Ask the Coach: 7 Approaches to Finding Confidence Again as a Writer – On Script Mag

September 20, 2024 by Leave a Comment

In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a writer about confidence, who says:

“I’ve had a rough year and a half, which is affecting my writing confidence hugely now.”

In the article, I share some thoughts about approaches and strategies you might consider to rebuild confidence and trust that it will last.

  1. Give yourself time, space, and support to recover.
  2. Be as “full of yourself” as you can.
  3. Write when you can, as much as you can.
  4. Find writing lifelines.
  5. Get feedback from trusted sources.
  6. Trust the muse.
  7. Soothe your inner critic.

 

It takes courage and intention to move (back) into creative risk-taking, but we can do it. Take it one step at a time — as easily and as slowly as you need to — trusting you will gradually reconnect with the truth of who you are and what you were put here to do: write.

 

Want the full scoop? Get all the details in the full article on Script Mag:
 
 
 
If you’ve got writing questions, please send them my way!
I’d love to answer them for you in my column.
 
Image credit:  Script Magazine / Canva
 
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Ask the Coach: 5 Tips to Regain Post-Summer Writing Momentum – On Script Mag

August 15, 2024 by Leave a Comment

In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a question about recovering a writing practice after a busy summer.

Hi Jenna, I’ve lost a lot of my writing momentum over the summer between travel and my kids being off school, though I’ve been able to keep working at a sort-of minimal level. What tips do you have for getting back on track with writing?

Great question! Many parent-writers are in a similar boat, including me.

First, good for you for staying connected even at a minimal level — that will make it much, much easier to regain your momentum.

In the article, I share some tips for getting back on track with writing when your writing practice has been disrupted by all the good stuff summer has to offer.

  1. Remember, it won’t take long to reconnect to writing.
  2. Update your writing schedule.
  3. Create supports to help you stay on track.
  4. Tap into the “back to school” energy.
  5. Set a target amount of writing time for each day.

There’s a convenient aspect to the fall energy of “back to school” we can all rely on right now — a sense of motivation and activation to recommit and move ahead with projects we’ve maybe let languish a bit. Give yourself permission to “start over” with this revitalized energy to take action and make writing happen. It can feel fun, empowering, and even exciting.

Don’t think of this as a slow, struggling reboot, but a fresh, happy restart.

 

Want the full scoop? Get all the details in the full article on Script Mag:
 
 
 
If you’ve got writing questions, please send them my way!
I’d love to answer them for you in my column.
 
Image credit:  Script Magazine / Canva
 
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Ask the Coach: 7 Tips for Getting Back to Writing After Summer – On Script Mag

August 18, 2023 by Leave a Comment

With the start of school and fall on the horizon, there’s this energy many of us naturally connect to that feels motivating and inspiring to start new things, take action, get organized, and make things happen. Lean into this energy and let it buoy you toward the momentum and progress you’re wanting.

In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m addressing a question regarding getting back to writing after summertime.

“My kids are starting school again. (Whew! Ack!) Truth be told, it’s been hard to write this summer with so much going on between family vacations and organizing summer camps. How can I regain my momentum after a rocky summer, writing-wise?”

Hey, good question! Many screenwriter-parent types are asking ourselves similar questions right now. Whether you’ve been writing intermittently, or not at all, the good news is that as your kids head to their classrooms, you can tap into the “back-to-school” energy they’ll be experiencing too.

And this is true whether or not you’re a parent. There’s a natural activation energy that arises in the fall and spring in particular, so this is a smart time to revisit your writing practice and give it a refresh if needed.

Here are the 7 steps I discuss in my response:

  1. Remind yourself to treat writing like a pro.
  2. At the same time, allow writing to be fun and joyful.
  3. Lean into the back-to-school activation energy.
  4. Revisit your writing practice.
  5. Remember, you can ramp up gradually.
  6. Keep going to keep going.
  7. Be ready to adapt.
Want the full scoop? Get all the details in the full article on Script Mag:
 
 
 
If you’ve got writing questions, please send them my way!
I’d love to answer them for you in my column.
 
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