| Have you put together a writer's checklist? You | | | | screenwriter decided he could write a screenplay |
| know, the things you will need in order to put | | | | based on that vision. Two years later, the |
| your story together. | | | | screenwriter was still having difficulties pulling it all |
| A few suggestions... | | | | together. He was miserable and couldn't figure out |
| 1. A pen or pencil. | | | | why. The truth for this individual was he had no |
| 2. A note pad. | | | | passion for this type of story. When the writer |
| 3. Alternatively a personal computer with a word | | | | took the time to think about it, the story was |
| processor. | | | | one he would avoid reading or watching in his |
| 4. A dictionary. | | | | personal life. He lacked passion for the project. He |
| 5. A thesaurus. | | | | learned a lesson late, but once he moved on to |
| 6. Applicable research materials. | | | | other personal projects the joy of writing |
| 7. An outline providing direction for your work. | | | | returned. |
| OK, if you've checked everything off your list | | | | If you want to be successful in a particular field of |
| then you're ready to go, right? | | | | endeavor, I think perseverance is one of the key |
| Well, maybe not. | | | | qualities. It's very important that you find |
| In the world of writing one of the components | | | | something that you care about, that you have a |
| often forgotten is 'passion'. I'm not talking about | | | | deep passion for, because you're going to have to |
| romance here. I'm talking about a personal vested | | | | devote a lot of your life to it. - George Lucas |
| interest in the story or subject matter you are | | | | If you are writing for hire there may be times |
| seeking to write. Is it something you are | | | | when you lack a passion for the subject matter, |
| passionate about? | | | | but you write it anyway. For some writers the |
| "What is it that you like doing? If you don't like it, | | | | act of writing IS, in fact, work and they are often |
| get out of it, because you'll be lousy at it. You | | | | left with little choice in style, direction or overall |
| don't have to stay with a job for the rest of | | | | content. However, it is possible and even |
| your life, because if you don't like it you'll never be | | | | imperative that you discover what you are |
| successful in it." - Lee Iococa | | | | passionate about and find a way to write about it. |
| I recently read the story of a screenwriter who | | | | Carve out time for your own personal writing and |
| had listened as a friend explained the premise of a | | | | make sure it is something that infuses your |
| movie they would like to see made. The | | | | passion for writing with new energy. |