A Fear of Screenwriting

Why are you so scared of failing.

To have permission to succeed, you must first have permission to fail. Failure only stings if you attach significance and meaning to it.

There is nothing wrong in failing if you are doing all that you can to succeed.

there are two ways to look at this. 1 is what Wolfy said. Give yourself permission to fail. Then starting a screenplay is no big deal. You don't even have to finish it because it really doesn't matter in the scheme of things if your write a screenplay or not.

#2 is the tough love question. Ask yourself if you're avoiding writing because you're getting so much satisfaction out playing the tortured writer stuggling to break out of his shell.

Finally, look at it this way.

Was the first time you had sex the best sex you've ever had in your life?

Even so, did you still want to do it again? And did you get better at it.

Sit down, type "fade in" and pop your damn cherry already.

I had a huge fear of screenwriting.

I was told in 1991 that my book manuscript was better suited for the screen. In 1998 my agent was shopping around another book of mine, and I got the same feedback. Around this time I came up with an idea for a movie and a screenwriting friend of mine told me just to jump in and get my feet wet. I bought a book to learn how and then shelved it.

Bottom line I just didn't have enough confidence what I wrote could be a successful movie. "You mean to tell me I have to write something so great someone is going to want to invest millions of dollars into it? And then I have to pray people want to pay $8-10 to see it? And *I* have to do it??" I just didn't think I had it in me. No one else had to talk me down - I did that just fine on my own.

In 2000 I got another idea I thought would make a fun movie - and in 2002 I finally wrote it. The thing that motivated me was Dr. Phil - reading about Living Your Best Life. I got about 17 pages into his book, put it down and started writing. In thirteen days I had my first script. It was very badly written, but it was done.

One of my drawbacks is if I can't be perfect I won't do it. I want to excell at everything I do right out of the gate and I hate to fall on my face. I used to define my identity by my accomplishments, so naturally if I fail that suggests that I am a failure.

Something Unca Leo said stuck with me forever, and helps me get over that initial procrastination. Don't get it right, get it written. I've written five screenplays since 2002. It would have been more but again, I let failure (not placing in a contest) sidetrack me. Yesterday I got my first rejection from a management company and for the first time ever, I'm not internalizing that failure - I'm planning another strategy. That is thanks to another favorite quote of mine: "I'm not a failure because I didn't make it, I'm a success because I tried."

My best advice to you is to feel the fear and do it anyway. There's nothing that can happen with you during the writing process you cannot handle. You cut your teeth on your first script, so have fun. The most fun I ever had was that first script because I wasn't so anal about things like structure (and it showed). But I sure had a good time writing it. Just tell yourself that you cannot mess up and dive right in.

And understand too that your friends do not define who you are. Even whether you sell something or not doesn't define who you are. If you want to write a screenplay, then write it. I can tell you that the last two years have not been wasted - I love crafting a screenplay more than anything I've ever written. It is my passion. I have not yet been validated by that "perfect" script, but the journey sure is fun.

So chin up, butt in the chair and write "Fade In".

Wow, incred, you have a long strange journey ahead of you and congrats on starting it!

Sell a script or not: count this as a victorious venture. It will lead you to many wonderful, horrible, tragic and beautiful places.... it's great.



As for the doubters -- we've all got them. I still have friends (so many years after I was where you are) who still wonder when my 'novel' will be done. When I'll get a real job (a favorite when I was a stay at home dad, which made me feel GREAT). People still give me crap about what I'm trying to do.

Ignore them. Because you'll find the people who will support and understand you and they're the ones who count.

And s for Mr. 'You don't know Robert Rodriguez' -- that dudes a pretentious jackass. Maybe respond with 'No, but I know who Steven Speilberg is. Is he something like Speilberg?'

Robert who? Is he related to George Rodriguez? Or was it Alex or Pudge Rodriguez?

I also write satirical news articles, miscellaneous parodies, short stories, and a screenplay or two. I have about sixty loglines that'll probably never even make it to a synopsis. I've been doing this since age 14 (see profile for current age) and will be doing it until my maker declares me obsolete. Current earnings at writing stand at minus 80 dollars. My screenplay seems to have made the bottom 250 in PGL 2. I let my past failures get to my self-esteem, and I wound up with a numb left hand due to a flare-up of multiple sclerosis as a result.

My point? Just keep going. Screw the critics. Writing for a university newspaper proves you can write competently. Wallowing in self-deprecation can not only limit your opportunities but can be hazardous to your health as well. I'm sure there are those on here who would call me an idiot for trying to set an example for anyone when I've never sold anything or had anything published. As I get older, I care about that less and less. It's on my website, it's out there, and I wrote it. Scribo ergo sum.

Marky?

Don't be afraid...wait a minute...could it be that you have writer's block? Or are in the first stages of ruminating and developing a story in your mind and heart? Because, see, if you have a story, or a hint of a story, or a feeling in your gut, maybe just a wisp of an emotion, and you sit down to write it out, it will come to you. You may go reluctantly to the paper or keyboard, and it may come in starts and fits, and it may drag on, you may even fight to see the light! BUT, then you will be in the ZONE. This is where you function on a daily basis on two levels, reality, and fantasy- your story. You'll talk to yourself as the characters talk to themselves- while you're in the shower, on the freeway, you may even blurt out lines at the dinner table in front of your family, but the point is, you will be living your story. The format thing?...In very short order it becomes second nature, like tying your shoes, or driving. It is just a means to an end. Just follow a few basic rules, get to know them, but at all times let your creative self run free within those guidelines. There is plenty of room. Like most things, the more you know the larger the learning tree. I've written seven scripts, and I have a lifetime of stories. So get writin', and lets hear yours!

Watch a few bad movies and ask yourself how you could do worse. Max

only fear not writing, or something. Hmm? How about this? Identify your fears in life and confront them...so, if you fear writing, confront it by writing. Yeah, that makes sense...I guess. Read WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT by Dennis Palumbo or OUTWITTING WRITER'S BLOCK by Jenny Glatzer...or, just write! Really, you'll be okay. It's okay to fail, it's a great way to learn. It's also okay to succeed, it's a great way to...well, succeed. You're good enough, you're smart enough and god darn it...people like you. I really have to stop using ellipsis. Not that I fear them, okay I fear them. Not that there's anything wrong with being afraid. Fear is a great emotion to mine for your writing. Just write...and don't be afraid to use an ellipsis....

Don't be scared just do it and you may find it not as hard as it seem's. don't think of failure what about the good you do writing and what you do for people. the how I think that I can make people have all the emotions from watching my show. I just say all those people can do it I can learn to. you do have to be a jeaus to write.