You might wonder (because so many do):

“Melissa, what’s your secret to being this darn productive?”

“How do you balance a thriving business, filmmaking, and book publishing like it’s a walk in the park?”

“And just how have you kept everyone HOOKED on your services, classes, films, and books for almost two decades?”

Peek below for a curated list of my go-to tools that drive my organization, inspiration, business management, and, yes, the OBSESSION factor.

Sticker Mule

Want to add a delightful touch to your customer orders? Sticker Mule’s got you covered. I throw in custom stickers with every autographed book order. Trust me, my readers are thrilled.

Mailchimp

Ever received my weekly newsletter? That’s MailChimp magic. A user-friendly platform for crafting and dispatching captivating email newsletters.

LeadPages

In search of a no-fuss landing page for your offer or lead magnet? Their easy breezy drag & drop editor is your answer.

Loom 

Recording a quick video note to email your clients? Loom it. Quick and efficient.

Canva Pro

While I tend to leave design to the pros, Canva’s tools simplify the creation of snappy graphics, even for those of us who aren’t tech or design-savvy.

Typeform

Customize your application forms and effortlessly gather varied data.

Asana

An awesome project management tool that keeps everyone on task, on time, and on budget. 

Final Draft

The “industry standard” for screenwriting, Final Draft automatically formats your screenplay in the exact format that producers need.

Bookfunnel

An author’s dream for distributing ARCs (advanced reader copies) and attracting readers.

. . .

I hope you enjoyed reading about what helps me to stay organized and inspired—and I hope you discovered at least one new business obsession while skimming through my list.

Thanks for reading! 

You’re not alone.

Once upon a time, many entrepreneurs were the heroes of their own epic tales, filled with action, passion, and cliffhangers that left them eager for more. 

Now, many of them feel stuck in an uninspired sequel no one asked for.

The clients that once rushed to you like rabid fans at a movie premiere now seem as elusive as a low-budget indie film with no distribution. 

Payments are delayed like a film stuck in development hell. 

You begin to worry that your business has lost its blockbuster appeal, leaving you with more chills of fear than thrills of excitement.

Is it possible to turn this saga around? 

Absolutely. Let’s start with a litmus test. 

In my Obsessed work, we explore the concept of creating a business that’s obsession-worthy for your audience…and for YOU. 

But it’s not all red carpets and champagne toasts. There’s effort, rewrites, and even reshoots involved. But it should still feel like an adventure, an epic journey with a purpose, where you’re both the star and the director.

Feeling like you’ve lost the plot of your own business? Here are some questions to help you find your way back to opening-night-levels of excitement:

1). What’s your “origin story” – the original reason you started your business?

2.) How has the plot evolved since you started your business? When did you begin feeling less “obsessed” with your work?

3). What would make your business feel like a “smash hit” for you? (Example: more profit, more opportunities, more joy, more freedom, etc.)

4.) Are you currently following the crowd, listening to what everyone else tells you to do, or carving your own path?

5.) Do you feel like your offers (products, services, programs, etc.) are show-stoppers? You love what you’re offering, and your audience does too?

6). If you’re feeling “less than obsessed” about things, what new twists could bring more excitement to your business?

7). How are you currently investing in your “star performance”? Are you working with mentors/coaches or taking programs and courses that feel exciting? 

8). How are you engaging with your fan base (customers and clients)? 

9). What’s the feedback on your latest releases? How do your clients/customers feel about your offers, content, etc.?

10). What have you learned from both your flops and successes? 

Grab your popcorn and take the director’s chair. It’s time to turn your business back into the blockbuster it’s meant to be. 

Consider these questions a sneak peek into what could be the next exciting chapter, one that feels more like a standing ovation than a box office flop. 

p.s. This month, I supported clients by helping them get Obsessed with their business again. One client even closed $80k in business in 36 hours using my copy suggestions. 
I’d love to support you in your business, too. Applications are open for my Obsessed Squad Mastermind starting this September. Check out all the details and apply here. Let’s put the obsession back into your business!

I replied, “You absolutely can… and should.”

My client’s passions are astrology and tarot. She works in an industry that isn’t exactly known for metaphysical stuff. More like, stuffy conference rooms and whiteboards. She was worried if they knew anything about her rising sign or that she laid out a tarot spread before each workshop, they’d never hire her again. 

I asked her if there was any evidence of that. Had she ever tried this before? How did it go?

Suddenly, she had a memory of hosting a workshop full of these buttoned-up professionals. She offered them a reading at the start with no pressure to take her up on it. 

Turns out, everyone DID take her up on it. First out of curiosity and then fascination. They loved it. She loved it. And they hired her again and again. 

The easiest way to have more fun with your business and stand out? Take your true personality, passions, and obsessions and swirl ‘em right into your business model.

How can you swirl more of YOU into your business?

First thing’s first — what does FUN mean, for you? Maybe you love competing in gritty mud runs or consider yourself a connoisseur of spas and steam rooms. Or maybe you have an obsession with watching back-to-back (to-back-to-back) episodes of Gossip Girl on HBO Max.

(OK, maybe that’s just me.)

Right this second: Make a list of all the things that feel like the exact opposite of “work.”

Now — it’s time to get a little creative. How can you weave all that fun into your business?

A couple of ideas to swirl more YOU into your business:

:: Share your all-time favorite activities on your website About Page in a “fun facts” format. 

:: Create programs and classes anchored around your obsessions. For example, if you’re a financial coach who loves long distance hiking, maybe you create a workshop where people can create a “money trail map” – navigating their way to wealth. 

:: Design special promotions around your passions and obsessions. Once when I was promoting a sales workshop I sent a (very effective!) email about “sales lessons you can learn from Twilight.” Ha!

:: Weave your “non-business” hobbies into your content (for example: “What Running A 5K Taught Me About Running A Business,” or “The Real Housewives Guide to Making Friends – or Enemies – On Social Media.”)

:: Reveal tidbits about your passions on social media and in your newsletter or blog, podcast, etc. People love a good behind-the-scenes peek into who you are, not just “what you do.”

:: Think of words and phrases that relate to your passions and weave them into your copy. For example: if you’re a business operations consultant — and you’re obsessed with fashion — tell us how business systems can feel like a sexy little black dress.

What’s the point of all this, you ask?

Well, besides the obvious (keeping you engaged and excited about your work) …

:: People will be way more attracted to your brand because it’s interesting, exciting and human.

:: Customers will be delighted about working with you. Having fun is infectious!

:: You’ll attract unbelievably awesome clients & customers who have fun the same way you do! 

Fun fact: Several people have hired me simply because I’m obsessed with trashy romance novels and drink a lot of coffee. 

Bottom line: show me an irresistible business, and I’ll show you a business owner who knows how to have fun.

I had 3 movies come out in 2022: Mommy’s Little Star, The Secret Lives of College Escorts, and Nightmare Neighborhood Moms – one of the highest-rated movies on Lifetime Network this year! 

We also shot two of my movies that will release in 2023 – Who Killed Our Father and Nightmare Pageant Moms.  

#5 – Starting a Writing Support Group

For the last 2 years, I’ve gotten together with my friend Jessie every week for a “support group” – sharing things about our writing, our careers, and our lives. It’s one of my favorite things to do! 

We decided to bring this to the world by debuting the Writing Sprint Support Group. It was such a fabulous group with meaningful conversations, beautiful insights, and lots of writing completed! Can’t wait to host another one in 2023!

Things I’m Not Proud Of:

#1. Not letting things go

There are some things that don’t bother me. Like rejection, or failure, or people sending me nasty messages because they hated one of my movies. 

Then, there are things that DO bother me. Like when someone I care about is angry with me (thanks, people pleasing!) Or interacting with very difficult people whom I’m unable to remove from my life (at least, right now.)

When I’m “in” a difficult situation, I can cope just fine. But I often struggle with the “aftermath” – combing over and over an argument in my mind and thinking of ways I could have done better, letting my brain get carried away with gloomy thoughts, or just generally acting pissy towards people who aren’t involved in these difficult interactions at all. 

I’ve got help, and I’m working on it!

#2. Being too much of a homebody

I don’t think being an introverted homebody is a bad thing, but when my husband asked when the last time was that I drove a car, I realized how little I leave the house. LOL. 

I love where I live. I find pure joy in my little home in the middle of a giant forest. I love snuggling my pups and cooking and reading and how cozy my bed is. Everything is here!

But I also love seeing friends who, unfortunately, do not live at my home, and most live in different states! I’d like to get out a bit (or a lot) more in 2023. 

#3. Listening to other people’s opinions

Lots of people have opinions, and many are well-intentioned, but when things go wrong, I can typically trace it back to me – listening to an opinion – even when my gut was screaming not to. 

What I’m most excited about for next year:

My novel coming out! I honestly don’t care if 10 people read it, I’m just so damn proud of myself. 

Andddd… a new mentorship program that helps multi-passionate people bring more of themselves into their work and experience more fun & profits! I love helping people on a deeper level with their marketing, messaging, copy—all of it! More on that coming in January. 

Favorite “bucket list” item:

In September, I ticked an item off my bucket list when I went with my friend Alex on a self-guided Twilight tour. We visited some Twilight movie hotspots in Washington, like the restaurant where Bella & Edward had their first date and La Push Beach. Obviously, we rewatched all of the movies. 

Here’s the hotel we stayed in:



Hahahahahahaha

I learned so much on this trip. Like the fact that two major Twilight fans can totally flop on a scavenger hunt (we only got 3 out of 10???) And how Bella has better chemistry with Carlisle Cullen than Edward. 

Silly things:

I started a TikTok account mostly to post fan videos of my favorite Turkish soap operas. 

Favorite Reads: 

*I prefer to read spicy fiction, so if you’re not into that, proceed carefully.

Hooked (Book #1 of the Never After Series)

My Dark Vanessa (not spicy, but very harrowing read)

A Court of Silver Flames (Book #5 in a series, but it was the BEST in my apparently very unpopular opinion!)

Anne & Henry (not my first time reading, but I re-read it this year and LOVE it!)

Favorite 2022 Shows:

Tell Me Lies
Welcome to Flatch
Abbott Elementary
Reboot
House of the Dragon
White Lotus Season 2
Yalı Çapkını (this is a Turkish show – I watch a lot of them!)
Duy Beni (another Turkish show – like Turkish Gossip Girl!)

That’s all for now! I hope you found this little reflection helpful and that you have a fabulous New Year!

See you in your inbox in 2023!

Don’t do this. Don’t do that. Never say such-and-such to so-and-so. OMG, they’ll never work with you if that happens! You’ll kill your career if you blah-dee-blah. 

And on and on and on.

I have no doubt these folks were well-meaning, trying to sprinkle some wisdom into my ear-holes based on their experience. But most of those warnings didn’t feel “right” for me or my goals.

Fortunately, an early mentor of mine told me to “earmuff” it. Meaning: Block out the noise and trust your instincts.

Best advice ever.

I started earmuffin’ it all around town, and that’s when things began to happen. Today, I have 10 produced movies and many more films in development. Each opportunity arose because I did something that I was specifically advised NOT to do. (Go figure.)

At some point, if you listen to all the advice on “what not to do,” you run out of things TO ACTUALLY DO.

At some point or another, you’ve got to say, “Earmuffs: ON!” and discern your next move on your own.

If you ever get a piece of advice on what not to do and think: “Hmm, interesting advice, but that’s just not for me…” then your inner GPS wins out over the “outside” advice. Listen to your gut.

And the truth is, we all have different business/career journeys. Different goals. Movements. Missions. Lifestyle preferences. Income goals. Passions and pleasures.

No one can advise you on the exact “right way” to go about your journey. Not even me!

Sometimes you just have to “earmuff” it and do what feels right… for you.

And sometimes, those voices don’t come externally. 

Sometimes the call is coming from inside the house. Sometimes that nay-saying voice is YOU.

You know what I’m talking about, right? 

What if I suck?

What if this flops?

What if I actually have NO clue what I am doing?

I like a lot of things but am I actually good at any of them?! 

You worry that by pursuing all your passions, you’re wasting your time or that you’re making a fool of yourself for going after what you really want.

Well, the good news is, you can respond to that unsolicited “concern” – whether it’s internal or external – with the same responses.

Nosy Aunt Louise’s question is probably similar to something your brain dreamed up, so your answer to her will work on your pesky brain as well. 

Here are…

4 “concerned questions” you’ll hear when you’re pursuing creative work & how to respond to them.

Q: I don’t get it. Why would someone hire you/work with you?

A: Well, if my work isn’t resonating, they probably shouldn’t. I’m very clear about who I want to work with and have created my business around serving those people. If something I’ve shared doesn’t speak to you, we’re likely not a great match. But there is someone out there for you, I promise!

Q: It sounds like you have a lot going on. How are you actually accomplishing anything?

A: I measure my achievement in happiness and pleasure. If I don’t love what I do, it’s not worth it to me. And I can proudly say I love every inch of my life and business. And when I don’t, I take measures to bring it to a more pleasurable space. 

Q: You want to become a _______? I heard it’s really hard to “make it.” What have you done/been in that I am familiar with?

A: Well, my goal isn’t to “make it.” I’m a lover of the journey, so just experiencing my [passion] on a daily basis brings me so much joy. As for what I’ve done, I can’t speak to what you’d be “familiar” with, but I can say that I really love working on undiscovered projects. Besides, who wants the paparazzi following them around all day anyway?

Q: Don’t you think your introduction should be more… professional? I think you’re going to turn off a lot of people!

A: You’re right—I will turn off plenty of people. And that’s a good thing! I’m here to serve my dream clients and only them. As I’m sure you’ve heard before, serving everyone means you’re really serving no one. I think the way I introduce myself is totally memorable, and I’m proud of my elevator pitch. I’d love to hear yours!


I hope these questions & answers helped in dealing with outside naysayers, with family who just doesn’t “get it,” with well-meaning friends, colleagues, or mentors who always have “advice” (even when you don’t ask for it), and – most importantly – that it helped with your own mindset. 

Keep going. Keep rocking. Earmuff it. I’m over here cheering you on. 

And if you need help getting with your creative and/or business dream – accountability, support, expert feedback – you’ll love my upcoming SWIRL Mentorship program.  

I’ll be opening the doors in January, so stay tuned!

Questions like:

What am I writing?

How do you deal with critics?

How do you overcome fear and self-doubt?

How do you write so much?

How did you decide to become a screenwriter?

Here are a few of my answers: 

Q: Melissa, I’m fascinated by your screenwriting career. What are you working on now?

Whew! I’m juggling a lot of writing projects right now. I just finished production on a movie last month, and I’m getting ready to film another movie in Atlanta this October. I also have two other movies that will film in 2023 and contracts for 4 additional films. 

I’m also releasing my debut novel, CONTROL, in early 2023. It’s a New Adult/Upper YA Paranormal Romance. Think Twilight meets Gossip Girl (minus the vamps). I started writing this novel back in 2018 and took a few breaks for things like fear and mental health, and now it’s in final proofing. I can hardly believe it! The novel is part of a trilogy, and I’m already 30,000 words into book #2. I’ve deliberately chosen to self-publishing these novels to retain full control over my creative work. 

Q: I love writing but I’m terrified that other people won’t like my work. How do you deal with negative reviews?

I have a hard boundary around reviews: I don’t read them. For two reasons. #1 – I firmly believe that reviews are a space for readers and viewers, not for creators. I’ve seen this repeatedly happen: a creator (author, screenwriter, etc.) will go into a reviewer’s space and try and justify their work or even lash out at reviewers for their opinions. It never goes well. I think reviewers should have a safe space to share their feelings without the creator getting involved. 

#2 – It’s impossible to know if the reviewer was your intended audience in the first place. For example, I once had a man send me very “intense” feedback about one of my movies because the main character reminded him of his wife. Ha! I also had a particularly critical reviewer track me across multiple platforms, feeling entitled to a response from me. I write for a specific audience and I know my work won’t always reach the people it wasn’t intended for. That’s the writing biz!

That does not mean I don’t take feedback on my work during development. Screenwriting is a pure collaboration which means a lot of voices in the mix, providing feedback with every draft. For my novels, I have a developmental editor and a trusted circle of beta readers. 

I’ve also accepted that not everyone will like my work, even (sometimes) the people it was intended for! I try to live by the motto that if 5 of my closest friends stay up all night to binge-read my book or take time out of their week to watch one of my movies, that’s enough for me. And I truly feel that way!  

I do my best with every project and I care deeply. After I release it into the world, it’s out of my control!

Q: I noticed you write a lot of TV movies. Do you ever want to write other things?

Personally, I am obsessed with soapy, salacious entertainment. Things that some might consider a “guilty pleasure” (though I don’t believe we should ever feel guilty about pleasure!)

I write TV movies because I love watching them. I’m releasing a paranormal romance trilogy because that’s the genre I love to read most. I’m a huge fan of Turkish soap operas and would love to write one, but I don’t speak Turkish. It’s a real problem. Ha! 

I did sell an 8-episode dark comedy TV series a few years ago. Still soapy & salacious but far more twisted than my TV movie work. Unfortunately, the project didn’t make it to air, but there’s always hope for the future! 

Q: How do you know what advice to take about your writing?

I assume this means which “notes” I choose to take on a particular project (but if it means something else, lemme know!) 

As a screenwriter, I always joke that I’m half a writer and half a lawyer. That’s because most of my job is arguing for/justifying what I put on the page. The development of a script before it hits the screen is a lengthy process with many, many revisions. There are things executives like and things they don’t like. It becomes a negotiation process with each project. Some suggestions make things better. Some I need to rally against. Some I need to compromise. 

Self-publishing a novel is much different because the author has complete creative control. I get notes from my developmental editor and beta readers. I can choose to take those notes or not. I usually take every note from my developmental editor because she’s very in tune with what I want on the page. For my beta readers, I look for common criticisms or things more than one person has bumped against and make changes as needed. 

Q: How do you write so much?

I am a huge fan of writing sprints and setting aside dedicated time to get my writing done. I’m even hosting an event soon on this very thing! Stay tuned for more details. 

Q: How did you decide to become a screenwriter?

When I was in 5th grade, I used to write soap operas about my classmates! They were a bit, ahem, edgy for that time, and I got caught by a teacher who told me never to write another one again. 

Fast forward to my mid-30s, I got a random idea one day for a TV show. It was a fantasy premise set in the 1940s with politics, intrigue, and every soapy plot point you can think of. I felt strongly it needed to be a TV show and not a book, so one day at a bookstore, I picked up a book called The Coffee Break Screenwriter. At the time, I was living in Napa and stayed in Los Angeles for a month for work (non-screenwriting-related work). Using that book, I etched out a first draft and wondered if it was any good. I contacted the author of the book, Pilar Alessandra, and hired her to give it a read and some feedback. Turns out, it wasn’t very good (ha!) but was good “enough” to keep trying. I kept writing and learning under Pilar, then through Script Anatomy and other mentors. Eventually, I started making connections and learning more about the business of screenwriting and figured – why not give it a shot? My husband and I moved to Los Angeles for five years so I could pursue things, and the rest is history! 

I hope you enjoyed this little Q&A! I certainly had fun answering your Qs. 

If you have a question for me for a future newsletter, hit reply and ask away! 

Until next time, have a fabulous week. 

Do you study other entrepreneurs and then think to yourself, “Yeah, uh… no. That’s just not my style.”

Yup. Me too.

As a publicity/business strategist & screenwriter, I don’t have a conventional résumé, or a “neat and tidy” job title. And I definitely don’t run my business in a typical way.

Recently, my clients, students, and readers seem to be feeling the same. They often tell me:

“I soak up all kinds of business advice, and it sounds like good advice, but none of it feels right for ME.”

To all of you mold-breakers and lone unicorns, I want to say…

You can have ANY type of business that you want.

Your business and marketing don’t have to fit into the traditional structure.

You don’t have to sell courses and group programs if you don’t want to.

You don’t have to purchase Facebook ads if you don’t want to.

You don’t have to promote yourself on social media if you don’t want to.

You don’t have to do webinars, or masterclasses, or write for “SEO purposes” if you don’t want to.

You don’t have to do anything that feels “wrong” to you. There isn’t just “one way” to build a successful business. There are millions of variations—and you can play, revise, and tweak until you find a model that works for you.

I’m a lone unicorn—and proud of it!

If you’re one too – own it, claim it, and proudly chart your own course.

Stay focused on what YOU want to be doing with your business & life, and don’t get overly obsessed with what your peers or competitors are doing with theirs. Keep your eyes on your own paper, scribbling in your own colors.

I’ll be right there with you.

Obsessions? Everybody’s got ‘em.

The things that give you goosebumps. Fun, playful, addictive—an instant jolt of happiness.

Most people think obsessions are something to savor once you’ve “earned” them.

A bit of mindless indulgence, once your “hard work” for the day is done.

I used to think that way, too. Until one day, several years ago, I found myself binge-watching several episodes of Gossip Girl… at 1 in the afternoon. On a weekday.

I was in deep. I didn’t want to quit. And at first, I felt totally bad and slacker-ish for indulging in my favorite TV show, instead of being “productive” and “getting things done.”

But then, just as an experiment, I decided to give myself full permission to enjoy every drama-packed minute, for as long as I wanted.

I savored three episodes in a row—three full hours of Upper East Side sauciness.

Then, when I finally sat back down at my computer at 4 in the afternoon, I cranked out some of the best work I’d done all year—faster than I’d ever thought possible.

Hmmm… I thought. Could indulging in my obsessions actually make me more productive and creative? There might be something to this.

The next day, I repeated the experiment. This time? Three episodes of Gossip Girl with a delicious pot of french press coffee… followed by two hours of laser-focused work, plowing through emails with glee, cranking out some content, and checking to see how my latest launch was rolling along… all while channeling my inner Blair Waldorf.

I’ve repeated this “obsession experiment” pretty much every single day, since then.

Business has never been better. 

What I’ve learned?

I can accomplish more in two hours when I’m happy (fueled by a big dose of my favorite obsessions!) than I can in twelve hours when I’m bored and miserable.

And I bet—if you do a little experimenting of your own—you’ll discover that you’re wired exactly the same way.

So, try this:

For one full week, I want you to enjoy one of your favorite obsessions sometime during your workday.

Your obsession may not be Gossip Girl or obscene amounts of coffee. There are no “wrong” obsessions. Right now I’m screaming with a friend over text about the latest episode of Servant while my husband is sitting next to me drinking hot chocolate and diving into his obsession… options trading.

I’ll repeat… there are no “wrong” obsessions.

Need some obsess-spiration?

  Take a fun online class that has nothing to do with your business.

  Bake something… and enjoy it fresh from the oven (and send me some pleeeeease!)

  Choose one person you love and write them a handwritten note, or fire off a sweet text.

  Check out some dreamy real estate, just for fun (and watch this hysterical SNL sketch about Zillow!)

  Get physical! Dance, run, skip, jump, roll around in the grass… get obsessed with movement!

  Call a friend for a chat, and make a pact to NOT talk about “work” for twenty minutes.

  Put your favorite PJs and blanket in the dryer, then snuggle up inside the warm cozyness.

Pick an obsession (or two… or three!) Indulge away.

Before long, you’ll be obsessed with your workday… and your clients & customers will feel your renewed energy and get obsessed with you!

“How do you manage to run a successful business while making movies? How can you possibly do both without dropping over from exhaustion? What are your magic tools and secrets?”

Today I’m sharing some of my favorite obsessions: the tools and resources that I use to stay sane, get inspired, run my business, and make movies at the same time.

I hope you read this email while sipping a Pistachio Latte, or cozying up under a soft blanket, or both!  Because I don’t know about you, but I always get my best ideas—and feel way more productive and inspired—when I schedule little pleasure-breaks throughout my day.

Without further ado… here are my latest obsessions!

BUSINESS OBSESSIONS

Loom – a fun, video messaging software that’s much faster than typing an email. I send “looms” when my fingers are too tired of typing. Which happens, a lot.

Teachable – the online course software that I use to teach my online classes. So easy to use, and my students love it!

Printful – a no-fuss, drop-shipping company where you can print your logo onto mugs, t-shirts, and other goodies and have it sent to your clients. I love rewarding my Obsessed students when they take action and Printful makes it easy to send them gifts!

FITNESS OBSESSIONS

Yoga by Adriene – every day I do one of Adriene’s videos. My favorite is her Yoga for Writers!

Hiking. In the rain. My happy place.

I sprinkle in the occasional high-intensity workout. My husband does a daily routine with this guy. Honestly, I just like watching my husband do the workout while I cuddle on the couch under a blanket with my dog.

RECIPE OBSESSIONS

One of my favorite ways to unwind is to cook. I’d love to go to culinary school one day, just for fun, but for now, I just whip up recipes in my kitchen like:

Spicy Miso Pasta from Chrissy Teigen (I eliminate the bacon and it’s still so good, but bacon lovers – go for it!)

Zuppa Toscana Soup (I use Beyond Sausage and any non-dairy milk as a swap for cream, no bacon)

Trader Joe’s Shrimp Burgers from Black Girls in Trader Joe’s

GIFT OBSESSIONS

I love doling out presents to clients and all-star students. Sometimes I even choose one mailing list subscriber—at random—and I send that person a surprise gift just to say, “Thank you for being part of my community.” Nobody has ever complained about this.

Some of my favorite places to buy gifts:

Box Fox

Farm Girl Flowers

Statement Goods

Punkpost for hand-lettered postcards

PODCAST OBSESSIONS

I hike 3-5 miles per day and always have a podcast in my ear. My current faves:

The Baggage Reclaim Sessions with Natalie Lue – amazing, no b.s. relationship & self-help advice.

Real Talk Radio with Nicole Antoinette – real conversations with really interesting people.

Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay – an awesome podcast that dives into Black culture, politics, sports, and more.

Something Was Wrong – a podcast about the discovery, trauma, and recovery from emotionally (and otherwise) abusive relationships. I binged the whole first season on my drive to Washington.

Chatty Broads for all the Bachelor TV gossip

TV OBSESSIONS

Bridgerton. I have no words, only this:

History of Curse Words on Netflix. A fun & educational series about swear words!

Servant on Apple TV. My friend Lisa and I are so obsessed with this show we basically are unavailable to life while it airs.

There it is, all of my current obsessions in one, neat little post.

I hope you enjoyed this note and found one or two new things to obsess over!

p.s. Wanna know more about my favorite things and other obsessions? Come join my new Facebook Group!

But today I’m choosing to lean into anticipation and give those of you who enjoy a little behind-the-scenes peek into my business & life something to savor.

On the docket for me next year?

More play. Slowing down. Deeper connections. Lots of rainy Twilight vibes. Movies galore!

Here’s all of that dripped out in more detail…

: I’m moving! Five years ago I moved to Los Angeles to chase my dream of screenwriting. My initial goal was to hopefully-maybe write a Lifetime movie (my ultimate guilty pleasure.) Fast forward to now, I’ve written six movies for the network, three of which were their very first trilogy – appropriately named ‘The Obsession Thrillogy.’ My work was featured in Variety and LA Times. I’m writing five additional movies in 2021 and have some other exciting projects in the works.

I’m so incredibly grateful for these opportunities and worked really, really, really hard for them. But I never wanted to live in Los Angeles, it was just a necessary step in this journey. The industry itself has changed radically over the last few years (and specifically in 2020), and it’s no longer a requirement for me to live in this city. This shift opened up a new world of freedom and possibilities for me, and after some not-so-hard convincing of my husband – we are moving to Washington State at the end of January!

Ever since I stepped foot in that lush, green, dreamy-gloomy state years ago – I’ve been obsessed with moving there. I’m someone who thrives in the rain and gets very depressed in the sun – so this move is soothing my vampiric soul.

: Smokin’ hot novel. Two years. 85,000 words. Endless revisions. Lots of angsty playlists and watching teen drama compilations on Youtube for #research. I’ve finally finished my YA fantasy-romance novel and I’m ready to start pitching it to agents this January! If you’ve followed along this journey with me, you know this novel is a pretty low-stakes project. My wildest dream would be to get a major publishing deal for a trilogy of books, sell the film rights, write all the scripts, and have Ben Affleck direct all three movies (ha!) But if I never sell the books, I’ll just quietly self-publish and give them to a dozen of my eager friends who love sexy, angsty teen romances. I’m happy either way.

: (Even more) ooey-gooey, almost too-good-to-be-true workshops and challenges. If you’ve swirled in my world for a bit, you know I absolutely love hosting fun, no-cost online events and challenges every year to make your marketing, publicity, copy, content, and all other corners of your biz feel like your favorite obsession. This will kick off with my International Batching Day in January where people from all over the world will get together and batch binge-worthy content in less time with less stress. Wham, bam, done! Details hitting your inbox soon-ish.

: Working with me. As my schedule begins to crunch tighter, my VIP Days are booking up verrrry fast. A VIP Day is you and me—1-on-1—my eyeballs & writer brain all over your copy & content. We can whip together an attention-grabbing funnel, jazz up your sales page and website copy, make your message more magnetic, craft pitches to get featured in magazines or on podcasts, or whatever you want to work on. Most. Productive. Day. Ever. Check out the details here and get in touch asap if you want to book a date before they sell out.

That’s a peek at my 2021. I hope to spend at least a part of it with you!

]]>