Interviewing Aviva Peltin: Podcaster and Screenwriter of Female-Led Stories
In this romcom interview with Byte Your Expression, Aviva goes into detail about her creative process, shares advice, her love for romcom writer icons, Kiwi Smith & Karen McCullah, and more.
The Interview
1. What usually gets you in the mindset to write? Is there a particular mood that you depend on in order to get writing done? Or do you prefer forcing yourself to write no matter how you're feeling?
I go through periods of writing consistently and then periods of absorbing inspiring material. Rinse and repeat. When I begin a script, especially once I’m past the outlining stage, I tend to be very motivated and write until I’m done. It gets addicting. But after a project ends, I get post-screenplay melancholy; my brain falsely tells me I’ll never have an idea I love as much ever again. So, during the time of figuring out what I wish to write next, I try to read interesting books, watch films that inspire me, and try to soak in as many new ideas and experiences as possible in hopes that I’ll come up with my next script idea, which eventually does happen.
I am not sure I believe in writer's block. It’s often an excuse to avoid doing the work. I have to find the motivation to sit down to write, and once I actually do that, inspiration and motivation usually comes. I have to focus on getting past the outlining stage, because I never regret finishing a script, but I do regret not getting started. A Pablo Picasso quote comes to mind: “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”
It’s an unfortunate reality of being a writer that you must write. I wish there were a way around it. I am kidding. I love writing. But it’s not always easy! It takes effort. Sometimes writing seems like the worst thing ever, and I’d rather, I don’t know, do the dishes, alphabetize the spice drawer, or learn about tax law. But the times when something flows out of me, when it feels so effortless, that’s the closest thing to magic.
Continue reading on Byte Your Expression.