Comments on: "Why We Write" #3: Howard Gordon

By: Kid Danger

Kid Danger — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:29:56 +0000

As an aspiring writer, these essays are becoming the reason I wake up. It’s good to know working writers have just as much hate and frustration as I do.

By: Sofiam

Sofiam — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:52:12 +0000

I am with you. I am a manager for the sole reason that I love and revere writers and writing. I can’t do it. I have tried. The blank computer screen, and the mistakes, are too draining of my soul. So, I represent writers. To fight for their rights and the respect they deserve. Thanks for sharing. I know that when others read writers’ work, it’s like open heart surgery. Scary, often demeaning and misunderstood. And, as a producer, I have seen story notes from studios that make my toes curl. I can only imagine what happens to a writer who receives them. At the beginning of my career, I didn’t argue with studio execs. I was grateful for the sales, for my clients and for me. Now, I get sooo angry and say it. Words are gems. Especially the way you all organize, agonize and imagine them. Best wishes to all of us that this ends soon and the creativity that has made this business what it was, and can still be, will prevail.

SofiaM

By: Al

Al — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:40:14 +0000

Mr. Gordon,
Beautifully put.
Thank you.

By: alex

alex — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:39:32 +0000

Who cares? Nikki, this pandering to writers has hit it’s nadir with all this. There are other issues in Hollywood you could be covering.

By: mla28

mla28 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:21:45 +0000

These are really heartfelt. They also give invaluable insight into the writing process. Thank you.

By: zagyzebra

zagyzebra — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 03:55:48 +0000

These WHY WE WRITE pieces are so inspiring — I’m cutting and pasting each one of them into a word document so the next time I’m angsting over words and characters, I’ll have somewhere to turn for encouragement.

By: Nikki fan

Nikki fan — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 02:00:46 +0000

I liked the essay. Keep them coming.

Nikki’s site right now, with the Santa caption-thing, the essays and all — it’s as if the AMPTP’s big swing on X-Mas Eve was just a blip on the screen. It’s as if their idiotic table-banging was just the wind blowing by… Nice work.

The studio heads’ statement reminded me of when I was a kid playing ball in the street and the old guy-neighbor would scream out that he’s going to call the cops if we don’t move away from his house. We still played, the cops were never called.

By: unitedwesit

unitedwesit — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:59:05 +0000

What do “The X-Files ” and “24″–the two most interesting and exciting dramas of the past fifteen years–have in common?

The answer: Howard Gordon worked on both series from the beginning. He may not enjoy writing, but we ALL enjoy his having written.

By: Saint Nick the Counter

Saint Nick the Counter — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:32:41 +0000

NOTES FROM SANTA’S MAIL BAG

Saint Nick the Counter here boys and girls. I always enjoy the day after Christmas because I get to relax and catch up on all the letters I filed under the Naughty List. Here’s one from little Nikki Finke in California. She didn’t get any Christmas present at all this year not even a lump of coal because she was a very naughty girl. Nikki writes:

“I have asked the AMPTP to give me original content expressing its side of the current strike, but the group has declined to date.”

Dear Nikki Finke,

WHY I DON’T WRITE #4

By Nicholas Counter, AMPTP President

Why in the world would I ever want to write? Those damn writers make much less money than I do. I make a million dollars a year and all I have to do is reject every single reasonale demand any union ever makes. It’s the easiest job in the world. So for me writing would be a waste of time. I’d lose money if I wrote. Even reading is a chore for me which is why I never read scripts. I don’t even read coverage. I just look at numbers all day long. The bottom line is the only thing I care about. I get paid to save the studios money. They lavish me with perks and gifts and extra money under the table. So to answer your question Little Nikki, this is why I don’t write. Your pal,

Jolly Saint Nick Counter
AMPTP President

By: joe

joe — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:12:50 +0000

“I love having written.”

As one who writes but doesn’t have the talent (well, certainly not the drive) to make it a profession, that line says it ALL to me. My scribblings will live past me, hopefully.

Stand up to those cocksuckers, dammit! You CANNOT lose, unless you lose. My best to you all, you are some of my heroes.

Joe