Bruises heal. Most of them do. Some physical ones leave a mark, some emotional ones linger, but over the long haul, we as humans, adapt pretty good and move on or let go.
I have taken my share of bruises over the years when it comes to my creative writing. There have been some great highs and certainly many lows. The lows stink and the disappointment, at times, cripples creative energies. The doubts abound and you wonder, do I have the stamina or talent to keep going and charge on. I have never been afraid to talk about disappointments. They are a part of life….a part of what molds us and shapes us and makes us who we are. We are nothing without our disappointments and we are even less if we don’t learn from them.
I received two emails this week on the same day that majorly disappointed me. A double whammy, if you will. The first email was from a producer. I pitched her my screenplay LET IT SHINE. I pondered over the composition and sent her a “pitch deck” of the script (like a picture book) which provides a great insight into my story. I sent it with the usual confidence. I get this curt response:
Hi Romeo,
Thank you for contacting us. We aren’t taking on new feature film projects but wish you all the best with yours.
Thanks, but then why are you wasting my time? Why doesn’t your production site say we aren’t accepting any new submissions? Next!
Contest result. First round. Shore’s Script Feature Contest. Here’s their email:
Hi Romeo,
Thank you for entering our 2022 Feature Screenplay Contest. We have now announced the Quarter-Finalists and unfortunately A Promise I Made to Mr. Bagels was not chosen to advance. We know this news is disappointing, but don’t let it discourage you….
It went on about how lots of great scripts didn’t advance. Very competitive. We are honored you sent your script. You should be proud you finished. Blah, blah, blah. Okay, maybe I sound bitter. Give me that for a few minutes. And while you wait, chew on this quote to your right by Stephen King.
Talent and opinion of your talent is a minefield of exhaustion. Anyone who is a writer and who receives “notes” from either producers, coverage agencies or other writers, knows what I’m talking about. A PROMISE I MADE TO MR. BAGELS just won the top prize in a competition two months ago with glowing reviews. Their critique of my screenplay was incredibly faltering…maybe too faltering. I don’t know. What I do know is I didn’t make the first cut in the Shores Feature Contest. So then I start questioning how good the script actually is or how talented am I? I know I’m competent, but I better be at this point. The word competent does nothing for me. It just sits there – like a book on a shelf. It does not inspire.
Stephen King is right about talent. It is cheap. And yes, the right place, right time, right people – they have to come together for something more substantial to happen. But King reminds us…ALL OF US…not just the writers…but anyone who is striving to do something, that hard work (and a lot of it) is what truly counts.
If I am being honest, hard work, discipline, focus – have been hard to come by these days (for a miry of reasons), however the main culprit is disappointment. But then in the midst of this topsy-turvy crazy dance, every once and while I’m reminded of why I write. I’m reminded of the utter joy of something special that comes alive on the page and I forget everything else. That’s where we need to live and breathe and we get there through hard work.
If you are competent in what you do, take heart and make something more of it. Try not to look around and compare yourself to others (everyone’s journey is different). Carry on and remind yourself that “smooth seas do not make skilled sailors”. We are all in the fight of our lives. We all want to shine and be our best and be appreciated and loved. So get to work. I’ll do my best on this end. And if that’s not good enough for others, don’t let that disappoint you (for too long) because you can’t please everyone.
I leave you with these encouraging words by actor Gregory Peck. Till next time:
Hi Romeo, Don’t let other’s opinions bring you down. I thoroughly enjoyed working on your one act After Alex and directing it. Keep up your good work and give your audiences something else to enjoy in these dismal times. I’m also suffering disapointment with my novel. I have a publisher and expected it to be published by now, but they are dragging their heels and maybe it won’t even be ready for Christmas. Be uplifted Romeo and keep hoping for the best. Rosalind
With all the tv shows around, I’m surprised there isn’t more work for writers.
So much of success is, apart from hard work, being in the right place at the right time. I know or know of so many musicians and groups who had the talent but just never made it. Some got as far as recording an album but it never went anywhere. For every famous music artist you’ve heard of, there’s at least 10 maybe 20 that tried and had to give up to pay their bills. Right place, right time.
In all of that disappointment, don’t lose your self respect. Others’ opinions and decisions are so subjective. Don’t get lost on your individual path!
There is much to “chew on” in this post, Rome. I hear your voice, your wisdom, your compassion throughout.
“We are nothing without our disappointments and we are even less if we don’t learn from them.” You constantly demonstrate how much more you are, Rome. Much Respect.
‘If I am being honest, hard work, discipline, focus – have been hard to come by these days (for a miry of reasons), however the main culprit is disappointment.’ Romeo, so true. Great post.