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01/12/2005 - EFFORT WITHOUT RESULTS
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One of my best friends is a salesman. He works strictly on commission. He often works for weeks on a sale, puts in long hours, goes above and beyond the call of duty, then finds out that the client doesn't want to buy.

It means that all of his efforts resulted in a big fat zero. I tell him that being a screenwriter (or any kind of writer) is like that. You can spend months and months (or longer) working and revising a screenplay only to have it rejected by numerous agents, manages or producers.

It doesn't mean it's a bad script. Just as in the case of my salesman friend, it doesn't mean he was a lousy salesman. It just means that for whatever reason nobody wanted to represent or buy the script. Meanwhile, you've spent let's say nine months working on it with nothing to show except another screenplay in your drawer.

This can be demoralizing, just as it can be demoralizing for a salesman to put in lots of effort that results in no sale.

My salesman friends spends about ten minutes being pissed off, then he goes on to the next opportunity.

As a screenwriter, you have to be the same way. Nobody wants to handle your script? No producer likes it enough to take it to a studio? If you've spent tons of time writing letters or e-mails or networking and schmoozing at every opportunity and you STILL can't get any action on the script--start the next one.

That's not to say you're giving up on the project, but you've extended enough effort. It's time, as my salesman friend would say, "To start climbing the next mountain."

Here-here.

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