Scenes From the Cutting Room Floor – Writing Advice in the Ladies' Room with Mira Nair

Sometimes you just get lucky and find yourself standing in line to pee next to someone like the amazing film director, Mira Nair, the Indian-American filmmaker best known for some of my favorite films, including Monsoon Wedding, Mississippi Masala, and The Namesake.

If you’re peeing at the same time, then chances are good you may also be washing your hands side by side – and you can have a quick moment to express your gratitude for the advice she’s just shared – because yes, I sometimes can be that person.

Of course, you can nudge along the likelihood of this happening by attending film festivals where wonderful story tellers like Ms. Nair are guest speakers.

Fortunately, I attended Full Frame film festival in Durham, NC in 2007, when Ms Nair was featured in a special panel discussion: "The Powers of Ten: Ten Filmmakers, Ten Films and Ten Years.”

In addition to Ms. Nair, panelists included Martin Scorsese, Cara Mertes, DA Pennebaker, Walter Mosley, Michael Moore, each of whom selected a documentary film that had special meaning for them.

While I’m sure that was interesting at the time, neither their choices nor their comments have stayed with me.

Instead, what I clearly remember is Ms Nair’s advice to filmmakers, which I feel also applies to writers:

1) Surround yourself with people who believe in you

2) Be fearless

3) Be foolishly optimistic

4) Have something to say

5) And, be unique in your voice

Of all these, I’m pretty sure I have #3 nailed. I am nothing if not foolishly optimistic. I also feel strongly about #4 and #5, but that’s just my opinion.

I’m very appreciative of friends in the #1 category.

#2, however, is still a work in progress.

And while I have yet to work with Ms Nair on a film (#foolishlyoptimistic), I was at least able to thank her in person for these words of encouragement while we washed our hands, side by side, in the ladies room.

[image of Mira Nair from https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q466320]