This might seem like a strange question, but working as a screenplay agent it’s a question I often thought about and discussed with my clients. Many of my clients were seasoned professionals who had worked in the entertainment industry for years.
These writers were doing what they loved and had absolutely no desire to stop writing. So with these screenwriters I never had to have this discussion.
The Struggle
But there are a lot of writers out there who struggle with this question. How long should I keep writing for? In other words, how long should I keep banging my head against the wall, trying to break into Hollywood?
I’d say it depends. It’s a question we all think about in different forms. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an office worker, athlete, director or screenwriter. The question is often the same. How long should I keep doing this?
In my experience, as soon as a screenwriter starts asking this question then it means they are not completely satisfied with what they are doing or where they’re going. Sometimes they just need to make some minor adjustments like changing their genre or taking some time out. In other cases, they may need a radical career change.
It’s not my job to tell a screenwriter to quit or do something else. But in certain situations this might be the best solution. A lot of new writers who found representation with the screenwriting agency I worked for were so enthusiastic about their work and the industry, it was wonderful to see.
Many of these writers are able to nurture this excitement and passion for their work. It’s like the classic situation at school. Where you know this kid who has always wanted to be a doctor ever since they were five years old. And they grow up wanting to be a doctor and they never want for anything else.
I always thought these people were incredibly lucky because life was so simple for them.
The Screenwriting Life
The path to becoming a screenwriter is not so simple. In many cases, it is the hardest career in the world. A screenwriter has to be self-motivated and work with relatively little guidance.
That’s why the highs and lows can be so extreme. You’re writing your screenplay and struggling to make the story work. Then you get a breakthrough and it all comes together. But you still haven’t been paid. You’re waiting for your pay check . . . waiting . . . waiting . . . and finally it arrives!
It’s a great feeling!
Then you’re waiting to see your movie on the big screen . . . waiting . . . waiting . . . waiting . . . and sometimes it never happens and sometimes it does! And when it does, there’s no bigger high.
It’s the ultimate feeling!
I think the reason so many professional screenwriters want to quit is not because they aren’t good writers. It’s because the road is long and even though they might be getting paid . . . they often don’t get to see their work on the big screen. And when they do, it’s often not how they envisioned it to be.
It’s frustrating and I completely sympathize. I would often tell my clients. Hollywood isn’t what you imagine it to be. It can be a lot of fun and a great experience. You can have a wonderful career too. But keep your expectations low when it comes to the final product.
You might write the greatest screenplay in the world. But there are other interests at heart. The film studios, directors, producers, egos. What you expect is often not what you get.
Instead, I tell these writers to write the best screenplay they can. Focus exclusively on the screenplay as though it were a work of art. As if the screenplay was the end product. Once they’ve done that, their job is done. The movie itself is now in the hands of the studios.
Write For Passion
I know some screenwriters who hit the jackpot with their first screenplay. They put the word out to various screenwriting agencies, found an agent, and then sold their screenplay for a nice, big fat six figure sum!
Then these screenwriters tried to write another screenplay and another screenplay, but it seems like their best work was already behind them. It’s often the case that a writer’s dynamite screenplay comes from the heart and is written with great passion.
Then their subsequent screenplays are written by rote, for money and without any enthusiasm. I would advise these writers to wait. Wait until they get passionate about another story and focus all their energies on that. Don’t’ rush into writing another screenplay just for the money or because you’ve been asked to.
Hold out. Wait. And wait some more. Wait until that lightning bolt rips through your body and stirs your imagination. Yes, you can find a screenwriting agent. Yes, you can sell your screenplay. But if you’re looking to have any longevity in this business, it’s vital that you only write what you’re passionate about.
And if you really must work on something that you’re not passionate about. Find a way to get passionate about it.
Time To Quit
A lot of writers sell a script early and launch stellar careers. Shane Black and M. Night Shyamalan. But these writers are the exception to the rule and they often branch out into directing as well (this gives them greater control artistic control).
Then there are the last bunch of screenwriters who should quit. These are the writers who will never sell a screenplay. No screenwriting agency or screenplay agent will touch them.
These are the writers who can’t write. And believe me, they are more common than you might imagine. They have tons of enthusiasm. Tons of motivation. But they can’t write to save their life. I love these writers and I really feel sorry for them.
Often they have wonderful ideas, but they can’t write dialog or action or emotion. A lot of them do get better with practice, but some never do.
If you think you fall into this category I would say, quit. Find something else. Screenwriting isn’t a calling. I believe there is no such thing as a calling. You can create a passion out of anything. Anything you find cab be fun and rewarding. That can become your new career.
Don’t feel bad. Just find something else. It’s a sunk cost. The time and effort is already gone. Save yourself from any future set-backs and find something more rewarding—I promise you’ll be a lot happier!
But if you can write and can harness your passion, please, please, please don’t give up. The world needs people like you. We need your wonderful stories! You’re more important than you’ll ever know!
I recently read an interesting article by James Altucher, it’s worth a read and ties in nicely with this post.
*Jennifer Sloane has worked as a screenplay agent in Los Angeles and Nashville for the last five years. Jennifer loves good movies, music and animals. A former television and movie executive, Jennifer currently heads business development at Script Mailer (a company that connects screenwriters with agents and producers in Hollywood).