Writers on the Screen: How Visual Media Captures the Life of a Writer

In real life, writing, whether as a career or hobby, is often solitary and sedentary, filled with self-doubt, creative struggles, and the challenges of a voracious industry. This makes writers a captivating subject for media such as films and television shows, eloquently exemplifying the struggles and triumphs of a writer. Creatinuum Podcast Episode 73 explores how films and TV portray writing, from personal transformation to industry struggles, revealing why stories about writers continue to captivate us.

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More than Words

Writing is a powerful psychological tool, often used in journaling to help people process their thoughts. Personal journals also appear in literature as essays, biographies, and more. At the very core, the act of writing is a means of self-expression where the writer’s creativity, pain, and struggles refuse to be silenced. In Freedom Writers (2007), a teacher encourages her students to write about their lives, helping them connect with each other and find their voices.  Similarly, Dead Poets Society (1989) champions the idea that poetry and self-expression are essential to the human experience. These films remind us that writing is more than just words on a page—it’s a means of understanding the world and ourselves.

The Writer’s Responsibility

Writers often find themselves living in two different worlds: reality and the world within them. Some films have taken a more surrealist approach, blurring the lines between fiction and reality when it comes to writing. Take Ruby Sparks (2012) for example; it follows a novelist who unknowingly brings his fictional character to life, only to realize the ethical implications of controlling another person. Stranger than Fiction (2007) similarly plays with this idea, as an ordinary man discovers his life is being dictated by an unseen author. 

These narratives explore the power and responsibility writers hold when crafting stories. They humanize characters for audiences, revealing the impact and consequences of an author's words. Moreover, they shape how we perceive storytelling and the ethical obligations of those who create it.

The Narrow Career of a Writer

While writing can be romanticized, some stories offer a grittier look at the industry. Spotlight (2015) showcases the persistence of investigative journalists uncovering a major scandal, illustrating the moral dilemmas and pressures they face. Trumbo (2015) tells the true story of a screenwriter blacklisted during the McCarthy era, highlighting the political struggles of writers.

Films like these help highlight the resilience and obstinacy writers must possess when it comes to their craft. It’s a profession that requires resilience, ethics, and courage.

A Window Into the Creative Mind

TV shows also explore the struggles of writers in compelling ways. Jane the Virgin frequently depicts its protagonist’s writing process, showing her characters speaking to her as she drafts her novel. The Last Five Years follows a struggling writer whose career success creates tension in his personal life. These portrayals make writing feel tangible, showing both the excitement and frustration that come with creating stories.

Why Audiences Love Stories About Writing

Writing-centered films and shows resonate because they reflect universal struggles—creativity, ambition, self-doubt, and perseverance. They remind us that every great story starts with an idea, a blank page, and the determination to see it through. As Dead Poets Society so powerfully states:

"The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse."

Listen in full to Creatinuum Episode 25: Pen to Paper to Picture: Writing as Depicted in Media available on Simplecast, Spotify, Apple, and other platforms.