Writing is not an easy job. Publishing your work can be difficult, unless you are happy to take the short-cut of self-publishing, which I never have been, as to me it feels too much like cheating and lacks the validation of one's work that traditional publishing brings with it. When your work has been accepted and paid for by a publishing house, you know it is of a very high standard and something to be proud of.
There is no more enjoyable way for me to spend a day than by writing, especially when publication is guaranteed due to the work having already been commissioned and paid for by a publisher. That said, it still isn't easy and there will be times when the words are not flowing and you hit a bit of a block. All writer's experience this from time to time. It's just a part of the job, but there are ways to trick your mind into feeling inspired to write again. For me, watching films about other authors is one of the quickest ways to get a shot of inspiration, leading me straight back to my own pages with a fresh burst of enthusiasm.
Here are some of my favourite writing films that I watch to put me back into a writerly state of mind. They clearly demonstrate that a writer's life isn't perfect, that there is no such thing as the perfect environment or circumstances in which to write a book. They show that the great writers put their words on the page, no matter what - that is what makes them great writers. While so many people make excuses as to why they don't have the time or circumstances in which to write, the often troubled lives of the great writers prove that to be completely untrue. In short if you want to be a writer, you will find the time to write, regardless of what else is going on in your life, as shown by these biopics.
Mary Shelly (2018); As you would expect and can see from the trailer above, this film is suitably dark and gothic, recounting Mary's tumultuous romance with the poet Shelly, and the fantastic gothic novel that came out of it. I watched this one last night and it is one of my favorite writerly films.
Tolkien (2019); This film has all the best of dark academia and writerly inspiration, as it follows Tolkien from childhood, through his university years and married life, when he began to write a fairytale for his children - The Hobbit. Here you can see how the dark days of war and his love of languages, were infused into his works of epic fantasy.
Becoming Jane (2007); The writing life of one of England's finest writers, Jane Austen. This film is like one of Jane's own novels, recounting her doomed love affair and her struggle to be taken seriously as a writer and novelist. Jane published all her works anonymously and never saw her own name on any of her books - that was added later, after her death. To me that is one of the saddest aspects of Jane's story, that she never had the thrill of seeing her name on the cover of her books. But she kept on writing, and I for one, am so happy that she did!
Miss Potter (2006); This is a charming biopic of author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. Don't let the animated scenes put you off - they are designed to demonstrate how real Potter's world was to her and how much she lived from her own imagination. Again there is the doomed love affair, the lack of recognition from her own mother, followed by literary success, wealth and eventually romance. This is a lovely film and so inspiring to watch.
Enid (2009); Enid recounts the life of my absolute favourite author from childhood, Enid Blyton. Her life was not without scandal and it could be said that she was much fonder of her characters than she was of her own children, but this film will make you chuckle as she struggles with the demands of a baby, much preferring the company of her dog! I have to say that I prefer animals to children too, so this film is right up my street. Whatever her mistakes in her family life, Enid sold over 500 million books, so she was doing something right! This film illustrates that writers are forced to make sacrifices for their art, and sometimes its the family who suffers for that success. I love the scenes when Enid is banging away at her typewriter, which is balanced precariously on her knee.
Magic Beyond Words (2011); The well- worn, oft-told tale of J K Rowling. Like Miss Potter, this film incorporates scenes of fantasy where her characters come to life. An interesting biopic, but somewhat romanticized.
Collette (2017); This biopic tells the story of Collette, one of France's most famous authors. It has a feminist angle, showing how difficult it was for a female author to claim the credit for her own work - a theme also covered in Mary Shelley. This film will make you laugh out loud at the bawdiness of it, but it will also push you to the desk to write, which is the main thing.
Their Finest (2016); Set against the backdrop of the London Blitz, this is the story of Catrin, who is hired to write 'the fluff' - better know nowadays as 'women's interest'. It has some helpful advice on editing one's own work; "Get rid if half of it" "Which half?" "The half you don't need!" A lovely romantic film about a woman's struggle to be taken seriously as a writer.
The Guernsey Literary &Potato Peel Pie Society (2018); This film, and the novel that inspired it, is based on the true story of an underground reading club, hiding away from Nazi occupation of the island. Juliet is a young journalist who goes to find out more and discovers mystery and romance as she writes her book. Lovely costumes and a spirit of adventure run throughout this film, amid a sea-swept island backdrop.
So there you have it - nine writerly films to help inspire you when you're feeling a touch of writer's block. I have always used films such as these, along with Little Women and Anne of Green Gables The Sequel, to put me in the mood to write when I'm feeling lazy. Inspiration doesn't come down from the heavens to touch you on the head - you have to go looking for it. It is an active collaboration. I'm sure that any one of these films will have you running off to find a quiet, cosy nook where you can write your latest masterpiece! Enjoy.
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