Yes. Yes. I have been working toward writing full time the last few years. I was told by the head of a studio I was too old to write for TV, definitely too old to write for comedy. Six years later I was pitching a comedy to networks based on a short I wrote. I'm out pitching more now, specs, etc. I remember who encouraged me and who didn't. One guy who was writing on a show - who I didn't even ask for advice about writing - felt the need to tell me he knew I wasn't ready without even reading my writing. Then he told me I should be kissing his feet for even talking to me. He also mentioned how often he had to apologize for being an asshole. I talked to a friend and her husband (who is a showrunner) and they said, "the guy sounds like an asshole." You hit it on the head - and this is for any creative endeavor - what kind of person do you want to be? If you want to go around being a jerk and discouraging people, that's your choice. But as you point out, no one knows anything, and kindness costs you nothing.
Yes. Yes. I have been working toward writing full time the last few years. I was told by the head of a studio I was too old to write for TV, definitely too old to write for comedy. Six years later I was pitching a comedy to networks based on a short I wrote. I'm out pitching more now, specs, etc. I remember who encouraged me and who didn't. One guy who was writing on a show - who I didn't even ask for advice about writing - felt the need to tell me he knew I wasn't ready without even reading my writing. Then he told me I should be kissing his feet for even talking to me. He also mentioned how often he had to apologize for being an asshole. I talked to a friend and her husband (who is a showrunner) and they said, "the guy sounds like an asshole." You hit it on the head - and this is for any creative endeavor - what kind of person do you want to be? If you want to go around being a jerk and discouraging people, that's your choice. But as you point out, no one knows anything, and kindness costs you nothing.