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