Quotes by Writing I consider plot a necessary intrusion on what I really want to do, which is write snappy dialogue. But when I'm writing, the way the words sound is as important to me as what they mean. Aaron Sorkin important writing mean I'm terribly afraid of failure. When your identity is wrapped up in writing and you've written something that doesn't work, it's a tough pill to swallow. Aaron Sorkin tough identity writing I don't have personal experience and knowledge about anything but theater. I've been tutored very well on the subject, but ultimately I'm going back to the rules of drama. There are genres that I like as an audience member that I can't write as a writer. I can't write crime, and I like a good thriller as much as anybody. Aaron Sorkin crime writing drama The Monica Lewinsky scandal was happening at the very time I was writing the West Wing pilot and it was hard, at least for Americans, to look at the White House and think of anything but a punch line. Plus a show about politics, a show that took place in Washington, had just never worked before in American television. So the show was delayed for a year. Aaron Sorkin house writing thinking The hardest thing for me is getting started. If I'm writing a script, really 90 per cent of it would be just walking around, climbing the walls, just trying to put the idea together. Then the final 10 per cent would be writing it. Aaron Sorkin wall writing trying There's that process of writing it - then you come out of your room into the sunlight, and you now have to complete the circuit and make the connection finally with the audience. Aaron Sorkin connections writing rooms Well, I must tell you I write the scripts very close to the bone. So I'm writing episode seven now and couldn't tell you what happens in episode eight. Aaron Sorkin eight scripts writing I grew up in the theatre. It's where I got my start. Writing a television drama with theatrical dialogue about the theatre is beyond perfection. Aaron Sorkin perfection writing drama When I write something, I want the best director to direct it. And that's not going to be me. Aaron Sorkin want writing directors I think it's up to writers to write stuff that is compelling enough that people want to watch. Aaron Sorkin writing people thinking Honestly, I don't try to guess at what most people want. I don't think I'd guess right, and I just think that that's not a good recipe for storytelling. I try to write what I like, what I think my friends would like. Aaron Sorkin writing people thinking The stuff that I write doesn't work very well as background music. You have to watch it from beginning to end and pay attention as if you were watching a play. Aaron Sorkin play writing watches I would love for people to think that I am as quick, clever, smart and heroic as the characters that I write, but those characters are characters. Aaron Sorkin smart clever writing Just to clarify the division of labor on the show, I write the show and Alan [Poul] does everything else. Aaron Sorkin division-of-labor doe writing I don't think I write differently when I'm writing a screenplay, as opposed to a stage play or a teleplay. Maybe if I were in a film class and there was time to think about it, we could point out differences. Aaron Sorkin writing class thinking The thing I know how to do most is write a play. I came up loving plays and learning about plays and writing plays. I actually feel like an outsider when I'm writing movies and television. Aaron Sorkin play writing television I think that if I couldn't write, I would be unemployable. Aaron Sorkin would-be writing thinking With a television series, there's a hard deadline, and so you have to write even when you're not writing well. Aaron Sorkin deadline writing television I write about what I know and what I've experienced. That's the only way it can be real to me. I love songwriting. There is something so satisfying in coming up with an idea and turning it into a song that means something to people. Aaron Tippin real writing song I couldn't write a song to save my life. I wouldn't say that I started to panic, but I was definitely getting frustrated. I couldn't even cross a t or dot an i. Aaron Watson frustrated writing song «1234567891011»