"Don't write for an audience,'' she said. ''Write what you want to see.''
Jane Espenson. Smart lady.
One thing that will drive me crazy in writing class is when a student starts talking about what will get laughs and what audiences love. Shut up. You don't know.
You only know what makes you laugh and what you love.
Here's more of what she has to say. Click HERE.
4 comments:
Super love this! I couldn't agree more with the smart lady.
I've been meaning to ask you if Robowriters still meet once a month?
Hope you're doing well! I'm going to run over to see the Saga after my show tomorrow. I can't wait!
Hi, Cassie - RoboWriters is on ice. It just became to inconsistent as far as attendance and location. However, if you ever got a group together and wanted me to come in for a workshop, I'd be more than happy to. - Joe
that is interesting! that was always my mentality, but i remember my first college writing class clearly. the professor (who i greatly admired) said "writing without an audience in mind is nothing more than mental masturbation."
i still feel a bit defensive when i think of that.
I think it is important to keep the audience in mind, but not write for what you think the audience wants to see or what you think they will enjoy. Someone writing for the stage has to keep in mind how things are unfolding from an audience perspective as a technique The same for someone writing for film or for the reader.
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