I'm Gretchen Ruben and this is a little happier.

Several years ago, I went to an event at the New York Public Library

where a panel was discussing comedy writing.

Four very prominent comedy writers talked about their experiences and insights,

and then it was time for questions from the audience.

One audience member asked a very useful and quite predictable question.

How do you get a job as a comedy writer?

One of the panelists gave an answer that I have never forgotten.

She said,

You do what you love,

and then your friends hire you.

So many times in my life, I've found this to be true.

When you do what you love, even in a non-job context,

you make friends with other people who share your interests,

as they move forward in the world,

they help you move forward by providing opportunities and contacts.

My sister Elizabeth has talked about this phenomenon on Happy and Hollywood,

the podcast she does with her writing partner Sarah Fane.

When they were starting out as a writing team,

Elizabeth once started talking shop with someone she met at a beach party,

who ended up being a friend,

and one of their most important professional contacts.

...