Desk of Amy Suto

TV writer who eats danger for breakfast

Stress Relief for Writers: Staying Creative with Busy Schedules

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if slightly off-center muffins stress you out, this article is for you

In the past, I’ve written about how to balance writing while being a showrunners’ assistant or writers’ assistant, but today I’d like to tackle general strategies for stress relief so that you can maintain your creativity in any period of your life — during the holidays, in times of financial stress, or while anxiously waiting the return of FX’s LEGION (how am I supposed to pretend not having new episodes is not affecting my mental sanity??)

So. Here’s how to preserve those creative thoughts when they’re being attacked by stress hormones.

1. Don’t See Stress as the Enemy

This incredible TED Talk changed the entire way I view stress: as a preparation for a challenge instead of a detrimental function of our body to be curtailed as much as possible.

Another study I was reading recently talked about how repeating the words “I am excited” in your head before a challenge (like a pitch or big meeting) can help turn nervousness into excitement. [Read more…]

How to Work with a Writing Partner (and not murder each other!)

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It’s a Friday and I’m going to meet up with another writer at his office like I do almost every Friday, mainly because I want to steal all of the butterscotch from the reception candy bowl (I’m not twelve, I promise you). I’m carrying a container of the very real, very ridiculous pizza flavored nuts brand Dee’s Nuts — I kid you not — that is integral to our plot. Okay, maybe not integral but like there is a sophisticated, layered inside joke throughout the script about this container of nuts and our main character just happens to be nicknamed Dee (like I said, I’m not twelve.)

We’re working on a pilot that, if you’ve had drinks with me in the past three months, you’ve probably heard me pitch to you in the same breathless tone of voice that I get when I describe why I love Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. (But don’t talk to me about any of the sequels. Just don’t.)

I’ve written some of my favorite projects with others: Jen Enfield-Kane and I wrote and were co-showrunners on CON at USC. Noah Suarez-Sikes and I have had a litany of never-produced yet incredibly lovely writing projects that we’ve worked on together (and hopefully will have another soon!) I’m working with Sandy Valles (an actress known for her role in CON oh and also QUEEN OF THE SOUTH) on a pitch based on an awesome idea her and her brother came up with.

I love television writing in part because of how collaborative it is: you get to play make-believe with other talented creatives. Together, you make something cool that people will hopefully turn into GIFs and needlessly complex Fanfiction for years to come.

However, this doesn’t mean that the writing process is a dream. Writing with a partner or in a television room means there are a lot of different perspectives and approaches to story — which can be great at certain times and a roadblocks at others!

So if you’re starting in a television writers’ room or are about to embark on writing a script with a writing partner, here are some things you should keep in mind so that you get along with other creatives and homicide stays on the page:  [Read more…]

Good Books: Being Gritty, Successful, and Working Smart for Screenwriters

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book recommendations for writers

As writers, the only part of our career we can truly control is our output. How productive can we be? How can we write more pages in a day? How can we optimize our creativity and enrich our storytelling?

That’s why as part of my Good Books series, I’m exploring how we can work smarter — without adding six more cups of coffee to our day (because… let’s be real, I’ve already done that.)

Today, here are three books that will help you work more efficiently as a writer in Hollywood:  [Read more…]

3 Tips for Getting Organized and Motivated after a Setback (Writing in Hollywood)

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welcome to amy’s blog, a phrase which here means “pretty photos of organized desks”

I have a quote on my wall that reads “fall seven, rise eight.” It’s a Japanese proverb I love because it’s the best advice on how to survive in this industry. It doesn’t matter how many times you fail as long as you keep going.

We can’t control a lot of aspects of writing in television, but what we can control is our own mindset and how we approach our work. By investing in a sense of humor, a positive perspective, and some organizational habits, we can re-route ourselves and get back on track no matter the setback.

So, here are three ways I reset myself and my goals after a setback: 

1. Track Habits, Gratitude, and Goals in a Journal

I keep two journals, one in which I reflect about my day, and a second where I track habits, write down what I’m grateful for, and check in on my goals. Because life can get hectic, I need a space to record my progress and to plan what’s next. Here’s what I keep track of:  [Read more…]

Writers’ Assistant, Showrunner’s Assistant, and Writers’ PA (What These Jobs Are and How to Get Them)

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how to get a writers assistant showrunners assistant writers pa job in hollywood television

I’m incredibly lucky to be working in an amazing writers’ room as a showrunner’s assistant, which even just a year ago seemed like a near-impossible job to get. As a graduate of USC’s screenwriting program, I knew I wanted to get into a writers’ room as an assistant but didn’t know how, nor did I understand the differences and subtleties between each of the roles.

So, just thought I’d do a quick post about these television assistant jobs and how to get them — things I wish I’d known a year ago. [Read more…]

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