Personally, I believe that you should never be satisfied. Sure, you can be happy with the work that you produce if it's satisfactory to your own standards - but I feel as though you shouldn't be satisfied with it; if you wish to develop as a writer. The hunger to be better, and to produce better work, should always be glowing inside of you. Maybe this is an exclusive feeling to myself, and I'm coming off as silly. Every piece of work that I've completed since I've started writing has never truly satisfied me. I get a moment of relief and happiness once I finish a project, and I seem to be satisfied. But that feeling dissolves quite quickly and I always find myself brooding over past work and thinking "How delusional was I to think that this was good?". Does anyone else share the same experiences? A never-ending hunger to be better and to produce better work. I'm not sure if this is destructive or productive. Also, feel free to share your opinions on this from an outside point of view.
Screenwriting : As a writer, should you ever be truly satisfied? by C.J Fischer
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I'm like that to a certain extent. But I'm not going to lie, I do look back at some of my past work and think "Damn that was good"
Ha, JP. Awesome.
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I don’t think you should ever stop looking for something else to learn. Some of the things you did learn in your latest script will not be in older scripts of yours of course, but that does not mean everything in your older scripts were bad either. Look for the positive in what you’ve done while also striving to keep advancing your learning. Otherwise you are likely to just discourage yourself.
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I look at both script and other writing much the same. One moment I'm as brilliant as the creme of the crop. The next, I'm thinking to myself 'wtf is this drek?' 'Was I high?'. I'm never satisfied and I rewrite a lot which is where I find the most satisfaction. I'll think I'm done and the next day, I'm back at it again. It drives me crazy sometimes, but I wouldn't stop for nothing. I love it, too.
Owen, you have no idea how great that is to read. I got a notion for a comedy, but then I thought I must be insane. I've never written comedy except for the occasional off-the-cuff remark that sounded like a good idea at the time. Maybe I should take a swing and see what happens.
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I've only finished my first script, but I suspect at some stage you need to be happy with your screenplay as it is, and move on to another -- so you can hone your skill on a new script. Be satisfied with the result, but not complacent with your craft, perhaps?
When I had a sit-down with MADONNA, I asked her what is the secret to your success. Madonna said: "STAYING HUNGRY."