Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paul Zeidman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Paul, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’ve always been a writer. From the pocket notebook I toted around in junior high that contained my attempt at a science fiction story to the one-act plays I wrote in high school that consisted of flimsy plots and stolen jokes, to becoming so interested in screenwriting that I began reading anything and everything I could find.

One of the many unique things about screenwriting is that there really isn’t another medium like it.

It is also exceptionally HARD, and not for the impatient or easily intimidated. It takes time to not only learn how to do it, but how to do it well.

I don’t know if there’s anything I could have done that would have sped up the learning process, but if I had to pick something, I’d say “nothing happens overnight”. A lot of writers starting out think it’s going to be easy, but they soon discover that is most definitely not the case. Writing – any kind – takes time. Patience is not just a virtue with screenwriting – it’s a necessity. Take the time to make sure your script is as rock-solid as you can make it; that make take longer than you want, which is totally fine.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a screenwriter with a brand I like to describe as “take the reader/audience on a rollercoaster thrill ride they can’t wait to get back in line for as soon as it’s over.”

I’m also a huge believer/supporter of networking and doing what I can to help others out in the screenwriting community. Writing is already a solitary activity, and a lot of us know what that kind of self-imposed isolation can involve. Interacting with other writers, whether it’s through social media, Zoom get-togethers, meeting for a coffee chat, or attending a festival or conference, all go a long way towards making others feel involved. It’s also a great way to remind others that they’re not alone in this endeavor, and that somebody else is interested in getting to know more about them and their work.

A more recent development is that I’m now the sole host of a writing-based podcast. I started out as one of three co-hosts, but the third person had to drop out, and a few years later the other host (who was also the one who came up with the concept) stepped away, so now it’s just me talking to writers from all kinds of mediums and genres about themselves, their work, and what advice they have for writers. It’s been a lot of fun.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My ultimate goal is to simply be a working screenwriter, writing movies people enjoy going to see. It’s not really about a paycheck (which is always nice), but writing is something I love doing. Coming up with an idea, developing it, shaping it, fine-tuning it into what is basically the blueprint for a story told through sight and sound.

One of my writing guidelines is “Write something you would want to watch”. You like comedy? Write a comedy. Big horror aficionado? Write something scary. You’d think that would be self-explanatory, but some writers write what they think is popular at the moment. That’s a no-win scenario, because something that’s popular now could be very passe in a few months (i.e. when you’re done writing the script).

I focus on writing what would appeal to both 14-year-old me as well as present-day me.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

A lot of writers are often asked “Where do you get your ideas?” There’s no one standard answer. Some just have a vivid imagination, some ask “what if…?”, and others get inspired by the world around them.

For someone who doesn’t challenge their creativity on a daily basis, writing might seem like strange and mysterious process. All it is Ass In Chair and doing the work – as often as necessary.

Writers write because they want to. Some days the words come, and some they don’t.

And if you’re one of those people who say “Oh, I could never write anything like that”, you shouldn’t compare yourself to anybody else. Everybody has their own story to tell and their own way to tell it. I like to use the running analogy that “Everybody runs at their own pace”. Some people will be faster than you, and some will be slower. Your main focus should be not worrying about anybody else and getting yourself across the finish line.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://maximumz.blog
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pezscreenwriting/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pezscreenwriter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pzeidman/
• Twitter: https://x.com/maximum_z
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeWritingLife
• Other: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0VlMUMNq8wizzjIx2JTqpN?si=BXOwJ0GQS-u358fEBIvlwg

Image Credits

these are all my own personal photos