Why Writing For a Single Audience Member Could Be the Key To Success

Why Writing For a Single Audience Member Could Be the Key To Success

Why Writing For a Single Audience Member Could Be the Key To Success

I have to share something with you that unfolded with another screenwriter last week.

It happened in a Facebook Group when the screenwriter posted:

*"How do you stay motivated to write everyday when you're not getting paid?

...I'd treat it like a job and be at my desk everyday at 9am, a hour for lunch at 1pm, back at 2 and finish at 5. Really, I would. But writing for free, having no idea if anyone is going to buy your script? In my mind the voice that says "GET A PROPER JOB!" gets louder and louder all the time...*

How do you cope?

"

As you can imagine, it spurred a thread of advice that offered all sorts of feedback. But the primary message that seemed to shine through was: Don't write for the money. Write for the passion.

Why Writing For a Single Audience Member is Your Key To Success

We've seen this message show up from time to time right here on Stage 32. It's sparked some question about the kind of mindset we should have as we dive into the world of screenwriting and filmmaking. Should it be done for the love of it? Or for the cash reward that comes when we finally "make it?"

It was when another member posted a link to an article that the message really came full circle. The article is titled: "To Reach an Audience of Millions, Create for an Audience of One." Basically, it speaks to how when we decide to take on this craft strictly for money, our creativity is lost. What do you think?

Read the Full Article Here:

To Reach an Audience of Millions, Create for an Audience of One

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About the Author

Joleene DesRosiers

Joleene DesRosiers

Screenwriter, Actor, Producer

Joleene DesRosiers is a former television reporter and anchor turned indie screenwriter and director/producer at a PBS affiliate television station in Northern New York/Canada.This role allows her to write, produce, and direct regional and national documentaries, docs-series, and other series produc...

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5 Comments on Joleene's Article

Florica Cimpoies
Screenwriter
I can talk only for myself. And all I can say is : I started out of passion for a subject.  I always wrote. poems, short essais, art critics, etc. But writing a script came to me really as a passion for a historic figure that no one knows he was a hero and everyone believes he was a monster : Vlad III The Impaler. The task was enormuous as did not knew anything about screenwriting. So I started it as a kind of novel. Then I realised I was doing it all wrong...aftyer a few month... Then I told myself : go get a screenwriting class, and I did it. And started to rewrite it as a script. Then as my passions are multiplying I found other subjects that need help to get to be known and I started many scripts in paraleel. And now I feel like an octopus as I still do my primary work as a visual artist and my writing. And here I am. I made a page for this first script on Slated : https://www.slated.com/films/200642/team/. And I learned even more things in the process. ..and I keep learning and working hard to make it happen.
7 years ago
Jaye Adams
Screenwriter, Director, Filmmaker, Audio Post-Production
Great post and what a marvellously written and inspiring article! Great find! There was elements of this that reminded me of a book I’ve recently read: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck. It is a brash and bold read and I love what it speaks to...To live by your personal values, to love the process of what you want to enjoy in life rather than focusing on the end result and being in love with the top of the summit and not the climb. Only doing something for the end result particularly the material results and the ones not completely in your control will just make you unhappy and set you up for only being happy “if” you get that result and at no other time. I am happy every second I’m writing “unpaid” because I love conceptualising ideas for stories, creating those stories on the page and taking them out of my head and making them real in black and white. Not writing stories just to get paid. Thanks for the great read Joleene Moody, it stirred something in me, clearly!
7 years ago
Joleene Moody
Screenwriter, Actor, Producer
I just finished that book! It's a gem. :)
7 years ago
Leotien Parlevliet
Author, Screenwriter
That´s exactly why I wrote a script as well as the text of the title song as a contribution to save our planet and its precious species. I consider it my vocation
7 years ago
Leotien Parlevliet
Author, Screenwriter
That´s my motivation at this moment.
7 years ago
Joleene Moody
Screenwriter, Actor, Producer
That sounds incredible! 
7 years ago
LeAnn Morris
Producer, Screenwriter
An excellent post! It reminds me of why I began writing. Thanks so much!
7 years ago
Joleene Moody
Screenwriter, Actor, Producer
You're welcome! It's why I began, too. I love writing. And as long as we continue to write, continue to trust, and continue to put ourselves out there, there's no doubt something will come of it. Humility is key.
7 years ago
Nic Penrake
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Eloquently written.
7 years ago
Joleene Moody
Screenwriter, Actor, Producer
My pleasure. I love coming across great articles like this one. I'm glad it resonated with you.
7 years ago
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