How to get rid of the excuses that keep you from success

So most screenwriting blogs are about technique. And that's fine. We writers definitely need that. But what I like to write about is how to move past our blocks that help us reach success. So right now I'm listening to one of my favorite authors, Wayne Dyer. His new book is called, "Excuses Begone". This book I must say, has done more for me than any thing I've ever read or heard. Ever. Maybe it's because I've read a lot of books like this and it's just that it's finally resonating with me. The premise is that it's all about how we are aligned with an inner source that is who we are, and what our life purpose is. Now, if you're not religious at all, I'm sure you can have that inner source be whatever power that makes sense for you. But what's important, is that this book really helps you reach the screenwriting success you've been looking for. It helps you understand why we make excuses, where they come from and how to finally just say, no more! The premise of the book is that we allow these excuses to keep us from reaching the potential of who we are meant to be. So it finally helped me see, that in order to reach my success, I have to stop believing these excuses I've listened to my whole life. The funny thing is, we don't even realize we're doing them. But as I was listening to the book, I could see how many stops I've had in my career. How many blocks I'd allowed in my career. And it finally helped me push beyond them.

Since this book, I've set up a meeting with one of the producers I've been working with, but he had been too busy lately. But I went beyond my comfort level and got his attention in a way I'd never done before. I also reached out to a friend who's husband is a big wig at a studio. Something I felt uncomfortable to do up until now. I've also reached out to many producers and managers that up until now, I'd never have felt comfortable doing. I even got a gig through a producer I worked with years ago, but just never contacted him. But why not? I reached out to him and he had an assignment for me right away. Although it was a short film, it was something that could eventually get me a lot of attention. And the fact is, each assignment is something that allows the universe to build upon my success. The fact is, I'm allowing success to happen. I'm in the flow of it.

So, if this book sounds at all interesting to you, I think you should check it out. I'd like to hear if it helps you like it's helped me. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Writing genres that are not your own

Okay so we all hear as screenwriters that you have to be specialized in a genre. And I get that. Mine is comedy. I've studied, written tons, feel like I'm just always getting better and better. Feel like it's really my specialty at this point. But, I also seem to be getting all these opportunities in other arenas. So what's a writer to do? Well heck, I'm not one for looking a writing opportunity in the mouth. So if it comes my way, then I jump on it! So I've recently been concepting for a Cartoon Network producer. Luckily most of what they want these days is comedy, so it wasn't that far off my comfort zone. But, the new shows on there are really zany. Push the envelope. Don't even have to make sense, as far as a world, that is. So that was something new for me. I was working with a writer friend who loves animation, so that helped. But even he had to wrap his brain around the fact that we really had to push our ideas. If it made sense, then it wasn't pushed far enough. And it was a fun exercise. And we ended up coming up with a bunch of ideas we really liked! We're still waiting to hear from the producer on what she liked, but I can say that I'm really happy with what we came up with. And if I hadn't tried to learn a new genre, I never would have had this chance. And most recently, an opportunity to write horror film shorts has come into my life. A producer I had written something for years ago, I contacted recently and he said he needed horror shorts. Okay, horror movies are the ONE thing I won't go see because they scare the heck out of me. Yes, I know, that's the point. But I can't sleep if I see them! So I don't go. But, again, I am not one to turn down an opportunity to write for a producer and get something actually produced. So I told him yep, I can do that! And proceeded to watch all the horror film samples he wanted me to see. Sure, I didn't sleep that whole week because I was scared out of my mind! And then also, once I'm writing, I get so many ideas they come to me at all hours of the night. But I've sort of learned part of being a writer means having odd sleep patterns at times. But so far the producer has approved two of our ideas! And I plan to give him even more. The more produced, the better, in my opinion. And now I have this awful feeling I'm going to become an expert in writing horror movies! LOL Which would be so funny since that was so not my intention. But I don't know. I feel like being a screenwriter is a journey. And we don't always know where we will end up. And that's it not really our decision to figure out when and where our success will happen. Sure, we can guide it. We can study the craft we want to excel in. But screenwriting is all about story telling. If you learn the craft, you can learn to write almost any genre. You just may surprise yourself where your success comes from. Success in any form would be fine by me.

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 

TV Animation pitching

Sorry I haven't written sooner, been a busy year. But busy is good, right? So this year I've gotten to pitch to a Cartoon Network producer. Being that I have a 9-year-old son, the thought of writing cartoons is awesome to me! Maybe it would be awesome to anyone. But especially to me because I watch them more frequently at this point in my life than probably...ever. So, last year a Cartoon Network producer came up to me at a chamber meeting for our area after I mentioned I was working with a high-profile producer. She said she'd love to meet and hear ideas. So it took all year to finally get together. I thought I'd pitch her rough ideas, sort of like what I do when I have a general meeting with feature film producers. Well, guess what. That's not how the cartoon world works! At least not in TV. So I'm going to share with you what I learned, so that if you're ever in this position, you know what to pitch. Luckily the producer I met with was so nice and happy to school me in what I should have pitched. She told me that the lead character is king in the TV animation world. A logline is fine, but they really want to hear who that lead character is and why we would spend week after week with that character. Makes sense. They also want to know the world they're in and how it's unique. And, it's got to be a boy lead character. No boys want to watch girl leads. My son is living proof of that! And the idea has to be out there. Way out there. Some ideas that are doing well right now are Regular Show and  Adventure Time. Anything like that, kind of different and funny will do well in today's market. So, now I know that. And now you know. So I'm coming up with more ideas and then pitching to the producer again. I have come up with a bunch of ideas I'm already loving. Hoping you can too!

Do you push past your fears?

You may not realize it, but every single person in power has most likely faced their fears. I don't know each and every one of them. But I do know what it feels like when I get past my comfort zone and push past my fears. From what I've read in books on people who reach their success, they all go through that. So are you pushing past your fears or are you letting them take over and filling your life with regret? My feeling is that life is too short. That if we don't go after the dreams we have for our life, then what is the point? I got a message email today from one of my favorite spiritual authors, Neale Donald Walsch, about fear and this was his take. "...that fears are nothing more than states of mind. Napoleon Hill said that, and he was right. The moment you move into fear over something ask yourself, "Why am I making this real? What is there inside of me that drives me to do this?" There is a huge difference between fear and caution. Caution moves forward with care, fear stands still, paralyzed. Avoid paralysis at all cost. It is not good for the soul -- and it gets you nowhere". So if this is true, then when we fear having a meeting with a high-powered producer, even though we may feel paralyzed with fear, nothing bad is going to happen to us. It's not like we're putting ourselves in danger or harm's way. So we just need to push past that. Even just this weekend a friend of mine at one of the TV studios wanted to ask for a promotion. The person she was approaching was kind of outside of protocol. But in order to get the promotion she was going to have to do this if she really wanted to succeed. She risked getting fired if the person she went to also agreed what she did was not kosher. There were people at her work warning her it was a mistake. But my take was that these people were jealous. Because they were making her feel insecure. (Remember a previous post about when writers are jealous? This has to do with that, even though it wasn't a writer). This whole ordeal was making my friend sick to her stomach and she almost decided not to do it at all. She felt paralyzed by her fear! But I let her know, it was nothing but fear. It wasn't a real danger. That she was meant to go after this career or she wouldn't be having the passion for it. So I told her, she had to have the meeting. She did. And the head person could not have been happier! She's open to hearing exactly where she sees her career going. It's going to turn into a discussion about what my friend wants, but she's on her way! I've had my own numerous times of fear, each and every time I've had pitch meetings, or phone calls with producers, or lunch meetings. Each time they get easier and I'm sure eventually they won't be a big deal. But right now, to me, they are. But I acknowledge my fear and I push through it. I just say, okay, there's that fear trying to stop me. I'm not going to let it! And then I go on my way. I've seen other writers who have let it get in the way. They don't know they are. But they sabotage every opportunity that comes their way. They end up spinning their wheels for opportunities that are easier and don't lead any where. And they can't understand why they don't have true success. But it's fear! They would much rather do something with less success possibility because it keeps the fear at a minimum. But then they will be living life with regret. And that's no life! So go after what you want. Face your fear! And before you know it, you'll be living you dreams!

Tonight I stumbled upon an article by Lisa Selow on the website healyourlife.com. She talks to women about following their own destiny, but really, as writers, I feel like this can be meant for all of us. This was the year that I decided not to care as much if my friends didn't see me. This was the year where I finally said "no" to volunteering for everything my son was signed up for. This is the year where I put my writing first! Because that's my destiny and if I don't put it first, no one else will. A lot of what Lisa writes about is being a really positive person in all aspects of life and well, that's who I am too. But I think when you decide to be that way, you're already feeling so positive about the world, that it's easier to be self-loving and treat yourself better. I'm sure I have more wiggle room to keep putting my writing first. I do fall back into old ways where my mommy guilt gets in the way and I start to feel like I need to entertain my son instead of write and let him be the self-sufficient 9-year-old that he is. But it's a balance. Being a writer and having personal relationships isn't easy. The right amount of time we balance between spending it with our fictional characters and the real ones that love us. It's not easy. But I'm guessing the more we work at it, the better we'll get. So here's Lisa's article for anyone who's interested. I hope you enjoy it like I did. http://www.healyourlife.com/author-lisa-selow/2012/11/wisdom/personal-growth/rebel-with-a-cause