Hi everyone,
Having been part of this community for a while, I’ve been reflecting on a habit many of us share: creating in complete secrecy.
Behind my trilogy Suplicio, its feature screenplay, and the new projects I'm developing, there is a conscious boundary I've set: I build the daily process in total privacy, keeping the creative grind away from my immediate surroundings.
Writing from Venezuela already comes with its own logistical hurdles, like 12-hour daily power outages. But beyond that, when an immediate environment is locked in day-to-day "survival mode," dreaming of launching a global story can easily be viewed as an impractical pursuit. To protect my creative focus from skepticism, I choose not to talk about the process while it's being forged—sharing only the consolidated milestones when the work is actually finished and secured.
Stage 32 has become a sanctuary for me because it reminds us that this quiet labor isn't an illusion; it’s a disciplined craft. It’s where the work finds its rightful audience.
Whether due to high-pressure surroundings, lack of time, or simply protecting your ideas while they grow: Have you ever had to build a story in secret? How do you safeguard your daily writing process when your immediate environment doesn't understand the journey?
— Emilio Bley Briceño
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Hi, @Emilio. I've built a lot of stories in secret. I write scripts as a Christian ministry now, so I don't share things about them until God says so, and I work on an outline, script, and pitch material when He tells me.
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It's definitely harder to build a project in public. Typically takes a supportive writers group who you can trust completely, and who you know won't judge you for cosmetic first draft mistakes. Because when we're still figuring things out, we can be sensitive to harsh criticism about the wrong things that we know we haven't perfected or refined yet. But with open-minded, supportive writers around you, it can become less daunting to write publicly
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Emilio Briceño this really resonates, there's something about protecting the work while it's still forming that outsiders don't always get, especially writing through circumstances like yours. Congrats on finishing Suplicio despite all that. Do you find it hard to switch into share mode once a project's finally ready, after keeping it private for so long?
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Hi Maurice Vaughan , thank you for sharing that. There is immense wisdom in waiting for the right timing and keeping a project close to your heart until it’s ready to fulfill its purpose. Respecting that internal timing makes the writing process even more meaningful. Best of luck with your ministry and scripts!
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Completely agree, Pat Alexander . Early drafts are fragile, and exposing them to the wrong environment before the foundation is solid can do more harm than good. Finding that tight circle of trusted peers makes all the difference. Thanks for joining the conversation!
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@words Melody Thank you so much for your kind words! To answer your question: yes, transitioning from that protected space to putting the work out there can feel daunting. But the satisfaction of seeing a completed project far outweighs the barrier of negative comments.
In fact, people completely outside the creative world have had the audacity to question my work. Early on, that kind of response can hurt an author so much that a project ends up buried in a drawer forever. But once you push through and the work is solid and registered, sharing it isn't about seeking approval anymore—it's about handing over a finished piece you're proud of.
Have you ever had to protect a project from outside skepticism like that?
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You're welcome, Emilio Briceño. Thanks. Hope you have success with your projects!
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Emilio Briceño Honestly, yes, especially starting WordsAndMelody itself. Doing both scripts and music isn't the usual path, so I've had people question why not just pick one. But like you said, once the work speaks for itself, that noise stops mattering. Appreciate you sharing that, it's a good reminder to keep protecting the process, not just the finished product.
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Krenda Alice Exactly! Carrying a dual passion like writing and music is a power, not a limitation, even if the industry sometimes tries to put us in a single box.
What you’re building with WordsAndMelody is unique precisely because it breaks that standard. When you protect the creative process and stay true to your vision, the synergy between your music and your stories will speak louder than any initial doubt.
Keep honoring both crafts! I personally love your vision and direction for your work, and I can't wait to see where it takes you. Thank you for sharing your experience!
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The key word here is "immediate."
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Emilio Briceño thank you, genuinely, that means a lot coming from someone who's protected their own vision through real challenges too. "The synergy will speak louder than any initial doubt" is something I'll hold onto. Appreciate you seeing it that way, excited to keep building, and to keep following Suplicio's journey too.
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I can connect with protecting ideas as they grow.