One Question You Need to Ask about Your Work + 21-Day Creative Comeback Challenge is Back!
It's about time.
In this issue:
One Question You Need to Ask About Your Work
ICYMI
Need a Creative Comeback?
Sweet Ish
One Question You Need to Ask About Your Work
I remember the first time, after I pitched a TV show, an exec asked me, why now?
In my head, I was like, what do you mean why now?
Because… it’s a great story that needs to be told.
The question would bug me for years.
Execs want to know why your project is relevant and necessary. But it felt insulting.
Now though, having made, sold, and worked on several TV and film projects, it’s an important question. And I no longer think of it in terms of execs looking for every reason to say no (although some of them often are), I think about it in terms of what is this project really about and how does that overall theme connect to the times we’re currently living in?
And chile, I find myself, while watching TV shows these days, asking why does this show exist in this moment? And best believe, the great shows have a strong a** why now.
Quick note before I keep going. Want to skip ahead and start building? Sweet Build+ paid subscribers get access to all content, including my honest, nitty gritty video diaries outlining how I’m building various aspects of my career and business. Upgrade today.
How I Think About the Question
These days, I always make sure I answer the why now in my pitches: at the top while I’m describing what the project is, and in my closing when I’m reiterating why I’m the best person to tell this story and why this project needs to be made now.
BTW: There is an entire pitch workshop in The Build Bundle. I also included a sample written pitch and a video of me delivering a pitch. I NEVER HAD ACCESS to this early in my journey. It’s gold. Truly.
Anyway, now I answer the question through theme.
Here’s the trick: Make your why now evergreen, but specific to the immediate times.
Here’s a why now of tender, which was released during the pandemic. This is me throwing it together fast, so not as articulate as I would like, but hopefully it makes my point:
True connection can be rare these days when we’re all stuck to our phones and meet people on gamified apps. But when we experience it, it can be life-changing. And deep down inside, isn’t that what we all want? Genuine, life-changing connections?
During the pandemic, so many of us were in need of genuine connections. But the truth is, we always are.
See how that works?
So consider your why now for your projects and watch how it strengthens your project, your understanding of it, and its positioning.
Drop some why nows in the comments. I read all the comments even if I can’t respond to all of them!
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ICYMI
Don’t want you missing any posts. Here are some recent ones:
NEED TO A CREATIVE COMEBACK?
The 21-Day Creative Comeback Challenge is Back!
Even though I write for a living, I had to come back to a different version of my writing self to write books again.
When I began writing COME CLOSE — my first foray into romance novellas — I realized how much I needed to reconnect with my own creative voice.
I built the 21-Day Creative Comeback Challenge to guide that return—and I’m sharing it with other creatives ready to reignite their voices.
If you’re feeling blocked, uninspired, or like you've lost your writing rhythm, this is for you.
We start June 2. It's $79. And it just might change your writing life.
TSB+ Paid Subscribers receive a 10% discount. Scroll to the bottom to redeem!
Here’s what past participants had to say:
“This challenge really helped me out of what I realize now was more of a mental block than a writer's block. There have been so many distractions and frustrations for me recently that were causing me to push my writing aside without even realizing it. The challenge helped me to realign myself with what is most important and that is staying creative on a daily basis and not trying to make time for it or put it off because everything else was too overwhelming. Writing is where I find my peace. Now ideas are really flowing for me again. One of the best courses I have taken to support my writing career in a long time.” - E. Land
“The Creative Comeback Challenge cured me of my writer's block and overall fear of not being good enough to finalize my projects to present to the world. Every single challenge was equally as beneficial in the process of finding how writing fits into my daily life again. It's very clear that Felicia knows exactly what a writer looking to make a comeback needs in order to push through whatever is holding them back. I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to take on this challenge and I hope to have another opportunity in the future!” - T. Dong
“I've always been apprehensive about pursuing screenwriting. Self-doubt, along with procrastination were both holding me back from creating and sharing my work, but this year I was determined to just start writing something. So the creative comeback challenge was right on time for me. The prompts throughout the challenge were straightforward, thoughtfully reflective, and encouraging. It also offered guidance on how to schedule time for our creative practice. This was the most valuable aspect of the process if I'm being honest, because writing isn't only about being creative, it's about forethought and actually doing the work. I'm very glad I participated in this challenge.” - L. Yeibio
We only run the challenge twice a year. Don’t miss out.
SWEET ISH
Our friends over at Film Reframed are offering another FREE visual storytelling class (sponsored by NBCUniversal and the LA Latino International Film Festival). In the 2-part interactive webinar, you'll learn actionable techniques to speak in your voice using the universal language of cinema. Each workshop features dozens of illustrative examples & interactive activities, making this a truly unforgettable experience for visual learners. RSVP today and tell them I sent you.
Creators are building their own studios.
A video case study on how indie filmmakers distributed and marketed their film.
Love these words from Roy Wood Jr about not having to choose between stability and your dreams.
NEED MORE SUPPORT?
Check out The Build Bundle. It’s a self-paced course (it’s actually six courses in one) packed with tried and true tactics, real-life examples, and award-winning strategies from my writing, producing, and directing career to help you accelerate yours. Enroll today.
Get a copy of The Creative Comeback Workbook. 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. Buy on Amazon or on Bookshop.
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