WRITING CONSULTATIONS??

What do you expect from a professional consultation on your screenplays?

            If you want someone to tell you how great your project is then don’t come to me.  My job is to help you make your script better……much better.  If you simply want to hear wonderful comments on your writing, then give it to your relatives.  They will love your work.  They also love you. On the other hand, I haven’t got a clue whether you are the dearest person in the world or evil incarnate.  I only know you via your writing.  Give that some thought.  Obviously what I am saying is that I don’t have any other agenda other than making you a better writer, making your material marketable and helping you learn for your future work.  How bad is that?

            For 25 years I worked in Hollywood as a professional literary agent.  I’ve represented hundreds of writers and read thousands of scripts.  I’ve sold innumerable movies, TV movies, and TV series.  I’ve helped my clients improve their writing and watched them grow into bankable, rich and successful people.  The “good” clients listened to me.  The “bad” clients faded into oblivion.

            The point is that you must have a fairly thick skin to be a pro.  You need to hear what’s wrong with your work as well as what’s right.  Try to step back emotionally when you receive feedback from your consultant.  You need to work on really understanding what we are saying and know that we are saying it to help you.

            You are paying good money for good advice.  Make sure you vet anyone you are considering as a consultant.  Know the difference between a consultation and coverage.  Go to Google.com for information about the background of your choices.  There are a lot of people out there who have no idea how to help you.  Make sure you hire a pro. 

            Get serious about your writing career and spend the money to get your writing into shape. If you don’t do this, you will wander around aimlessly for years and years.  It’s a terrible limbo.

            If you are interested in improving your writing, email me for a consultation at: novelconsult@yahoo.com and for heaven’s sake, read my book:  MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent’s Guide To Your Writing Career” at www.Amazon.com or email me for a signed copy.

            I guess you could call this article my way of showing you tough love.  Writing for the screen is a calling at not an avocation.  You are working alone in a vacuum so much of the time that it’s hard to see the forest for the trees.  I wish you well.