Look, you know I love you guys. I work with writers 24/7, so if I didn’t, I’d have given up being a script editor a loooong time ago, ‘cos MAN life is too short to do what you don’t LOVE I reckon. But this is the thing. I get messages, emails, tweets etc DAILY that go *something* like this:
Lucy! I’ve been writing for X years and I’m getting NOWHERE! OMG I just don’t know what to do with myself. Every time I write something I think this is THE ONE and then t goes NOWHERE. Please, oh Yoda, tell me where I’m going wrong! Help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
(The above is not even *that* far from the truth with a lot of them, either. TRUE STORY).
So, sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind. Here’s why so many screenwriters are getting NOWHERE and why they have to GET REAL, STAT:
1) They have no strategy
If you writing sporadically with no specific plan or strategy in place, OF COURSE you’re going nowhere. Every advance you DO make will be an accident, rather than by design. So rather than surrender to fate, take your destiny in your own hands!! Do it TODAY.
2) They’re writing the wrong things (part 1)
Yes, yes no one knows anything, we get that. Plus the money moguls might only realise what they want when you offer it to them. But guess what they DON’T want? Oh right, yeah – rehashes of stories that have already been told.
And no, don’t give me that “nothing’s original anymore” BS, we want PRE-SOLD, *NOT* SAME-OLD, SAME-OLD.
3) They’re writing the wrong things (part 2)
It never fails to amaze me when screenwriters tell me they want credits … Then go out of their way to ensure they CAN’T get them, eg. Why write an epic multi million pound sci fi epic in ten parts when you have no money and no contacts with anyone has some??
Screenwriters CAN ensure they have their best chance of getting produced by not only creating realtionships, but also by maximising their portfolios. In other words, make sure you write low budget marketable feature screenplays and/or find out how to collaborate with others on short films.
Boom! Your chances of getting that elusive credit has just gone up about 500%. NOT EVEN KIDDING.
4) They think it’s ONLY about the WRITING
No it isn’t. You gotta get out there. Here’s not only WHY, but HOW.
5) They think it’s “Who you know”
I’m not gonna lie to you. “Who you know” is very important. The good news is, it’s never been easier to find people you KNOW who you can collaborate with … And you can find these people FOR FREE most of the time. It’s called the internet, you’re on it right now, so where are you going to let it take you??
Alternatively, you can sink into the quagmire of self pity with 25 (More) Reasons You Haven’t Made It As A Writer Yet.
So what’s it going to be? You be like the above, or you can GET REAL and GET GOING … Writers, Make A Choice!
Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. Lucy is also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.
