On Writing : For those playing the long game... by Lauren Hackney

Hey, Lauren Hackney. Writing exciting stories, celebrating the small wins, and talking with other creatives like on here.

Lauren Hackney I think everyone goes through seasons like this. It’s interesting because even though I already have several stories sitting on my laptop, there’s this one series I know I have to keep fighting for. Sometimes it feels discouraging when it’s quiet, and I constantly find myself thinking about what more I can do for it. But I recently read a manager here say: “keep trying, keep trying, keep trying,” and that really stuck with me.

I hope you’re not feeling down — but if you are, stand up, dust yourself off, and keep going. I truly believe everything comes at the right time.

I think for me Sanna Peth the lines are blurred between feeling like I'm making progress and feeling stuck. Thank you for telling me your journey and I think I need to just 'keep trying'.... and 'keep trying' ....and 'keep trying'. :)

@maurice you are right - chatting to creatives here absolutely makes the journey worth while. :)

Writing screenplays is great fun and very satisfying in a way that far surpasses the effort needed and the sometimes frustrations. Books similar but can take far longer.

hello,

I think wins aren’t far away, they just take the time they take.

Time shapes you, like a good wine. And time is experience. In art in general, if you don’t have patience, you should probably choose another line of work. I’m talking about the passionate one, the person who doesn’t need to get paid to write. The one who writes because they simply can’t not write.

Me, when I start something, I go all the way. I’m not waiting for a reward, I’m not bargaining with doubt. If I’m writing a series, I’m going to finish the season. Not just a pilot to see. I finish. Because finishing is already a win.

And there’s a simple truth, time is what gives you an existence. To exist, you need time, post, repost, do it, redo it. Even if it leads nowhere. Because nothing is wasted. Everything builds.

Before writing, I spent years in music production. It took me eighteen years to land my first real deal with a label and a publishing company. Eighteen years. Thousands of demos. Late nights in the studio. Hours of starting over, messing up, fixing it, pushing it further.

So yeah, it was a bittersweet victory. But those eighteen years weren’t empty. They were a forge. I learned. I got sharper. I leveled up, until I became, honestly, one of the best.

And today, I carry that lesson into writing, talent is time that didn’t quit. Patience is a muscle. Consistency is what turns a dream into something real.

That’s why, for me, dreams aren’t dreams. They’re goals to reach.

Sorry for the long message, but I truly believe that sometimes words are the strongest way to encourage someone, because here, we all need encouragement.

Let’s stop dreaming, let’s set a goal to reach, and let’s not worry about how long it takes.

That’s a truly great question. For me, the rule is simple: my mind won’t let me give up. There are many obstacles and struggles, but my stories deserve to be told.

I write first for me. I’ve built up quite a collection of stories, have a large project on the horizon, that I’ll self produce.

I'm in the same spot . any way I can help let me know

Thank you Fares Moha @meriem @mandi @jay and @david - it's so interesting to read everyone's responses. I like how you said dreams are goals Fares!

You Nailed it Lauren Hackney - it's the love of doing it!