I’ve done the math, and I think I’ve logged 10,000 hours of screenwriting.

Probably years ago, actually.

So does this mean I have mastery?

You’ve probably heard this theory. Malcolm Gladwell wrote about it.

That one must practice a skill 10,000 hours or more to achieve world-class mastery.

Does that mean I have that?

And does one even need that, to succeed in screenwriting?

Let’s break it down.

1. Does 10,000 hours mean I have mastery?

I wouldn’t say that.

In fact every time I write anything I feel like I’m groping in the wilderness, convinced what I’m doing doesn’t work and I’m sorely lacking abilities that I need.

Maybe that’s just me.

However I have internalized most of the things I talk about on this blog and at least strive to practice what I preach.

It’s probably easier for me to generate something that kind of flows and is clear. Although it still takes multiple drafts and hard-nosed self-critiques along the way.

I have the advantage of all I’ve learned and practiced. It’s not nothing. But it’s not like being a grand master in chess, let’s say, where anywhere you go, you can defeat most people, almost all of the time.

It more just means you have skills that – given the right choice of project and many other factors as you develop and write it – make it easier for you to have a chance, to be in the game.

2. Is “world-class mastery” needed, as a screenwriter?

Unfortunately I think it kind of does, at least to have a sustained professional career at it.

Probably even to sell a script or get one produced, unless you do that yourself.

There are potential exceptions to everything. And anyone seriously pursuing a creative field like this is obviously a risk-taker, not playing by the odds.

But it’s also such a competitive arena – and it’s so expensive for anyone to produce anything that could reach a mass audience – that it takes a script that’s really special to rise above.

Not just competent, not just good, but special, typically – in both concept and execution.

Certainly if you have good contacts and relationships that helps. But only to a point.

So while screenwriting is a “behind the scenes” occupation that’s different from, say, acting, singing or professional sports, it’s probably just as hard and rare to really “make it” at a high level.

3. Do you need 10,000 hours to achieve that?

I don’t want to continue to bum you out.

But yes I think it does tend to take quite a while for writers to develop to that point where they could “go pro.” Usually many scripts over many years.

Again, exceptions are possible. But I think they tend to happen for people who have put in some of their 10,000 hours in a related field somehow.

The last piece of bad news, probably obvious, is that having those hours is still no guarantee of mastery, and mastery is no guarantee of professional-level success.

Because it does depend on how you use those hours to grow and develop. How committed you are to learning and improving, how open to feedback you are and where you get it, and how you regroup and move forward in the face of it.

As well as other factors that might be beyond your control.

So why do we keep doing this?

Because we can’t imagine not doing it. Because we enjoy growing and rising to the challenge. Because we hold out hope.

And lastly, because we’re not chasing success – we’re focused on creating something good. And getting better in the process.