Just keep writing

Well, this is depressing.

And true, of course. I'm not disputing that. I was an English major; the only thing we hear more than "Would you like fries with that?" is "It's not what you know; it's who you know." Here's the problem: I don't know anybody. I mean, I know people, but I don't Know People.

I did meet Jane Espenson once, at WonderCon, and she was just as nice and funny and supportive in person as she is online (though I will say that my dream of her saying, "Hey, I wear funky glasses and you wear funky glasses! Want to come write for TV?" did not materialize). And I think that while I'm trying to figure out how to Know Somebody, I have to take the advice Jane gave me, and the advice she gives all prospective writers: Keep writing. Write for TV, or write not for TV. As long as you're writing. Jane says that one way to get into this kind of writing is to be good at other kinds of writing, and to make a kind of lateral move (like Pamie, and I know I am one of many who would like to be Pamie when we grow up)--as she says, what's the worst that can happen? You become a famous novelist on the way? Either way, writing appears to be the thing to do. (Surprise!) It makes me happy to be able to say I've been prolific lately. I'm making good headway on a spec 30 Rock script, and I'm excited about an original pilot that's been percolating. And I'm trying to do whatever else I can find, to get out there or just get more practice: essays (my personal favorite) or short stories or reviews or a certain movie blog. After all, I'll only get better, right? This is what I have to keep telling myself. Just keep writing. It'll all come together.

Thank you for the pep talk, Self! Now I think I will go eat some pineapple for dinner, because pineapple makes everything good.