300th Blog—Wahooooo!!!!

When I began this blog, it was in connection with my book—The Screenwriter’s Path— being published. It was the publisher’s idea—a way to get people to buy the book was, I think, their theory. And though I was encouraged to advertise writing-related software and many other things, I chose not to. And 4 years later, I think that was the right choice. Because, for me, the blog wasn’t about making money, it was about sharing information and knowledge.

Well, that is, if ‘knowledge’ is something a person can actually have when it comes to screenwriting. But I knew I had my own experiences that might prove valuable to anyone trying to navigate the screenwriting waters. Because no one could have been more naïve about the business of screenwriting than I was when I moved to Los Angeles.

First of all, I knew no one who could connect me to the career that I’d decided to pursue. Secondly, I’d never actually seen the script of a film—didn’t know what a screenplay even looked like. But you could buy them in Hollywood at a bookstore, so I bought a couple. I remember counting the number of spaces [typing-wise] between the left margin and the character’s name so I could set my tab stop correctly. And finally, I just had no idea what I was doing.

I was so clueless I thought that you had to write for TV before they let you write for movies. So despite my desire to write films, I wrote TV spec scripts for every popular half-hour and hour-long show that was on at the time. I did this for about three years before I sat down and wrote something I actually wanted to write—a biopic of a painter, Berthe Morisot. I figured, nobody’s buying my TV spec scripts anyway, so why not write something I want and people can ‘not’ buy that? At least then, I’d have the fun of writing what I might enjoy!

And guess what? That script began my career. It was snapped up and it was just a few days before shooting was to begin when the star dropped out to take a higher paying project. It’s since been optioned a couple of times, but has yet to be made. However, people read the script, liked the script, and I got hired to write many others.

I continue, in this blog, to share things like that hoping that my mistakes—like writing what, supposedly, the market wants instead of what you want—will help other writers out there not make the same blunders I did. And when my web guy shared the stats with me, I found out there are thousands of people around the world—just like you—who are reading this blog. A little over 50% are in the U.S. but the rest are in many countries around the world. We’re a community, we writers—and that’s a nice thing.

I continue to think it’s valuable to talk about the art of writing—and it is an art. And whether your work is being bought or not [or maybe not yet], it’s an art worth pursuing, because sharing the human experience through the stories we tell is universal… so, definitely worth your time.

Next week, it’s back to looking at true stories with a look at the timeless film, Out of Africa.

Copyright © Diane Lake

07Aug22

Email Diane a question to Diane@DianeLake.com