Interviews

The Spec Script Library
Screenwriter : Mark Atwater

Mark Atwater
from Macomb, IL, USA, graduated from Western Illinois University
where he lives and writes.

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What is your passion?

Definitely writing, creating a different perception of the world
that wasn't there before I put pen to paper.

What is your pride?

My strength of vision in what I'm doing
and sticking to it until my goals are reached.

What is your greatest fear?

Not discovering all the avenues available and using them
to help attain my goals.

What does adversity do to you?

Adversity without a doubt makes me stronger. When someone says I can't, I stick with it until I can.

What is your best quality?

Creativity and the ability to organize it in some accessible form.

What is your worst quality?

My worst quailty, which could also be my best, is never giving up, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

What irksome habits do you have?

Staying up all night

If you could have your time again, what would you do that is different?

I don't think I would change a thing, even though it might be better, because I believe EXPERIENCE is the only teacher in this life.

How important is goal setting to you?

Goal setting is the utmost importance, without them, I would never have completed a screenplay, novel, short story, etc.

What goals do you have?

To be the best writer I can be,
and ultimately be successful enough to make a living doing it.

What heroes do you have?

My heroes are people whether they be writers, athletes, filmmakers, who never give up and achieve success through those struggles.

What inspires you in others?

Probably, my problem solving skills, and
the ability to be objective and strong willed at the same time.

What inspires you in yourself?

My ability to roll with the punches,
and attack the problem from different angles.

What will be written on your headstone?

STILL GOING!

What does success mean to you?

Achieving your dreams.

How do you measure success?

By ataining those steps that you have set out for yourself,
not neccessarily fame, wealth, and security.

What are your pet hates?

Arrogant selfish people.

What are your pet loves?

Writing, sports, and movies.

What do you think of pets?

They're good companions, and they're always glad to see you.

When are you happiest?

When I'm writing and creating.

When are you hardest to please?

When I'm not pursuing the truths in my work,
and not short-changing myself.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

I don't know about embarrassing moments, but I do know one thing from submitting query letters to everyone under the sun: If suicide is one letter, then SASE kills.

What's the most exhilarating thing you have done?

Completing my first screenplay.

What is it about screen writing that gets your fired?

The possibility of creating something on paper
that transforms to celluloid.

What screenplays have you written?

Lucid, a crime-thriller; Shortkill, a comedy; and Fortune City, a Sci-fi action story, a crime-thriller titled New York and a Day and a thriller titled
Master Darkness.

What is your favorite pastime?

Writing.

What is your favorite motto?

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

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If you would like to contact Mark
please mail him

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