The older I get the more the word "successful" changes. Once I might have said Mr. Knauer was successful because he sold his spec. More recently I'd have to say that it remains to be seen: will it be HIS movie? Or will it be something else entirely? What's a good definition of success for a screenwriter, to get something sold, or to get their movie made?

Lee, you're quite right to raise the point and it all depends upon one's situation in life. Per selling a spec script: If you're outside the business or a lackey in the business, and you sell a spec script, considering there were 87 specs that sold last year - out of probably 25,000 projects flowing through the system - I think you'd consider that a success. Selling a spec script not only gets you $$, it also gets you meetings, which can turn into filling OWA (Open Writing Assignments), which can translate into more $$. If you're smart, have good representation, and do good work, it's possible to be in a position where you write material you truly care about.

But I've met plenty of 'successful' screenwriters who are plenty bitter about things that happened to them, most notably about projects that went south. Hell, I've had 4 movies made, and I only felt halfway good about one of them. So even getting a movie made comes with caveats.

That said -- and speaking from personal experience -- there is no underestimating the value of writing and selling a spec script. It's the equivalent of blowing open the castle gates and gaining immediate access to everyone who matters.