What ‘Interstellar’ Taught Me About Writing
Last weekend I watched Christopher Nolan’s new film, ‘Interstellar’. It’s a film set in the near future about a group of people who have to travel into deep space, to save humanity. It has some of the best cinematography I’ve ever seen, and a powerful, emotive narrative. It’s epic in every sense of the word.
‘Interstellar’ is a demonstration of a master at work. It’s Christopher Nolan at the absolute peak of his powers as a filmmaker. Someone with total mastery of their craft, in every possible sense. The storytelling, cinematography, soundtrack, editing, and epic size of the movie are perfectly seamless.
‘Interstellar’ is a cinematic masterpiece.
And when I watched it, and reflected on it afterward, one of the things which stuck with me purely from an artistic perspective was simply this:
My main goal in writing is to leave a positive impact on the world. To serve others.
But outside of this, my biggest hope is that I can master the art of writing and storytelling, in the way Chris Nolan has mastered the art filmmaking. To have the command over words and stories which Nolan currently holds over the art of filmmaking.
It may be my biggest test as a writer.
The film also convinced me of one other, crucial fact. That to become a master writer, I must become a master storyteller.
Movies have the power to communicate deep truths about ourselves, confronting us with truths within us. And the reason movies can do this like no other, is because of the power of story.
The best films are great stories. And a great story is one which meets us all in our stories.
A great story is all our stories. (you can tweet that)
My challenge as a writer is always to tell a great story. Even in blog posts and non-fiction, the impact of a piece can often be in how well we tell the story, share the metaphor.
The biggest questions we need to confront as human beings will always be most effectively communicated through great story – whether that’s in fiction or non-fiction. We’ve all heard talks, lectures, and sermons which have inspired us. And chances are what connected us to the message was a story. A story we connected with, resonated with, or which impacted us deeply.
All the best communicators we know, are great storytellers. Whether it’s filmmakers, poets, songwriters, speakers or authors. All the best ones tell great stories.
To master the craft of writing, then, I must also master the art of storytelling.
And what’s the only way to get there?
Simple. Doing the work.
Writing regularly, shipping work publicly, reading, learning. Investing myself in my own growth and in the cultivation of my gift.
For all of us writers, painters, musicians, filmmakers, artists, this is our ongoing challenge. To keep working, shipping, learning, improving & honing our gifts.
To do the work. And keep doing the work.
But there is an ironic truth about mastery.
The Truth of Mastery
And what is this truth? It’s that we’ll never reach our destination.
Though Chris Nolan has mastered filmmaking in many ways, he will see himself as still on a journey. He will be looking for ways to improve, grow, and develop.
It’s that attitude which allows the great artists to continue to create amazing work throughout their lives.
By continually setting the bar higher.
My first full length book comes out next year. I’ve no doubt in terms of quality it will be one of my worst. Not because the content or message is bad – in fact, it’s a message I deeply care about and believe in – but because I hope over time, as I write and publish more books, I will become a better writer. And as such, the work I create in future will of a higher standard.
As artists we should always be aspiring to improve, develop and grow in our craft. To make our next work the best we’ve ever created.
It’s up to us.
If this is our destiny, our calling, our gift, we must pursue it.
We must give ourselves to our craft. Invest our time, energy and money into it. Do the work. Keep creating. Keep shipping. And continue to learn, grow and improve.
Chris Nolan did this with filmmaking. He’s been making films for decades, long before he got into major pictures.
And each work contributed to making him into the master filmmaker he now is.
So if you watch Interstellar (and please, go watch it, it’s phenomenal – there’s a taster below), watch the masterful filmmaking on view. Take inspiration from it as an artist. Be reminded of what can be achieved if we truly invest ourselves in our craft.
Who knows, one day people might be talking about something you’ve created as a masterpiece. It might not be an internationally-known work, only a few may know about it. But it will be our masterpiece.
And we’re all capable of those.
Question for Reflection:
Are you willing to invest yourself in your craft?
Let me know in the comments below!
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Thanks for the great reminder to keep pursuing our craft, and the encouragement that great stories make a difference. We writers need to get our stories out there. The world needs great stories, especially great stories that speak truth. Why not strive to create a masterpiece, one that will change the world one reader at a time?
Thanks for your kind comment Lisa, really glad the post encouraged you. And I completely agree – strive to create a masterpiece which can change the world one reader at a time. Thanks again!
I am always working to improve and grow as a writer and desire to please God in what I write as he is my ultimate audience. My prayer is that I will glorify him by the works of my hands and when I am done he will say well done good and faithful servant.
Spot on Tara, completely agree with you. Great comment.
This is so true! Not only practicing the craft, but also rubbing shoulders with other authors helps us grow and improve. Nice message, James. (And well written…)
Thanks Tamie, glad the post resonated with you – and appreciate your encouragement too! 🙂
Watching it tomorrow.
Enjoy – it’s awesome!
You’re correct, James. As writers we hopefully get better each time. I made the mistake of going back and reading a story I’d written about 2 decades ago and was lucky enought to have had published. I wanted to do a sequel. How amateurish. It was immature and poorly written. We grow and aspire to perfection. Those who don’t, stagnate. Keep growing.
Thanks for the comment Bob, glad you agree – interesting story about the book and it’s sequel, definitely one to bear in mind, thanks for sharing. And totally agree – keep growing.
Ah, insights and resonances of our conversation grown and formed into a wonderful post with great conclusions. With you all the way, James. Raising my coffee cup to you. Bravo. (And I loved the film, too.)
Yes, I remembered our discussions when writing this piece – glad you’re with me on this! Glad you loved the film too. 🙂
I agree that my first published book is not nearly as good as my most previously published – I agree that we each continue to grow and learn and hone our craft. That movie sounds amazing and right up my alley – I’ll have to check it out!
Glad the post resonated Elyse – and do see the film, it’s phenomenal.
Exactly right: the path of the artist never ends. You can put in your “10,000 hours” to become a so-called master, but you should still have the attitude of the student – always learning.
Spot on Scott – so glad the post resonated. Thanks so much for commenting, appreciate it, and totally agree.
So true! No matter how masterful we become, we will always be students. That’s how to remain a master.
Yes, definitely!!
Absollutely, James. It is a growth process.
Totally agree Onisha, thanks.
Here’s one for ya: Never find yourself saying to someone you are learning from “The student has become the master…” I’m sure Chris Nolan learns from people every single day.
Spot. On. I will remember that one Ms.Cheevious, as I’m sure Nolan does.
Love Christopher Nolan!
Me too!!
I like your humility about acknowledging your first book might be your finest, regardless of the passion behind it. That frees us all to know the process and giving of our words matters, always. My girl says we simply “MUST” see that movie this weekend btw…
Thanks Christa, appreciate your encouragement and support. Great comment, thanks. 🙂 And yes, you “MUST” see that movie…
We saw the movie this weekend. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks La, hope you enjoyed the movie too!
I was very mixed on the movie. I thought the story was creative. But the science was lacking. It seemed old technology. Like Apollo style. There were orange life jackets laying around and canisters like emergency life rafts on a major ship. I think they could have been more creative with the science.
All the science was allegedly up to date, they had the foremost expert on thr subject on the production team, all the look of black holes and wormholes in the movie is from proven science. The ‘old look’ was I think an attempt to make it more realistic. But the science itself is all real theoretical science.
This is a well written article, and a very meaningful one. Personally, I am a huge fan of Christopher Nolan as he is what I aspire to be like: a master in my craft. He has an uncanny ability which I desire so much. But like you said, he didn’t get there in one day. He kept working on improving himself. I understand that I too need to keep working on myself. One day, I will be celebrated too and my works will have inspired countless lives.
Thank you James, for writing this. It has inspired something in me. I wish you all the best for now and the future.
-David I. Adeleke | http://www.davidadeleke.com
Great comment David and totally agree – one thing I love about Nolan, he’s worked at his craft, he’s honed it, and is always looking to improve. Like you, I aspire to be as much of a master of the craft of writing as he is of filmmaking. Thanks for commenting David!