"映画の脚本は最低限のもので、小説を出版することは自分を批判や分析にさらすようなものです"

Let's dive into this quote by breaking it down into its core ideas and implications for writers and creators alike.

At its heart, this quote highlights the fundamental difference between writing a movie script and publishing a novel. Think of a movie script as the skeletal framework of a story. It's stripped down to the essentials: dialogue, basic scene descriptions, and crucial actions. It's designed to be a blueprint for filmmakers, actors, and a whole production team to bring the story to life visually and audibly. In contrast, a novel is a deeply immersive experience. It leaves nothing to the imagination because it paints the entire picture with words. When you publish a novel, you’re not just sharing a story; you’re revealing a piece of your soul, opening it up for the world to scrutinize and dissect.

This idea stems from the different roles these two forms of writing play. Movie scripts are collaborative by nature. They’re meant to be interpreted and expanded upon by a diverse team, each member bringing their own expertise to the table. The screenwriter provides the skeleton, while directors, actors, set designers, and editors flesh it out. Novels, on the other hand, are solitary endeavors. The novelist is both the architect and the builder, creating an entire world from scratch and inviting readers to explore it.

To put this into a real-world context, let’s look at J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter franchise. When Rowling first penned the Harry Potter series, she poured her heart and soul into the creation of an intricate magical world. Every detail, from the spells to the history of Hogwarts, was meticulously crafted. When these books were adapted into films, however, scripts were written that distilled her rich narratives into screen-friendly formats. While the essence of the story remained, much of the depth and nuance was either simplified or omitted to fit the cinematic medium.

For practical application, if you’re a writer, consider your goals. Are you aiming to craft a collaborative piece that others will help bring to life, or are you looking to create a fully fleshed-out world that readers can lose themselves in? If it’s the former, focus on the bones of your story—the dialogue and the key actions. If it’s the latter, be prepared to expose your innermost thoughts and imaginings to your audience. Embrace the vulnerability that comes with writing a novel.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend who’s contemplating writing their first novel. You might say, “Hey, think about it like this. When you write a screenplay, it’s like you’re sketching the outline of a portrait. Others will come in and add the colors, the shadows, the textures. But when you write a novel, you’re painting the entire picture yourself. Every brushstroke is yours, and people are going to see it for what it is—flaws and all. It’s scary, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.”

So, if you’re ready to open yourself up to that level of scrutiny, go for it. Embrace the challenge. And remember, every great piece of art invites criticism. It’s a sign that people are engaging with your work, and that’s a beautiful thing.