Let me start by saying a very British (read: unconvincing) “Howdy”
to our American brethren this week, as the annual holiday of Thanksgiving rears
its grateful head tomorrow. It’s a time for self reflection, appreciating those
around you and eating huge plates of cooked poultry (not clear on the history
and why that’s tradition, but I’ll allow it). Perhaps then, it’s about time we
started recognising the tradition here. I’m only talking about writers though – I’m
sure most normal Brits will just claim to be thankful for the NHS, Ant and Dec,
and Harry Potter (in the desperate, undying hope that it’s actually based on a
real story).
1) We Are Our Own
Bosses
For the most part, of course. Bottom line - the
responsibility of getting stuff done, whether for yourself or someone you made
up, always falls on your own shoulders. Your timetable can be as fluid or as
structured as you like, so long as you’ve got a deadline. Your working day can
start at 6pm with pyjamas as the required dress code and an unlimited supply of
Doritos to fuel your productivity. The best part of the job? You can’t fire
yourself. Trust me, I’ve tried.
2) We Are In Demand
Content is needed everywhere these days, whether it be for
books, radio, theatre, TV, film, games, websites, mobile or cave paintings. There
may be an abundance of aspiring writers out there looking for an outlet, but
there’s also a literal buttload of outlets out there looking for aspiring
writers. If you can increase your chances of getting that “right place / right
time” opportunity, then you’ll soon find yourself in a gratifying position of
power as your creation begins to come to life.
3) The Inspiring
Content Already Out There
The Glass Half Empty approach would be to say “Son of a- Why
didn’t I think of that idea first?!” or, even worse, “Hey! They did my idea before
I even finished writing it”. We have to let go of these bitter stipulations (unless
Colin Firth is involved) and use the produced content as a springboard for our
own ideas. Film and TV are constantly raising the bar of quality, and we owe it
ourselves to keep up so we can still reach the alcohol (at least, that’s the
kind of bar I think of).
4) We’re Free To
Create Anything We Want
Think for a second about how many other jobs let you create
anything you want from the ground up, unhindered by higher powers... I can
count them on my fingers (granted, I have seven hands). Feeling Childish? Write
a vibrant kids TV show. Feeling Masochistic? Write a torturous horror film. Feeling
Childish and Masochistic? Write a movie for Michael Bay. The choices are endless,
and they are yours alone to make.
5) We’re Part Of A
Supportive Community...
I maintain that the more writers you know personally, the
more fulfilling your career will be. Sure it’s great to know the big-shots, the
producers, the directors, etc., but having allies in your discipline can be immensely
useful. Your fellow writers can provide feedback, offer advice, inform you of
opportunities, advise you against certain projects, be a shoulder to cry on, be
a shoulder to lean on while inebriated, etc... And, of course, you have the privilege
of returning the favour.
6) ... That Happens
To Be Super Competitive
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition to
light a fire underneath your productivity magic carpet. In fact, writing competitions can often be
your best way to start and get a foot in the door, so you almost have to have a
desire for victory from the get go. Of course, gloating and outright sabotage
are more than frowned upon, so keep yourself in check. Your eventual win will
be all the more satisfying if you got there fair and square.
7) Any Work That We’ve
Been Fortunate Enough To Have Produced
However you ended up getting there, having something you’ve
written get made, and, more importantly, having something you’ve written get
made well is something to be very
thankful for. A story doesn’t actually feel that real until you have something
to show for it. Plaster it over social media, stick it on your CV, trick a
security guard to play it on a digitised billboard in Times Square – if you’re
proud of it, then let the world see it.
8) Seeing Stories In
Everything
This may sound like a tormenting Beautiful Mind-esque gift /
curse, but, in truth, there’s nothing more exciting to me than getting ideas
from the world around me. Sometimes you just outright lift a situation straight
from reality; other times just seeing an ordinary person or object triggers a
mental image of something completely unrelated. It’s a bizarre trait we have,
which probably isn’t even scientifically quantifiable, but it’s nice to be an
anomaly every once in a while. Speaking of which...
9) No Two Writers Are
The Same
With more practical, non-vocational careers, there’s a
tendency to see each person as interchangeable. Obviously, that isn’t the case,
as we’re all unique (some more than others), but with writers, our uniqueness
is celebrated. It’s a selling point. Over my Uni career alone, I must have met
several hundred aspiring writers, and pretty much all of them are wonderfully,
bizarrely unlike any of the others. Did I happen to mention that we were all
insane?
10) We’re Insane
This isn’t some sort of excuse, but being a little weird and
seeing the world differently to everyone else almost feels like a “Get Out Of A
Boring Life Free” card. Becoming a writer is definitely one of the least secure
careers you could aim for, particularly financially, so it takes a certain kind
of insanity to take it on and keep smiling. That, to me, can only be a good
thing, and so, this Thanksgiving, I’m ultimately thankful that we can continue
to be absolutely bonkers.
And thanks for reading!
James
Cottle, after studying Scriptwriting for 4 years, is now an embittered real
life freelance writer, and seeks to unlearn everything he knows. But he needs
your help... Follow him on Twitter @Jxmxsc and share this blog to help spread
his anarchic plight for reform amongst the writing masses.
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