Screenwriting : Where do Your Stories Come From? by Jorge J Prieto

Write from your heart and soul my friend. How can you go wrong? God bless. Look forward to working with you in the New Year. And again thank you for being part of my 'Working Network' of METRO NYC Stage 32 creatives. MADE IN NY.

I think that advice means don't try to write in someone's voice, be yourself. Themes come and go. You are a constant. Me for instance. I suffered a brain injury very young. Never learnt to read or write other than the basics until I left high school. A person name Anthony Ead said to me one night "I don't know who told you that you were going to grow up a failure. They were wrong, shame on them". I remember sitting in my car crying and deciding to go and be better than I was. That feeling of finally being validated. Being given permission to try to step outside the box I was told I had to be in was life changing. I know this feeling and I can write about better than you. Because I have felt it. I know that feeling. I think that is what is meant when people say write what you know.

Next to "how much money do you make," " where do you get your ideas" is probably the most hated question authors get from fans/press. Billy Wilder used to answer this by saying he left an empty milk bottle out on the stoop before bed, then an idea would be sticking out of it in the morning. Works for me. :)

I'm a literary editor and I think that as long as a writer does enough research then there's no reason why they shouldn't write about something they don't particularly know about, I wrote a poem once that I sent to a group for analysis, it was called Precious Child and it was written for someone I knew who had just had a baby. I was asked if I had children and I said I didn't, they then asked me how I could possibly write a poem about something that I hadn't been through or could possibly know about, my answer was, "would you have said the same thing to Shakespeare? How did he know how it felt to kill a King?" - they were stumped for words. I do believe that yes, it's easier to write about something you've been through, or have felt yourself, I think there is a deeper meaning behind that, but like you say Jorge, it is limiting and the fun of writing about something you don't know or haven't been through is being able to crawl into the mind of the character you're writing about, thinking about how you would react or feel in a certain situation, I know you can't possibly know these things unless you actually are in the situation, but I think imagination, respect for the topic and good writing makes it okay, after all J K Rowling couldn't possibly know what it's actually like to be a wizard and look at her success.

My opinion is, if it comes from your heart, no research will change that. The work becomes different. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is this vibe of something deeper and more personal. Simply it becomes truthful if that makes sense.

Good Writers use their craft/knowledge of storytelling to write "honest emotions". (whatever "tools" of the storytelling trade). I do agree with Rosalind- Research & imagination. the only thing that will stay constant is your individual style. Your "voice"- good or bad. ideas are a dime a dozen. I have trouble paying $2.99 for friends' eBooks but I dont hesitate to drop $5 for coffee at Starbucks. The coffee is more entertaining :)

Dan- $5 for coffee at Starbucks over a friends' eBook? Wow!! Thank you for sharing. Your honesty is quite refreshing!! So glad you are in Metro NYC!! MADE IN NY

Mine come from Phillip E. Hardy's garbage can. He throws out more stories than most people will ever write - and most of them are completed! Thanks, Phillip - I'm a Writing God in Paraguay because of you!

Great comments! For me it stems from interest, what engages me. So I agree: research, imagination, voice, craft/knowledge, hard work, a natural inclination towards being creative. The heart may or may not have anything to do with it. Lol!

when I first became a writer I was told to pay attention to everything that's around me, to pick up a newspaper, a book, or magazine and people watch, that stories can be found everywhere as well as your imagination. As a former journalist, I found this to still be true and I often find scenarios that I experience to be "perfect for a scene" in a movie and write them in accordingly :D

Most of my stories kind of come to me. I'll talk to someone, read something or hear a radio broadcast and an image will pop into my head. The rest of the story falls into place. Once in awhile I'll write a story based on a concept. A short piece, that turned into my novelette The Shale, was an extrapolation of a scientific explanation for how a werewolf could exist in the real world. Sometimes my stories are derived from spite. If I was looking forward to a film, but it wasn't executed to its full potential I'll take a crack at it.

LaShawn and Tony Yesssssss, you've hit the nail right on the head, inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere, not only be aware of what is around you and what people are saying, look at shop names, phrases and quotes on marquees. I'm a song writer as well and I had to write a song about someone who was feeling down, but a song on the radio was upbeat and he became happy again - I tried for weeks to right something great, but nothing was happening, then one day an advert came on the TV for a men's aftershave called Mood Swing and that was it. Also, be aware of your own thoughts, something you're thinking about without thinking about it (if you get my meaning) could be your next great idea :)

Another way is to take the premise of some movie that you like and change it to make something new and unique. Like for instance the movie "Speed" it's "Die Hard" in a bus. The story of Avatar is very similar to Pocahontas but in a different scenario. That's one way to come up with good ideas too.

so what if the Writing is a paid assignment- an idea that you are paid to write and tell with storytelling skills? TV Writers don't have freedom to do whatever they want or change Characters mid-series. Theme is probably the only thing a Writer can control and claim as the "message.' All the other stuff that goes into making a movie or TV series, that is all craft. But hey, I'm talking about making money. If you don't care about making money, you don't need learn any craft.

Only speaking about non paid stuff we do: the inspiration for the last entire feature came up with came from a single line on a commercial billboard so we guess the answer is: from everywhere!

When i hear "write what you know", I get it but at the same time it makes me feel limited. I want to know the things i do not and create and live in worlds I've never known. I can write people I know but I want them to go places I've never been.

My stories come from my interests.

I've been paid to write about things I'm not familiar with for many years. It's taught me a lot and I really enjoy the process of creating a story from research and interview skills. That said, my creative work that is just "mine" comes from what I call the "cosmic soup". You know, that weird space in your head where ideas float in. I've heard it referred to as the "big blue" also. My ideas have come from "what if" thoughts, dreams, crappy one liner jokes at others expense, funny conversations overheard, the world just feeds you material if you listen.

"Write what you know" is often misunderstood. It doesn't limit you. It means that stories are about people. You aren't a serial killer? Write about human behavior and use your understanding and knowledge to make that character interesting - to add a unique, personal take on the story. Even in worlds you've never known the characters and the stories need to be relatable to the reader/viewer. A writer should use what they know to expand worlds they've never known into an experience the reader/viewer can relate to. There are things that can only come from you because of what you know. Use that uniqueness to flavor a story. You can write about anything but when you bring YOU into it that story (and the characters) you have something better.

If you are writing on spec it doesn’t matter what you write about as long as people are willing to read it. The odds are pretty good it'll never get made, but if they like how you writing they might ask you to write about something they want to see get made. That's how the business works so write about what you want and hopefully some people will want to read it. Dan M is right that writing for hire is quite different. In some ways it's better and in other ways it’s not.

LOVE, every single comment/advice. You are ALL AMAZING! . I'm going to end by quoting screenwriter, producer, author and Stage 32 member, Mylo Carbia. "Every single character I create is a piece of me: the hero, the villain, the lover, the weirdo, the mean girl, the smart ass, the nun, the rapist - all of them. " Thanks, Mylo. Keep writing fellow writers.

It may sound like it may limit us, but if we really take a step back and see what is us then really there is nothing limiting us. I think if you look at a genre you like and see your life in comparison to it, then yeah it may limit you. But really, your life has all the genres. The comedy, the horror, the romance, the true story, the comeback kid story...it's all there in our lives if we take a second to look at it. And if it isn't there, then really...your life is limited. So I feel like I am not limited as a writer when I see this. There are my thoughts and opinions.

Couldn't agree with you more Richard. Thanks, buddy.

I'm primarily inspired by places; an old restaurant, an alleyway, a bar, etc.

Songs, a story someone tells you. My grandma has inspired me. RIP. Thanks for sharing, Tamim.

My stories come from my heart. They are not autobiographical in terms of events and story lines, but they are because in the end I write about my feelings, my fears, my fascinations, something that grabs me and doesn't let go unless I put it on paper. For the script I am working on right now I got inspired by one movie. The end of the movie stroke me so hard, I couldn't stop seeing the images of my own movie flash before my eyes. That's why I am writing a script and not just a story. I see it as a movie. I write from aviewer perspective. And it's not really related to that particular movie, but just some elements of the story triggered my creative process. Does it limit me? I am not sure. It surely doesn't feel limiting. On the contrary, it opens my mind and heart to new things. :)

The source of a writer's inspiration is different for everybody but I do believe it's there waiting for you to tap into it. Much success.

I like to watch and write the 'holy shit I didn't see that happening' endings. Ones that make you remember the movie name and not just fade away like all the other 'classic' endings.

Izzibella, Have you seen the movie, "Shattered?" If not, you may enjoy that one if you like those kinds of endings.

And Jorge, my stories are usually a combination of what I've experienced (written on an exaggerated level) and the 'what ifs?' that I can add to them to put a supernatural spin on them. If that makes sense. :-)

@Elena: Loved what you said, thanks. @Linda: Grateful to you, I believe so. I use the painful moments of my past to connect with my characters wounds, which is similar to what @Linda H. you do...I think?? Shattered is a great film, btw. Thanks ladies.

Sort of. :-) But my Christmas screenplay actually came about when my daughter and I were sitting at a Sonic, after her piano lessons, talking about sending Christmas cards. And we got a case of the 'what ifs' and said, "What if we sent anonymous cards to our neighbors? Boy, would that peak some curiosities." And 'A Bit of Angelic Humbug' was born. lol

@Linda H: You know, last year 30 day Write Challenge, I wrote a"what if..? " The Secret Dancer, was partially biological. It was fun going back to 1983 , the year I was enticed to become a male stripper. I laugh now, but it was a trying times . In my screenplay, it doesn't go well for my protagonist.

I don't think it limits us. You have to write what you're passionate about. Writing is about telling stories that you feel are important. And if the story you want to tell is not the flavour of the month now, there's nothing saying it won't be the next big thing. My stories come from anywhere at any time — it can be the 'what if' question or it can be from seeing something on social media or television, even something I see when I'm out and about.

I'm not sure what I write could only come from me, but I like what David Lynch said about ideas - that you keep fishing for one. Sometimes you throw it back, but sometimes it's worth pulling harder. I've had many ideas that I believe other writers could develop into something great, but they just didn't work for me. In turn, this doesn't mean my ideas will always be great, but whatever it is the criteria I have for choosing them, I guess that means this particular fish is for me.

Diego, great point, brother. Something that comes from you, from your most inner experiences, can't never be replicated by someone else. These is what I love most about writing screenplays to which at least one character, I have a personal connection with. Thanks for taking the time, amigo.

Dionne, well said. THANK YOU. Diego: Yeah, fishing? You know once an idea enters my creative mind, boy, do I have to get ready for at least 30 nights of minimal sleep, until that sad, yet elated moment of typing, FADE OUT.

I am absolutely loving this thread, it's so interesting reading everyone's ideas and points of view, that's why I love editing. I never know what is going to come through and the diversity and amazing ideas that people write about is great. I find it all fascinating and it's why I love what I do so much :)

Thanks, for all that you do, Rosalind. Always grateful hearing from you, friend.