I think I have talent! The question is, do the people that matter agree with me? And there again is the issue about getting professional readers to look at my work and comment. I think that through this route, they can help confirm what talent you have and then help shape the skills and knowledge you need to use that talent to produce good work. They are all facets of screenwriting that are intrinsically bound together and it is difficult to talk about one without the other. But, yes, I think I have talent. I think I can tell a good story, and I love watching movies. Having seen so many, I think I have a pretty good idea of how a good movie works. I have read loads of books and articles on screenwriting, so have a reasonable understanding of structure and formatting conventions....all of this forms and informs the basic talent that I have, but also the talent that needs developing and nurturing if I am going to put it to good use....so practice, practice practice to hone those skills and sharpen the talent. All the traits dsicussed last week are vital to developing good talent and, I suspect, so are the skills that will be talked about this week - all part of the whole. If your talent isn't recognised at first, you need that courage and persistence to find someone who does recognise it! Actually, I KNOW I have talent! ;-)

I think, the biggest problem I have is self belief. Or to put it another way - Doubt. I doubt that my story is any good. I doubt that anyone would care about my characters. In short, I doubt that I have... Talent. It's an odd thing. I think that at worst, I would consider myself on the first rung or two of "the ladder" - One Script optioned, Agent acquired etc... Even with a Bafta winning Director telling me that I was "born to write"... That nagging doubt remains. I think it always will. Perhaps, one day, it will defeat me. But not today. Cheers, TheFifthApe.

Mark, you bring up a big point: It is important to find people who will champion and mentor you. If they can see your talent and are willing to support you, then that can be critical to your success. That's another thing I've noticed in these interviews, how so many of the writers talk about people who first noticed their talent, or were their teachers, people who were there to read material, provide feedback, and to provide inspiration. In a macro way, that's something of what I do here on GITS. But what I'm talking about is more personal, one-on-one relationships with writers who believe in you. The thing is, I believe this trait to be pretty common in writers. We know how HARD it is to succeed, so when we find a developing writer with talent, it's not untypical for us to want to help them. At least that's my attitude. In a very real way, that was at the core of The Quest Initiative. So belief in one's own talent is important. It's also important to find mentors. How to do that? I would point you to The Black Board. Great place to start.

TFA, I don't know a writer alive who would honestly say they do NOT have doubts. In fact, guess who said this: “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” Stephen Frakking King!!! A guy who seemingly BREATHES stories. And HE has doubts before he starts a new story?!?! So doubt is a fact of a writer's life. How we deal with it, that's the trick. And the simple fact you went PUBLIC with your doubt is a sign you are on the right track. Check out this post called "What are you afraid of?" as I make the point that instead of trying to avoid or repress our doubts, we ACKNOWLEDGE them, even USE them to our benefit in writing. Also you might like this post called "The Despair of the Blank Page which inverts the fear of looking at a blank page into something quite else. And when all else fails, cling to the words of your Champion, that BAFTA winning director. If someone with certifiable talent like that tells you you were "born to write," that is an affirmation with which you can beat back the Voices of Doubt. Toss that in their faces, wave it at them like a crucifix against vampires, the soul-sucking bastards! Finally there's always Walt Whitman and YAWP!

I used to be a recruiter (/headhunter). I was always more impressed with professionalism and ability than "talent"--if you can do the job, I don't care if you got there through innate ability or hard work, just that you can do it. In general, I find dedication, good work habits, professionalism and a good attitude are more reliable than talent. I don't think most of us are good at assessing our own talent levels. Especially when you factor in the Dunning Kruger effect and Impostor Syndrome. Plus, in a number of fields, I have watched people who showed early promise lose their way while slow starters who stayed with a pursuit eventually surpassed them. Just because something is easy or you seem good at it when you first take it up doesn't mean you'll succeed at it in the long haul--especially unless you're prepared to put in the work. I don't know if I have talent as a writer. I don't know if I'll ever know. (Self-confidence is often mistaken for talent but they are clearly very different things: see also Dunning Kruger and Impostor Syndrome above.) What I do know is that I enjoy the whole process of screenwriting: not just prep, writing, and rewriting, but also reading scripts, reading literature widely, watching plays and films--putting in the work to be an educated, literate and productive storyteller and screenwriter. If any sparks of talent I may have make that easier, all the better, but at the end of the day I still need to, and choose to, put in the work. I believe talent can be cultivated and practical commitment and work will trump talent for most of us.

Shaula, I think you have said what I was trying to say in a much better way! :-) My "I KNOW I have talent" was a little tongue in cheek, but linked to the courage discussion and the obvious need for self-belief and passion when wanting to be a writer. But I totally agree, that talent is nothing without hard work and perseverance behind it, regardless of the "level" of talent you start out with.

I'll pop over and start having a look :-) I guess there is almost no excuse, in this day and age, for not getting out there and getting involved with screenwriting groups, forums, discussion etc etc whether virtually or in "real-life". I'm planning to get some of my work "out there" this year....and to find out just how much my talent needs nurturing! ;-)

I've seen hard work beat talent time and time again. That's not to say that talent isn't important, but it's the work that creates a god among mortals. The most "talented" among us can also be the laziest and most entitled. I hear a lot of modern NFL wide receivers talk about wanting to be the next "GOAT" or "Number Eighty," but Jerry Rice is the greatest of all time because he didn't believe his talent would sustain him without a supernatural work ethic and a commitment to improving -- even after he was an "old head" in the game!

Adam, as I stated in the post, talent is the only thing tied to success as a screenwriter. In some cases, it's not even the most important thing. It's one of several requisite skills and traits, 10 of which I'm detailing in this series. Most of them require work. Lots of it. So yes, I'm down with you and your Jerry Rice comparison. Frankly that was one key to my ability to survive in Hollywood while I scrambled to get as much knowledge and experience as I could: I worked my ass off. In fact, I still work my ass off. I can in all honesty stack my work ethic up against anyone. But a writer must have talent. I don't know of any professional screenwriter or TV writer doesn't believe that. Sure, some writers may be perceived as having less talent than others and still be successful. But they STILL have some measure of talent. In honor of hard work and dedication, go here for some amazing highlights featuring Jerry Rice. Incredible!