Screenwriting : You Finished a Screenplay, Now What? by Jorge J Prieto

I dont see the point of writing and writing 7, 8, 9 spec scripts. Writing volume does not increase Skill or knowledge. Have 2 or 3 scripts, same genre, get it to people with day jobs in show biz. Or cut the line, make your own movie as a "calling card" for work.

Well, I'll have to rewrite my script and pray for God to put the right person in my pass.

"What else do you have?" is such an important question to be prepared for. I think the question we as writers have to ask ourselves prior to hearing that is "What am I doing to move myself forward?". Dan's right that volume does not necessarily increase skill or knowledge...but I think it can, given the right approach. If you write the same script a dozen times, never let anyone see it, and never take notes for improvement, then sure...volume is meaningless. If, on the other hand, you allow yourself to learn from each one, take criticism, and move forward...something good can come of that. Each script I write is stronger than the last in some way or another, because of what I've learned/discovered/taught myself in the process of writing them all.

I do need to learn more about writing, but how do I do this with out having to worry about someone take my script and using it for themselves are taking my ideal about the story.

I have written over thirty screenplays because I like writing screenplays. For me it has been about the writing and telling stories not breaking into the business.

Matt: You said it, buddy. Each script I write is stronger than the last... I no longer spend weeks and months on improving ONE single screenplay. You have to let that one sit and move on. After feedback from more skilled and experienced screenwriters than me, it's time to start sending it out to contest, pitch section and many of the factors Dan MaXxx cited. You gotta put in the time, then put on our marketing and networking hats. Rejection is gonna come, but hope never quits. Period!

Dan: I can't say otherwise, I love writing . It's my only passion. I started at age 13. It saved me as a teenager

Josephine, once you have completed a screenplay and you're ready to summit, you copyright © or register with WGA. Have no fears just start writing, everyday. Join a writers group, have other writers give feedback. Take courses. Your in control.

if you really love to write, write books. Authors write 10, 15, 20+++ books in their careers. Screenwriting is an entirely different beast and business.

Thank you for your feed back. I'll do that.

Dan M. Are you saying people that love to write shouldn’t write screenplays? That is ridiculous. Plus, not everyone including myself can write books which is why I decided to write screenplays instead. Most screenwriters that do break in had an average of about nine screenplays under their belt when they caught their first break so the numbers do not support your philosophy. I know what a beast the screenwriting business is because I managed to break in as a screenwriter.

I write as much as I can for the joy it brings me. Jorge sounds the same. If you can make money as well, excellent. There are more bicycles sold than people in the Tour de France. I hear people ask "I can't sell a script, should stop writing?" If money is your only motive for something then you should stop.

Craig. I too love to write which is my main reason for doing it. I don't work for free but that isn't the reason I write.

money shouldn't be your only motive but money puts people to work. If the major, mini studios, indie producers, Directors, Actors, etc. wait for Oscar scripts, everybody would be unemployed. there won't be a Show Business. Sometimes u gotta do a job just get paid, gain experience, and move on. DanG- yes, I really believe most wannabe Writers pick the wrong craft. They should be writing Books. Learn storytelling. If a person loves to write, they should be writing Novels. Screenplay is a different animal. Its a blueprint for filmmakers, for a movie. From what I've seen in a classroom of wannabe Screenwriters, most give up because they don't want to deal with Producers, with Directors, Actors, Notes, Rewrites, Changes, etc. They can't let go of their scripts. Scripts end up in drawers.

Dan M. If someone wants to write screenplays, why would you think they chose the wrong craft if they do it because they love it? That is like telling someone that loves golf that they picked the wrong sport to play. If you aren’t a professional screenwriter aren’t you a wannabe screenwriter? If you are writing for the money the odds are good you will never see any so maybe you are the one writing for the wrong reason. Not everyone that can write screenplays can write novels. The only reason I write screenplays is because I couldn’t write a novel to save my life. As you said they are two different animals. Most people that break in had an average of 9 screenplays under their belt. Very few screenwriters with 2 or 3 screenplays will ever break in because most people in the business would assume they don’t have a lot of experience and reading their screenplays would probably be a waste of their time. Writing in just one genre limits the number of people that would be willing to read your screenplays. Also if the genre you are writing in becomes obsolete you would be screwed because nobody would request your screenplay. I don’t know what kind of classroom you were in that wannabe screenwriter would give up because they didn’t want to deal with producers, directors, actors, notes, rewrites, changes, etc. The odds are probably about one in 5,000 they wouldn’t even get that opportunity to deal with those things. Also, why would those wannabe screenwriters even sign up for the class if they didn’t want to deal with producers, directors, actors, notes, rewrites, changes, etc? Personally I think dealing with those sort of things is the best and most rewarding part of this business. I have made money writing screenplays and still am making money doing it so I am not against making money but it isn't why I write screenplays.