The Journey To Project Universe

"my stories are on."

My stories didn’t traditionally start as one collective, but they did eventually find each other and created the universe itself. As a middle schooler, I was obsessed with the seventies culture and found myself learning about the seventies gang culture. So I wrote about it. It wasn’t anything major, but It was fun even though I had no clue what I was doing.

[I created this poc visual.]

For years, I would write, write, and write until I realized that there was more to “just writing.” I began to fall in love with the idea of writing characters who are deeply rooted in experiences, journeys, and society. Studying the craft of film allowed me to see more in my characters and, honestly, more in myself.

Now that I’m on my way to thirty and currently working on a major project, I know it’s the perfect time for me to see my stories through. I am no longer standing in my shadows, watching from the sidelines. I am the star of my universe, and I am more than capable of telling the stories I was meant to tell.

With that being said, welcome to my new series where I am taking you on the journey of discovery, storytelling, and impact. The journey to Project Universe is the next step in my career. This is a world of stories about culture, society, love, and survival. A multi-generational, multi-genre universe of Black and brown stories where legacy is honored, broken, and relived. Project Universe consists of seventeen TV series and two mini-series set across two centuries (1800s-2030s).

But first, I want to share with you the steps I’m taking to bring this universe to life. Let me start by saying that Project Universe isn’t the official name of the universe, but it’s been working well for now, so it’s doing justice for me.

Like with any other project of mine, organization is key for me. I’ve been using different methods to keep myself organized, but also to keep the story alive. I created this starter kit for myself, but hopefully it can make a difference in your writing, storytelling journey.

The Starter Kit

• Pinterest

• Shuffles by Pinterest

• Milanote

• Canva

• Arc Studio

• Celtx

• Studiobinder

• Journal

• Notebook

• Pens, Highlighters

• Sticky Notes

When it came to putting the universe together, the very first thing I had to do was reminisce. I took the time to audit my creative library and analyze the characters and stories I wanted to include in this universe. In that process, I reviewed old scripts, old poems, old scrap stories, old novels, anything that had to do with characters and storytelling. This was great because I got the opportunity to review my work and see how far I’ve come from the beginning till now. And in the true fashion of an Aries moon and Virgo rising, I had characters and stories for days. From there, I took note of where these characters and stories could exist or fit into anything new.

What’s a creative library?

It’s a home for all of your creative work, ideas, and endeavors.

After auditing and reviewing what I already had, I began to research, brainstorm, and come up with new ideas for the universe. I already knew the concept and the stories that I wanted to tell, but I had to remind myself.

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The Creative Visionary Tip:

1. Write down four keywords

2. Use these words to help you understand and define your idea or story

3. Create a starter vision board

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Jasmine Guy as Whitley in A Different World

During this time, I asked myself different questions: “what kind of story needs to be told? Who am I to tell this story? Where do these characters live? How do these characters love?” These types of questions help me to identify the main story of the universe or where the universe should go.

Once I ask myself those questions and answer them, I begin to work on vision boards. And if you know anything about me, you know that vision boards are my best friend. I created a vision board for each series, for the locations and settings, and I even created a vision board for some of the characters. Vision boards are nonnegotiable for me. I have to have them as a part of my reproduction process.

From there, the organization has been my second hand. I am currently using Milanote, two journals, and sticky notes to organize my thoughts and brainstorm properly. It is important for me to have a physical organization system and a digital organization system. With these two, my mind is at ease.

Milanote is more for digital organization and has many aspects for storytellers to thrive. Visually I get to see my story come to life without scripts getting in the way. And when it comes to reproduction, that is something I need. There’s one thing to write the script. There’s one thing to write a story, but there’s another thing to actually know your story.

My journals are literally my second home. As of now, I only have the universe structure journal, and then I also have the universe world-building journal. I like to separate the two because it offers two different perspectives, but it also gives me perfect organizational elements.

I’m using the structure journal as the cleaner, more minimalistic version of what I’m doing. It’s organized by colors, page numbers, characters, and more. It also has pages about each TV show or each story and breakdowns of the families. While the world-building journal is more about plotting the world than the story. I am a big believer in understanding, not only the story, but also the world of the story. The characters in my universe are driven by their locations and their environments, so it’s only right to have the real building down to a tee.

[a concept visual]

I’m also currently working on the visual representation of Project Universe. I’m clearly a visual person, so I have to create the proof of concept for myself before providing the proof of concept to investors or anyone else. So with that being said, another part of this journey is creating a platform for Project Universe to thrive within itself, but also to seek out executive producers, studios, production teams, actors, and so much more. So when the time does come for me to present it to the world, I am already nothing.

Accountability Checklist

• Brainstorm for 15 mins

• Work on family trees

• Make sure your goals are clear

• Write one-pagers for each story

Inspiration Box

• Playlist

• Pinterest Board

• Visual Board

• Articles

• Scripts

• Novels

That’s it for now, but thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Your support is greatly appreciated, and I can’t wait to share the entire journey with you. Much love.

Hey everyone! 💛 Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful for every like, share, and kind word you’ve shared about my work. If you’d like to support me financially, here are a few ways you can contribute to my creative journey:

Cash App: Any amount helps and is truly appreciated!
Buy Me a Coffee: – A small gesture can make a big difference.

Every contribution helps me continue creating, advocating, and inspiring through my art and vision. Thank you for believing in me and being part of my story! 🖤