Dear friend,

Recently, I took an acting class and the teacher gave me this note:

You use joy as armor.

And damn, if that wasn’t completely spot on for how I’m dealing with the world right now.

To be openly gay in the face of fascism is a radical act.

If you think calling the Trump administration “fascism” feel hyperbolic, might I suggest reading this.

The America that the alt-right MAGA lovers long for is the one I sadly grew up in – and not one I’m keen to return to.

We’ve had joy as armor longer than we’ve had legal protections.

As things get worse and worse in my country, all I want to do is get more and more gay.

In every sense of the word.

Because when we lose the love and we lose the joy then we lose the battle.

And I refuse to let those hateful fuckers win.

With joy in the face of it all,

Lauren

P.S. While joy is wonderful, it’s also not enough. If you need legal support, or have energy to support LGBTQ causes right now, check out the National Center for LGBTQ Rights. I know their work intimately and can vouch for how important and powerful it is.

Dear friend,

I had a gut-wrenching, snot-filled, on-the-floor cry after my TV comedy writing class on Tuesday.

For decades, I beat myself up for not being brave enough to try to make it in Hollywood.

As I dive back into filmmaking, I keep wondering where my career would be if I’d just had the balls to move to Los Angeles like my male classmates did.

This post look at reframing that for myself and for you.

See the full post and join the conversation here: https://open.substack.com/pub/laurenmariefleming/p/i-spent-years-thinking-i-wasnt-brave

Sharing Is Caring

Here are some relevant resources that you might find helpful if you liked today’s letter:

* The key to making your creative dreams come true? Resilience. And I’ve got some fun and colorful tools to help you build up yours. Check it out at 33Asks.com.

* I still keep in touch with my screenwriting Professor James McBride – even thanked him in the acknowledgement of Because Fat Girl. He has a new book out that’s a great insight into acting and directing. Grab a copy here.

* My novel Because Fat Girl is a look at what my life would have been like if I hadn’t given up on my film directing dreams – and if The Rock fell in love with me. It’s as fun as it sounds. You should grab a copy here.

* If you liked this post, here are two more you’ll also love:

*Some of these links might be affiliate links, but I only share resources I love, regardless of affiliate status.

Dear friend,

Having a goal gives us focus, purpose, and direction in life – so what happens when you achieve that goal?

In late 2024, my lifelong dream came true. And now, I have to reorient myself to a new goal centered around one question:

Will this help me win an Oscar surrounded by people I love?

In today's episode, I share the journey I went on to create a new North Star.

You can find the full post with pictures here:

If you want to create your own North Star, check out this post here: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/p/how-i-reset-my-entire-life-every

And be sure to subscribe to both the Substack and wherever you listen to podcasts to support Unscripted and your own creative journey.

Because the world needs your story now more than ever.

After a month of writing, resting, and healing in Mexico, I wrestle with how to carry that lightness back to a country in crisis. This episode explores grief, patriotism, and coming home changed.

Experience the full post – with links, images and video – here: https://open.substack.com/pub/laurenmariefleming/p/i-dont-know-how-to-come-back-to-america?r=3gbzcd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

And be sure to subscribe there and wherever you listen to this podcast.

~~~

SHARING IS CARING LINKS:

* Journaling – you can get my course for free right now with code “love”.

* Reading – you can see some of my favorites here.

* Actively building creative resilience – and I have a free toolkit to help you do that.

Dear friend,

I know you just got a letter from me yesterday, but experiencing the Benito Bowl in Mexico felt like it deserved a special Monday mention.

Bad Bunny’s performance wasn’t just a thing of artistic and symbolic beauty, it was a declaration:

* That America is a diverse and beautiful place full of art, culture, and languages.

* That together, we are America.

* That love and unity is stronger than hate and division.

May we all carry that feeling with us as we continue to fight against those who would try to convince us otherwise.

With love,

Lauren

P.S. If you haven’t yet, check out my latest letter on growing up on the border, traveling to Mexico as a visitor, and learning to walk the line between appreciation and appropriation.

P.P.S. Trying to figure out how to balance art and activism, life and protest? Me too. I wrote this letter for us.

Reflections on growing up on the U.S.–Mexico border, my long relationship with Mexican culture, and what it means to love a place that isn’t mine.

This is a personal letter about privilege, borders, discomfort, and the questions that don’t have easy answers—only ongoing responsibility.

For photos, links, and the full written letter, visit the full post at Unscripted.LaurenMarieFleming.com.

You can subscribe there for weekly letters, and follow the podcast wherever you listen so you don’t miss future episodes.

Sharing Is Caring

Here are some relevant resources that you might find helpful if you liked today’s letter:

* Interested in learning more about the effects of gentrification and over tourism on CDMX? Check out The Gringo Tax Solidarity Fund (GTSF), an organization dedicated to creative solidarity, coalition-building, political education, and resource redistribution.

* Wondering how I’m able to have both the confidence and resources to travel around the world? The key is creative resilience, and my 33 Asks® program can help you build up your own.

* One of the books that helped me learn about the literal streets of Mexico City was The Interior Circuit: A Mexico City Chronicle by Francisco Goldman. It’s a beautiful story about dealing with grief by learning to drive through this complex maze of cobblestone calles, while also exploring organized crime and the dark sides of this massive city. Order it from an independent bookstore here or get it on Kindle here.

* Want to learn more about Mexican culture and practice your Spanish? Check out these shows I’ve enjoyed on Netflix:

* El Niñero (The Manny) – a family-friendly drama-filled show that bridges rural rancheros and city culture

* La Casa de Flores – super LGBTQ friendly and full of hilarious twists and turns, plus one very iconic accent

* Club de Cuervos – think Running Point meets Ted Lasso

*Some of these links might be affiliate links, but I only share resources I love, regardless of affiliate status.

I don’t want to talk about ICE — and yet, here we are again.

This episode is for anyone who feels reluctant, exhausted, scared of “doing it wrong,” or unsure how to keep using their voice in sustainable ways.

From Mexico City, I reflect on the tension between wanting to live a soft, creative, human life and the reality of ongoing human rights violations back home.

I share why activism feels especially hard right now, how overwhelm and perfectionism are often by design, and why imperfect action still matters.

I also walk through three imperfect principles that are helping me stay engaged without burning out.

For photos, links, and resources mentioned in this episode, plus to comment and join the conversation, head to my Substack at Unscripted.LaurenMarieFleming.com.

Subscribe there for weekly letters — and follow or subscribe to this podcast wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss future episodes.

In this voice-over letter, I reflect on my first night in Mexico City — a missed queer party, a cup of esquites in the plaza, and an unexpected lesson in what bravery actually looks like right now.

I explore discernment, boundaries, nervous-system safety, and the quiet courage of trusting myself in a culture that often rewards performance over presence.

If you want to see the (hilarious) photos, stickers, and links referenced in this episode, you can find the full letter on my Substack at https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com

Subscribe there to receive new letters in your inbox, and follow the podcast wherever you listen so you don’t miss future episodes.

In this first episode, I share why I’m returning to letters — after blogs, funnels, experiments, and pivots — and why this space is now centered on writing to you, as a friend. A reflection on attention, values, and choosing connection over mass produced content.

Get the full experience, including photos, bonus content, and links, visit my Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/p/a-letter-about-letters.

Want bookstores to stock your book and host your events? In this episode, I share my experience coordinating successful multi-state book tours and building relationships with bookstores nationwide for my novel "Because Fat Girl."

Drawing from both successful and challenging experiences, I reveal:

* How to choose the right bookstores for your book

* Ways to approach stores authentically

* Tips for making your event successful

* Strategies for building long-term relationships

* The difference between chain and independent bookstore approaches

Perfect for: Authors planning book launches, writers wanting local bookstore presence, and anyone interested in the business side of author life.

Letters from Lauren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.