Dear White People
This is a moment. This is THE moment. I must warn you first: if you are unwilling to practice radical listening and silence any impulse to say “but what about…,” this is not for you.
I am a biracial (black/white) Texan who grew up in a predominantly white community. I built my life around accomodation and apology. It was how I survived. It looked like this: do you need me to ignore that veiled racist comment? Okay, I’ll do that. Do you need me to ignore your microaggression against me and pretend it’s all good? Sure, I’ll do that too. I have given and given and given and the cost has been my sense of self and my belief in my worthiness. Who am I if I’m not the person who makes you feel comfortable in my presence? I was always in service of your comfort over mine.
Read More
I Had To Fire Someone
This whole venture into starting my own business has been so personally revealing. I’ve had the chance over and over to see that I have a really particular, old story in my head about who I am and how I do things. More and more I also see how I am actively outgrowing that story.
Read More
Community: In Screenwriting
When I attended the Austin Film Festival for the first time, I quickly realized that I needed to do something for myself. I needed to free myself from the pressure of networking so I set out to attend panel discussions, screenings, and other events using my impulse as my guide.
Read More
My Artistic Statement (from my Sundance application)
Throughout my adult life, I sought and found comfort in the arts because they allowed me to understand my most personal truths in productive and tangible ways. It might be through a resonant scene or a completed piece. But it hasn’t always been sunny. I spent a period trying to negotiate with myself and the Universe. I attempted to sneakily redefine what personal meant in my work to avoid vulnerability. I tried my hand at a looser definition meaning I only had to do work that I was “personally” interested in. It is not surprising to me now, but that work was flat and easy to walk away from.
Read More
Sometimes It's Hard
I went round and round about what to write this week. Do I go to my trusty calendar where I brainstormed blog topics through the end of March? Do I stick to the plan or do I write more from the heart? I feel the tug to write from the heart.
Read More
Acting: A Powerful Art form
Acting came into my life unexpectedly five years ago. Now, it seems so obvious but if you had asked me anytime before 2013, I would never have imagined that acting would become such an important part of my life. I have found it to be unbelievably transformational and incredibly healing.
Read More
Turning Pro
Let me clarify what I mean by turning pro. I mean a mindset where I focus my intention on something that matters to me and the mindset is separate from making money. However, I do live in the real world so the ability to also make money is definitely my preference.
Read More
My Daily Practice
My creative process has evolved over many years and consists of four parts.
Read More
Revision Insights From My Novel
What round of revisions am I currently in on my romance novel? I’ve almost lost track. Let’s see, let me trace it back. I completed my first draft over the summer which was a magical and fulfilling process for me.
Read More
Life Coaching
In the summer of 2017, a dear friend, issued an invitation to another friend and me. “I feel moved to share something with y’all,” she said with her charm and gentility. She proceeded to tell us about a workshop that she had an extra space for and even a hotel room if either of us were able to join her.
Read More
The Reality of Self-Promotion
Is there anything more uncomfortable than talking about myself and sharing accomplishments? I can think of very few things that give me less anxiety. My family is one where we are taught to work hard and be quiet about it. I love that and I’ve clung to that value very dearly.
Read More
Confessions of a Quick-Start
I work with a life coach once a week and he’s been incredibly crucial in helping me follow through on this novel project. We weren’t able to speak last week but in our previous conversation, he said, “Nichole, you’re a quick-start so it’s crucial that you follow through here.”
Read More
I heart structure!
There is freedom in structure. I think this might be another of those paradoxical truths I love so much. It seems like freedom and structure shouldn’t go together at first glance but I have found that they do.
Read More
Communion
Communion: the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.
Read More
Resistance is Insidious
“Resistance is insidious,” said Steven Pressfield in the opening section of The War of Art. I started reading it yesterday because I felt this calling to it.
Read More
Romance Novel Writing - Week One Insights
This week is my first week of romance novel writing! I’ve entered this endeavor with so much excitement and the greatest sense of freedom.
Read More
It's not precious!
This work is not precious!! I remember the first time I heard that phrase. I was fairly new to acting and we had just received new scenes.
Read More
No Shortcuts
Today, one particular post-it caught my eye. It says, “the are no shortcuts; the joy is in the work.” I wrote that to myself a few months ago and I need that reminder often.
Read More
Thank you, Ava DuVernay
I want to highlight the artists I admire and reminisce about why they struck my fancy in the first place.
Read More
Endurance
Brené Brown spoke in her writing about shame and that in order to experience great joy, we also have to be open to experiencing great despair.
Read More
