By guest blogger Joseph Greene
The art of screenwriting is definitely a tough one. It mostly relies on the imagination of the reader, who must then show it in his own way.
Unlike books, you have to paint that picture in far fewer words. Maybe that’s why I love it so. Been doing it since I was ten; I guess it kept the child in me from being dominated by the old man that lives inside me now (I’m 22).
As with other screenwriters I talk to, I question what pictures I’m trying to show. Because people would be uncomfortable with some of them; not limited to sex and violence.
As screenwriters, it makes us question if we’re really writing what we’re supposed to.
A recent experience made me question my writing for other reasons. My estranged father happened to run across some of my work and used his political connections (shout-out to Chicago politics!) to have me dragged out of my home and thrown in a mental hospital. Took my friends three weeks to convince them to let me go.
Every day, as I wandered about the unit, it gave me many, many, MANY hours to think about things. Like most people, murder came to mind a bunch of times. But then I realized that would require a lot of work and stress.
There’s no revenge like success.
So, really, my goal in life is to become the greatest writer if ever there was one.
Since I’ve been out, I’ve felt a greater sense of patience. With life and my writing. I’ve also been able to tap into my emotions a lot better and truly listen to my thoughts.
I also met so many characters during those three weeks, I’ll never forget them no matter how hard I try. I suppose the bad times in our lives are, in a strange way, for our own good.
It took me a while to write anything gritty or violent, basically in fear of being watched. But slowly I got over it. Wrote more and more violent things. And today I stand here . . . still with no money, but a firm grasp on what I want to accomplish.
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JOSEPH GREENE is a live or die writer, part time blogger, and an editor from time to time. He’s written a number of short stories in the past but his current focus is feature screenplays. Joesph lives in Chicago, Illinois and doesn’t intend to go anywhere. He blogs at Wolfens Writing Quest.
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That title is a very true statement. It’s too bad you had to go through such a trying experience, but it sounds like you’ve got lots of ideas to use in your work. Good luck!
This is so good to read! And I totally agree with the title. 🙂 You go, boy! Show ’em what you’re made of! 😀