December is a month when too many writers go to war with themselves. We look at the year, decide we “didn’t do enough,” and suddenly want to finish strong with some massive push… right as the holidays knock every routine sideways. Then the guilt kicks in. Not writing enough. Writing too much and missing family moments. Either way, we lose. But if you shift the mindset, December can be a powerful month — not because you grind harder, but because you get clearer and more present. My daughter just headed back to NYU after Thanksgiving. We had a great visit. I was genuinely present, and I’m grateful for that. Now I’m back at the desk setting my December goals — for the work and for my life — and I want this community thinking the same way. Here’s the frame: 1️⃣ Pick one North Star for your creative work. Something meaningful enough that hitting it would feel like a real win. A draft. A rewrite milestone. A character breakthrough. One thing that moves your story forward. 2️⃣ Pick one North Star for your life. Something simple but intentional: being present with family, slowing down your mornings, protecting one night a week from screens, finishing the year grounded instead of frantic. Not everything — just one thing that matters. 3️⃣ Break both goals into small, doable moves. Weekly checkpoints. Daily actions that fit inside December, not some fantasy sprint version of it. Write a page. Make a call. Take a walk. One beat at a time. 4️⃣ Grant yourself the grace to hold both. You can honor your work without disappearing into it. You can show up for your people without abandoning your creative life. This isn’t a tug-of-war — it’s a rhythm. So here’s the invitation: What are your December goals — for writing AND for your life? Drop them below. Name the big ones that really matter to you. Then break them into small moments you can actually execute. If you want help shaping them, tag me — that’s what I’m here for. Let’s close the year intentional, grounded, and present on both fronts.

Hope everybody's having a wonderful holiday. My daughter is in town, visiting for the first time since she went off as a freshman this year to NYU. So, I am busy with family goodness. And just wishing the best for all of you! 🙏 It's been great developing this community with you over the last couple of months and I"m excited and grateful for what we are building TOGETHER! Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 David

Good people — strong week in here. Story sessions were sharp, the Hot Seats brought clarity, and I saw several of you crack open moments you'd been stuck on for a while. Now I want the pulse check: What were your wins this week? Big or small — pages, clarity, a scene that finally clicked. And just as important: where did you struggle? Craft, consistency, overwhelm, character work — whatever slowed you down. That's what tells me what you need next. I've been staring down the blank page for 25+ years. The fight is real. But if you've been around here for a while, you know what I preach — that's the job. Anybody can write when inspired. Real writers show up through the doubt and the procrastination. Drop your updates below, so we can keep building something here together that powers us all through blocks to breakthroughs.

I'll start. My main goals are to keep researching on and building content for this fabulous community. That and stop eating ice cream every night. One of these seems more reasonable than the other. But I'm not saying which. How about you?

I'm so glad to see this community coming together. I just want to make sure I'm creating resources that actually help. My journey as a writer has taken me through every stage of doubt/second-guessing and wild eyed confidence that flows each and every one of us! So I want to hear what vibes with you! What would be most helpful: - Getting the patient on the table -- finishing that messy first draft - Rewrites -- diagnosing what's broken and how to fix it - Character work -- my Emotional Authorship method (Wound→Lie→Healing) - Pitching & loglines -- grabbing attention without sounding desperate - Procrastination -- working with your brain instead of against it - Consistency over perfection -- showing up matters more than being brilliant. Stop beating yourself up. - Confidence -- facing the blank page when you feel like "who am I kidding?" - The business -- I can bring in my former agent and TV writers who taught at USC/AFI - Writing together -- body doubling sessions. Cams on, 30 minutes, no talking. Just write. - Using AI as a thinking partner -- I've built a GPT based on my coaching that helps you ask better questions about your story. Not to write it for you, but to show you new ways to think about it. Rave reviews from those who have tried it. You can find The Primal Forge GPT here, along with reviews. - Courses -- like The Full Journey (idea to finished script), Character Deep Dive, Rewrite Rescue, others? Drop a comment. What's keeping you up at night? What would actually move the needle for you? Let's make this place what you need it to be. Oh, and don't forget Story Hot Seat Monday at 10 a.m. PST where you bring whatever you're working on and get clear direction on how to move ahead. And we've got a Script Hot Seat with Vanlyfe by @Elliot Evans on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. You can pick up that script here.