Meet Bella Dontine

We were lucky to catch up with Bella Dontine recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bella, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I think creativity is the child inside us. As we get older, responsibilities pile up and we can grow jaded, but keeping that part alive, whether through writing, drawing, painting, reading, or playing music, it matters. Creativity helps in a myriad of ways, including our mental health. I keep it alive by writing. I write screenplays, short stories, and songs and if I ever need to take a break or need a boost of creativity I’ll go for a walk/run, ride a bike, or just get out in nature.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Bella Dontine. I’m originally from Wilmington, Delaware, and I’m an actress, writer, producer, and musician. I started performing in theatre at twelve and eventually moved into film, where I fell in love with complex multi-layered characters. In 2015 I launched Small Wonder Studios, my production company for developing intimate, character-driven projects across genres.
What excites me most is building worlds around complicated characters and letting humor and vulnerability live in the same frame. I’m drawn to stories that are specific, lived-in, and a little daring.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I would say persistence and resilience have been huge for me. I have learned you have to keep showing up through the silence, rejection, and near-wins.
Consistency is key. I have heard that the one’s that don’t give up eventually get their open door.
You have to keep showing up even when you don’t feel motivated because progress comes from repeatable routines, whether it’s writing, working out, etc.
Community is also very important. Especially in film, which is deeply collaborative, having a supportive network helps you grow and thrive.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The book Atomic Habits has been impactful for me. It showed me that consistency builds willpower. You won’t rise to a goal; you’ll default to your routines. Build simple systems you can win on tired days. The book talks bout habit stacking. The more good habits you stack the easier they become. You can track streaks and always celebrate small wins. I write more consistently, recover faster from off-days, and my progress feels earned, not accidental.

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