Sunday, April 6, 2008

WHY DO YOU WRITE?

OBS, great meeting yesterday! It was a great turn out and people were networking, making connections with fellow writers. I t was amazing. Almost 100 people in the place. The Education Committee asked Tracy Grant to give the Top 10@10 it was on the nose..."How to Give & Receive Feedback."

We had a great speaker too! Ms. Kellie R. Griffin, Associate Producer for “House of Payne.” She was very personable, answered all the members’ questions and spent a lot of time after the meeting to speak with members individually and pickup scripts. It was great.

Scripts? Yes, scripts....mmm... That could be a very scarry thing. Someone is about to review your work for potentail employment. Is my script good enough? Did I tell the story properly? Did I use the right format? One of the things OBS stresses is for its members to get connected to an OBS sanctioned Writer’s Group – it was also something Ms. Griffin stressed as she shared a few horror stories of people that submit spec scripts.

I could tell there were a lot of people with mixed emotions in the room; not grasping the total concept. I could almost hear the thoughts in their heads; “I don’t need a writer’s group.” “People don’t understand what I want to say.” “They can’t give me feedback because they’re trying to make it like I am.” "I know my script is perfect it, I don't need their feedback." No one actually said any of these things aloud, but I could see the lines in their faces. :-) I must admit I was very pleased to have twenty people approach me after the meeting to get signed up for a Writer's Group.

I’m not going to ask here do you think you should be connected to a Writer’s Group; it may not be the most important question, albeit very important. My question deals with you personally. When you can answer the questions below, the Writer’s Group won’t be an issue.

My questions are:
Why are you writing?
What are your goals?
What do you plan to accomplish with your writing?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jennifer,

Writing is my way to get my messages to the bublic, but also is my way to get in control of my own life and finances. To Produce the true image of Non-Professional and Professional African Americans and African live all over the world.

Blesings to all

Jerry Baxter

SP ... I do not know what HTML tags are!

Kanarian K=> the 1 and only said...

I write for several reasons. First being it's my passion. As I child I have always held an obsession with putting pen to paper.

I'm a very creative person & writing is the perfect outlet for me.

As for what I want to accomplish that varies. With my memoirs I wanted to open myself up to the world, showing others conquering obstacles isn't hard with determination and faith.

In addition, I want people to understand they must be willing to let go of the guilt of their past if they want to move along to the next level in life.

In regards to scriptwriting I want to cover all facets of everyday life. Have you ever watched a film & you could see yourself within a particular charater?

Well that's what I plan to do. Create quality material that others can relate to.

Keep it positive and keep it moving,

Kanarian Kindred
Writer, NYC

Moses said...

Greetings All,

I am writing because it is a gift from God, and I enjoy doing it. I write for wisdom, I write for freedom, I write because writing is a creative medicine...I am an Electrician by trade, and while I'm working I think of things to be writing. I even told my Wife last night that I'll make love to her hard for thirty minutes if she lets me write for the rest of the night lol!(kidding)

My goals as a writer is to inspire people in my films, not only people of color, but all races and nationalities. I want to give a message in my work, that can be positive, and encourage people to move mountains.

Well...my goal is to write five scripts a year, and in twenty years I will have a hundred scripts...If I could sell one, that would be a blessing. I am also in the process of going to back to school to get a degree in film at UCLA...Eventually I want to produce my own projects, mentor young diligent writers and producers, opening a door of opportunity for new talent.

much love

Anonymous said...

I have heard, and commented myself once or twice that, I write to insprire...
I now know that I write to entertain. I want my films to evoke the response "man that was good...gotta see that again..." as people are leaving the theater or turning off the dvd. As a writer, I want to influence people with my life, how far I have come, how I have no plans on looking back with regret or slowing down. I guess I can say in a nutshell (little too late for that...sorry..:)) that I want to entertain with my films, inspire with my life.
mschel diaz
tennessee