Why don’t I have an agent yet?

This is a question that plagues many if not all aspiring screenwriters out there.  There are some who choose to find success without the help of a literary agent but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have someone else in your corner.

I do not have an agent.  I’ve never received any offers nor have I been asked to send any material… anywhere.

I suppose there are some who wouldn’t admit to that on a screenwriting blog but I’m an aspiring screenwriter.  Aspiring is the operative word.

Why don’t I have an agent yet?

Truthfully, I’ve never tried to seek one out.

Before I continue, let me say that I don’t think I would definitely have one if I tried.  How arrogant would that sound?  I have absolutely no idea what’s out there for me because I haven’t even started to look.  I’m not even entirely sure I know where to look.

The reason?

I don’t think I’m there yet.  For years, I’ve been working on shorter projects for 17 West Productions.  Hopefully, our next few films will truly showcase what I believe we are capable of.  Through all my directing and editing challenges I’ve always wondered if I have what it takes.

However, you can’t attract an agent with only one feature screenplay and a host of shorts at your disposal can you?.  I’ve written others of course but there are only a few I would consider ‘my best stuff’.

It’s time to change that.

This is a difficult thing for a writer to admit to.  Why not try and send things out and see what happens? It’s a valid point but I want to truly impress when I do decide to put myself out there.  To date, I’ve only entered one screenplay competition and came 4th out of more than 1200 entries.  Ironically, that script happens to be The Climb.  A short film currently in post production in what will probably be my final directorial effort.  I’ve retired as a director for one main reason:

I want to be a screenwriter.

It’s time I write bigger and better stuff and see what I’m made of.

I finished a new feature screenplay last week.  One of the central themes of the story is doing what makes you happy.

Screenwriting makes me happy.

Getting an agent would really make me happy but to me it’s all about the blank page.

I can’t do that without some killer material to match the dedication I have to this craft.

Maybe I’m setting myself up for a shock when the time comes.  Perhaps I don’t have what it takes. I’m not naive.  It’s a very real possibility and I’m prepared for that as well.

But I’m also scared, self conscious, alone and uncertain of where this journey will take me.

Maybe it’s that fear that caused me to delay this decision?

I suppose I’ll cross that bridge when the time comes.  The beauty of working towards a goal you believe in is how much effort you are willing to put in to achieve it. No matter what set backs come your way you can always go back to the drawing board and improve.

You can always become a better screenwriter.

My new feature script is ambitious. It’s something I’ve never even dreamed of attempting.  It represents a challenge I’m prepared to face because I believe it will be my best work to date.

I don’t have an agent yet.  It’s time I start putting myself out there.  Screenwriters have to put themselves out there to get noticed.  It’s time I joined the team.

But first…  That pesky blank page must be addressed.