Desk of Amy Suto

TV writer who eats danger for breakfast

  • About
    • Kingdom of Pavement
    • Book
  • Popular
  • Writing
    • Working in Hollywood
    • Writing
    • Creative Screenwriting
    • Writing for TV
    • How to Create A Web Series
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Coaching

For Men: How to Write Female Characters

February 11, 2013 by Amy Suto

This post was originally intended to be a satirical comment on the state of female characters in screenplays written by men.

But, ironically enough, after talking to a handful of male screenwriters, I realized that there is a legitimate, long-standing issue amongst male writers when it comes to writing female characters.

I say this without judgment: some male writers just don’t know how to write female characters. Which is why I’m here to help!

RELATED: Looking for some good books with strong female protagonists? Check out my recommendations!

How Are Female and Male Characters Different?

I’d love to say, “they aren’t.” I’d love to say, “for every iconic male character, there’s a female counterpart.” But unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Jason Bourne’s stoic killer instinct is mirrored in Angelina Jolie’s kickass spy in Salt. But the difference? Evelyn Salt has a softer side, a love for a husband or a fellow spy that tempers them. Jason Bourne’s romantic subplot is much more subtle and is completely secondary to his character development in the movies. And don’t get me started on James Bond — the suave womanizer has no feminine parallel, and even Luc Besson’s femme fatale spy Nikita is rougher and more emotionally unstable than the Bond.

Female characters seem to be the first to show vulnerabilites, the first to seek comfort in the arms of a loved one, the first to fall in love, the first to break down.

Hollywood’s still got a ways to go before female heroines can be considered equals to famous male heroes.

Female Characters as an Ideal

There are two overused stereotypes that terrorize the screenwriting world: the Prize, and the Harpie. They aren’t characters — they are just stand-in stereotypes lacking concrete personalities. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen these one-dimensional stereotypes plague many a screenplay that’s been sent to me for notes from male writers.

So read these and banish them from your stories!

The Prize

When female characters serve only as goals and not standalone characters with their own set of wants and traits, we have a problem.

In Drive, Carey Mulligan’s character was put on a pedestal as a beautiful, perfect thing that ought to be protected. She wasn’t afforded any character development– in fact, she was not a character. She was an ideal. A goal.

Female characters often serve simply as idealized motivations. ‘Here is a beautiful woman, now go protect her’ is the common thread with movies. She’s the prize, the treasure, the girl to be won because she’s beautiful.

The Harpie

She’s the incarnation of evil, and there’s no particular reason why. This trope stands in for a true villain, and rings false because there’s no motivation behind this character.

Why is she evil? Because she just is.

I loved Brick with the passion of a thousand suns, but its female characters were severely lacking. Both Cara and Laura fulfilled the Harpie trope, both sending men into dangerous situations to get killed and playing them like puppets just ’cause. Their motivations were never clear, and when they ended up betraying the main character it was like, “well, duh. They’re not characters, they’re stereotypes.”

RELATED: Writing in Hollywood in the age of #MeToo: Should Men be Telling Women’s Stories?

Examples of Well-Written Female Characters

  • Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman in Christopher Nolan’s Batman. Christopher Nolan writes his female characters very well. Catwoman is a devious thief whose 180 transformation in the third Batman is something to be studied.
  • Elizabeth Swan in Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3. This character wins the award for ‘most well developed over a trilogy.’ She goes from being the dutiful Governor’s daughter preparing to marry a man she doesn’t love to a Pirate King charging into battle with her true love by her side. She outsmarts Captain Jack Sparrow, kissing him so she can handcuff to the mast of his own ship so her and Will can escape the Kraken. She’s emotionally complex and motivated by a variety of factors. She never goes down without a fight, but she’s also capable of loving and being loved. Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio once mentioned that Elizabeth is the true main character of the trilogy. In my mind, this is part of the reason why the fourth Pirates wasn’t as strong.
  • Trinity in The Matrix. Watch the first scene of the movie. Only then can you begin to understand why Trinity is not only a kickass character, but she’s also got an arc of her own.
  • Thelma and Louise. Thelma and Louise are polar opposites, and they’ve both got their own backstories, quirks, and personal philosophies.

How Do I Describe My Female Characters?

For the millionth time, ‘beautiful’ is not a character trait. And the next time I read, ‘she’s beautiful but she doesn’t know it’ in a script I’m going to kill someone.

If your female character is of importance to the script and not some random extra, then she deserves at least one defining trait that helps the reader picture her.

Bad description:

SALLY (20’s) is beautiful with blond hair and long legs.

Good description:

SALLY (20’s) is a no-nonsense Brooklyn woman in a chic business attire with her hair up in a messy bun – messy only because she’s been at work since 7am.

I’ve also read a lot of creepy descriptors of female characters that are downright salacious in the most uncomfortable way possible. Women executives do exist in this business, so as a rule of thumb write your descriptions knowing that other people will be reading them.

How Do I Write Female Characters?

Like you write human characters.

One amateur screenplay I read contained a female character who was mercilessly berated and insulted by the tough guy main character whom she had just met, but thirty seconds later she inexplicably risked her life to help him.

The problems outlined above occur when writers rely on stereotypes and generalizations to stand in for where character should be. But if you aren’t sloppy with the character development, and you put some thought into why this character is acting this way and what their goals are, you’ve already set yourself apart from most of Hollywood.

Basically, it comes down to this: the emotional heart of a character is androgynous. Find that emotional truth, and the rest will follow.

Share this...
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Reddit
Reddit
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Share on Tumblr
Tumblr
Email this to someone
email
Print this page
Print

Filed Under: All Posts, Screenwriting Tagged With: feminist film student, screenwriting, strong female characters, writing female characters

Looking for writing help? I gotchu!

Let’s work together! Tell me about your project and what you’re looking for from a writer or writing coach and let’s talk.

 

Trackbacks

  1. Your smile is like a breath of spring, your voice is soft like summer rain. | Theycallmejack's Finest Hour says:
    June 22, 2013 at 2:07 AM

    […] Suto’ about men writing women (you can check it out here, some good advice, some less so: http://amysuto.com/2013/02/for-men-how-to-write-female-characters/) Amy says that women shouldn’t be put on a pedestal or be evil just because they’re […]

  2. Recipe For Great Characters in 6 Steps says:
    July 7, 2013 at 10:37 PM

    […] #3: Peel apart gender and ethnic stereotypes. You’re making characters, not empty shells of societal assumptions. Toss out peels, or use […]

  3. Good Books: Strong Female Protagonists says:
    July 31, 2013 at 9:06 AM

    […] Today I’ll be celebrating by eating sushi and blogging about good books with strong female characters. You can also check out my post about how to write strong female characters. […]

  4. her majesty helps: Masterlist of Writing Help for Writers | Messy Rooms & Chaotic Dreams says:
    July 8, 2014 at 10:44 PM

    […] Writing Female Characters […]

  5. And Now For Something Completely Different | Picklepants Reviews And Rants says:
    July 29, 2014 at 11:38 AM

    […] Writing Female Characters (You’d Be Surprised How Necessary This Is To Include. Read It, You&#… […]

  6. Masterpost: Writing Tips Collection – Fix Your Writing Habits says:
    January 27, 2017 at 6:39 PM

    […] Playing Male Characters Breaking Sterotypes Characters with Glasses Rebellious Characters Writing Female Characters Writing Intriuging Male and Female […]

  7. her majesty helps: Masterlist of Writing Help for Writers – Fix Your Writing Habits says:
    January 27, 2017 at 6:48 PM

    […] Writing Female Characters […]

  8. How to Fight Write says:
    August 21, 2017 at 4:18 PM

    […] CharactersPlaying Male CharactersBreaking SterotypesCharacters with GlassesRebellious CharactersWriting Female CharactersWriting Intriuging Male and Female […]

  9. - digital beauties says:
    November 4, 2017 at 10:59 AM

    […] CharactersPlaying Male CharactersBreaking SterotypesCharacters with GlassesRebellious CharactersWriting Female CharactersWriting Intriuging Male and Female […]

  10. - digital beauties says:
    November 4, 2017 at 11:02 AM

    […] Writing Female Characters […]

  11. Masterlist of Writing Help for Writers – Illuminatus Design says:
    December 5, 2018 at 11:48 AM

    […] Writing Female Characters […]

  12. her majesty helps: Masterlist of Writing Help for Writers | Kat-Anni's References says:
    December 12, 2018 at 1:50 PM

    […] Writing Female Characters […]

About Amy Suto

Welcome, I’m Amy Suto! I write for TV, scripted podcasts, and I also ghostwrite memoirs for fascinating people all over the world. Check out my portfolio page, sign-up for my newsletter, and don’t hesitate to get in touch and share your favorite coffeeshop recommendations! Check out my writing coaching and consulting offerings here. Hiring for a writing project or need a memoir ghostwriter? Tell me about you and your project!

Amy’s Newsletter

Don’t miss a post — sign up below!


I promise not to spam you or sell your email. Good vibes only!

Hire Me on Upwork

Hire Me on Fiverr

The Last Station Scripted Podcast: Listen Now!

Listen to The Last Station, the scripted podcast I wrote and produced about the last radio host at the end of the world who gets her first caller and realizes she’s not alone in her post-apocalyptic world. It’s a sci-fi mystery series inspired by what we’ve gone through in quarantine.

Ask Jeeves

Hire Freelance Ghostwriters

Find Freedom in Freelancing

Hi friends! Not sure if you heard, but I wrote a book about how freelancing allowed me to travel the world and focus on my writing full-time in-between writers’ rooms. If you’d like to read about how I made my first $60,000 on the freelance platform Upwork and how I’ve grown my freelance business since then, check it out on Amazon!

Recent Posts

  • Your Bio Sucks: How to Write a Better Bio for Your Website/LinkedIn/Resume/Whatever
  • How to Write a Witty Blog Post with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) That People Actually Want to Read
  • Pain Clarifies Priorities: Getting My Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis and Creatively Recalibrating
  • So You Wanna Be a Great Writer/Artist/Musician: How to “Honor the Work” as a Creative
  • How Much Does Hiring a Memoir Ghostwriter Cost?



Because I’m a Millennial

sutoscience

Amy Suto
A moment of zen from our fireplace to yours ❤️ A moment of zen from our fireplace to yours ❤️ ft. this wonderful candle from @tuesdaycandleco (shout-out to Emily who makes these!) there’s something satisfying about lighting things on fire after a long day of work. For us, today was errands-city which is a lot harder to do when you’re staying in the middle of nowhere and have to drive an hour and a half to get to a bank. What a world. But even if you didn’t get everything you wanted to done today, you should still light a candle and rest up. The work will still be there tomorrow.
This is where I’m taking most of my Zoom calls t This is where I’m taking most of my Zoom calls these days — in the greenhouse of our crazy abandoned-orphanage-turned-Airbnb in the middle of the town of Galena, IL which might as well be a time capsule of the 1960’s. When @kylefcords and I aren’t working, we’re walking around the town and hearing stories from local amateur archeologists about the old steamboats that used to come down the river. Aside from the freight train’s horn, there’s also been intermittent emergency storm sirens that sound, alerting the town of coming rains and potential floods. We’re also living next to Ulysses Grant’s home, so excited to say hi to his ghost whenever he fancies a visit.
It’s been a surreal year in quarantine, and it’s hard to think about what things are going to be like when we are “back to normal.” My normal definitely looks a lot different: building @kingdomofink_writers and @kingdomofpavement with @kylefcords this past year and producing three scripted podcasts and one upcoming unscripted podcast on top of all of the other lovely projects in my life has created a brand new reality for me. I’m lucky I get to wake up every day and do what I love in a different part of the country each month. Next stop on our remote work road trip: a definitely haunted orphanage-turned-Airbnb in Galena, IL!

Photo cred @aaronjayyoung
Afternoon tea in the mountains 🍵 @onetea.co’s Afternoon tea in the mountains 🍵 @onetea.co’s black honey tea is to die for — Cynthia’s teas are my favorite because of how unique they are. My parents had an online tea shop I worked in when I grew up, and I used to put together our tea gift baskets. I’d spend my afternoons trying out all sorts of different kinds of tea, so this ritual is near and dear to my heart. Spending time to slow down and enjoy the moment is time that is never wasted. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#tea #mountains #teatime #tealover #writing #storytelling #smallbusiness #travel #travelphotography #forest #nomad
I’m so thrilled to share with you @kingdomofink_ I’m so thrilled to share with you @kingdomofink_writers — @kylefcords and my new business that aims to connect companies and individuals to high-end writers from entertainment backgrounds. We started this collective of #freelancers because we saw the need of creative writers in different industries, and the opportunity to create a more holistic career for high-achieving professionals. Want to support us? Go to KingdomofInk.com to hire a writer. Want to join us? Check out our careers page at KingdomofInk.com/careers

Shout-out to @elenamaria_sanchez who so beautifully designed our feed and website at KingdomofInk.com!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#freelance #writers #ghostwriting #freelancing #remotework #writer #storyteller #creators #create #maker #artist #hireawriter #hire #hiring #startup #siliconvalley #tech #business #entreprenuer
So proud to be an EP with @kylefcords on @kingdomo So proud to be an EP with @kylefcords on @kingdomofpavement’s newest scripted podcast, JUST TO BE NOMINATED, which was featured in Vulture today. Created by @colormejorge, everyone on this project brought their murder-y A-Game. Listen to the first ep now! KingdomofPavement.com/JTBN @jtbnpodcast 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#scriptedpodcast #oscars #awardseason #story #season #writing #amwriting #writerscommunity #writersofig #writersofinstagram #reader #murder #murdermystery #murdershewrote #truecrime #truecrimepodcast
As a writer, I’ve always believed we have to wri As a writer, I’ve always believed we have to write honestly and openly about our world. Today is no different — at the beginning of this year I was diagnosed with the incurable autoimmune disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and am one of those aggressive medications you’ve probably seen on TV commercials. This disease happens when the body’s immune system attacks its own joints, causing chronic pain and disfiguration (my fingers look like sausages right now, and not in a sexy way) and it just generally sucks. I wrote a post on my blog (AmySuto.com) about how I’m coping (lots of green juice and complaining about the number of pills I have to take each day to my quarantine roadtrip friends) and am going to be contributing more to the dialog of what I’m finding works for me. The thing that has helped so far is being able to read about other people’s experiences with this disease and what they’ve found to be effective in reducing pain and retaining mobility, and I’d like to be a part of the conversation of what it means to heal from chronic illness. (And mourn the loss of coffee and alcohol and gluten and dairy from my life — major RIP) So, while I’d welcome your soy-free and gluten-free vegan recipe suggestions, I’d also love for this to mostly be a reminder that there are probably other people in your life who are going through health problems they aren’t sharing, and to hold some space in your day to honor the invisible battles the people around you are fighting on a daily basis. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#rheumatoidarthritis #health #wellness #blog #bloggersofinstagram #rheumatoidarthritiswarrior #write #writer #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #create #chronicillness #autoimmunedisease #autoimmunearthritis #autoimmunewellness #autoimmunehealing
So thrilled for @colormejorge’s scripted podcast So thrilled for @colormejorge’s scripted podcast, @jtbnpodcast! Produced by my production company @kingdomofpavement, don’t miss this award season murder mystery. Listen to the full trailer wherever you check out podcasts, links at: KINGDOMOFPAVEMENT.COM/JTBN
.
.
.
.
.
.
#jtbn #scriptedpodcast #podcast #podcasting #producer #podcastersofinstagram #create #story #awards #listen
Episode 106 of Kingdom of Pavement’s @thelastst Episode 106 of Kingdom of Pavement’s  @thelaststationpodcast is live wherever you listen to podcasts— be ready to receive a message of SAFETY, COMMUNITY, AND HOPE written by @colormejorge, executive produced by @kylefcords and @sutoscience, directed by @tymaw, edited by @mglennsound, scored by @sudsmusic and starring @the_other_keanu, @itsbexfinch, and @danielrashid with @mattkeibler and Sarah High. And whatever you do — DON’T LISTEN TO THE NUMBERS.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#scriptedpodcast #scifi #art #create #podcast #sciencefiction #podcastersofinstagram #podcastlife #podcasting #audio #radio #radiodrama #story #storytelling #writing #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram
Snippet from our shoot in the desert last year wit Snippet from our shoot in the desert last year with the badass @idaliavalles_ and @medwardsphx, can’t wait to eventually get back to filming projects again!

#Repost @idaliavalles_
・・・
A casual stroll in the desert 🏜 excerpt from @sutoscience projects 🎥 @medwardsphx
In 2020, we were constantly faced with our own mor In 2020, we were constantly faced with our own mortality. If your life was taken away from you tomorrow, what would you do differently today? What would you change in yourself and the world around you? In reading this book about how different cultures around the world treat death so much differently than us, I also think our fear of death harms us. In thinking that we’re going to live forever, America pretends very real viruses don’t exist, and we don’t make the changes today that would lead to a better tomorrow. The fact that death is an inevitability is both freeing and a call to make the most of the time that we do have. Here’s to 2021 and the way in which we can make the most of it ✨
I'm doing a blog series heading into the new year I'm doing a blog series heading into the new year about building better habits and mental frameworks around our work as writers and creatives, and this first installment is about how to "honor the work" it takes to make great art. Check it out at AmySuto.com and I will one day also be updating my email newsletter before the end of this godforsaken year so if that's your jam feel free to sign-up!
Taking a yoga break in-between working on a key wr Taking a yoga break in-between working on a key writing project today— I’ve loved playing with standing balance flows lately because they help with focus. If you’re trying not to fall over it’s hard to have wandering thoughts 🙂 warrior 2 > triangle > half moon > crescent 🌙 lunge > warrior 3 > half chair > eagle > warrior 3 was one of my favorite challenge sequences I taught in my yoga classes pre-pandemic, and is a great way to quiet your mind even if you fall out of it like I did 🙃 one of my favorite yoga teachers used to tell me falling is just proof that we’re challenging ourselves. If we’re doing everything perfectly, we’re too far within our comfort zone.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#yoga #writing #movement #yogapractice #yogaflow #yogadaily #writing #scriptchat #nature wearing @alo #aloyoga
I’ve spent most of 2020 in cozy spaces reading w I’ve spent most of 2020 in cozy spaces reading with my cat, and there’s something satisfying in the simplicity of sifting through all these good books. My current read is “Women Who Run With Wolves,” a book analyzing mythology and feminine nature that’s deeply fascinating and a life-changing read. We don’t think about the wisdom we need to protect our creative nature and inner worlds, and this book goes into how to find restoration and strength even in our chaotic environment. A full list of all my favorite books from this year coming to my blog soon!
This is been a year of climbing mountains. Whether This is been a year of climbing mountains. Whether we’re forming a fictional folk band and need to get our album cover or creating new systems and structures from scratch, I couldn’t be more grateful for the people beside me as we build a kingdom that can pave a new road into Hollywood and storytelling. Every day I get to wake up and work on projects I love, help fascinating folks tell their stories, and try to make my corner of this world a little brighter. In 2021 I’m planning to keep upholding the standards and values I want in our work, and to bring some really special art to life. Even as things are burning, we can find a way to use the flames to show us the way to what’s next.
Enjoying the last few days of working remotely in Enjoying the last few days of working remotely in Palm Springs. It’s been a lovely month soaking up the last of the summer (fall?) sun while writing by the pool and transitioning to fire pit days. Working in inspiring places has helped me focus on the top-secret writing work I’m doing for really inspiring people, and think deeply about the right way to tell a story from all angles. Soon, back to LA, home for the holidays, and onto the next adventure as we try to make the most of our quarantine world with really exceptional people.
Lots of late nights writing, working, and drinking Lots of late nights writing, working, and drinking whiskey lately 🥃 it’s been a busy year, but I’m lucky to be working on projects I love.
Spent all of the past month living and working rem Spent all of the past month living and working remotely in the Colorado Rockies, and here’s what I learned:

1) Fresh air and long hikes can fix a lot
2) What can’t be fixed by 1 can be remedied with good friends and long conversations 
3) What can’t be fixed by 1 and 2 can be solved by renouncing all material possessions and just moving to the woods permanently and taking up whittling 
4) While I’m not quite at 3 just yet, I’m working on trying to carve out a place in the world that feels full of life and heart and community. It’s going to take a long time to build everything we’re working on, with a lot of hard decisions along the road. But I’m excited to keep making progress and creating stories I care about with talented folks.

Stay safe and here’s to hoping we’ll get our blue skies back in LA sometime soon 💙
The trees are changing like we all are; the season The trees are changing like we all are; the seasons of life we go through can either cultivate personal growth or personal fear and I’m hoping to always have the courage to choose the former.
Spent the past four days off-the-grid, driving to Spent the past four days off-the-grid, driving to Colorado and spending a night in a yurt in the middle of the Utah desert 🌵 now we’re in the woods and back in semi-civilization to write, quarantine together, and work on all the things.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Contact Me

Email Me

Tweeting into the Void

Tweets by AmyMSuto

Categories

  • 31 Days of Spy Films and Shows
  • Adventures
  • Agency Life
  • All Posts
  • Behind the Scenes of CON
  • Book Recommendations
  • Completed Films
  • Creative Screenwriting
  • Eaten Alive by the LA Millennial Underground Story Series
  • Essays
  • Freelance Writing
  • Ghostwriting
  • Good Books
  • Health and Wellness
  • Hire a Blog Writer
  • How to Create A Web Series
  • How to Pre-Write
  • L.A. Creatives
  • Living in Los Angeles
  • Most Popular Posts
  • Musings
  • Portfolio
  • Remote Work
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Screenwriting
  • Screenwriting Lessons
  • Script Breakdown
  • Scripted Podcasts
  • Site News
  • Spy Films and TV Shows
  • TV Show Reviews
  • Uncategorized
  • Weekend Read
  • Who is Amy Suto?
  • Working in Hollywood
  • Writing
  • Writing for TV
  • Yoga for Writers

Tweeting Into the Void

Tweets by AmyMSuto

Recent Posts

  • Your Bio Sucks: How to Write a Better Bio for Your Website/LinkedIn/Resume/Whatever
  • How to Write a Witty Blog Post with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) That People Actually Want to Read
  • Pain Clarifies Priorities: Getting My Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis and Creatively Recalibrating
  • So You Wanna Be a Great Writer/Artist/Musician: How to “Honor the Work” as a Creative
  • How Much Does Hiring a Memoir Ghostwriter Cost?

Because I’m a Millennial

sutoscience

Amy Suto
A moment of zen from our fireplace to yours ❤️ A moment of zen from our fireplace to yours ❤️ ft. this wonderful candle from @tuesdaycandleco (shout-out to Emily who makes these!) there’s something satisfying about lighting things on fire after a long day of work. For us, today was errands-city which is a lot harder to do when you’re staying in the middle of nowhere and have to drive an hour and a half to get to a bank. What a world. But even if you didn’t get everything you wanted to done today, you should still light a candle and rest up. The work will still be there tomorrow.
This is where I’m taking most of my Zoom calls t This is where I’m taking most of my Zoom calls these days — in the greenhouse of our crazy abandoned-orphanage-turned-Airbnb in the middle of the town of Galena, IL which might as well be a time capsule of the 1960’s. When @kylefcords and I aren’t working, we’re walking around the town and hearing stories from local amateur archeologists about the old steamboats that used to come down the river. Aside from the freight train’s horn, there’s also been intermittent emergency storm sirens that sound, alerting the town of coming rains and potential floods. We’re also living next to Ulysses Grant’s home, so excited to say hi to his ghost whenever he fancies a visit.
It’s been a surreal year in quarantine, and it’s hard to think about what things are going to be like when we are “back to normal.” My normal definitely looks a lot different: building @kingdomofink_writers and @kingdomofpavement with @kylefcords this past year and producing three scripted podcasts and one upcoming unscripted podcast on top of all of the other lovely projects in my life has created a brand new reality for me. I’m lucky I get to wake up every day and do what I love in a different part of the country each month. Next stop on our remote work road trip: a definitely haunted orphanage-turned-Airbnb in Galena, IL!

Photo cred @aaronjayyoung
Afternoon tea in the mountains 🍵 @onetea.co’s Afternoon tea in the mountains 🍵 @onetea.co’s black honey tea is to die for — Cynthia’s teas are my favorite because of how unique they are. My parents had an online tea shop I worked in when I grew up, and I used to put together our tea gift baskets. I’d spend my afternoons trying out all sorts of different kinds of tea, so this ritual is near and dear to my heart. Spending time to slow down and enjoy the moment is time that is never wasted. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#tea #mountains #teatime #tealover #writing #storytelling #smallbusiness #travel #travelphotography #forest #nomad
I’m so thrilled to share with you @kingdomofink_ I’m so thrilled to share with you @kingdomofink_writers — @kylefcords and my new business that aims to connect companies and individuals to high-end writers from entertainment backgrounds. We started this collective of #freelancers because we saw the need of creative writers in different industries, and the opportunity to create a more holistic career for high-achieving professionals. Want to support us? Go to KingdomofInk.com to hire a writer. Want to join us? Check out our careers page at KingdomofInk.com/careers

Shout-out to @elenamaria_sanchez who so beautifully designed our feed and website at KingdomofInk.com!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#freelance #writers #ghostwriting #freelancing #remotework #writer #storyteller #creators #create #maker #artist #hireawriter #hire #hiring #startup #siliconvalley #tech #business #entreprenuer
So proud to be an EP with @kylefcords on @kingdomo So proud to be an EP with @kylefcords on @kingdomofpavement’s newest scripted podcast, JUST TO BE NOMINATED, which was featured in Vulture today. Created by @colormejorge, everyone on this project brought their murder-y A-Game. Listen to the first ep now! KingdomofPavement.com/JTBN @jtbnpodcast 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#scriptedpodcast #oscars #awardseason #story #season #writing #amwriting #writerscommunity #writersofig #writersofinstagram #reader #murder #murdermystery #murdershewrote #truecrime #truecrimepodcast
As a writer, I’ve always believed we have to wri As a writer, I’ve always believed we have to write honestly and openly about our world. Today is no different — at the beginning of this year I was diagnosed with the incurable autoimmune disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and am one of those aggressive medications you’ve probably seen on TV commercials. This disease happens when the body’s immune system attacks its own joints, causing chronic pain and disfiguration (my fingers look like sausages right now, and not in a sexy way) and it just generally sucks. I wrote a post on my blog (AmySuto.com) about how I’m coping (lots of green juice and complaining about the number of pills I have to take each day to my quarantine roadtrip friends) and am going to be contributing more to the dialog of what I’m finding works for me. The thing that has helped so far is being able to read about other people’s experiences with this disease and what they’ve found to be effective in reducing pain and retaining mobility, and I’d like to be a part of the conversation of what it means to heal from chronic illness. (And mourn the loss of coffee and alcohol and gluten and dairy from my life — major RIP) So, while I’d welcome your soy-free and gluten-free vegan recipe suggestions, I’d also love for this to mostly be a reminder that there are probably other people in your life who are going through health problems they aren’t sharing, and to hold some space in your day to honor the invisible battles the people around you are fighting on a daily basis. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#rheumatoidarthritis #health #wellness #blog #bloggersofinstagram #rheumatoidarthritiswarrior #write #writer #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #create #chronicillness #autoimmunedisease #autoimmunearthritis #autoimmunewellness #autoimmunehealing
So thrilled for @colormejorge’s scripted podcast So thrilled for @colormejorge’s scripted podcast, @jtbnpodcast! Produced by my production company @kingdomofpavement, don’t miss this award season murder mystery. Listen to the full trailer wherever you check out podcasts, links at: KINGDOMOFPAVEMENT.COM/JTBN
.
.
.
.
.
.
#jtbn #scriptedpodcast #podcast #podcasting #producer #podcastersofinstagram #create #story #awards #listen
Episode 106 of Kingdom of Pavement’s @thelastst Episode 106 of Kingdom of Pavement’s  @thelaststationpodcast is live wherever you listen to podcasts— be ready to receive a message of SAFETY, COMMUNITY, AND HOPE written by @colormejorge, executive produced by @kylefcords and @sutoscience, directed by @tymaw, edited by @mglennsound, scored by @sudsmusic and starring @the_other_keanu, @itsbexfinch, and @danielrashid with @mattkeibler and Sarah High. And whatever you do — DON’T LISTEN TO THE NUMBERS.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#scriptedpodcast #scifi #art #create #podcast #sciencefiction #podcastersofinstagram #podcastlife #podcasting #audio #radio #radiodrama #story #storytelling #writing #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram
Snippet from our shoot in the desert last year wit Snippet from our shoot in the desert last year with the badass @idaliavalles_ and @medwardsphx, can’t wait to eventually get back to filming projects again!

#Repost @idaliavalles_
・・・
A casual stroll in the desert 🏜 excerpt from @sutoscience projects 🎥 @medwardsphx
In 2020, we were constantly faced with our own mor In 2020, we were constantly faced with our own mortality. If your life was taken away from you tomorrow, what would you do differently today? What would you change in yourself and the world around you? In reading this book about how different cultures around the world treat death so much differently than us, I also think our fear of death harms us. In thinking that we’re going to live forever, America pretends very real viruses don’t exist, and we don’t make the changes today that would lead to a better tomorrow. The fact that death is an inevitability is both freeing and a call to make the most of the time that we do have. Here’s to 2021 and the way in which we can make the most of it ✨
I'm doing a blog series heading into the new year I'm doing a blog series heading into the new year about building better habits and mental frameworks around our work as writers and creatives, and this first installment is about how to "honor the work" it takes to make great art. Check it out at AmySuto.com and I will one day also be updating my email newsletter before the end of this godforsaken year so if that's your jam feel free to sign-up!
Taking a yoga break in-between working on a key wr Taking a yoga break in-between working on a key writing project today— I’ve loved playing with standing balance flows lately because they help with focus. If you’re trying not to fall over it’s hard to have wandering thoughts 🙂 warrior 2 > triangle > half moon > crescent 🌙 lunge > warrior 3 > half chair > eagle > warrior 3 was one of my favorite challenge sequences I taught in my yoga classes pre-pandemic, and is a great way to quiet your mind even if you fall out of it like I did 🙃 one of my favorite yoga teachers used to tell me falling is just proof that we’re challenging ourselves. If we’re doing everything perfectly, we’re too far within our comfort zone.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#yoga #writing #movement #yogapractice #yogaflow #yogadaily #writing #scriptchat #nature wearing @alo #aloyoga
I’ve spent most of 2020 in cozy spaces reading w I’ve spent most of 2020 in cozy spaces reading with my cat, and there’s something satisfying in the simplicity of sifting through all these good books. My current read is “Women Who Run With Wolves,” a book analyzing mythology and feminine nature that’s deeply fascinating and a life-changing read. We don’t think about the wisdom we need to protect our creative nature and inner worlds, and this book goes into how to find restoration and strength even in our chaotic environment. A full list of all my favorite books from this year coming to my blog soon!
This is been a year of climbing mountains. Whether This is been a year of climbing mountains. Whether we’re forming a fictional folk band and need to get our album cover or creating new systems and structures from scratch, I couldn’t be more grateful for the people beside me as we build a kingdom that can pave a new road into Hollywood and storytelling. Every day I get to wake up and work on projects I love, help fascinating folks tell their stories, and try to make my corner of this world a little brighter. In 2021 I’m planning to keep upholding the standards and values I want in our work, and to bring some really special art to life. Even as things are burning, we can find a way to use the flames to show us the way to what’s next.
Enjoying the last few days of working remotely in Enjoying the last few days of working remotely in Palm Springs. It’s been a lovely month soaking up the last of the summer (fall?) sun while writing by the pool and transitioning to fire pit days. Working in inspiring places has helped me focus on the top-secret writing work I’m doing for really inspiring people, and think deeply about the right way to tell a story from all angles. Soon, back to LA, home for the holidays, and onto the next adventure as we try to make the most of our quarantine world with really exceptional people.
Lots of late nights writing, working, and drinking Lots of late nights writing, working, and drinking whiskey lately 🥃 it’s been a busy year, but I’m lucky to be working on projects I love.
Spent all of the past month living and working rem Spent all of the past month living and working remotely in the Colorado Rockies, and here’s what I learned:

1) Fresh air and long hikes can fix a lot
2) What can’t be fixed by 1 can be remedied with good friends and long conversations 
3) What can’t be fixed by 1 and 2 can be solved by renouncing all material possessions and just moving to the woods permanently and taking up whittling 
4) While I’m not quite at 3 just yet, I’m working on trying to carve out a place in the world that feels full of life and heart and community. It’s going to take a long time to build everything we’re working on, with a lot of hard decisions along the road. But I’m excited to keep making progress and creating stories I care about with talented folks.

Stay safe and here’s to hoping we’ll get our blue skies back in LA sometime soon 💙
The trees are changing like we all are; the season The trees are changing like we all are; the seasons of life we go through can either cultivate personal growth or personal fear and I’m hoping to always have the courage to choose the former.
Spent the past four days off-the-grid, driving to Spent the past four days off-the-grid, driving to Colorado and spending a night in a yurt in the middle of the Utah desert 🌵 now we’re in the woods and back in semi-civilization to write, quarantine together, and work on all the things.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 AmySuto.com · All Rights Reserved.