For me, I need to create a work I have control over ... which means I need to direct something, a short, anything ... I have to direct something so that the end product is a complete reflection of my creative intention, rather than someone else's ...

I'm all about Scott's creative juju batch, so... I discovered screenwriting two years ago. For the sixth night in a row I knelt by my bed, praying my dreams would not be filled with ridiculous adventures with a famous celebrity. I feared I was becoming obsessive, or worse, *gulp* a Cougar?! That night, all the previous week's dreams strung together, scenes, dialogue, jokes... plot--OMGosh, I dreamt a RomCom! Two years later, I'm finishing my sixth script and developing my seventh, networking, reading scripts and learning; always learning. Screenwriting was never on my career radar, and yet, it seems life has been preparing me for this adventure; voracious reading, movie fanatic, keeper of all useless trivia, and my love for instant gratification--hey, I wrote a 400+ page novel, scripts feel instant compared to that. ;) My creative self is currently battling for balance. It feels like an epic Charlie Kaufman vs. Blake Snyder slugfest, aka, "Be Original But Hit the Beats!" I'm hoping the healing balm of Scott-Juju and his world-class posts will help me figure it all out.

Scott, You asked: * Is this where I want to be as a writer? I am writing, make no mistake, but until my writing receives notice, until I sign on with an agent/manager, until I sell something, my answer has to be NO. * Am I writing what I want to be writing? Yes. I like writing ‘small’ films. I have been told by a Hollywood producer that my scripts are ‘indie movies’. Nothing wrong with that. I don’t want to, or intend to, write movies that rely on CGI and the like. I want to write films that adults (substitute BOOMERS) would like to see. I believe there is a huge market for this demographic. * What do I want to write? I thought I wanted to write big tentpole action scripts along the lines of DIE HARD, LETHAL WEAPON, etc. Now I understand I want to write character driven films. I enjoy Hitchcock and film noir. If I write scripts like NOTORIOUS, OUT OF THE PAST, etc., I will be a happy camper. * What do I need to write? Right now, I just need to write. Although, fiction writing has been tugging at my sleeve for attention. Until I am absolutely convinced I will never, ever make it as a screenwriter that fiction series I want to write will have to wait. * Am I in touch with my Creative Self? Yup! I believe so. I know what I like to write, I know what I want to write, I know my weaknesses. * What can I do to be a better writer? My intent is to read one script a week, to watch one film a week, and to write at least nine hours each week. And to always…. Keep Writing!

As with anyone I want to learn my craft more, but I want also to be the writer who knows about history and can turn history into films, whether they are historical fiction or a modern application. I also want to write hockey movies. There are so many battles (against other teams, within teams, community, and self) that there are tons of story opportunities out there. I wish there were more hockey films out there, but that means I might have an opportunity to write for an almost untouched market (compared to football or baseball films). I know what I want to write and what I like to write but I don't know what type of stories I'm the best at and the worst at. Or the types of characters I wish to explore. To do that I just need to write a TON more and read a TON more than I write.

Well, I just added another comment to yesterday's discussion about my motivations in screenwriting. So now over here... assessing where I am. Well, even though I am very new to the genre of screenwriting, I feel that I have been working towards this for decades - just taking an odd route in. On the visual end, I started out as a professional photographer - learning about light, angles, and especially the whole idea of conveying emotion or information through images. I started working on narrative and sound around the same time, probably 5 or 6 years ago. Getting more into fiction-writing, and thinking more about character arcs and story arcs. And also starting to write and record and produce radio docs - which is essentially like producing a film, but without the visuals. The narrative arc is just as important - but you use sounds and layer sounds to help tell the story, to "show" things without exposition, in exactly the same way a film-maker uses visuals. So I have done radio docs for CBC Radio (Canada) and for ABC (Australia) as well as some smaller local radio stations. (For anyone who is interested, you can listen to them here: http://jacquelinewindh.com/media/sound-radio/ One that I am particularly pleased with, that layers sounds and builds characters, and also deals with themes that are important to me e.g. indigenous rights/values, is http://jwindh.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/canoecarvers.mp3 (11 minutes)). I also have managed, over the years, to work on the sets of a few films (even being credited as Production Assistant on one), so have learned a bit about the biz that way. And have fooled around making my own short films (docs, not dramas) but at least learned about editing, and about thinking of how to put scenes together and how to juxtapose them in a way that helps the story to flow. So I feel that this past decade has been all learning about the components of film-making: images, sound, story. And these past 18 months I have finally started getting down to the specific of screenwriting itself. Through my program at UBC, I have learned about formatting issues, the structural stuff, conventions (not meaning I have completed my learning curve there... just meaning that I am now finally getting the very writing-specific parts of the learning curve). So, even though I am very new to screenwriting itself, I feel like I have given myself a really broad and interesting background to the wider field of film-making. And I am really hoping that that will serve me well in the next stage of the process!

This year I finished my second feature-length screenplay. It took me two years of writing on evenings and weekends to finish, since I have a fairly demanding full-time day job. I am pretty proud of myself and the screenplay, too. It was a semi-finalist in a fairly prestigious competition and was narrowly passed on two producers I respect who both gave really positive feedback. Rather than being disappointed by these "close calls", I am encouraged. I am convinced that if I keep trying, my screenplay will get made. And if it doesn't, I have more than enough ideas to keep me writing for the next ten years.... Maybe one of those will catch on easier, who knows?

I'm inching closer to the point where I'll actually be comfortable calling myself "a writer".

I don't know where to start, but it's been a good year. I've learned that a writer doesn't know pain until they get notes back from a producer. I love it. It means I'm learning and growing. If it's easy, you might be doing it wrong. I've had some success this year, but I'm not in the big leagues yet. I'm not letting it go to my head. I've started reading and writing even more. And I took one of Scott's classes which was totally awesome (and possibly addicting.) One script a day. Three pages a day (at least). Can't wait to see where I'm at next year.

Just do it! Once I got over that hump, I discovered that nobody points and laughs, and nobody grills me on my pub. credits to figure out if I'm lying or not. Just say "I'm a writer," and people will say "oh really? what do you write?" and then you've got a conversation happening.

I want to come up with a take for an adaptation of a property that I know I am perfect for, and I want to f-ing win the job. Period. Will I be crushed if I don't get it? No. But I just know that this book was meant for me to adapt it and that's all there is to it. *** Also, on a more abstract level, I want to kick self-doubt's ass this year. I refuse to be paralyzed creatively by fear any longer. Aside from the fact it's not professional -- it's completely unhealthy. It's holding me back from realizing my own potential. So, I am not going to hold myself hostage another day. I will no longer hate mistakes. Instead of calling myself an idiot, I will tell myself that I simply am honing my craft and that's part of the process. Easier said than done, of course.

Josh, that exhibits a clear vision of your creative desires. In support of your goal, here is a special blast of creative juju: BoomScorceseSpielbergCoppolaBoom!!! P.S.: Tony Gilroy.

tracinell: Thanks for that background and all power to your dreams. There's magic there, if you believe someone like Carl Jung [which you should]. Could your 7th script be Lucky Seven? Re Kaufman vs. Snyder: Slugfest, perhaps. How about re-frame the POV: dynamic tension. Or just go with your damn gut! For you, a special concoction of creative juju: YouKnowYouKnowYouKnowWhatToDooooooooooo!!!

Mike, you've been on this site almost as long as I've opened its virtual doors. That speaks to persistence, and that is such a critical aspect of writing success. Your comments show a refined degree of self-awareness, so much better to know the type of story you want to write rather than wandering aimlessly from genre to genre. Now it's just a matter of finding that ONE STORY for you to break through, yes? Thus I've whipped up a special serving of creative juju just for you: OoooooonnnneeeeSsssssstttoooorrrryyy!!!

Tim, cinematic blessings upon you for bringing to mind a movie I love, but haven't thought about in years: Slap Shot. Have you considered writing a fictionalized tale set in the earliest days of the NHL or even pre-NHL? I understand it was quite wooly-booly back then. As to knowing what stories you're good / not good at, perhaps do this: Go through your list of top 25 favorite movies. Do you see a specific genre in that dominates the group? If so, perhaps that is your favorite type of story to write. And if you're passionate about it, chances are your writing will elevate itself over time to match the level of your passion. With that in mind, I've got a wee dram of creative juju for you, but it's a powerful mixture: StorySpeakStorySpeakStorySpeakToMe!!!

Jacqueline, your creative and professional life sounds just like its own heroine's journey, and here you are passing one threshold after another. Great bounty awaits you if you trust the process, more than potential silver and gold, the truest gift of all: A direct experience with your Creative Self. You have a special calling in his thread: A shower of creative juju from the heavens washing down upon you and through your courageous call to the Herald's Call to all in the GITS community: FoooooooollooooooooowYourBliiiiiiiiiiis!!!

Am I writing what I want to be writing? Ah, that's my lesson of the year. Too much time spent writing things that I thought might sell. Time to start writing the scripts I want to write - even if I have to cross the Atlantic to sell them!

LN, it's writers like you I admire perhaps more than any: Those of you who hold down full-time jobs, sustain relationships with family and friends, yet persist day after day plugging away at your stories. My wish for you: Someday you be in a position where you can look back at all those hours writing when you could have been slacking off and be able to say, "It was all worth it." My creative juju for you: StaaaaaaaaaaaayTheCoooooouuuuuurse!!!

First, what Ray says. Second, Jeff, here is a simple, compelling goal for you in 2012: Claim your right to call yourself a writer. A writer writes. It's as simple as that. Having worked with you, I know you are passionate about storytelling, you have talent, you know how to finish a script. Plant the seed. Water it. Watch it grow. Repeat. I've reached deep into this vat of creative juju to dredge up a coating of deep truth: YouRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAWriter!!!

Nick, your ability and willingness to experience the pain of a producer's notes... and come away LOVING it, knowing you are learning something, that's an important piece of understanding the craft. For you, creative juju of the tried and true sort: TheOnlyWayOutIsThrough!!!

Alex, now you're onto it! We can't avoid those Nattering Negative Voices In Our Minds... "Stop, you're doing it wrong... You have no talent... Why are you even doing this... My God, this story sucks... Who are you kidding?" So a special extra large dose of creative juju to last you through the year, something you can splash at those Nattering Negative Voices whenever the need arises: FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!FU!

Debbie, so much of writing is about passion. Passion for the story, passion for the characters, passion to see it all emerge into being as a fully formed narrative. And so creative juju for from the land of Mantraville: ThinkWithYourHeadButAlwaysFollowYourHeart!!!

Scott, I really want to thank you for this website and this community you have created. One of my other big accomplishments this year was to real get stuck into analysing films and scripts. I started that through my MFA program, but I am so glad that I have all of you guys to continue doing that with. So I want to let you know how much I appreciate all that you do for all of us! And to send you some creative juju too - may you reach all your creative and teaching goals this coming year.

This is a wonderful thing you're doing Scott. Most other businesses have "year end appraisals," why shouldn't ours? With me, I find myself at a strange place creatively. While I seem to have mostly carte blanche with the producers who backed my short, common logic suggests I should cash that ticket in and write my next directorial effort. And make no mistake, I am doing just that. However, I have found I miss writing specs for the west coast. It's where I started until a few agents told me back in the early 90's that my "quirky" viewpoint would be better served writing for the indie market ("Your work reads like Woody Allen meets John Carpenter," one guy told me. "It's fun to read but it sure ain't fun to try and sell!") From reading your daily breakdowns of the business plus various trips to the multiplexes - - where a younger Jeff used to sort of deride and sneer at that "junkfood" and "eye-candy," the 41 year old version of me (the me with 5 little mouths to feed, if you get my drift), has, for whatever reason (classic mid-life crisis?) regressed. I want to blow some shit up. I want buddy cops who are assigned to stop an onslaught of invading aliens from taking over a city bus AND an L.A. skyscraper. In short, I want to "write Hollywood movies" in 2012! This, of course, is the LAST thing I ever would have expected from me. I've been drinking from the "low budget indie" well for most of my "career." I'm not sure yet quite what I'm going to do with this new, strange love of scriptwriting "turned up to 11." I have about 10 concepts in the bullpen waiting to be called up but, as you've pointed out in the past, one must be careful which project we nurture to FADE OUT. Presumably I'll be tapping away on some sort of "Die Hard in a ________" before the year is out though. And I honestly can't wait! BOOM! SMASH! BANG! YEEE-HAWWW! :D

Hey, sending creative juju my way! Never had that happen before. Thanks!

Jeffrey, you picked a good time to dive into the high concept world of spec scripts because, as you've noticed, this has been a banner year for spec sales. Since you are committed to this course of action, allow me to give you the three keys to a successful movie as told to the Protagonist by a movie director character in the film "Sweet Liberty." 1. Defy authority. 2. Destroy property. 3. Take off your clothes. That's probably better than creative juju, but I've got a special bombastic batch over here in the corner. Let me give you a dollop: KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!

My creative self is wearing a straitjacket at the moment, which as far as I'm concerned is the best thing for him. My background is in art--when I need to cut loose creatively, I do it in the form of painting, not writing. That I approach as a craft, and while there's an art to doing it well, it's one that's ill-served by an unfettered creative self. I write the things I want to write to the extent that if something doesn't look palatable at first >koffproceduralkoff< I can focus in and find something in it I like, and use that to build a screenplay I'm not embarrassed to have my name attached to. I'm pretty sure I'm writing the things I need to write to get where I want to be--a full-time working, paid writer. When it comes to screenwriting, my focus is almost entirely on producing the scripts/stories my reps think increase my chances of getting where I want to be. I also write for other media that tend to allow creators a little more storytelling freedom. If I ever feel overly constrained by the screenplay I'm writing today, I've also got a novel and three comic projects in various stages of development at the moment. They give me a break from the TV/film grind, but keep working the writing muscles. To directly answer the relevant questions: as a writer I'm currently closer to where I want to be than ever before, while still having no solid idea how far that puts me from my ultimate goal (at least as far as Edmonton is from Hollywood, I know--and I will move when the time comes). My Creative Self is where it needs to be to help me achieve my ultimate goal. My creative self is also calling me to forget all this writing, go downstairs and lose myself in painting. Which is why my creative self gets ignored a lot of the time.

Andrew, that's really an odd bit of synchronicity because I was just on the phone with a friend who is a painter. And he told me he had been reading these posts the past two days and substituting the word "paint" every time I used the word "write." Hey, I take after Dwight Eisenhower, not the dead general aspect, but this. He was asked about religious faith once and said, "I don't care what you believe as long as you believe something." That's my attitude toward people and their creative instincts: I don't care what you do as long as you give expression to your creativity. To do anything less is to risk living an inauthentic existence, whereas giving expression to your creativity aligns you with a key part of your psyche [by "you," I mean everyone, not you, Andrew]. You've got a nifty set of outlets for your creativity which is great. Therefore since you seem to embrace creativity across the artistic board, your creative juju derives from the mantra of all mantras: AAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

2011 was the year where I started finding my voice, and embarking on projects that I both enjoyed and were well-received by readers. I put in the hours alongside university in order to cut through the muck and find my voice... and I think I've begun to find it. I think my Creative Self, in the coming year, is more concerned with practical goals than creative ones. Creatively, I'm in a fertile place. I need to start developing my professional skills alongside my writing, now - networking, pursuing representation, entering reputable contests, etc. I also want to find some ways to 'create' beyond the script, like finding an artistic partner and producing some indie graphic novels, or make some great zero-budget webseries. I also want to start stretching myself - write my first screenplay, try more comedies, maybe even tackle one of the Golden Trinity (cop/doctor/lawyer). So, essentially what I did this year... on overdrive.

Re: giving expression to your creativity--I firmly believe everyone should make Art of some kind. I also believe that self-expression for its own sake will rarely be of interest to a mass audience, and I'm dead certain that's the case for my paintings. :) Like Bob Lackie in comment #15, my concerns when it comes to writing are of a practical nature at this point. I need to create something I will like and feel comfortable sending out into the world with my name on it that will also appeal to an audience substantially larger than the one I've got for my paintings (which amounts to 2 people, if you include me as well as my wife.) The joy and the challenge of writing that sort of material is finding the place where my idiosyncratic and generally pretty dark aesthetic sensibilities overlap with the sort of material one can conceive of hundreds of thousands/millions watching. That's a creative challenge, but the challenge itself is, out of commercial necessity, very well delineated. If the narrow focus wasn't there, the result would be a mess (like my paintings tend to be. But I still like 'em.)

Jeff, from the brief conversations and interactions I've had with you, I can tell you've done a hell of a lot of homework. As your peer, and as someone who hopes to see you in the big-leagues: Believe in yourself you silly son-of-a-bitch! Much love, Nick

I'm thrilled at the progress I've made as a writer. As of a few months now (wow), I'm comfortable calling myself a 'writer.' Not only that, I now have three tools I use to find my way into a story and find what's missing or in the wrong place. I'm looking forward to turning this momentum into a short script (ready to shoot) and a feature script (ready to sell?) in the next year. I'm excited by the ideas and it's definitely something I'm passionate about. Oh, my love for Community has made me interested in TV writing. If I can be involved with a show as dynamic and creative and awesome as that, I will love working on it week after week, night after sleepless night. I might have to try my hand at a Community spec, just for fun, though maybe it'll only qualify for fan fiction :)

My creative self today. Let's see. Besides two first rough feature drafts I'm rewriting, I am following the production side of two shorts. One I wrote for a director friend (story by him, screenplay by me), one I adapted from a short story I wrote a year ago and that I thought could make a cool little film. This is where this year's "change" occurs: I started itching really bad to get this one made and decided to take things into my own hands. Yes, that means going into producing myself. And possibly directing. I know the perfect illustrator for it (if only I can convince her to do more animation - and oh yes, that's the other thing, it turns out these two are to be animations. I never thought about working on animations but why the hell not. If that's the direction things are taking, I shall embrace it) and BINGO! without looking, I have now found a proper director. I did have a sit-down with a producer I know for tips - and he pretty much talked me out of it, so I'll see. But I do like the idea of putting a team together and realising the vision for a story.

I wrote a Community spec for class after season one, and it was a hell of a lot of fun. Go for it! Remember: Dexter and Game of Thrones are a little bit fanfiction. ;)

Those three points are excellent advice. I shall be using those from now on!

At the moment, I feel more than ever that I can become a scriptwriter. Must say that, checking your blog, almost on the daily basis in the last 7-8 months helped a lot, getting a better idea of the craft and the environment around it. I just wrote a short script for an upcoming french script contest and for the last 4 months I'm still writing on a draft and this ones tough. I have another 3 script ideas for 2012 ready to prep them. Also I would like to get to attend some workshops and get more contact with people already in the business. I can't call myself a writer or a scriptwriter yet. Fun part is that I can't call myself an engineer either which I am, at least in papers. I like saying that I have an immense passion for scriptwriting. I'll fool myself calling me a scriptwriter when I'll get a credit. Really becoming one, personal greatest life achievement.

My blast of creative juju for everyone: Kkkeeeeeeppppppp Wrrriiitttttttiiiiiiinnnnng! Good luck to everyone in 2012!!

What people want from their movies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL0SILzGs4g

Bob, it's interesting, isn't it, the process of trying to find one's voice. Certainly, much of it boils down to actual writing, experimenting with stories and how one approaches those stories. But it can also be about what feeds the writer in the way of books, scripts, movies, and life in general. Hopefully in 2012, you will identify some key projects on which to work that allow your voice to continue to emerge. And so a dose of creative juju for you: FiiiiiiiiiiiindYooooooooourVooooooooooice!!!

L. Fernando, you may benefit from this self-reflection process in that can you drill down into yourself and find one story for which you have the most passion to write? If "Community" has turned you onto TV writing, then immerse yourself in the world of single-camera comedies. Watch all of them you can to see what's come before, give you a sense of what's possible, and hopefully inspire you. Or if there's a film story you just have to write, go for that. Maybe experiment with one or more short films. But find some projects into which you can really throw yourself. And so a familiar brand of creative juju for you: GoIntoTheStoryGoIntoTheStoryGoIntoTheStory!!!

Anne, isn't it amazing how once we choose a course of action, BINGO! Things happen. It's like that line often attributed to Goethe, but actually derives from a Canadian minister: "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid." I think this is especially true with creative efforts. Best of luck with this project you were itching to make. And a heaping helping of creative juju for you: MoreBingoMomentsForYou!!!

KP, you're doing it, you're on your way, you've answered the Call To Adventure. Who knows where it leads? But you can only find out by trying. That may sound hokey, but it's true. And so a tried-and-true formula of creative juju for you: KeepOnKeepingOn!!!

* Am I writing what I want to be writing? I haven’t been, but I’m getting there. I was writing television specs and got sick of coloring in the lines. I broke away and wrote a short over a weekend and it was exhilarating; the freedom! That’s when I knew I should be writing films or original pilots. * What do I want to write? Features! I always wished I wrote The Cooler – love and evil tangled together in the seedy world of Las Vegas. All the symbolism in that film – getting the words across with zero dialogue?... I want to write that. * Am I in touch with my Creative Self? I am getting there. The voice, my voice that I’m searching for is just below the surface. I started exploring Jungian philosophy to dig into my characters more deeply but man oh man! I have learned a lot about myself and that weird white rabbit I keep dreaming about… Persona, Shadow, Animus/Anima, Mentor – clarified a lot in the characters. * What can I do to be a better writer? Keep writing, of course!

[...] Part 2: Assessing Where You Are [...]

Here's my take: Am I writing what I want to be writing? Absolutelyy! Now more than I have ever done in my life and loving it! What do I want to write? Features, and a potential foray at some point into animation on some level but basically just the highest concept, stories with great themes and great, inspiring characters. Am I in touch with my creative self? Yes. It's taken me a while but I believe I am. What can I do to be a better writer? Right now, just want to get through the current projects I am and bring them to a show-able state. Also keep educating myself on the craft and like everyone else, just keep writing!