We recently connected with Qiujun Ma and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Qiujun, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
In the process of writing, encountering creative blocks is a common occurrence. Whether it’s a movie script, TV show script, or novel, character development and plot construction are significant undertakings and cannot be completed overnight. Creativity never comes from pure imagination or sudden inspiration; it often stems from accumulated experiences in life, including people and stories. I have a habit of recording interesting stories and characters I come across each day. When I start creating, these accumulated notes become my pool of resources. When I hit a creative block, I stop writing, go out to meet some friends, and chat. Sometimes, I watch a movie or a TV show. The solution to the block often comes from a casual conversation with friends or from a scene in a movie or TV show.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’ve been working as a screenwriter for many years, during which I’ve written scripts for TV dramas, movies, and short films. For me, the most interesting part of writing scripts is that you can create a world of your own and decide the fate of the characters. What’s even more intriguing is that, depending on the type of story, you get to experience different lives. Creating a script is like playing a mystery-solving game with the audience—whether the plot and characters are engaging, whether the ending surprises the audience or is predictable. These aspects of screenwriting are what make the process exciting and enjoyable for me.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Keep striving, never give up easily. Observe life and learn to accumulate experiences. Don’t procrastinate. I believe these three principles have played a significant role in my career. Persistence is fundamental in any profession. Very few people succeed on their first try, but persistence brings the hope of success. Accumulation is the foundation of creative work; all forms of art come from accumulation combined with personal ideas—never from sheer imagination.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I went through a low point in my career when several of my scripts were rejected, and I started to question if I was suitable for this profession. But as I often say, persistence is key. Any job requires persistence as well as self-improvement. When facing failure, the first step is not to give up. The lessons from failure should lead to reflection and learning new skills to improve oneself. In my view, persistence and self-improvement are the best ways to overcome obstacles.
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