Scott, thank you for this series and Michael, thank you for answering all these question. If I may suggest some additional question: Are any of Michael's scripts available (for free or for sale) to read? And what are some of the scripts (not films but scripts) he has learned from reading? What does he wish he could have told his younger writing self to accelerate his writing career? What's the most important thing he's focusing on doing right now to continue to grow as a writer?

thank you, michael.

Thank you guys, this is a great interview! And totally inspiring!

Shaula Evans – There aren’t specific scripts that come to mind as far as “this is the one you HAVE to read,” but look at it more as education from the aggregate. Read as much as you can. Good scripts, bad scripts, anything you can get your hands on. I think it’s better to read unproduced scripts because it forces you to imagine everything on your own and you’ll quickly discover what works and what doesn’t. You’ll also develop an internal sense of structure and pacing. And better yet, if you can form a writers group, diagnosing problems in other people’s scripts is some of the best preparation you can do. Similarly, seeing the development of a script from pitch to outline to draft and through the revisions is invaluable. That is something you can get from a group too. There are a number of screenwriting boards and forums online where you can track down scripts. I’ve made it a habit to get all the Black List scripts each year and randomly read selections out of that pile. There have also been times where I’ve forced myself to read a script a day for two weeks straight (Actually, I think this is an exercise I learned from Scott’s blog). It was great training. As far as what I would tell my younger self to accelerate my career, it would be that you really can’t (and shouldn’t) “accelerate” it. The time is essential. I’m not saying you can’t sell your first script after only being at it for a year – there are certainly exceptions to the rule – but it’s highly unlikely these exceptions would have the skill or discipline to sustain a long and successful career at it. Everyone wants to think of themselves as the exception. Don’t. I know it’s tempting but it only results in disappointment. The years of struggle are where you cut your chops. Especially if you start out young, beyond the literal writing, you’re gaining experience, maturity, and a life perspective over the years that will pay dividends well into the future. The years of struggle are where you develop a voice. Your voice will be what ultimately breaks you. What I’m focusing on now… I feel I’ve finally been invited to the party, but the hosts haven’t yet decided if they’re going to let me stay. My focus is to work harder and quicker than I ever have. A lot of people don’t realize this. When you get your “break,” it’s not a time to relax, it’s a time step on the gas. The window of opportunity is finite, so I’m desperate to take advantage of it while it’s here. Let’s just say fear of losing it is currently a big motivator. That said, it’s also important to take a moment to recognize and enjoy the successes along the way, both big and small. And BTW, I've allowed Jeff Goldsmith's digital magazine "Backstory" to publish my Nicholl/Black List script in its entirety in the upcoming issue. It's also well-circulated by now, so if you have industry friends, it's not too hard to track down.

Thank you for the replies, Michael. Thanks, too, for making your script available. I know there are some big discussions going on in online screenwriting circles about the ethics of reading unproduced scripts and it's gracious and generous of you to let Backstory publish it. What I was trying to ask, and didn't word well, was whether there were copies of your script out there *with your permission*--I'm glad to hear there are and I look forward to reading it. Best wishes on "staying at the party".

Without stirring the pot too much, I don’t mind going on record to say that I am very much in support of reading unproduced scripts *for educational purposes*. The line gets crossed when premature reviews and opinions threaten a script’s viability in the marketplace. I decided to let “Backstory” publish it because A) it’s already out there, and B) I wanted to give back in a way that might help writers as others have done for me.

Well, without stirring the pot either, thanks again for supporting the community this way. It's great. And speaking of "boards and forums"--I couldn't agree more. That's why I'm the administrator for the Black List writing forum. I hope you are enjoying your success and making the most of this moment, even while you step on the gas. Congratulations again. :)