Interviews

The Spec Script Library
Screenwriter : Michael C. McPherson

Michael C. McPherson lives in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada where,
by day, he works at an Oil Processing Plant and by night, he writes
and writes, and writes
. . .

What is your passion?
Writing, movies, writing, writing, writing!!!!

What is your pride?
Some of my stories, a couple of screenplays, my kids.

What is your greatest fear?
Not making my mark, not ever having some of my work appreciated by readers.

What does adversity do to you?
It weighs me down, spins me around, is both postive and negative.
I grow from it.

What is your best quality?
My sense of humor

What is your worst quality?
disagreeing with criticism of my writing.

What irksome habits do you have?
I smoke too much, drink far too much coffee.

If you could have your time again, what would you do that is different?
I would have started the writing game eariler than I did at age 32.

What would you like to change about yourself? About others?
I'm too hard on myself. I'd like to change that. As for others, they have a right to be here.

How important is goal setting to you?
My primary purpose is to achieve whatever goal I set for myself.

What goals do you have?
To get a book published ...several, if I can. To see one of my screenplays optioned and up there on the big screen.

What is your ultimate goal?
To be a success with my writing.

What heroes do you have?
St. Michael the Archangel, Jack Nicholson, my good friend, Cliff Logan.

What inspires you in others?
Their enthusiasm with life, a project, goal-seekers.

What inspires you in yourself?
I don't let the bastards get me down. If I do, they do not keep me there for long.

What will be written on your headstone?
Michael C. McPherson, a loving father and husband, a writer who believed he was entertaining.

What does success mean to you?
After 17 years in the writing game, it means a lot ...self-sufficiency, to be able to do it full time would be a major stepping stone for me.

How do you measure success?
By reviews of one's work, by aclaim, by the sparkle in a person's eyes after reading something I have written.

What are your pet hates?
Wannabees that ask stupid questions like, "What are brads?" Those I think who judge my work by geographical location. Who hate Canadians for no particular reason, and therefore condemn your work ...even if it's good. Also, those who mock writers in general, snicker when they hear you're a writer.

What are your pet loves?
My world of writing ...the office I use ...my computer ...ScriptThing, etc., plus those close to me -- my family and friends ...and those who do good for others.

What do you think of pets?
I have a dog, I can't picture a world without a pet in the home.

When are you happiest?
When I make a sale, or someone tells me how great a story I've written, when my current project is going well, and I am pleased with the results.

When are you hardest to please?
When my writing isn't going well, or the criticism becomes too much too handle on a particular day.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?
When I was a kid, I was standing in the schoolyard near the girls' side of the yard. Somebody came up behind me and pulled down my pants.

What's the most exhilarating thing you have done?
Sharing in the birth of my children.

What is it about screen writing that gets your fired?
Characters!

What screenplays have you written?
12, so far. Bitter Mercy, Against Their Will, Scattered Lives, Faces in the Mirror, First Born, Closer You Get, Cat and Mouse, Persuasive Means,
When Push Comes To Shove, Man of My Dreams,
I'd Rather Be At A Garage Sale,
Not All There.

What is your favorite pastime?
Writing and watching movies.

What is your favorite motto?
Don't Get It Right; Get It Written.

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If you would like to contact Michael C. McPherson
please mail him

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