As some of you have kindly noticed, I recently published my first eBook, Reframing The Screenwriting Process on Kindle!
It's exciting to feel like I have accomplished such a concrete thing-- even if its a short, simple read.
There I go, ready to diminish the accomplishment. My, how quick writers are to do this. No matter what we accomplish, some standard of worth always butts in to tell us how small we are in comparison to some nebulous idea of our potential.
Well, I don't want any more potential, dammit! I just want to feel good about what I like doing!
I began compiling some scattered writings into an eBook when I realized that I did have something to say about screenwriting, and that being young didn't devalue my opinions as a craftsperson.
And that's what I try to do for other screenwriters who read my book. Being a screenwriter, or any kind of artist, can unfortunately include lots of self-critical illusions about how much work or suffering we must put into our work in order to be successful. I don't think you should put less work into your craft, but I believe strongly that this work should involve your passions and curiosity more than your blood, sweat and tears.
If you're a writer, you should love writing. If you're a musician, you should love composing. If you're a parent, you should love parenting. While frustrations and disappointments accompany every occupation, the desire to do them should come from a place of love and joy rather than fear of inadequacy.
That's what my book tries to get across, and more so than teaching a specific method, I hope to offer my readers a second thought: the one you turn to when your first thought is 'I haven't done enough.' Never accept this thought as your conclusion. This thought should be a means to a constructive end, not a verdict with which you convict yourself.
If you feel you haven't worked hard enough, I'd love you to be able to put in the effort in a way that feels good and authentic to you. Don't work just to say you have: work because you have an internal fire to create.
And if your current frame of mind doesn't facilitate this kind of thinking, reframe it.
For a limited time, I'm offering a special deal for all screenwriters who buy my book. If you show me your receipt of the book, I will write you a free script report of my average length, 3000 words, for your screenplay. Not to strum my own guitar, but some people seem to really like my feedback, so this is a pretty good deal.
To send me your receipt, you can send me a message at ShainSlepian.com.