Natural talent helps…but give me the one who has 1 percent of it and no contacts, etc., but more passion and thick skin…and loves filling up the blank page like it was his or her last and finally realized death wish.

Story tellers — artists at their heart — regardless of the medium, have been around from day one, just like audiences.

Just like the blank pages.

I have an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA GRAD FILM SCHOOL. A BA in dual majors of English – Creative Writing and Journalism.

Have been writing short stories since I was 19…and screenplays since 21. That’s a good 5 or 6 years before I even though about applying for film school.

Total now?

20 short stories…40 screenplays.

But I always wrote. Always. No matter what. No matter how many said no…no…no.

I wrote to get lost for awhile from what I was lost in and never knowing I didn’t have the map in the first place.

One of the many reasons I wrote.

i also wrote to get and set loose all these voices and images in my brain, heart and soul onto that blank page before I’d go crazy. I mean..really insane. It wasn’t to get an agent or get published or write to make money.

But I also started out as a reader…someone who just plain loves having stories told to him, ever since I was a kid.

And now in this new digital age…where the audience is global and very diverse and very tech, and etc., etc., etc., — guess what?

They’re still into hearing and seeing stories…no matter what the form.

Forget about the darn age thing.

And turn away from every agent assistant, reader, creative exec., etc., who tell you that you can’t do anything pass a certain age.

They’re gonna tell you it’s about the demos, the markets, the bottom lines and everything else — except the truth…

And even more so…turn away from all the advice, even mine.

Just write…put your stuff up on the web…WORLD WIDE WEB, right?

Be the soul and power God, the Universe or whatever gave you into being.

Lot of great artists, writers before you…whose work have stood the test of time and changed so many lives…died penniless…forgotten.

A lot of them were even turned into their governments’ out of others’ fear and for the almighty coins. McCarthy Era ring a bell?

That time…sure hasn’t faded away.

Write and fight the good fight. The world needs you.

Even if an agent or 18 year old demo doesn’t.

MARK11

First, John, thank you so much for the honest, serious consideration and reply. I really appreciate your POV and comments. So many people are so full of… It’s like that quote about Hollywood being the only place you could die from encouragement. You’re honest. You’ve got nothing to gain or lose by telling me to go on or to quit and you’re a working pro who writes great stuff and I appreciate it.

I checked back for a few days and hadn’t seen my question replied to so I kind of forgot to check back. (and the stock markets been a little “volatile� Last week I lost all money, made it back, lost it, made it…hold on..I’m broke again.)

Then I saw the blog and it blew my mind. All the feedback was great. Point is I didn’t mean to be remiss in replying. It means a lot that you took the time to do so. And thank you all who commented.

Side note: 10yrs ago never could have an accomplished pro give someone like me feedback and have a community interact. Internet. Amazing stuff.

God, I am jealous of all you who have that passion. ( I do at least know obsession well. Too well. She’s a real mo’ fo.) Anyway. I really admire those who know what they love.

In a nutshell is you made me realize it’s really not the writing it’s the business of it. And you’re right about the age. When your twenty you honestly don’t know what you’re getting into. When you’re forty you tend to think more before you leap. Maybe like an old battle scarred warrior vs. a young fresh kid who’s never killed a man.

Also when you’re older you realize your time is valuable. There’s less of it and I don’t want to waste it.

One thing about the b-ball analogy was I was thinking it’ kind of like having a good player who could make the pros but not be a Jordan problem is no ones’ scouting him. Now if his uncle worked for the Lakers well then that’s another story.

I have to mention the passion again. I’m envious of those who don’t have to struggle with whether to continue because they love something so much they have no other choice. I just don’t have that luxury. Wish to god I did. If I HAD TO WRITE I’d do it til I dropped dead no problemo.

My passions…

Halo 1,2 and soon 3 Puppies Eating

Seriously, I’m passionate about helping animals but my goal isn’t to be the world’s best animal rescuer still that doesn’t mean I’ll ever quit helping.

It’s really more about the networking and the biz end of things. That’s where I think I hate going again and that’s where the age might matter. Honestly part of the reason I’m into screenwriting is because it’s a commercially viable. It’s not art for art’s sake kind of thing for me. If I could get paid as a visual artist I’d prefer it but if you think selling a script is hard selling a painting is…can you even sell them anymore?

Also, hate to disagree with the masses but I don’t think writing a GREAT SCRIPT is by any means the only way or even the most likely. The most likely? Have a decent script and a GREAT connection. Just my opinion.

I know for a fact that some of my scripts are equal to or better than many I’ve read and many movies I’ve seen. (John of course not included.)

So yes if you can write like Tarantino someone will buy it. But if your cousin knows someone and you can write at least as well as…hmmm. Friday the 13rth Jason takes manhattan? You can sell a script. Again just my opinion.

+Disclaimer: I’m sure many have had similar and or worse experience so you can call me a cry baby no problem.

Spent six months on rewrites while hearing how great it is and almost getting optioned and almost getting optioned, and then having the guy get fired, and then it’s just dead.

Currently spending two years trying to raise a measly 200k to shoot a horror which is at least as good as 72% of what’s on blockbuster shelves. But people would rather take me out to and tell me how rich they are and how much they love the script and want to blah, blah, blah and spend 2k on booze but ask the to put the 2k into the film? Then it’s all lawyers and money and biz plans.

Seriously, I started succeeded and failed and two small businesses in the time it takes people who said they love something to call back!!! What’s with that?

Some people here have said write a great script but would it even be recognized? Would any of the great films even be able to get made today? (I know the answer is a partial yes so that’s not entirely a rhetorical question)

sorry for rant

Michelle, “to make a career as a screenwriter, you either need to be well connected or a great writer�

I love you, took the words from my mouth. I don’t have any connections and I’m not Faulker or Kafka. (who I bet would write some really psychotic scripts.)

Kelly - “But if these aren’t issues, and there are no other consequences to continuing, why stop? Either you sell something, or you continue as you are. If you’re happy with “as you are,� then by all means, plow forward.�

Good point and I wholeheartedly agree. One thing I’ve learned is that I do like it more than I thought I did so I’m sure I’ll continue writing on some level forever it’s just a time management thing. Every minute you spend doing something you’re not doing something else so might decide to spend some it painting, walking dog, astroprojecting, working at starbucks, etc.

Tim and others with similar comment:

“My thinking is that if you have to ask whether you should quit or not, then you probably should�

If this were true I’d definitely be dead by now. I want to quit everything all the time. Nyc jew thru and thru. Quitting, bitching, and whining makes me plod on. Without it I’d lose all motivation in life. Problem is, sometimes you should quit.

Tom #32 great reply. Honest and to the point.

And John good reply to Tom.

41 john didn’t just say to quit he gave good reason and caveats as well.

42 carol you’re the exact person I’m not and I admire you. I only wish I had a dream like that. I pray I had a reason to quit my job to pursue the one thing I truly loved. Your story is inspirational and I hope you get all you wish (sounds like you’re getting there fast). Keep living the dream

44 mike.

I’m the first type except I’d be happy if I wrote Rambo that’d be awesome! (was there dialogue in that or just grunting?). I don’t want to win awards maybe a sci fi award or sexiest screenwriter over 40 but that’s it.

To those that said 4 yrs isn’t long I appreciate the reality check b/c I’ve never held a job for that long. College was four years right? I could see asking the same question about becoming a pro photographer. I also love photography and visual art and could easily see myself doing it for four years and then asking someone if I should quit because I’m not making money at it yet. To me four years seems way too long to not be making money. Oh well.

Paula,

Ironic comments. Appreciated. You focus on living a satisfying life which is basically my entire point. If there were other things I liked more I’d be doing them believe me. Until then I am still searching for a fulfilling life? Guess that’s really my passion. And Halo 3.

Also, don’t take this the wrong way but I wasn’t expecting John to be some guru on the mount. It’s because I’m taking quitting seriously and looking inward that I was seeking insight/opinions from others who have more experience in the field.

Oh yeah and I’m at square one b/c I’m lazy didn’t move to LA, I stayed home to focus on learning to write scripts first (clearly I can’t write blogs and have horrible grammar and spelling)

PS I was a therapist. Good stuff. Funny side note, I quit nyu grad school while going for a phd in psych.

Better question might have been, how do you know it’s a passion?

Thanks all!

1) You get to define your level of success. That’s true in anything. Most people don’t seem to do so before starting their journey, though, which is odd. How do you know when you’ve succeeded if you don’t define that for yourself? Do you want to be happy writing? Publish? Sell a script? Sell a million-dollar script? Be the best writer of the 21st century? It’s all in your personal goal.

2) John mentioned this and it keeps getting glossed over: It’s not about age. It’s about artistic-age. I had a friend who trained to play percussion for ten years and was no better than when he started. This is where art meets craft. Sometimes you just don’t have it in you. He could train for 30 or 40 years (like I could train to paint for that long) and still not have rhythm (or the ability to paint simple objects).

And I would say that Marc isn’t the only one that knows whether he can make it or not. He doesn’t know at all. Because he’s not the only one involved in the process of selling his stuff. My friend the drummer thought he was great, yet was unable to keep a steady beat. There’s a certain amount of personal ego that needs to be tempered by outside opinion. John’s advice stands as about as solid as possible. Give up unless you just want to do it for fun, see outside, genuine praise, or have indications that you are improving.

Piss or get off the pot…just kidding. If it’s truly your life’s passion, you can’t quit even if you want to…so, suck it up and write another script. :)

Cheers, Henrietta Humpinstead

John knows this, he waas very lucky. that’s all.

Paula: Excellent comments, and best of luck with the new script!

All: Great discussion. We should thank Marc for igniting it.

Marc: Once you decide what direction to go — whatever it may be — EMBRACE it. If you give your absolute all to that next screenplay, it will smell like the real thing when you’re ready to market it. And lastly (you already know this, but I’m going to say it anyway): be sure to bury your “none great” opinion at the door, and never utter those words again. Your secret will be safe in the John August archives.

1. This isn’t his passion. (“The best I’ve been able to muster is finding things I really enjoy doing and I’m 40″). This is a tough business. Without passion, people are likely to give up before their success comes. Naomi Watts (the actress) or Marc Cherry (the writer and creator of Desparate Housewives) come to mind. Neither of them had easy success. It was ten years before Watts had her first big breakthrough with Mulholland Falls, and Cherry was flat broke when Desperate Housewives finally hit. What got them to the finish line (which is really just another starting line) – despite the failures and setbacks and long and winding road – was passion and it’s correllary, perseverance.

2. It’s four years later and he’s still “pretty much at square one in terms of contacts.” How could that be? I got my first contacts by asking everyone I know if they knew anyone who had any connections to the film business whatsoever. I had a college friend had a childhood friend who was an extras casting director. Extras casting directors are not known for launching writers careers, but you know what, she knew a producer who read my screenplay, loved the writing, and, when I finally figured out that I needed an agent above all else, introduced me to my first agent, who helped me get my first writing assignments and many more contacts. Before all that happened, I also wrote a blind letter to a former studio head who I read about in Variety. He was then heading a production company. He invited me in for a meeting – not because he liked my screenplay (he hadn’t read it), but because I wrote a killer letter that got his attention. Then there are all the producers I met by attending panels and simply walking up to them. So not sure how you’d end up with no new contacts after four years unless you aren’t trying very hard or unless your writing sucks. The old adage “where there’s a will there’s a way” applies.

3. He asks John if he should quit. How would John know? John doesn’t even know him. My question for Marc is “Do you think you should quit?” If his answer is, “I don’t know,” then I’d suggest that he make it his goal to figure out his own answer to that question instead of expecting a stranger to have his answers. He might start by asking himself what else he would “enjoy”. If any of these things are easier goals to acheive than successful screenwriter then he should focus on one of those goals. He might also take tests designed to help him identify his interests and aptitudes (the MAPP personal assessment test comes to mind because it pinpoints not only what you’re good at but what you’re motivated to actually do. My guess is that Marc isn’t sufficiently motivated to be a screenwriter but he may be sufficiently motivated to do something else. By giving up his half-hearted dream he might actually find a deeply satisfying life. Everyone’s not going to be a successful screenwriter and there’s no shame in that.

I should also say in the interset of full disclosure that after some initial successes, my own screenwriting career crashed and burned (in part because I didn’t know what I was doing as regards all the non-writing skills that John alluded to, and in part because I was sidelined by an illness. In a low moment, I too asked myself if I should quit. I quickly realized that there was nothing else I could do that would even remotely make me happy. I could have practiced law (I have an ivory league law degree), I could have gone into academia, I could have gone back to school and become a therapist. I could have written a novel. Any of these could have made for a satisfying life (especially if I supplemented them by pursuing hobbies or focusing on family life), but being a screenwriter is a great passion and I wasn’t willing to give up just because times got hard. So…I set about learning from my mistakes and studying the ingredients that led to others’ success, I shored up my weaknesses as a writer and wrote a new screenplay that reflects both my natural talents and my new and improved skills, and I’m now about to embark upon my second act (wish me luck!). Assuming a certain level of talent (and it doesn’t have to be stratespheric), you can succeed at almost any careers (ballerina and pro athlete excepted), at whatever age, even if it’s hard. But you have to want it.

Hope some of this is helpful, Marc.

For every one thing that I can relate too in the writing profession there’s one thing that passes me by.

I don’t think I could make the 5-10 year committment in LA, however, I could continue making 6 month to 1 year committments until I either make it or decide enough is enough.

D.