primarily because I, myself, enjoy reading
what I write, although now I can add the recognition gained from
taking third place in the American Gem contest short story competition
as an important, and more objective, milestone.
My inspiration to write ALL'S FAIR.......
came from my great fondness for the comic
aspects of life, which almost invariably derive from the yawning gap
between who we think we are and who we actually are.
*****************************************************************
FilmMakers Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
David W. Carter: The urge to create something uniquely one’s
own is strong in most people. Since literature has always been my
passion, I naturally wanted to achieve something noteworthy (however
minor) in that field of endeavor.
FilmMakers Magazine: What did you do to prepare yourself
to write your story?
David W. Carter:
I can’t say that I did anything special. Just as they say that you are
what you eat, I believe that you are also what you read. A lifetime of
reading has provided me with a constant store of ideas that tend to
bubble to the surface on their own.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Is this your first story and how long did it take you to complete?
David W. Carter:
This is not my first
story. I have been writing stories on my blog for the last couple of
years. This particular story took me approximately two weeks to
complete.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
David W. Carter:
No, not at all. I do a fair amount of
writing during business meetings, many of which are boring and
pointless (my colleagues do tend to wonder why I take so many notes).
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe literary contests
are important for aspiring writers and why?
David W. Carter:
Certainly. In the first place, contests
provide an opportunity for the aspiring writer to gain some
recognition. In the second place, a win (or even a near miss) helps to
build the writer’s self-confidence.
FilmMakers Magazine:
What
influenced you to enter the
American Gem Short Screenplay and Literary Festival?
David W. Carter:
I had another story make it as far as the
final eight, last year, so I was emboldened to enter again. The great
thing about the American Gem contest is that it seems to focus on
straightforward stories that have potential cinematic potential (as
opposed to many academic competitions).
FilmMakers Magazine:
What script/book would you urge
aspiring writers to read and why?
David W. Carter:
This would
naturally depend on the genre in which one has the most interest, but,
as someone who favors the comic, I think practically anything by P.G.
Wodehouse is valuable to writers in the humorous vein, primarily
because of the author’s skill at creating truly unique metaphors,
which enhance the comic aspects of the storyline.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Beside writing what are you
passionate about and why?
David W. Carter:
I am an avid collector of books. While my library includes specimens
of almost all genres, the largest concentration is in 18th century
English literature.
FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite writer
and Why?
David W. Carter:
Aside from the sainted Wodehouse, I have always been partial to Henry
Fielding, one of the earliest and greatest writers in the English
comic tradition. He strikes me as having been a genuinely humane man,
whose view of the world was, while satirical in perspective, mostly
benign.
FilmMakers Magazine: Name
the director you would love to work with and why?
David W. Carter:
Jon Turteltaub. He has directed some fine
comedies (Cool Runnings), and several action films which have
significant comic overtones (National Treasure and its sequel).
FilmMakers Magazine:
Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
David W. Carter:
Brendan Fraser. He excels in action films
with romantic comedy themes.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Any tips and things learned along
the way to pass on to others?
