I'm 68, a retired technical writer who got interested in screenwriting because Hollywood wasn't telling the stories I wanted to see.
Basically, I'm in it for the money (to pay off my mortgage). I have no desire to become a "professional" screenwriter, especially to turn out scripts on subjects I don't find interesting, or understand well-enough to write intelligently about. This is untenable, because agents want writers to be script-writing machines. "We need a romcom. Got one?"
I write to please myself and the audience. You can't be original catering to someone else's taste.
I taught myself the basics, then took the "Story" course at TheFilmSchool in Seattle. I consider myself a competent writer, as you can see by reading "The Schoolmarm".
Only one agent and two actors have ever "given me the time of day". I extend my heartfelt gratitude for their willingness to listen to someone they don't know.
