Believe...

     It's difficult to find encouragement as a writer.  Our passion by nature, is one of solitude.  We sit by ourselves and write, like ostracized hermits.  Some of us are lucky enough to find a partner or mentor that "gets" us, but what about those of us that have not?    

     You know, there are a ton of bloggers out there that post about screenwriting.  They are brilliant writers with phd's and masters degree.  Far smarter than me.  They pass on valuable techniques on structure and format. Heck, they'll even tell you by what page number you should have your inciting incident on.  They dish out a myriad of ways to improve your script.  I myself benefit from them and am eternally grateful.  One common voice that I hear is how hard it is to "make it".  And they are right.  But I want to say something.

I believe in you.

     I know we've never met.  Like you, I'm just a random human seated in front of a monitor.  But I still mean it.  I believe in you.  I need you to do one thing for me though.  I need you to believe in yourself.

     Because all of the tips and the advice that you read online, from books, or in class don't mean squat if you don't believe in yourself.  Success is an attitude.  If you believe in yourself, do the work, exhaust your resources, and never give up.  Then you will succeed.  It may not be today, or tomorrow or even five years from now.  But it will happen, no matter what the numbers say what your chance of success is. 

     The second you doubt yourself and give up is the second they win. Who are they?  Every person that has ever told you that you can't make it.  Whether it's family, friends, or an article.  I am telling you "they" are wrong.  You can do this, my friend.  Trust me I know.  I've been there.  I've seen more rejection then anybody.  I've been laughed at.  I've completely blown pitches.  Like really bad.  I've queried hundreds of agents.  I've done this for years.  I am just now beginning to make progress.  My work is starting to get attention.

     This game we are in, screenwriting.  It's about the long game.  It's about how much you can take with out quitting.  The only way you can take that rejection without becoming the average bitter writer that never succeeded is by believing in yourself.  I will leave you with my favorite quote.

"Sometimes I feel like giving up, then I remember, I have a lot of 

mother!#$%^&*  to prove wrong." 

-Anonymous

Till next time.