How many good screenwriters are going to be willing to write your “great” idea or life story into a screenplay for no upfront money? There is exactly zero. What’s even worse is that quite often when I see these ads the person who wants their life story or “great” idea turned into a screenplay is often offering nothing more than deferred pay. In other words, I seriously doubt that there are many good writers out there just waiting for your great idea. People have ideas they want to share so they learn the craft. People don’t become screenwriters because they love the craft of screenwriting but have no ideas. So why would I write someone else’s great idea? I would say most writers probably feel the same way I do. However, I have more than enough of my own “great” ideas, so many in fact that I’ll never get around to writing them all. Now that’s not to say that they were all terrible ideas, far from it, many of the ideas people have pitched to me are great ideas and they would make a great movie. So far I’ve never heard a single one that was so compelling that I was even remotely interested in writing it for them.

I’ve heard dozens if not hundreds of people’s “great” ideas and “incredible” life stories. Whenever people hear I’m a screenwriter they always want to pitch me their “great” idea. If you’re looking to hire a screenwriter to write your “great” idea or life story think about what type of screenwriter you’re liable to attract. It’s usually a lose-lose situation for everyone involved.

If you’re a writer thinking about responding to such a post you should do so with extreme caution. If you’re thinking about posting such an ad please reconsider. I see people on job forums and bulletin boards like Craig’s List looking to hire a screenwriter to turn their life story or other “great” idea into a screenplay.

Best screenwriters of all time