I'm scared to send this.
Practicing what I preach — and sharing the scariest creative project I've taken on in years.
Hey Reader,
I'm here with an exciting creative announcement. But first, let's reconnect a bit about how we know each other, because you might know me from a lot of different places.
Maybe you found me through SchoolForWriters.com and my writing programs — 33 Asks®, Write Your Friggin' Book Already®, or Creative Life Blueprint™.
Maybe you picked up my novel Because Fat Girl, ( it's in airports and bookstores across the nation, which still blows my mind every time I say it!), or maybe you've read my non-fiction work, Bawdy Love or The Writer's Career Guide.
Or maybe you're an OG and you've been here since way back when I was writing columns as Queerie Bradshaw.
However you found me, the thread running through all of our time together has been the same: entertaining and empowering stories, told with courage, while living a boldly creative life.
Even when — especially when — I was scared to do it.
Which brings me to my big announcement:
I'm making a movie!
Not "someday" like I've always said. Now. We're already set to film in September.
It's a queer short film, shot in San Diego, with a real cast and crew – and a budget I have to raise and stick to!
It's very exciting!
And it's absolutely terrifying.
One of the reasons I've never made a film before now is that it always felt so expensive. But I've been saving for this for a few years. I've got people willing to volunteer even when we can't pay them. I have a lean but doable budget.
And I'm about to launch a crowdfunding campaign, which is the scariest part of all.
I'm not new to asking people for money. I run a business, I do it all the time.
It's literally my personal and professional identity to be someone who goes out there and asks for what she wants in life – so why is this particularly terrifying?
I'm planning on using my 33 Asks® program to make this happen, and I believe in that process wholeheartedly. It's gotten me on Good Morning America, made me half a million dollars in my business in the five years since I created it, got me an agent for my book, and even got me laid one summer.
I have so much proof it works – from myself and my clients.
But still, every time I take on a new 33 Asks® challenge, I worry this will be the time I fail.
I have no idea if I'm going to raise the $20,000 I need to pay my queer cast and crew, feed them, cover the venue, and get this film into festivals. I have no idea if it's going to work or if I'm going to publicly fail.
But I am dedicated to living a courageous life. So I have to keep putting myself out there and asking for what I want.
Today, what I want is for you to cheer me on as I boldly and bravely prepare for this big crowdfunding push.
You can do that by replying to this email and/or following along on Instagram, YouTube, or Substack. Here are some blog posts about the process leading up to making this film that are particularly great to read and comment on:
Mostly, today I just need you to know that it's happening.
I've been scared to send an email to this list because I worried you would be here just to learn about publishing. But I am more than just one kind of storyteller, more than one kind of artist, and more than one kind of human – and I have to believe you are as well, Reader.
I hope that by sharing the process of making my first film with you – like I shared the process of publishing my books with you in the past – you'll be inspired to go out there and explore your creative passions, even when you're scared to do so.
Because the world needs our stories now more than ever.
With love and creativity,
Lauren
P.S. The best part about making a movie is the people I get to collaborate with – including you! If you're in San Diego and want to help get this movie made we need cast and crew:
Whether you're cast, crew, or a fan cheering us on, I'm excited to bring you along for the ride and have you be a part of making this movie happen.
