Welcome to Gutter Thoughts, where I share insights into my creative process and philosophy each week. From exploring big ideas to finding inspiration in comics, books, shows, and movies, this space is all about staying creative and grounded.
Weekly Creative Focus
Whether diving into creative work or spending time learning and reflecting, here’s what’s been on the mind and plate this week.
5 Steps to Finding Freedom in the Process of Your Storytelling Even If You Get Overwhelmed by New Ideas
You’re in the middle of a project, deep in the flow, and then—BAM—a new idea appears. It promises excitement, maybe even a touch of magic, and suddenly, your focus wavers. I am familiar with the pull. I feel it often.
But here’s what I know: distraction isn’t the enemy.
Those sparks, those moments when something new and tempting comes along, they’re part of the process. The challenge is creating a rhythm that lets you honor each spark without letting it throw you off course.
Here’s what I do to make it work:
1. Start with Your North Star
Every project needs a North Star, a core theme that keeps everything grounded.
I look to my North Star whenever a new idea tries to steal the spotlight. It’s my guide, helping me decide if this new spark supports my story or veers me off track. When I hold onto this focus, I find it easier to follow my own path without distraction.
Take a minute to define your story’s core. What’s it really about? Write it down, keep it close, and let it serve as your compass.
2. Break It Down
Storytelling, I’ve learned, becomes overwhelming if I try to tackle it all at once.
So now, I split my process into phases: ideation, outlining, drafting, and revising. Each phase gets its own time. When I’m drafting, I don’t let myself edit. When I’m outlining, I stick to the structure. This flow keeps me grounded and lets me move forward one step at a time.
Try it out. Map out your own phases and work through them one at a time.
3. Set an Idea Parking Lot
When new ideas pop up, I capture them in my “idea parking lot.”
It’s a simple digital file or a notebook where I jot down every concept that pulls my attention while I’m working. This way, I respect the idea without letting it derail my current project. When I’m ready, those ideas wait for me, ready to explore.
Set up your own parking lot. Each idea gets its moment, but only when it’s time.
4. Focus on Progress Over Perfection
Perfection used to hold me back. I’d get stuck revising a scene endlessly, afraid to move on until it felt just right. Now, I set a rule: finish the draft, flaws and all.
This shift helps me keep momentum, knowing I can always refine in revisions. Set small, daily goals—a word count, a scene, even just an hour of focus. Progress, not perfection, is what carries your story forward.
5. Schedule Reflection Points
Finally, I build in time to pause and reflect. At the end of each week, I check in with myself. Did I stay true to my North Star? Did any new ideas creep in? This reflection grounds me, keeping me aligned with my goals.
Reflection isn’t about critiquing—it’s about recognizing progress. Each step, each small win, deserves a moment.
Finding freedom in the process doesn’t mean ignoring new ideas or forcing creativity into a box.
It’s about setting up a system that lets you explore without losing focus. These steps keep me moving forward, and I hope they do the same for you.
This Week’s Creative Sparks
Here are the shows, books, movies, comics, and more that have sparked my creativity this week:
Movie: Anora
Who said sex no longer sells? Because this movie right here does. This film is one of my top 5 favorite films of the year. It’s raunchy, raw, hilarious, and authentic. At the core of this film, it explores what it means to be misunderstood and misjudged. And no matter who we are, what we do, our class, race, or gender, we all want to be seen and to be loved. Also, I am a sucker films that take place in NYC, specifically in Brooklyn. It was great to see this film with my girlfriend at our favorite movie theater in LA, The Vista.
Show: The Diplomat Season 2
This Netflix series has stepped its storytelling game up. Looking to kill my time, the first season caught my attention. It did feel like the were playing with concepts of Harris becoming the first female Vice President and the hit dramedy of Veep. While season one was about how to select/make a vice president, the writers took it to another level in season two— focusing on how to wield power. The addressed everything I questioned in season one from why Kate’s hair always looks terrible to the moral cost of wielding power. My only gripe is that a show like this shouldn’t be only six episodes long.
Book: The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
After watching and enjoying the Diplomat, I couldn’t stop thinking about power. What is it? Who should wield it? Is it bad to want to power? I knew one place where I could find the answers to those questions, and it was in this book right here. I always have been intrigued by this book, but it wasn’t till I was in corporate America, I decided to give this read. This is a great book to read regardless your thoughts on power. Because everything we do in our lives comes down to it. Understanding power dynamics allows you to identify when it is being wielded for good or evil. A must read.
Book: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
This book was always on the top of my TBR so when I heard that it was being adapted for television/streaming by Apple TV+, I knew I needed to get on the book ASAP. It was such an easy read (even though it took me a bit longer to finish). Every time I thought I knew where the story was going it slapped in the face with a twist I wasn’t expecting. It was a fun read and interesting take on the concept of the multiverse. I am excited to finally watch the show as I’ve learned that the author himself is the showrunner.
Comic of the Week
Aliens VS. Avengers #2
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Pencilier: Esad Ribic
I believe that this comic will be one of the best comics of 2024 and 2025.
There’s been a ton of Aliens vs. books out there. So when I saw Marvel was released with the Avengers, I thought it was another cash grab. Also, it didn’t help that the cover price for each issue was $7.99. But one of my favorite writers was on the book so I thought I’d give it a try. This book is downright amazing. It over delivered on my expectations with both story and art. What I loved about this second issue is that we get to see one my favorite heroes, Captain America, do his thing. No matter what universe or timeline, Captain America still out here being heroic.
The next issue doesn’t drop until February 2025. In the meantime grab your copy here from Midtown Comics and your digital copy here.
The Stoic Quote of the Week
A Stoic quote to inspire and motivate, helping to stay grounded in the creative process.
“Yes, getting your wish would have been so nice. But isn’t that exactly why pleasure trips us up? Instead, see if these things might be even nicer—a great soul, freedom, honesty, kindness, saintliness. For there is nothing so pleasing as wisdom itself, when you consider how sure-footed and effortless the works of understanding and knowledge are.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 5.9
The feeling we have at the moment of any event or act will eventually fade. What is important is the pleasures we receive from the virtues we hold on too. Whether you’re sad, happy, or confused about the recent elections, now is the time to put your virtues to work.
Enjoy this bonus Stoic message from the Daily Stoic himself, Ryan Holiday:
That’s a wrap for this week’s Gutter Thoughts. Thanks for joining me on this creative journey—hopefully, something here sparked an idea or inspired your own work. Until next time, stay grounded, stay creative, and keep pushing forward.
Let’s Connect
Enjoying Gutter Thoughts?
Imagine having emails like this crafted specifically for your brand or business. Whether you’re a creative storyteller or a brand strategist, I’ll help you turn your unique voice and ideas into engaging, value-packed content.
Ready to level up your email game? Let’s talk about how we can co-create emails that captivate your audience and drive real results.