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While cleaning up my place the other day I came across the stack of scripts I have written throughout my writing career. While there were far more “Bridesmaids” than “Brides” amongst them I’m still proud overall of the accomplishment.

At the very bottom of the pile is the very first script I ever wrote. Its a hollow, mid-80s, “Miami Vice”-knockoff called “The Neon Runner” (::shudder::). Skimming through it there are some interesting visuals, a line or two of clever dialogue and a halfway decent action sequence. Other than that its pretty much dreck. Fewer eyes will lay upon it than Eddie Murphy’s last movie.

Guess what? You’re first script will be dreck too. Maybe worse. Maybe a slight bit better, raising it to “crap” status. There is no way around this truism. Feel free to go ahead and read as many screenwriting books as you want, take as many Robert McKee classes as you can afford, burn through as many story development programs as you like . . . But your script is still gonna suck. Sorry to break the news to you but somebody had to say it.

Consider yourself that one person whose first script ever is gonna take Hollywood by storm? Congratulations on having such a wonderful imagination. Too bad reality is sneaking up on you and plans to kick your ass. Think I’m being rough? Its nothing compared to the damage you could cause your career by jumping the gun. Just because you’re an amateur screenwriter (which we all pretty much are until we’re working steadily; at least as steadily as the film business has to offer) doesn’t mean you need to go out of your way to prove it.

Some of you are now thinking aloud “But what about that transit cop/accountant/zoo keeper who wrote a script on a lark and sold their first script for a kajillion dollars?” Sorry, kids, but I’ve gotta call bullshit on that one. If the movie business knows nothing else, it knows its P.R. Just take the case of Diablo Cody who was endlessly referred to as a “stripper turned screenwriter”, making it sound like each hour she’s switch off between her laptop and lap dances. In truth, Cody was writing long before her script “Juno” sold.

Which sounds catchier — Stripper sells screenplay? — Or — Guy who’s been writing for fifteen years while surviving on nothing but Top Ramen sells screenplay? Exactly.

So then what the hell does that first screenplay get you if not a three-picture deal? That’s easy — Satisfaction. Unlike all those other posers out there, you have your first script under your belt. Its quite an accomplishment and should never be disregarded. Now just hold onto that warm feeling as you (figuratively) toss that script in the trash and get started on your next one.

Know what?

Its gonna be much better than your last script . . . You’re getting more familiar with story structuring . . . Your stage direction is more colorful, more precise . . . You characters are developing some dimension . . . Its the best you’ve ever written, and sooooo much better than your first script.

Know what to do with it?

That’s right. Throw it in the trash (again figuratively) beside your first script. And now get started on that third script . . .

So why should you even bother to continue? Why even bother being a screenwriter? Because you have no choice in the matter. You don’t want to write. You must write. This mindset makes it easier for you to discard your early works because you’re fully aware that screenwriting is a learning process. The true worth of those discarded scripts comes from in between the pages — Experience.