When it comes to pursuing your dreams, what is more important…being talented or having persistence? Most would say that both are key to achieving one’s dream. I guess it all depends on what you’re striving for. For me as a screenwriter, you would think that having talent is way more crucial and I felt that way…21 years ago. With aspirations of becoming a screenwriter, I worked and slaved through countless of writing classes both in college and outside. Along the way I’ve met numerous people with the same aspirations, with differing degrees of talent but all with the same drive. I’ve gotten a chance to peruse their writing styles and felt quite intimidated to say the least. Seeing their words flow like art on paper made me feel like I had no business being in their league. Who was I to think that I could make it as a writer. Let me tell you, it was a bit disheartening at first, but it was something that I knew in my heart that I just had to do. I had the opportunity to meet a highly regarded and established screenwriter at a writing conference years and years ago; I’ll never forget what he said to all of us fledgling writers. He told us that the key to attaining our goal, while talent is important, is “persistence.” Some of the best writers he met while pursing his dreams were way more talented; but in the end, no matter what obstacle he faced, he was the victor because he was relentless in his pursuit of his dream. To this very day, those words are etched in my memory. I’ve been tirelessly writing, trying to better myself and my craft; I’m not the best writer in the world but I know for certain that I’m not the worst. I’ve even met up with some of those “aspiring writers” from my past and suffice to say, they are no longer in the game. Despite feeling inadequate about my writing ability, I was tenacious in my pursuit. So to answer the question “Talent or persistence?” , I’ll take persistence all the time. Although success has eluded me, I know that if I keep trudging on…one day it’ll happen. I can dream can’t I?