Recommended for aspiring screenwriters

Screenwriter Sara Caldwell and script consultant Marie-Eve Kielson have created an “Artist’s Way” book for screenwriters in So You Want To Be A Screenwriter : How to Face the Fears And Take The Risks. As the subtitle suggests, this book is not a guide on how to pitch a script to Hollywood, or even how to write a blockbuster movie. This book is primarily a pep talk for anyone considering a career as a screenwriter for film or television, and a reminder for those battling doubts of the reasons they chose to become a screenwriter in the first place. As such the advice and inspiration in this book will be appreciated by screenwriters at any stage in their careers.

So You Want To Be A Screenwriter explores the fears that ordinary writers experience when faced with the daunting task of getting the attention of film makers in Hollywood, and also tackles some of the myths that have grown around the writing side of the industry.

Also contributing their personal stories of climbing the ladder and breaking through are ten screenwriters, among them Adam Rifkin (Mousehunt), David Marconi (Enemy of the State), and Harold Ramis (Ghostbusters, Analyse This). These inspirational stories alternate with chapters on the screenwriter’s journey, creating believable characters, dealing with writer’s block, and collaboration with other writers and film makers.

It’s comforting to read that so many successful screenwriters started out shy, insecure, and naïve, and that the concept of a charismatic salesman pitching a knockout script and making it big overnight is rare. Many writers are sensitive by nature and by necessity as part of their ability to empathise with characters. Despite this, it is possible to survive in Hollywood without trading your humanity for a thicker skin.

Caldwell and Kielson believe that fear can be used positively as a motivator, to confront the difficult choices and crystallise the reasons for pursuing screenwriting. Each non-biographical chapter ends with evaluation questions to get you thinking about myths and fears that you may have built up around the industry and process of screenwriting. Adam Rifkin says, “So many people are operating out of fear. I’m afraid to sit down and write a script because, what if it’s no good? I’m afraid to quit my job and move to Hollywood because, what if I don’t make it? As hard as it is to succeed, I firmly believe that there’s no failing in show business. You can’t fail, because there are as many opportunities as you can create for yourself. You can only quit. You can’t fail.”¹

One strange thing about this book, though, is that Sara Caldwell decided to share “personal vignettes” of her own experiences, but as the fictional “Donna Flint” rather than under her own name. Since she admits that “Donna” is her alias, I don’t understand why she couldn’t use her own name if what she writes is the truth. And if “Donna’s” story is not true, does it have any value in this book given that ten real screenwriters have shared their stories? However, Donna’s story is just a small section of this very inspirational book.

¹ Page 6: So You Want To Be A Screenwriter : How to Face the Fears And Take The Risks, by Sara Caldwell And Marie-Eve Kielson, published by Allworth Press 2000

---

So You Want To Be A Screenwriter : How to Face the Fears And Take The Risks by Sara Caldwell And Marie-Eve Kielson is available from Amazon.com

Another useful book on screenwriting is Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder.