10 Actions Writers Can Take to be Successful

Want to be a Working Screenwriter? 10 Actions to Take Now!

After working the past 21 years in the entertainment business as a story/career consultant, writing instructor, speaker, author and studio executive, these are the actions taken by the writers I’ve worked with that have led to the launch of countless successful writing careers.

International speaker Jen Grisanti is an acclaimed Story/Career Consultant at Jen Grisanti Consultancy, Inc. Grisanti is also a Writing Instructor for Writers on the Verge at NBC, a former studio executive, a blogger for The Huffington Post and author of Story Line: Finding Gold In Your Life Story, TV Writing Tool Kit: How To Write a Script That Sells, and her latest book, Change Your Story, Change Your Life.

BUILD

You should build a writing portfolio that links with your end goal of where you want to work as a writer. Does your portfolio support your end goal?

With TV, you want to have 3-4 scripts in your portfolio before you go looking for representation. I recommend that writers have one current TV spec script, two pilots and for the fourth script, they should have a one act, a play, a feature or a sketch. With features, you want to have 3-4 scripts that show your passion. They can be a variety of genres. When one hits, build your portfolio in this direction.

Build an online presence by producing your own videos on sites like YouTube, Vimeo and Funny or Die. Also, build a strong following on sites like Twitter. This will increase your marketability.