Letters to the Editor
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to the last poster
I think someone who refers to feminists as "critters" might possibly have some unfinished issues himself. Perhaps he's so good at tearing down the criticizers because he's closer to them in character than he realizes. People often rail against others who have the exact qualities they themselves possess.
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MMM, self-pity is the LW's problem...perspective is needed
MMM, you sound like someone who did a lot of IronMan workshops or whatever. I love how you worked an anti-feminsism rant in there too. (that's related to the subject how?)
People like me "shame-based abusers" blah blah,were giving the LW a much-needed reality check. The LW knows rejection letters are part of the game, and needs to remember this. And that it is very difficult to make $ as a writer/screenwriter, so s/he needs to count their blessings and move forward. IF s/he believes in the strength of the work, s/he will keep at it. It's a perceptual problem.
And maybe LW is good commercially, but s/he is reaching beyond their artistic strengths? Commercial success & artistic success are often very different. Sometimes only time will tell. Maybe LW will be famous after death, for all I know.
And the response about bipolar was right-- LW doesn't want it--Now that IS a real problem. Many BP's have a hard time keeping work & staying out of the hospital.
I think this advice was best:
>>You really need to be doing this for the joy. If not, it isn't worth it. Of course, I know how this sounds coming from an "unsuccessful" writer, but it's true. There will be plenty of rough spots and rocky road, but in the end, you are the one who must ultimately decide whether you are a "real" writer.<<
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Commercial vs. artistic success - look at Merv Griffin
The death of Merv Griffin reminds me of the importance of knowing one's creative strengths:
The man became a billionaire creating gameshows and wrote the theme from "Jeopardy", which as game show music is freaking brilliant. Yet as a song on an album or in a play, it would be HORRIBLE. Griffin knew his strengths; he didn't say "Why can't I create an opera?" He had a happy successful life hosting shows, singing "I've got a Loverly Bunch of Coconuts" and creating the most successful gameshow of all time.
He probably didn't fret about not being Ingmar Bergman or Leonard Cohen. At least we know he didn't whine about it.
Look at Woody Allen -- when he's Woody Allen, he's geat. But when he tries to be Bergman, he flops every time. His work becomes pretentious, false and empty. When he's Woody, he's actually more insightful and true than when he's trying to be "deep".
Perhaps all these rejection letters are a sign that you're working against your strengths. Some tv shows can actually be quite sharply insightful; they're just not Bergman. But how true was Seinfeld at times? It captured a lot of the petty truths about the social animal.
And the "serious" artists generally put their work ahead of any commercial success; it's not a prerequisite. LW is used to a certain niche, a certain pattern, thus doesn't know what creative uncertaintly looks like. Maybe you are overreaching your abilities; or maybe you're selling to the wrong audience. Success isn't guaranteed in this realm. You have to do it because you love it, that's all.