Writing My Writing Down

Do you get distracted? You might say that I am an *expert* at distraction. But distractions aren't without results, and now my kiddo has a pogo stick coming for his birthday and I finished a pitch deck. 

Episode 30 is edited by Katie Marquette (@bornofwonder), music by Alexa Marino (@alexamarinomusic), and hosted by Kathleen Jones (@hellokathleenj). 

Welcome back and happy Halloween!! Even when it’s time to take time for yourself, your writing finds a way to haunt you. IG & Twitter @hellokathleenj, @writingmywritingdown. Episode edited by Katie Marquette of BornofWonder.com, art by Joanie Santander, theme song by Alexa Marino.

Do you have dreams of being that writer who never sleeps, glass of whisky half-full, using a worn journal as a coaster while staring wistfully at the moon? Oh, you do? Well throw 'em out the window! Your body and mind need rest. In this episode Kathleen explains why writers (and Lebron James) depend on rest to succeed and generally just be functioning people. Don't worry, this theory is backed by light science. 

As always you can find me on instagram and twitter @hellokathleenj, and this podcast is at @writingmywritingdown. Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on.

This episode was edited by Erin Raderstorf, on instagram @erinradar. If you’re feeling friendly, I would love it if you would leave a review.

Every project is worth starting... but not every project is worth finishing. In this week's episode we bid farewell to all those projects we never finished, but first, we honor them. This week was tough for me and after some reflection, I realized I needed to give myself grace for abandoning ideas, half-writing movies, and stopping after a first draft. 

Stay tuned until the very end of the episode which includes a special offer for our loyal listeners. 

As always you can find me on instagram and twitter @hellokathleenj, and this podcast is at @writingmywritingdown. Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on.

This episode was edited by Erin Raderstorf, on instagram @erinradar. If you’re feeling friendly, I would love it if you would leave a review.

Remember as a kid when you'd wake up Saturday morning feeling inspired and creative and write a story in your journal with gel pens and you just couldn't wait to show your parents? I miss that. This season of my life with foster kids is so beautiful and forcing myself to finish pages has made writing feel like work, a chore. I want to write because I'm excited about a story, or a character, or a scene. So for today, I'm taking a break from hustling in the stolen moments, and I'm just going to live in this moment.  

As always you can find me on instagram and twitter @hellokathleenj, and this podcast is at @writingmywritingdown. Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on.

This episode was edited by Harrison Lewis, on twitter @harryjtl. If you’re feeling friendly, I would love it if you would leave a review.

Foster Care? Hard. Finding the energy to workout? Hard. Writing while Moana plays in the background for the 5th time today? Really hard. But honestly, I'm in the mood to do hard things. I'm in the mood to challenge myself and get bigger through persevering. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to move mountains here, but when I start to feel like it's too hard to make a healthy dinner AND write an end to the second act, I remind myself that I'm in the mood to do hard things. What hard things are you in the mood for today? 

As always you can find me on instagram and twitter @hellokathleenj, and this podcast is at @writingmywritingdown. Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on.

This episode was edited by Harrison Lewis, on twitter @harryjtl. If you’re feeling friendly, I would love it if you would leave a review.

As my life has changed I've done a lot of reflecting, and not a lot of writing. My priorities haven't changed, they have just been re-arranged to accommodate three children, a marriage, a dog, a job, and a pandemic. Unsurprisingly, the need for sleep has pushed its way to the forefront of my list. 

Please enjoy cute baby sounds in the background of this episode! As always you can find me on instagram and twitter @hellokathleenj, and this podcast is at @writingmywritingdown. Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on.

This episode was edited by  Harrison Lewis, on twitter @harryjtl. If you’re feeling friendly, I would love it if you would leave a review.

I have been obsessed with minimalism ever since I heard about it, you could say it "sparks joy", and the more serious I’ve gotten about writing, the more pared down I need my life to be. Most of the reason I don’t write is because I’m distracted and overwhelmed. This episode explores all the ways practicing minimalism in my life has made me a better writer.

This episode is sponsored by Molly Pearson of Leap Workshops! Molly will help you create a plan for your work, equip you with helpful tools, be your accountability buddy, and work to troubleshoot issues as they come up. You can find her on instagram @leapworkshops, and online at leapworkshops.com.

Thanks for joining! Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on. I follow these hashtags and read and share every single post! Follow me on instagram, twitter, everywhere @hellokathleenj, this podcast is at @writingmywritingdown. This episode was edited by  Harrison Lewis, on twitter @harryjtl. If you’re feeling friendly, I would love it if you would leave a review.

*and a special announcement

After reflecting on what to say for a Valentine's Day themed episode, I realized that my love story is not movie worthy - and I wouldn't have it any other way. The obstacles that make for the best love stories, those kinds of obstacles in real life are stressful, tired, and I don’t want them. We're not Jim and Pam, or Harry and Sally, we're Kathleen and Orion and we have long discussions about the best winter hand lotion and I want to have boring discussions like that with him every night for the rest of my life. 

Thanks for joining! Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on. I follow these hashtags and read and share every single post! Follow me on instagram, twitter, everywhere @hellokathleenj, this podcast is at @writingmywritingdown. This episode was edited by  Harrison Lewis, on twitter @harryjtl. If you’re feeling friendly, I would love it if you would leave a review.

I recently embarked on a quest for a catchy, friendly theme song to open and close the podcast with, and what I discovered was the importance of having a battle cry. What is so fun for you, so exciting, gets you so jazzed up instantly, that you can turn to it before you turn to your crutches? For me, it's my new theme song written and sung by my college friend and superstar musician, Alexa Marino, on IG and spotify @alexamarinomusic. 

This episode is sponsored by Molly Pearson of Leap Workshops, on Instagram @leapworkshops, and online at leapworkshops.com.

Thanks for joining! Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on. I follow these hashtags and read and share every single post! Follow me on instagram, twitter, everywhere @hellokathleenj, this podcast is at @writingmywritingdown. This episode was edited by  Harrison Lewis, on twitter @harryjtl. If you’re feeling friendly, I would love it if you would leave a review.

Kathleen, for the love of God, wake up early and write your screenplay.

Thanks for joining! Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on. I follow these hashtags and read and share every single post! Follow me on instagram, twitter, everywhere @hellokathleenj, this podcast is at @writingmywritingdown. This episode was edited by  Harrison Lewis, on twitter @harryjtl. If you’re feeling friendly, I would love it if you would leave a review. 

WRITING: Writing a new spec pilot about medieval nuns-- eek! New projects coming for 2021. READING: Juliet's School of Possibilities. I love the audiobook -- it's a short read and a fun fiction story of some useful time-management ideas to implement in 2021. WATCHING: Ocean's 11. Thanks for joining! Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on. I follow these hashtags! Follow me at @hellokathleenj on instagram & twitter, this podcast on IG at @writingmywritingdown, and all podcast transcripts on my blog at hellokathleenjones.com. Edited by the amazingly British & talented Harrison Lewis, @harryjtl. Special thanks to Ruby Hankey, Amie Cazel and Erin Raderstorf. Check out the transcript for this episode at hellokathleenjones.com, and let me know what you’re writing today.

It's the Building & Loan for me. WRITING: Outlining an old movie script READING: Hercule Poirot's Christmas. WATCHING: It's a Wonderful Life Thanks for joining! Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on. I follow these hashtags! Follow me at @hellokathleenj on instagram & twitter, this podcast on IG at @writingmywritingdown, and all podcast transcripts on my blog at hellokathleenjones.com. Edited by the amazingly British & talented Harrison Lewis, @harryjtl. Special thanks to Ruby Hankey, Amie Cazel and Erin Raderstorf. Check out the transcript for this episode at hellokathleenjones.com, and let me know what you’re writing today.

Below the threshold of thousands of hours of dedicated work, we’re all flailing around in a bucket hoping not to get shot as we try to blindly write scripts. I don’t know what I’m doing. Maybe you don’t either. That’s okay! Do your pages today. WRITING: My episode for a new fiction podcast series! READING: Your Blue Flame (Jennifer Fulwiler) So good. Practical, funny, easy to read. WATCHING: Jen's The Naughty Corner (on Amazon Prime), Miranda (on Hulu) Thanks for joining! Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on. I follow these hashtags! Follow me at @hellokathleenj on instagram & twitter, this podcast on IG at @writingmywritingdown, and all podcast transcripts on my blog at hellokathleenjones.com. Edited by the amazingly British & talented Harrison Lewis, @harryjtl. Special thanks to Ruby Hankey, Amie Cazel and Erin Raderstorf. Check out the transcript for this episode at hellokathleenjones.com, and let me know what you’re writing today.

Few know this, but teaching kids their ABCs leads straight to a staff job at ABC. Hopefully, no one in the writer’s room will need a diaper change, and if they do, fingers crossed that’s below my pay grade by then. But! Here are some ways I think childcare does apply to a professional career in the arts. If you want to get your writing done, write it down. Follow on instagram & twitter @hellokathleenj, IG @writingmywritingdown, hellokathleenjones.com. Edited by the amazingly British, very talented Harrison Lewis-- slide into his DMs on twitter @harryjtl. Special thanks to Ruby Hankey and Amie Cazel. Read the transcript for this episode here.

Try to work out your work in progress with a few different writer brains; your calm writer brain is frequently, but not always your sharpest.  WRITING: A new sitcom pilot! Feels so good to write a new fun thing. I'm writing it in an online class at Stage 32. READING: The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow. I loved it! Really recommend. Hope there's a sequel. WATCHING: Kim’s Convenience!!! It’s my second watch, or first rewatch. I absolutely love this show. Thanks for joining! Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on. Say hey at @hellokathleenj on instagram & twitter, this podcast on IG at @writingmywritingdown, hellokathleenjones.com. Edited by the amazingly British & talented Harrison Lewis, @harryjtl. Special thanks to Ruby Hankey and Amie Cazel. Check out the transcript for this episode here, and let me know what you’re writing today.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! A little parable about jealousy, a wise young priest, and Hugh Grant.  WRITING: A new sitcom about medieval nuns! Just for fun. From a class I took with Spencer Robinson at Stage 32. READING: The Comic Toolbox— finished, so good!  WATCHING: The Crown, The Spy Who Dumped Me, The West Wing turkey-pardoning episode.  Thanks for joining! Use the hashtags #writingmywritingdown and #writereadwatch to show me what you’re working on. I follow these hashtags! Follow me at @hellokathleenj on instagram & twitter, this podcast on IG at @writingmywritingdown, and all podcast transcripts on my blog at hellokathleenjones.com. Edited by the amazingly British & talented Harrison Lewis, twitter @harryjtl. Special thanks to Ruby Hankey, Amie Cazel and Erin Raderstorf. Check out the transcript for this episode here, and let me know what you’re writing today. Disclosure: These are affiliate links, which helps little podcasts make some $ by linking to Amazon. Purchases ensure I can keep my amazing team Venmo’d and happy. Thanks!

I love my writer's group, Ellipses. This is my love letter to those five women. It's also a story about how I failed, and how you can fail too, by sleeping through an important meeting.  Writing: In my journal. Noodling around. An article. Watching: The Chi on Showtime Reading: The Way of a Pilgrim (an old favorite) If you want to get your writing done, write it down. Follow on instagram & twitter @hellokathleenj, IG @writingmywritingdown, hellokathleenjones.com. Edited by the amazingly British, very talented Harrison Lewis-- slide into his DMs on twitter @harryjtl. Special thanks to Ruby Hankey and Amie Cazel. Read the transcript for this episode here. 

Writing makes me anxious! Not writing also makes me anxious. The act of writing causes me big nervous anxiety and also is the only thing that gets rid of it. What's a girl to do when she's trying to finish a new script? I try to answer my own question. If you have suggestions, please DM me at @hellokathleenj & @writingmywritingdown on Instagram. Writing: a new pilot Watching: The Austin Film Festival! And Miracle Workers on TBS. Reading: The Comic Toolbox (Big recommend. Do the exercises for real.) If you want to get your writing done, write it down. Follow on instagram & twitter @hellokathleenj, IG @writingmywritingdown, hellokathleenjones.com. Edited by the amazingly British, very talented Harrison Lewis. Tell him how much you love the subtle, yet spot-on, musical underscoring by tweeting him @harryjtl. Special thanks to Ruby Hankey and Amie Cazel.

I bombed a recent rewrite of my comedy half-hour spec, and now I've got to lay it to rest, even though it isn't done. Some new script beckons. If you'd like to fall flat on your face trying to rewrite something that's pretty good-ish, listen and learn!  Proof that this script placed in the second round at Austin: It's called Sacred Heart and I'm called Kathleen Jones, scroll down to find me.  hellokathleenjones.com fun blogs and all my scripts and stuff instagram.com/hellokathleenj I obsessively check my DMs please say hi instagram.com/writingmywritingdown I'll share anything you tag me in-- write stuff down! Show me! I'm already proud of you. twitter.com/hellokathleenj  I try to be cool & make jokes with other screenwriters.

Get writing done by writing down what you’re writing, reading, and watching every day.  This is an intro to this podcast and host Kathleen Jones.  Twitter @hellokathleenj, Instagram @hellokathleenj & @writingmywritingdown.  Hellokathleenjones.com   |  IMDb.me/kathleenjones