Hard Truths You Probably Don’t Wanna Hear But Should (For Writers)

I'm sorry, or you're welcome ...

• Maybe you don't like writing a synopsis because your story is boring.
• After you get repped as a screenwriter or author, it creates more fun hurdles requiring open-mindedness and tenacity, and if that's not for you, there are so many law schools.
• Savvy networking is meaningless if you're a pain in the ass.
• You have to earn the right to execute your specific vision. You're not PT Anderson or Gillian Flynn on day one. In fact, you probably won't be them on day two either.
• If you think you finally understand the film or publishing industry as much as a professional does, you don't.
• The professionals don't know everything either.
• Loglines aren't that hard if you follow a simple "When [something happens], character [must do whatever they're doing], but [uh oh, here's a hitch!]." Basically.
• You can be desperate, just don't act desperate.
• Queries are easy when you don't write them like a book report. Voice! Charisma! Also don't get cute, get to the point. But with voice-y charisma.
• Gatekeepers are good.
• Too many gatekeepers are bad.
• You're gonna get so many notes from execs and editors on already great material, but think of it this way: it's to make it greater.
• Also sometimes notes make a story so much worse because they're trying to water it down for a mass audience.
• Comedy is the hardest genre because most writers think they're funnier than they are.
• Having lots of IMDb credits ≠ knowledge.
• You don't have to outline. You should, but you don't have to. But you should. I don't (I should).
• It gets harder. Like, all of it.
• Your friends' opinion on your work is not the same as an industry person opinion's on your work. Interpret that as you may.
• Stop listening to palpably silly people.
• Start listening to palpably professional people.
• YOUR REPS ARE NOT GIVING YOU NOTES TO ANTAGONIZE YOU—YOU'RE ON THE SAME TEAM. Unless they've grown to hate you. It's possible. Anything's possible.
• No one cares about the typo on page 65. Please don't send an updated draft.
• You can use ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas for a title or help with research or something. The Morality Police can shove it.
• You can't use A.I. to write your story, the Morality Police should send you to an arctic prison, you uncreative hack.
• Don't be the "next" anyone. Be the first you.
• If you send your script to a manager, do not follow up to see if they read it after one week.
• Don't do it after two weeks.
• Three weeks: more time needed ...
• A month is nothing! Newb.
• Two months is normal.
• Five months: they passed on your script because they didn't like it and will never tell you.