Becoming a Comedy Writer, and Failing Well

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So a great opportunity opened up for me recently - I was added on as a writer for an unannounced comedy series. I can't go into more specific details than that at this stage. But I've been reflecting on what this new step means for me, and how crazy it is that I'm literally doing the things I've always wanted to do.

When I was fifteen, I walked out of Inglourious Basterds thinking: "This is what I want to do with my life."

Then my faith led me into ministry, and I always thought that these dreams of creativity were not to be taken seriously. When I became a pastor and hopeful theologian, I figured that was my life from then on.

In fact, when my first short story was picked up unexpectedly and abruptly, I thought: "How do I let people know I have this gift, and how do I navigate this new world? And what if I fail?"

One of the biggest reasons I started fleshing out my creative side more was from the advice of a comedian friend. When I shared that I don't know how to navigate this new side of myself and that I feel like I'd fail doing it, he made me stop and said: "Look, man. There are people who played it safe, and then during COVID they lost the safe job they hated. So, if you're gonna fail, fail at doing something you love. At least then you'll say you gave it a shot."

So I've been closing my eyes and stabbing in the dark ever since.

A huge part of my testimony involved making peace - and ultimately saying goodbye - to that kind of creativity. So my internal spiritual journey with this has been complex, because I still see myself being a minister and theologian at heart. I still believe that will express itself in whatever I do. That being said, I will be staying with my church and the Chicago area (for those wondering.) I'm very happy where I'm at. 

I also did not know that this opportunity would pop up because of my life experiences as a minister, student, and working around human rights circles. Even my own community development studies and training lend me here. Long story short, it let me know that God is still at work in my life in ways I don't yet recognize. More details, per usual, will be shared as things slowly become more public.


I don't know how this will all add up in the future, but I'm just excited for whatever's next. I feel like a fifteen year old kid again, in a good non-angsty way with the same taste in music. That's a good place to be. 

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