
Welcome back for the final installment of Representation 101!
So far we have covered the basics of what having literary representation can do for you, what kind of representation you need and when you'd be ready for it, and where to meet literary representation.
And today, I'm not gonna lie to you. This is a hard post to write. Instead of giving a lot of hard facts and knowledge, consider it a "therapy session for Writers" blog, if you will. Because today we are going to tackle 2 tough questions I get asked frequently, and they are some of the most painful to answer. They are:
1) How long does it take to secure representation?
2) What do I do if I've been seeking representation for a long time, and have yet to secure it?
I wish these questions had easy answers, but alas, they do not! So, I will do my best to give you some basic parameters concerning the length of acquiring representation and then give you a healthy context in which to think about representation if you've been waiting to secure it for a long time.
SO, let's tackle the first question.
How long DOES it take to secure representation? I mean really? HOW LONG?
As you all know, unfortunately there are no hard and fast answesr to this.
For some people, securing representation happens quite quickly-- a scenario of being in the right place, at the right time, with the right person. And this can and does happen.
But let's be honest. When you hear about this? You hate that person {a little bit...don't lie, you know you do!} but it also gives you hope that it could happen to you! But please remember, this is rare.
For most writers (and this is the more realistic scenario) it can take months to years to secure an agent or a manager. But don't be disheartened. Let's talk about some tips that can help situate you in a good position to get the ball rolling faster.
1. Write an amazing script that is sellable in the current market.
Easier said than done, right? Sure. But you need to look at your writing like a business. Do your homework. Read the industry trades (whether literary or screenwriting). See what is selling. And go in that direction, with your own spin. Write it. Have other industry professionals read it. And then rewrite it. And rewrite it again. And again.
2. Network like hell.
In the last blog post, I told you where to find and MEET these representation types. Go there. Find them. Talk to them. Offer to buy them a drink. Build relationships. Get to know them WITHOUT trying to push a script or novel into their hands. Find out what they want, what they are looking for. And then be patient.
3. Do not be afraid of rewrites.
If I've said it before, I've said it a million times, writing is nothing if not collaborative. If you have an agent or manager who is interested in your script {with a few caveats} ask them what they'd like to see different and if can stomach their suggestions, don't be afraid to rewrite it. They know what the market is looking for and they are in the business of getting stuff sold and developed. Jump in and rewrite it if necessary.
4. Do NOT compare your success to others. You have to stay in a good mental space.
Lastly, on this road to securing representation, do NOT let others steal your joy. Do not compare yourself to other writers. It is your own individual journey. And it is a journey of tenacity. If you stay in, your chances of success increase. Just be sure you don't get burnt out.
So, once you have an awesome script and it's done WELL {i.e. placed well in competitions or the like}, securing interest could take 6 months to a year if you keep working all your avenues. Most people simply give up. You'll want to quit. But DON'T DO IT! Your brain will give out long before your script will. Stay focused.
What if I've been trying to secure representation for YEARS and haven't been able to?
Again, not an easy question to answer, but here are some ways to think about this scenario.
1. You don't have to have representation to be a working writer.
It's true. You don't. Does it help? And is it nice? Sure. But I know plenty of writers who are "working" with just an entertainment lawyer to help negotiate and seal the contracts. So, remember, don't think once you have an agent or manager that everything will be smooth sailing...because you WILL still have to work and representation does NOT guarantee you success. And don't let NOT having an agent hold you back. Keep on keeping on. That's the truth.
2. Take a minute to really consider WHY you write.
Do you write because it makes you happy? Is it a release? Is it fun? OR do you write for some other reason...such as validation or because it's hipster or to gain fame and fortune?
If your reason for writing is any of the latter options, you may need to reconsider writing as a career. Sorry for the tough love, but it's true. I find that most writers who end up doing it for a living would be writing even if they NEVER got paid. And they also are surprised they get to do it and make money for it. So, make sure your heart and intentions are in the right place. Having wrong intentions can stifle your creativity, you know.
3. Reconsider what you are writing and make sure that it fits the market.
Again, if you are wanting representation, its most likely because you want to try to earn money doing something you love. If you aren't gaining any attention from representation, you may need to reevaluate what kind of material you are putting out there. Make sure that it is something that the industry is wanting and looking for. Because obviously, if it can't make money for them, it won't make money for you. View your screenwriting as a business. And be savvy about it! And lastly...
4. JUST KEEP WRITING!
For all of you who are still going at it, listen to this story: I have a colleague who has been writing for 20 years. Yes, twenty. He won a few contests back around 10 years ago, and then nothing. But he kept writing. After his father passed away, his writing changed. Something happened. He felt it. He submitted again with new scripts. And they went gangbusters in the competitions. And this week, he got an e-mail from an agent at one of the big companies in Hollywood. Yes, you read that correctly.
HE... GOT AN E-MAIL... from an AGENT... he had NEVER MET... at one of the big representation firms... asking if HE was interested in representation! HOLY COW!!!!! I kid you not, I freaked out. I am still not jaded by this business and refuse to ever be that way because stories like this make my heart burst open with joy.
And so it goes.
So be encouraged. Keep going. Keep writing. Do it because you love it. And representation will come along if it's meant to be. But you can do it without representation. Bust on through. Take charge of your own destiny and write.
I hope you have found this series to be helpful!
Happy Writing.
So far we have covered the basics of what having literary representation can do for you, what kind of representation you need and when you'd be ready for it, and where to meet literary representation.
And today, I'm not gonna lie to you. This is a hard post to write. Instead of giving a lot of hard facts and knowledge, consider it a "therapy session for Writers" blog, if you will. Because today we are going to tackle 2 tough questions I get asked frequently, and they are some of the most painful to answer. They are:
1) How long does it take to secure representation?
2) What do I do if I've been seeking representation for a long time, and have yet to secure it?
I wish these questions had easy answers, but alas, they do not! So, I will do my best to give you some basic parameters concerning the length of acquiring representation and then give you a healthy context in which to think about representation if you've been waiting to secure it for a long time.
SO, let's tackle the first question.
How long DOES it take to secure representation? I mean really? HOW LONG?
As you all know, unfortunately there are no hard and fast answesr to this.
For some people, securing representation happens quite quickly-- a scenario of being in the right place, at the right time, with the right person. And this can and does happen.
But let's be honest. When you hear about this? You hate that person {a little bit...don't lie, you know you do!} but it also gives you hope that it could happen to you! But please remember, this is rare.
For most writers (and this is the more realistic scenario) it can take months to years to secure an agent or a manager. But don't be disheartened. Let's talk about some tips that can help situate you in a good position to get the ball rolling faster.
1. Write an amazing script that is sellable in the current market.
Easier said than done, right? Sure. But you need to look at your writing like a business. Do your homework. Read the industry trades (whether literary or screenwriting). See what is selling. And go in that direction, with your own spin. Write it. Have other industry professionals read it. And then rewrite it. And rewrite it again. And again.
2. Network like hell.
In the last blog post, I told you where to find and MEET these representation types. Go there. Find them. Talk to them. Offer to buy them a drink. Build relationships. Get to know them WITHOUT trying to push a script or novel into their hands. Find out what they want, what they are looking for. And then be patient.
3. Do not be afraid of rewrites.
If I've said it before, I've said it a million times, writing is nothing if not collaborative. If you have an agent or manager who is interested in your script {with a few caveats} ask them what they'd like to see different and if can stomach their suggestions, don't be afraid to rewrite it. They know what the market is looking for and they are in the business of getting stuff sold and developed. Jump in and rewrite it if necessary.
4. Do NOT compare your success to others. You have to stay in a good mental space.
Lastly, on this road to securing representation, do NOT let others steal your joy. Do not compare yourself to other writers. It is your own individual journey. And it is a journey of tenacity. If you stay in, your chances of success increase. Just be sure you don't get burnt out.
So, once you have an awesome script and it's done WELL {i.e. placed well in competitions or the like}, securing interest could take 6 months to a year if you keep working all your avenues. Most people simply give up. You'll want to quit. But DON'T DO IT! Your brain will give out long before your script will. Stay focused.
What if I've been trying to secure representation for YEARS and haven't been able to?
Again, not an easy question to answer, but here are some ways to think about this scenario.
1. You don't have to have representation to be a working writer.
It's true. You don't. Does it help? And is it nice? Sure. But I know plenty of writers who are "working" with just an entertainment lawyer to help negotiate and seal the contracts. So, remember, don't think once you have an agent or manager that everything will be smooth sailing...because you WILL still have to work and representation does NOT guarantee you success. And don't let NOT having an agent hold you back. Keep on keeping on. That's the truth.
2. Take a minute to really consider WHY you write.
Do you write because it makes you happy? Is it a release? Is it fun? OR do you write for some other reason...such as validation or because it's hipster or to gain fame and fortune?
If your reason for writing is any of the latter options, you may need to reconsider writing as a career. Sorry for the tough love, but it's true. I find that most writers who end up doing it for a living would be writing even if they NEVER got paid. And they also are surprised they get to do it and make money for it. So, make sure your heart and intentions are in the right place. Having wrong intentions can stifle your creativity, you know.
3. Reconsider what you are writing and make sure that it fits the market.
Again, if you are wanting representation, its most likely because you want to try to earn money doing something you love. If you aren't gaining any attention from representation, you may need to reevaluate what kind of material you are putting out there. Make sure that it is something that the industry is wanting and looking for. Because obviously, if it can't make money for them, it won't make money for you. View your screenwriting as a business. And be savvy about it! And lastly...
4. JUST KEEP WRITING!
For all of you who are still going at it, listen to this story: I have a colleague who has been writing for 20 years. Yes, twenty. He won a few contests back around 10 years ago, and then nothing. But he kept writing. After his father passed away, his writing changed. Something happened. He felt it. He submitted again with new scripts. And they went gangbusters in the competitions. And this week, he got an e-mail from an agent at one of the big companies in Hollywood. Yes, you read that correctly.
HE... GOT AN E-MAIL... from an AGENT... he had NEVER MET... at one of the big representation firms... asking if HE was interested in representation! HOLY COW!!!!! I kid you not, I freaked out. I am still not jaded by this business and refuse to ever be that way because stories like this make my heart burst open with joy.
And so it goes.
So be encouraged. Keep going. Keep writing. Do it because you love it. And representation will come along if it's meant to be. But you can do it without representation. Bust on through. Take charge of your own destiny and write.
I hope you have found this series to be helpful!
Happy Writing.