The man above is perched on a rather precarious ice wall.  Guess what, so are you...

So, I did the Schmooze thing last night.  Actually I was meeting up with my Director friend Daniel and as Kimm and Briike (the guys that put on the schmooze) are mutual friends, we decided to meet earlier and then mix and mingle.

For some reason last night, there were more than a few writers there.  Some guys just getting their feet wet and a few others who have done a few things here and there (myself included).  Done enough that is to know the fear, the pain and the loathing.  So my apologies to the younger guys if we seemed down on the whole writing life but you need to hear the truth, sooner than later.

Not that I'm bitter.  I might be frustrated, but I'm not bitter, you hear me, not bitter at all, not the slightest bit bitter.

Now many of the stories got some good laughs and you want that because pain is funny but it's also a good way to couch a cautionary tale and I've got more than a few of those.  Realistically, trust your gut over your head.  Your gut won't let you down but your head will justify anything.  Keep your friends close and work with people you can really trust.  Write what moves you or what interests you.  Keep your most cherished script a secret until you can make it yourself.  And no matter how much it hurts always keep moving forward.  Pain is temporary, you can rise above it but shame lasts a lifetime.