Screenwriting : Did a certain film or person inspire you to write? by John Mezes

My adopted Grandfather (long story) encouraged me to keep a travel journal on a family trip to New Zealand when I was thirteen. His niece, who was a lifelong friend of mine and lived in Vienna, told me every time she received a letter from me that "You should be writing." Thank you John Mezes for prompting me to think about the people who encouraged me who are no longer here.

Oooh boy. When I was a kid, Stephen King was definitely the first thing that inspired me to sit down and start writing, for sure.

Most of my early writing was recording - I would copy down movie quotes or quotes from stuff people around me would say, making sure to warn them, "I'm going to use this one day".

When I was 11 Iowa Public Television was the first station in the US to import a really odd half hour BBC sci-fi show that was bigger on the inside. Between that and the Twilight Zone I started writing. Almost 50 years later I'm still watching both of them and still writing.

It was definitely Doctor Who. Growing up in the UK the 70s and the 80s it was everywhere and, even though it terrified me at times, I was a big fan. It wasn't long before I was writing my own stories. These days it would be called fan-fiction, back then it was my way in.

John, no. No one and no person inspired me to write. Screenwriting is magical and I can't live without it.

Eugene O'Neill and Annie Proulx. I read Long Day's Journey Into Night in high school and became obsessed with reading everything he wrote. Annie Proulx wrote Brokeback Mountain (the short story) and of course it made and impact, but her other work spoke to me even more. The Shipping News, Accordion Crimes and That Old Ace in the Hole inspired me to create characters that I would want to know and hang out with.

What terrific replies everyone! I learn so much about you, the community, by these posts of mine, and it's great. It brings me closer in knowing the Stage 32 family, thank you. Also, through some of these replies, I've taken a joyful walk down memory lane!

That brings back memories Cavan Scott! I loved Doctor Who. I also have a Doctor Who script that I wrote when I was doing Theatre Studies at university filed away somewhere... I dreamed of sending it to the producers but never did!

Cool post John Mezes ! Growing up I didn't see my father very much but, when I did, he took me to the movies. It was the only time I saw him cry. That really affected me, later, when I realized the profound power of cinema.

My mum and Hemmingway

Not exactly. The first thing I ever tried writing was a novel inspired by CSI:NY.

I was crazy for Northern Exposure. - I wrote a spec "A Mad Mad Northern" and sent it to the producers. They were kind to respond to an amateur writer with a positive and supportive rejection letter.

Aw, I love that story about your mom! My father was always telling me stories as a child, he definitely inspired me to start writing and continues to do so.

Just remembered... don’t think of him as an influence because he wasn’t around, when I started to write! (Except his spirit pops in now, from time to time.) But my Dad, a Sea Captain was English and when he was home, he could spin a yarn, like the best of them. He should have been a writer, he loved quoting Shakespeare and the like, he was born poor so they would not have let him write, he went to sea at sixteen. Every dinner, as a child, when he was home, was spent absorbed in stories of his wild youth and most nights the whole family would be doubled over, with bellies aching, crying with laughter, our faces screwed like clowns, so ugly that we would then laugh at each other. We simply could not stop laughing, and the tears would roll mercilessly, on and on! Mum’s laugh was horrific and massively embarrassing, like a hyena and when she got going we would then all laugh at her and then cry some more! Pleasure at and torture combined! It was the very best of times! .... Tingles all over... he is with me now.

Everyone, I truly appreciate your contributions here on my post. Such fun learning about all of you, and what events and people inspired you. Love the connection! Rebecca, your childhood sounded great, full of great times and laughter. You can't beat that!