We writers are working in a day and an age none of us have ever seen. But like every writer that has come before us, nothing will stop our desire to create and use our voices to communicate our stories to the audiences of our future.
We are quarantined. We are isolated. We have time to write.
Some might say this is a writer’s dream. Isn’t this what we seek when we set out to work on our script?
But it’s not the same and we know it. Without a doubt, we are working in a reality where our fellow human beings, the folks we write for, are facing tragedy.
Why should we even think about working on our scripts? Is it selfish, clueless, insensitive, to work on our projects during this time?
Absolutely not. It is essential that we keep working every day. Think about how people rely on what we write during this time. People on the front lines, along with people quarantined to slow the spread of this virus, rely on the diversion and entertainment that only you can create.
You help people with what you write. You provide great relief during all times in the lives of millions. Soon, there will not be a virus killing people. Soon, we will be back to our normal lives. Yet, audiences will still seek and rely on our stories to appreciate the meaning of their existence.
It might even be more important after we’re on the other side of this dark time. People will see their lives differently, and continue to seek the work of our artists to reaffirm our values.
It is my duty as a writer to work every day of this pandemic. I need to set aside my ego. I need to set aside what I think the industry might look like going forward. I need to write for people.
I cannot get caught up in the idea that I need to create a brand new pandemic idea—-that there is an opportunity to write something out of whole cloth.
Of course, you can write something brand new. You can write about the pandemic. You can write about quarantine. Do it!
But most importantly, write what you want to write. What is your favorite idea? What is the idea everyone loves that you discovered two years ago?
Don’t feel like you have to write fast. You don’t have to write fast. Don’t feel like you have to write perfectly. You won’t.
Do not think you need to write a certain amount of pages because you are quarantined.
You might actually write less. You will write less. And that will be perfect.
Why is your script so special to you? Maybe you are rewriting something for the 20th time.
It’s okay to rewrite in the pandemic if you find a way to love it all over again.
Sit with your work, people. How many times do we have to hear that a writer wrote what they wanted to write, what truly interested them, what broke their heart, what drove them into a thousand pieces, and that was the script that finally connected to people and became their best work.
This is writing in the Pandemic of 2020. When we are quarantined, we have time not to write a million pages but to look deeper into ourselves than we have been. We can take more deep breaths. We can hear the silence of the house. The street. The town. And in that quiet, we can see what we might be scared of. What we tend to lie about when the world is normal. We can think about what others feel and feel exactly the same way.
If you’re a writer, your job is writing today. Set aside the ridiculous expectations from another chapter in your life as a storyteller. They mean nothing now. Our fellow human beings need us to keep working, writing the beautiful love and laughs we all share.
Even if you write a scene. Or describe a moment between two people. Or speak one word of dialogue from one soul down by the road.
Start there.
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This was the best article in a very long time. And it truly speaks from the bottom of my heart. This is the Writer”s World. Every writer on this planet who is in good health and can write, sits probably over his manuscript, right now.
I’ve started and finished one feature script and a short story. What’s next? I write more feature scripts and stories because that’s exactly what the world needs right now. Not listening every evening to empty phrases of a man who calls himself president. We need stories to bring back humanity.
Everyone they say as a book inside them, well l have and perhaps this virus is my catalist, my inspiration to look at my surrounding and life and the germ of the idea that’s been hovering in my inside head can now come into fuision , because now l have the time.
Heartening advice!
Beautiful Article..
If not now then when?
Powerful thoughts and let’s be selfish ❤️
I have tens of notebooks with my texts. About time I sort it out
Thanks. Needed to hear that.
Much inspiring encouragement here. Yes, we should continue to write. If we are writers, we write. In fact, I have never needed someone’s inspiring words to write. I have done it compulsively all my life. I have even tried to STOP writing, but I can’t. I am using this time to write the first draft of a novel. But you say, “You help people with what you write.” Well, not unless your novel gets published or your screenplay is made into a movie or your screenplay wins the BlueCat. Otherwise, you’re just writing in a vacuum. It may help you, but it’s not going to reach and “help” other people unless your writing makes it. I entered the recent screenplay contest and I paid to resubmit my screenplay after the first feedback I received. It didn’t do any good. Now I get so many notices about webinars and sessions you can pay for and MAYBE that will help you get published or win a contest. But I think those tantalizing promotions prey on a writer’s hopes. You hope for that chance. But you pay your money, and you get nothing – but they got your money! With the agents and the contest judges out there – I think there’s a bias toward what’s topical – what fits into all the pet catch phrases and concerns of the time – so a writer whose writing rests outside that is out of luck. The encouragement you have posted is well intended, I suppose, but it’s also misleading to say things like “audiences will still seek and rely on our stories to appreciate the meaning of their existence.” NOT TRUE. Not unless you win the contest, or get taken on by a studio, or get published.
This comment is directed at Richard. I agree with your assessment of this article. I also agree it’s written well, but is also riddled with the usual “the world needs your writing,” “we are contributing to the well-being of society” and “writers make a difference in our world.” As Richard points out, the above are only true if (and, it’s a big if), you get published or produced. A dozen high placements in writing contests later, I like to think I am more battle-tested than when I first started. Example: Two summers ago, my writing partner and I attended a pitch fest in Hollywood. The entire weekend cost us $1000 each. In two days, we had 24 meetings with “producers.” Of the 24 meetings, we had 17 requests for our synopsis and 9 requests for our script. Two years later, we have had zero responses, even after repeated “hey, what’s going on” inquiries. Oh, I will keep writing. As a matter of fact, I’ve since had two scripts optioned, but my starry-eyed period has passed and I am being a lot more careful as to what I believe and where I send my money. Write on!
Thanks for your comment, Steve, and I am glad you have had some good fortune. I agree with you – you have to be judicious about how you spend your money to promote your material. For me, it has been a long period of spending money and getting nothing for it. But, as you, I continue writing. Sometimes I sit back and say, “This is fruitless.” Then I get back to writing.
I have been writing 1 minute daily scripts & then I act them out on an app called “TikTok”… my audience has grown quickly in a matter of weeks! I love the challenge of making something funny & heartfelt for kids, like my childhood idols: PeeWee Herman, Mr Rodgers, & Shelley Duvall! If you’re curious, I encourage you to join—- you may be inspired to write more!!!! @ SloppyandSunshine
I needed this, thanks. I have kept writing but the voice peering over my shoulder keeps asking why. I recall what Gloria Steinem said: “Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don’t feel I should be doing something else.” A day when I don’t write feels like a wasted day. Stay connected to those you love and keep writing.
Thank you for this.
one thought
one moment at at time
one word
one sentence
one story
of the stories of this time
Wow. This is beautiful. So powerful. Thank you very much.
This is a great article, because it speaks truth. It’s been said before, but rarely this well. Thanks!
Even through all this forced time at home I manage to find a million things to do other than write, after some successes in contests, having 1 agent sign with me, having one indie director offer me a super small amount for what he considered a festival script (his funders heard I’d prefer an option so my script doesn’t get locked up, they said they’d rather make a zombie movie since it would be more sure to sell), after I did writer for hire for another indie director, after I taught screenwriting on cruise ships and at conferences… wrote 12 scripts, most recognized at some level by contests… etc. All these successes but not the break in sale…I got pretty discouraged and beat down. Thus have a hard time getting back on the horse. Wish I could find that magic again.
I finally had time to tie up a script I’ve been working on for 18 months, and started to outline my next one. Time well spent.
Thank you for this. I’ve been struggling deeply with meaning-of-life kinda stuff, and had looked at my craft as if it was worthless. This was a reaffirming read that it truly is not, and I desperately needed that reminder.
If it would help me be honest…
I had been struggling to come up with an idea about anything
I had self-doubt about my writing, by thinking that it would be useless now, but I now realize that I was wrong.
I am not useless.
I will NEVER be useless.
Thank you for the reminder.
Its Really Helpful, Thanks for sharing this I am Planing to write my first script