A Screenwriter's Attitude

Attitude is everything according to Keith Harrell’s book. In life, generally, what takes anybody far and beyond one’s peers is competence and character.

You might be a fantastic screenwriter but if your character stinks, sooner or later, a screenwriter who combines the two qualities will displace you and give you a good run for your money.

So what makes a screenwriter tick?

1. Teach-ability is that strength of character to take corrections from the headwriter and quickly do a rewrite. It is not a time to insist on doing it your own way or style, because likes it or not screenwriting is methodical.

2. Tenacity is that doggedness to get your screenplay better. Because writing is essentially rewriting and there are times when you are required to do rewrites of your original work more than thrice. It takes a good screenwriter to get his or her butt on the chair and do a rewrite for the umpteenth time and not grumble or give up.

3. Problem-solving mentality is that deftness to detect the weakness of a screenplay and how it can be fixed. One has to think like a skilled mechanic who by just hearing a car’s sound can detect what is wrong with it and knows which spare part to use in replacing it.

4. Self- confidence is very important because without it, a screenwriter will personalize the critique made on his or her work. So there is need to separate the criticism given to your work from the one made against your person. A weak confidence will assume the criticism is against his person and nurse grudges against whoever said it which is quite unprofessional.

5. Integrity is the ability to protect your client’s intellectual property from theft as well as deliver your scripts as at when due. Peradventure something happens that impedes you from submitting on the agreed date, it is imperative you call before time and notify your client on why your work will come later than the agreed date. You don’t have to behave like the local artisans, who disappoint with impunity and hide under the bed when their clients come knocking at the door.

You can do better than that.