that being an artist (yes, that is what we are no matter how snooty that may sound) can sometimes be all consuming;  I’m always thinking about my writing, that I should be writing, that something random might work well in my writing, etc. and that can lead to burnout.  There are two given days at the end of the work week that are meant to be taken and enjoyed.  I, myself, have found this very hard to do, but gave it a try this weekend by undertaking two big projects that would be too distracting and exhausting to leave me creative.  Side note: what I’ve learned about most writers is that we all have a little crazy about us.  I am borderline OCD when it comes to being organized, so I decided to reorganize the garage and this storage/crawl space in my apartment (and my body is thanking me for it).  Another side note, I still felt guilty that I hadn’t done anything with my writing for two days…baby steps.

Wizard'sHat, OR

So here is my tip: Take the weekend!  Recharge your creative battery.  A little distance from your work might actually be good for both of you.

*These pictures are just reminders that I don’t live near either of these places, but need to get outside more.

Good luck and have a good week!

Network: American Zoetrope

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When I set out to maintain a blog, it was part of a professional to do list I had created for myself (1 of 25 items, of which approaching my career more professionally was also on the list, hence the list).  Another item was to find and research useful sites that offered either information, sound advice, networking opportunities, or all of the above.  So yesterday I shared Stage 32.  Today, American Zoetrope.  The site was developed by Francis Ford Coppola and is open not just to screenwriters, but all writers, artists, musicians, actors, directors, etc.

The site offers you the opportunity to have your work read by a wide audience and receive feedback, in return you must do the same for others, but a little heads up, there are deadlines and rules.  In the screenwriting “room” you must read 3 scripts and offer feedback before being allowed to submit your own work, and there is a time limit for how long your work will be available (30 days) on the site and how long you have to read and review others (you receive an additional 10 days to write the review).  I think this is a great service as it allows you to be more objective which in turn might help you in your own writing.  Plus, it’s free!  Also, there’s an annual contest (deadline was in September, I missed it by 2 days…).

I hope you find this useful!

Happy Sunday!

Network: Stage 32

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Happy Saturday!  I thought I’d share this great networking site, Stage 32.  I joined it recently and it’s a great way to meet people in different capacities (mostly film related) all over the world, share ideas, ask questions, and find work.

Give it a look!  Have a wonderful and productive weekend!

 

Reminders

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I have a cork board above my desk with pictures and quotes that I stare at whenever my mind starts to wander, or when I’m on the phone, or thinking about what I might type next.  I stare at it a lot.  I think quotes are useful (obviously, as I post them frequently) as a reminder of my purpose and a tool of encouragement.  Maybe one day I’ll have my own quote that others will quote.  That would be nice.  I came upon a quotes site and within a few short minutes found a handful I wanted to repost everywhere and figured I should just share the page.  The reason I went to the page was because of this one —  http://www.livelifehappy.com/

Dream Big, Work Hard, Stay Focused, and Surround Yourself with Good People.

I encourage you to find a few (but don’t waste too much time surfing) that you can put on the fridge or near your computer to remind you of why you are doing what you are doing, or encourage you in your endeavors, or escape your restrictions, whatever it is that you need to do what you want.  I even have a couple from a Dove chocolate square and a fortune cookie, but they spoke to me.  I have two that I love that contain great messages and helpful tips for something I was once guilty of —

Never Apologize For Your Art!

Your Work Is Not You!

Have a great, productive weekend and best of luck!!

Pick yourself up…dust yourself off

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So, I’ve been absent for a little while.  I received another rejection, this time from a job opportunity, and then went on a mini-vacation (literally – this is not a metaphor for what has happened to my brain).  It was good timing.  I’ve been wanting to get out of Los Angeles, if at least for a few days, and regain some perspective.  I haven’t been away since last Thanksgiving and the walls have been closing in.

On the drive in and out of town there is such darkness and calm; there are stars enough to resemble a layer of glitter across a vast expanse and for miles in all directions you can feel like the only one in existence.  Those moments allow you to reflect on your life, your choices, your present course and remind you how small and insignificant you are in the face of such infinite wonder.  It’s not as if I had some grand epiphany, but I did reflect on my current situation and come to terms with the fact that there is truly nothing else I’d rather do.  I don’t always know where the story ideas come from, but they keep coming (fingers crossed/knock on wood)…so what else would I do?

The life of an artist, any type of creative, is a difficult one.  We not only have to produce the work but then try to make everyone else take notice of it and hopefully pay us for it so we can survive a little longer in order to produce another work.  I don’t think we, artists, choose this life willingly.  We have no other option.  For who would choose to be poor, take menial jobs to survive, spend hours upon hours alone, have your family continually tell you to find a “real” job, have naysayers demean your value, etc?  This is the hand we were dealt, and without us the world would be a very different, boring, lacking in imagination, and colorless place.

So take heart, have faith in yourself and your work, and continue on!  Surround yourself with people who encourage and support you, for they are the ones who make this journey bearable and help you retain any amount of sanity.  Here are two of mine (when they were babies) —

IMG_0774

Rejection

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This year I entered two screenwriting competitions with my second script.  It was the first time I had entered anything, and I was hopeful, but not naive.  When the first rejection letter came in, that my script had not advanced, it stung, and I was sad for a couple of days.  At the end of the mourning, I was more determined.  That’s when I really started taking things more seriously.  I was gonna show ’em all!

When I received the second rejection I was unfazed (well, not as sad as the first time).  Rejection is a part of the process.  Every successful writer I’ve read about has always mentioned the heap of rejection letters tucked away in some box, hidden away, never to see the light of day…and I was on my way to following in their footsteps.  And I found that I was proud of myself for putting my work out there.  That was a stressful click of the mouse.  That first “SEND” had never looked so ominous, but I found it gets easier.

So for those of you in the same boat, here are a few inspirational rejection quotes:

A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success. – Bo Bennett

Rejected pieces aren’t failures; unwritten pieces are. – Greg Daugherty

We will not allow rejection to beat us down. It will only strengthen our resolve. To be successful there is no other way. – Earl G. Graves

We all start somewhere.  Go get ’em!  Wishing you all the best of luck!

It’s all about the routine!

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In an effort to approach my career more professionally I’ve taken to reading numerous articles daily about “the craft” and the like.  I came upon this article recently, originally posted by James Clear (jamesclear.com/daily-routines-writers) about the daily routines of 12 famous writers and how they can be applied to our own lives.  Most writers wake up early and exercise.  I have two dogs so I walk and jog a little daily, but today I tried exercising.  We’ll see how long that lasts.  I hate mornings.

I, myself, am all about routine.  Having the dogs helps too, as they keep me on track, but I’m a night owl.  I write best, I feel, in the late hours of the night when the world is asleep, dark and quiet.  There are no distractions; no phone calls, few Facebook updates, no pressing matters.  And I can play a few mind numbing rounds of Tetris without feeling guilty.  I read somewhere that Bret Easton Ellis plays too.  That makes me feel better.  Sometimes, while I’m spaced out, negotiating odd-shaped blocks into a perfect pattern, I can workout whatever little bump in the writing road I’ve encountered.

Henry Miller’s routine in particular struck me so I thought I’d share – In 1932, the famous writer and painter created a work schedule that listed his “Commandments” for him to follow as part of his daily routine. This list was published in the book, Henry Miller On Writing.

  1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.
  2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to “Black Spring.”
  3. Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
  4. Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
  5. When you can’t create you can work.
  6. Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
  7. Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
  8. Don’t be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
  9. Discard the Program when you feel like it—but go back to it next day.Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
  10. Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.
  11. Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.

Good Luck!