Happier in Hollywood

Today Liz and Sarah are answering listener questions! If they weren’t TV writers, what career would they each choose? (Sarah would like to own a craft store, while Liz’s fantasy self is a birth doula.) What did they think of Caro Claire Burke’s novel Yesteryear? Why don’t they spend more time talking about the negative impact of AI? They discuss all this and so much more! Get in touch on Instagram...

During a recent trip to the Santa Barbara Bowl, Liz and Sarah felt the universe was sending signs that they’re on the right creative path. One of the signs? A long line for the men’s room. In Career Lessons With Laverne, they talk to executive and leadership coach Laverne McKinnon about the physical reaction they had to a recent meeting misfire. This week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Sarah and...

Liz and Sarah discuss their recent Bad Trip writing marathon in Santa Barbara. The highlight? Writing outside at Godmothers in Summerland. Then they interview Rina O’Malley, a writer who’s breaking into the industry, about how she managed to do the impossible — get representation! This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your next meeting: have a preliminary call. Finally, Sarah recommends the Stra...

Liz and Sarah had a Week of Yes! After months (years) of hearing “no” they’re finally starting to get some “yeses.” Yay! Next, Liz and Sarah each offer a Take A Hike suggestion. Sarah reveals why it’s a good idea to go down a rabbit hole that’s NOT “you,” and Liz discusses the value of “friendworking.” This week’s Hollywood Hack is great for commuters: car cupholder coasters. Finally, Liz recommen...

Liz and Sarah are suffering from Summeritis! They’re managing to stay productive — but it’s not easy. In Take A Hike, they talk about the value of going on a learning retreat. Sarah just did a fiber retreat in Nome, ND and it rocked her world! This week Sarah has a Hit for Violet’s former nanny, Dawn. And Liz gives herself a tech Bomb for not knowing how to operate her TV. This week’s Hollywood Ha...

As Liz and Sarah dive into the new draft of their novel, they’re experimenting with tense. They each wrote a scene in past tense, and now they’re going to write the same scenes in present tense. Which will they prefer? In The Craft (& Fain) they share a listener’s suggestion to assign every project its own theme song. Then they discuss their favorite parts of Mimsy May in Take Two. One takeaway? W...

Liz and Sarah are trying out a new pitch technique — instead of writing out their latest pitch word for word, they’re prepping it in bullet points to keep the flow more spontaneous. In The Mailroom, Sarah answers a question from a listener who’s wondering if she should have a baby on her own like Sarah did. The short answer? Do it! Then, in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah talk about Designing Their Sum...

Liz and Sarah talk to trauma-informed financial wellness coach Katy Chen Mazzara about the connection between money blocks and creative blocks, why it’s never a good idea to negotiate with a “starving artist” mentality, and how making a budget might negatively impact your relationship to your finances. This week’s Hollywood Hack will relieve stress and help you have a better time: Get there early!...

Liz and Sarah talk about why it’s helpful to prepare small talk topics before a Zoom meeting. Knowing how to fill that awkward time before everyone arrives will reduce your anxiety and improve meeting flow! In The Mailroom, they answer a listener question about reality TV lingo. Then, in Take Two, Liz and Sarah revisit the topic of projects they once thought were dead coming suddenly back to life....

Liz and Sarah talk about how they plan to incorporate what they’ve gleaned from Natalie Goldberg’s book, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, into the next draft of their novel Bad Trip. Inner censor be damned! In Take A Hike, they share whimsy ideas from listeners who are participating in Mimsy May. Then they talk about why Writers Room Pro is one of their favorite HIH WFH tools. Th...

Liz and Sarah are wrapping their heads around the fact that in New Hollywood previously declared dead projects may come back to life unexpectedly. That’s great — but it can make it hard to gain momentum on new things. In Take Two, Liz and Sarah share all the many things listeners Don’t Feel Bad About Anymore. Then they give a Hit to all the people who have been showing up to the Killer Bee Zoom Wo...

Every week on the podcast Liz and Sarah mention “how they balance a career and friendship.” They usually talk about the career part, but today they’re leaning into friendship. Find out what they’re doing just for fun and female bonding. In Take A Hike, the fun continues with the announcement of Mimsy May. Sarah and Liz are embracing whimsy in May, and they think you should too! Next, in The Craft...

Liz and Sarah are entering Phase Two of working on their novel, Bad Trip. Next up? They have a plan to be done tracking each character through the story by the end of May. In Take A Hike, they each share a list of ten things they don’t feel bad about anymore. Sarah doesn’t feel bad about not being married, and Liz doesn’t feel bad about the gap between her front teeth. This week’s Hollywood Hack w...

Liz and Sarah talk to their thriller writing mentor and book therapist, best-selling author Greer Hendricks, about how to approach tense and point of view in their work-in-progress novel, Bad Trip. Their biggest takeaway? There’s no one right answer. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help with those high gas prices: the Gas Buddy app. Plus, Liz had a major celebrity sighting at the iconic Mexican re...

Liz and Sarah sit down with their amazing pitch coach, Jordana Oberman, to talk about how to create and deliver a pitch that will actually sell. One piece of advice? Lead with theme and emotion. Save plot for later. Also — practice, practice, practice. This week Sarah has a Hollywood Adjacent/Ojai Hack for her fellow gardeners — use Vego Garden seed trays and Happy Frog potting soil. Finally Sarah...

Liz and Sarah finally have some momentum on their novel, Bad Trip, about a group of friends who travel to Peru to do ayahuasca. And they’re vowing to finish the new break by April 1. In Take A Hike, Sarah shares why using social media comparisons has made her happier. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they talk about why it’s such a good idea to think up scenes you want to see. This week’s Hollywood Ha...

Liz and Sarah have decided to confront their inner censors! One way to free their minds? Natalie’s Goldberg’s daily ten minute writing practice. In Take A Hike, Liz explains why her recent visit to New York City made her realize everyone should take a solo trip — even if it’s just a day trip. In Take Two, they revisit the subject of Verticals. There are many opinions! This week’s Hollywood Hack is...

Liz and Sarah discuss the ebb and flow of Hollywood. Careers here can die and then come back to life bigger than ever. Then they talk to Intimacy Coordinators Ariel Leigh Cohen and Morgan Smith about what an intimacy coordinator does, how it saves money for production, and the definition of “sheetography.” This week’s Hollywood Hack is a must for uncomfortable shoes — ZenToes. Finally, Liz recomme...

Liz and Sarah recently learned the concept of an “Inside Board.” From now on, whenever they run a show they’ll be forming one. In Take A Hike, they share how a listener turning Sarah on to a fiber center in North Dakota made them realize the value of leaning into Niche Nirvana. A recent visit with American writer Fannie Flagg led to this week’s The Craft (& Fain) — ask yourself “who are you writin...

Liz and Sarah got news that their Netflix pilot isn’t moving forward, and they expected to be devastated… but they’re totally and completely fine. Why??? Next they talk to writer Shelby Farrell about Verticals, the newish form of entertainment that’s exploding all over the world. What are they, who makes them, and what do you do if you want to write one? This week’s Hollywood Hack will give you ba...

Lately, Liz and Sarah are finding the fun in their work, and today they break down the reasons why — setting priorities, taking ownership, embracing adventure, and more. In Career Lessons With Laverne, they talk to Career Coach Laverne McKinnon about The 80% Promise Method, and how it helps build the confidence you need to get something done.  This week’s Hollywood Hack falls under the subheading...

Lately, Liz and Sarah have been loving their work community! From the HIH Facebook Group to the Killer Bee Zoom Work Hours and Live BTS: Working Lunches on Substack, they feel buoyed by being around other people — even if it’s virtual. In HIH WFH, they discuss the value of creating an outdoor workspace. Then they give a joint Hit to the WGA Moms Facebook Group, and a joint Bomb to the latest Apple...

Liz and Sarah have turned in another draft of their pilot to Netflix, which means once again they’re in a suspended “Schroedinger’s Cat” state. For now, they’re going to assume the cat is alive and well! In Take A Hike, they discuss their new favorite aphorism — Don’t water dead roses. It reminds them to put their energy where it can actually make a difference. They also answer a fun Mailroom ques...

Liz and Sarah are happy to report that a feeling of positivity (at least regarding their life in Hollywood) has descended upon them in 2026. So far the evidence is just anecdotal, but it feels like things are getting better! And in a recent meeting, actor Joy Bryant offered a perfect 2026 slogan — Remix ‘26! In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah share their inclination to protect characters and how...

Hacks, hacks, and more hacks! Liz and Sarah have been saving up Hollywood Hacks, and today they reveal them all! Looking for an inexpensive Chardonnay? Tired of carrying around your laptop? From Sarah’s new food dehydrator to the personalized candle holders Liz is lusting after, there’s something for everyone.  Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCra...