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TV writer who eats danger for breakfast

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

September 10, 2017 by Amy Suto Leave a Comment

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…]

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Filed Under: All Posts, Most Popular Posts, Working in Hollywood, Writing, Writing for TV Tagged With: motivation, organizing

Writing the Half-Hour TV Drama

August 21, 2017 by Amy Suto 4 Comments

I hate the phrase “dramedy.”

Every half-hour TV show that isn’t quite a comedy has been given that title. NURSE JACKIE? WEEDS? TRANSPARENT? GIRLS? Dramedies, despite the fact that the spine of these shows are unequivocally dramatic. If you added a meaty B and C storyline to NURSE JACKIE, the show would become HOUSE, something that has never been called a dramedy despite its moments of humor and lightness. Classics like GUNSMOKE and THE TWILIGHT ZONE were half-hours, so by the definition of run-time shouldn’t it be classified as a comedy, or worse, a dramedy? (The correct answer, as I hope you know, is definitely not.)

We’re in an era where dramatic storytelling no longer needs to be relegated to an hour, and the streamlined, nimble storytelling of the half-hour format can be just as dramatic as its 60-minute companion.

So what makes a show a drama? 

  • Tone.
  • Subject matter.
  • Approach to subject matter.
  • Scene composition.

Let’s compare VEEP and HOUSE OF CARDS. Both are about Washington D.C. and politics, sure, but more specifically VEEP is about the powerlessness of the Vice Presidency and the incompetence of Selena and her staff, whereas HOUSE OF CARDS is about the power struggles in D.C. and the viciously cunning Frank Underwood and his power maneuvers.

The tone of these two shows are continents apart: HOUSE OF CARDS is brooding and stylishly dark, and VEEP is a cynical farce. Their approach to subjects like power (and lack thereof) are what sets them apart on genre lines.

In a typical VEEP scene, you can expect sharp witticism and barb-filled dialog, with an undercurrent of comedic suspense as we watch something fall apart thanks to the incompetencies of the characters.

In a typical HOUSE OF CARDS scene, we expect chilling hints at Frank Underwood’s latest scheme for power, and an undercurrent of suspense as we wait for dark dealings to bubble to the surface.

Structure of a Half-Hour Drama

The nimble, fluid structure of a half-hour drama gives writers a lot of room for flexibility. However, even as these half-hours seem to be able to buck the norms of structure, they still do follow patterns of structure similar to their hour companions.

  • Half-hours have one or two major plot movements. Whereas hours have several big movements that culminate in end-of-act cliffhangers four or five times an episodes, half-hours usually only have two major plot movements at most, one of which turns the story to the other.
  • Three acts and a teaser is the structure, but there’s room to mix it up. Hours usually fall along the lines of four or five acts plus a teaser. Half hours can fall along three acts and a teaser, but you’ll rarely see act breaks in the script. Struture is more fluid in half-hours.
  • Scenes often run shorter because they no longer have to service multiple plotlines, with scene lengths running on average 1.77 pages. There are also a scarcity of exterior shots, and exteriors are mostly only used for establishing. In terms of scene length, if a scene is longer than two pages, it’s usually a central plot point (usually a pivotal dinner or party scene.)
  • Rather than juggling A, B, C storylines with a D runner that hours have the time to tackle, most half hours focus on an A-Story (like NURSE JACKIE, ENLIGHTENED, I LOVE DICK), or have equally-weighted A and B and C storylines that track an ensemble cast that have a culminating plot movement that ties them together (TRANSPARENT, TOGETHERNESS). Overall, there’s more flexibility with the form, as long as the focus of each individual episode is made clear (in thematic or character terms.)
  • Dinner is the most dramatic meal. In almost every half hour I read, the major plot points revolved around a dinner (or two dinners, like GIRLS and CATASTROPHE). If you want to break the form, have a set piece revolve around brunch which never has any drama. 

The Stats

I broke down a handful of half-hour dramas to make the below infographic to give you an idea of what the average half-hour drama looks like:

Now go, reinvent short form television and make some great dramatic television!

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Filed Under: All Posts, Most Popular Posts, Screenwriting, Writing, Writing for TV Tagged With: drama, half hour, television

Assistant Life: Surviving Vs. Thriving, Strategies to Keep Writing

December 19, 2016 by Amy Suto 3 Comments

Hey there readers, it’s Amy. Before you read this post, I just want to let you know that my outlook on the current state of the industry has changed, and I can’t in good conscience continue to advocate for the assistant path for writers. It’s part COVID, part an inherent sense of classism in the industry. For more, read my new blog post here about my advice for new grads and why I think writers shouldn’t go the assistant path anymore. I’m keeping these posts up just in case you disagree with me and still want to go this path, but I just wanted to be fully transparent and give you the best advice I know how. 

-Amy

…

I’ve been writing a lot recently about creatives in the industry and posting images of aesthetically pleasing and meticulously organized writing spaces (aka: my therapy) so this blog post is continuing the trend.

At holiday parties this past month, I’ve been meeting other writers who are holding down jobs in the industry, from showrunner’s assistants to writer’s PA’s to researchers. The first question I ask pretty much all of them is how do you do it? How do you be good enough at your day job and somehow retain the energy and time to write outside of our 11+ hour days? 

Some are honest: they aren’t able to make it work a lot of the time. Understandably, we’re all human and it’s tough.

[You guys should also check out: a day in the life of an agency assistant working in Hollywood]

However, we work in an industry that doesn’t care about our busy schedules — everyone is busy all of the time, and that’s not an excuse. If we don’t write, if we don’t commit that great idea to the page and then rewrite it until its brilliant, then others will just surpass us and we’ll never be able to escape the assistant life. As one writer who had been staffed on several shows told me, you have to grind and hustle to get your writing to where it needs to be: you can’t escape it, so might as well put in the mind-numbing hard work now.

With that in mind, here are some strategies I’ve put together that seem to work pretty well for myself and other writers out there. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Agency Life, All Posts, Most Popular Posts, Writing, Writing for TV Tagged With: assistant life, industry, productivity, writing

5 Tips for Using Flashforwards in TV Writing

September 22, 2015 by Amy Suto 1 Comment

Flashforwards are the flashbacks of our era of TV writing. From the flashforwards in Lost that showed our merry ensemble cast finally off the island at last (and wanting to go back) to shows like Damages and Bloodline that structure entire seasons on the content of their jumps in time, this tool has become ubiquitous in our modern age of storytelling as a linear narrative faces more challenges in capturing an audience.

However, it’s easy to misuse this device. Here are 5 things you need to consider before deciding to use flashforwards in your show:

1. Does a flashforward storyline make your story more interesting?

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Remember that ABC show, Flashforward? The show centered on the entire world blacking out and witnessing a few seconds of their future. The whole show was structured with the characters being aware of this narrative device, instead of it just being just for the sake of the audience. The show ultimately become too convoluted for its own good and it didn’t help that its characters were spouting most of the themes of the show, but the initial concept and first few episodes did a good job with the device.

That brings us to our first point: do flashforwards make the telling of your story MORE INTERESTING?

With Flashforward, the answer is yes — without the device, the story would be pretty dull (and would also make no sense.) But if you can get rid of the flashforward and the story still stands, then you should cut them.

2. Are your flashforwards shocking enough?

How-To-Get-Away-With-Murder-Fanfiction

I just started watching Shonda Rhimes’ How to Get Away With Murder (and by “just started” I mean I’m on episode 11) and while I love the character development (Viola Davis deserves all the awards, including the Emmy she just won), one of the aspects of this show that I find unnecessary are the flashforwards which almost seem to exist to make use of that expensive bonfire they shot.

The problem with the flashforwards in HTGAWM is that there’s no shock value. There is murder in the title of the show, so when we see these law students in the flashforward panicking after committing a murder, there’s no surprise there. We expect someone in this show to try and get away with murder, so the power of the flashforwards are lost on us, especially when we’re pretty sure they did this on accident. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: All Posts, Writing for TV Tagged With: damages, flashforwards, how to get away with murder, shonda rhimes

Playing Pretend: On Set of CON and the Television Experience

May 12, 2015 by Amy Suto 1 Comment

wrapcastandcrewCON TV Miniseries: Check us out on Facebook!

back row, left to right: Ashley (actress), Allison Kelly (equipment manager), Jon Pham (cinematographer), Joey Livingston (actor: Jonah), Sandy Valles (actress: Faye), Amy Suto (me, the co-creator), Eric Casalini (actor: Jonathan), Irina (supervising producer). Front Row, left: Avi Kaye (director) and Noah Suarez-Sikes (producer)

ON SET OF CON

Every week we have a quote of the day on our call sheet. My favorite was written by Irina, our Russian supervising producer: “We wrap by 5pm or else I’m sending you all to Siberia.”

On set today, we’re shooting in the TV station on campus — Trojan Vision — and we’re pretending it’s a radio station. Our Assistant Director/Associate Producer Noah walks with me through the double doors and into master control, talking about the poster he made for set design with the name of the fictional radio show “THE MILES HOUR” and how he designed it like a Russian propaganda poster as a joke, and how he can’t wait for Irina to see it. I anticipate her sending him to Siberia. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Adventures, All Posts, Behind the Scenes of CON, Screenwriting, Who is Amy Suto?, Writing for TV Tagged With: producing, showrunner, showrunning, television, writing

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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!

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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.

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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. 
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#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!
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#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 
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#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. 
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#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
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#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.
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#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.
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#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.
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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. 
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#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!
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#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 
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#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. 
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#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
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#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.
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#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.
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#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.
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