First Love or Last Love?

Films are fabulous, aren't they?  I have particular ones that I can watch over and over again without becoming bored - not many though. One of my favourites is 'The Edge of Love.' In fact, if reading is essential to writing, then films are equally so - especially if you want to be a script writer for radio, stage or screen. You can gain so much by watching characters in action -their persona, mannerisms, dialogue etc. The list is endless. Also, it can generate ideas for scenes and the action they contain. Something else I've found is that quotes from films can generate ideas for your writing. It's specific quotes, ones that generate deep meaning that you can relate to. For example:


"First love's all right as far as it goes; last love, that's what I'm interested in." The words of Captain William Killick, played by actor Cillian Murphy in the film, 'The Edge of Love,' also starring Keira Knightly.  It also features Matthew Rhys as the poet, Dylan Thomas and it covers a period during World War Two - another reason why I love it.
In that particular scene, Captain Killick is desperately trying to win Vera Phillips (Knightly) over. She however is still hanging on to her first love, the poet Dylan Thomas. However, Dylan is now married to Caitlin, and so Vera knows they have no future. Captain Killick is madly in love with Vera and his words are so poignant. "Last Love," has such depth to it and immediately conveys meaning and beauty. So simple and yet so effective.  

Quotes alone can be so random and yet so pertinent. 

W. Somerset Maugham, the author has some relevant quotes for writing: 

"There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."

How true this is. If there were a simple set of rules to follow, many more of us would be attempting to write novels. We would have direction with the assistance of sign posts. Rules, like maths has rules. But then I followed the rules for maths and I'm no maths genius. Perhaps enough said.

Another quote from Mr Maugham:

"We do not write because we want to; we write because we have to."

This is so true. Many people want to write. They have ideas and they begin but quickly run out of steam, outpaced by the arduous task. I write because I have to and when the going gets tough I push on. I find a way forward because I must. As writers, we have something to say regardless of whether we will ever be fortunate to gather an audience. The words must flow and we must make sense of them, forging our own imprint upon society, history and literature. All I hope for is that my writing continues to improve, like an aged wine maturing with age over time.

And finally, one last quote:

"People ask for criticism, but they only want praise."

Let me say that I can empathise with writers who fit this one. The first critique I received on a very early piece of writing left me feeling hopeless. The most important thing to realise is that this is not negative or bad in any way. Having your work literally pulled to pieces and your morale or your pride shattered as a result is a positive part of an extremely long learning curve. This is how we improve as writers and it keeps us on our toes. 

This is a picture of my grandmother, taken in 1942/1943 just shortly after she had completed basic training in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. She is the founder of my inspiration and I'm quite certain she is my guiding light in my writing.

So, inspiration comes from hidden corners anywhere, at any time. Keep searching and enjoy. Happy writing everyone.