Welcome to Art, Hope and Hollywood, the first-ever video installment of my Substack – hopefully, the first of many conversations about the creative life of artists working in film and TV. This isn’t about the “how” of pitching shows or breaking into the business, it’s about the “why” of working in an industry that’s opaque, mercurial, and fleeting.
The first installment of the series is with my friend, former colleague and writing partner, Rich Monahan. Rich has published his stories in the New York Times, Vice, and McSweeneys, performed as a storyteller on The Moth and his show “That Reminds Me,” and was a Season 2 writer on the Showtime series Yellowjackets. I filmed the interview from my rooftop laundry room in Puerto Vallarta, so we had a couple of technical issues (thanks in advance for your patience ❤️).
Video version above, audio version here:
In this episode, Rich talks about the process of finding a writing practice and a career, how he creates the space to write in the frenzy of a busy career, moving through fear and writer’s block, and how he’s shed cynicism and found freedom in the process.
Rich and I have known each other for a long time. I admire him very much as a person, a filmmaker, and a parent. He says more nice things about me than I’m comfortable with in this conversation, but I left them in because I don’t want to censor him.
Rich also refers to two of his go-to tools for getting started. As a self-help book addict, I’m so grateful for these recommendations which I didn’t know (although many of you might). Our world is not designed for creativity, and I always love finding new inspiration for carving out a little space and time to communicate the things that really matter.
Rich’s recommendations:
First, The Tools by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels
And second, The Mel Robbins technique. He says:
“This is a card on my desk and literally every Thursday my google calendar emails me the below.
https://www.instagram.com/millionairessteps/reel/CX8ob8xo13T/?utm_medium=copy_link
1. Procrastination is not the issue, it's stress.
2. You've got to forgive yourself. When you feel yourself starting to procrastinate, forgive yourself.
3. A Starting Ritual - "ok, that's my stress again. I forgive myself, now 5-4-3-2-1.
4. Then ONLY work for five minutes.
Break the connection between the trigger (stress) and the response”
I love the idea of using tools like Google for something more elevated than reminders for bi-weekly legal meetings. My personal go-tos are Martha Beck’s “The Way of Integrity” and Rick Rubin’s “The Creative Act.” But I listen to them quarterly, usually high, usually walking.
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