I've got a story here on my blog about how I wrote a letter to Ron Moore (Deep Space Nine, Battlestar Galactica) and got a personal response, as well as my thoughts on how I could have handled the follow-up better.

Wrote a short note to Joe Eszterhas once -- got a Christmas card shortly afterwards. Then I really blew it. I asked if he would be willing to mentor a new writer -- big mistake. Never received another response.

My advice -- take it slow; don’t mention screenwriting until later in the relationship; keep it friendly.

Keep Writing!

David Kahane is Sara Palin's new neighbor/archnemesis.

Joe Gillis is the ill-fated screenwriting protagonist from SUNSET BOULEVARD.

Wrote an email to Mark Romanek but he posts that on his website. I think it helped that we both attended the same college.

I've never tried to contact a writer online, but I once approached Paul Schrader at a party and thanked him for writing TAXI DRIVER, saying I'd pretty much memorized it. He disappeared in a puff of smoke.

I've heard that Josh Olson (A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE) is especially helpful to up and coming writers, and will happily read your screenplay.

Ask good questions they can't resist answering.

At Comic-Con over this last weekend, I had the opportunity to meet Joss Whedon on a face-to-face level.

He was leaving a party and was just sort of standing on the curb. I walked to him calmly, said I loved his stuff, said I was excited for The Avengers mainly because he's directing/writing. He gave me a big smile and thanked me for being way to trusting in him. He was very nice and said have a good night and enjoy the rest of the weekend because he certainly would be.

Looking back, I should've said/asked more. I never get star struck, but I was with friends and I wasn't thinking about the fact that Joss Whedon was talking to me and enjoying it. He and Bill Hader walked back to the Omni Hotel on the street. If I'd been a little more open, I would've just asked if he minded me walking with them and just chatting. So I kinda feel like I missed an opportunity to get some information and inspiration from him.

It's okay though, I feel like I'll have a lot of those opportunities over the years. Maybe I'll use them to their fullest.

@Garrett: Next time you see Joss Whedon, you can now say, "Hey, we met and talked at Comic-Con 2010." He certainly won't remember you, but that will give you a bit more of an opening to talk more extensively with him. And if you don't see him again, at least you put a check next to "Meet Joss Whedon" from your bucket list.

Hell, I've met Joss twice at ComicCon and STILL got tongue-tied after not thinking of something good to say the first time.

If it's any consolation, CC is probably not the place to get into any kind of in-depth convo with the guy. Both times I saw him if he ever stopped moving long enough to be recognized by someone who would know him - that is to say, EVERYONE there - he was instantly mobbed.

He's been very gracious to fans both times I've met him, but my sense is that especially after a long weekend at Comic-Con, the guy was probably exhausted and you probably wouldn't have gotten anything meaningful in the way of advice.

This is an old blog-post, but I thought I'd share my story with anyone that stumbles along.

After reading "Lew Hunter's Screenwriting 434" I gave him a call just to leave a message. (I couldn't find an email address.)

I just said, "Hey I loved your book. It was positive and helpful. Thank you for writing it Mr. Hunter."

I didn't leave my number or anything. I just wanted to express gratitude.

Well, a week later Lew and his wife called me back and talked to me for 45 minutes. They were amazing, positive, and oh-so-happy. Lew gave me a bunch of great tips and invited to sit in on his UCLA class for a day or two if I could make it out to California.

What a guy!