Funny how so many writer say the opposite of what the other writer says. "Its not supposed to be fun. Its art, its work, its your passion and if its easy you're doing it wrong." Then you get this advice. Honestly it all depends on the person.
@urb7355
3 жыл бұрын
I have also heard the MKAE IT HARD, TOUGH, whatever advice. As I think about it now.... this advice is talking about the discipline and writers block. But just see the people around us or the ones who has done the best in their fields, because if your work is giving you so much stress then the reason WHY you started it will fade away and then we might even give up. I think for me we need to bakance both FUN PART OF THE PROJECT and DISCIPLINE. If one is gone then it's finished.
@film_magician
3 жыл бұрын
Larry David says he hates writing. It's a lot like going to the gym, to be honest. It can be fun, can be exciting, but you're more happy when it's done than struggling through it lol
@Ruylopez778
3 жыл бұрын
I think they're two sides of the same outcome. I think it comes down to process. Have a process where sitting down to write is easy, and you know what you need to write and why (which makes it much easier, and appears to be Brooks' process about having the idea clear before starting the writing). But perhaps the choices the writer makes shouldn't be 'easy' (too cliched) and they shouldn't [necessarily] be settling for the first idea they get (too obvious)? McKee makes the point that you probably get into the process and at some point get stuck, or make some revelation about what you're really writing - and if you don't have that experience, and everything just slots into place, maybe it isn't going to be special or have resonance. But then again, maybe not every project has to be 'special'? Maybe some projects can just be play or practice. Miyazaki said that you have to believe each project you start is going to change the world - even though you know rationally, that after it is finished, the world will carry on the same.
@christopherortiz9330
3 жыл бұрын
Screenwriting is never consistently easy, no matter how good you are or how experienced you are. There are easy phases or scenes, but always difficulties in every story you try to tell. If it is consistently easy for you, re-evaluate why. A lot of writers do it for pleasure and end up with safe, cliched work. Because it's easy to do that. Original, artistic work is hard, which makes the process harder. So screenwriting should not be consistently easy. But it can be consistently rewarding.
@_wtf
3 жыл бұрын
Yep, you nailed it :)
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
In my experience in my own work writing professionally and in coaching dozens of writers (and teaching hundreds) our feeling patterns around our process is a choice. You are welcome to keep choosing it to be hard out of habit. And you have the power to choose for it to be CONSISTENTLY easy and fun. Try both ways. And do it the way that’s better for the audience and your soul.
@franjes9999
3 жыл бұрын
I mean he never said it should be easy but he said it should be fun which I agree with. If you're writing and finding it easy then I'd agree the likelihood is your story maybe too cliched. However you can find fun in the challenge, in the fun of subverting genre expectations as well as just fun in the process of planning out your characters and your scenes. There can be significant challenge in that but there's great fun in it too.
@rugr82day
2 жыл бұрын
@@BrooksElms , I'm glad I watched your video today because I myself find writing is fun and easy for me; even if the subject is serious. I even found doing story related research was fun. Maybe it's because I wrote as a hobby for years just to enjoy my stories myself. I tend to spell phonetically so I was always intimidated in tackling writing as a profession. It's just in the last year or so that someone convinced me to aim for publication. I have always heard over the years "Do what you love and the money will come." Yet it took years for me to step back and see that writing was my thing. I have some stories I so enjoyed that rather than re-reading them I have written 2nd and 3rd drafts just for fun. It was hard to choose which one to do first since they all need to be re-written with publication in mind and I write in many different genres; including some screenplays and a graphic novel. So to start with I have outlined a new series that I will have professionally edited and then self-published to just stick my toe in the water, learn the process of getting a book out and getting feedback. I'm not going to let myself worry about how they might sell because I'm so looking forward to writing about the characters I have developed and seeing how their stories turn out. Anyway, thanks for the great outlook on writing and storytelling. 👍🏼
@JrtheKing91
3 жыл бұрын
Jordan Peele said it best "Follow the fun"
@ComicPower
3 жыл бұрын
I remember that interview. Now watching this his turned on a light for me in my writing
@commandercaptain4664
3 жыл бұрын
Then he said "biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiich".
@QuantumParticle
3 жыл бұрын
Too bad all his screenplays suck
@michaelq49
3 жыл бұрын
Jordan Peele is a shit script writer and now he gets everything ghost written or handed a pile of pre-written scripts to chose from.
@cjgayle7815
3 жыл бұрын
This came at the right time. I need to remember what works for me instead of listening to people who tell me what writing should be.
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
Perfect
@moetarded7757
3 жыл бұрын
I love it when I am on a roll and the lines a clicking. Man I get so excited I have to stand up and do a little dance
2 жыл бұрын
This was also fun to listen to -- thanks for sharing. :)
@blogdaddy5683
3 жыл бұрын
It makes sense. Screenwriting is so challenging and can be so time consuming you might as well enjoy the process!
@EastVanGuy7
3 жыл бұрын
My first screenplay is definitely fun. It feels easy because I don't know if it's right or wrong, but it feels right! :)
@Friedsurprise
3 жыл бұрын
It's fun and sometimes not. I love to play golf. Sometimes it's not always fun. But I do both because the fun outweighs the not fun times. And each time I power through, I get better.
@abdoul5176
3 жыл бұрын
This is what I needed to hear.
@matthewgordonpettipas6773
3 жыл бұрын
Tbh whenever I hear a writer say they hate writing I always think 'why the hell are you even doing it for then?' I mean it. Some people make writing sound like it's a trek through hell, torturous and painful, and while I get that sometimes writing can be tough, if you don't enjoy it at all, don't do it. Save yourself the anguish. I love writing, the entire process. Yes, sometimes I struggle to get words down or to figure out how a character should get out of a situation. But I never hate it. I'm at my happiest when my fingers hit the keys, and when I can't write for whatever reason I'm itching to get back. Being a writer is such an awesome thing, we literally create universes and fill them with people. How cool is that? There's nothing else I'd rather do and if I'm lucky I'll be able to do it until the day I pass away.
@BrooksElms
2 жыл бұрын
Yup. Yup. Well said, Matthew!
@anastasialymperopoulou5142
3 жыл бұрын
I love this guy! This is the way we should think
@jorahkai
3 жыл бұрын
Focus on the process, it’s all process and pain or pleasure is all in the attitude!
@BlackCatFilmProductions
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I've been writing my latest Slasher Script for my next film project and I'm really enjoying the note taking and writing my character's dialogue. The Dialogue part is the most fun because I can visualise the mannerisms and behaviour of my characters and how they say they're dialogue. I look forward to finishing the script and then start put it together.
@justanameonyourscreen5954
3 жыл бұрын
I don't even put pen to paper if the idea isn't fun...
@dennismason3740
3 жыл бұрын
The Joy of Writing...what a concept. True dis.
@carlo2384
3 жыл бұрын
best video in this series.
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Carlo!
@filmcourage
3 жыл бұрын
What did you like about this video?
@johndeggendorf7826
3 жыл бұрын
I like Brooks’ positivity. And, truly, the “work” of creation for many artists is often almost effortless. But, they have earned that gift by spending a lot of time in Lala land, watching & hearing things in their imagination, and taking notes. I believe Brooks nails it…if it’s not fun…hmmm🤔.
@paulwright1196
2 жыл бұрын
I just wrote a script and, well, it's not good. Some wonderful ideas, lines, etc, but as a whole I've missed the mark and I know it. But was fun to do. The next bit of rewriting will be a chore.
@BrooksElms
2 жыл бұрын
You choose for it to be a chore, or choose for it to be a satisfying treasure hunt.
@ktsaravanan
3 жыл бұрын
Craft is easy. Art is always the hard part.
@ryannixon4138
3 жыл бұрын
Woah true
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
For me craft is easy, and so is art.
@theseoulgoode
3 жыл бұрын
I remember this guy. When I commented something about the project doesn’t start without a script and writers are paid the least, he replied ‘do it for the love.’ It still means shit to this day.
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Seoul. Nice to see you again. Seoul wrote: "When I commented something about the project doesn’t start without a script" -- I agree with that. Seoul wrote: " and writers are paid the least," --We are paid as writers what we negotiate. I get paid a lot. Seoul wrote: " he replied ‘do it for the love.’" --Yup. I stand by that.
@rugr82day
2 жыл бұрын
@@BrooksElms , I get you.
@elinannestad5320
2 жыл бұрын
@@BrooksElms this all makes sense and appeals greatly. 'Do it for the love - ' .... for me so far it is a holy grail experience, making my way slowly (I don't want to be slow of course and the slowness is SO slow that it's crushing) towards something that I have not had my hands on yet though I know it is essential and worth it.
@passdasalt
3 жыл бұрын
I am enjoying writing my first screenplay immensely. I have no illusions it will ever be noticed, but I like 'watching' the movie I'm making.
@ComicPower
3 жыл бұрын
Fun and profitable. I like how this man thinks. That's always what I wanted in my life and never got both at the same time... I've always had profitable and no fun. And fun but not profitable. But not both at the same time.
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
This is a powerful observation for you. And I promise, you can have both. Even better - the ONLY thing stopping you from getting both is you. Which is why you have the power to make that change and have it all.
@ComicPower
3 жыл бұрын
@@BrooksElms that sounds like a Tony Robbins speech. Lol. But you are right. There is no reason why I dont own final draft software and not putting this stuff down. That changes this Friday when I'm off work. Thanks for the pep talk.
@____uncompetative
3 жыл бұрын
I think the secret is practice. Do short writing exercises. Write one scene a day. All completely unrelated. Different characters. Situations. Dialogue. Action. Practise. Put off your main idea as long as humanly possible. Read up on what you need to know to make it believable. Delay until you can't hold back any longer.
@unorthodoxunicorn1307
3 жыл бұрын
I don't know; writing can't be consistently fun. Nothing anyone creates is going to be wholly enjoyable if they truly care about it. That's where the idea of 'effort' comes in. It's fun to do the easy stuff, such as light brainstorming and making character boards, but I can't imagine myself going, "oh yay! I've got writers block!" For me, most of the fun in writing comes in the little accomplishments, like enjoying the way I describe a setting, an arc, or reaching that point in a diaologue where the characters speak for themselves, all building up to the joy I get from finishing a story (good or bad).
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
Hello there my unicorn friend. How are you so sure writing can't be consistently fun? Just because you are sometimes choosing to allow it to be hard, and sometimes you're in the habit of creating a writer's block for yourself -- doesn't mean you are doomed to those habits forever. You created those habits. You can create new ones. It's in your power to make that change. Look at it this way -- a professional screenwriter on KZitem (me) is saying his process IS pretty much always easy. What if that's actually true for him and the people he coaches? And what if it's also POSSIBLE for you too? And what if you explore this and try it for yourself? If it doesn't work, you're always welcome to keep doing it the hard way with "effort" and your "nose to the grindstone." Either way, I'll be over here living my dream life, making plenty of money writing professionally and showing other writers how to do the same. The choice is yours.
@rugr82day
2 жыл бұрын
@@BrooksElms , thankfully I have never stumbled onto the dreaded "writers block". However I have had some characters stubbornly not turn out like I thought they would. Turns out they were just showing me my ideas about them were shallow. Sometimes it was that I didn't seen a hidden side of the those characters. Also for a couple of them I had the wrong person selected as a character's love interest. In those cases I strayed from my outline and found I liked the new story direction better. I once had a side character that was just smart mouthed and annoying who I had planned to kill off. Then I found myself writing a scene where he said something profound and touching to one of my favorite characters and I was like "Oh, I can't kill him." (Okay, I confess; what he said made me cry 😥). He ended up being a great example for me of character growth. I kept him still smart mouthed but he became less annoying as he matured.
@CarmenPerez-kz6rw
2 жыл бұрын
I believe him. I’ve been having a fun adventure writing a disaster film which I thought would be depressing. One surprise after another.
@davemccrea9000
3 жыл бұрын
Everyone has their own meaning they get out of life and that includes how they go about their writing. For me, to be great at something, I have to push myself out of my comfort zone. That is not fun, but it is rewarding.
@johndeggendorf7826
3 жыл бұрын
🤔🎩🎩🎩🍷On a somewhat related note, whenever I see a songwriter portrayed as hunkered down & slaving over his lyrics…yeah, wrong. Songs, like stories, are things that happen inside your head as bits & pieces congeal into meaning…how does that happen? I don’t know exactly, but It ain’t hard. And trying harder doesn’t make it better. It’s talent, practice, paying careful attention to your imagination, thousands of impressions from stuff you’ve loved, craftsmanship…that kind of thing. It is work, you do have to write stuff down, and possibly hundreds of iterations, but it’s definitely fun and sometimes effortless.✌️I like this guy.
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
And this guy likes you. 😁
@ComicBookSyndicate
3 жыл бұрын
David Mamet, Charlie Kaufman and most great writers think writing is excruciatingly painful.
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
Well, we can't know what they actually "think." But I'm a huge Mamet fan and it wouldn't surprise me if he SAYS something like "writing is painful." And that's a significant difference than it ACTUALLY being painful. The thing is, we have so many thoughts. And certainly our inner-perfectionist coming into the process at the wrong time can be alarming and lead to the idea that this was a "painful" experience. But it's a choice to frame the experience that way. You can choose to frame it in whatever way you want. And in my own professional career and in how I've helped lots of writers, choosing to frame the experience with words that are more supportive like: fun, playful, a good challenge, etc... will optimize their creative flow.
@moetarded7757
3 жыл бұрын
Stories get influenced when people are under great pressure to produce because they have a mortgage to pay. Most peoples stories suffer but I am sure a few others need that stress and pressure. But those are far and few.
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
Pressure reveals character and your craft fundementals. So it's ideal to have a powerful, consistent, repeatable, sustainable creative process BEFORE you get paid the big bucks, or else you might crumble at what seems like added pressure when your script gets sold.
@JamieMorrisfigure8productions
3 жыл бұрын
"Easy"? "Fun"? WTF are you writing? Yes, fulfilling.
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
Yep. Easy, fun, and flowing effortlessly. I'm writing a grounded sports drama right now. Are the insights I explore deep and bringing up intense feelings and heartbreak and sometimes moving me to profound tears? Yep. Happens a lot. I love it. And yet I get in (and out) of those deep places with easy flow. It's a choice. And a practice. And then a habit. And you're welcome to do the same, if you want. Or if you prefer your current process -- incredulous to the possibility that it can be easy -- and your current process allows you to cross your career milestones at a steady clip, keep doing it that way. I'm rooting you on either way.
@JamieMorrisfigure8productions
3 жыл бұрын
@@BrooksElmsGlad you have your flow down...Writing my first feature, but having a tough time of it lately...Only way through is to write through it!
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
@@JamieMorrisfigure8productions Hi Jamie. The main thing to keep in mind is that you are choosing your process. You are choosing your REACTION to everything that happens. Right? So you can choose for this to be fun - even the times you're currently framing as a "tough." Do you see how that's a choice you made? Surely out of habit. But a habit you created. So.... what if you framed the "tough story problem" as a "fascinating puzzle" ? Or an "invitation to learn more." Or "an insight in hiding." Or whatever words that feel authentic and inspiring to you. It's the SAME exact emotional experience -- but when we choose a different frame for it --- magic happens. And as you make more and more of these little shifts, your flow state will deepen and grow more consistent. Just takes practice and humility. And if you want some more free tips as a new writer, you can get that here: www.brookselms.com/new/
@Theyungcity23
3 жыл бұрын
I was working on a period piece set during the height of the Spanish flu pandemic. But forget that "Boob Ninja Island" it is!
@michaelq49
3 жыл бұрын
"What? You can't make up an original premise for a story, write engaging dialogue, interesting characters, and wrap the entire story narrative up with a good ending? YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!"
@Wordsley
3 жыл бұрын
These Rock!
@meg-k-waldren
3 жыл бұрын
For me the writing process is no longer fun, reading my script is now the fun part. How ironic the latter doesn't happen without the former.
@chrisoliver3642
3 жыл бұрын
Brooks isn't wrong but he's using the wrong word. Making art isn't fun, period full stop. If it doesn't hurt to make, it's just crafts. That's not bad, it's just not art. If writing isn't REWARDING, then you're doing it wrong. Get busy when the muse speaks, get rest when she does not.
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
I kinda like the word “rewarding” because it’s a bit deeper than “fun.” But “fun” works well enough in the context because it has a playful bouncy quality to it which is evocative of the creative flow state. The drawback to the word “rewarding “ is a slight suggestion of the denial of the intrinsic joy of it. And that’s problematic. And the statement that it must “hurt” to create art is extremely problematic and will contribute to wrecking your flow state. Does creating impactful art require emotional vulnerability and insight? Yup. But if it hurts for you to feel vulnerable than do more personal work (or therapy) so you’ll feel better and be able create with more ease and consistency. Keep the drama on the page, not in your process.
@thups9552
3 жыл бұрын
"Rewarding" is a good word
@chrisoliver3642
3 жыл бұрын
@@BrooksElms Can one create true drama on the page without drama in the process? I'm reminded of Aaron Sorkin's infamous story about breaking his nose whilst acting out a scene he was writing. While that's not the kind of "hurt" I was referring to, it is the kind of drama, the kind of passion, that I feel anything worth putting out into the public sphere requires to create. My greatest writing made me want to go semi-Oedipal in the process and gouge out my own eyes. (Remember kids, you never go full Oedipal!) Comparing it to therapy isn't far off: it's confessional, it's honest, it's the raw truth without reservation-- and I put myself through it for the catharsis of finishing, much as someone would with therapy. In either situation, hopefully you walk away having learned something about yourself. Maybe others don't require that kind of personal turmoil to find their best work, I rather that hope most don't, but they do need that kind of passion in some form-- how else could art be rewarding? Don't go breaking your own nose but do be in slight danger of it.
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
@@chrisoliver3642 Hi Chris - I love your passion here. And yes, this level of conviction will ABSOLUTELY yield strong results. Although when we cross the line to actually feeling trauma when we write about something traumatic -- it's more mustard than you need. Just feel the feelings, man. They're only feelings. They come and they go. And I invite you to be aware of the word choices you're using. Go for matter-of-fact statements. If you don't like "fun" that's fair criticism because there is a bit of a clash between say... writing about a character dying and that being "fun." The key is to find your own terms that get you into a flow state and keep you there consistently. Harsher words tend to move us away from flow.
@janellerollins5893
3 жыл бұрын
If you want to be a screenwriter but it's hard now, just keep going. There is a story of a guy who did NOT want to be a missionary. At all. He looked at movies and resources about being a CHRISTian missionary and after he was inspired, he couldn't WAIT for his first missionary trip. Keep going and try it out.
@kh-propertyinfo4377
3 жыл бұрын
First to see this video.
@greenflamingoentertainment8613
3 жыл бұрын
Grand Master Rank Skill: Learn to play.
@chrisd7733
3 жыл бұрын
Well, yes, if you don't like writing you probably shouldn't be a writer. At the very least, you'll be blown away by the competition from people who love writing. And at the worst, you'll be a failure and wonder by age 55 why you didn't become an accountant or a dentist.
@4inchesofpleasure
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Brooks, Aaron Sorkin once named you as THE most underrated screenwriter working in Hollywood today. When did you two work together and which of your qualities do you think impressed him the most? Thank you!
@BrooksElms
3 жыл бұрын
Hello, my friend. I see you. And if you really think these sort of comments are helping writers, keep doing it. If you can make a different choice that might be more helpful to writers - do that instead.
@4inchesofpleasure
3 жыл бұрын
@@BrooksElms Hi Brooks! Well, if you think your advice is worth its weight in gold, I am kind of helping writers in a way by giving you credibility. No? Like, some of them might be thinking: “OMG, there’s no way I’ll ever listen to someone who speaks so highly of that formulaic book Save the Cat” or “There’s no way I’m listening to someone who seems to have a shitload of answers yet cannot make it happen on the page to save his life.” So, if you really believe in what you are saying, then yes, I am helping writers 🙂 P.S. Aaron really says “Hi”
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