Easy enough question.  

I know there's some people on this site who have done some great things, they've won awards, had features produced!  And you deserve it all!  It's actually really inspiring to see people's careers getting kick-started from this website!

For me, I started screenwriting about three/four years ago.  Started off with slasher fan-fics, small silly stuff, then it grew from a hobbie to a love and I think from when I began to where I am now... I've improved a lot.

But... how long was it before people began to take YOU and your work serious?

You see, I've moved away from fan-fics to original stuff.  I'm having things procuded.  But yet my friends don't take me serious at all, they still assume I'm this child who doesn't know what he wants in life.  Even when I tell some family members about my writing and my recent achievements, some don't take interest at all and they question everything... and then moments later it's on to a new topic and a new conversation.

I don't think many people take me serious, and maybe it's due to me being so young, but even so... I know I'm young BUT I know that screenwriting is my passion, it's my calling!  Screenwriting to me, is what... health-scaring eating challenges are to Adam Richmond!

I just thought I'd ask to see if people on this site are still going through this uber-annoying problem?  Share your thoughts and stories, because I'd love to hear them!

Curt

Hi Curt,

Regardless of other people opinions or reactions, what matters is that YOU take it seriously. There's very few people who know that I have an interest in writing. I don't tell them or talk about it, as its not something that interests them.

People of all ages have a list of unfulfilled achievements. As you're in your teens, adults, can bring that type of baggage with them when they ask you about your writing etc. Maybe, because they lacked the talent and commitment to achieve success in their endeavor, they project that onto you in a dismissive manner.

Ignore what other people think, if their attitude is dismissive. Keep focused and stay writing.

Kind Regards,

Eoin

Quoted from Eoin There's very few people who know that I have an interest in writing. I don't tell them or talk about it, as its not something that interests them.

Yep.  That right there.

Save the discussion for people who are interested, and those people are more likely to take the discussion seriously.

Of course screenwriting comes off as a pipe-dream to just about everybody outside of these forums.

That should not even surprise you.

I've never been taken seriously in my life!

I kid, I kid.

But similar to Eoin, the only people who really know about my creative hobbies are those who are either involved with something similar, or those who at least have an interest in the area. The reason for this being that if I told some of my friends whose film experience of 2013 consists solely of The Hangover 3 that I am into scriptwriting and filmmaking, they would only view what I do in a serious light if it were to achieve a similar amount of success as the commercial releases which they flock to see.

On the flipside, my more creatively inclined friends and acquaintances are far more receptive and happy to help and get involved with whatever project I'm working on, regardless of the size or projected reception.

And at the end of the day:

Quoted from Eoin Ignore what other people think, if their attitude is dismissive. Keep focused and stay writing.

I could not have said it better myself.

Toby.

You know ....good things will come out of this. When people refuse to take you seriously, don't let it dull your passion ...let it light a fire and know that one day they will be sitting in the movies watching something YOU wrote....

D

Very few people know I write scripts. Mostly just my family and they see it more as a hobby that I'm obsessed with. Until I bring home a sizeable check, it will remain that way. Credits on shorts and ultra low budget features aren't gonna cut it.

I once told my shrink that I was writing a movie. He stared at me blankly, then wrote in his pad. I  can only imagine whatever he scrawled was meant to indicate "delusions of grandeur".  And one day he'll be buying a ticket to it...

Yeah myself I started writing about ten years ago when I was about thirteen. I didn't bother talking to any of my mates about it because I figured no one would be interested really. I only really told my friends a couple of years ago and a few of them are media types so we can talk. They were surprised when I sent them some stuff and spoke about it; I guess people stereotype writers as sort of geeky types and (I'd like to think) I don't really fit that at all.

I first started when I used to look up movie quotes on IMDB and then it progressed to finding the scripts (which led me to SS) and eventually I felt I should try and do my own. There are two types of people in life - some are happy to watch and enjoy what others have done and some who aspire to create their own.

Tbh though, I'm more interested in being an actor than a writer. I just happen to (think that I can) write fairly well, so I've persevered with it.

What sort of acknowledgement would you like from your friends and family ideally? Problem is as you get older and you get too caught up in wanting people to 'take you seriously' you can get a little too wound up with things and maybe even egotistical. It's best to take life lightly and take it all on the chin. No one likes a bragging genius, unless it's Tony Stark from Iron Man.

Have you written anything feature length?

It's difficult to get people to read a one page email. Trying to get anyone to read 100 pages formatted in starnge way they don't understand is almost impossible.

I write for myself with the hope that some day it will see the light of day. I think that's the approach you have to take with this "hobby." Treat it has a hobby, keep learning, keep refining and one day it might happen.

The only people that know about my writing are the folks on this board.  I never speak with anyone about it or anything in general.  I'm a claustrophobe per se.  I shut myself away from the world and create new ones on the page.

I do take it seriously.  In my opinion, that's all that matters.

Sometimes I'll be chatting to people, either friends or people I have met at a kids birthday party, and if films get mentioned I sorta say that I write screenplays as a hobby.

It's interesting seeing reactions! Most people are fascinated and ask about the chances of being 'discovered'. I tell them about SS and how I Skype with dudes and dudettes from around the world, reading each others work, etc.

A lot of the other school mums seem a bit surprised when they see me writing in my notebook. I guess they wouldn't meet too many writers in their normal day to day life, lol.

I'll second what everyone else has said here, AIK.

First off, let me say that it's *terrific* that you've discovered and followed your passion at so early an age.  That gives you a huge head start...

That said, I have to admit that a large number of people (outside of screenwriting circles) look at me like I'm delusional if/when screenwriting comes up.  Those that have read my stuff don't react that way.  But the average joe?  They're a few millimeters short of patting me on the head and saying "that's nice.  Now, go run along somewhere and don't pick up shiny things..."  

So - seriously - don't let reactions like that throw you.  People who *don't* write can't understand the drive involved for those who do.  Is screenwriting easy? No.  Is success easy or guaranteed, or even likely? HELL no.  But if you've got the calling, it's worth pursuing.  Even if alot of people don't understand...

My family has at least quit saying "That's nice". Now they say, "hey! I have an idea for a script!". Then they pout if I don't write a story using their ideas.  

I love this place.  Love all these posts.  Thanks guys.

I  murdered and  chopped up every member of my family and boiled the remains in a stew... it wasn't until the 5th murder that the cops took me seriously... and shipped me off to NY, told me to stay out of trouble and write screenplays... as I turned around they were laughing. That's when I knew they didn't take screenwriting serious.

Mark

Quoted from Grandma Bear Now they say, "hey! I have an idea for a script!". Then they pout if I don't write a story using their ideas.

Exactly this.

Hey Curt.

I haven't commented on a lot of your scripts simply because I haven't had much to say but I have read them and your amazing at what you do so the hell with people who think otherwise.  Keep writing and keep writing and keep writing.  Doubts emerge naturally but just know that you're your biggest obstacle and once you've climbed that mountain, the sky's the limit.  Keep soaring.

Johnny

I have trouble taking myself seriously.  

I enjoy writing.  It gives me a creative outlet which helps me keeps checks and balances with the daily hard grind of general life.

Not many people in my personal life know I write.  If others found out and chose to laugh, snigger or think I'm wasting my time - no matter.

My goal is to create, and more importantly, keep on learning.  If the million to one shot hits bulls eye, and I get lucky and something I wrote gets produced -- then cool.

But the main thing is -- I found something I love doing (no matter how hard it is).  Many people don't find that.  So we're all good here in that regard.

Ramble on!



  

I think most of the people I've talked to about writing a script (friends & family) just assume I'm going through a faze or I really enjoy my new found hobby. They'll ask me a question about what I'm currently writing but never really look to expand on those questions. It's kind of like How's the writing coming along? Great. Great? Alright on to the next subject now. It's strange because either they don't care to some degree or maybe they don't find writing a story all that fasinating.

It almost feels like writing for me is a dark little secret of mine. lol.

- Dirk

My family's been kind of supportive of my screenwriting, both my parents and my wife. Plus, my best friends are all media types or writers.

My parents don't come right out and support me, but they don't mind it as long as I'm bringing in a steady income for me and my wife. My wife, on the other hand, is very supportive of my writing and lets me bounce ideas off her. She's like the great "everyman" of the audience. If something doesn't make sense or isn't exciting, she'll pick up on it.

A couple of my friends are writers, too. One is strictly prose, the other is half-prose/half-screen, and there's me who's all screen. At one point, we all took the same screenwriting class in college and wrote three different feature-length scripts. Mine was like Tommy Meets War of the Worlds, one friend's I can't remember, and the third one was like Ted Meets Precious.

It's hard being a writer. Part of it's overcoming the 'pipe-dream' aspect of the job. You spend half your day dreaming of fortune and glory and making it big, but then you think about how many people have been in that position before and not made it and it kills you. But then you're resurrected when you start thinking through your stories and the mechanics you're using in them and your confidence is restored. You're creating art! Then that keeps you going for a little bit, till your head swells from thinking about the fortune and glory your 'art' will bring you and the cycle repeats.

Don't think of it as a hobby, but don't think of it as an easy ticket to ride the gravy train, either. And I'd also like to echo my congratulations on figuring out your passion early in life. My advice: stick with it. I'm almost 30 and I've been back-and-forth about it since my early teens and I'm in a very unsatisfying, un-engaging stretch of life right now. If screenwriting is what you want to do, don't let anything hold you back. Thankfully, if it's what you're meant to do and you don't pursue it immediately, it'll still beckon you and call for you. If it's in your blood, the desire never really goes away; it gets stronger.

Interesting thread, Curt. Thanks for posting.

I've thought a lot about this. I think just about all my friend and family have been extremely supportive of what I've been doing. In fact, I think I sometimes take my family's support for granted. I don't come from a family where creativity runs in the blood. My immediate family has always been more intellectually minded and worked mostly in international affairs. I'm the one who took a left turn yet I've admittedly never heard my parents, sisters, or anyone say anything discouraging, despite them basically coming from a whole other world.

That said, with the exception of a select few friends, I don't think anyone's really interested in what in my writing nor do they understand it, which is really frustrating. I love talking about writing and just films and general but I don't want to talk *at* someone. I want a dialogue and I seldom get an outlet for that.

Also, I think everyone here knows that for anyone who's not a writer, it's practically in their DNA not to read anything you write. I did a table read for a feature with a group of friends once but after it was over, none of them had anything to say. I love SimplyScripts and it's here where I've learned the most about writing but sometimes I'd like some feedback from someone who's not a writer or rather someone who's not so in the know about how filmmaking. The lack of participation from people I know drives me crazy, even though I'd never expect anything else from them.

There's only two people I know personally who'll read my scripts and comment on them. One is a cinematographer and the other posts here (albinopenguin).

At the same time, I do appreciate the support and sometimes that's enough. I'm probably the one who is the hardest on myself so it feels good to hear words of encouragement every once in a while, even if they don't really understand where I'm coming from. Also, in many ways, I feel like writing is a really personal, solitary thing and sometimes I don't want to talk to anyone about it, period. One of the many double edges that emerges from the artistic process, I suppose.

Thanks everyone for all the posts.  It's interesting to hear your guys' opinions and own personal stories, thanks for sharing.

Since posting, things have gotten better.  Not great, but better.  I think my family have began to realize that I'm serious about screenwriting now since they have a social-media outlet to actual see that I'm passionate about things and things are "happening."  The one person who is truly amazingly supportive is my mum.  And I love her for it, and I think without her support and questions about what I'm up to with writing everyday, then I'd loose the passion, strangely.

James, I can totally agree with you about one thing: the film thing.  All my friends watch films.  But, they don't really "watch" them.  I mean, they see them and they think they have favourite movies, but they're more the type of people who just watch movies and that's it.  I'd love to walk out of a cinema and DISCUSS the story, the script, how good the colour/cinematography/lighting etc... was with my friends, but I sadly can't do that since they're not those type of people who are seriously interested in films in the way I am.  I also don't want to talk *at* someone about films/my stuff, but sometimes that what it comes across like.

I also think we can all agree that everyone once in a while it's nice to get some words of encouragement.

-- Curt

Quoted from AmbitionIsKey Thanks everyone for all the posts.  It's interesting to hear your guys' opinions and own personal stories, thanks for sharing. Since posting, things have gotten better.  Not great, but better.  I think my family have began to realize that I'm serious about screenwriting now since they have a social-media outlet to actual see that I'm passionate about things and things are "happening."  The one person who is truly amazingly supportive is my mum.  And I love her for it, and I think without her support and questions about what I'm up to with writing everyday, then I'd loose the passion, strangely. James, I can totally agree with you about one thing: the film thing.  All my friends watch films.  But, they don't really "watch" them.  I mean, they see them and they think they have favourite movies, but they're more the type of people who just watch movies and that's it.  I'd love to walk out of a cinema and DISCUSS the story, the script, how good the colour/cinematography/lighting etc... was with my friends, but I sadly can't do that since they're not those type of people who are seriously interested in films in the way I am.  I also don't want to talk *at* someone about films/my stuff, but sometimes that what it comes across like. I also think we can all agree that everyone once in a while it's nice to get some words of encouragement. -- Curt

Are you in college yet?

No, I'm currently sixteen, soon to turn seventeen when September rolls around.  

The schooling here in Ireland is different, but if I were to compare it to the USA, then when September starts I'd be starting my "junior" year of "high school." -- even though we don't call it junior year and high school over this whack of the woods!

Curt

I'm not sure what Irish colleges are like (my bro-in-law's from Lurgan and he came here, actually), but college was kind of the place where I really learned how to write and met people who spoke my language. The nice part was that we kind of learned how to speak that way there too.

If/when you do go to uni, do your research and find some schools that have good screenwriting classes/programs. It's tough to find that out typically because not many places are able to say their graduates went onto write So and So: The Movie or the hit new TV series What-Nots. Still, there are some places that'll teach you the basics and get you thinking in the right direction, in terms of story and character. My recommendation would be to go to a liberal arts school, where you can learn about art, literature, the sciences, etc. My college just unveiled a new Masters program, but it didn't include any art/lit classes and I was kinda disappointed. Film school can teach you how to film till the cows come home, but they don't really teach you what to film. I think you become a better storyteller from learning and experiencing life. Let the other subjects speak to you, stir your thoughts, and inspire you. That's why you spend all that money to learn about them.

Wow, from Lurgan, I'm in Belfast and that's real close to me!  I hope to one day move to the US, that's what I want to do, but that's possibly in seven or eight years maybe.

I'm not sure if I'm 100% set on uni, I've already looked into colleges, actually.  Universities here in Belfast and N.I offer a wide range of film studies degrees, and they offer some screenwriting classes in the course, and on the side that you can take.  I agree about the "experiencing life" makes you a better story-teller, and a better person in general actually.  

-- Curt

Quoted from AmbitionIsKey Wow, from Lurgan, I'm in Belfast and that's real close to me!  I hope to one day move to the US, that's what I want to do, but that's possibly in seven or eight years maybe. I'm not sure if I'm 100% set on uni, I've already looked into colleges, actually.  Universities here in Belfast and N.I offer a wide range of film studies degrees, and they offer some screenwriting classes in the course, and on the side that you can take.  I agree about the "experiencing life" makes you a better story-teller, and a better person in general actually.   -- Curt

From what you've said about yourself already, you'd probably have a blast earning a film degree. It gives you people to talk shop with, you'll be in your element most of the time, and it might even set you up with some good jobs. Game of Thrones still has a way to go, so you might score an internship on that. Might even lead into a job.

If you go, don't half-ass it. Don't go into it with the intent of studying film and come away with a radio or philosophy degree. I wanted to study film in school, but was required to study in Los Angeles for a semester. Since I didn't want to leave home to do that, I switched to earning a TV news production degree, hoping that might lead to a film career too. It didn't. It led to a nice job in TV, but after four years, I was content to walk away when I moved outta town to be with my wife. I could go back at any time, but I'm not really interested in it because the hours and the pay sucked. Instead, I'm having trouble finding a steady job and I'm not any closer to a film career--at all.

So be decisive and don't let stupid fears interrupt your plans or what your innards are calling you to do.

Well said, definitely study what you enjoy. I made the mistake of spending four years studying journalism, and while I got my own chat-ish kind of show on a UK station I had to leave that to move back home.

And now I'm wishing anything that I could have gone back to when I first chose my course in 2009 and made myself pick Drama or Creative Writing/Film. But there we go. Luckily I'm young and with no strings so I've still got a chance to get something out of it.

But don't waste as much time (and student loan debt!) as I did, do the degree that you'll enjoy and get the most out of.