Last week, I was struggling with what a friend of mine calls a “doom loop.” For the uninitiated (lucky you), a doom loop is fear gone wild, usually prompted by a minor setback combined with sheer exhaustion, and looks like this: Through very imaginative yet destructive trains of thought, you convince yourself that your decision to go against the norm and follow your own desires (e.g., be an artist, go back to school, stand up to your boss) was a foolish, disastrous mistake and you will now be left alone and penniless. Serves you right. [Read more…] about Working Through The Fear
General Thoughts
Tackling Twitter
If you’re an artist, you’re a small business. You’re the CEO, the accountant, the product developer, and the director of marketing (just to name a few titles). I’m pretty good at marketing. Before I became an artist, I was in public relations for a number of years and worked as a communications consultant, but that was long before social media arrived on the scene. Back then, if you wanted to distribute information, you wrote a press release, put it in a stamped envelope, and actually mailed it. These days, I’m trying to tackle Twitter. [Read more…] about Tackling Twitter
The Challenge to be Flexible
I’m sitting in my home in New Hampshire, it’s late October, and we are getting 6-10 inches of snow. The Floridian in me wants to weep. Actually the New Hampshire person in me wants to weep. I have my own personal rule — as long as it doesn’t snow before Thanksgiving, I can handle winter. Any sooner, and I’m not making any promises. Looks like I’m going to have to be a bit more flexible.
What I Learned From a Terrorist Threat
I’ve been performing I Will Be Good for a couple years now, and like performers everywhere, many times I’ve performed under some duress. Once I performed the day my husband lost his job. Another when I was so ill, I slept under a conference room table until the very last minute before curtain. Often in less than ideal conditions — caterers loudly setting up in the next room, technological glitches during the show, and, of course, the dreaded cell phones that ring mid-performance. Each time, I come out stronger as a performer — increasing my endurance, sharpening my concentration. [Read more…] about What I Learned From a Terrorist Threat
Festivals: Nantucket Film and FringeNYC
It’s a festive summer! Just a couple of weeks ago, I performed at the 16th Annual Nantucket Film Festival, appearing in their Late Night Storytelling with Anne Meara, Mike O’Malley (Kurt’s dad from Glee), Jerry Stiller, and Brian Williams (the NBC news anchor, who is hysterical), among others. And as much fun as it was to perform, it was even more terrific to visit with and learn from so many other artists — filmmakers, directors, screenwriters — all dedicated to their craft. It gave me a wonderful chance to refuel for my next creative adventure — The 15th Annual New York International Fringe Festival — FringeNYC! [Read more…] about Festivals: Nantucket Film and FringeNYC