Unscripted with Lauren Marie Fleming

Lauren Marie Fleming
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A podcast about the creative process, resilience, and building a sustainable artistic life. Personal reflections on publishing, filmmaking, and what it actually takes to thrive as an artist today. unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Am I Too Old for This?

    Dear friend, Do you ever feel like you’re just too old? Lately, I’ve found myself worrying that I’m “past my prime” — which is hilarious considering I’m only 43. Statistically speaking, I’m only halfway through my life, and with my family’s genes, I could live to be 45 or 105. You never know. What I do know is that life is too short to wait to go after your dreams. In today's episode, I talk about the joys of being "over the hill" and encourage you to go after your dreams – no matter what your age. Are you trying something new in your life? Reply and let me know, I’d love to cheer you on. Lauren ____ Sharing Is Caring If you’re interested in making movies, or just love to hear about the process, these books are great to pick up: * Story by Robert McKee – the book everyone in the industry insists you read and truly a great one for any storytellers out there, regardless of your genre * Dialogue by Robert McKee – this gave me such great tips for writing better scenes between characters * The Original by Priya Parmar – I love how queer this book is and how wonderfully alive Hollywood feels in this novel If you found this post to be inspiring, you’ll love my books: * The Writer’s Career Guide: How to Build a Sustainable Creative Life on Your Terms – if you want to start a writing career and get paid for your creative work, I put everything I know into this book * Bawdy Love: 10 Steps to Profoundly Loving Your Body – with its journal prompts and coloring pages, this book is fun and healing * Because Fat Girl – a perfect summer read if you want to escape into a world of filmmaking that has fabulous fashion and a happy ending for all Some of these are affiliate links, meaning I get a % if you buy through this link. It’s an easy way to support my work and get a great new read. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/subscribe

    10 min

  2. 11 MAY

    I'm Making a Queer Short Film in San Diego. Want to Join Me?

    Dear friend, This summer I’m making a queer romcom here in San Diego with local cast and crew — and I want you to join in the fun. Wow. It feels scary and exciting to say that out loud! If you want to know why this is such a HUGE deal for me, here are some past posts talking about my history with film and television: * Returning to My First Love of Filmmaking — And Asking If It’s Too Late * Will This Help Me Win an Oscar Surrounded by People I Love? * I Spent Years Thinking I Wasn’t Brave Enough for Hollywood There are four ways you can be a part of this film: * Cast * Crew * Cheerleader * Investors More on each in the post. If you want in, fill out this form. I’ll also be documenting the whole process here on Substack, so if you aren’t a subscriber yet, be sure to do that now. I cannot wait to make a movie with you! Because the world needs our stories now more than ever. With love and art, Lauren P.S. Know someone who has always wanted to be in the movies? Got a friend in San Diego who would be a great member of our creative team? Have a following on social media who might want in? Share this post! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/subscribe

    8 min

  3. 4 MAY

    How a One-Page Sticker Chart Changed My Life (And How It Can Change Yours)

    Dear friend, I dream of winning an Oscar surrounded by people I love, and I’m pretty sure stickers are the key to making it happen. Why stickers? I’m glad you asked. Here is the story behind the stickers and how I've used a one page sticker chart I call 33 Asks® to: * Generate over $475,000 in my business. * Get a literary agent and a book deal. * Start dating again. * Restart my filmmaking career. * Make friends in Mexico. * Pack my Because Fat Girl book launch events and build a fan base that helped it get into airports and bookstores across the USA and read around the world. * Find queer friends to go dancing with me. I was even featured on Good Morning America talking about the process! And now, I’m teaching you 33 Asks®! You can learn the full process at 33Asks.com, but today's post has all the basics you need to get started. The world is on fire, but creativity is the balm. Asking for what we want is how we feel empowered to make change. Yes, I’d love you to take the full class at 33Asks.com, but more than that, I want you to go out there and ask for what you want in life and make your creative dreams come true. Because the world needs our stories now more than ever. With love and stickers, Lauren P.S. Now, I have an ask of you. If you enjoyed this post and found it helpful, can you please share it with a friend or on your social media? It’s a free and easy way to spread the love. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/subscribe

    11 min

  4. 27 APR

    I Recorded an Angry Response Video. Then I Deleted It and Did This Instead.

    Dear friend, This weekend, I struggled to practice what I preach. I was supposed to send my Sunday letter to you yesterday, but I couldn’t get myself to finish it. I was too distracted by a pile of hate that was being dumped into the comments of an Instagram reel of mine. I wanted to fight back. Listen to hear what I did instead. And check out this post if you want your own Creative Life Blueprint to help you in situations like this. Because the world needs our stories now more than ever. With love, Lauren P.S. Want to help cheer me up after all of that hate? Leave a 5-star review for Because Fat Girl on Amazon or Goodreads today. It really helps counteract the haters, boost my visibility, and help me get the next books out. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/subscribe

    5 min

  5. 19 APR

    PSYCH: On Unplanned Life Pivots and What to Do Next

    Dear friend, I’m a dreamer and a doer, but looking back at my life, the most important and profound moments were never planned. They were times when Fate, God, Life, the Universe, whatever you want to call it said “PSYCH” and pushed me off course. If you are in an unplanned life pivot right now, here are three questions to ask yourself: * Who and what am I grateful for in my life? * Who and what do I love in my life? * Where and when can I add more joy, decadence and whimsy to my life? Those three questions seem simple, but they’ll open up a world of truth within you. They’ll show you what’s missing and what you already have. They’ll help you decide what comes next and how you want it to feel. Once you have the answers to those questions, you’ll be ready to start creating your own Creative Life Blueprint – the path you’ll take forward to build a life centered around that gratitude, love, and joy you just defined. For that, you’ll need this post where I outline the whole process: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/p/how-i-reset-my-entire-life-every Or, if you want more handholding and group camaraderie, you can join me April 21 - June 3 for the Creative Life Blueprint group coaching program. I’m offering it one time only to six people. Email me at courses@laurenmariefleming.com if you want in. Whatever path you choose, I hope you’re able to find the magic in the unplanned moments — the ones that punch you in the gut, the ones that surprise you with joy, and every one in between. Because the world needs your story now more than ever. With love and resilience, Lauren P.S. My Creative Life Blueprint coaching program starts April 21. I’m not offering this again and I only have one spot left, so reply now if you want it. I’d love to have you in. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/subscribe

    5 min

  6. 29 MAR

    Joy as Armor

    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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/subscribe

    6 min

  7. 15 MAR

    I Spent Years Thinking I Wasn’t Brave Enough for Hollywood

    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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/subscribe

    11 min

  8. 1 MAR

    Will This Help Me Win an Oscar Surrounded by People I Love?

    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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/subscribe

    8 min
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A podcast about the creative process, resilience, and building a sustainable artistic life. Personal reflections on publishing, filmmaking, and what it actually takes to thrive as an artist today. unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com

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