Are you one of those folks who aspire to write professionally one day? Do you envision yourself deep in thought, pen in hand, crafting the ideal phrase that will win your readers over?  Sylvester Stallone’s experience may stop you from romanticizing the life of a writer.

Despite his success as the writer and star of the iconic film “Rocky,” Stallone himself describes writing as a “miserable means of existence” that is “terrible.” In a forgotten interview with his daughter, the Hollywood actor shares the grueling process of writing the beloved movie and how he eliminated all distractions by painting his windows black.

If you think writing is all about passion and inspiration, Stallone’s words may come as a surprise. But as you’ll soon find out, writing is not for the faint of heart.

Sylvester Stallone’s writing process: painting windows black and eliminating excuses

In the interview with Original Screenplays, Sophia asked her father about his living situation while he was writing ‘Rocky’. Stallone revealed that he had painted his windows black to avoid distractions and eliminate any excuses to procrastinate. He explained, “I was trying to eliminate all the excuses because it is hard to write. You’re looking for any reason, please, someone call, that’s why I took the phone out.”

Sophia asked if there was anything Stallone liked about writing, to which he replied, “No, there’s nothing. You love the end result. You love the fact that you have it on paper.” He added, “Look at writers, they’re all worn out, they’re tired, they live in their own heads.”

Stallone went on to offer advice to aspiring writers, encouraging them not to get too hung up on perfection and to push through the difficult times. He also shared that many writers burn out around page 90, and having a solid ending can make all the difference. The interview was conducted by Stallone’s daughters, who were curious about their father’s writing process and the creation of the Rocky character.

Read More: Sylvester Stallone Reveals Why Rocky Is “Not a Sports Film”

Stallone’s interview grants a precious glimpse into the art of writing and the obstacles that often accompany it. This leads one to contemplate what drives writers to persist in the face of such challenges. Is it the outcome, the sense of fulfillment that comes with seeing their creations in print, or perhaps something more profound?

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Budding writers may take solace in the knowledge that even accomplished writers such as Stallone confront these difficulties, and the secret to triumph lies in persisting through them.