I've noticed lately that many movies have been made with a writer as the main character or one of the main characters. Not only on the big screen but also television channels like Hallmark Movies tackle ways to involve book writers or song writers into their screenplays. What I didn't realize was how many movies have been made with a writer as a main character.
Google movies about writers and be prepared to view lists and lists; 10 of the Best Movies about writers, 20 of the best movies about writers, movies about real writers, movies about female writers, horror movies about writers, screenwriters, etc. There are even lists of movies that motivate writers and movies that teach writing. The lists go on and on. Who knew?
My interest in this topic came from watching Finding Forrester, a wonderful movie about an award winning one-book-wonder author who mentors a young black teen. Forrester, played by Sean Connery, is said to be loosely based on the life of J.D. Salinger. What stuck with me was a line from the movie that I shall never forget: "The first draft you write from the heart, you revise from the brain."
After reading the synopsis of multiple movies about writers, I've learned that many of them have tidbits of writing advice woven throughout their screenplays. What a great way to learn as you watch and listen, especially during these COVID 19 quarantine times.
I seem to naturally gravitate toward movies about writers, sometime knowingly and sometimes by accident. Either way it's always a pleasant surprise. Even so, I'm surprised that I've seen so few of the recommended films.
The list of movies I want to see has grown substantially since I began this post. It's been surprising to me that there are so many. But, rather than give you my choices for 'gotta-see' writers flicks, I'll challenge you to Google. "movies with writers" or "movies about writers," and make your own list.
What movie or movies about writers has inspired you? What tidbits about writing, if any, have you gleaned from watching a movie?
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Sandra Warren has published products in multiple genres.
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3 comments:
That's a great line, Sandra! AN interesting topic for a blog post. I don't watch many movies, so I can't think of one off the top of my head.
Dear Sandra,
I've noticed that many of the Hallmark movies contain writers in them. I don't recall the names of the ones I enjoyed best. I like them all. There's a little in each one that helps give me confidence in what I am doing.
Never Give Up
Joan
I'm not a big movie watcher, so I can't comment on that, but I do remember that on the Dick Van Dyke Show (showing my age here) he was a writer for a comic. Their team meetings were the entertaining part to me.
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