Finishing That First Screenplay?

I was greatly encouraged last night when Kevin Jackson - screenwriting instructor extraordinaire - mentioned that "the first screenplay is the one most people are emotionally attached to.  It's difficult to reconcile the emotion for the project with the realities of what it takes to write a screenplay."   He reminded me that I may never finish my FIRST screenplay, or I may finish it next year or in five years.

I had mentioned that I was losing inspiration after my umpteenth change to characters and situations.  It has definitely gotten harder to write!  He added that the unspoken understanding in Hollywood is that most writers write 8 to 10 screenplays before they write a good one.  What's important is to keep learning the lessons.  Keep applying the ideas and concepts.  And work on it as much as I can.

I guess those are good ideas for anyone learning any profession or skill with a significant learning curve.  I saw my travails in a new light and decided to keep at it!  No giving up now!

If you've ever attempted to write a screenplay or a play, and you're reading this now, please share your own comments on what it was like that first screenplay.  Did you get discouraged?  Was it any good when you finished?  Did you finish?  What have you done since the first? I'd like to hear from you!