Chapter | eighteen

FADE OUT: Why We Write

Screenwriting Tip #168:

As a writer, your highest calling is to remind us of a universal truth that we've forgotten. That truth might be “love conquers all,” or it might be “explosions are cool.” It's entirely up to you.

Why do you write?

What makes you spend hours of your free time in front of that computer or curled up with that notebook? Why did you reject a normal job with normal working hours – one that doesn't take up at least half of your mental faculties at all times? Why teach yourself a skill that can be learned only through hard work, long study, and sheer, brutal persistence?

Why even bother at all?

Hey, don't look at me. I don't know why you write.

But I can tell you why I write.

I write ...

Get Screenwriting Tips, You Hack now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.