Good morning, everyone!
We are winding up a very special week here with a peek inside the writer's nest of writer/ producer, Gregg McBride.
Thank you for joining us today, Gregg.
Describe your writing nest? A little messy. A little magical. A lot in flux. There are
always various piles on my desk – depending on what’s going on that day
(or week). I use a desktop computer and a laptop, so I can write where my whims
(and/or inspiration) takes me. Sometimes I love to have a nearby candle lit.
There’s usually silence (or very soft ambient music in the background). And
there’s always one of my furry children nearby, supervising. I have posters of
past work on the wall. And journals full of new ideas on the shelves. It’s a
space that inspires creativity. And I feel very lucky to have it.
What is it about this space that
inspires you? From nothing, comes something. Whether
it’s an empty room or a blank page. Whatever I’m creating (new script, book, or
article), it’s coming from inside of my head. So as long as I have a keyboard
in front of me, I’m usually good to go. I spend a lot of time thinking and
ruminating before the actual writing process begins. Although I’m always taking
notes, 24/7 (usually on my phone – thank goodness for the Notes app… I
just must remember to look at it sometimes).
Has finding your space been an
evolving journey? How so? Always. I don’t really get writer’s
block. But I do get writer’s procrastination all the time. I’d rather be
editing a finished draft than facing blank pages. There are some toys in my
nest, as well as lots of stationery supplies and cards. I’m a card and
stationery addict. I love having ribbons and wrapping paper around, too.
Anything to inspire whimsy. Even if I happen to be working on a horror script.
So I try and keep an influx of new inspirations (no matter how large or small)
coming into my writer’s nest at all times.
Anything you would change? I always have ideas about changing my workspace. Or spaces.
Just as I would like to think my writing talents evolve, so would the space I
choose to do it in. Mood has a lot to do with it. There are times I love to be
writing at a coffee shop or public place. Other times I need to be secluded in
a room to myself with total silence (except for the furry kids, who make it clear
they can and will invade my space anytime they please).
Gregg and Latte
What advice would you give to
someone looking to build their own nest? Start with a
pad of paper. An email to yourself on your phone. A laptop. A leaf and a magic marker.
Whatever you’re going to make the first word of your project. Start there.
That’s your space. You’re the space. What you write is going to change the
world. No matter on what size the scale is, you’re going to make your mark. So,
I’d worry less about the space and more about what you want to say. The space
will take shape around you. Whether it’s a back porch, a dark hallway, an immaculate
home office – wherever. What you write matters most.
How did you break into Hallmark and what advice would you give to someone
trying? I had dreams of writing a Hallmark movie for a
long time. Although I had a few encounters with executives at the channel over
the years, it wasn’t until I had a general meeting scheduled that got postponed
repeatedly that my dream started to come true. When the meeting finally
happened, I pitched a one sentence idea about someone who doesn’t like
Christmas having to be a Christmas angel. Little did I know that the channel’s
planned Hallmark Hall of Fame movie for that year had dropped out the day
before my meeting. They needed something. And my idea was it. Suddenly I wasn’t
writing just any Hallmark movie, but a highly regarded Hallmark Hall of Fame
Christmas movie, which ended up starring Shirley MacLaine, Eric McCormack, and
Kristin Davis. Timing is everything. But so is being prepared.
These
days, selling a pitch (an idea for a movie, even if well-crafted and planned
out) is nearly impossible. Never say never, of course. But if you want to write
a Hallmark movie, then you’re better off writing an actual script. But when you
do so, make sure you’ve studied other Hallmark movies (recent ones) and read
current Hallmark scripts. Things are changing at lightning speed in this
industry. The movies that Hallmark was making a few years ago aren’t the movies
Hallmark is making today. This is true for other networks that make Christmas
and romantic fare as well. You’ve got to stay up to date. And you’ve got to
write your little heart out. That way, when that magic moment happens, you’ll
be 100% prepared.
Thanks so much for sharing sage advice. I look forward to seeing more projects from you.
You'll find Gregg by clicking on any of the links below:
WEBSITE BLOG FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM YouTube IMDB
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