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4 Creative Brainstorming Exercises for Screenwriters

April 11, 2013 by Amy Suto 2 Comments

creative brainstorming for screenwriters

Welcome to the latest and greatest installment in my Creative Screenwriting article series!

As always, this post is about optimizing your creativity through improving your writing process, and you’ll find practical tips intermixed with creativity studies when relevant.

1. Find Intrinsic Motivators

Creativity research indicates that finding stories you care about boosts your creative and inspirational capacity.

In the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Todd Thrash and Andrew Elliot of the University of Rochester conducted a study in 2002 called Inspiration as a Psychological Construct. In it, they described inspiration “as a general construct characterized by evocation, motivation, and transcendence.”

“…inspiration was found to correlate positively with the work mastery component of need for achievement but negatively with the competitiveness component, which reflects the typically mun- dane (nontranscendent) desire to outperform others. Similarly, inspiration was found to correlate positively with intrinsic motivation but negatively with extrinsic motivation”

(Elliot & Thrash, 2002)

So instead of trying to motivate yourself with reasons that correlate with external (extrinsic) motivators like “if I finish ten pages of my screenplay, I’ll treat myself to [reward]!” or “I need to finish this script so I can be rich and famous,” instead shift the focus to the interior.

The Exercise: Write down ten specific things that move you emotionally. The loss of a loved one, political injustice, LA traffic — anything that makes you feel something. By creating a story out of something personal, you now have a personal reason to be invested in this script. Your organic motivation to tell this story and share with others what moves you will aid your creativity and help you find inspiration at every turn.

 

2. Be Your Character

I just completed a script with my writing partner called “Love Letters from the Dance Floor,” and in the brainstorming phase I actually entered a ballroom dancing competition in order to get a feel for what it must be like for the characters.

Aside from really enjoying my newfound hobby, I also gained insight into details about what it meant to be a competitive ballroom dancer as I samba’d across the floor. (Yep. Samba’d. It’s that kind of morning.)

The Exercise: Spend a day and be the character you want to write about. Try out their passions, visit places they would go, and try and think like they would. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Creative Screenwriting, Screenwriting Tagged With: creative screenwriting

The 5 Basics of Creativity for Writers

July 25, 2012 by Amy Suto

Here are the five things writers should know about creativity:

1. Creativity is broken up into two parts: Convergent thinking (the process of combining and sorting out the best ideas) and divergent thinking (the process of creating ideas). Of the two, divergent thinking can be substantially improved, whereas convergent thinking is more crystallized. As screenwriters, we can improve divergent thinking skills through cognitive fluency exercises.

2. “Eureka” moments can be achieved by taking your mind off the project you’re working on. According to Arne Dietrich’s paper, The Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity (2004), there are two types of creativity, which can be interpreted as a mixture of different subtraits. Spontaneous and cognitive creativity requires taking a step back from the problem and taking time off, and originates from the basal ganglia where dopamine is stored. This type of creativity operates outside of the conscience awareness, and by doing unrelated tasks and getting away from the problem that requires a creative solution, the prefrontal cortex can make new connections and come up with an original solution. Spontaneous emotional creativity generates the “Eureka!” moments that cannot be planned for, and originate from the amygdala.

3. Reading fiction books makes you more creative. The study, “Reading for Pleasure and Creativity Among College Students” surveyed 225 university students and administered the twenty item Scale of Creative Attributes and Behavior (SCAB) creativity test. “The results indicated that reading for pleasure was significantly, positively correlated to creativity.”

4. Divergent thinking is the most important aspect of creativity. “In the study of individual differences in creative ability and potential— divergent thinking is the most promising candidate for the foundation of creative ability” (Plucker & Renzulli, 1999; Runco, 2007).

5. Creative people operate differently. Not only are they at risk for schizophrenia-like disorders, but a study from California State University indicates that people who are creative also are more likely to suffer from insomnia (Healey & Runco, 2006.)

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Filed Under: All Posts, Creative Screenwriting, Most Popular Posts, Musings Tagged With: creative screenwriting

9 Creative Approaches to Screenwriting

July 16, 2012 by Amy Suto

Over the past year, I’ve been studying the science behind creativity and how it works while conducting a study of my own. Because when you think about it, being creative is one of the fundamental skills required for screenwriters to be wildly successful. The execs aren’t gonna fed ex you buckets of cash unless you’ve some kind of genius who can pitch and write things they’ve never seen before.

For example, let’s take a look at this spec script that sold for mid six-figures:

“Dear Satan: The tale follows a 7-year old girl who accidentally misspells “Santa” in her letter to the North Pole and instead invites Satan to bring her a toy for Christmas.” -Deadline Hollywood. Written by Dan Ewen.

How creative is that?! I mean, wow. Talk about a ‘why didn’t I think of that?’ moment. Well the the good news is that creativity can be learned and honed.

Creativity is broken up into two parts: convergent thinking (the process of combining and sorting out the best ideas) and divergent thinking (the process of creating ideas). Of the two, divergent thinking can be substantially improved, whereas convergent thinking is more crystallized. The activities mentioned in this article focus on improving divergent thinking skills through cognitive fluency exercises. Exercises such as freewriting or using thinking maps have been popularized by Howard Gardner, who is the psychologist who came up with the theory of multiple intelligences. He’s also completed some notable studies dealing with the improvement of divergent thinking. E. Paul Torrance, the creator of the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, has also done extensive tests into divergent thinking improvement. In his paper, “Teaching For Creativity” for the University of Georgia he mentions freewriting and several other freewriting variations as effective tools for improving creativity.

Now for the approaches:

The Approaches

After going through my research, I’ve compiled a list of 9 ways we can approach screenwriting in order to become more creative:

1. Freewriting. Here’s what you do: set a timer for twenty minutes, sit down, and start writing. Don’t stop until you hit the timer. Just write. A scene, a character bio, a car chase, just do it! You’ll be surprised what kinds of things you come up with. You can also use Write Or Die to help you with this– when you stop typing, it starts deleting what you’ve written. Talk about motivation!

2. Use visual brainstorming tools. Thinking map creators such as this one are so helpful for the brainstorming process. Bubble maps may sound old school, but they’re very effective. (Especially for those of us who are visual thinkers!)

3. Don’t write and edit at the same time. When you rewrite and revise your work, you are engaging the left side of your brain. When you write, you’re using the right side. When you try to do both at once, your right brain doesn’t have the chance to come up with all those crazy awesome ideas that your left brain can trim and fix later. Single task, people! Writing is like making pottery. Go wild with the first draft and come up with more than enough clay that you can shape and improve later. Give yourself permission to fail.

4. The “quick 20” exercise. Let’s say you’re about to start a new scene and you’ve got writer’s block, or you’re revising and trying to figure out how to improve a fight scene. Whip out a sheet of paper, and write down twenty different ways that scene could go. Do not stop until you reach twenty! You might come up with a good idea on idea #9 or #10, but what if you come up with an even better idea at #19? This exercise uses the same principle as freewriting, but it’s more focused and taps into your divergent thinking skills. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: All Posts, Creative Screenwriting, Screenwriting Tagged With: creative screenwriting, creativity, dear satan, divergent thinking, storytelling

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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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_
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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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