Screenwriting is tough. I've spent the last 4 years in school trying to understand the craft and still have a ways to go.

However, I find it interesting that some of the screenwriting teachers that I admire admit that it still takes them sometimes 20 rewrites to discover "universal magic".

Hi Scott, I am Sharat from New Jersey. I completed my Certificate Program in Screenwriting from NYU and made an hour long independent feature in Telugu(South Indian). The movie is now available in Youtube rentals. The link is given below. I truly enjoy all your updates and hate you for keeping my reader so busy all the time....Thanks for all the wisdom.
http://www.youtube.com/dreamsndramas

Hi Scott,

Eileen Bell from Canada. Found your blog through Twitter, and love it. Am working through your 40 Days of Screenplays right now and enjoying them all.

My writing background: the usual. Written most of my life, but recently decided I was going to get serious about it. Have had some success (read some sales and an Aurora (Canadian sci fi fantasy award) for one of my novellas, whic was very cool) and am working hard on really breaking in. (Yep, I want that 2 or 3 or 4 book deal with a big publisher. Why not?)

I read screenplays for fun, but have only written one. It was for a local contest. Bought a "how to"book so I could figure out the format, then wrote it in two weeks and sent it in. And I came in 4th! (Just out of the money, but very cool, none the less.)

There. Now you know a bit about me! (And thanks for asking!)


Link to my website: www.eileenbell.com

Hi Scott,
Love your site, and your tweets.

As cheesy at it sounds, I dreamed a screenplay and had to write it down.

Thank you for all of the amazing resources, knowledge and encouragement you offer to crazy dreamers!

www.tracinell.com
www.tracinell.blogspot.com

Hi Scott,
I'm Steve Trautmann. I've posted once or twice and have been reading your blog for a few weeks. Great stuff.

I studied theater and film at UCLA. Worked as a reader and assistant for a few years and almost launched my writing career back in the 90s. Moved to Florida and spent a decade learning the software business. My family and I recently moved back to Cali.

Spent the last year working on a foreign syndicated sitcom for kids, which got me in the guild. I'm currently working on a spec feature and hanging out by the pool.

@cheapsils: "Screenwriting is tough." Perhaps no truer words about the craft. That's one of the reasons I love the writing mantra, "Trust the process." 2 drafts, 10 drafts, 20 drafts... whatever it takes, just trust the process. You're 4 years in. Good. That means you're 4 years ahead of where you were when you started. And that much closer to where you want to be.

@Sharath Sahithi: Congrats on your success at NYU and in making your movies. Re hating me for keeping your reader busy: I'm willing to live with that, Sharath, knowing that you really do enjoy the updates.

@Eileen Bell: I'm always pleased to find novelists and playwrights who read GITS. Yes, screenwriting is its own distinct narrative form, however I think much of what we discuss here is relevant to all types of writing. Here's hoping you land that multiple book deal! I'll add your website to my Friends blogroll.

@tracinell: "I dreamed a screenplay and had to write it down." That is simply awesome. Can't get a clearer message from your Creative Self than that! Welcome to a fellow crazy dreamer! I'll add your blog to my Friends blogroll.

@Steve Trautman: And the sitcom would be this? Glad to see you caught that orientation meeting for new WGA members: "Pool Lounging and the Creative Process." Critical stuff! Congrats on your success!

Hi Scott,

I'm a screenwriter in the UK. I'm attempting to move into directing and am currently in post-production on a short comedy-horror called 'Jenny Ringo and the Monkey's Paw' - I've been keeping a production diary here:

http://www.whatwritesatmidnight.blogspot.com/

Love the blog!

Chris

Scott,
Yeah that would be the show. It was fun, except I had to leave my pool because we were filming in Michigan for the better part of six months. Darned tax incentives!

There are some great meetings and seminars at the guild, unfortunately I missed the orientation meetings on "How to make a million bucks your first year in the guild" and "Signing with the perfect agent," due to being in Michigan over the winter.

@Steve Trautman: So you missed the "How to Avoid Spending 6 Months in Michigan" seminar, too. Just be sure to catch the one titled "Fiji: The Next Hot Sit-Com Setting." When you set up that show, it'll make up for the whole Michigan thing.

I'm a lurker I guess. Been reading GITS for nearly two years now. I have posted a comment or two over that time though.

Been writing for 10 years and simply keep pushing forward. I read a couple scripts and made my own Word template back then and just started writing.

When I found your site and August's and a few others, a lot of these ideas I had sorta stumbled upon on my own. It was really good reinforcement to hear folks that made it talk about what to do and what not to do. The rule of 10, to 'we' or not to 'we', and the slew of other screen writing notions.

Anyway, 10 years, 7 'fade outs' and a dozen more trashed part way through the second act, and I feel I'm getting to the point where I can fully stand behind anything I write.

GITS has been a big part of my education these last couple years.
Thanks Scott.

Let's not trash Michigan too much. :)

Well, only because I live there now and will have to endure another brutal Michigan winter and disappointing football season soon.

I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2009 with a degree in film, subcon in screenwriting. I've been trying to get set jobs recently, with varying amounts of success.

Working on my sixth feature and toying around with the idea of writing a second TV spec. I love how you have an answer for almost anything, Scott!

Amy

My Screenwriting/Life blog: www.iwritewithpictures.blogspot.com

My FB Mockumentary [Written WAY before Sorkin's "The Network". Just saying. :p ] http://www.livesagape.com/films/jointhisgroup/

@Chris Regan: I'll be sure to check out your blog, add it to my Friends blogroll. Writing-directing is the way to go if you have the stomach for directing as it gives you the most control over the story. Good luck to you on that and stay in touch!

@Zeb: Nearly 2 years? Let me just tip my cap to you. I've only been doing the blog for 27 months, so I think that qualifies you for GITS Veteran Status, entitling you to two virtual mojitos! Salute! And as always, best of luck in your writing.

@Amy Butler: As God is my witness, in that comment to Steve, I had started a paragraph saying how I was being funny, I actually like Michigan, some of my best friends are from there, then I thought, "Nah, that's just being defensive," and deleted what I'd written. And then your comment! Ack! A knife through my heart! But my comments were intended in jest and it's true, some of my best friends are from Michigan. In fact, one of them teaches screenwriting at your beloved alma mater. Do I have your blog on my Friends blogroll? If not, I'll put it there.

Hi Scott, I'm film school and journalism school graduate. I've been writing screenplays since I was in high school and love the process, regardless of the payoff. I'm currently working as a newspaper reporter but when I find the time in my schedule, I love to write. I'm in the outlining stages of a novel—my first attempt at the medium. I've been a fan of your blog for the past six months and I really appreciate the work and the advice you dole out on a consistent basis. Also, I'm a podcaster and writer over at Cinephile Magazine. Thanks again for all your advice and help. Cheers!

Richard

Hey there, I'm Heidi from Atlanta.

I stumbled across your blog while I was doing research on the art of screen writing. I've been attempting to learn the craft for several years now and finally feel like I'm on the right path. I'm currently putting together what I feel will be my best screenplay yet. Luckily someone who is in the industry has offered to pass it on to their agent once completed so I've been working furiously on trying to write something that will have mass appeal but also exemplify any ability I may have.

I've done many of things you suggest. Wound away WHOLE weekends watching movies while reading the screenplays at the same time and it's been invaluable as far as learning the pacing. I eagerly gobble up all of your excellent tips. Your blog has been a Godsend!

Hi,my name's Larry Barker from the UK and I'm attempting a second career in writing(the first 20 years was spent as an advertising writer/creative director, mainly TV commercials).
Gave up the job in 2004 and have spent the last six yeras banging away.
Finally, about a year ago I had a result and got my first spec optioned, something I couldn't have done without an agent - along with a nice re-write fee.
Since then have had another piece optioned and have now been hired to re-write someone elses screenplay.
So things are finally starting to happen.
But it's woth noting that for 5 long years I got zip - and it's easy to lose heart over that sort of time.
I'm not that bothered about cracking Hollywood - I'd be happy to earn a crust as a writer in UK/Europe
I pop in to the site most days for the links, clips and pearls of wisdom, plus the odd cruise through the sites and blogs in the sidebar - some great stuff in there.
Don't stop doing what you're doing!

Scott,

Who do you know? I took three screenwriting classes while I was here; I might have had them. Michigan's screenwriting program is awesome [surprisingly so for it being in... Michigan], one of the best in the country I think. I would love to take the TV writing class, but I think I'm going to wait until I become an official resident and qualify for in state tuition...

I would be honored and delighted to be on your blogroll!

Amy

@Richard: I'm sure you know the long history Hollywood has had with journalists and screenwriting, perhaps most notably Ben Hecht. If a journalist knows how to tell a story, then it's a pretty good bet they can translate those instincts and that knowledge into screenwriting. Do you have any links to your Cinephile articles? Feel free to post them here and I'll check them out.

@Heidi Germanaus: Looks like you've got the Hollywood access issue settled. And you've got your head in the right place: Write something great. Make sure when you're done, you get some strong feedback on the script. There are peer script review sites like our own The GITS Club which is totally free and currently has 346 members. You can get a professional review from any number of script readers. Basically you should assume you get one shot to make an impression with that agent, so make sure you put your best foot forward. Good luck!

@Lazzard: Another in the burgeoning UK-based writers to frequent this site. Congratulations on your success! Putting 5 years in the way you did, a massive example of a leap of faith. Good for you! As Joseph Campbell said, "Follow your bliss,' and it sure looks like you did.

@Amy Butler: My friend's name is Tom Benedek, a screenwriter who wrote "Cocoon." He lives and works in LA, yet somehow manages to teach 1 semester a year at U.M.. Did you by chance take a class with him?

I haven't Mr. Benedek, but I've heard him referenced several times due to his success with Cocoon. However, my first screenwriting class was under another UCLA Extension teacher, V. Prasad. Do you know him? He splits his time between Michigan and LA mostly. I'm sure we've got six degrees of separation somewhere there!

My name is Andrea Waters. I am a WAHM. I live in NE North Carolina. I do freelance article writing, while learning from this blog about screenwriting. And I am starting to frequent scriptchat and scriptlab alot as well. I have been playing around w/celtx as well. There is alot to learn but I love everything about it. I am also like some of the others that have commented. I get a story in my head and it's really annoying until I get it out. So that is me.

@trendiestandy1990: Glad you found the blog. Where in NE NC? On the coast? Hope the hurricane missed you.

I'm in Elizabeth City, about an hour outisde of Virgina. We are on the rt 17 side or Albermarle Sound side of Carolina. We had some wind and rain, nothing major. Thanks for all the great info you have given us, if I haven't said it before.

Scott, thanks for the extra mojito. You said to give you a link if we had a blog. I just recently started one, and while it only has like two posts it'll grow. I'm still trying to figure out a specific angle to take on it, but regardless here it is.

http://learnedcountryboy.blogspot.com/

Thanks again for GITS.

@Zeb: I've added your blog to my Friends blogroll. Keep writing!

I delurked a few days ago to comment on a couple of other posts, but here's my official introduction:

I'm Ken, have been reading the blog for a few months. I don't work in the entertainment industry, but love movies and TV and reading about the screenwriting process has deepened my appreciation for some of my old favourites.