Is there any point to writing a non-thriller spec this year? Seriously, has any unestablished writer sold a non-thriller yet? Such a one genre domination thus far -- thriller/sci-fi thriller/action thriller/political thriller. I know you should write what you're passionate about, but most aspiring screenwriters are probably passionate about multiple genres. And handicapping yourself from the start with a genre that is increasingly unpopular in the spec market just seems unwise. Maybe it's time I ditch that comedy concept and think of a thriller with more global appeal...

zxcvb, I hear you. If it's any inspiration or whatever to you, the next spec I write is a comedy. I think I'll do a full blog post on this very subject because it's an important one on many levels. Bottom line: Write what you're GOOD at. Hollywood may very well be buying more thriller and action scripts the last 18-24 months, but there is ALWAYS room for other genres especially comedies which has been a staple for Hollywood for decades. May I quote your comments for a blog post?

Thanks, Scott! I definitely want to hear more of your thoughts on the matter. For example, I'm sure there are comedies that have sold and will sell...but they increasingly seem to come from established writers who sold pitches or secured attachments beforehand. But yes, feel free to quote for your blog post!

Are screenwriters really so pigeon-holed by their first sold spec (re: zxcvb's comment about handicapping yourself from the start)? I mean, if you sell a thriller or drama or comedy out of the gate, are you expected to continue in that genre with future spec scripts or ideas? And if the last 18-24 months have been thriller and action heavy, will there eventually be a shift? In your experience of keeping track, have you noticed that it's cyclical with what sells and when? Is there a pattern? If not, why do you think these are selling right now? Is it because action and thrillers are a consistently solid and guaranteed ROI genre to invest in per studio heads? Is that too many loaded questions? haha... just throwing them out there for when you address the topic down the road. I wonder if it would make a difference to write for the market and pace your screenplays by genre accordingly. Or is that a completely asinine thought...