5 WAYS TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER...

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WRITING LIKE A WILD WOMAN

Hey, Reader,

So I turned in a script on Friday that nearly took me out. It was a beast. Really kicked my butt. It was just a lot of characters, a lot of story to track. It is also part mystery, which is a new space for me.

But I got through it because of my writing process, schedule, and feedback circle. More on all of that below. The producer just called to tell me how good it is. And I wanted to say I know! I've been in the batcave for weeks working on it... but I opted for thank you.

Since last October, I’ve:

• Turned in 2 pilots
• Turned in 3 scripts
• Turned in 1.5 scripts for BEL-AIR
• Turned in 2 pilot outlines
• Turned in 1 TV series formatTurned in 1 studio feature
• Turned in rewrites on 2 studio features

This is just the writing aspect of what I do. This doesn’t include pitching, producing, running HONEY CHILE. One of the reasons, my inbox is in absolute shambles. And I'm able to do this because of what I'm diving into in this week's newsletter. So let's go...

5 WAYS TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER​
​Of course the best way to become a better writer is to... write. Like a lot. But here are 5 things that have also helped me become better at this writing thang:

1. I have a healthy relationship with writing (aka the work)

2. I have a writing schedule.

3. I have a writing process.

4. I have a strong feedback circle.

5. I protect my creative practice.

Alright let’s get into them... but before we do, have you checked out The Build Bundle yet? Price goes up at the end of the month.

THE BUILD BUNDLE

For the past few months, I've pulled together nearly every workshop I have ever taught, along with tried and true tactics, examples, and strategies, directly from my own experience, to help you accelerate your journey, AND build your career to last.

Introducing The Build Bundle, a resource with six courses, 25+ lessons, sample pitches, and more.
​
​Contents include:

1. PITCH YOUR FILM OR TV PROJECT BUNDLE
Learn how to successfully pitch your TV show or film.
​*Includes a recording of me pitching a TV show and a written pitch for a studio film.*

2. MAKE YOUR SHORT FILM BUNDLE
A comprehensive workshop that covers everything from writing and directing, to financing and distributing your short film.
​*Includes sample scripts, a shot list, casting breakdowns, lookbook copy, list of film festivals I submitted to, case studies, and more.*

3. DEVELOPING A WRITING PROCESS, PRACTICE, AND SCHEDULE WORKSHOP
Learn how to develop a consistent writing practice and process within a schedule that works for you.

4. CREATIVE CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
Tools and insights on how I built the foundation for my creative career and how I manage my creative business.

5. BASED ON: ADAPTING IP WORKSHOP
An outline of the process to option and develop IP for adaptation, the nuances of different types of adaptations, what I look for in IP, and more.

6. THE CREATIVE COMEBACK WORKBOOK PDF
The fillable workbook includes 30 days of dynamic journal prompts, inspirational quotes, and more.

+ BONUSES:

• Journalists Transitioning to TV / Film Workshop ​
  Learn about the transferable skills between journalism and writing for the screen and receive insight into making a smooth transition.
• What it Takes to Become a Professional TV / Film Writer Workshop
  ​An outline of the strategy, planning, and plotting required to professionalize your career as a writer.
• Film Distribution Roadmap
  ​Template to help develop a film distribution plan for your film.
• Music Video Shot List ​
  A shot list for a music video that I directed.

I've taken everything I learned, gathered templates and samples directly from my career, and have compiled them into The Build Bundle.

​Enroll today before the price increases!

1. HAVE A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH WRITING ​
Writing is hard as fu*ck. Like you really have to love it or be called to it to not just want to do it, but to want to do it well. Many people HATE writing. And you know, I understand.

Sometimes I absolutely love writing, other times it kicks my butt and I want to curse it. Maybe it's like children in that way? You love it with all of your heart, but it will challenge the mess out of you.

There was a time in my life when I stopped writing for seven years. One of the biggest mistakes of my life. When I was finally able to start writing again, I had to repair my relationship with writing. It was damaged, mainly because of the financial demands I had put on it.

In my re-commitment, I put writing first. Very much like any relationship. If you’re committing or recommitting to a partner, you’re prioritizing them. Writing is no different.

I also had to uncover the blocks that were stopping me from writing. A lot of the blocks aren’t actually creative in nature. They’re psychological: fear, anxiety, worry. Whatever it is, we need to clear it out.

I had to decide that I was not going to let those blocks stop me.

FYI, if you need help with this, check out The Creative Comeback, my blueprint for reigniting your creative mojo and kicking writer’s block.

2. DEVELOP A WRITING SCHEDULE​
You can try to leave getting a project done up to chance, but experience has taught me that it is a recipe for frustration and unfinished work. Before I had all these projects on my slate, I had to write to create my portfolio, which can be difficult because there is no external deadline. You are the deadline. And it is helpful if you can learn to become the deadline.

So I put myself on a writing schedule. Two-three hours a day in the morning. And I relied on my commitment to writing to stick to it as often as possible.

And I maintain a similar writing schedule, a block of time in the mornings, at the minimum.

Consistency is that girl. Because it becomes a habit, then a way of life.

3. DEVELOP A WRITING PROCESS ​
I love to hear about writers’ processes. Because they can be so vastly different.

But whatever the process might look like, the point is: YOU NEED A WRITING PROCESS (yep I am yelling). And while you may tweak it project to project, you need a structure to finish a project.

My writing process loosely:

Brainstorming→ Researching→ Development → Beat Sheet → Outline (I spend a lot of time here) → Feedback on outline → First draft (write as quickly as possible) → Feedback on first draft → Second draft → Feedback on second draft → Third draft → Feedback on third draft → Repeat until I feel like the draft is studio-ready → Send to producers and get feedback → Revise more → Off to Studio / Network

Y’all may have heard me say this, but rewriting is our friend. So I put a lot of time into my outline, then throw up a draft, then spend the most time in rewriting. And I will rewrite it until I get it to as strong as a place as possible before sharing with any producers.

4. DEVELOP YOUR FEEDBACK CIRCLE ​
One of the things that has helped me become a better writer is having a trusted feedback circle who know my voice, aesthetic and understand my vision. As writers, often we’re thrown into projects with producers and executives who we don’t know. You don’t know how they work and they don’t know how you work.

For me, the stability of my feedback circle has allowed me to work with all kinds of producers, but sending them a strong draft first before having them weigh in.

My feedback circle includes a script consultant who I met in the Film Independent Screenwriting Lab (the first program I ever got into to!), two writer friends, and sometimes a larger writer’s group. Note, this feedback circle is just for my projects, not for writer’s rooms. When I’m in writer’s rooms I use the room as my feedback circle.

Dassit. Too many voices becomes confusing to me, but I know writers who love to get feedback from a few dozen people as part of their process. Whatever works for you.

5. PROTECT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS AND PRACTICE ​
This is crucial. And is connected to having your own feedback circle. As I mentioned, you may be working with folk who don’t know how you work. And who are scared of the creative process (I mean it is messy AF), or who aren’t very creative. Or have no idea how to give notes.

So before you engage with them on your work, take it through your own creative process. I do not let folk outside of my feedback circle into my creative practice.

Because it is the mechanism by which I work. If it becomes sullied or hijacked, I won’t be able to write in the way that I need to. And chile, producers and execs want in soooo bad. I don’t let them in. I learned that the hard way (a story for another day).

So protect your creative practice + process like you protect ya neck, because they are one in the same.

By the way, for even more help with becoming a better writer, The Build Bundle includes:

• Developing A Writing Process, Practice, And Schedule Workshop
• What It Takes To Become A Professional TV / Film Writer Workshop
• he Creative Comeback Workbook Fillable PDF

among other courses, tools and resources. Enroll today. The price will go up at the end of the month.

THE SWEET BUILD ​
​See why I named this newsletter, The Sweet Build?

My goal is to encourage and embolden you to:

• Become a master craftsperson
• Take control of your career and gain agency
• Take care of yourself so that you can be of service to others
• Make work that reaches people and makes them feel
• Unabashedly serve your audience

We’re building careers on our own terms. We’re building our audiences. We’re building new tables. We’re building companies. We’re building ecosystems. We’re building new ways of doing things.

And we’re building artists who know their value.

Who’s with me?

BTW: Bring your community along, forward them this email and encourage them to subscribe.

Felicia Pride TV Writer. Filmmaker. CEO. Building HONEY CHILE, an indie media company serving Black women 40+, and empowering other niche storytellers to tell their stories and reach their audiences.

​​​

The Build Bundle All of the tools you need for developing your writing craft, pitching your tv/film projects, making your work, and strategizing for a long-lasting career. It's what I wish I had starting out and even mid-way through my career—tried and true tactics, examples, and strategies to help you accelerate your journey. ENROLL TODAY

The Creative Comeback Workbook by Felicia Pride It's time for you to start writing again and tell the stories burning within. Through 30 prompts, you'll discover your why, develop a writing schedule, outline your projects and unearth what's holding you back from the career of your dreams. These are the exact steps I took to make my creative comeback. Purchase on Book Shop.​ GET THE WORKBOOK

tender: the official script book by Felicia Pride Specially designed, the script for Felicia Pride’s award-winning short film tender! Also includes an original essay by Felicia and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photos. A PDF eBook sent immediately upon purchase. GET YOUR COPY

LOOK BACK AT IT: The Official Script Book by Felicia Pride Specially designed, the script for Felicia Pride’s award-winning short film LOOK BACK AT IT! Also includes an original essay by Felicia and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photos. A PDF eBook sent immediately upon purchase. GET YOUR COPY

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING...

Promote your project or business in The Sweet Build. Want to get in front of 1,300+ motivated storytellers? We're offering an introductory flat rate of $500. Inquire today by responding to this email.

This email was sent by Kit. And I really enjoy working with them because I can also sell products through them. I sold the first 21-Day Creative Comeback Challenge completely through Kit. It's an awesome one-stop shop. Here's my Kit affiliate link.

Ever wonder how people send those automated DMs? Well, I did! We use Manychat. It's a great way to send links to products, podcasts, articles, and more. You also know who's super interested in your content and can follow-up accordingly. Here's my Manychat affiliate link.

How do I stay organized? I feel like I've tried all the productivity software girls. And none can really compete with Notion. She has it all. It takes some time to learn, but chile... once you do! You can build custom databases (we track contacts, projects, more), create custom pages and more. I LOVE it. Here's my Notion affiliate link.