I’ve been quite struck by people’s response to the question raised last week here about (A) how to determine if one has writing talent and (B) how to know if it’s time to move on from writing. Reading the responses, you can feel a palpable sense of passion for the craft – and some of the answers are deeply personal.
And that’s as it should be: Passion. Personal. If the act of writing doesn’t go there, then the end result is not likely worth reading.
I heard a quote years ago. Attributed to Levon Helm, formerly the drummer for The Band, one of my favorite musical groups. Levon reportedly said, “Music don’t owe anybody a living.”
You can say that about any of the so-called ‘arts.’ And it’s certainly true about making movies. So let’s change the phrasing of that a bit.
Movies don’t owe anybody a living.
It’s a hard business to break into. It’s a hard business to stay in.
That’s why I was so, I guess you could say, impressed by the responses to the thread last week, how so many of you have figured out what I think is one of the most fundamental truths about what we do:
You have to love writing for what it is.
You may never land a contract for a gig with Warner Bros. But if you gain some insight through your writing into what makes you who you are, that’s a gift writing gives you.
You may never live in a house in the Hollywood Hills. But if your story moves your harshest critic — you — that’s a gift writing gives you.
You may never attend the premiere of a movie you wrote. But if the process of writing a screenplay brings you joy, that’s a a gift writing gives you.
So there is that… But the unalterable fact is there is also this: I sold a spec script. Check that. I was a complete Hollywood outsider and sold a spec script. Wait. I’d only written three scripts, was a complete Hollywood outsider, and sold a spec script.
Therefore, if you’ve lost that sense of the creative winds at your back… If you feel hopeless… If sitting down to write today feels like the absolute last thing you want to do… Remember the gifts that writing gives you… And the fact that if some schmuck named Myers could sell a spec script…
So. Can. You.
Writing is abusive on my mind, soul, and body. Sometimes I can't figure out which one of my characters is more like me. They all are. Whether someone pitches my script in the trash or laughs in my face, I've learned more about me from writing than anything else in my life. I'd love to be the next outsider to sell a spec. But, no matter what happens, I know a lot more about the guy holding the pen. Thanks Scott, for reminding me why I write.
Here’s another excerpt from that Patrick S. Duncan Creative Screenwriting interview. I think it ties into Scott's latest post.
Q: How do you define a good screenplay?
A: I’ve never depended upon other people’s opinions. I go out with certain intentions in a screenplay and when I finish it, I read to see if I met those. I try to take satisfaction in the writing, not the money or anything else. In the writing. You know, most scripts never get made. If I succeeded, then I think I did a good job. If I didn’t, I just move on.
Q: How do you handle the rejection?
A: I don’t pay any attention to it. It’s like the Oscars, they’ve got nothing to do with the writing. It’s part of the Hollywood game. It’s a business where perception is more important than truth. So, I take satisfaction in the writing. That way, I never lose.
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I’ve heard this sentiment expressed by other writers: You have to enjoy, & take satisfaction in, the writing process because chances are, the script you’re writing will never get made.
And the reality is, 95% of the people working on scripts right now will never be working screenwriters. So if you don’t want to drive yourself insane, learn to love the writing & the process(or at least a significant portion of it).
Hello Scott
I would like to pitch you a high concept family comedy logline for possible collaboration on.
If interested please email me at my gmail rwlear @ gmail.com
Thanks for your time
Rob Lear
Sorry, Rob. I don't have time to collaborate on anything with anybody because I'm so busy. And I don't have time to read anything – I'm overdo on several responses as it is.
Maybe someone here can steer you somewhere to find a competent writer to collaborate with you.
Scott,
This was a truly awesome, stellar post and piece of advice.
Thank you,
Great post. I've been reading your blog for about a month now. And I must thank you for the inspiring posts and the great insight you've been sharing. I recently started writing my first spec script (drawing a comic was too tedious at the moment) and your site has become a daily go-to for me. I've recommend it to friends who are writers as well. So thanks again and keep up the great work!
Laura,
I totally agree with Patrick. I hope that everyone loves my scripts but in the end when I start a script I have something specific I want to achieve.
If I get what I wanted, I'm happy. And I always get what I want because I outline feverishly until I can see the entire movie.
Scott- great post, one of your best. Thanks.