Join the screenwriters who write to me each week saying, "Your columns are so inspiring," "The light came on after reading this," "Great newsletter this week!!! Always seems to be what I need for my writing. It’s like you’re a mind-reader! Thank you!"
Terry Rossio's pep talk for screenwriters
Terry Rossio's pep talk for screenwritersWhether you're considering joining the Zero Draft Challenge or not, this story told by Terry Rossio (co-writer of things like Shrek and Pirates of the Caribbean) may be just the pep talk you need today: “Director Robert Rodriguez said something profound to me once, talking one night about creativity. I believe he was repeating a story he had heard, though it could have been an original parable.
Paraphrasing, he said, 'So there is this pottery class, and the goal for everyone is to make the perfect clay pot. Half the students are told, make just one pot, so it can be perfect. So they research, they study, they design, they put all their effort into this singular focused attempt, trying to reach perfection, and the results are invariably dismal.
Now, the other half of the class, those students are told to simply make as many pots as they can as best they can in the time that they have. In that group, there are a bunch of terrible pots, but among them, invariably, there will be one or two pots that come out perfect.'
This is not to say, lower your standards.
It is to say, work to your highest standards in the time you have with the highest level of productivity.”
It’s very easy to get stuck in the “preparing to write” loop, and never start (or finish) the writing itself. But, as you’ve probably heard me say, we learn more by finishing one script than by starting (or not starting!) ten. So if we want to write, we need to write. And yet, I know the fear and pressure and doubt can be very real. My goal with the Zero Draft Challenge, is to ease that pressure, and make the process fun. If you want to write a screenplay — whether it’s your first, or your tenth — grab a seat on the ZDC Express and let’s get started. 🚀
(The earlier you sign up, the more time you'll have in the Slack group to get my help preparing your story idea before you start writing. 😊) See you there! Naomi |
Naomi | Write+Co. for screenwriters
Join the screenwriters who write to me each week saying, "Your columns are so inspiring," "The light came on after reading this," "Great newsletter this week!!! Always seems to be what I need for my writing. It’s like you’re a mind-reader! Thank you!"
Hey, it's Naomi with your weekly screenwriting memo! Today's topic... Are your story’s stakes falling flat? Tell me if this sounds familiar: Your story is doing everything “right": the plot moves, the scenes build, the characters want things. And yet, something’s missing. It’s technically solid, but still doesn’t land. Readers aren’t connecting. They’re not invested. They may even give the dreaded, "Why do we care?” note. That’s not a plot problem — it’s a stakes problem. 3 ways to keep your...
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