There are about as many ways to break into Hollywood as there are writers, actors and directors. There's the classic waiting on tables, sleeping with someone, winning a contest, you know the cliches. Personally, I've always wanted to say that my dog got me my first writing gig. Now, this sweet (but not too bright) canine did hook me up with some people who like my writing, but so far no sale through her. (Sorry, Sparky.)

So, I'll have to settle for the more traditional, less traditional route. Right now, I'm chronicling the journey of a novel adaptation (adapting a book, that is -- not a new and unique adaptation to the business). It's a cop story, with lots of chases, romance and a fun story.

A year ago, I started temping for a studio. My goal at the time was to meet new people in the industry and try to get my work read. (Previously I worked in academia. While fun and interesting, it was taking my personal career away from writing. Now, I started writing seventeen years ago, and haven't stopped since. It's my heart's desire and I feel damn lucky that I know what I want to do with my life since so many others don't. So, when academia started to interfere, I classified it as A Bad Thing.)

I ended up in a studio HR department. Sorry, Human Resources. At the time, that was fine with me. After eight years of a steady 9-5, the more... fluid world of temping was somewhat unsettling. No, my job wasn't on the lot, in the thick of the thick rubbing elbows with The Powers That Be, but it was employment, and I was in a good position, so I was willing to see what happened. Besides, they let me on the lot as often as I want so I haven't lost much.

It turns out that another person in my department is a producer at heart. She had a book that she was particularly keen on. When she learned that I was a screenwriter, we made an exchange -- I gave her one of my scripts, she gave me the novel. She liked my writing, I liked the movie potential in the book, so we struck up a deal. If she optioned the book, I'd write the screenplay adaptation.

Unless you have the screenplay rights for a novel, don't waste your time trying to adapt it. Even then, you might want to wait for a signature on the dotted line before putting more effort into the project. I'll go into why later.

So, thus begins a journey that's currently in its twelfth month of travelling. I'll fill in more of the waypoints later, but for now there it is. The beginning. A chance meeting between a producer and a writer who happen to hit it off and have lots of enthusiasm but not quite as much experience. Feel free to join me for the adventure!