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In a couple of recent columns, I've mentioned the term "Screenwriting Hobbyist." So now, in case you were wondering, I'll explain just what that is. A Screenwriting Hobbyist is a person who writes screenplays for reasons, ANY reason, other than the following: The desire of either having a film produced from your script, becoming a professional writer, or at least having your material purchased or optioned (with the ultimate goal of having it produced.) Any other motive, and you're a Hobbyist.
Now right off the bat, most of you are thinking, "I'm fine. I definitely want to have this produced, get paid, the whole nine yards. Nope, no hobbyism here." Well...we'll see. But first, to the obvious hobbyists. Let's divide them into two categories, the Honest Hobbyists and the Denial Hobbyists. An Honest Hobbyist is simply a soul who, for whatever reason they may have, wants to write a screenplay. It could be for the purpose of working through an emotional issue, challenging themselves creatively, or even just killing time. This is all well and good, as long as the hobbyist realizes that their efforts are very unlikely to result in a produced film, a payday, or anything other than a 110-page doorstop. Usually, though, they're just fine with this (they didn't expect anything in the first place.) Now these hobbyists are fairly harmless, but I always question why they pick a form which by definition is incomplete and usesless without the possibility of production. A play or a novel would seem a more logical choice, since at least the hobbyist can say s/he COMPLETED something that, value notwithstanding, was an example of the genuine article.
The Denial Hobbyist is a person that steeps himself in the paraphrenalia of a real writer, armed with books, courses, and the latest software and magazines. They assiduously visit message boards, chat with their friends about screenwriting, see movies, and dream of the day their own work will grace the Big Screen. Only problem is, there's precious little of that work that ever gets done. These are the folks that (if they finish a script at all) never get beyond their first, second, or POSSIBLY third screenplay. In short, they manufacture a wealth of dreams, but give the reality (that it takes many scripts to become a good writer and get anywhere in the business) short-shrift. But really, deep-down, this is just as fine for these folks as for the Honest Hobbyists. Because if you scratch the surface, you'll see that these people really have no expectation that they'll get anywhere either. Trouble is, they're so caught up in their new, fun hobby that they can't see that reality for themselves.
Now the final category of hobbyists is...well, I don' t have a name for it, but I'll describe it. They're the folks that write, really write. They've devoted themselves to screenwriting and give it everything. And they DO, really DO desire and expect their work to land on the screen. So...what's the problem? It's always different. For instance, maybe you're this type of dedicated writer, and you have everything it takes, but you don't live in Los Angeles. Or, you're not QUITE bold enough to network the way you know you should. Or you've got everything going for you except the BELIEF in yourself that it takes to actually pull off a career.
The reason I don't give these hobbyists a name is because they are ALL OF US. Every writer who has ever "made it" has had to overcome some obstacle, whether external, psychological, or spiritual, to get to a higher place professionally. And so, if you are in this last category (which I assume you are) then you are just a few, (or even one) small step from leaving hobbyism behind forever.
So look at your life, your writing, your efforts. Try to pinpoint the things that may be holding you back. And if you are a denizen of this last category, searching for that elusive Final Step that will bring you over, then there is one key thing that will be indispensible in your quest. What is it? Tune in next week, and find out.
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