(Part 3—Interview with Richard Walter, author of Essentials of Screenwriting,)
SS: A while back I discovered that the Stanley Kowalski character from A Streetcar Named Desire was based on a person that Tennessee Williams had worked with in a factory. Over and over again I seem to discover more proof, that as you say, “the day job is the writer’s friend.”
Richard Walter: That’s a perfect example. Your day job keeps you in touch with the source of your writing which is the humanity around you. The writer’s dream is that you’re so self-sufficient you can just be in a cabin in the woods or a cottage at the beach—well, when I have too much time on my hand I’ll call for a ski report, even in August, just to avoid what I’m supposed to be working on.
Your day job is your friend. The writer’s day job is the friend of the writer. It keeps him solvent and sane, which are two closely related enterprises.
Screenwriter Nick Schenk based characters in his script Gran Torino on people he had worked with in various places in the Minneapolis area and had met in bars. Anyone else happen to notice that the Clint Eastwood character is also named Kowalski? Perhaps influenced by Tennessee Williams in more than one way.
Related post:
Screenwriting from Iowa 
So very, very true. And very well timed piece, coming out of darkness and winter. Time to get out in the world. Thanks, Scott, again. Loving your consistently clear daily thoughts.
[…] (Part 3—Interview with Richard Walter, author of Essentials of Screenwriting,) SS: A while back I discovered that the Stanley Kowalski character from A Streetcar Named Desire was based on a person that Tennessee Williams worked with in a factory. Over and over again I seem to discover more proof, that as you say, “the day job […] Original Source… […]
[…] Enemy of CreativityScreenwriting’s Great DividerKeeping Solvant and SaneThe Death of OriginalityThe Advantage of Being from ________Filmmaker as Artist/EntrepreneurFinding […]