Wands Spotlight: Megan Martin

Meet my dear friend, Megan Martin, television writer/producer extraordinaire. Megan and I met working on TNT's Animal Kingdom, and she is a tremendously talented writer and a deeply lovely human. I cannot wait to be in a writers room with her again.

How would you describe yourself? Do you use the word “artist”? Do you use another word?

I struggle with this. I do not call myself an artist. And yet, to do the work well, you have to be an artist, while everything in the business conspires to make that word seem foreign and silly. I think the word is a smart one to remind ourselves of, as screenwriters. You have to be nimble. You have to keep a space for your own relationship to the work in which you ARE an artist, and a space in which you are able to operate in very practical ways. You’re like a person who keeps an artist chained up in your basement. You have to give them enough food to survive. And hope. And the occasional trip out into the forest for light and exercise. 

How do you know when it’s time to move out of the envisioning/brainstorming/inspiration gathering process and get to work?

Something starts to come. Like a scene, or a few of them. Something that can be vomited out. Then it needs to get down.

Are you a planner/outliner? Is your process more intuitive? How did you discover a process that worked for you? And have you ever worked differently?

I am a big outliner. Though for two things I am working on now, I am allowing myself some time to just write, and I think it’s effective. But then a strict outline has to emerge. 

If you’re working on a piece of art/writing, and you suddenly get a new idea, how do you deal with that interruption? 

I allow myself a bit of time to jot it down. I think these moments of something boiling up, almost like it needs air from the other thing you’re doing, are invaluable.

And how do you determine whether that new idea belongs in this piece or a different one? 

In my experience, over time, things stick out like a sore thumb if you’re trying to hammer it into the wrong story world. But I have definitely kept sore thumbs around for too long.

If you’ve mapped out how something is supposed to be, do you ever divert from the plan?

Yes. And that can be glorious. And scary.

Can you describe the worst part of your creative process? Which step do you enjoy the least?

That’s hard. I think all projects have pain involved, and the pain can some at different times in them. I wouldn’t say there is any step that is routinely harder than others.

What is your favorite part of the creative process and why?

Two kinds. The moments on my own when a story is starting to announce itself, and the first time I tell someone and they get it, and get excited. Grace note: I love when someone says something offhand as you’re telling them a story, that clarifies something about the story for you, or sharpens it. 

How active is your inner critic in your process? 

Very.

How do you deal with your inner critic?

Listen to her. She is short tempered and frustrating, but should not get distracted. I waste time when she gets distracted. 

Does he/she ever have anything helpful to say? 

All the time.

Do you have any tips for how to silence them?

Like I said, I think she is invaluable. I like her to show up to work. This does not mean that occasionally she shouldn’t be ignored while I am figuring out something tenuous. Then she should get asked back in the room.

Is creative friction or conflict something that you seek out in a creative process, or try to avoid?

I do not avoid it. But I think it can be overrated. I think conversations can hold a wide range of opposing ideas before becoming conflict. That might be the most Canadian thing I have ever said.

How do you deal with burnout?

Make myself not write. Do practical tasks. Spend time with someone who surprises me.

What is your spiritual/psychological relationship to your work?

These days, I am really happy about writing. I am worried about the industry as a whole, but I am really happy about the projects I am doing. This is a precious moment, honestly. Often I slip into a very different place, in which I feel a little oppressed by work, and frustrated. This is a constantly changing state. You would probably get a different answer if I was answering this question in three days.

Do you enjoy collaboration or are you more of a solo artist? 

I need both. If I am too isolated for too long, I get out of whack. But I like real solo time to work out what a thing is at first. Then I need to stress test things thoroughly with people I trust.

Is there a story you could tell me about how you came to understand this about yourself?

I co-wrote a project I love for a couple years. I had so much fun, and adore my writing partner, and am really proud of the scripts. But now that I am working solo again, I think I was desperate to be in my own head, at least for the first development stages. 

What is your ideal creative environment?

My office, at the back of the house. I’m very comfortable there. And a writing room, if the room is filled with weird, good writers.

Have you ever had a burst of inspiration where your creative process has felt like channeling? Where something artistic feels like it is pouring out of you, quicker than you can even process it? 

Yes, a story I am working on, that might be a show. But it could either be great or nuts. Not sure yet.

Do you have any idea how or why that happened?

I had wanted to write it two years ago, then got busy, and it got ignored.

What is your relationship to deadlines? Do you love them? Hate them? Why?

Hate them. And totally need them.

What is the best piece of creative advice you’ve ever gotten?

Play the card. Meaning, in regards to a show, if you have a good idea for an episode, use it. You will come up with a new good one for the next.

What is the best piece of creative advice you’ve given?

Always be doing one for them, and one for yourself. I think I stole it from Raymond Chandler. 

Have you ever had a creative failure? What did you learn from it?

Lots. Drafts that didn’t sing. I learned everything I know from them.