Here's a question for you......What are your career goals insofar as your writing is concerned???
Sounds innocuous enough, but that question holds your entire future. I have found that most people live their lives in a rather willy-nilly manner. They believe in fate or that their futures are not in their own hands. As far as I'm concerned, that's a lot of crap. My dear friends you must become the masters of your own fates. You can't just sit back and complain that life is hard. It's damn hard for everyone. Everyone has an awful family or didn't get a great education, or didn't come from a family with big money. Too bad. Nothing was ever handed to me either. I've worked my ass off for everything I've accomplished and every penny I've earned. Even when I divorced my second husband, (the lawyer with money), I walked away with the clothes on my back. No I didn't take any alimony, I moved out and left him in our home. It was all very simple for me. I wanted out!
With all that said, you now know that I'm a self-made gal. I didn't get to go to college. After high school, my mother was very ill and my father had left when I was 8 years old. My mom passed away when I was nineteen. There was no one to turn to for help. I pulled myself up, dried my eyes and found the only job that I was able to get. I was a messenger in a large company. That could have been the end of my story. But, I have always been a daydreamer. I used to play "office" when I was a little girl. I loved movies with Joan Crawford being a tough business woman. That was the image that stayed in my head.
My only hobby was reading. It was also the only escape I had for a very difficult life. Little did I know that between Joan Crawford and my self education I was moving toward a life that I didn't even know existed. When I needed a job, a friend referred me to a secretarial job at a theatrical agency. I jumped at the chance to learn about the entertainment business.
As you know, I became a literary agent and loved my career for 25 years. After all those years I decided to work as a script and novel consultant. So I did just that. My day dreams became my reality. I worked hard and I worked long hours. Every minute was thrilling. I became a very well respected and successful woman.
Basically, that's my story. It should also be yours. Figure out what you want more than anything else then work your butt off to get there. No excuses. If you have to take night classes on online courses on writing, so be it. If you have to move to Los Angeles, pack your bags and do it. If you have to write 5 comedy scripts to find out you are better at action/adventure, that's fine. Just set your goal and move forward like a shark in the water. Don't let people or setbacks stop you. Stay the course.
You've only got one life. Live it well.
Michele
Note: My online course: "MOVING YOUR WRITING CAREER FORWARD" is now being offered via the Screenwriters University. The first session begins on May 26th. Sign up at: www.screenwritersuniversity.com
