We recently connected with Lisa Loop and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa , thanks for joining us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

In my twenties I worked as a story editor for a Hollywood studio. I came into the job armed with an English degree and some Indy screenplays under my belt, but I didn’t know what to expect. What I learned was that more important than talent or hard work, the best writers had a strong voice. It sounds counterintuitive, that someone trying to write for the marketplace needed a real point of view. But each screenplay that crossed our desks and moved forward to the higher levels had an extra sparkle that set it apart, a creative risk that felt unique. Great writers are story tellers, but what makes them rise above is a willingness to share their passion. There is no shortcut to admitting what you truly care about.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I always wanted to be a writer. I was publishing in a local paper in college, and did a journalism internship. I worked in PR and advertising, but somehow that never made me feel like I knew anything.

Perfectionism kept me from putting my work out there. I was convinced that if only I acquired the secret sauce, I would know for sure that the work was good. I studied and wrote, piling up finished novels, essays, poetry, and a memoir. The pages sat in hard drives, dusty and forgotten.

Turned out what I was seeking was confidence. Over time, I was lucky enough to meet mentors who helped me heal from my underlying wound, which was shame. I simply needed to get to the core of my fear, that people would see me in my work and judge me harshly. I became a creative coach, a screenwriting instructor, and eventually returned to school for my MFA in writing.

It wasn’t easy, but healing my perfectionism and taking the risk of being judged set me free. Any working creator experiences rejection and criticism on a regular basis. But the inner resilience to keep those messanges in perspective means I am able to keep trying.

I have now published four books, as well as myriad poems and essays. I’m so grateful to have found peace with being a regular, fallible human.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Every writer has one or two themes that appear again and again in their work. These deep internal drives are not planned or controlled. They simply show up over time, in various different guises.

What drives my storytelling is the message of resilience and tenacity in the face of oppression. My main characters care deeply about the greater good. They rely on their internal compass to upset the status quo.

My poetry is about the ephemeral quality of life, its transitory nature, beauty and ugliness. Love shines through. Also, pickup trucks, whales, the gold foil of discarded cigarette packs, whatever shows up and wants to be there.

I have recently started publishing more essays, which is deeply satisfying. Turns out people really want the perspective of someone who has been around long enough to notice the patterns in life, and in the world. I am in talks with a partner (an established podcaster) about starting a podcast to offer up my wisdom for those who might want it. A marriage of coaching and writing, I would love to explore the leadership opportunities technology offers creators.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The most important book I have read on the field of creativity is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.

His message is simple but essential; you have to show up every day and do the work. In the regular practice of creation, the highs of inspiration and the lows of emptiness even out. Over time, your brain and acclimate to the discipline of daily practice, and it becomes automatic. Pressfield manages to make the case that it is easier to build the work habit than it is to keep climbing out of the hole of resistance. I urge anyone wanting to do creative work to read this short, powerful book.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lisaloop.com