Six Writing Lessons from Will Smith
‘Fresh Prince’ has important lessons for you.
I’ve been obsessed with Will Smith since the age of 8.
I can recite The Pursuit of Happyness backward to you, on-demand. But he has more to offer than great one-liners.
“Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it’s the moments that take your breath away.” (Hitch)
Whilst I was binge-watching some of Will Smith’s vlogs, I realized that there are real nuggets for writing in everything he stands for.
He might not know it, heck, you might not know it too, but Will Smith can really start his own writing course. Real talk, I’d be the first to sign up.
Last year, Will Smith set out to complete a series of challenges in his Bucket List before he was 50. Turns out, A-list Hollywood actors procrastinate with their bucket lists too.
1. Fear keeps you from seeing the beauty
Time and time again, whether in interviews or his YouTube channel, Will Smith comes back to the idea of fear. He proves to all of us fear is the real enemy. His stories always return back to the idea once you overcome fear, you can succeed in anything you want.
The first step to live your life in its fullest capacity is to shake off the fear. Fear is the shackles that hold you down.
“If you’re scared you’re not going to take the chances that you need to take to realise your dreams.” (Will Smith)
Fear is a valid feeling but it is also a paralyzing feeling that will always hold you back from experiencing the beauty and from achieving your dreams.
As a writer, I know that fear consumes me in ways that are unimaginable. But when you take a step back and understand you’re avoiding writing a story because you’re scared shitless, that is the moment you should not only write the story, but you should hit publish too.
To succeed in anything, including writing, is to not be afraid of rejection; to not be afraid of loneliness; to not be afraid of a blank page or a fresh start.
Fear is a career-crippling phenomenon. It is the opposite of success. It is the real enemy.
2. You’re never too old to have an adventure
Have you seen how fit Will Smith is at the age of 50? He didn’t age, he ripened.
Will Smith has time and time again proved to me that you are never too old to have an adventure. When he bungee jumped out of a helicopter over the Grand Canyon, it dawned on me that there is no point in trying to cram all my life’s adventures in my twenties.
I’m twenty now. And I can tell you that I have a scary notion that I must fill my twenties with every adventure known to man, otherwise, I’d have failed in my life.
That’s obviously ridiculous.
Your life won’t be over at the age of 30. It would have just started.
In the same way, being a writer doesn’t have an age limit. The best writers are those that have lived their lives to the fullest. They have embraced every experience, looked adversity in the eye and, can now write about it with flair and wisdom.
Toni Morrison, Mark Twain, J.R.R. Tolkein are all writers who started their writing careers in their 40s. Undoubtedly, they are one of the greatest writers to have walked on this earth.
Perhaps at some point, you might want to write a memoir of your life. It’s the ultimate dream. But that endeavor will take place when you’re near the end of the road; because you’ll never be too old to have an adventure.
3. People love a good storytime
Have you ever watched a Will Smith YouTube video? His best ones are when he is sat down on a sofa with a camera crew swarming around him like bees around their queen.
Will Smith’s storytimes are magical. Will Smith knows that people are suckers for a good old storytime. In each of his videos, some element of storytelling is present and you are sure to get a good laugh too.
The essence behind a storytime is personal elements. They transform a mediocre story into pure gold.
It’s the same with writing. You have to mix personal elements with any writing to hit that sweet spot of harmony. The balance has to be just right. It’s science.
It’s the reason why so many of us can be writers. If no one loved stories, there would be no entertainment of any form. Even sports is a form of storytelling.
Stories can fill us with imagination; they can teach and prepare us; they can form bonds and webs between us or even on the more superficial level — they make us happy.
So before you start your next story — ask yourself, what story are you going to share?
4. Be true to yourself
What makes Will Smith so likable, maybe even loveable, is his integrity to stay true to himself. It is incredibly rare in the cinematic world to find an actor or an actress that is true to themselves.
It’s true that I have never met Will Smith and I don’t know how he acts away from the scrutinizing eye of a camera. Yet, his interviews, his videos, and his films showcase a constant charisma. One that doesn’t falter.
When it comes to writing, if you don’t write with your voice — it can be smelt faster than a vulture smells a carcass.
Your readers won’t appreciate it — it will seem forced and sound very desperate. The sentences will run-along in an awkward manner and (god forbid), you might even lose your readers.
Being true to yourself sometimes requires you to be vulnerable. It’s difficult and that’s okay.
But vulnerability is a sure-fast way to gain the trust of readers. People want to read someone who is flawed, broken, and vulnerable — it adds life to the writing.
I’m not saying you should have a sob story in every piece of writing. But a bit of personal vulnerability weaved into your writing goes a long way.
5. Confidence is key
Will Smith is incredibly down to earth in his demeanor.
Next time you watch his interview — notice his posture, his facial expression, and, his body language. The guy wants to be there. He looks like he’s having a coffee with a childhood friend.
His confidence is also infectious. It provides ease in the interviewer. They too can relax.
In any aspect of life, confidence is the key that unlocks the multitude of doors. It is the confidence that seizes the job promotion, attracts a potential lover and, achieves the goals on time, every time.
Confidence is the trust that a reader wants in a writer.
When you're writing, you want to diffuse your confidence into the reader. A confident writer is a skilled writer. It shows you don’t fear criticism. You know you're good.
But be careful — there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance.
Whatever happens, you do not want to be arrogant. That is a red flag in a writer — in fact, in anyone.
6. Own your brand
This is the child of being true to yourself and your confidence.
Will Smith started off as a hip-hop music artist. He built his career and when he landed Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, his reputation as a hip-hop artist gave credibility to his character. It made the Fresh Prince successful.
After Will Smith established himself as a Hollywood actor, he hardly used his hip-hop background.
Until Aladdin.
The late Robin Williams showcased his phenomenal impressionistic personality in his portrayal of the Genie in 1992. Will Smith had the unfortunate task of having to compete with that. And he delivered.
The 2019 Aladdin Genie, is by far an iconic one. Will Smith used his background in hip-hop to produce a character that is not only memorable but also sincere.
When it comes to writing, your personal brand as a writer matters. If you continue to be true to yourself and appear confident in your work, your writing will reflect a brand. Recognizable writing.
I can recognize some of my favorite writers on Medium from their formatting style, their writing voice, and the pictures they use. This is what makes a brand.
Key Takeaway
When it comes to writing, Will Smith is as good as any teacher in giving you writing lessons.
Remember these lessons next time you are about to write a story:
- Fear is the real enemy
- Old age is a myth
- Personal elements in stories
- Be real and true to yourself
- Be confident
- Own your brand
“Be specific with your words. The deal is in the details.” (Will Smith as the Genie)
Fatima Sultan is a writer, tutor and, self-proclaimed nerd. She writes about life and its many excitements and disappointments. She also apparently likes referring to herself in the third person. You can read more of her writing by subscribing to her free newsletter.