Advice to a young screenwriter

Okay, you've learned how to present a spec script so it actually gets read and not rejected unread. Clean, crisp, efficient, vertical writing. Strong suspense, what happens next? You've learned how to use beginning-middle-end storytelling to tell a tale that moves, builds, surprises, resolves.

The next step is to get validation that you have come this far. There are two main ways to do this: someone who knows the screenwriting field can tell you. A teacher, for example. Someone working in Hollywood who will tell you the truth. Or you can make the first cut in a screenwriting contest, just about any contest. The first cut tells you a reader took your work seriously.

At this point you need to ask yourself, if you haven't already, Why am I doing this? What are your goals as a screenwriter? Your answer will influence the path you take next.

• Do you have professional ambitions in the film industry? In this case, screenwriting likely becomes an entry-level position on your career path to directing and producing. My advice: move to LA as soon as possible.
  
• Do you just want to write screenplays, not produce, not direct? Well, full time or part time, as a career or as a part of a more general writing career or some other career? If full time, living in LA will help you. Go there. But if not, LA is not so necessary. Be where you want to be.
  
• Do you just want to write spec scripts? Live anywhere.
  

If you go to LA, your first job should be to get an agent. If you don't go to LA, your first job should be to get producers to read your scripts. More about this later.