Success Stories: DEC'27 Rejection and Disappointment

Thanks Kathryn. We need to support each other.

Here here. And to getting through my very long post!

Great post, Eric. With an attitude like that you are most certainly ahead of the curve. I notice more often than not, naysayers are those who are upset by those passes and don't understand that just because someone passes it's not always a reflection on the work of the writer. Some things just aren't a fit and a pitch has to get over a ton of hurdles to get made even if it is not passed on. As Gretzky says, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Different sport but same idea. Writing is tough, pitching is tougher, persistence is the toughest of all. The one thing that gets us through all three is a good attitude. Happy New Year to you!!

Thank you so much for sharing, Eric. This is what makes stage 32 what it is. We have amazing people like you posting such inspiration words like you did above. Thank you again and I wish you all the best. And may you have a happy New Year.

Thank you Laurie and Antonio. Laurie, you right. There are so many reasons why people pass on scripts. Besides a well written or prepared pitch, it seems like its a matter of finding that person with whom your story resonates with. You just never know. By the way, I love the Gretzky quote. I'm working on another one hour drama pilot. Got through the teaser and first three acts. Time to work on acts 4&5. Then I have another pilot I'm excited to get started. Just say Nay to the naysayers! Happy New Year to you both.

Great post Eric and so true. In my career I've had more 'no's' or passes than I can remember and while part of you will always take it personally because what you write is intensely personal, I've learnt to use it as fuel for my determination. That's what makes the difference in being a successful writer, you never give up!

Just the right post for us all to get ready for 2015. I did do a live skype pitch this year, not as bad as I thought, you have to relax and tell your story. Thanks for the inspiration.

Indeed, This is a great inspiring post Eric, and it is definitely the right place to share it. We all know what "rejection" and "disappointment" feel like. But unlike most of us who doubt in silence, you a open your heart so sincerely that I can only admire you for that. Thank you for giving us this lesson of courage and hope. The best is yet to come for you and for us all on Stage 32!

Eric, i sold my first screenplay professionally after one meeting. That script got turned into an independent feature. My next script got picked up by the same company and was produced. Third script got optioned by a major company and sat in development hell for years ultimately never getting made. Next script got picked up and produced by another independent production company. Then I got a literary agent and i went dry for 6 years. The agent barely lasted two. I kept sending and sending over and over again Rejection after rejection. The old companies that used to buy my stuff had moved onto different material that wasn't really my forte. I started going to the websites. The Inktips, Mandy.com, and sending screenplay after screenplay. No luck. Finally about 2 years ago the dry streak ended when i got a screenplay optioned. Still, i haven't had anything produced in 8 years. This year i sent out a script, found someone who was passionate about the material. Fingers crossed, it's looking like it will go into production mid-2015. I have to remind myself how lucky i was to hit such a hot streak early on. But that was tough to handle when it all ended. I went from five years of ridiculous success to a crash and burn. I never stopped writing (and re-writing). Never stopped enjoying the process of writing, even when i stopped enjoying the process of finding someone to take that script to the next level. You're absolutely right Eric. The key is to not give up and keep trying to improve. Lots of people give up. The key is to never be one of them.

You have a great attitude, Eric. Rejection is hard but something that one must get past in order to be successful. I've also found that there's always something to be learned from it.

I loved this post. Great way to put things in perspective.

Eric! Your "It looks like a live version of my driver's license picture" made me laugh out loud. You'll do great I'm sure, good luck with your pitches :)

An interesting , revealing piece .

Very insightful and relevant. It helps to have perspective when we have all chosen a profession where A+B does not = C. Each path will be different but you have exposed part of its common ground.

Eric, I'm an actor, not a writer. I do have some close friends who are screenwriters, one of whom decorated his bathroom walls with rejection letters. Of course as actors, we audition frequently for roles we don't get. Especially when I loved the role and made a significant effort at landing it -- like driving 12 hours for the audition, it is bittersweet. I think of the analogy that when trying to walk through a closed door, it's better to look for the door knob than to break down the door. As an actor, I will frequently hear of directors who are friends of mine say they're looking for a specific kind of script. Unfortunately, in the indie world, it's usually horror. One of my friends who writes and directs often does indie horror wanted to try a romantic script, but his distributors told him romance doesn't sell. I suppose there are fluctuations in the popular taste. While horror isn't my genre, they are fun to shoot. In television, a lot of casting is the look -- and so other than more trips to the gym, there's not a lot I can do about that. I just figure my job is to submit, audition, and do everything I can to get the part. I read the self-help stuff like, "Each rejection is just one step closer to an acceptance." Best of luck. I wish you well.

Good luck Lee, creative is a challenge we are all compelled to follow.

Eric, your post resonates with so many of us. I was an actress and dancer/choreographer in my younger years and understand a plethora of rejections and passes. Now that I'm a writer/producer I understand passes and rejections in a whole new way. Actors can audition, literally, 100 times while writers toil away on a single script. Once that script is finished it's a bit tougher to get someone to read it. Once you find someone to read it -- and they pass -- it's not like you spent a few days prepping for it. You've spent 6 months or 2 years or however long it took you to go from idea to research to polished script. You may have heard that if you stay in this business long enough and work it that eventually people will catch on to you and your work. There are so many gifted, undiscovered talents in this world, but sometimes you need luck and time on your side to be found. These are the opportunities we hope for. My best to you -- and thank you for sharing such a heartfelt post.

Thank you for this post.

Deb - younger days? You look young now. I believe the biggest reason so many talented writers go undiscovered is fear. Fear your script isn't ready, fear you're not good enough, fear of rejection or harsh criticism. That's why it is nice we have a place like this where we network but also it's a reminder we aren't alone in this. We all share many of the same fears and doubts. We can celebrate not only the success of our peers but our own accomplishments big and small. We need to remember to celebrate any accomplishment and learn from our setbacks. Keep moving forward.

Beautifully said and deliciously appreciated! My oldest son and I were both naturally talented youngsters, and for both of us our early years were filled with "Yes!" "You rock!" "More please!" But it wasn't long before our talent invited us to raise the bar and work harder. We both gave up--before we even started! As soon as there was even a little bit of effort expected, we walked away. Well, when I saw my son make the mistakes I had made, I stepped up. I've been putting my stuff out there and learning delightful things thanks to the gift of (mostly) kind rejection. And I've made so many friends! I had no idea how much I was missing out on by not trying. But, as with almost everything in my world, a desire to show my sons what can be done and how to do it nudged me into this world of opening up and connecting with others and growing my talents with intention. And now I'm addicted!! Stage 32 truly is a fantastic place to collaborate, work hard, and share ideas. It's action oriented here, and in a way that forever keeps an eye on soul. I'm not at all surprised at your commercial like narrative, Eric! Stage 32 Rocks!!! Thanks again for sharing your insights and encouragement with us!!! Happy New Year!! ~Tsara

You couldn´t find a better place to post this Eric, definitely a success story on how to deal with reality, which is rare and therefore extremely appreciated. Thank you very much indeed, and I wish you all the Best for the New Year 2015.

Eric, with an attitude like yours you're already a success :)

Thanks Eric, no truer words have been spoken and what a way to end the old year and prepare for the new..."perseverance." I, too, have been writing for years and continue to press forward until a "Recommend" and all the attachments are received. Be encouraged and continue to press forward...EVERYONE. Happy New Year!

Regarding Laurie's Gretzky quote, in order to take a shot, you have be in possession of the puck. The question is: how do you get the puck?

Brian, anyway you can! A common misconception in hockey is that most goals are a direct shot (same with success in any realm) but in reality most scores are with assists from your team after blood, sweat and tears of years on the ice. So first step is get a team behind you -- and if you're here you've already accomplished that. Happy New Year.

Hello Eric, great post. With the attitude you have, you already won half the battle. I heard Harrison Ford said back in the days that he was not necessarily the best actor but he succeeded because he get get off the bus when a lot of other people did. Today we know he is a great actor. Keep pushing, keep believing and try something new. Maybe take a production class, you might like it and even think of producing one of your scripts yourself or through collaborations. There is always a way. I wish you all the best in 2015 my fellow creative.

I've been on the other side as an intern reading and writing coverage for a production company and though there were a few bad ones most of the scripts they sent me were average. A few had possibilities but they were in need of work. The way I looked at each script was, would I like to see this in a movie theater on the big screen. It's strange that I could be so critical of other's work that it made me think twice about my own work. Still, there are a lot of so-so movies being made that I could see where there is a need for a movie that would wow the masses and the critics. I'm not surprised that a lot of scripts get passed over but it is encouraging for you that they showed interest. Best of luck for the new year. :-)

Who said it? Every rejection is one step closer to a yes.

Excellent post. A wonderful grasp of reality for the New Year. Best of luck. xx

Totally agree and thanks. As i just posted on my page a quote from Sinclair LEWIS: " It's impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a dam what you say, they're going to write." Love everything you said above. Been there, still there, but it's a new year with new possibilities and opportunities. Lets keep writing and bearing our souls in our stories is a common advice I hear a lot. Good luck fellow writers of Stage 32.

Happy New Year and I wish everyone on this thread huge successes in all your endeavors in 2015. I feel that great things will happen to each and every one of you... the best attitudes ever. Don't let fear of rejection guide you. There's a lesson in all of them. Accept the ones that you agree with and reject the rest... Thank you Eric for starting this amazing conversation. xo