I've been taking a screenwriting class where the main exercise has been to copy brilliant scripts that have already been made into award-winning films and TV shows.

Page by page, word for word, type the exact dialogue, action lines, character descriptions.

When the teacher mentioned this I immediately thought "ah ha!" Why didn't I think of that? 

I've done it in so many other formats. Studying novels to refine my writing. Learning cover songs to understand melody and harmony and rhythm. Rehearsing salsa shines until the basic patterns are ingrained. 

Artists used to learn through apprenticeship. Taking time to perfect the style of the masters who came before. It's the best way to know how to break those rules. 

You have to know what the structure of your medium is, before you can figure out how your unique voice will shine in it.

Come check out the Hot Mess series on TikTok, and watch as I lose my mind - and find it again - writing, producing, and acting in a show!

#CreatingIsHealing🦋