I got my first writing credit within 2 years of moving to LA. It was a rewrite job on a tiny little indie feature that even went on to get a theatrical release. When it happened I thought, "Is my career going to start now?"

It didn't.

Then I optioned an original feature that was going to be my directorial debut. It didn't go anywhere, as those things often do, but even then I thought, "Is my career going to start now?"

It didn't.

Got hired for my first OWA. A true story adaptation feature, where I spent a year and a half researching and conducting interviews to tell this family's story. Didn't go anywhere, as those things often do. But I loved the work.

"Is my career going to start now?"

It didn't.

Then I sold my first spec feature. Six months later it was in production. A year after that it premiered, and even released theatrically.

Once again, "Is my career going to start now?"

It didn't.

More OWAs. Some great contest placements. A widening network of companies I could meet with even without a rep. I was even able to use other things to negotiate my own deals with the tiny bit of leverage I had, still wondering, "Is my career going to start now?"

It still didn't.

But now, eight years later when I look back on all the mini-milestones along this journey, I can finally say...

"Oh. I get it now. That IS the career."

If there's a moral to this story, it's don't put too much value on any one thing. But the least you can do is enjoy the ride.