Meet Tamar Feinkind

We recently connected with Tamar Feinkind and have shared our conversation below.

Tamar, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?

My self discipline developed when I became a mom. I want to leave a legacy for these little people that I’ve made. I remember meeting someone at a networking event and when talking about our writing schedule, I said, “Well, once I had kids, I–” He cut me off and finished, “slowed down?” I laughed. The opposite is true. Having children forced me to get on a schedule. If I didn’t have a strict routine, I’d never write. Twyla Tharp, in her book The Creative Habit, said something along the lines of, “Show me an artist with all the time in the world and I’ll show you an artist who doesn’t get anything done.” Knowing I only have 2-4 hours of me time, max, on certain days means I better have my butt in the seat that whole time. Even if I only have 45 minutes in a day, that’s enough to write at least one page. One page is better than no pages.

And when I think back to where that drive comes from – the drive to work hard – that comes from my parents. Both of them were always busy at work and in the community. I’m lucky to have had those role models in my life.

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

I’ve acted, done voice over, produced film and theater, and of course written. Today, my days are spent writing in the mornings and being with my daughters in the afternoons and evenings. Writing means working on my own projects – whether it be researching, outlining, practicing pitching, or working on the script – or (hopefully) taking meetings. For my projects, I write with an eye toward social justice. Some of my consistent themes center around feminism, the search for identity, and American Judaism. I’ve just completed a Black List x WIF fellowship and now am moving forward with a few different projects. Fingers crossed!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Perseverance. Success in the arts might take way more time than you ever bargained for, so stay the course. And find something that can sustain you during that time.

Openness. Hear what people say. Try new things. Be ready to pivot. “Success” might not come in the way you expected. Are you open enough to recognize it, or will you be stuck in your old definitions? In all ways, be open and honest with yourself and others.

Ego-less. This one is a constant journey, but if you want to remain open and not burn out, calm the ego. Your ego will lie to you. It will make you angry, bitter and stuck in your ways. Not saying those feelings won’t creep up on you, but do your best to keep those emotions at bay.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

I mentioned it briefly, already, but the then-director of my graduate program at Stephens College, Ken LaZebnik, recommended we read Twyla Tharp’s book, The Creative Habit. Though I had been in the creative field for years, this book showed me how to treat the arts as an all-encompassing lifestyle. Especially as someone who does not have a lot of hours in the day, much of the work of art is done in the hours preparing. Your life should be centered around your artist lifestyle – but that can take many forms. It can be going for a run and thinking about ideas, or cleaning the toilet to get your mind to focus on something other than your writing (that’s when you get creative, when you take the pressure off). Tharp is methodical but somehow pressure-free. There is no one way to be creative, but it is a lifestyle. Only you can find what works for you.

Mostly, reading that book made me feel better when I’m not as productive as I’d like to be. Sometimes you have to research, gather, get inspired. But other times you just have to move. Sometimes you have to clean. Sometimes you have to watch a show that has nothing to do with what you’re working on. All of it is work. Go easy on yourself and allow your mind to relax into the idea.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.TamarFeinkind.com