Screenwriter Terry Rossio (Aladdin, Shrek, Pirates Of The Caribbean series) has a long running website on screenwriting. His site reminds me a lot of PG, actual

Screenwriter Terry Rossio (Aladdin, Shrek, Pirates Of The Caribbean series) has a long running website on screenwriting. His site reminds me a lot of PG, actually, since he has a lot of essays thinking about the concepts behind the movie business. He's talked there before about the time he spent preparing to become a screenwriter. His initial plan was to take 10 years to learn the craft. http://www.wordplayer.com/forums/forulttrs/lt18.That.Big.Break.html http://www.wordplayer.com/forums/forulttrs/lt18.That.Big.Bre... "Since Ted and I were going to be working and studying screenwriting for ten years, that took some of the pressure off. It doesn't make sense to kick yourself after failing at something for four years, when the path you're on is designed to take ten. This allowed a period of time to undertake an analysis and exploration of the business, the techniques, the craft, the history, etc. Step by step, from style to format to character to concept to theme, etc. In other words, we gave ourselves room to practice." He's also got a fantastic column on why you should give up at screenwriting. I think a lot of people here can apply it to startups. http://www.wordplayer.com/columns/wp34.Throw.in.the.Towel.html http://www.wordplayer.com/columns/wp34.Throw.in.the.Towel.ht... "That's what I'm really trying to do here (and you're smart enough to see it). And I'm not quitting. Oh, no, I'm not even warmed up. This is important, and I'm gonna give it my best shot. Because what's at stake here is pretty damn big... oh, just, let's say, your life. A wasted life, potentially, or at least wasting the best years of your life. Days, months, years of effort endlessly trying to do something that you'll never be able to do well. And how many sunsets will you miss before you finally give up? How many walks in the moonlight are forever gone? How much laughter with friends are you willing to sacrifice? How many times will the kids not get the attention they deserve because 'Daddy's trying to write something' that nobody wants to read? Oh. Gee. Did that one get to you a little? Feel a little twinge in the pit of your stomach? Good."