Lee Jessup: Get your career that boost it needs

So today I went to an event held at Blank Spaces, where all the Script Anatomy classes are held. Tawyna Bhattacharya, founder of Script Anatomy, holds events with special guest speakers there from time to time. Today, she had Lee Jessup, screenwriting career coach, come and speak.

I'd heard Lee speak on screenwriting podcasts many times. But today I learned even more in this kind of setting, seeing her in person. She even had some of her clients there who seemed very happy with her services. She says she helps all levels of writers, from ones starting out to ones with huge careers looking for even bigger careers. But she had some great insights about setting goals for yourself and being accountable for your career, and it seemed that she'd be able to help writers, who are probably not that great about doing those things on their own, to see their careers blossom.

Overall it was a great talk and I walked away feeling very inspired. And that's something we writers need to keep going on this writing journey.

I'm not sure if or when I'll hire Lee, although I'd really like to and can see the value in it. If you're interested in learning more, http://leejessup.com/

Watch out for that tree!

So my friend sends me this story today, that was sent to her. We had been talking about focusing on the things you're grateful for, because if you do, then more of that comes into your life. Then she gets this story sent to her that says that exact thing. It's a story about a parachuter and as he's heading towards the ground, he sees a big tree right in his way, he keeps focusing on that huge tree, wishing he wouldn't hit it, but of course he lands right in the tree! The instructor tells him once he's on the ground, do you know why you landed in the tree? The guy answers, yes, it was right there, I was heading right for it! The instructor goes on to say, no, you were focusing on it, so that's why you hit it. If you focus on a tree, then yes, you'll land in it, there was plenty of open land for you, but you focused on the tree.

And the story goes on to say that this works for life too. So if you focus on all the lack of success or how hard it is for your writing career to take off, or all the contests you're not winning, and no director emails me back after my queries, well, guess what's going to happen? Yup! Exactly what you're focusing on!

So focus on your successes, no matter how small. And set your sights for what's on its way, things that you want to come into your life. Success! Eye that open land ahead of you instead of that big tree you're about to hit. Just remember, you're only getting snagged in your career if that's what you focus on. Happy landings!

You can't rush your career

So this morning my son in middle school told me he just wants to skip middle school and go straight to high school and college. For him it's all about the hockey and he wants to go straight to where it's more competitive. I told him he can't do that, he has to learn what he needs to in middle school because each part builds to the next and if he went straight to high school, he'd never succeed. He needs all those steps that lead up to it.

And that made me think of our careers as writers. I think many times we just want that success, that brass ring. But are we really prepared? Each of these moments we've been in have been the steps we needed to be able to handle the real success we want. Think of it this way -- imagine your career as your schooling when you were a child. Your first draft of a script, was like kindergarten. It seemed brilliant when you first wrote it, but now you look back at it and it looks like a bad finger painting! Then you move on to maybe a second script, another class, each step teaching you something new. You're growing as a writer. Maybe you'll get a girlfriend or boyfriend along the way, bullied by someone insecure, asked to hang with the popular kids. But you need all those steps and those will be the moments that you'll remember. Till eventually you find yourself graduating and someone hires you! But that can't happen overnight.

So next time you look to rush things, just remember, you're still learning. Enjoy the lessons. They're there for a reason. And before long, you'll realize it's time to graduate and go out into the real world.

Looking back. Looking ahead.

Every year I do a "where has my career flourished" kind of list and what I can be thankful for. It reminds me that even if my career isn't where I want it to be, it's definitely on its way. So here we go! The reason I do this is because every year, I focus on the positives and I can see the strides I have taken. I ask that you do the same. Because although you might not have an Academy Award yet, or a huge sale, you might have successes that you don't even realize. And those successes you should use to propel you further ahead. Each success, no matter how large or how small, will get you to the successes you want someday. If we ignore these successes, then we give up. And that's just not something I want any writer to do. Ever! So here is my 2014:

1. Still working with really high profile producer. This year he could win a few Oscars himself.
2. Working with a new producer that also has a few actors and movies being nominated for some big awards. Met him from working with #1 producer. Just goes to show why each success can open doors to others.
3. Going to contact another producer that I was working with from #1 producer. He left that company and went to a new company that is also getting Oscar buzz. Again, one door open leads to another open door.
4. Still have a script in development. Not sure what's happening with it. But, it did get me an imdb!
5. Have several big management companies reading my scripts, that have been involved in Black List scripts. So that's kind of exciting to be working with those level managers.
6. Going to get my script to a huge A-list comedy actor because turns out a good friend of mine knows their producer. Who knew!
7. Recently contacted by production company that wants to read several of my scripts. They are looking to produce films in 2015. Hello!
8. Contacted by another director/writer who also has money to produce in 2015. Hello again!
9. One of my scripts is with a huge casting agent that's looking to get an A-list actress interested in my latest feature. Got that same script to so many big industry people, the most I ever have in my career thus far. That was exciting!
10. Finished three feature scripts this last year.
11. Finished the outline to my latest spec TV script.
12. Just finished before New Years Eve, the outline to my next feature script. What timing! So excited about that!

There's probably even more successes I'm not even thinking about because these ones are so big the smaller ones start to not seem as big. But if you were to even look in my previous years, you'd see that every year the successes lead to new successes in the coming years. So sure, I don't have a script in the theaters just yet. But things are happening. It's a momentum that I can feel. It's exciting. People that can get my scripts made are talking to me and wanting to work with me. I am loving it! I can feel 2015 will be a great year. So take a look at your successes. Write them down. Be thankful for them. You have had them whether you know it or not. Don't dismiss them! You're on your way I promise you. Just. Keep. At. It! Happy and successful 2015!

It's in the light

So there's an experiment in quantum physics called the double-slit experiment. What does that have to do with screenwriting you ask? Well I'm going to tell you. See, this experiment had scientists send electrons through a wall slit and depending on the observers thoughts and how they predicted what they'd see, the light afterwards was either seen in waves or lines. So what that means in layman's terms or as I like to say, people who don't really care about quantum physics, is that even scientists have proved our thoughts create what we're going to see as the outcome.

So if we relate this to our success as a writer. Basically it means if we believe in our success, then it will happen. If we don't believe in it, then we won't see it happen! Unfortunately there are so many layers to success and what can get in the way of it. For instance, we might believe we are talented enough to be successful, but we might have a block when it comes to making lots of money. Or we might believe hard work is when success happens. So instead of it coming quickly or easily, we don't allow it to come till years and years of hard work.

So think through all your road blocks. When you come up with another thought that might get in the way or your writing career really soaring, just remember what the quantum physics scientist proved, our thoughts affect the outcome. So which outcome do you want to see? I know I'm planning on success. Hope you are too.

What's your focus?

We've heard many times in our life, whether it be from a school teacher, or perhaps a parent, maybe even a coach, "Focus!" Which pretty much means, use your thoughts and place them on one thing. As writers, we need to do the same thing. So I ask you, when you sit down to write, are you focused? Or are you all over the place? Are you allowing other things to get in the way of you writing? In order to succeed you've got to have one focus. We think multi-tasking is a good thing, but studies show that people who multi-task end up not doing anything well.

But being a writer takes a lot of discipline. It's not just sit down and type away. If only it was that easy. It means turning off the TV, not going out with friends on many occasions, and holing yourself up to get those words on the page. You've got to make your writing the most important thing if you want a career.

Then there's also focusing on one style of writing. Is it comedies, dramas, sitcoms? Sure you can expand as you feel like you've learned a style. I sure have. But if you don't get good at one genre, then you'll never have a body of work, which means you most likely won't get hired or sell anything either.

If you feel like you've focused on your writing, have you also focused on getting your scripts to the right people? I admit, that's one of my weaknesses. Yes, I'm admitting this to whomever happens to read this. I'm great at sitting down and writing, but getting it out? Not so good. But what help is writing a great script if no one is reading it but a writing group and a few friends? Are you better at this than me? Do you make a weekly or daily list of who to send your scripts to? Then do you actually follow through?

I just read an article on things that millionaires do for success. And one of the things it said was that every week they created a list of a few really key things they have to achieve that week. Then every morning or night of every day, they created a to-do list to help them reach those goals. And then each Friday, they do it again so that by Monday, they do it again! I really like that and think it will help me focus.

See, if we don't have a focus, we really have nothing. We're all over the map. And no career can reach success if we're not focused. So ask yourself if you're focused and if you're not then be honest with yourself and ask what can you do to get you there. I'm sure you can do it. It just takes well, focus.

LOA is no LOL matter

Maybe some of you know what LOA is, but for those who don't, let me explain. It stands for Law of Attraction. Those who swear by it, which I am one, say that whatever we think, brings more of that to us. So if we're in a great mood, good things come to us. Bad mood and complaining about everything we see, then more things to complain about come into our life. The book The Secret talks about it, which you've most likely heard or read about by now.

So why am I talking about it in a screenwriting blog? Because I believe in it and I swear it's why I have had the successes I have had up until now. And it's why I will continue to have more and more successes. It's why I've had doors open for me that friends in the business are like, how in the world did you get to THAT person?! LOA. But I don't want to be an LOA hog. I want to share! So that's why I feel like I need to write about it. Because guess what? LOA states that if we share our joy, then more things to be joyful come into our lives!

The thing is, you can deny it and say nah, none of this happens. You're a hippie dippie fool believing in fairy land. And that's fine. You have your opinion. But if you don't see your career flourishing the way you want, then what do you have to lose? Or maybe you have success and you think, "I don't believe in LOA and look how great my career has been!" But it's possible you have been thinking in LOA principles without even knowing what they are.

But what if for a moment, you accept and believe in LOA when it comes to your writing. I mean, if anyone needs to, it's us writers. We're hard on ourselves and constantly doubt if we'll succeed, wondering when and if the world will ever love our talent. Does that seem like it will bring success if we keep thinking like that? Not in the LOA world. But what if by changing your thoughts, accepting only the positive about yourself, you actually saw your career flourish? I mean, what have you got to lose? I'm not saying to be blind and foolish if all you're hearing are negative things about your writing. But if you have the desire to be a successful writer, then you should be! LOA proponents even say if we have the desire, then the universe is just waiting to bring that to us. All we need to do is get out of our way by believing it. That the more we doubt and fight our success, and the more we complain about not being where we want to be in our career, the more we keep the universe from bringing our success to us.

Look, even science agrees in LOA, because there are numerous studies that say we are energy and that like attracts like. Just as good thoughts bring good, bad thoughts bring bad. So it's not just the hippies that are on to this. The scientists agree! So shouldn't screenwriters?! Why not see what happens if you consider it? Try for a week and see what happens. See what comes into your world. You have nothing to lose, really. Exept maybe a stalled career. And isn't that what you wanted any way?

Writing is like getting your heart stomped on

So you finally see your career taking off. You get to the point where producers want meetings with you. They want to read pages of things you're working on. You're allowed on the set, without being chased off! It's happening! And it's all so exciting. Only the problem is, it's scary too! You're finally where you've always dreamed you'd be. But once you're there, your dreams are on the line. It's no longer just dreaming. It's seeing your dreams happen and possibly be even better than you ever imagined!

It's enough to make your skin crawl and make your heart feel like it's going to jump out of your chest! But it makes sense. Being a writer means you have a passion for what you do. And passion comes from your heart. So your heart is involved and pulled and tugged. And the things you create, are from your imagination. They are your babies, as we've heard many times. So if someone is going to critique our baby? Oh my god, look out! That's going to hurt. So that's why when you're seeing your dreams come true in this career, you can feel so vulnerable. Because it's as if you're like hi, here's my heart, now take it, stomp on it, rip it apart, pour acid in it, and then give it back so I can walk around with this battered thing. Ugh!

I can feel it with the script I'm working on now with the producer I only dreamed of working with. And he's actually calling me back on a more frequent basis. For the longest time it felt like I had to remind him, hi, I'm still here, we're still working on this right? Now he actually has the time, and he's actually waiting for pages. But as I'm sending them, it's as if I were sending my kid on an overnight trip for a week! And believe me, I haven't even done that!

So what's a writer to do? Well, first thing, breathe. If you've got the attention of a producer, no matter what caliber, you're doing something right. So remember that! Then, remember, they want to make this film, they are looking to make something wonderful. And if they are placing their trust in you, it's because you showed them some sort of talent. Then, unless you had your cousin Sue write your script and you put your name on it, you obviously know how to write a script. Remember that! You know how to do this! You are in this place because you're supposed to be!

Even as I'm writing my script for this producer, I just keep telling myself, I'm just doing what I've been doing all these years. It's really no different. The only difference is that I care more what he thinks. But I can't let that psyche me out. I just do what I know how to do. And what I love to do! No more, no less. If I psyche myself out, I'll fail. So breathe, and write. And exercise! That always takes the stress off of me. And before long, you just may see your best script yet. With a producer who can actually get it made! Voila! Imagine that.

Handling stress: A writer's guide to freaking out!

Oh boy, sometimes we writers have moments of freak outs. I used to think it was just a "me" thing. But my friend at one of the Networks recently told me they had a meeting with a psychologist on how to handle writers that are having nervous breakdowns. So it turns out, it's a writer thing! It must have to do with putting ourselves out there to be judged. It's not easy! We write something, create something, from our hearts and then once we do that, the world gets to tell us what they think. And it's not always pretty.  But we writers have to create, so putting ourselves out there is part of our job. So this past week, I've had a huge event in my career. Before it started I thought it was going to be the best thing ever. Once it started, I felt like I was in over my head and I haven't slept for four days. I can't really go into what it is yet, as I've been sworn to secrecy. But eventually I will write a blog on it. But for now, all you need to know, is that I'm pretty much in panic mode all week. I will say, that from the outside, you'd have no idea. There's another gal I'm working with and she's wearing her heart on her sleeve and you know she's in freak out mode. Me, I'm the one calming her down. But on the inside, I feel like what she looks like and like I'm ready to explode. It doesn't help that I don't drink or smoke, so I have nothing to calm my nerves. And I'm so busy I'm not getting to workout or do yoga, the only healthy things I do to help keep me calm. So I'm pretty much left hanging in the wind of panic. Luckily I have family and great friends that are my sounding boards and helping me through this, reminding me that it's all going to be okay. But, the fact is, I am pushing myself towards what could be a great successful moment for me and that's what I wanted to focus this post on. That we writers have to do that. We can't sit back on our laurels and not get to that yucky panic place. We have to constantly keep putting our work and ourselves out there so that we are always getting better. If we don't risk the freak out, then we're not pushing ourselves and then we're not growing. Believe me, it hasn't been fun feeling like I'm in panic mode all week. It's sucked beyond belief. But I will survive it. And already, I am feeling better as the week goes on. And at the end of all this, it could really turn into an amazing thing for my career. And if not? If it turns out to destroy my career, then I have to trust it's what's meant to be and then reinvent myself. And I'll survive that too. And, I really don't think that will be the case. In fact, the people I'm working with on this have had nothing but great things to say about my work and working with me. But, being a writer, I put a lot of pressure on myself. So I am just trying to remind myself that everyone is happy with me and my work and my panic is purely just an illusion. I'm not sure why I do that to myself. But, I also think it's what makes me a good writer. Because I'm always wanting to work so hard and please the people that invest their money and energy in me. So, if you are not putting yourself into panic modes once in awhile, then ask yourself, why not? Ask yourself if you're pushing yourself and your career. And if you're not, then can you really reach the goals of success you want as a writer? I'd have to argue you can't. It's those places of uncomfortableness where we reach greatness. And I am willing to risk the uncomfortableness to get to where I want to be in my career. I will survive this. And I promise, you will too. "Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new." Brian Tracy 

Let it be

How many times as a screenwriter does the "perfect" opportunity pass us up and we just think, how come?! Why me?! Why didn't this wonderful opportunity happen for me!!! Well, I'll tell you. It wasn't your opportunity to be had. I think the sooner we realize that, the better a writer we can become. See, there is a time for when our success will happen. But if we fight that, we are actually almost like the salmon swimming upstream. Only that salmon actually makes it. But for us, we're fighting against our current of success. And it's taking us much longer to get where we want to get. So instead of deciding what success is supposed to be yours, just witness the opportunities that come your way without judgement. And witness the ones that go away, with the same non-judgement. I guarantee you, you will find more success happening sooner when you do that.

Let me give you an example. If anyone has a kid, you'll understand what I'm about to tell you. My son wants these video game toys that we haven't been able to find since before Christmas. I don't care where we look, they don't exist. Online, toy stores, video games stores. Don't exist. So yesterday we found out about a shipment coming in. We were so excited. My son made his list. My husband got there two hours early before the store opened. We were like, yes, we're going to get some! But the store opens and the guy says, "Oh, they actually came a day early and they're all gone." Okay, I know, it's just a toy. But it was what it represented for my son and how many months we've really been looking for these darn things. So at first I'm way bummed. I tell myself, it's just a toy, but I'm still way bummed. But then after a few moments, I really accepted it. I realized, if it's meant to be, we'll find them. If not, there are worst things in the world.

I'm telling you, the moment I did that, something just changed and lifted in the universe. I could almost feel it. So then I start searching online, and I find two of the ones he put on his list! So now I'm like, awesome! I'm feeling better, but still feel the need to find the others. But at this point, I really had let go of the judgement of whether we found these toys or not.

So then we go to the mall just because my son loves walking around there. I tell him, we're not buying anything. He agrees. We go to our usual stores that never have these toys. And at the second store, guess what?! They actually had a whole display of them! That never happens! They literally must have just gotten their shipment in! So we grab two more on his list. I couldn't believe it! Now, before you think I spoil my kid, there's something you need to know, he has to save allowance to pay for these.

But that's besides the point. The point is, I let go of any judgement that went along with it. Would those toys have been there if I had held my judgement? I don't know. That's not what happened though is it. I could just tell that something aligned with me, that the minute I let go of some strong belief and anxiety over this darn toy, that it all worked out for the best.

And that's how we need to think of our screenwriting career as. Yes, we have to work hard, take classes, do the rewrites, join the groups. But...we have to not assign any judgement over when or where our success will happen. If we keep moving forward. Keep learning. Keep working hard. It will happen.

So to inspire you, I'll leave you a few wonderful Beatles lyrics from Let It Be. Every time something in your writing success hasn't happened, really feel and believe these words.

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be

All signs point to success

Do you ever feel like life sometimes seems so random? That we make plans and things happen, but that we don't really have control in the outcome? Well, it isn't random. There are things that happen, that we may not understand, that happen for a purpose for us to reach our success. But do you open yourself up so that life can bring you the wonderful things that are waiting for you?

Good things happen to me all the time. People that could propel my career constantly enter my life, and it's not an accident. But people I know are always amazed by it. But I create it by putting those thoughts into my mind, that I'll meet these people, that these doors will be open. And by doing this, and sending these thoughts out into the world, I watch the events that can help me come my way. My producer friend yesterday even said, "You're like this success magnet!" Because people just come into my life at the most oddest and unexpected ways.

Like yesterday, I was at this job seminar, because I'm a freelancer and always looking for new gigs. And I wasn't expecting much out of it. And in fact, I didn't learn anything from it. But I did meet this really awesome TV producer, and a mom who's daughter might be great for my horror film I'm producing. And that's why my friend was in awe. Because I do seem to meet people when others don't. I didn't go to network at this thing at all, but to listen to the speaker. But look what fell into my lap instead.

And I met with the producer for coffee today, because he seemed like a great guy and I wanted to talk to him about future stuff we could work on. So we're going to try and come up with shows we can pitch together. But who would have thought? It's surely not what I expected. But at the same time, I open myself to those kind of things to happen. I'm constantly on the look to see what great things the universe is going to bring me.

So ask yourself, are you open to talking to people you don't know? Do you look for interesting people and if you're drawn to talk to them, do you? Life sometimes puts these people on our paths, but it's up to us to strike up a conversation with them. It's not going to just be handed to us without us making a move.

I remember on one occasion, years and years ago when I was in Bali, I was having this career crises as I wondered if I should pursue screenwriting. I knew it would be a long road to study the craft, and even though I wanted to do it, I wondered if it was really worth it. Wondered if I should just stay the course with advertising instead. I was really torn.

So I go to this nightclub, where there's nothing but young people dancing and getting their drink on. All except for this one 60 year old man, with a silver, long beard and pony tail, playing the flute. He stood out like a sore thumb. But he seemed so happy! Most the kids kind of snickered at him, and ignored him. But I thought, how cool is it that this guy is doing what he loves, with no care in the world. So I told my friends, "I'm going to dance with that guy." I was so impressed with his ease in his own skin. And as soon as I started dancing with him, he tells me in a prophetic way, "You're going through something." I was shocked! How did he know?! He goes on to tell me, "You need to believe in yourself. And if you do, you can achieve anything you want." I couldn't believe it! This man said exactly what I needed to hear. And I agreed then and there that this was no coincidence and I never looked back on my screenwriting. But if I had been like every other person in there, I would have ignored my fate.

So ask yourself, are you ignoring yours? Are there signs in your life that you pretend they didn't happen? And do you ignore your gut feelings to connect with a stranger that says something that really strikes a chord with you, but then you just brush it off as probably something silly. I just want to say, don't! There are sign posts on the path of our life that will guide us to success. But it's up to us to follow them. And if we don't, we will find we've gone the wrong way.

So it's up to you. Do you want to achieve your success or not? You just need to be open to it, and follow the signs.

Plan for Success

So the New Year is upon us. There's a lot we can do with it. Promise to write more. Promise to get an agent. Promise to read more scripts or take more classes. It doesn't matter what you resolve to do to move your career forward, but just do something! For me, I can already see the New Year is heading in the direction I want. I have a lunch scheduled with a great producer so we can figure out what to work on together. I have another script with another great producer that we will find out in January if she wants to get involved. I plan on pitching to another great producer some ideas in January. And I have another idea with two other big production companies. So my 2012 is starting off exactly how I want it to. But what about yours? If you haven't set some goals for yourself and your writing, then use the time now. You can't achieve what you want unless you make some plans. So plan to be successful and map it out.

One book I'll suggest is Jack Canfield's Success Principles. Best book ever! Really helps you get motivated and make a plan and stick to it. I wouldn't be in the place with my career without his book. Seriously. I can't recommend it to enough people. And not everyone is going to read it or do the things he says. But then, you're really not ready for success. So ask yourself, are you? If the answer is yes, then make this the year you really achieve it or at least lay the foundation to get there.

Also, resolve to get rid of any negative people that could be tainting your road to success. I've had several of those people at the end of the year. And I'm hoping that it's the 2011 energy saying good-bye, and then making way for only awesome positive people in my career. The more we focus on the positive people we want in our lives, the more they will come into them.

So there you have it. Make this your best writing year ever! I know I plan to do it with mine. I'd love to have you along for the ride.

Have a safe and happy

New Year!