There’s plenty to learn as a writer, and while some may stay focused on their primary efforts, if Ben Hecht has one writing lesson, it’s to write in every way you can. Hecht was unique–he'd worked as a playwright, novelist, and journalist, mastering the art of writing in many forms.
Like other writers at the time, he didn’t view screenwriting as a serious art and held no illusions about having control over the final film. Hecht has stated he has no interest in movies and alikes it to a plumber with any vital interest in his product. He noted that he had to know how to make his stuff, do it well, and collect his money, but he didn’t have to admire it.
While writers shouldn’t have pessimistic or nihilistic views of movies to become successful like Hecht, there’s plenty to learn from the writer. After all, he won the first Academy Award for Best Story for Underworld (1927).
Photo license: Public Domain
Breaking into Hollywood
Ben Hecht is a case of someone breaking into Hollywood from another writing world. While writers tend to float all around the writing spaces, it’s a reminder not to have a single specialty and to do your best to have a rounded skill set.
In Hecht’s case, he started as a reporter. Many reporters have broken into Hollywood by transforming a sensational story they covered into a film script. They leveraged their success as journalists and their unique, insider knowledge of the subject—often writing novels. It’s the classic "Ben Hecht path" to Hollywood.
Regardless, don't worry too much about genre. Focus on telling your story and making it internally consistent since that matters. Many great stories cross or blend genres seamlessly.
Once you’ve finished, you can work with others to decide the most suitable genre for marketing purposes. Hecht spoke of the importance of getting paid for one’s work, so be willing to adjust what you can to bring your work to fruition.
Be willing to explore other genres if the first one feels wrong. Building a clear brand is valuable, but so is staying flexible and not locking yourself into a path before you’ve had a chance to explore all the options.
Having a Sense of Familiarity
While we covered the notion of not being grounded in writing, it’s essential to have a sense of familiarity once you hone your craft. For example, Ben Hecht’s protagonists are often far from saintly–they’re gangsters, grifters, and sharp-witted characters from the rougher edges of society.
These lower-class hustlers and smart alecks are portrayed with a lively, razor-sharp wit and a profoundly human complexity. Although they may be morally ambiguous, they radiate charisma and often navigate gritty urban worlds with resilience and intelligence. I’d argue, and so many others do, that Hecht captures the raw energy and dark humor on the margins, making his characters memorable and intensely relatable.
Being Prolific
Besides his talent, Hecht’s most significant success relates to his prolific writing. Hecht has 65 official screen credits and over 140 other contributions behind the scenes. His resume boasts some of cinema’s most iconic titles, including Scarface (1932), Gone with the Wind (1939), and Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious (1946).
Known for his speed and skill in delivering top-quality scripts, he became Hollywood's go-to writer in times of crisis. He often worked uncredited or "under the table," making it challenging to gauge his influence on Hollywood's golden age fully. His contributions were pivotal but sometimes invisible, leaving a more extensive legacy than the credits reveal.
While there’s an argument about quality vs quantity, I believe in the importance of quantity, especially when starting. Learning to write prolifically will elevate the quality of your work and give you a competitive edge over other writers.
You’ll be able to produce more spec scripts each year, deliver more rewritten drafts, and make yourself a strong candidate for production rewrites. Additionally, you’ll be well-prepared to handle the tight deadlines often demanded in television writing.
Every writer has ideas pop up away from the keyboard, but prolific writers have a system to capture and revisit them. The specific method matters less than finding one you'll consistently use and review.
Lastly, outlining, or “breaking the story,” is often the most challenging part of writing. Once the story’s framework is set, the actual writing feels more accessible and more enjoyable; cracking the story demands the most effort.
Identity, Belonging, and The Human Condition
Much of Hecht’s work centers on the human condition and relativity of identity and belonging. Hecht’s characters possess a rare psychological depth that few other writers manage to capture.
Each one is fully motivated and complex, and their actions feel so authentic that, when reading his work, I completely understand why they make their choices. Hecht’s ability to reveal their inner workings makes their journeys intensely relatable.