Remember, It’s a Process

When I finish a draft of a screenplay, it feels good, right, all those wondrous feelings that motivate me to continue writing.

This is when I ship the SP off to a friend to read.  And I ask for comments, asking readers to tell me the good, bad, and ugly.  Because without the comments, how the heck will I know what needs changing?

Believe me, I have learned the hard way that I don’t want to send e screenplay to agents and/or filmmakers before it’s perfect.  Because, once an agent or filmmaker reads a version that needs rewriting, they aren’t going to want to read the next version I write.  I get one chance.  And one chance only!

So why, when I get  a review that gives me what I want -  the good, bad, and ugly – do I panic?

Why do I ask myself, what am I doing?  Who am I to think I can write a blockbuster screenplay?  Why am I wasting my time and energy?

When I get these feelings, I remind myself that screenwriting is a process.     I have to work on each story, over and over, until I get it right.

I have written some screenplays that I may never go back to, but some are worth the effort, over and over and over.    “A Thousand Miles to Freedom” deserves my attention.  So does “Unbelievable”.  I am working on a couple of ideas that may or not be worth it.  I won’t know until the first draft  is written.

I have faced the fact that each screenplay is NOT going to be a home run.  And I will gladly accept the “good, bad, and ugly” from the audience!  So, thank you, readers.  I depend on your help.

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

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