5 Things All Screenwriters Can be Thankful for this Thanksgiving

As we enter into this holiday season, a lot of screenwriters are feeling anything but thankful or relaxed. The TV business is in major upheaval. So much so, that no one really knows which networks will still be in business come the new year and which won’t (let alone what the ones who are still in business will be looking for) It’s an unprecedented, anxiety-provoking time.

Career uncertainty of any kind can leave you in a negative downward spiral of focusing on what you don't have rather than appreciating what you do.

So, to help with appreciating what you do have, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are 5 reasons to be thankful you’re a screenwriter (whether you’re currently employed or not): 

1. You've done what most people are too scared to do.

One of the most common regrets people have on their deathbed is not following their dreams. It sounds morbid, but it’s true. Sure, being a writer can come with a lot of challenges, but at the end of it all, you will never be one of those people who looks back and says, “What if?”.

2. Feeling "the flow."

Some people call it being in the Zone, in the Groove, or in the Flow. Whatever you call it, you know the feeling I'm talking about. That state of being so absorbed in writing a script that nothing else seems to matter and the words seem to flow effortlessly. I know that feeling doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, there's nothing like it. Most people find that flow state in “after-work hobbies” like surfing or playing the piano - as a writer you are one of the rare few that get to feel “the flow” as part of your work day.

3. Watching movies and TV is part of your job.

A big part of the writing process is feeding your mind with inspiration. Which means binging a great TV show or going to the movie theatre at noon on a Tuesday is literally part of your job. So as you enter into the holidays this year go ahead and binge to your hearts content! You have a lifelong excuse to go to the movies, watch TV, or bury yourself in a great book or screenplay.

4. You get to be surrounded by creative people.

If you've been living in Los Angeles for a long time it's easy to forget that being surrounded by creative people is not the norm for the majority of the world. As a writer in Hollywood you get to be constantly surrounded by people who are just as passionate and driven to create great stories as you are. Creative friends not only enrich your work, but your whole life. 

I love the way Billy Crudup, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in “The Morning Show”, describes the impact of creative people on his own creativity:

“If you put yourself in situations where you’re with people who are more ambitious than you, that are more talented than you, that have their own creative engines, you can exceed your own expectations and creative expression. And when that happens, it’s a vivid kind of living — like the world is on fire.”

Whether it’s writer friends, screenwriter group members, enthusiastic reps, or collaborative execs - take a moment to be thankful for your own creative community.

5. You could change somebody’s life

It sounds cheesy, but TV and movies can have a deep effect on people. They can give someone a much-needed laugh, make someone feel less alone, and help us see the world and ourselves in a whole new way. (Think of all the movies and TV shows that have impacted you over the years). No matter what genre you write in, remember you’re not just writing for you, for a pay check, or for “commercial success”, you’re writing a story that people might watch one day and that story might have a bigger impact on someone than you could ever imagine.

Why are you thankful to be a writer this Thanksgiving? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!

For more industry info and tips check out these additional resources:

For the ultimate guide to pitching a TV show that sells, check out my e-book, The Ultimate Guide to a Killer Pitch

To learn how to create your “personal logline” read my free e-book, Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds.

For my in-depth video course on breaking into the business go to: Carole Kirschner’s Hollywood Boot Camp.

And you can find my book, Hollywood Game Plan on Amazon or at Michael Wiese Productions (MWP).