This question is not asking what it probably seems to be asking.

When I was studying for my MFA, one professor asked the class to write essays on this very topic. I don’t remember my essay. But I do remember the gist of an essay written by a young woman who said that if her writing touches just one person, then she would be a successful writer.

Young and ambitious, I commented that if my writing touches only one person then I would be a horrible failure. And that is true. For me. But obviously not for this other writer.
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Recently, I see writers stating on social media something similar…that they write “for passion, not profit.” And being a bit older, I understand their point of view. But I just don’t see passion and profit as being mutually exclusive. Why not write for both passion and profit?

I have been produced on stage and in film, have contributed to numerous projects, been published in magazines, newspapers, and have published a couple books.

Yet I still don’t feel successful. Why? Because my dreams are frighteningly huge. I don’t want to touch just one person, or a few. I want the world to laugh with me, cry with me, feel affected by my stories the same way they affect me. I want my name in the credits. I want to walk the red carpet. I want financial success. There is so much I need to do and my time on this planet is waning. As a popular meme asks: Why aren’t we all chasing after our dreams like we’re going to die tomorrow?

We’re going to briefly jump ahead in the process and then revisit this topic later more in depth when it comes time to planning an actual project.

But, sometimes, what inspires you can help you conjure up your what-to-write. And if you’re truly inspired with the project, that inspiration will carry you to The End or Fade Out. (Again…maybe both!)

When I sat down to write Bad Elf and The Krampus, I had many concepts to choose from—thrillers, comedies, rom-coms, paranormal horror. Wonderful concepts. Bad Elf bubbled to the top of my attention for a few reasons.

​I had recently finished and marketed a Christmas screenplay--Joyous Noel. It’s about a misunderstood, semi-orphaned boy who does all the wrong things in order to do something 

Before diving into what-to-write, take a moment to explore what kinds of stories, writers, songs, artwork, and movies that get you excited.

Why?

Because a story that you write that is pulled from these influences is likely going to keep you excited, spark your creativity, and carry you to The End or Fade Out. Maybe both!

You might also see a theme you’ve not ever necessarily noticed before that can spark story ideas near and dear to you. You might even notice where your writer’s voice comes from.

For me, stories that influence my writing include:

• The Wizard of Oz (film)
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder)
• Star Wars (A New Hope)
• Harry Potter (Sorcerer’s Stone)
• The Hobbit

Every one of these stories has something similar—the hero’s world becomes much bigger in a fantastic way. We learn along with Dorothy about a land over the rainbow, and Munchkins, flying monkeys, a flawed wizard, the witches, etc. We learn along with Charlie of this crazy candy maker, Oompa Loompas, Schozzberries, etc. We experience Luke being drawn into the world of The Force, saving the Princess, Wookies, Darth Vader, taking on the Empire. And we celebrate with Harry when he’s taken from his room under the stairs and learns he’s a powerful wizard, goes to Gringott’s, and Hogwarts. We take that first step with Bilbo out from his Hobbit hole and into a world of Orcs, Wizards, Elves, Dwarves, magic rings, and dragons. We learn, with the hero, that their world isn’t just what it has always been.

Now, you can easily argue that any good story does that…and any good story should. But for my list, they all have an element of the fantastical, adventure in a world where any surprising thing just might jump out at us from some place we just weren’t looking. For the Harry Potter series, it's Harry's introduction into the magical realm that grabs my excitement. I enjoy all the Harry Potter novels, but the first has that element I enjoy most. I’m not particularly a fan of fantasy, but stories that bring the hero into the fantastical…kicks me right in the feels.

 

If you’re a writer, or someone who wanted to tackle writing a novel or screenplay, then stick around! We’re going to have some fun.

Exploring techniques and tools I’ve picked up over the years, and using past and current writing projects for a reference, we’re going to break down some barriers, roadblocks and dare I say…writer’s block…to see your words make it to the page.

Most would-be writers merely think “someday I’m gonna write a book,” but they never start. An even smaller percentage start, perhaps even a few times, but then fizzle out. A still even smaller percentage make it to The End or Fade Out.