--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I like writing dialog but don't think I'd…" description: "\"I like writing dialog but don't think I'd be much good at a screenplay. I once had to write a treatment for a novel of mine - a condition of its being ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/thomas-mallon-17707_being_i-like-writing-dialog-but-don-t-think-i_1192220.jpg" --- # I like writing dialog but don't think I'd be much good at… ![“I like writing dialog but don't think I'd be much good at a screenplay. I once had to write a treatment for a novel of mine - a condition of its being optioned by a movie producer - and I turned out something pretty lackluster. So my inclination would be to stay out of the way of an experienced…” quote by Thomas Mallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/thomas-mallon-17707_being_i-like-writing-dialog-but-don-t-think-i_1192220.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/thomas-mallon-17707_being_i-like-writing-dialog-but-don-t-think-i_1192220.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/thomas-mallon-17707_being_i-like-writing-dialog-but-don-t-think-i_1192220.jpg) > “I like writing dialog but don't think I'd be much good at a screenplay. I once had to write a treatment for a novel of mine - a condition of its being optioned by a movie producer - and I turned out something pretty lackluster. So my inclination would be to stay out of the way of an experienced screenwriter.” [Thomas Mallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mallon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing dialogue feels natural, but screenplay writing demands different skills; self‑doubt can arise from past unsatisfactory attempts. **In simple terms:** Screenwriting differs from dialogue writing; confidence may suffer after poor results. Key Takeaway Seek mentorship and practice screenplay format. Themes writing self‑doubt skill development Mood pragmatic encouraging Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - film pitching - writing courses - peer review groups Key Concepts screenplay structure collaboration editing Questions to Reflect On - What specific screenplay skills do you lack? - How can you leverage your dialogue strength? A Different Perspective Screenwriting also requires visual storytelling, not just dialogue. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Dialog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dialog/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Movie Producer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie-producer/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Producer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/producer/) [Screenplay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screenplay/) [Treatment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treatment/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Writing is my number one passion. I've written two novels. I've written a screenplay. I also write short stories and poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/writing-is-my-number-one-passion-i-ve-written-two-novels-i-ve-written/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I'm teaching myself how to screenplay write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-nef/i-m-teaching-myself-how-to-screenplay-write/) [Hari Nef](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-nef/) > [Writing a really good screenplay is not easy. It can be a very punishing form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hedges/writing-a-really-good-screenplay-is-not-easy-it-can-be-a-very/) [Peter Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hedges/) > [I would say, A, you can't really teach anyone how to write good characters, because it's something you have to teach yourself or already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/i-would-say-a-you-can-t-really-teach-anyone-how-to-write-good/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [There are a lot of bad screenplays so if you write a good screenplay people are going to respond to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-tarantino/there-are-a-lot-of-bad-screenplays-so-if-you-write-a-good-screenplay/) [Quentin Tarantino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-tarantino/) > [I don't want to write any more screenplays, I'll tell you that right now. It's a waste of time. You've got too many people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-don-t-want-to-write-any-more-screenplays-i-ll-tell-you-that-right/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [If I get lucky and I can choose, I would always choose a really good story and screenplay, even if I don't know the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-zurer/if-i-get-lucky-and-i-can-choose-i-would-always-choose-a-really-good/) [Ayelet Zurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-zurer/) > [We mystify the art of moviemaking, but it's not amystical science. 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And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. 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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/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. 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