---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writing and directing, to me, was the…"
description: "\"Writing and directing, to me, was the logical evolution from my life as an actor: going from telling someone else's story to actually creating my own. ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/508/tamzin-merchant-34284_day_writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logi_1433555.jpg"
---

#  Writing and directing, to me, was the logical evolution…

![“Writing and directing, to me, was the logical evolution from my life as an actor: going from telling someone else's story to actually creating my own. Perhaps one day I will do all three: write, direct, and act in the same production. That might get a little hectic, though.” quote by Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/508/tamzin-merchant-34284_day_writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logi_1433555.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/508/tamzin-merchant-34284_day_writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logi_1433555.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/508/tamzin-merchant-34284_day_writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logi_1433555.jpg)

> “Writing and directing, to me, was the logical evolution from my life as an actor: going from telling someone else's story to actually creating my own. Perhaps one day I will do all three: write, direct, and act in the same production. That might get a little hectic, though.”

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Transitioning from acting to writing/directing expands creative control, though juggling all three can be chaotic.

**In simple terms:** Moving from acting to creating your own stories.

Key Takeaway

Explore multiple creative roles.

Themes

creativity career growth multitasking

Mood

enthusiastic ambitious

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

- theatre
- film projects
- personal branding

Key Concepts

storytelling film production

Questions to Reflect On

- Which role feels most natural?
- How will you manage workload?

A Different Perspective

Risk of burnout and diluted focus.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [As a screenwriter, you are so used to things going in directions that you wouldn't have taken, so to be able to say, 'This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-watkins/as-a-screenwriter-you-are-so-used-to-things-going-in-directions-that/)

[James Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-watkins/)

> [I don't think it's my personality to be going around telling people what I'm doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-don-t-think-it-s-my-personality-to-be-going-around-telling-people/)

[Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/)

> [Growing up the way that I did - I grew up with a lot of cousins - you just have this imagination, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dania-ramirez/growing-up-the-way-that-i-did-i-grew-up-with-a-lot-of-cousins-you/)

[Dania Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dania-ramirez/)

> [I try my best to live by the principle that if you're going to be telling a story that you didn't live, tell it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-mazin/i-try-my-best-to-live-by-the-principle-that-if-you-re-going-to-be/)

[Craig Mazin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-mazin/)

> [The movies aren't going anywhere, because telling stories is how people communicate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ti-west/the-movies-aren-t-going-anywhere-because-telling-stories-is-how/)

[Ti West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ti-west/)

> [The things I want to focus on are music, writing, directing, and developing stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/the-things-i-want-to-focus-on-are-music-writing-directing-and/)

[Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/)

> [I went to film school so I have a writing and directing background, and I think a lot of the material I'm interested in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/i-went-to-film-school-so-i-have-a-writing-and-directing-background/)

[Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/)

> [ All these teachers and \[screenwriting\] books mean you see movies that have been worked over by more committees wielding more rules, that all originality… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-schrader/all-these-teachers-and-screenwriting-books-mean-you-see-movies-that/)

[Paul Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-schrader/)

> [I was a standup comedian, which is kind of like writing and directing yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/i-was-a-standup-comedian-which-is-kind-of-like-writing-and-directing/)

[Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/)

> [I'm going to be writing and directing my own videos, and performing in them too, and I'm super-excited about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-day/i-m-going-to-be-writing-and-directing-my-own-videos-and-performing-in/)

[Mikey Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-day/)

> [Acting is the most pure fun as far as jobs go, but it can be limiting in terms of freedom of expression. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/acting-is-the-most-pure-fun-as-far-as-jobs-go-but-it-can-be-limiting/)

[David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/)

> [I think I'll always want to write and direct. I'm interested in producing and helping other people tell stories. But I'm still in love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-carruth/i-think-i-ll-always-want-to-write-and-direct-i-m-interested-in/)

[Shane Carruth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-carruth/)

> [Writing and directing just sort of fell into my lap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/writing-and-directing-just-sort-of-fell-into-my-lap/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [I certainly was an actor and then I drifted more towards writing and directing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-haden-church/i-certainly-was-an-actor-and-then-i-drifted-more-towards-writing-and/)

[Thomas Haden Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-haden-church/)

> [I spent most of my 20s working as an actor. I started writing and directing because I was frustrated with the types of roles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marielle-heller/i-spent-most-of-my-20s-working-as-an-actor-i-started-writing-and/)

[Marielle Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marielle-heller/)

## More by Tamzin Merchant

> [When I directed my first short - 'American Virgin' - I had no idea if I could actually do it. Like, I might just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/when-i-directed-my-first-short-american-virgin-i-had-no-idea-if-i/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [Days are long when you're filming, so I catch up on sleep during breaks to avoid looking tired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/days-are-long-when-you-re-filming-so-i-catch-up-on-sleep-during/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [People say never work with children and animals. I actually like working with Oliver Bell, and working with a rat really opens possibilities to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/people-say-never-work-with-children-and-animals-i-actually-like/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [The most disturbing thing, I think, with people that do very morally devious things more and more often is to see that they completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/the-most-disturbing-thing-i-think-with-people-that-do-very-morally/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [There's nothing worse than a director who feels more like a cop than a comrade, so I try to never give orders or create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/there-s-nothing-worse-than-a-director-who-feels-more-like-a-cop-than/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [We show our faces to support the billions of young people who suffer a lack of education. We show our faces to honour the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/we-show-our-faces-to-support-the-billions-of-young-people-who-suffer/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [Don't shop when you're hungry or in a grumpy mood. You need to feel happy and confident to make the best decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/don-t-shop-when-you-re-hungry-or-in-a-grumpy-mood-you-need-to-feel/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [We show our faces to demand that politicians making promises stick to those promises. We show our faces to ensure that the youth of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/we-show-our-faces-to-demand-that-politicians-making-promises-stick-to/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [I've always been drawn to storytelling, and acting is the most immersive form of storytelling you can get involved with! You're actually in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/i-ve-always-been-drawn-to-storytelling-and-acting-is-the-most/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [We show our faces to demand human rights for everyone, everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/we-show-our-faces-to-demand-human-rights-for-everyone-everywhere/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [I think the most rewarding part for me is kind of not knowing where the story's going next, and then finding out and being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/i-think-the-most-rewarding-part-for-me-is-kind-of-not-knowing-where/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [Looking forward, we see that it is the youth of today who hold the key to tomorrow. And we can help unlock it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/looking-forward-we-see-that-it-is-the-youth-of-today-who-hold-the-key/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

> [My favourite colour is red, but I also like jewel tones and monochrome, while my preferred shapes include A-line skirts and skinny trousers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/my-favourite-colour-is-red-but-i-also-like-jewel-tones-and-monochrome/)

[Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

[Explore all 14 Tamzin Merchant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/)

## More Day quotes

> [On Sundays, that's my pig out day and I do the pizza and the beer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-silvstedt/on-sundays-that-s-my-pig-out-day-and-i-do-the-pizza-and-the-beer/)

[Victoria Silvstedt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-silvstedt/)

> [I don't drink much anymore, but when I traveled with Frank Sinatra, God rest his soul, I used to drink like I could do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-drink-much-anymore-but-when-i-traveled-with-frank-sinatra-god/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [I would borrow money all day long, if the cost of borrowing is less than the expected return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/i-would-borrow-money-all-day-long-if-the-cost-of-borrowing-is-less/)

[Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/)

> [I had developed a relationship with one of the anti-abortion sidewalk counselors who stood in front of my facility. We talked regularly through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abby-johnson/i-had-developed-a-relationship-with-one-of-the-anti-abortion-sidewalk/)

[Abby Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abby-johnson/)

> [I loved the game so much that even though our playing field was muddy and we had many trees on it, I used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/i-loved-the-game-so-much-that-even-though-our-playing-field-was-muddy/)

[Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/)

> [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/)

[Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/)

> [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/)

[Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/)

> [I want to make my music and be a happy woman, a good wife, a good mom and one day hopefully have a child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leann-rimes/i-want-to-make-my-music-and-be-a-happy-woman-a-good-wife-a-good-mom/)

[LeAnn Rimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leann-rimes/)

> [Valentine's Day: Rubbing singles' noses in their lack of a mate and the noses of couples in their lack of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-mclaughlin/valentine-s-day-rubbing-singles-noses-in-their-lack-of-a-mate-and-the/)

[Emma McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-mclaughlin/)

> [One day I woke up and Juventus wanted me, another Manchester United and what I know is that there were approaches made. But an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raul-jimenez/one-day-i-woke-up-and-juventus-wanted-me-another-manchester-united/)

[Raul Jimenez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raul-jimenez/)

> [I think naturally I've been kind of a lead-by-doing guy. Just showing up to work every day. You never ask teammates something you wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrell-suggs/i-think-naturally-i-ve-been-kind-of-a-lead-by-doing-guy-just-showing/)

[Terrell Suggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrell-suggs/)

> [For 11 straight years, I woke up pretty much every single day with nothing to do unless I created something to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-rife/for-11-straight-years-i-woke-up-pretty-much-every-single-day-with/)

[Matt Rife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-rife/)

> [I have tremendous admiration for companies with the kind of pioneering spirit and innovation eBay has demonstrated from day one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-hammer/i-have-tremendous-admiration-for-companies-with-the-kind-of/)

[Bonnie Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-hammer/)

> [Being under-recruited coming out of Highland, I've carried that with me. I keep pushing forward, keep working hard every day, keep my head on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-daniels/being-under-recruited-coming-out-of-highland-i-ve-carried-that-with/)

[Mike Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-daniels/)

> [You can't cheat comedy. You know, it either is going to be there on the day you capture or it's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-lin/you-can-t-cheat-comedy-you-know-it-either-is-going-to-be-there-on-the/)

[Justin Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-lin/)

[Browse all 18,587 Day quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Writing and directing, to me, was the logical evolution from my life as an actor: going from telling someone else's story to actually creating my own. Perhaps one day I will do all three: write, direct, and act in the same production. That might get a little hectic, though.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Tamzin Merchant"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logical-evolution-from-my-life-as/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Day"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logical-evolution-from-my-life-as/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/508/tamzin-merchant-34284_day_writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logi_1433555.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/508/tamzin-merchant-34284_day_writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logi_1433555.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/508/tamzin-merchant-34284_day_writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logi_1433555.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Writing and directing, to me, was the logical evolution from my life as an actor: going from telling someone…” — Tamzin Merchant",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Tamzin Merchant",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Writing and directing, to me, was...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logical-evolution-from-my-life-as/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logical-evolution-from-my-life-as/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
