GITS reader David A sent me a link to an amazing set of videos, a sit-down conversation with TV and screenwriter Rod Serling. Most well-known for the long-running TV anthology series “The Twilight Zone” (148 episodes, 1959-1964), has over 70 writing credits including the screenplays for movies such as Seven Days in May and the original Planet of the Apes.

Last week and this, we’ve been featuring Serling’s thoughts on writing each day with short (1-2 minute) interview excerpts. Today Serling discusses the creative process, an excellent post to finish out this series of observations from a great American writer:

“In truth, you will always find it [writing] difficult. The creation of an idea, the following of a story germ, the building up of a plot, the creating of people, of flesh and blood characters, these are not easy things. They’re extremely difficult, but conversely don’t be put off by the fact that this month you can’t do it, and next month is maybe even harder. This is if not a lifetime process, awfully close to it. The writer broadens, becomes deeper, becomes more observant, becomes more tempered, becomes much wiser over a period of time passing. It is not something that is injected into him by a needle. It is not something that comes in a wave of flashing explosive light one night and say, ‘Huzzah! Eureka! I’ve got it!’ And then proceeds to write the great American novel in 11 days. It doesn’t work that way. It’s long, tedious, tough process.”

Thanks to David for finding these fantastic videos.