Today is my last day at a job that I have truly enjoyed, but it is a step that is necessary for me to follow my dreams. I am sad to say goodbye to so many wonderful people and I will always consider myself lucky to have worked alongside the amazing men and women at the South Dakota Air National Guard as well as the amazing friends I made working for AAFES. Although today I close one chapter of my life I start a new one.
Today is the first day of living the life I choose and following my dreams.
“What people who don’t write don’t understand is that they think you make up the line consciously–but you don’t. It proceeds from your unconscious.”
Woody Allen
Hello all. I hope this update finds everyone doing well. Quick update then I’ll get into the big news. I have been out of work for going on two months now, but so has a lot of people. Things are going well here overall and I can’t complain. I’m making the most of each day and using the time to do the one thing I truly love…write. I’ve done so much writing I think I have callouses where my wrists sit on the edge of my laptop. Hopefully all this writing will pay off. I’ve been working with a few different online writer’s groups and have a few projects that will be made into short films, should the apocalypse ever end. I can’t give out too much as far as details but I’m excited by what we are working on.
Okay, I’ve tortured you all enough, so on to the big news. As I told you in previous posts it is fellowship season for writers. Basically every screenwriter who is not currently working in a writer’s room applies for handful of fellowships or mentor-ships in hopes of getting selected. Once selected each program is slightly different, but the overall goal is to enhance the writer’s work, help them learn the craft and of course help them make the connections and networks needed to make it into a writer’s room. Well, a couple of months ago I applied for the Writer’s Guild Foundation’s Veteran’s Writing Program. A program designed specifically to help mentor Veterans. I am proud and excited to announce out that I was selected for the 2020-2021 program.
I know the next question is what does that mean. It means, I will be paired with a writer in my field who will be my mentor for the next year. They will help me develop my skills as a writer and will help enhance my writing. They will be someone in the industry with connections and possibly even their own show. The program has the ability to really help me go places and I am beyond excited to be one of the 50 people chosen for this program. If you want more information on the project or ideas of what I will be doing, this is the link for the program. https://www.wgfoundation.org/programs/the-veterans-writing-project
With this amazing opportunity coming my way I am working hard on several new scripts. I am still working hard for my dreams and I have no intentions of slowing down. I hope all is well with you all and that everyone is staying safe during pandemic. Hopefully things will change soon and we can all go back to a more normal way of life. I will keep you all updated with me and my projects as I have news.
“Be courageous and try and try to write in a way that scares you a little.”
Holley Gerth
Hello world, or at least the small part of the world that follows this blog. I told you I wouldn’t make you wait so long for an update. I hope you all are doing well and not letting this craziness get to you. I know that most people are really starting to go stir crazy and I absolutely understand that feeling. I have found a few things that help me. Number one is writing of course. I have really enjoyed the down time from work because it gives me so much more time to develop stories, characters and really break down some ideas. I have joined some online writer’s rooms and writer’s groups, that all get together via Skype or Zoom and we break stories, compare writings or even just talk about our favorite TV shows and movies. I have also taken up morning meditation and I’ve found that the quiet really helps curb the restlessness. I go on a lot of walks and have some amazing views. I challenge all of you to find beauty in the world around you everyday. It helps.
One of my favorite places on Earth
Before they shut down all the parks here I was able to spend some time in the Old LA Zoo. It’s now abandoned and turned into a hiking/picnic area. You’re able to crawl through the animal enclosures and even climb (if you’re brave enough) on top of the old cages. I’ve been there twice and have enjoyed it both times.
Locked in a cage at the zoo
View from the Old LA Zoo Trail
Another view from the Zoo Trail
I’m really trying to focus on making the most of the situation we find ourselves in and have found, that like everything else in life, it’s what we make of it that dictates our outcome. Everyday I count my blessings and know that I’m one of the lucky ones.
I’ve had a few people ask if I can share what I’m working on currently as far as my writing goes. I can’t and won’t go into too much detail at the moment, but will share a little. I am currently working on an online writer’s room for a producer, working towards a few short films. I will share more on these when I can. Other than that I am working on few original pilots, shows that are completely mine, and I’m working on a couple of Spec scripts. A spec script, for anyone that doesn’t know, is a script you write for a current TV show, you basically pretend you’re a writer on that show. It helps showrunners know if you can mimic their voice and their themes.
So overall I’m doing very well. I’m happy, healthy and still focused on my dreams. I’m doing my best to keep in touch with everyone back home, but encourage all of you to reach out to me too. Thank you again for all the people who have been supporting and encouraging me, without your support I probably would have given up by now.
I want to send out one big shout out (a couple of days early) to my sister Janae. Happy Birthday Sis. Thank you for always being there supporting me and for always having my back. We don’t talk everyday and obviously don’t see each other everyday, but I love you so much and I can’t wait to come home and see you. I hope you have the best birthday ever, even though it’s in the middle of pandemic. Love you!!!
“Writing permits me to be more than I am. Writing permits me to experience life as any number of strange creations.”
-Alice Walker
Hello all! First let me apologize for taking SO long to update this blog. Life has kind of gotten in the way. That being said, let me give you all the rundown of what’s been happening. First of all I made it through the holidays in pretty good spirits. Being away from home during the holidays is always tough but I had a few good friends who made it a little better. Working for FedEx at holiday time kept me very busy but not busy enough to stop writing. I spend most of December and January prepping scripts for fellowship season.
Fellowship season is where writers like myself apply at the major studios for a writing fellowship in hopes of getting one of the very few coveted spots. These fellowships help develop your writing and almost always help place you in a writer’s room. So, I’ve spent a lot of time working on that. I’m ready and have applied for a few already. On top of that I also quit my job at FedEx and took a job working for a production design company. We build sets for TV/Movies and live events. It’s an amazing job that I really enjoy. There is something to be said to building something with your own hands and watching something so amazing come together.
I unfortunately only worked there a short time before all this virus crap took hold of the state of California. The entertainment industry is shut down so none of us are working currently, but don’t worry, I’m doing alright. I’m part of a couple BIG projects right now. I can’t give you a lot of info currently, but just know I’m really excited for what the future could bring in my writing career.
On top of all of that I have met some of the most amazing people out here. I have a good group of friends and people that not only make me feel less lonely, but also go out of their way just to check in. Before the virus shut down the state we had girls night out once a week. I’ve even been on the most amazing date I’ve ever had! California is starting to feel more like home rather than just some place I’m currently living and I’m really starting to like it here.
Santa Monica Pier…best date ever!
Santa Monica Pier
Girls Night
Lunch during the quarantine means eating in the car!
I still miss everyone back home and can’t wait to come see everyone, but with all this crap going on right now I’m not sure when that will be. I was hoping to come home for the 4th of July but everything is up in the air at the moment. As soon as I know what my plans are, I will be sure to let everyone know!
A very special thank you to Kristy for hounding me to update this blog. I’m sorry it’s been so long and I will try not to let it go that long again! Kristy if I go too long make sure you yell at me to update it! I hope everyone is doing well where they are and please stay safe. Love to you all!!
Hello all! I know it’s been a long time since my last update and I apologize. I’ve been trying to acclimate myself to my new work schedule, writing everyday and networking as much as possible. Things have been hectic for me lately but all in good ways. I have a meeting scheduled Wednesday with a producer that was at the last network event. So, what does that mean for me? Well, for starters it means I have to get my script, bible and pitch all together. The script is pretty much ready, I’m learning that at some point I have to stop editing, but I always find something that I can tweak or change or word differently. The bible (show bible) for those who don’t know is basically the detailed breakdown of the show you’re pitching. It will include overall theme, character breakdowns and even ideas for additional episodes.
The pitch, much like the script, I find that I can continue to change. A pitch is basically me selling the idea to someone who can make it happen. I sit down with producers, studios, agents or managers and try to get them to “buy in” to me and my idea. For those of you who know me, you know I’m pretty good at sales, and that is basically what a pitch is…just sales. Overall, I feel pretty good about this upcoming meeting, but only time will tell. If nothing it’s one more person who knows my name and in this industry it’s all about who you know and who knows you.
I’ve had several people ask me if I think a no name writer like me really has a shot to make it in this industry. For those of you who have asked the answer is simply yes. If I didn’t think I could do this I wouldn’t have uprooted my entire life to come out here and try. The truth however, is it’s not easy (nothing worth having ever is). It takes a lot of work and a lot of rejection but the one piece of advice I get from everyone in the industry is don’t give up. Well ladies and gentleman (in case you didn’t know) I’m stubborn and I don’t quit. I have always been someone who accomplishes whatever I set my mind to and this will be no different.
Well it’s late afternoon here and I need to make a few phone calls so I’m going to cut this post short. I hope you all are living everyday to the fullest and more than that I hope that everyday you find a reason to smile!
“Be courageous and try to write in a way that scares you a little.”
Holley Gerth
When I first decided to follow this dream and become a writer I would write when the mood struck or when a story idea found its way into my head. Then I was told by the professional writers that I know that the biggest secret to writing is to…get this…write. I have made it a point for the last couple of years to write every chance I get. I am finally down to a strict routine of writing at least a little every single day. This past week I went to two different networking events for writers and the number one takeaway from the events…get this…write.
I had a chance to meet some wonderful people at both of these events and more importantly for me I got a chance to learn. Although the two events couldn’t have been more different, they were both great in their own ways. Every time I am lucky enough to attend a writing event like these it just renews my passion for writing and keeps me on the path to my dreams. I even got a chance to meet one of my favorite writers and spend a little one on one time with her. Although she is a comedy writer and that is not my forte, it was so enlightening to sit down and talk with her. She gave me some great advice and was even nice enough to share her story with me. It’s amazing to hear how someone goes from nothing to something.
Back in the other real world I live in…I’m almost finished training at my job. This will be my last week in the training center. Next week I will be back in my own store working completely different hours, but at least I can avoid traffic. Speaking of traffic…for all my friends and family back home that think that Sioux Falls has bad traffic…
I’ve grown used to the traffic, which I don’t know if that is a good thing or not. One thing I have not gotten used to and I hope I don’t, is the beauty around me everyday. I am surrounded by palm trees and mountains and I’m not that far from the ocean.
The view from my street, and on my way to work. Not so bad…huh.
Well, this week I am looking forward to finishing my training at work. I have a meeting with a producer later this week to work on pitch ideas with one of my screenplays. I also have a friend who will be in LA for work at the end of this week and her and her daughter are making some time for me this weekend. Things are going well and I am looking forward to what comes next.
“Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.”
Misty Copeland
Between starting a new job, writing, networking and trying to find a bit of a social life…man, things got busy! So far I’m enjoying my new job. I mean I’ve really only been there about a week and a half so there is still plenty of time for that to change, but I’m hopeful that it won’t. I’m still spending most of my free time writing. We are quickly approaching festival and fellowship times, so having a few scripts very well polished is my number one goal right now. I did take some time out from writing to take a small road trip.
Amy and I in Vegas! She took the picture that’s why it’s blurry!
When you move over 1600 miles away from home and you find out that a family member is only 218 miles away in Vegas…what do you do? You get in the car and drive the 4 hours to see them!! It was a fun trip and I got to spend time with my cousin Amy. Nothing could have been better…well…except maybe the $235 I won playing keno while waiting for Amy! The timing was perfect as I was getting more and more homesick, seeing Amy really helped! Thanks Amy for spending the day with me. The drive home was horrible there were several accidents along the way causing my drive back to Pasadena to be almost 5.5 hours.
I realized something on my drive back however. 2 months ago I drove that exact stretch of freeway and was stressed by the traffic. I stayed in one lane as much as possible and tried to not have a full blown panic attack (I might be exaggerating a bit). Last week on my way home from Vegas on that same stretch of freeway bumper to bumper because of the accidents…I realized I’m used to LA traffic now. I can zig-zag in and out of traffic like I belong here. I’m not really sure if that is a good thing or not, but everyday I am feeling more and more confident with where I am what I am doing.
So this coming week I have a few things in the works. Besides working my new job. I have 2 different networking events with writers from around the area. One is a really small group but they are very selective in who they let in and I got invited, so I’m excited about that. The other is a bit larger and will have about 50 people there, but the highlight is that one of my favorite comedy writers will be there. I myself don’t write comedy, but I love to watch it…and to get a chance to meet an amazing writer is always something I want to do. The more I can network and get my name out there the better off I am.
I did get some amazing feedback on one of my scripts from a producer I met at the writers convention I was at a couple of weeks ago. It was informative, helpful and gave me a new way to look at my own work. I love the new challenge of how to see the story unfold as I’m writing. I’ve been very lucky so far to have such amazing support…and that includes everyone reading this blog! Thank you!! As much as I’d like to keep writing….I need to…well….write a bit more before I head off to bed.
For all my family and friends reading this…I miss you all dearly and can never thank you enough for all support day in and day out. It’s now been just over 2 months and I’m still going strong and it’s because of all of you! I look forward to what we will accomplish together! I leave you all with this thought…
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”
Einstein
I have had a lot of people ask me where I come up with my story ideas. The truth…I have no idea. I have always been a pretty creative and imaginative person. Ask my mom, she’ll tell you all about my imaginary friend when I was a kid (she love to tell people about that…so seriously if you know my mom and don’t know the story, ask her). She can even tell you about how I killed off my imaginary friend because the circumstances of his death would scare my older sister, this folks is what we call a plot twist.
So, I thought I’d share a little bit about my process. My ideas come from all sorts of places a lot start as random thoughts in my head, small snippets of an idea, that I have learned to catalog for use somewhere in the future. From there one of two things happen, either the idea continues to grow and I can’t stop it from playing out like a bad 80’s B-list movie in my head, or the idea vanishes back into the void from which it came. Either way I go about my normal business.
If the idea begins to grow what happens is that it takes up residence inside my head. Basically meaning I can’t stop thinking about it, or if I do manage to push it aside, it keeps creeping its way back in. This idea then gets written down and I play with it a bit. I may expand on it, I may play the what-if game or I may do a complete 180 and re-write it backwards. If I still can’t get it out of my head then it’s worth exploring. Something there keeps drawing me back in so I may as well put it down on paper (screen) and see where it goes. I place it in what I call my vault…a place I can come back to anytime I need.
More important than the idea however are the characters. I love taking regular everyday people and putting them into extraordinary circumstances. I have an entire book of characters I have developed; some more than others. Each character has to be (to use and industry phrase) 3-dimensional, or as I like to call them real. It’s important to me that each character not be perfect because honestly that would be really boring to watch, but more than that I enjoy watching characters navigate real life. So all of my characters are flawed and all of my characters will have to deal with these flaws, just like each of us do everyday.
So how do I put stories together then…easy. I always start with a character. I find a character that I really want to see struggle, achieve, fight, die, live, love or any other number of things a person can go through and I work with them. I figure out who they are, what they want and what they need. Once I know that, I go back to my vault and I pick an idea, an idea that would put that character into some random circumstance…then I sit back and see how they react to the things that happen to them.
Now, there is obviously a lot more that goes into my entire process. I have to decide the story I want to tell, the premise, the theme, and the archs, but that’s way too technical. Basically, I decide to write a story based on a flawed character the world they live in and how the two will either compliment each other or oppose each other. Throw in more characters and more situations and there ya go…a full story…sort of.
basically this is what the inside of my head looks like all the time.
Anyway, that is a high level overview of how I come up with my ideas. I honestly cannot tell you where some of the things that pop into my head come from and, truth be told, I don’t want to know. I like the illusion (or delusion) that some strange magic happens inside my head that allows me to create a unique world full of interesting people. I hope this helps you all understand not only my process a bit. And, for those of you who are thinking that I’m completely neurotic, one, you might be right and two…I don’t care! I love my imagination and I wouldn’t trade it for it anything…It’s part of what makes me…well…me!
“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon seem inevitable.”
Christopher Reeve
Downtown LA. This is where we were filming.
Sorry for the late update everyone. I’ve actually been super busy which is really good. I spent a day and half working on a project with a friend. I spent half the day running all around L.A. picking things up and dropping things off, but it was a really good opportunity for me to get to know the city better. The next morning I was on set…early…like 6am early. Other than some very bad news a friend got, it was a good day on set. I really enjoy working on set and seeing all the work that goes into a production.
On set. It was a long, and even though I’m not smiling in this picture, it was a really good day. I love being on set.
Also since my last update, I spent a weekend at a writer’s convention. The convention consisted of workshops designed to help hone craft, network and answer industry questions. The highlight of the weekend was being able to pitch two of my own stories to several different influential people in the industry. Before you ask, I have not heard anything back. The entire weekend was a great learning opportunity for me and helped to keep me excited to follow this dream.
As if all the work towards my dream isn’t enough I also started a new job. I had to find a full time job so that I have the means to keep doing what I came here for. Today was my first day at my new job at FedEx Office. I have a lot to learn at this new job but I’m looking forward to a new challenge.
So as I said I’ve been super busy but I’m loving what I’m doing. I miss everyone back home and am working through being homesick still, but I’m still working towards my dream. I can honestly say at this point I do not regret my decision to leave home and try and go for it. There is so much to do yet and so much to learn, but we all know I’m too stubborn to give up! Until next time…
“If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”
Dale Carnegie
Tomorrow will be my scariest adventure yet! I plan on getting up early and heading to…wait for it…the DMV! I finally have all the paperwork I need to change my state of residence over to California. Which means, I get to spend the better part of my day tomorrow waiting to register my car and to get a new driver’s license. The average wait time at the local DMV about 45 minutes and that is just for them to call you up to the window! This whole process is way crazier than I expected, such as I’m going to have to take a written test again. I haven’t taken a written test since I was…I think 15! Here’s to hoping I still remember it all! Just kidding I did actually read through the California driver’s handbook…I am that much of a geek! The good news though, after tomorrow I won’t have to worry about it for awhile.
I just wanted to give everyone a heads up of my very long day tomorrow. You will all understand if you start getting random texts, snaps or Facebook messages! We all know that patience isn’t one of my strong points. At least not sitting around doing nothing while waiting, but these things happen. I wish I could take my laptop and write…oh well. That’s all for now…I will update again soon and let you all know how my day at the DMV goes! For everyone back home dealing with the aftermath of tornadoes and now flooding, stay strong, continue to help each other! I’ve been watching the details unfold from here and wish I could be there to help. As I’ve watched all this happen I am proud to still call myself a South Dakota girl, as I have watched communities come together to support each other and neighbors helping neighbors…because that is simply what we do! Love to all of you and if there is anything I can do don’t hesitate. I may be in California but I’ll always be a South Dakota girl!!
“If your dream doesn’t scare you, it isn’t big enough!“
Unknown
I’m going to try to keep this from being a bit of a rant but I have something that I need to get out there. I was talking to a friend yesterday about somethings they are currently going through. Now, let me start by saying nothing that this person is going through is life or death or anything like that. It’s the kind of stuff we all deal with all the time, but we all need to vent sometimes. The problem with this person venting is that during their venting session they said to me, “We can’t all be like you and run away from our problems.” It took me a minute to fully let that statement sink in. I mean here is someone who is supposed to be a friend and they think what…that I just decided to run away from whatever problems they perceived that I may have?
I did set this friend straight and explained that I did not run away from anything. Instead I like to think of it as running towards something. I have never run away from a problem in my life! Actually, I tend to do the exact opposite and this new adventure is no different. If anything, I have created more problems in my life rather than run away from them. After a little discussion my friend did apologize and I think they understood where I was coming from, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. None of this process has been easy. It truly is the hardest thing I have ever done and although I know I have a lot of support, this is something that I am doing completely alone. This journey is not easy and that is okay. I learned a long time ago that anything worth having is worth working for…my parents taught me that everyday of my life and they are absolutely right! I will continue on this journey until I either truly cannot continue or until I succeed, no matter how hard the journey may become. Okay, end of rant!
So I’ve had a few people ask what I am up to and how it’s all going, here is your update. I am still working on my writing of course. I have shifted my focus a bit from my own original works to specs. I had a showrunner (head writer on a TV series) tell me that if I really want a chance at getting hired into a writer’s room, that specs are the way to go. So basically, a spec is a script that you write as though you are a writer for that show. So you pick a show in the genre that you want to write for and you write an episode of that show. It lets showrunners know that you can mimic their voice, theme, characters and so on. What that really means is I have to spend A LOT of time watching said show…and breaking it down scene by scene, act by act and making sure that I fully understand the intricate details they have created. It’s time consuming for sure but it’s also a lot of work. I have to not only understand and be able to copy the overall theme, plot and structure, but I need to understand the individual voices of each character and then create a plot idea that is similar to what the show would actually have, but also unique and not a copy of something else.
As I said it’s a lot of work, but it is work that I love. At the end of this month I am going to a big pitch event. Basically, I will get a chance to pitch my own shows to a large group of producers and network executives. This will be a good opportunity for me to really get my name out there and for me to get my own shows in front of people who can really make something happen with them. I’m excited and scared to death of it, but that is just how it goes. Other than that, I did pitch my mob pilot to a studio! I have not heard back yet and will let you all know when and if I do. I’m not holding my breath on it, but it was a great learning opportunity for me as to what to expect when pitching and the types of questions they may ask.
Okay, this is getting a little long so I will wrap up for now. I apologize for my rant at the beginning but it’s important to me that people know that I did not run away from anything. Enough of that now. I hope you all are doing well and again thank you for the calls, texts, messages and snaps. I couldn’t do this without each and everyone of you supporting me. You keep me going everyday!! Today I leave you with one of my favorite quotes ever…
“This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In its place is something that you have left behind. Let it be something good.”
Everyday is an Adventure 