I love what I do. I enjoy being able to create worlds and populate them with characters. I have fun crafting dialogue, adding humor, mining tension. It’s fun to write for theater and it’s fun to write for TV. And, the joy of it is deeply connected to the unpredictability of it. I do so many things in my writing life – so many varied things, and I have fun doing them. But the variety means that anything can happen. Here are seven principles that I’ve uncovered in my writing life that help me stay grounded and sane as I move through.

1) Writing is not only putting words on the page. That is a key part of it: figuring out story and character and deciding what goes where. But in the TV world, researching and preparing for meetings is writing. Sending thank you notes to showrunners is writing. Talking with your reps, finding reps, networking, and reading scripts – all of those things come under the umbrella of writing. Knowing that there are multiple aspects to the career allows me to budget those business-y things into my day, my week, my year. Accepting those as part of the process enables me to lean into those tasks when I have to do them.

2) There is no controlling what people think. This one is big and constant. Since I can’t make anyone like my work, I might as well build and create what I want to create. Chasing someone else’s vision of what is “good” or “saleable” will likely have me chasing my tail. The trick is to focus on what I’m most interested in – and develop a way to take those impulses and put them into compelling stories – my version of compelling stories. Then, once that’s done, the goal is to connect with people (writers, executives, reps) who dig what I do. That means there WILL be people who don’t get or don’t love my work. I can accept that. I gain strength by zeroing in on what I can control (my writing) and letting go of trying to please everyone.

3) Good things happen. Bad things happen. It’s amazing to get a job on a show. And it’s sad to lose that job. It’s incredible to see your play performed. It’s sad to get a crappy review (or no review at all). There are ups and downs in your creative life – and being clear about that will save you some level of heartache. I’m not saying it’ll prevent you from feeling the losses when they happen, but it might ease the sting to know that this is the roller coaster everyone is on. It’s part of the game.

4) Networking = being kind to everyone. Opportunities come from unexpected places and people. There are writers who, on the way to a job meeting, will be nasty to the security guard at the studio gate, or the receptionist at the front office. But it’s a no-brainer that a receptionist or a security guard likely has a stronger connection with the person you’re meeting than you do. Your behavior might get back to the person who is hiring. Being pleasant with everyone you connect with is just good business. And folks working security or reception today could be executives or showrunners tomorrow.

5) Remember to keep in touch. Once you meet people in the industry, they want to hear from you. That doesn’t mean they want you to bombard them with requests. No one wants to be treated like a vending machine. (“Give me this. Give me that.”) But most industry folks, in my experience, like to get a kind email or a sweet note. Acknowledge birthdays, nominations, awards, projects launched, shows on the air. And then take the time to put in an update on what you’re doing. If you do this often enough – with no expectation, you’ll be delighted when one of those folks recommends you for a juicy creative job.

6) Count your blessings. If anything is going right in your writing life, please remember it. If you get to spend some part of your life making art, you’re one of the most fortunate people on Earth. As you take large or baby steps, there’s something magical about celebrating each win, rewarding yourself for each forward movement. No one guaranteed that you would succeed – so every time you do, it’s a chance to do a happy dance.

7) Don’t go it alone. Most folks I know have a tough time reaching out for help. If that applies to you – you can learn to do it. Artists can be generous people. If there’s something you don’t know how to do, ask. Invite your fellow creatives into a conversation. As long as you ask in bite sized chunks and be sure to thank people after, people will help – with words of wisdom, thoughts and support. But if you don’t ask, they won’t know you’re in need. Learn to reach out and let people help you.

These are just a few of the ideas and philosophies that are in my artistic toolkit. They help me survive and thrive while I navigate the artistic challenges of my writing career. This week, keep them in mind as you exercise your creative mojo. Drop me a note and let me know how they work for you.