Tweetstorm: Daniel Kunka on the one thing a Hollywood writer can control

“What I have excelled at (and what keeps me from having to find a real job) is doing the one thing that you have total control over — namely, writing.”

There are occasions when Twitter has a harmonic convergence of goodness… like yesterday when screenwriter Daniel Kunka (@unikunka) crafted a litany of tweets which provided insight about one well-worn, but reliable path to carve out a career as a Hollywood screenwriter. Reprinted here by permission:

This is really good advice. There are SO MANY things a screenwriter cannot control, but writing absolutely should be one thing you DO control. Even if you’re landing paying gigs, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be pounding out one, even two spec scripts per year. Other than time and sweat equity, there’s not downside and all upside. You’re creating IP which can translate into (A) a sale or an option, (B) general meetings, (C ) OWA opportunities, and — dare I say it — (D) a potential movie. Even if a script doesn’t get set up, it’s an asset you always have in your creative bank. For example, I talked with a producer recently who asked to read a script I wrote 15 years ago.

Plus, as Daniel says, by writing, you get better at the craft and that can pay off in multiple ways, everything from how you handle assignments to writing better spec scripts.

But perhaps the main thing is this: By writing spec scripts and taking control of your creative life, you can create some sanity in the crazy roller coaster life of a writer. There’s no guarantee you’ll sell that script, but at least it’s YOURS.

As Daniel says, “Always be writing.” Sage advice from someone who’s sold numerous spec scripts and made the annual Black List more than once.

To read my June 2013 interview with Daniel, go here.

For more screenwriting tweetstorms, go here.