On tattoos, deadlines, and writing
Oh, hi friends!
My tattoos change weekly.
They’re fake, usually on my left forearm, and are typically an inspirational quote (right now it’s Conquer).
I like them because they’re low-stakes reminders to do good work and that, well, everything is temporary. (They easily scrub off.)
But today I thought I really want one that just says: DEADLINE.
Because this week reminded me what happens when you’re faced with deadline after deadline after deadline…
Progress. That’s what happens.
If you don’t have a deadline for a specific goal of yours, but would like one…I’ll create one for you! Let me know what you’re working on and if you need a little accountability. Seriously, anything. Email me. But only if you want. Also, enjoy the weekend? (I have zero chill, forever, always.)
“I’ve made up little mantras for myself, catchphrases from a screenwriting book that doesn’t exist. One is ‘Write the movie you’d pay to go see.’ Another is ‘Never let a character tell me something that the camera can show me.’ Then there’s ‘You always want the audience wondering what’s going to happen next, never what’s happening.’ Maybe if I’d graduated college or read a book on screenwriting, I’d do things differently. But this is how I do ’em.”
Great advice from Taylor Sheridan, who jumped from actor to Oscar-nominated screenwriter. (h/t Allison McNearney)
Reads & Jobs & Things
Esperanza Spalding is taking “show your work” to the next level. She’s going to write and record a 10-song album in 77 hours. And she'll livestream the whole thing from the studio. OBSESSED. So does anyone want to watch me write a film/pilot/musical in 77 hours? No? C’mon…
RIP French Roast in the West Village.
Five artsy Brooklyn start-ups I’m obsessed with.
How BuzzFeed’s Tasty Conquered Online Food. Fascinating behind-the-scenes look at making those 90-second overhead food videos.
Write your own guitar music in an app!
This sounds like an amazing job: 99U, the addictive site all about creativity, is hiring a Senior Editor to work on magazine and digital stories, and live events. (h/t Allison McNearney)
Also, WSJ. Magazine is hiring a part-time digital producer. Staff, part-time, 3 days a week, AKA a freelancer's dream gig. (h/t Carrie Seim)
Full details: WSJ. Magazine and Off Duty are looking for a part-time digital production assistant to join our respective teams. Responsibilities will include coordinating web production and publishing schedules; cropping and resizing all art for web usage; creating graphics for online stories (image grids, gifs, slideshows, etc.); collaborative with the WSJ. Magazine digital editor on digital production; and consulting with the art and design teams of both publications on a daily basis. The ideal candidate will have previous digital production experience and a passion for digital storytelling. Ideal candidates will also be familiar with a variety of softwares including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign and SocialFlow. A strong interest in writing digital display copy and producing social media content across a range of platforms is a plus. Please send applications to sarah.schmidt@wsj.com.
Thank you for reading.
Love, Kara