Meet Meghan Hughes | Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meghan Hughes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meghan, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
I don’t believe there’s one set path to success for any given career, especially when it comes to creative professions. I don’t love it when people shell out advice to newcomers as if their way is the only way to do things. It’s just not true. Everyone’s path is different, and when it comes to the arts, there are so many ways to get your work out there. As a screenwriter, this took me way too long to learn. So if any aspiring creatives are reading this, take your art into your own hands, and go create without waiting for approval from others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a screenwriter from Doylestown, Pennsylvania who studied Film and English in Philly before getting my start in the industry as a talent assistant here in LA. Knowing that the agency world wasn’t going to be the right fit for me long-term, I transitioned into film development at an independent production company, where I weaseled my way into writing screenplays professionally. During that time, I learned how to write scripts in a number of genres, how to adapt books into screenplays, how to take and execute notes from executives and directors, and how to give notes to fellow writers. I also learned the hard way how to handle disappointment when projects fall through (which has happened plenty of times since) and what to look for and avoid in future writing deals.

It took me a lot of writing to find the genres I love most and to discover the types of stories I like to tell. As a young writer, I felt so much pressure to quickly define my voice and choose a genre to stick to so I could “sell” myself. But one of the biggest lessons I learned is that your voice and brand as a writer isn’t really something you determine consciously (well maybe some people do, but this felt forced and inauthentic when I tried to). Instead, you discover it. Through lots of writing.

Today, I work independently and with producers to develop female-led scripts that range in genre from comedy, to thriller, to horror. While the genre may vary from project to project (something I love), I’ve discovered that most of my scripts focus on complex female protagonists who are at a crossroads in their lives. I love exploring stories about women finding their way, and I honestly didn’t realize that until I wrote a lot of scripts.

Another big lesson I learned is that you have to be patient. People don’t like to hear that (I know because I used to be one of those people), but it’s true. It takes time to hone writing skills, and it takes time to build meaningful relationships in the industry.

Patience is essential in the film industry, but being patient doesn’t mean waiting around for things to happen either. Over the years, I spent a lot of time waiting for the right people to approve of my scripts or writing skills. And even when those right people did approve, other road blocks would often arise, like financing falling through or departments shuttering. I eventually got tired of waiting and hoping that things would work out, and I started to get more proactive with my projects. By doing so, I got my comedy script up lined up with a producer I admire and am excited to be working with. And more recently, I wrote and executive produced a supernatural horror short film, TABOO, as a proof of concept for the feature version. It’s now doing the festival circuit (Cinequest is up next in March) and demonstrating the project’s potential while I’m polishing the feature script.

I’ll always be working on improving my craft, but I’m happy to be at a stage in my career where I feel confident in what I create, proactive in getting my projects in front of audiences, and excited for what’s around the corner.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow, where do I begin?

Let’s start with restaurants: Some of my favorite spots (all vegan friendly) that I would proudly take visiting friends to: Crossroads Kitchen, Robata Jinya, Sake House, All About the Bread, Garage Pizza, Le Pho, Bacari, Breakfast Republic, Ginger’s Devine ice cream, Mashti Malone’s ice cream.

Daytime Activities: Would definitely have to take my friends to The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City because it’s perfectly weird, the Last Bookstore in Downtown LA, and while we’re downtown probably swing by The Broad. I’m a big thrifter, so I’d also have to recommend the many shops along Magnolia Blvd in Burbank, the Society of St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store, JetRag for their $1 Sunday sales, and the Los Feliz Goodwill. If we’re looking to go a little outside of the city for a day adventure, Huntington Gardens is a nice zen way to spend a day (just have to make a reservation ahead of time if we’d want to do high tea because it books up). Also, I’m a child so I would be 100% down to spend a day at Universal Studios or Disneyland with my friends.

Nightlife: I only recently discovered Creatington in the Arts District, and I’m so sad that this no longer exists! It instantly became my favorite party venue full of the most interesting, artistic, and lovely people. I hope someday there will be a new iteration of it. But since Creatington isn’t an option, I’d probably take my friends to a show/event at Zebulon or the Echoplex. Would also have to recommend a Cinespia screening at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (or an outdoor concert there; I saw Lord Huron perform there and it was one of my favorite concert experiences). It’d also be fun to take my visiting guests to a friend’s standup set at the Lyric Hyperion (shoutout to Emily Browning) or a play in the Hollywood Fringe. I love living in a city full of so much talent on the rise.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The biggest supporter of my writing is by far my husband, Brian Mates. He not only gives the most helpful and necessary notes on all of my works-in-progress, but he has unrelenting faith in our career paths. He’s a fellow writer, so he knows the highs and the lows just as well as I do, and his passion for writing reminds me daily how lucky we are to pursue this craft. Big shoutout to him.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymeghughes/

Image Credits
Photo of Meghan speaking into microphone at Telluride Horror Show: Volz Media & Telluride Horror Show