The Business of Screenwriting: Celebrate your victories

Based on my experiences as a screenwriter in Hollywood, there are many things I can advise you to do that are not particularly enjoyable…

I harangue you to read scripts.

I push you to come up with story concepts daily to help you generate a great one.

I advise you to learn about who the players are at the studios.

I force you to track spec script sales so you know what the studios are buying.

I tell you to study movie marketing campaigns.

I implore you to analyze movies by breaking down their narrative and character structure.

I fling screenwriter interview after interview at you to expose you to different ideas about writing.

Basically, I am just one big pain in the ass in reminding you again and again:

Your competition is not your friends, your writing group, or that online screenwriting forum you recently joined.

Your competition is professional screenwriters. And if you want to have any chance of competing with that select group, you must do everything you can to act and write like a professional.

With that as a frame for today’s post, I can provide a tip I am sure you will enjoy. And it’s something you can start doing right now, even if you’re not living in the Hollywood Hills and just signed an overall deal with Warner Bros.