PASSION?

 

A few years back, a producer with whom I had previous engagements approached me with a proposition: to write a screenplay about Edgar Allan Poe. This producer wasn’t just anyone—he had a string of produced films to his name, and the opportunity seemed ripe with potential. He was even willing to offer a reasonable sum for my writing services.

        He shared his vision for a script that would delve into a particular chapter of Poe’s life. On paper, it was intriguing. Yet, internally, I hesitated. My passion didn’t typically lie with tales of 19th-century poets and authors, even if they were as enigmatic as Poe. Nevertheless, the allure of the project’s challenges won me over. I convinced myself that there was a compelling narrative to be woven from Poe’s tumultuous life and controversial marriage to his cousin.

        Contracts were drafted, meetings ensued, and a commencement check landed in my bank account. I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.

The following eight weeks were a testament to perseverance. While sparks of enjoyment and fascination occasionally broke through, the truth was that my heart wasn’t fully committed to the story. Despite this, I powered through, piecing together a 110-page screenplay that I dubbed the “first draft”—a term I use loosely, as it was more akin to a third or fourth iteration.

I sent off the draft to the producer, laden with the premonition that it might not meet his expectations. It was a script born not out of pure inspiration but out of a sense of obligation—a reality that weighed heavily on me.

A few days after submitting my script, the producer, a connoisseur of dining and deals, invited me out for lunch—a setting he favored for discussions. We met the next day, enjoyed a pleasant meal, and then he shared his thoughts. He appreciated the script’s intriguing moments and sharp dialogue, but felt it wasn’t steering in the direction he envisioned. Consequently, my involvement with the project came to an end. No hard feelings, though. In fact, months later, he enlisted my skills for a rewrite on a contemporary thriller—a genre where I truly thrive.

This experience reinforced a valuable lesson for me: Write with passion, write what resonates with you. Anything less is a disservice to yourself and, if you’re being compensated, to the person funding your work. Passion is the pulse of authentic writing; without it, the words may exist, but the soul of the story remains elusive.

Psst...

I wrote a novel about a screenwriter. 
You'll love it. 

Click here!