Let’s face it. This is a business of severe ups and downs, and given our druthers, we all prefer the ups.
But it doesn’t always work out that way, hence the downs. Which also significantly outnumber the ups. By a lot.
Who among us doesn’t have a story where something seemed like a sure thing, and you’re thinking “This is it! My big break is just around the corner!”, only to find out that that break is actually forty blocks away, there’s a transit strike and the Indian food you had for lunch is drop-kicking your lower digestive tract?
Yep, been there.
But I’ve also been fortunate to have had a pretty good share of ups.
Some moderate contest success. Management come and gone. The ultimate goal getting a little closer each time, always seemingly just out of reach with no sign of changing.
Used to be I would get all upset and distraught, and filled with self-doubt.
Not anymore.
I’ve become that dangerous combo of talented, patient and determined.
My writing’s improved, so I’m very confident about the quality of my scripts and the skills I’ve developed to get here. My scripts may not be the absolute best, but if anything, they’re damned entertaining.
There are going to be bad days. There are going to be shitty days. Accept it.
But there will also be good days. There may even be phenomenal days. Days where you feel invincible and unstoppable. These will be few and far between, so enjoy them. Hold onto that feeling and feed off it for as long as you can. It’s definitely not easy to maintain a positive attitude, especially when everything around you feels so negative.
This is just part of the neverending obstacle course we all have to work our way through. At first, it seems impossible, but the more you do it, you’ll find it gets a little easier each time after that.
Surf’s up, chums.
Maximum Z 
I’ve been there recently, but I’m getting better. There light in the tunnel of self-worth.
Thanks for the upbeat essay. Right now, every time I see light at the end of the tunnel, some SOB goes & extends the tunnel another mile. Must be a sadistic agent. Oh wait, is that redundant? OK, back in the bunker for now.
Word!
Hey Guys,
I’ve been down that rabbit hole. Lost two agents, but recently found out one dropped out of Hollywood. I’ve been reading a lot of articles and many crappy movies are made screenwriters who stink. In the biz it’s who you know, and how you sell yourself as a businessman. Writing is a business. Just go onto the next thing. Have you bought The Hollywood’s Screenwriting Bible on amazon? This book is a must. I went out to LA a few times and made connections. One was made while waiting in line for the bathroom. I recommend that you hook up with Ken Rotcop. He has a PitchMart that you can join. Just tell him that Jimmy Day sent you. Anyway the connection I made was to a guy who is a Director of Development at a major studio. He may take my script and if he doesn’t there are others out there who will. Mention your connections and awards in your query. Tell them you’ve discussed your project with so and so. Market, market, market. I’ve got synopsis’ that are one page or two paragraphs. Now how the heck do you get the sense of a story out of two paragraphs. I’ll just say the internet is a beautiful thing. Yes, we have our down days, but be tough, shrug it off and pick yourselves up. So happy writing, I’ll return to this blog in the future, I like it.
Jimmy Day NYC
Thanks, Jimmy! Nice to have you around. Some good stuff in there. I know Ken. He’s good people, and worth connecting with.