Screenwriting : Why I Write and What Keeps Me Going by Maurice Vaughan

First and foremost I write for myself, because my worlds are where I feel most like myself. I'll admit that is a big reason why I'm highly resistant, if not outright allergic, to outsider influence/critiques that suggest I change fundamental aspects of anything I write lol nonetheless part of me is also always excited to see just how much interpretations of my work differ, which keeps me from wanting to hoard my works completely. No matter what, though, I write because I love it and it's healthier than living in my head all the time with no proper outlet for all that creative energy.

I write mostly to as a means of escape, from pain, stress and worry.

Also, I love creating worlds through storytelling, and what keeps me going is my big dream of becoming a global screenwriter someday.

I write for many reasons. I hope to earn some money from it one day but I have already found other ways where I can make more money than I will likely ever make from writing. I write stories that articulate a vision of the world I would enjoy the most. Not a perfect world, not a utopian society - those are uninteresting to me, but a world that I believe is possible and a world where differences, 'flaws' and oddities are celebrated, enjoyed and extolled. I write to process past trauma. I write to discover myself more fully and finally I write because I want affirmation and validation that the words I string together bring enjoyment to others.

Those are great reasons to write, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh! Have you thought about being a writer-director? They have more creative control with scripts.

Selfish reasons, mainly: I want to actually own something legally, and I want to leave my mark on the world. It also helps me broaden my horizon (sci-fi is the perfect genre in my opinion because it helps people expand their perspectives on life, and can also be entertaining as well as educational and informative).

Hey, P. J Oken. That's a great reason to write! I write as an escape sometimes too, especially on a tough day. I'm rooting for you to become a global screenwriter!

Thanks Maurice Vaughan! And honestly I have, I think it might be the way forward for me. I know some compromise is inevitable, but I definitely am not the type who accepts that my influence ends with the writing of my script. God knows I’m a staunch believer that the only person whose ego matters in my art is mine rofl

A lot of reasons lol, but I guess it started as a form of therapy for myself, letting me escape my life via escapism. But in a more professional sense, I see it as a chance to inspire and entertain others, letting them escape and have a great time in new worlds with endless possibilities.

Those are great reasons to write, Darrell Pennington! I might try writing to discover myself more fully. Thanks for the idea. I hope you earn money from writing!

I can tell that you write because you love it Maurice Vaughan , it's also why you're so passionate about and engaged with this community. I've always loved language and films, that's why I write. I've silenced it at times when I'm riddled with doubts but I have to remember my why. I want to create art that has meaning.

I think those are great reasons to write, Stefano Pavone! Movies, shows, books, etc. are definitely ways to leave a mark on the world, and "leaving my mark on the world" could be a theme for a story.

You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. "Written & Directed by Banafsheh Esmailzadeh." I'm looking forward to seeing your films!

Great reasons to write, Holly Fouche! Sometimes people see writing as "inspire or entertain," but it can be both.

Thanks, Marie Hatten. I appreciate it. Those are great reasons to write! I get riddled with doubts sometimes too. I've gotten better at ignoring the doubts and just writing. I think we need to do that as writers.

I think every creative/ any person needs to just push through regardless.

Thanks so much Maurice Vaughan~ with any luck my first [short] film will be Glass Waltz :D and eventually Finding Elpis will become a thing too, as will Lunar Window (probably will happen first; like all my children it’s strange but it is easier to swallow than Finding Elpis as a feature debut lol). But yeah haha my future could very well be as a writer-director :D

You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. Stage 32 has filmmaking/directing resources, like the Blogs (www.stage32.com/blog/tags/filmmaking-19).

Thanks Maurice Vaughan, I’ll for sure check them out :)

I write because it is not what I do, it is what I am. Dreaming up, laying down, then building many stories is a joy. I love the discipline it takes. The fact that others like them is a bonus, and being paid for them is icing on an already delicious cake. Dancing in different genre is the lobster in my world. The fact that screenwriting, which anyone can start because it looks simple - but is a highly technical craft, is complex, is a passion, and you never stop learning - that too is perfect for the creature that is me. You also get to meet great people, and only very rarely want to kill one of them in an imaginative and highly grotesque manner.

I love posts like this. And I'm sure it's very much as you said... I have stories to tell, and it's fun. Even in the frustration, it's fun. I can't think of many hobbies/professions I've had that have that.

From very early on, I've been obsessed with movies. For a long time, I always looked at making movies as impossible. There was no way I'd ever make one. And in some ways, even despite actually making projects, that is still true.

But... I can always write them. You don't need a budget, cast, or craft services. Nothing. If you really wanted to reduce it further, you don't even need a computer. Just something to write with. There's something really cool about that.

Well. That's a question and a half. One I don't truly have an answer for.

It used to be a simple "I always have, even as a kid". After my long walk with the dreaded block... My answer is a little different.

Why do I write?

Because I breathe. And I have no intent on letting me stop myself again. I let me get in my own way for too long.

Maurice, I'm very much with Martin about writing...writing's my F-U-N.

Why do I write? For me, it’s my escape from this world. It’s a place where—even if I’m writing about something painful—it still feels like a way out. I often write about things I don’t dare or don’t want to say out loud, things I only dare to dream about. New ideas keep coming, new worlds, new versions… and if I didn’t write them down, they would tear me apart. Maybe nothing will ever come of them, but writing is still my way to escape. With every story, I begin a new life.

I have many reason to write. Of course, I choose this passion to convert it in money making job, being the main reason but apart from that it is reflection of my existing brain which can produce multiple ideas.

Writing when you feel to write is a hobby but consistency, discipline and dedication for writing is your commitment and shows what you can be as a writer. These all I have learnt and practicing currently.

There are many days when you don't feel to write specially when it becomes tough job and no more happy escape. And here is a real role of mine as a writer to proof myself and keep going. Because if I call myself as a professional writer , I should keep doing my work and finding out solutions for every obstacles.

I write, since my dreams are banging to get out of my head, so I put them into Word and/ir Final Draft files.

You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. Happy Holidays!

"I write because it is not what I do, it is what I am." That's a powerful statement, David Taylor.

"The fact that screenwriting, which anyone can start because it looks simple - but is a highly technical craft, is complex, is a passion, and you never stop learning." That's true. I thought screenwriting was easy when I started writing scripts. I was wrong! It's my favorite thing to write though. And it's fun, which makes it easier.

It's funny how screenwriting is fun even in the frustration, Martin Graham.

"But... I can always write them. You don't need a budget, cast, or craft services. Nothing... You're right. I think a lot of screenwriters stop themselves from writing because they don't know who they're going to pitch to, who will like the script, etc., but writers just need to start writing -- or outlining -- and not let those things stop them.

"Because I breathe. And I have no intent on letting me stop myself again. I let me get in my own way for too long." I love that, Elle Bolan! You got me fired up to write something! :D

That's great, Jim Boston. That reminds me of what Jordan Peele said about following the fun. www.instagram.com/reel/DJGIusgxnEP

Writing is a great escape, Sanna Peth! "New ideas keep coming, new worlds, new versions… and if I didn’t write them down, they would tear me apart." I know what you mean. I have a document where I keep new ideas until I have time to work on them. And sometimes I make quick outlines of the ideas, then I make the outlines longer later.

Hi, Priya Mistry. Those are great reasons to write, and it’s great that you’re practicing consistency, discipline, and dedication! Your career will benefit a lot from it!

I relate to your last paragraph. There are times when I just don’t feel like writing or it’s not fun, but I write anyway and come up with some of my best writing for the script.

I do the same thing in Word, @Michael. And sometimes I write a short script version of the idea. Do you do that?

Writing is a creative outlet for me, something that my soul yearns to do (and something which, regretfully, I pushed to the side for a long time for many reasons). When I am in the creative flow, it brings me a deep sense of fulfilment and joy, and the characters and story ideas within can finally be unleashed from my soul! It also helps me channel some painful and/or challenging experiences into something good, through this form of creative expression.

I am a storyteller at heart, with a desire to inspire others and also invoke powerful emotions within the viewer and/or reader - just as I am often moved by the creative work of others.

Elle Bolan I resonate with everything you have said and I am very familiar with 'the dreaded block' you refer to. I took a long break from writing, and S32 engagement, mainly because I was very 'creatively blocked' for a number of reasons - however, some of those experiences are fuel for future stories, so that is the positive I am taking from it, and I am sure both of us can use the creative fuel from any 'sabbaticals' we have gone through.

Maurice Vaughan I write because I can see things, feel things, hear things and create a world , a story, others will benefit from: love, hate, react, feel. Learn. And I learn, as I write, I learn more about the world, and people, and feel connected to humanity.

Hi, Kirsty Louise Joyce. I’m glad you decided to write your stories! I think a lot of us can relate to pushing our desire to write and our stories to the side. And it’s great that you want to inspire others with your stories and invoke powerful emotions within the viewer and/or reader! Emotion is one of the things the audience/a reader remembers about a script.

I love those reasons, Juliana Philippi! I learn a lot by researching and writing. And sometimes I don't use the research for a script, but I use it in life.

Great question Maurice Vaughan. For me, I write even more when it gets tough. I do it for income, I do it because it’s genuinely fun, and I do it to expose things that often stay hidden or ignored. When the process gets hard, that combination is what keeps me pushing forward.

@Kirsty Louise Joyce yes, those experiences definitely are the fuel of future stories.