All writing is discipline, but screenwriting is a drill sergeant.
Robert MckeeRead
Write every day, line by line, page by page, hour by hour. Do this despite fear. For above all else, beyond imagination and skill, what the world asks of you is courage, courage to risk rejection, ridicule and failure. As you follow the quest for stories told with meaning and beauty, study thoughtfully but write boldly. Then, like the hero of the fable, your dance will dazzle the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of perseverance and courage in the pursuit of writing and creativity, despite facing fear of rejection and failure.
Robert McKee stresses that writing is a process that requires consistent effort and a brave heart. The act of writing daily, regardless of fear, is a significant part of the journey toward creating meaningful and beautiful stories. He highlights that courage is the essential quality needed to overcome the potential challenges of rejection, ridicule, and failure, urging writers to engage boldly with their craft and to dazzle the world with their unique voices.
Themes
WritingCourageFearPerseveranceCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
During a public speaking event about overcoming fear in creative pursuits.
More from Robert Mckee
All quotes →Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.
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Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today.
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Good story' means something worth telling that the world wants to hear. Finding this is your lonely task...But the love of a good story, of terrific characters and a world driven by your passion, courage, and creative gifts is still not enough. Your goal must be a good story well told.
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Anxious, inexperienced writers obey rules. Rebellious, unschooled writers break rules. Artists master the form.
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We rarely know where we are going; writing is a discovery.
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