She’s a Lifetime movie screenwriter + a CNN producer. Here’s her tips for boosting your creativity.
Elizabeth Stuart, photo credit: Susie Mann Photography
I was at CNN's Election Center in Washington DC on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, when around 11:30am, Joe Biden was declared the next President of the United States. After producing more than 40 hours of television since Election Night, I was relieved and exhausted. Once we were off the air, I drove to my hotel, took a three-hour nap, showered, ordered food, and by midnight that night, I was turning in the sixth draft of my latest Lifetime movie to the director and executive producer. That was followed by more relief and exhaustion.
Writing has always been my therapy. Growing up, I wrote pages and pages chronicling every family vacation I went on; from Boston, to Disney World, to a cross-country trip to the Grand Canyon in an RV. It was really no surprise that I went on to become a journalist, asking questions, telling stories, and yes, more writing.
By my 20's, I was convinced that my life as a TV producer in NYC had perfectly set me up to write a best-selling novel where the heroine would be a fabulous blend of Carrie Bradshaw and Bridget Jones. I had lots of crazy dating stories, interesting friends, and a job that people always found fascinating. But with the grueling work schedule of someone still climbing the corporate ladder, I often felt lucky if I had enough free time to meet a friend for brunch. When was I supposed to write the Next Great Novel?
Credit: Elizabeth Stuart
Throughout those years I kept journals, feeling most inspired to write when something significant happened… losing out on a job I really wanted, going on cool trips, babies being born, friends losing parents, and LOTS of angsty writing about my poor, ol’ broken heart. Sometimes, I’d map out portions of a fictional story with protagonists based loosely on myself, or other characters, like the wacky roommate I once met through Craig’s List. Putting pen to paper created a space where I could sort through my thoughts and feelings, and a place to keep them. The process of writing is clarifying, therapeutic, and creative for me. When I write, I can be my most honest and vulnerable self.
But, as much as I wanted to sit down and write the damn book, I never seemed to have the time or the ability to stitch it all together. Besides, I had established myself as a TV producer and writing was just this fun thing I tinkered with from time to time. My job afforded me a certain amount of creativity, working with camera crews, writing scripts for pieces, and sitting in edit rooms. So, the novel got put aside. I’d find the time "someday," I thought to myself.
Credit: Elizabeth Stuart
About six years ago, a friend and former colleague approached me about writing a screenplay together. She had an idea that was somewhat fleshed out, and a production company that made movies for Lifetime had expressed interest in developing it. Neither of us had any idea what we were doing, or whether this idea would ever actually be made into a movie. I was a producer at CNN's morning show at the time and wasn't exactly sure where I'd find the time to write a screenplay, but I immediately said yes.
Here was a whole new genre and format that I’d never even considered before. I was excited to dive in, but also flooded with feelings of imposter syndrome. Who was I kidding? I was a TV producer, not a screenwriter! I remember initially telling friends and family what I was doing, and while everyone was supportive, some gave me a, “that’s great!” with a hint of, “oh honey, that’s adorable.” Casting doubt aside, I was determined to do this. I bought a new laptop and downloaded the right programs, read sample treatments and scripts, and watched dozens of movies as research on structure and dialogue. Suddenly, it was as though all the ideas and stories I’d been jotting down my entire life were there for me when I needed them, like trusted friends. I re-read my journals for inspiration on how to write characters experiencing joy, grief, rage, or vengeance.
While I was writing my first screenplay, I was also covering the 2016 presidential election for CNN. I produced both of Chris Cuomo’s sitdown interviews with Hillary Clinton, live produced from several debates and the Republican National Convention. To meet my deadlines, I wrote while I was flying, in hotel rooms after wrapping up work, on Amtrak trains between NY and DC, and at home in the late hours of the night. It was intense, but with all the chaos the country was experiencing during that campaign, writing became the ultimate outlet and actually kept me focused and sane.
I realize this makes it sound like I have no life. Trust me, I still have plenty of time for reality TV. But there have been sacrifices too, skipping parties or events when I’m on deadline. Ultimately, it’s been something that I love and want badly enough that it’s all worth it.
I feel incredibly lucky that I get to do both these jobs. In a career-driven city like New York, it can be easy to set aside dreams, hoping they might be realized “someday.” It’s like when a parent says, “we’ll see.” Everyone knows the message behind those words: not gonna happen. In order to make someday a reality for myself, I had to summon up the courage to turn away from what I believed others expected of me, and turn toward what I truly wanted for myself: joy, humor, and meaning. Writing transformed me - it helped me see more clearly that those expectations were actually my own projections of who I thought I was “supposed” to be, and where I thought I was “supposed” to be in my life and career by a certain age.
Today, I’m a senior producer at CNN, my fourth Lifetime movie aired in early June (“The Perfect Wedding” – check it out!), a fifth is being filmed later this summer, and I’m currently writing a sixth! Letting go of those expectations, followed by a lot of hard work, creativity, and a healthy dose of time management, has allowed me to realize I’m capable of doing so much more than I’d ever thought.
So, how do you unlock your own creativity?
Make it a priority: We’re all busy (even in quarantine), but there are essential things we manage to find the time to do anyway: grocery shopping, laundry, showering (hopefully?). Whatever you want to do: writing, yoga, cooking, learning a language or an instrument; it has to earn a spot on your must-do list. Don’t let it be the first thing that falls to the wayside when life gets chaotic. Creativity is a muscle that must be flexed often!
It’s ok to not get it right the first time: We hear stories about people who immediately find success in something they try right out of the gate and put enormous pressure on ourselves to do the same. Give yourself an achievable goal and you’ll feel amazing when you smash it.
Find someone who will give you honest feedback: So much of being creative (especially with writing) can be subjective. Find a friend, relative or colleague who will give you genuine, constructive criticism and perhaps provide a perspective that you didn’t initially have.
Don’t underestimate yourself: I have to remind myself of this constantly. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to try, DO IT! If Covid has taught us anything, it’s that life is unpredictable. Be your biggest cheerleader instead of your harshest critic. And if you can’t cheer yourself on, know that others (including me) are!
Elizabeth Stuart is a Senior Producer based in CNN's New York Bureau, and a screenwriter of five films with more projects underway. Selections of her writing were chosen and displayed as part of HBO's 2019 "Inspiration Room" in New York City. Stuart is a two-time Emmy nominee, winner of four Edward R. Murrow Awards and a Peabody Award for breaking news coverage. She's also a marathon runner and proud graduate of New York University.