Have you ever worked on something for so long that you start to question whether it's any good? Yeah, me too. This week, I did something I'm trying to get better at—getting out of my head and getting into the feedback.
Let me say this upfront: I enjoy feedback. I dish and receive it all the time in my 9-5, but when it comes to my personal, creative writing, like the great poet Erykah Badu said, "I'm an artist, and I'm sensitive about my shxt."
A Game-Changing Film Producer Meeting: Documentary Progress
Thanks to my amazing husband, I had a meeting with a film producer who could get my documentary completed and seen. You know that feeling when you've been working on something for so long, you start to doubt if it's on the right track? That was me. The producer gave me an outline structure of what I needed to do to be completely done before the end of December 2024. He also helped me see how I was doing the marketing strategy all wrong. Hearing from someone on the outside looking in telling me to keep going and providing a clear roadmap was exactly what I needed to embrace the creative feedback process.
Drafting Dreams: The Start of My Novel Writing Journey
I'm also toying with the idea of writing my first novel. Totally out of my comfort zone. Usually, I'm in my head, overthinking before I share anything. But this time, I decided to create a rough short story draft to get the most authentic reaction. I gathered a select group of core friends and family from all walks of life to review it. I'm still waiting to hear back from most of them, but one person, who I was the most nervous about, said they thoroughly enjoyed the read and even had a few suggestions. That feedback got me super excited! More to come as the rest of the reviews rolls in.
Influencer Outreach: A Cold Call into A Warm Collaboration
In another bold move, I reached out to a well-regarded social media influencer to see if they’d be interested in my copywriting services. What's the worst that could happen, right? They could say no. But guess what? She loved the idea! Sometimes, you just have to shoot your shot.
Children's Book Insights: Phone Consultation = Creative Sparks
I also had a phone consultation with a fellow indie publisher and children's book author to discuss my idea for my third book. She looked me in the eye and said, "Michelle, you already know this. You're just getting inside your own head." Sometimes, it takes a peer or mentor to remind you that you're on the right track and that second-guessing yourself is unnecessary.
Sharing My Script with Biggest Supporter & Toughest Critic
The biggest step in seeking feedback this week was letting my husband read one of my first draft scripts for a new short film. This is big for me because I usually don't let him see any of my projects until they are completed. He's a "I like it" or "I don't" kind of guy—there is no in-between. He doesn't sugarcoat things, and that's one of the reasons why I love him. I know without a doubt this guy will give me the truth, even if it cuts.
You might be wondering why I don't show him my projects in the beginning. Go back to the beginning of this post: I'm sensitive about my art, lol. But I had nothing to worry about—it turns out he enjoyed the first draft, even though I know I might change some things up. I also had the script read by a professional script reader for feedback, and their comments were mostly praising the concept and the script, with a few tweaks to make it stand out more.
Embracing the Creative Feedback Process: Key Takeaways
This week has been a whirlwind of stepping out of my comfort zone and seeking feedback from people who matter. Sometimes, hearing from peers and mentors that you're on the right track is exactly what you need. It’s a reminder that I don't have to second-guess if I'm good enough—I am great, as a matter of fact.
So, if you're like me, often stuck in your head and overthinking every move, take that leap. Ask for feedback. Embrace the critique. It’s worth it. And most importantly, keep going. Your work is needed, and the conversations sparked by your creativity are worth having.
With Love,
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