Well, it finally happened.
After countless hours, drafts, contests, emails, queries, coffee chats, and just about everything else I could do to help things work out in my favor, yours truly can now officially be called a professional working writer.
I kid you not.
A trusted colleague referred me to a producer seeking a writer for their microbudget project.
We talked, hit it off, and signed a contract.
(Once again showing the value of networking.)
Work on developing the first draft starts immediately, so the fantasy-comedy rewrite is on hold for the time being, which is fine by me.
And this producer already has a few films already under their belt, so the odds are better than average that this project will end up being a completed film. (As a friend said – always great when you can add a produced title to your resume.)
It’s all a bit overwhelming, but also quite thrilling.
This is what I’ve been working towards all this time. It may not be a huge industry-shattering deal, but it’s still me being hired to write a script for a movie.
Which is what this whole journey has been all about.
Fingers fully crossed that this is the first of what will hopefully be many more finish lines in this ongoing and never-ending race of mine.
I hope you have an excellent and productive weekend. Mine will most likely involve a celebratory piece of pie. Feel free to enjoy one wherever you are with my compliments.
Maximum Z 
I hear you. It took me 10 years to get a publishing contract. I could have papered my walls with all my rejection letters. But I kept writing, honing my craft, and revising manuscripts. Then, when the contract arrived it was 3-book deal! Now I have five published with them, two more with other publishers, and lots of interest in the screenplay adaptation. Writing takes tenacity!
Good luck on your project!
Congrats! That is awesome! I’m still in the newbie phase of things, trying to finish my very first script. My dream is to be a hired writer and reading things like this helps persevere. No matter how long it might take, I am willing to take that journey.
That is GREAT to hear! Everybody’s path to success is different, so do what you can to keep yourself moving forward. It’ll be tough, but is so worth it when you get there. Good luck!
Paul, this is a bright spot in a year that has had its share of dark clouds. My best wishes to you!