Introduce Yourself : Dragons love tea by Freyja Seren (she/her)

Hello everybody, I've been around Stage 32 for a few years now and it's been fabulous. I've had incredibly interesting conversations about writing and storytelling, which is always wonderful, but I think the primary learning for me, on a personal level, has been about the networking process. I've always had an aversion to "networking". My day job is in the charity sector and it, too, is about relationships and networking. But it often feels very transactional. Growing up, my generation were constantly taught that old maxim, "You have to sell yourself!" which is slightly sickening to me. The process of transactional networking - what have you got that I want? - takes the heart out of me. 

So, when I discovered Stage 32 (I can't even remember where I first came across it, to be honest, but I think it was one of RBs fab write ups) I ventured in carefully and full of wariness. The thing about it, though, was that RB always cares. The whole experience is incredibly relational, rather than transactional. RBs connections and talking experiences always display really solid boundaries - he's not trying to be everyone's bestie or make promises so you'll love him - he's just genuine, helpful, kind and thoughtful. All the time. And that kind of leadership has permeated all the other interactions here. 

Have solid boundaries. Share what you do and what you love. Connect with people. Celebrate what they do. Stage 32 is genuinely what the social media world needs more of! I love it here <3 

I'm a writer. I've always written stories and poetry since I was small. I love television and television writing. I think the scope for storytelling through the television medium has expanded over the last few years into something artful and beautiful, emotive and hilarious. There's the potential for incredible depth and cross-genre capacity. As the mother of an eleven year old I end up in some really interesting conversations about the relevance of visual storytelling styles and stereotypes and tropes that keeps me on my toes. 

I currently have a plan to reduce my "day job" and increase my writing until screenwriting can be my day job. If anyone is selling bottles of extra hours that I can inject into my day, I'd gladly be in the market!! 

More Joy!!