I have lots of conversations with people. I talk to people all the time, because, well, I love people, especially those who want to talk about my writing. Often us writers hear certain phrases or buzz words during our journey to publication.
‘Strong concept’, ‘effective platform’, ‘compelling writing’ are just a few I’ve heard so far, as three ingredients of publishing success. These are absolutely key in my mind, to getting published, there’s no doubt about it, but many times, people will look at whether or not you have a fantastic story and if readers will enjoy it.
There is some argument as to whether writers should write to trend or simply write what they love. I am definitely in the ‘write what you love’ camp. I adore writing more than anything else in the world, just the entire process from concept to completed manuscript fills me with a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment nothing else can.
Am I looking to the future, where I live in a lovely house in the country, with trees and fields and my own study? Yes, absolutely!
Do I yearn for financial freedom so I don’t feel anxious all the time? Totally.
Can I contain that sudden rush of adrenaline I get, when I imagine that first meeting with a publisher who wants to publish my work, where we sit down and discuss it? No way! Or hide the smile I’ll get when talking to my readers about characters, storylines or how they want to become an author too? Never!
But, that love I have for writing, that feeling that nothing else comes close to, THAT is why I write.
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I write for trends, and I write what I love. I also try to do both in one script.
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Hi Phil. Oh yes, I understand that completely. I write poetry and song lyrics, I've been writing for over 40 years and I do it because I love it so much and I have a passion for it that I just can't be without. There is something magical about starting off with a blank page and an idea and watching it develop into that completed poem or lyric. I have never made much from writing and like you, I dream of writing for a well known artist, or successful musical and/or film etc. but I enjoy it so much, that it doesn't matter to me if that never happens, I write all the time. I have also written a feature screenplay and I understand exactly the feeling that brings as well.
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Write to set your own trend. I stick by the advice I read once that trying to write to a current trend only means you are constantly chasing because chances are pretty high that by the time you finish your project that trend is played out.
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What do Salary Executives say... "the trend starts and ends with my contract"? :)
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Phil, I'm squarely in the "write what you love" camp.
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I say do both. If you have a lot of ideas (like me), then taking a great idea that you love, which is also trendy, is the perfect balance.
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A trend is tends to end (I am a i poet).
A trend is just as likely to end before you can produce a useable product. There are longer term cultural changes, like TV being as powerful and desirable as film. But that is not a trend, but a change.
Write something amazing. Amazing things get attention and made.
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Are you talking about screenwriting or novel writing? Two entirely different paths.
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On specs I tackle subjects that interest me, but not necessarily adore me...I ain't doing it for my eyes only...
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just remember most trends start because someone went counter culture to the current trends and did a break out type script. usually something everyone rejected but one person believed in it - and then we have 5 years of every one copying that genre or style.
whatever you write make sure it has appeal - not necessarily on trend. I don't write to trends, I write what I think is a good story and try it write it well enough that someone notices.
but if I was a paid writer and some exec barged in and said I need a script turnaround from scratch in a month and it must be about a group of diverse pre-teens solving a murder case set in snow trapped town during the 1800s and must have a monkey and needs to be a comedy musical adventure with lots breaking the fourth wall; because that's what's on trend; then I'd write it for my pay cheque.
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write for employment/income, doesnt make you a sellout. makes you a professional writer.
Most Sports athletes know their teams are not winning championships but they put in the work because they are pros and this is the job/occupation.
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I heard a great quote that said as soon as you've identified a trend you've already missed it. And given how long it takes to get anything made that is absolutely correct. So my advice - like many others - is to write something that is excites you and is specific to your voice.
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If someone follows a trend they are competing with a million other screenwriters following the same trend. It doesn't take long before the market is saturated and people will eventually say "Oh God, not another one of those stupid...."
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Never write for trend. By the time you get your script completed there's already a new trend ...
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I'm talking both screen and book, and I love all the viewpoints here, this is great! I totally agree, if you're contracted to write a specific story or in a certain genre, then absolutely write for the trend you are being contracted to write for, but I was talking in a more general sense. From my perspective, I'm pitching to publishers for my book writing, and studio's, Directors, Producers etc for my screenwriting. I've written not because that particular genre or idea is fashionable right now, but because I had an idea and loved it, so I wrote it. I didn't write the idea's I've written because they are popular subjects or that this genre is where it's at right now. I wrote purely for the love of it.