We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Monica Joy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Monica, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
This is a question that I get quite a lot and I’m very happy to share my secrets… because if we don’t support each other as writers, we’d all be staring straight at the wall and not getting any work done. For me, I personally work best being extremely organized. I physically schedule time into my calendar each week for writing. Whether or not I feel in the mood to do it is besides the point. Overcoming any bad habit or block stems from creating new positive habits. Action and movement helps counter stagnation and becoming trapped. The more you do it, the easier it becomes, like any skill. Travel, new experiences, and just taking a walk outside, anything to get your brain relaxed or refocused is also extremely helpful.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a writer, director, show creator and filmmaker, in the children’s animation space and also have quite a few passion projects on the gaming side, in live action, and the publishing world which I absolutely love. I’m incredibly lucky that every day, I get to work on projects that bring so much joy to viewers and audiences of all ages (pun intended)! But truly, I see it as a privilege and an act of service. Especially for my work in the kid’s entertainment industry, I make darn sure that my brand, and anything I’m a part of, is not only creative and exciting to watch but is actively putting good back out there in the world. All of my projects are socially progressive, environmentally conscious, and champion the rights and welfare of women, diverse, under-represented groups, nontraditional backgrounds, animals, and ultimately stand up for causes I know are important. I want every single person who watches, plays or reads something I create to feel not only comfort but emboldened, challenged, and invigorated.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As a student at university and during my graduate studies the doors were truly opened for me whilst studying art history. The decorative arts and architecture of societies for thousands of years have provided me with a continual flow of fascinating knowledge, inspiration, empathy, and wonder regarding people, different cultures, places and spaces around the globe. I would strongly advise that everyone study both art and history, to grasp and absorb wisdom from the greatest tales ever written and the most glorious goods ever crafted. In addition to those particular areas of study, the greatest gift and skill of all is learning in itself. Learning for the pure purpose of expanding one’s mind is critical. No one can come ready to any job or any type of challenge completely prepared, but having the mindset of being open to learn, passionate about new knowledge and the attitude of being ready to work hard to achieve, cultivate, and earn it, is invaluable.
How would you describe your ideal client?
I am open to work with clients at this time. I offer a variety of services depending on the type of client, as I tremendously enjoy the creative, educational, consulting processes, and giving back to my community.
For students and entry level career clients: I offer smaller, personalized career consulting sessions to help carve a path for their future, and work with a client to teach them how to achieve their specific career goals. I offer portfolio, social, and resume reviews, interpersonal and networking skills training, as well as interview prep, and general industry guidance.
For more experienced clients: I offer industry role pivoting, direct workplace skills training, creative project reviews, and specialized classes in writing, development, directing, publishing, production, marketing, as well as leadership training.
For clients with a creative project: I offer script writing services for television, film, gaming and books, treatment, pitch bible and show bible creation, pitching consultations, editorial and executive review services, series, book, game, or feature creation, and extensive consultations regarding book publishing and shopping a project.
I am happy to take on any client that’s passionate and wants to create a better world with their art or project, in whatever shape or form that might be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monicavioletjoyproductions.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-violet-joy-97637a5b/
Image Credits
CoComelon: Property of Moonbug Entertainment Spongebob: Property of Nickelodeon Animation Magna-Tiles: Property of Magna-Tiles Nimona: Property of Netflix
