My Favorite Writers are Screenwriters

A few days ago, while preparing for my journalism master’s program interview, I could already imagine the question, “Who is your favorite writer?” popping up. At first, my mind went to popular authors like Colleen Hoover and Sally Rooney. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I’m drawn less to traditional novelists and more to people like Vogue journalist Emma Specter or artist Olivia Rodrigo. Why do we always insist on labeling writers as "authors" when these women, like many others, have the same remarkable ability to connect with audiences in ways that sometimes go beyond what a typical author might do?

I once dated a guy who was completely obsessed with movies. He always knew exactly what to watch, when to watch it, and how to watch it. It was like he could predict the success of a film before it was even released. In many ways, my first love’s first love was cinema. After we broke up, he was no longer a part of my life, but strangely, I didn’t lose the passion for movies he had reawakened in me. Now, I can’t watch a good movie without becoming all nerdy: “Omg, can you feel the tension in how he said that line?!”

Thinking back, I’ve always had a love for Hollywood movies. In seventh grade, while most of my classmates were writing about their family, soccer, or dogs, I wrote my first paper on how Steven Spielberg was bringing dinosaurs back to life. It was around that time I wanted to be a director. I remember back in 2015, after seeing Disney’s live-action Cinderella with Lily James in the lead role, I even went ahead and made my own version of the movie. I forced all my classmates to line up and act out a live audition in front of me. Poor people. Unfortunately, I didn’t back it up on my iPad, and the film disappeared… along with my interest in becoming a director.

This is why I will admit that my favorite writers are screenwriters. Not Colleen Hoover or Sally Rooney, even though they’re great as well. But more like Greta Gerwig, the woman behind Little Women, Lady Bird, and of course, Barbie. Gerwig, along with other screenwriters, possesses a unique ability to shape stories that are visually stunning, emotionally moving, and culturally relevant, all at the same time. I am fascinated by how the words on the page translate into something much larger than what is written. Take Lady Bird, for example. Every line in that film feels personal and raw, yet it connects with anyone who has ever felt misunderstood or out of place. I often find myself drawn to these types of stories. And while I admire traditional writers for their ability to craft intricate, captivating novels, I can't help but recognize the brilliance of screenwriters who have the power to blend words, visuals, and music into a singular experience. There is a certain beauty to this kind of writing, and it’s not limited to the pages of a book. It’s a different kind of storytelling, but it’s just as powerful, in my opinion. How many of us don’t tear up a little whenever a new Pixar trailer drops? Or am I just being nerdy again? Heeh.

So, while most people might name a classic novelist or a bestselling author, I’ve realized that my biggest inspirations come from places a little less expected. From the cinematic brilliance of Greta Gerwig to the bold and sometimes controversial storytelling of Michael Patrick King, the screenwriter behind Sex and the City. It might sound weird, but honestly? I could totally back it up- right?! So, if I get asked who my favorite writer is during my master’s interview, I won’t limit myself to the conventional: My favorite writers are screenwriters.