I made the decision to hire my own writing coach when I went through a major career transition a couple of years ago. I was savvy enough about my habits and motivation to know that I needed someone to keep me accountable so that I would actually get the writing done. And he has done exactly that: in spite of two major shifts in my day job over the past three years, I’ve been more productive than ever.
In just the last six months, I’ve hired a second script coach to help me transition into the next level of my professional writing career. Working with her has skyrocketed the quality of my work, and I now have a script under consideration at a major production company, and I’m preparing to submit a second to the Nicholl and Austin screenwriting competitions.
But in the last six weeks, since the rise of COVID-19 and the lockdown quarantine, I’ve relied on my coaches for more than just accountability and writing quality. They’re a tether to my normal life.
Staying Connected
Every Tuesday at noon, I have a weekly call with my writing coach. I’ve always appreciated the regularity of this check-in, but lately, it’s also been a lifeline to the outside world. I get to talk to another human who isn’t a member of my immediate family about something other than our stockpile of TP or what’s for dinner that night or which kid needs what device for which assignment.
He joked last week that he’s now part-time therapist for his cohort of writers, and it’s really true. We talk about motivation problems and creative blocks and finding inspiration in spite of the chaos in the world, and I’m so grateful for these conversations.
And because these weekly calls were part of my routine before this whole Coronavirus business, it’s a vital, living connection to my “normal life”.
My Zoom conferences with my script coach have served a similar purpose lately. Not only do these calls force me to make progress on something I’m passionate about but that could easily get lost in the intensity of this everything-from-home life, but I get to do this work with someone. I’m not alone — and in this age of isolation, this is huge.
Staying Motivated
Working with my coaches puts me on regular mini-deadlines that force me to stay on my game. I’ve always been a deadline-driven person, and this is absolutely saving my creative bacon right now.
My weekly Tuesday call means that I have pages due every single Monday…and that means I have to actually write those pages every single week.
My conferences with my script coach every 2-3 weeks puts me on a more extended deadline framework, but I’m writing and/or revising at least 25 pages every time we talk.
When the world is going crazy, having an accountability partner helps to bridge those motivation gaps. I may not feel like sitting down and pounding out the next 10-20 pages of my new project, but when I know someone’s counting on me to deliver, it helps me get over myself and just put in the work.
Getting Started
If you’re feeling like your 2020 creative goals are sliding away, it’s time to take action. It’s not too late to grab hold of those goals and make them happen.
We’ve settled into this new normal for the next little while, so you have a choice to make. Will you use the next 30-90 days to binge-watch Netflix and let your projects languish, or will you recommit to the dreams you have for your life and push forward?
If you’re ready to reconnect with your passion project but you don’t want to do this alone, I’m here to help. What’s the number one reason you feel stuck? Drop a comment and let me know!
Be bold and brilliant,
Shannon
