Why Quarantine is a Great Time for Writing

Why Quarantine is a Great Time for Writing

Dorothy Parker once said “I hate writing, I love having written.” Writing can be difficult for many reasons, but one of the most common inhibitors is trouble focusing. There is a reason the old cliche of the novelist living in the woods exists. But the truth is, the optimal setting and conditions for writing are different for everyone. Some writers prefer absolute silence (try earplugs if this is you and you live in a noisy apartment building or neighborhood), while others listen to music or relaxing soundscapes as they write. On top of taking these steps, writers often will additionally bring in tea, coffee, or in some cases a glass of wine to the process (just don’t spill on your laptop).

It can easily come off as problematic to state “upsides” to self quarantining due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but for writers who require time to focus, what better time than now to dust off that old idea you had for a movie or series? Many people put off their best ideas and say they’ll get to them some day, perhaps when they retire. This argument is thankfully one that is less valid now.

Perhaps you have a story you’ve always wanted to tell, but your normal work routine and family life had your phone ringing off the hook 24/7. Whatever the case may be, most people are now finding themselves with more time on their hands than they know what to do with. It is easy to spend that time surfing the web, wasting time feeling inferior as you look at how your friends online may be having more fun quarantining than you, or binge watching every show you’ve had in the queue for years and finally have time to enjoy. But humans do not thrive on the couch, we are most alive during the act of creation.

The actual process of writing a script for film or television has never been easier (even if you literally know nothing about how it works) thanks to several different widely available programs. Final Draft is one of the most popular programs, but if you’re looking for a free option, there are versions of Celtx that are great and do virtually the same thing. You can choose a template, and the guides for how to format your document are right there, often automatic. With many of the procedural roadblocks eliminated by programs like these, making an industry standard looking document is easy. It is now just a matter of focusing on your story itself.

Writing can be difficult, but it can also be quite cathartic (just remember this isn’t a substitute for therapy). For many of us stuck at home right now, we are looking for structure, something stimulating to throw ourselves into. Taking on creative projects helps instill us with purpose, often in ways that are much more profound than we can imagine when we first conceive an idea. It is time to get in touch with your inner creator, everyone’s got a story to tell!

About Chris Emmons

Chris Carson Emmons grew up in Milwaukee, where he had a great interest in filmmaking. After earning his Bachelors at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he directed veteran film/TV actor Mark Metcalf (Animal House, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Seinfeld) in “Prone,” as well as “Marked Man,” starring Jaiden Kaine (Luke Cage, Vampire Diaries, Hidden Figures). Emmons’ subsequent short horror/satire “New Skin,” along with “Surrender,” a cautionary tale about the dangers of alcoholism, his sci-fi thriller “The Survivor” set in a world of exasperated climate change, and “Roebling’s Bridge,” the true story of the family behind the Brooklyn Bridge, all garnered international recognition and acclaim, bringing in a wealth of awards in their recent festival runs. Chris’s upcoming feature, “Two Cents From a Pariah” is set for festival premiere in late 2020.

Chris Emmons is now available for 1:1 lessons lessons in Screenwriting. 

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