No bits! Just a vulnerable tweet thread: because I’m tired of only sharing my successes. Building a career as an artist means you need to be more resilient, more entrepreneurial, and grittier than any of successful business people who look down on you and your choices.

Being an artist means withstanding hundreds of rejections for every “yes,” and, somehow, in the midst of that shit parade, maintaining faith in your unique talent and voice. It’s pure insanity.

I learned a good 15 years ago not to get my hopes up about… anything. Any bid. Any program application. Any festival submission. Because maybe I’m not right for the gig, or maybe the gatekeeper was pissed about their lunch order and I just had terrible luck.

Or, more likely, they hired their buddy, because NEPOTISM. I once spent a week on a treatment, flew across the country to show my commitment, had an incredible pitch meeting, and didn’t get the gig because the founders hired their buddy who wasn’t even part of the bid. COOL!

Ok so the point is, I wrote a Western Horror feature. It’s good, and I’m proud of it. I’m working on a fourth draft after receiving notes from a trusted, generous friend. And I submitted the last draft to a prestigious competition because there was a deadline and why not, right?

I forgot about the submission until last week, when I received GLOWING feedback from the competition’s reader. I was floored. I was excited. And even though I know it needs another pass, I allowed myself to hope. That maybe. This time.

Spoiler alert: I didn’t win.

In summary: I submitted a script to Slamdance. I got incredible feedback. And still, I didn’t advance to the Quarterfinals. I thought I’d be devastated. I’m not. I believe in my project. I’m working on the next draft. I accept that this wasn’t the path for this one. Onward!

Keep at it, friends. Keep crying into your coffee, then dusting yourself off, and moving on. I believe in you. I believe in me. Art will save us all.

Also SO WE'RE CLEAR I didn't actually cry into my coffee. But if I had THAT WOULD BE OKAY because crying is underrated and expressing emotion is healthy and we are humans, not robots. //end thread