A professional screenwriter is a screenwriter who has been produced and paid. A professional screenwriter follows Hollywood’s rules in order to get produced. Hollywood’s rules require screenwriters to follow genre formula’s in order to produce their films. This means that professional screenwriter’s utilize their creativity by creating fresh, compelling, and unique stories. This is the essence of utilizing one’s creativity in Hollywood.
If a screenwriter wants to go independent of Hollywood in order to be creative, then, create to your heart’s delight. If a screenwriter wants to write screenplays simply to have fun writing screenplays, then be creative, have fun with it. If, however, a screenwriter desires to become a professional screenwriter, then, one must channel that creativity into specific channels in order to sell and get their screenplays produced in Hollywood.
Simply remember that if you want to be successful in Hollywood, take chances with your screenwriting, but be prepared to work very hard if you veer off the cookie cutter path and create something of your own. It might take you eons to sell your work. The magic of Hollywood, however, never ceases to amaze people. That is why so many screenwriters strive to break through with their own kind of screenwriting.
It has been my experience that perseverance, belief in one self, and being bold and assertive about your work and yourself when networking in the film business, can catapult you into the bright lights of Hollywood. You never know until you try it.