Lee Gabel: Screenwriter and visual effects artist in Victoria, Canada.

Fellow scribes... I'm curious. Why do so few screenwriters choose to post loglines here, but no scripts?

From 2003 through 2013, I worked as a contractor in the visual effects industry, working on such shows as Fringe, Raising Hope, Outlaw, Flash Forward, Pushing Daisies, Lost and Alias. I've also worked on a couple of movies, both made-for-TV and theatrical. Before that, graphic design was my area of expertise. I use my screenwriting and storyboarding skills to write commercials and promotional material. I'm self-taught, using books and the Internet as my classroom. I taught myself visual effects this way and figured I could follow the same route to screenwriting. I am a lifelong fan of film. I try and watch at least one movie every week, and break down the story elements as I watch. I've probably seen thousands of films. As a kid I would make my own Super8 movies. I guess I've always thought cinematically. I often wonder what I would have done if I had access to the same kinds of technology that kids have today. I wrote my first feature script in 1997. It was quite an accomplishment at the time. Life got busy and I guess I didn't realize then how important writing was to me. Ten years pass and I dig out this screenplay and reread it. I even get some outside critique. It is terrible, as all first screenplays are. I do a page one rewrite on it and surprise myself with a much better screenplay (it's been rewritten several times since then). Yes, writing certainly is rewriting. Anyone who tells you different is not a true writer. I now have completed four feature scripts, all of which have been through the rewrite process numerous times, and have ideas for a few more. I had the good fortune to meet a professional writer/producer who has been kind enough to read and give notes on my all scripts. It's been really great. And thanks to books and Internet resources, it's finally getting to the point where I can actually see myself breaking through. I used to wonder if I was any good at this. Now I realize that I have developed real marketable screenwriting skills, and as with critique, if enough people with the right credentials say that the script was a good read, then it likely is. Do anything enough times and you get good at it. I'm closer to breaking in, but still a ways away. It's just a matter of time and screenplays.

when I decide to write something , its usually based on Impulse . I start to ponder over the issue , the story line and the characters to make my first "mind draft" . But after a chat with my friend and listening to advice of screen writers I have been confused and skeptic over the methodology suggested . Writers suggest to read books related to the issues , documentaries , news articles and anything that may sound similar to your theme. But I certainly have a problem with this advise, according to me its like picking words from different sources and then arranging them to make it logical . What about the purity of my Idea, it just got corrupted .

I am at a lost. I live in the Caribbean and I have completed a feature length script, and have no idea how to proceed from here. It seems the old way of sending out query letters to producers and agents is no longer valid. I could use some advice.

Hi Lee. I'm RB, co-founder and CEO of Stage 32. As an actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker, I know first-hand the challenges all creatives face finding work and attracting attention to their projects. That's why we created Stage 32. Since our launch in September of 2011, the community has grown to 125,000+ members strong spanning 180+ countries making Stage 32 the social network uniquely populated with the most creative people on Earth. This is a network for you, built by you. Like most things in life, the more you participate, the greater the rewards. We ask all new members pay it forward and invite at least 5 fellow creatives and to spread the word of Stage 32 through other social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. You can also invite fellow creatives through the site by using the "Send Stage 32 Invites..." button on the upper right side of your profile. The more creatives, the stronger the network. The stronger the network, the more opportunities. Thanks for joining the movement and for being a part of this most talented and inspiring community. PS - Please take a moment to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @Stage32online.

Hey Lee, I'm the CTO and lead developer at Stage 32. Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback about the site. I'd love to hear your comments! To get started with Stage 32 and understand all the features and resources the site has to offer, please check out the Getting Started section and our FAQ.